Looking Back

10 Years Ago

Oct. 5, 2006

Medical Lake Police Officer Mike Suniga and Alan Albee of Airway Heights Police Department stood on duty as “celebrity waiters” during the Red Robin Restaurant Tip-A-Cop fundraiser in Spokane for the Special Olympics of Washington. The one-day event raised $1,800.

Cheney’s City Council joined a growing list of cities concerned about the possible effects of passage of property rights of Initiative 933.

20 Years Ago

Oct. 10, 1996

A broken manhole cover was the topic of a lawsuit filed against the city of Cheney. Jennifer Strang claimed she was injured when she tripped on a damaged cover of a water meter on Seventh Street.

Dwight Nelson, manager of Willow Springs Motel, stood among three- and four-star generals to receive the oldest military decoration, the Purple Heart. Nelson earned it while on assignment in Saudi Arabia.

Cheney High School seniors chose Jessie Doyle to reign as queen over their 1996 Homecoming festivities.

30 Years Ago

Oct. 2, 1986

The Cheney Fire Department conducted a controlled burn of a house at 414 Fourth St. Firefighters practiced smoke drills, search and rescue, initial fire attack drills, then finished with a total burn of the house.

The Medical Lake School District had been selected to receive a U.S. Department of Agriculture Certificate of Recognition for having an outstanding school program.

The commander in chief of strategic Air Command and the director of Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff visited Fairchild Air Force Base at the end of the LOADCOMP competition to see the final awards. Gen. John T. Chair Jr. held a press conference beforehand to welcome the commander in chief.

40 Years Ago

Oct. 7, 1976

The Cheney Care Center Association collected over $133,000 out of the $250,000 needed for the construction of a new 60-bed care facility that replaced the antiquated 20-bed center at 505 Second St.

Dr. Thomas Alrbight, pastor of the United Methodist Church, was named welfare chairman of the Community Service Council at the group’s fall meeting.

The Cheney varsity cross-country team scored a narrow victory over East Valley High School 26-33.

50 Years Ago

Oct. 6, 1966

Maria von Trapp, the real-life baroness of “The Sound of Music” spoke at Eastern Washington State College.

Medical Lake High School Harvest Ball Queen, Elaine Gray and three of her court attended the Harvest Ball, given by the FFA every year.

While being ranked fifth in the state in the AP poll, the Blackhawks racked up its third straight league victory by romping past the Colville Indians 32-0 in Cheney’s Homecoming game. Timm Shepard, who rushed for 201 yards and a pair of touchdowns, led Cheney in the win.