Looking Back

December 8, 2011

10 years ago

West Plains hopes to reap some benefit from Boeing’s new Renton production facility

Boeing announced last week that it will choose Renton, Washington as the production facility for it’s 737 MAX airplane. The 737 MAX will succeed the current aging fleet of Boeing’s 737 single aisle airplane in 2017. More than 700 commitments have already been made for the plane, according to a Boeing press release.

The West Plains is hoping to get a piece of the production, should demands exceed the capacity of the Renton facility. “I don’t think the issue of the plane’s production has been completely settled yet, “Spokane International Airport director Larry Krauter said. Contrary to initial reports, Spokane never put forward a request for a full production facility. Instead, area officials believe that the overflow from Renton will put Spokane in attractive light.

Firefighters holding holiday candy cane ride through Cheney Dec. 17

The Cheney Fire Department will set off on the annual Candy Cane Hayride through Cheney started at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 17. Santa and the firefighters will travel through several Cheney neighborhoods, handing out candy canes to residents who come out to meet them in the street. They will also be collecting canned and non-perishable food at the Cheney Food Bank. The event is aimed to spread holiday cheer and thank Cheney residents for their support of local firefighters. The hayride will stop at several locations in town, as well as the Cheney Plaza Complex at 7:15 p.m. for those who missed the other neighborhoods or live outside of town.

December 5, 1996

20 years ago

Aliens land at Hallett

Since Elliot peddled his bike over the moon with E.T. in the basket, aliens have intrigued us. Since Ripley fought against evil beings from another planet in the “Aliens” trilogy, aliens have frightened us. But most of all, aliens keep us curious. The prospect of there being aliens keep us wondering and, for the most part, hoping. What would they look like? Which planets could life exist on? What sort of features would they have to adapt to, living on different planets? Those are all questions that Hallett Elementary sixth graders took on recently as part of a lesson on the solar system. Science teacher Wes Nicholas knows there is more to learning Jupiter from Neptune than him lecturing about the differences. He knows that retention in that sort of environment isn’t nearly as good as when he gets the students involved. So they made aliens. Looking at the finished products, there must have been a rush on aluminum foil in Medical Lake.

Growth areas closer to county approval

It’s hard to imagine what will happen tomorrow. It’s nearly impossible to know what will happen in twenty years. But, area officials have dusted off their crystal balls and are doing their best to predict the future. The Steering Committee for the county has spent the last few weeks listening to representatives from Cheney and other entities in the county who have been explaining where they want their cities to expand. That planning has been ongoing, and has included a lot of input from local citizens. Now, the Steering Committee must decide whether or not the local agencies have planned reasonably and with good intentions. “It wasn’t just something that fell on the table,” said Steve Worthington, director of community development for the city.

December 9, 1971

50 years ago

Snow Leads to Many Accidents

The road conditions caused by a snowstorm, cold and icy roads are blamed for one fatal accident over the weekend and 50 to 60 minor ones, according to the Washington State Patrol. The fatality was Gail L. Jablonski, 18, an EWSC student who lost her life in a two car-collision on the Marshall-Fish lake road about three miles outside of Cheney last Friday.

Cheney American Legion Donates, Plants 10 Trees

Members of Cheney Post 72 of the American Legion met at the swimming pool last Saturday morning to plant 10 trees, despite the three-inch snow cover. Picks and pry bars were brought along as well as shovels in anticipation of frozen ground, but surprisingly they weren’t needed. The trees were purchased by the park department with funds donated by the Post and planted to replace those original trees which failed to survive. Members participating in the planting were Sam White, Post Commander: Bernie Bernard, Harry Hampton, Henry Mickelson, Don Barner, and Curt Messex. The next meeting of the Post will be next Thursday at the Legion Hall. All veterans are invited to participate.