Looking Back

10 Years Ago

Jan. 16, 1997

An agreement signed in September 1993 by the Kalispel Indian Tribe with Spokane Raceway Park operator Orville Moe may lead to a legal battle over the construction of the tribe's $17 million casino in Airway Heights. Both parties entered into the agreement in conjunction with the tribe's acquisition of the land for the purpose of converting it from fee to trust land.

Deadbeats beware, the city of Medical Lake will now loose the hounds on those persons owing the city unpaid debts. The City Council voted to enter into a collections agreement with Valley Empire Collections, a company that handles municipal and county collections for various cities in the region, including Cheney and Davenport.

By picking up their second league victory in four nights—a 47-39 triumph over the Clarkston Bantams—the Cheney Blackhawks have quickly jumped to the top of the Frontier League boys basketball standings.

20 Years Ago

Jan. 15, 1987

The City of Cheney will join an effort to keep a Bonneville Power Administration rate increase as close to zero as possible. Bonneville recently announced its seeking an 11.5 percent increase to its wholesale power rate to preferred customers for the October 1987 to October 1989 period. If approved, most customers will likely see a 10.7 percent raise.

A public relations official for Safeway Foods in Seattle confirmed recently that the supermarket chain is considering closing its Cheney store, though no plans have been confirmed. Speculation about a possible closure arose after Cheney store manager Larry Siflett was transferred to a store in Cashmere on short notice.

Cheney High School's three winter sport teams jumped off with quick starts in Frontier League action last week, each team winning its first two contests to leap to the top of the league standings.

30 Years Ago

Jan. 20, 1977

The state of Washington will fine 40 percent of a $1,528,123.80 building project for Salnave Elementary School that will add several classrooms and make the current K-3 grade school a K-6 educational facility by fall 1978. Total state participation comes to $807,008.82, leaving a balance of $736,564.08 to be picked up by the district.

James Van Matre, newly elected co-chairman of the Medical Lake Concerned Citizens Committee, announced there will be a re-surveying of the town in hopes of obtaining an additional 600 signatures in opposition to the building of a Washington state prison in the area. Van Matre also announced citizens outside the city will be asked to sign the petition as well.

Cheney High School boys basketball team will be going after a share of seconds when they take on archrival Medical Lake on the Cardinals' floor after having used a dramatic comeback to beat West Valley 45-43 and lift their league record to 2-1.