Looking Back

10 Years Ago

Oct. 15, 2009

The Airway Heights Correctional Center added a sex offender treatment center for low-risk recidivism inmates.

The Cheney marching band earned a second place finish at the Sounds of Thunder Pacific Northwest Championships at Joe Albi Stadium.

Medical Lake was on pins and needles as state officials prepared a report that had the potential to recommend reductions or even closure of Lakeland Village and the Pine Lodge Corrections Center for Women after the Legislature ordered a 1,500 bed cut in prison beds and a 250-bed cut in residential habilitation beds without dictating where the cuts should come from.

20 Years Ago

Oct. 14, 1999

Citizens in Medical Lake became impatient after the completion date for a $429,000 water-main project on Lake Street between Washington and Prentis. The project was scheduled to be completed on Sept. 27.

The Cheney City Council nixed the idea of a 5 percent sewer and water rate hike that was brought forward by Public Works Director Don MacDonald as an “inflationary adjustment.”

The Cardinal football squad got the chance to “grind up” the “hapless” Newport Grizzlies 24-0 in Great Northern League play.

30 Years Ago

Oct. 19, 1989

A group of Cheney residents went before Lincoln County Commissioners requesting that county lines be redrawn and the city annexed by the county in an attempt at “preserving and protecting our lifestyles“ that they felt was not conducive with Spokane County.

Members of Eastern Washington University’s faculty, staff and student body pledged not to drink alcohol between Oct. 16 – 21, which was National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week. Those who signed a pledge received a “Try it Dry” button.

The Medical Lake Police Department, in an effort to track drug use, created a “Suspected Drug House Report Form” the city said would be kept confidential. Where there is demand, Police Chief Don State said, there is a supply.

40 Years Ago

Oct. 18, 1979

A survey conducted by EWU for the Cheney Mayor’s Task Force on Community and Economic Development was released. It included 1,618 households. Among the findings, 85 percent of those surveyed said it was important to improve the city’s central business district, provide more employment opportunities and more public transportation.

The Town of Medical Lake considered changing from a fourth-class town to a non-charter code city, after which it would be know as the City of Medical Lake. The change was prompted by an annexation request. A fourth-class town could not exceed three square miles in area, which the annexation would exceed.

50 Years Ago

Oct. 16, 1969

The sport of golf had been recently added to Cheney High School’s official lexicon of available competitive inter-scholastic sports. Hangman Golf Course was the home course for practice and tournaments, with Cheney winning its first match against East Valley.

Gov. Dan Evans announced he would seek cuts to education rather than cuts to welfare, even under intense pressure from education sources and a hostile Legislature during a special session. Evans was not up for reelection in the approaching election, but all House members were.

The Chief Garry Auxiliary and Medical Lake-Cheney Barracks Auxiliary planned to host District No. 9 Veterans of WWI at their Oct. 19 meeting. A potluck lunch was scheduled to be served at noon.

An 8 oz. can of all-purpose tomato sauce was 8 cents, and a four-roll package of name brand toilet tissue 29 cents. A pork shoulder roast was for sale for 59 cents per pound.