Looking Back

10 Years Ago

Sept. 17, 2009

Cheney Municipal Court attributed its use of ankle bracelets as a factor in an estimated $25,000 drop in jail costs for the year. The court contracted for the use of the technology in February.

Medical Lake’s City Council debated issues such as what to do about the former Ball and Dodd Funeral Home property, city staffing and replacing the city’s aging road grader at a budget roundtable on Sept. 8.

Eastern Washington University’s historic Hargreaves Hall reopened to students on Sept. 10 after a two-year, $13 million renovation that restored the building’s centerpiece, its second-floor reading room, to its original condition. The project also included adding a 20,000 square foot building extension with new classrooms.

Cheney runners showed promise by downing Freeman in the annual Blackhawk Invitational. Freshmen Sanne Holland and Kendall Dunn went 1-2 to lead the girls team.

20 Years Ago

Sept. 23, 1999

One year after first proposal, Cheney was close to annexation of 32 acres of land adjacent to Mullinix Road at the southwest end of the city. The site is the location of a proposed component manufacturing facility, and the city’s actions came after the owner began pursuing building permits from the county.

Medical Lake officials sought a new route for sewer lines from its new wastewater treatment plant under construction to Eastern State Hospital. The city did not secure easements for the original route, which would have traveled west along Peter Avenue, south on Brooks Road to San Salvador then west and south to ESH property.

After several years of plummeting enrollment, Eastern Washington University residence halls were once again filling up as more students have come to the Cheney campus.

Cheney High’s girls soccer team continued to stay hot, downing Lakeland of Idaho 5-2.

30 Years Ago

Sept. 21, 1989

Cheney’s Planning Commission approved a request to locate 42 housing units on First Street near the north end of Cheney. The units are being moved from north Spokane to just southwest of the existing Pines Apartments. The applicant, Jason Inks, was required to get a conditional use permit for the units because city codes did not allow ground floor apartments on First Street between Betz and Salnave roads as it was felt this stretch “should be reserved for retail enterprise.”

Employees at state facilities in Medical Lake combined with their counterparts in Spokane County to kick off a fund drive to raise $154,000 for over 1,000 non-profit agencies of their choosing.

Cheney routed the visiting West Valley-Yakima Rams 30-3 to improve to 2-0 on the young football season. Meanwhile, other teams such as head coach Jay Martin’s Blackhawks cross country runners prepared to begin action in the Frontier League.

40 Years Ago

Sept. 20, 1979

Enrollment in the Cheney school district increased, according to a Sept. 11 enrollment count. Superintendent Gale Marrs said 3,356 students were enrolled in the district, an increase of 50 students over last year.

Francis Adley, who farms near Four Lakes, reported that four head of cattle were missing from his herd, and he thinks the animals were stolen sometime over the past three weeks.

Cheney School District played hosts to two teachers from Japan. Curriculum coordinator Don Wade and junior high Principal Jack Philleo opened their homes to Mitsunori Konda and Atsush Matsushinta, respectively.

Cheney and Medical Lake football teams suffered close losses, with the Blackhawks falling 6-0 to West Valley and the Cardinals dropping a 7-0 decision to Deer Park.

50 Years Ago

Sept. 18, 1969

Dedication ceremonies marking the opening of the Interstate 90 viaduct through downtown Spokane were planned for Sept. 25. The new portion of the freeway would “save motorists many minutes driving time” at a cost of $15.3 million, taking 2.5 years to build.

More than 1000 new students were expected when Eastern Washington State College residents halls opened up on Sept. 21, with fall quarter classes beginning Sept. 24.

Bonneville Power Administration awarded the contract for construction of the Cheney substation to Power City Electric of Spokane. Power City was the low bidder on the 20 megavolt amp station at $35,387.60.