Looking Back

10 Years Ago

May 29, 2008

The Airway Heights City Council approved a resolution implementing water use efficiency standards for the city. The measure was designed to reduce distribution system loses and consumption over the next 2 – 6 years.

Cheney Light Department crews gave the Cheney Rodeo Association a hand by providing the manpower and equipment to erect the new “Bi-Mart Arena” sign over the entrance to the rodeo grounds.

The Cheney High School’s boys soccer team’s historic run to state came to an end with a 2-1 overtime loss to Sehome in the state soccer title game.

20 Years Ago

June 4, 1998

Washington Gov. Gary Locke, along with a full complement of state and local dignitaries, stood before a Sunset Elementary audience announcing a program to bring more computers to children in the region.

John Boots was honored with a Kiwanis Club “Citizenship Award,” given in recognition of his years of volunteer work for the betterment of local cemeteries.

The Medical Lake girl’s 4x200 relay team won a state title with a school-record time of 1:47.82. The team included Miranda Clabaugh, Nicola George, Atiya Palmer and Alison Biggs.

30 Years Ago

June 2, 1988

The Cheney School District said goodbye to a handful of teachers, plus retiring superintendent Gale Marrs. Teachers retiring were: Ion Behm, Pat Bryant, Jim Hatch, Alma Hornfelt, Phyllis James, Madelon Jordan, Jim McAdam, Ed West and Bonnie Presnell.

It was a remarkable year for Cheney High School athletics and a sure sign of that success was the awarding of the 1988 Frontier League all-sports trophy to the Blackhawk program.

The Medical Lake school board heard the retirement announcements of Principal Chuck Van Stone of the middle school and Rod Peterson, who served as vice principal of both Blair and Medical Lake Elementary schools

40 Years Ago

June 1, 1978

Two Cheney police officers were trapped in a squad car for 10 minutes, unable to move from their accident damaged vehicle until hot electrical wires were cut. A pickup truck, driven by a Spokane man drove into a light pole and sent a light fixture crashing into the hood of the police officer’s car.

Grain prices reported by the Cheney Grain Growers Association was soft white wheat for $3.30 per bushel and barley at $88 per ton.

The Medical Lake School Board approved an 8.2 percent salary increase for the teachers in the district, according to Superintendent Clayton Dunn. Base salaries would increase from $9,512 to $10,400 and the maximum salary would increase from $18,264 to $19,820 for teachers with at least 13 years experience.

50 Years Ago

May 30, 1968

Terry Tucek, well known in Cheney and Medical Lake, purchased the M-N-M drive-in from Juanita Raney.

Doug Harvey was named to represent Cheney High School at the Evergreen Boys State Conference on the Gonzaga University Campus. Cheney Legion Post No. 72 sponsored him.

It was announced that there were 1,225 people in the town of Medical Lake, which was about 500 over last year’s count.