Looking Back

10 Years Ago

Dec. 31, 2009

Cheney business groups considered forming a partnership in order to combine resources to help revitalize the historic downtown business core.

Cheney charities were able to keep up with high demand during the holiday season thanks to community members who made donations of gifts, money and time.

20 Years Ago

Dec. 30, 1999

A proposal by Gov. Gary Locke would provide money to Medical Lake and Cheney from the state’s budget reserves to make up for lost sales tax equalization revenues resulting from I-695 that reduced vehicle licensing costs to $30.

Eight Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity members were charged by Spokane County prosecutors with first degree theft, a class B felony, after they cut down the Cheney Christmas Tree.

30 Years Ago

Jan. 4, 1990

Stephen Owen, responsible for a two-week Spokane crime spree the previous year, was identified as a possible suspect who held up the Cheney Conoco station earlier in the month.

Medical Lake planned to hold Snowfest, it’s 20th in a row whether snow arrived or not, including events like snow softball and horseshoe tournaments and a children’s treasure hunt.

West Plains bragging rights went to Cardinal’s boys hoopsters for the second year in a row after they beat the Blackhawks 59-56.

40 Years Ago

Jan. 3, 1980

While Legionnaires Disease was initially suspected, the likely culprit was influenza in the death of four elderly men at Eastern State Hospital during the Christmas weekend after test proved negative for Legionnaires.

Medical Lake native and Mayor Fritz Gilbreth expressed concern about city housing opportunities in part due to the number of people who are employed by the five state institutions within the city limits and at Fairchild Air Force Base.