Looking Back

10 Years Ago

Nov. 20, 2008

The Cheney Municipal Court began offering internet-based hearings and payments for the first time.

A new ordinance classifying street gang activity as a public nuisance was approved by the Airway Heights City Council in light of county-wide increases in gang activity.

Cheney officials considered compiling a preferred renters list to provide college students with reputable landlords to protect young people from getting taken advantage of.

20 Years Ago

Nov. 19, 1998

The proposed annexation of a 32-acre plot of land adjacent to Mullinix Road drew opposition from a local geologist on grounds that it might endanger two of Cheney’s drinking water wells.

Three Cheney cemeteries faced foreclosure threats from the county despite there being no clear reason for the move.

The Medical Lake City Council discussed the 1999 preliminary budget, which featured just over $1.7 million in expenditures.

30 Years Ago

Nov. 24, 1988

Opponents of a proposed waste-to-energy plant met in Cheney to hear a variety of speakers, one of which said, “Mass-burn is falling out of favor and is, quite frankly, wrong.”

Police warned residents that parked cars that interfered with city crews trying to plow the streets of snow could be subject to towing or fines.

The Salnave Parent-Teacher Organization announced that it would be bringing the Spokane Cyclones, a wheelchair basketball team, to town to take on a team comprised of Cheney community members.

40 Years Ago

Nov. 16, 1978

Kindergarten students at Betz Elementary were tested on coordination, vocabulary and other skills in order to prevent “childhood failure.”

The Medical Lake Police Department saw success with their bad check enforcement program, which helped businesses limit the number of them being processed and cut down on similar crimes.

Medical Lake Elementary students hosted a paperback book exchange as part of National Book Week.

50 Years Ago

Nov. 21, 1968

A fire in the furnace room of the Airway Heights Motel resulted in more than $1,000 in damages.

An associate professor at what was then Eastern Washington State College penned an opinion article titled “Illegitimacy: A Growing Problem” about the number of children being born out of wedlock.The article included statistics on the children’s ethnicities.

By an 82 percent margin, Medical Lake voters approved a proposition to allow its school building fund to be used for improvements to the two local schools.