Looking Back

10 Years Ago

Feb. 19, 2003

Whether a room full of supporters had any sway over the Cheney City Council or not on the matter of elimination of the park’s and recreation department would be taken up at the next council meeting. At that time a decision on whether to keep $500,000 from the reserve account to fun the department would be made.

The Medical Lake Planning Commission voted to send the matter of where to put secure community transition facilities for sex offenders onto the city council for a vote.

After being jolted with a 24 percent increase in wholesale electricity rates from the Bonneville Power Administration a year and a half ago, the city of Cheney was bracing for another 15 percent hike.

Medical Lake was sedning 14 wrerstlers to Mat Classic XV in Tacoma following a first place finish in regional competition. Weight class winners included Ryan Fitzpatrick at 160-pounds, Josh Edmonson (189) and Garrett Johnson (215).

Cheney ended its 17-game basketball losing streak with a 59-48 Greater Spokane League win at Rogers. Seth Pischel scored 18 second half points to lead the Hawks.

20 Years Ago

1993

Issue missing from our archives.

30 Years Ago

Feb. 24, 1983

Local representatives of the Cheney Chamber of Commerce were in Olympia to visit the state legislature and learn first-hand of a recently passed tax increase that would see all state residents paying an additional $178 per year. Sen. Sam Guess, as well as Rep. Dick Bond and Jim West all opposed the measure.

Self-service regular unleaded gasoline was selling for a bargain $1.04.9 at Gary’ Union 76 located at 301 First in Cheney.

Timm Shepard, Medical Lake’s Parks and Recreation Director, was predicting a bright future for his city’s parks that might even include a new community center.

Three of Cheney’s six wrestlers placed in their respective weight classes and helped the Blackhawks score 43.5 points and finish eighth. Junior Aaron Mason showed he had recovered from an early season knee injury and won a state championship ar 135-pounds.

Forward to John Myers with corrected 1962 date.

40 Years Ago

Feb. 22, 1973

The Eastern Washington State College’s Board of Trustees ratified a proposal authorizin gthe school’s administration to implement any salary adjustments mandatred by the legislature.

The Cheney Chamber of Commerce as well as local high school and junior high students were in Olympia to visit the capitol and see state government in action. The groups visited with Senator Sam Guess as well as Representatives A.J.”Bud” Pardini and Jerry Kopet.

Girls at Cheney High School were seen breaking down traditional barriers with attendance in classes like wood and metal shop, as well as mechanics that were taught by Steve Pope, Barry Brown and Harvey Wallace.

Cheney sent six wrestlers to the sub-district finals held at in their home gym edging Othello 89-83.5. Of those, Mitch King at 108-pounds, Jim Wilcox (122), Thane Reitan (129) and MikeJackson (178) all earned wins and berths in regional competition in Ellensburg.

50 Years Ago

Feb. 22, 1963

Loyd F. Heinen of Spokane was killed instantly in a single car crash south of Cheney. Traveling at a high rate of speed, Heinen lost control of his vehicle and slide broadside for nearly 400 feet before hitting a tree. The force of the crash broke the car into three pieces.

W.A. Rogers, who had been the manager of the Turnbull Wildlife Refge for the past 14 years announced he would retire in March after 30 years of government service.

Cheney virtually wrapped up the regular season championship of the Northeast A League and following a 55-41 win over Mead as Don Dirks scored 32 points and Denny Lavigne added 31. The Blackhawks were close to earning a berth in the sixth annual Class A High School Basketball Tournament in the University of Puget Sound’s Fieldhouse in Tacoma.