Looking Back

10 Years Ago

Dec. 25, 2008

The Airway Heights Correction Center donated more than 250 cords of wood to local families in need following record low temperatures and 24-hour snowstorms.

A snowstorm hit Cheney for the second year in a row, and city officials narrowly avoided declaring emergency situations. The official measurement for snow fall in the area was 23.3 inches in 36 hours.

In the span of one week, both the Cheney High School boys and girls basketball teams dropped games to Lake City.

20 Years Ago

Dec. 17, 1998

Eastern Washington University officials prepared for the onerous task of lobbying for additional education funds from the state following the governor’s release of the higher education budget.

The Cheney School District sought a security guard for Cheney High School, opening a 10-month, 200-day, 40-hour a week position for an educational security specialist.

Eastern Washington University set up a presidential task force to take on alcohol awareness. The group was created to study and make recommendations on campus alcohol abuse.

30 Years Ago

Dec. 22, 1988

Cheney officials set the date for the second of three public meetings designed to give citizens a stronger voice and greater input in determining the growth and development of Cheney.

Rumors circulated about a potential scam using the DARE anti-drug program name to grift local residents out of hundreds of dollars and their credit card numbers. The scam offered a “giveaway” with a series of large prizes, like a new Cadillac, $5,000 in cash and designer diamond watches. Police were unable to comment extensively on the investigation into the scam but said they had heard multiple report with similar circumstances.

The Medical Lake City Council heard state plans for a $1.2 million construction project that would improve and resurface State Route 902 from Lakeland Village through Medical Lake to Interstate 90.

40 Years Ago

Dec. 21, 1978

An escapee from Eastern State Hospital listed as “extremely dangerous” was recaptured by the Spokane Police Department and returned to the facility.

A special levy worth $1,115,000 for the Cheney School District was set to go before voters for consideration in February 1980.

The Cheney High School girls basketball team was tied for first in the league with a 3-1 record, along with Colville, Medical Lake and Clarkston.

50 Years Ago

Dec. 19, 1968

A little league baseball program in Cheney was initiated for boys in third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh-grade.

The Cheney Police Department made a series of larceny arrests, primarily at Eastern Washington State College. Two suspects were charged for the theft of stereo equipment, while others were cited for stealing lumber.

The Cheney Future Farmers of America club hosted an “Orphan’s Day,” in which 30 “orphans or poverty-stricken children” from Spokane came to the West Plains for a tour of the farms and a large chili feed.