Looking Back

10 Years Ago

March 5, 2009

Hoping to keep up with anticipated growth, the Cheney School District purchased a 20-acre plot of land on North 6th Street for $710,000 to be used for future district expansion.

Small businesses on the West Plains, particularly in Medical Lake, faced tough economic times and struggled with a slowing of commercial growth, especially as large chain stores moved into the area.

The Medical Lake City Council heard a presentation from Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich on what contracting out the city’s police service would entail.

20 Years Ago

Feb. 25, 1999

According to a 1998 city report, Medical Lake citizens were recycling more than ever — a whopping 1,614,684 pounds over the course of the year. That number was up more than 116,629 pounds from 1997.

Officials in charge of the Graham Road Landfill faced dumping limits that would revoke permits allowing them to accept certain types of waste following an investigation by the Spokane County Regional Health District.

The Cheney wrestling program brought home an eighth-place finish from state, its highest placing in a decade.

30 Years Ago

Feb. 23, 1989

The Cheney School District moved slowly in drafting an “acceptable” AIDS education outline following a new state law mandating that AIDS education be part of all fifth – 12th grade curriculums.

A mime visited and performed at Cheney Junior High School, claiming that mime performance is a tougher task than learning ballet.

The Medical Lake School District received the results from its “self-study” begun earlier in the school year and set about analyzing the data to find improvements in its instructional programs, student activities, learning resources and other categories.

40 Years Ago

Feb. 22, 1979

Cheney Fire Chief Anthony Singleton resigned, with city officials denying that it was related to a recent petition signed, circulated and presented by the majority of firefighters calling for Singleton’s resignation.

West Plains residents were told to be careful while watching the upcoming total solar eclipse due to the danger it posed if viewed without welding goggles or a shadow box.

An early spring thaw flooded the 60-bed Cheney Care Center mid-construction, halting work for several days.

50 Years Ago

Feb. 20, 1969

Cheney’s varsity wrestling team sent half of its 12-man squad to the Tri-District meet after finishing fifth at the sub-district tournament.

The Cheney Fire Department warned residents against covering their chimneys with mesh to keep out bats, birds and debris, saying that the mesh could actually collect soot and start fires.

Revised regulations were announced governing the use of herbicides in Spokane County.