Looking Back

10 Years Ago

Sept. 10, 2009

Local school districts battled the H1N1 flu virus, focusing on preventing an outbreak.

Cheney’s City Hall was the home of a Jazzercise fundraiser aimed at helping Cheney resident Lorna Jarms in her battle with heart disease.

A West Plains man faced child pornography charges after sending explicit photos of minors to an undercover detective.

20 Years Ago

Sept. 11, 1999

Cheney bus driver Rick Kinnie was honored by the district for his quick thinking in evacuating students from the bus when a two-car collision in the next lane led to a vehicle fire.

Volunteers had nearly completed Cheney’s Habitat for Humanity duplex, which was partly funded by a Betz Elementary penny drive that netted $1,050.02.

Eastern Washington University began offering classes for credit at the Spokane Valley Mall’s Community Corner.

30 Years Ago

Sept. 14, 1989

Construction of the highly-anticipated Lakeside Center was underway in Medical Lake. The new community center was set to take up more than 10,000 square feet.

There was no stopping the Hawks as the Cheney High School football team crushed the visiting Shadle Park Highlanders in a 28-3 season-opening win.

Eastern Washington University’s Cycling Club completed its inaugural competitive season and honored several athletes, including Thomas Ramsey and Bobbie Mishler.

40 Years Ago

Sept. 13, 1979

The new Cheney Care Center began accepting residents. 84-year-old Ethel Grier, who had lived in Cheney since before the turn of the century, became the first person to reside in the new facility.

Sixteen new teachers joined the faculty of the Cheney School District, including an elementary music specialist and a high school librarian.

The Cheney Free Press sought reporters able to contribute local news from the Spangle and Espanola areas on a weekly basis.

50 Years Ago

Sept. 11, 1969

Numerous residents were anxious for Cheney’s burn ban to be lifted, but to no avail. Their hopes were dashed when the area’s building and fire inspector said the matter was no longer governed by local authority and no more could be done until the State Air Pollution Board lifted the ban.

Cheney resident Carl Hair was confined to the hospital for 12 days after receiving numerous injuries and losing two fingers while working at the Nabisco mill.

Spokane Community College estimated that 5,200 students would attend in its seventh year of operation. That number was a 300 percent increase since the college’s creation in 1963.