Looking Back

10 Years Ago

Jan. 12, 2005

A strange up-tick in suicide calls over the 2004 holiday period was reported by the Medical Lake Police Department. While no deaths occurred, Police Chief Tony Harbolt said the increase was unusual.

Cheney High School got pins in its final four matches as the Blackhawks scored a 43-30 Greater Spokane League wrestling victory over Shadle Park. Travis McKenzie’s 9-0 major decision was one of those wins.

20 Years Ago

Jan. 12, 1995

Cheney’s director of community development, Steve Worthington, said he was still in search of a tenant for the former Key Tronic Corporation building, vacant since the company shifted production out of town the past summer.

A break-in at Sunset Elementary School in Airway Heights resulted in loss and damage at about $7,000, Cheney School District Superintendent Phil Snowden reported.

The Cheney girls’ basketball team improved its Frontier League record to 4-0 following wins of 58-41 over Clarkston and 69-49 against West Valley. Erin Soliday scored 22 points for Cheney in the Clarkston win.

30 Years Ago

Jan. 17, 1985

Cheney Police Chief Jerry Gardner reported to City Council that crime rates in the city had dropped 7.5 percent and 18 percent below the five-year average.

Dr. H. George Frederickson, president of Eastern Washington University, was announced as a finalist for a similar position at Northern Illinois University.

The Cheney Blackhawks’ boys’ basketball team scored a pair of Frontier League victories, 72-57 over Colville and 78-41 against Medical Lake to improve its record to 5-0. Jason Kent led Cheney with 16 points versus Medical Lake.

40 Years Ago

Jan. 16, 1975

Winter made its appearance in Cheney with an invasion of frigid temperatures and dumped a foot of snow on the city.

The Cheney City Council authorized a yearly subsidy of $1,200 to help restart service from Spokane to Cheney for the Magic Bus operated by the Spokane Transit Authority.

Ray Balance, Medical Lake’s chief of police and a patrolman for the past 10 years, announced his resignation for health reasons, Mayor Fritz Gilbreth reported.

Medical Lake’s boys’ basketball team remained undefeated in Frontier League play following a 59-51 victory over Cheney. Marvin Stewart’s four points in the final minute helped secure the win.

50 Years Ago

Jan. 15, 1965

The Sunset Grange Hall, established in May 1929, burned down in a fire caused by an overheated furnace.

Minnete Jeske, an 18 year-old senior at Cheney High School, and daughter of Dorothy Jeske, was announced as a finalist for Miss Jetset as the official representative for the Spokane Jets hockey team.

Despite missing some of their key performers, Cheney High School’s wrestling team defeated Colfax 25-17 as Frank Ragains, Roger Christianson and Gary Ruepple scored key victories.