Looking Back

10 Years Ago

Nov. 17, 2005

The search to find a replacement for departing Eastern Washington University President Dr. Stephen Jordan was narrowed to three finalists, Dr. Rodolfo Arévalo from Texas Pan American, Western Washington University’s Dr. Andrew Bodman and Dr. John Folkins from Bowling Green University.

After seven years serving as city administrator for the city of Cheney, Paul Schmidt was finally offered an employment contract. “I’ve never had a contract — the mayor and I operated on a handshake,” Schmidt said.

Quarterback Erik Meyer completed 13 of 22 passes for 206 yards and a pair of touchdowns to Raul Vijil as No. 21 EWU defeated 11th ranked Montana State 35-14 at Woodward Field, claiming the Governor’s Cup trophy.

20 Years Ago

Nov. 16, 1995

A packed room of angry residents awaited Cheney Planning Commission members who were debating whether to consider rezoning an area near Golden Hills from single family to allow construction of apartment complexes.

Former Eastern Washington State College President Emerson Shuck, who led the college from 1967-1976, passed away in Cheney at age 79 following a short illness.

Prosser defeated Cheney 20-13 in a first-round playoff game featuring two 8-0 teams. Chad Randall’s 86-yard kick return and a 53-yard pass play between Richard DeMulling and Abdul Odood accounted for the two Blackhawks’ scores.

30 Years Ago

Nov. 21, 1985

Cheney was experiencing a frigid end of fall as during the previous two weeks upwards of a foot of snow had fallen making for hazardous driving conditions.

The Cheney School Board began the process to establish the district’s official position concerning religious activities in district buildings.

Cheney’s football season came to an end following a 14-7 loss in the playoffs to Eastmont, finishing with an 8-1 record. Jason Kent scored the lone Blackhawks’ touchdown with 1 minute, 38 seconds to play in the game.

40 Years Ago

Nov. 20, 1975

Work was moving towards completion on two new retail locations in the Cheney Plaza that would soon have a Ben Franklin variety store and a Ranch Thrift grocery store to follow.

Members of the Cheney Park Board appeared at the opening session of budget meetings to protest proposed cuts to parks.

Eastern Washington State College was preparing to open the 1975-76 basketball season with an alumni game featuring current players like Ron Cox, Eddie Waters and Rob Ridnour against alums Bernie Hite and Randy Buss.

50 Years Ago

Nov. 19, 1965

Wayne Johnson, 31, and brother David, 23, were killed in an automobile accident near Snoqualmie Pass that also claimed the lives of four others in a multiple-car crash. The Johnsons were the sons of Cheney-area residents F.M. Johnson of Fish Lake.

Charles Shepard, who had worked at the Cheney post office from 1946-1952, and later at Lakeland Village as chief accountant, was named as the new Cheney postmaster.

Eastern Washington’s 39-7 win over Pacific Lutheran improved the Savages to 8-1, earning them the 1965 Evergreen Conference championship and likely would move them back into the NAIA top-10 rankings.