Looking Back

10 Years Ago

March 10, 2005

In anticipation of presenting a unique dual bond to voters May 21 to fund both a new elementary school, and additions to the middle school, the Medical Lake School Board heard a presentation of election history from people representing bond sellers.

The planned $20 million Eastern Washington University Student Recreation Center was set to soon move into the construction phase. The measure recently received a nearly 80 percent approval in a vote of the student body.

A 43-32 victory over Pullman sent Medical Lake on to the state 2A boy’s basketball championships in Yakima. Tanner Tareski scored 16 points to lead the Cardinals to their second straight state appearance.

20 Years Ago

March 9, 1995

The proposed annexation of the Fairview Cemetery was a hot topic of discussion at a recent Cheney City Council meeting. A public hearing on the matter was scheduled for the next meeting.

A 21-year-old EWU football player was found dead in his dorm room of an apparent suicide. Craig Steinmetzer, 21, died of an apparent single gunshot wound to the head.

Cheney’s 57-37 victory over Colville at EWU’s Reese Court sent the Lady Hawks on to the state 2A basketball championships in Tacoma. Jenny Hoots scored 20 points and Erin Solday added 16 for Cheney.

30 Years Ago

March 14, 1985

A turnout of nearly 50 Cheney residents were on hand to hear a presentation from Mary King, Main Street Program director, to discuss the latest idea to revitalize the downtown portion of Cheney.

The wheels were set in motion to form a Local Improvement District to make improvements to State Route 904 that included curbing from I to Hattie streets.

Cheney wrestling coach Sam Indorf was named Coach of the Year by the Washington State Coaches Association.

40 Years Ago

March 13, 1975

The city of Cheney grew by nearly 200 people over the past two years with a current count of 6,923, up from the 1973 census of 6,728.

Cheney Mayor Jerry Blakley officially ended his push to combine the jobs of Chief of Police and Fire Chief into a position of safety officer.

Medical Lake improved its record to 20-4 with wins of 30-28 and 53-43 over the Pullman Greyhounds — twice in Pullman — and advanced to the Region IV 1A tournament in Yakima versus Sunnyside. The Cardinals were led by the efforts of Mike Dunn, Marvin Stewart and Charlie Yankus.

50 Years Ago

March 10, 1965

A special school election that would raise $116,000 to purchase new furniture and improve athletic fields at the new high school was approved by 76 percent of Cheney voters.

Cheney contractor Bob Wilson has proposed the building of up to 119 houses over the next 10 years on 40 acres on the former Stevenson property in the northeast portion of Cheney.

Medical Lake track coach Bill Smithpeters welcomed 22 athletes to the first turnout, including Mike Shankel, Carl Liggins, Fred Perkins and Toby Mayfield.