Looking Back

10 Years Ago

April 3, 2008

Cheney firefighters tried to squelch a blaze that broke out in the garage of a house on Plum Court.

Wilcox Family Farms announced that it would close its Cheney dairy facility. The difficult decision followed the closure of its Roy, Wash. operation the previous month.

Hoping to revive some of the school sprit energy that fueled attendance at Medical Lake High School sporting events in past decades, a group of local citizens had assembled together to form a district sanctioned booster club.

20 Years Ago

April 9, 1998

Cheney Middle School students, along with family and friends turned out for a “family fun night.” Along with dinner, guests heard from the school orchestra and joined in a rousing game of bingo.

At Salnave Elementary School, the doll tradition would carry on. Several children at Salnave brought their dolls to school and wrote a little history that was attached to them and teachers followed suit. One doll would be chosen to represent Salnave, Cheney and the United States on a trip to Japan.

In an on-going community service program between Cheney schools and business concerns, Taco Bell and Betz Elementary School signed a contract in the school board meeting implementing a partnership that was mutually beneficial to both the school and the business. The partnerships offered the kids career and business instruction, supplies for projects, or a place to show off their artwork. The school would offer the business a place to hold meetings or a gym to play basketball.

30 Years Ago

April 7, 1988

Despite KeyTronics plans for reorganization and the possible loss of more than 200 jobs within the company, the Cheney plant and its workers stood to benefit from the corporate changes.

Wrapping up years of study and debate, the Cheney City Council officially voted to add a fourth leg to the intersection of Highway 904 and Cheney/Marshall Road.

The need to identify a new quarterback and reconstruct the offensive line would be the primary orders of business for veteran coach Dick Zornes as the Eastern Eagles opened their 20-day spring football practice season.

40 Years Ago

April 6, 1978

Spokane County Democrats would soon send an invitation to President Jimmy Carter to visit Eastern Washington, and Cheney would be the recommended site.

“The Spy Who Loved Me,” the biggest and most lavish James Bond film ever made was shown at the PUB on the EWU campus.

The Eastern Washington Eagle baseball squad split two games, winning against Boise State but losing to Evergreen Conference foe Western Washington.

50 Years Ago

April 5, 1968

At the Job’s Daughters meeting in Medical Lake, Christy Barber was elected honored queen.

Cheney High School students Jim Labish and Dennis Wallingford were attending the state FFA convention in Pullman. Labish would be a member of the FFA band, while Wallingford represented the Cheney High chapter.

Inauguration ceremonies sponsored by trustees, faculty and students of Eastern Washington State College would be held for its 17th president, Dr. Emerson Shuck in the fieldhouse.