Looking Back

10 Years Ago

Dec. 17, 2009

After surviving various budget cuts, the Pine Lodge Corrections Center for Women was again under Gov. Christine Gregoire’s budget ax. The closure, along with several other facilities, was estimated to save taxpayers $65 million in four years.

Cheney’s new garbage disposal enterprise was estimated to cost $30,000 less than originally projected as the city prepared to take over the service from Sunshine Disposal.

20 Years Ago

Dec. 16, 1999

After three years of assessments, the city of Cheney developed a new employee pay schedule that was comparable to their peer cities.

While Medical Lake’s basketball teams stumbled, the wrestling team eked out a three-point win over Ephrata.

The Eastern Washington University Eagles hired Paul Wulff as new football head coach with a short staff in the middle of recruiting season after former head coach Mike Kramer jumped ship to Montana State, taking much of the football staff with him.

30 Years Ago

Dec. 21, 1989

A new 25-acre residential development was being considered by investors and a Yakima developer near Betz Road and North 6th Street.

Cheney video store Variety Video opened an outlet in Medical Lake in the old Post Office at 123 S. Broad St., across from the supermarket.

The Medical Lake Cardinal boys basketball team held off two late comeback attempts to notch a three-game winning streak in league and non-league play.

40 Years Ago

Dec. 20, 1979

The Cheney city budget increased by 19 percent over the previous year, despite a recession that has other municipalities cutting services, due to conservative spending by the city in past years that has led to a cash surplus.

Building permits were issued by Medical Lake for construction of four new homes on North Staple Street that were estimated to sell for about $50,000.

A Spokane woman was fined $54 in Medical Lake Municipal Court after she was found to be in possession of a small amount of marijuana when she visited Pine Lodge Correction Center earlier in the month.

50 Years Ago

Dec. 18, 1969

Cheney’s Bairs’ Empire Food Market was scheduled to close at the end of the month after over 37 years in the grocery business after the building was sold.

Cindy Miller was named Cheney Junior Miss. Miller was a member of the National Thespian Society, Pep Club, Hawkettes, social chairman of the National Honors Society and was representative of Evergreen Girls’ State from Cheney High School.

The manager of the National Bank of Commerce Bank’s Medical Lake branch reported steady town growth as reflected by the increasing amount of deposits at the branch.