Looking Back

10 Years Ago

June 26, 2008

A new development was being proposed in Cheney that included a 9,375-square-foot site between 105 and 121 N. Ninth St. The finished project was set to be a two-story, multi-family residence that would have standard and studio apartments. It was geared for student housing for Eastern Washington University.

Village Square Antiques Plus store was opened in Airway Heights by storeowner and manager Elsie Patten. The store was in the old Sunset Grange Building that was once City Hall and a jailhouse, but sat directly behind the Village Tavern.

Voting opened for EWU’s “100 for 100” All-Time football team. The fans voted for Eastern’s all-time top players in eight different categories, helping celebrate the 100th year of football at the school. Nominees included 26 offensive lineman, 13 wide receivers/tight ends, 12 running backs and eight quarterbacks. On defense, there were 13 defensive backs, 11 linebackers and defensive lineman. There were also six special teams players.

20 Years Ago

July 2, 1998

The much-anticipated Cheney Cinema, which had nearly moved into a myth in many residents’ conversations, was still in the works downtown. According to Kathryn Graham, one of the downtown cinema project’s partners, the new theater was delayed by banking difficulties.

April Brogan was leaving the security of Cheney to chase a dream of working for a NASCAR race team.

Medical Lake eighth-grader Carrie Earlscourt received the Good Citizenship Medal. This honor came from the Jonas Babcock chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution for the 1997-98 school year.

30 Years Ago

June 30, 1988

The Cheney City Council, despite the opposition of some neighbors, granted a noise variance for the Beehive Restaurant, which wanted to hold an outdoor party during Rodeo weekend.

Cheney police chief Jerry Gardner and Spokane police chief Terry Mangan were both lobbying local voters last week in support of the fall’s countywide law enforcement improvement bond issues.

Fairchild Air Force Base, along with all other Air Force bases in the U.S. were one step ahead off the Environmental Protection Agency when it came to cleaning up areas suspected of being hazardous to public safety and health. Fairchild officials identified 15 sites that were undergoing testing and officials said preliminary results were coming out negative.

40 Years Ago

June 29, 1978

The Cheney School District announced that George Clokey, most recently of Colville, was named the new Cheney High School basketball coach.

The Cheney City Council was expected to review the recent Planning Commission decision to recommend annexation of the Cheney Junior High property into the city limits.

Medical Lake graduate and Senior Airman David Sheffer from the 92nd Field Maintenance Squadron was named as the 92nd Bomb Wing Airman of the Month for May.

50 Years Ago

June 27, 1968

Cheney’s first rodeo was set to be held on July 13-14 in the new arena under construction three miles north of town.

New officers were installed for the Cheney-Medical Lake Rotary Club. President was Bob Wilson, vice president was Vic Guthrie, secretary was Harry Deininger and treasurer was Bob Cook.

Razing an old Cheney landmark, the Cheney Coffee Shop and Weigel’s Bakery, began to make room for the Union Oil Company’s new service station.