Looking Back

February 16, 2012

10 years ago

Cheney superintendent to retire July 1

When Cheney School District Superintendent Larry Keller announced his retirement to the school board last week, everyone in the room had good things to say. School board members thanked Keller for his leadership in promoting the largest construction bond in school history in 2010 and in helping the district weather tough economic times the past four years. But afterward, longtime assistant to the superintendent Sharon Throop, who has spent most every day with Keller since he started in the post in 2008, smiled with tears in her eyes. "I guess I'll have to train another one, "she said.

As the board accepted Keller's retirement - effective July 1, it is also immediately began making plans to hire a new superintendent. The board held a special meeting Wednesday, Feb. 15, to develop a timeline for the hiring process. School board president Suzanne Dolle said the board would discuss the details at the Wednesday meeting, adding that the district would likely hire a consultant to conduct the process. It would be ideal for the new superintendent to come on before Keller leaves, she said to help with the transition. "You don't want to have long gaps," she said. "You want to bring someone in quickly, but make sure it's the right person." In an interview Friday afternoon, Keller said he had started thinking about retirement late last summer after he noticed the long hours of the job were getting to him.

Clay named Senior of the Year for humility and tireless work at food bank

Hank Clay's white Chevy truck is well-known around the Medical Lake Food Bank. Clay, a volunteer at the food bank since 1998, started out picking up food from Spokane's Second Harvest Food Bank and driving it all the way out to Medical Lake, all at his own expense. Up until the time Second Harvest Food Bank sent a truck out to Medical Lake three years ago, Clay's truck was the main mode of transportation for getting goods to the food bank. "His efforts have benefited countless people but he never seeks notoriety or thanks, he just shows up and does his part. He is the silent leader who sets a positive example for other volunteers," Food Bank director Peg James said. Her letter was a large factor in Clay received the award at the Valentine's Day dinner Saturday, Feb. 11. Clay moved to Medical Lake in 1974, when he was stationed at Fairchild Airforce Base. He had to choose between Fairchild and a base in North Dakota. Prior to moving to Washington, he served with the Air Force all over the U.S., including time in Korea and Vietnam. At the base, he served on the security police force, ultimately retiring in 1980. He then went on to provide grounds maintenance for an additional 14 years outside of the service. His first involvement with the Medical Lake Food Bank came around the year 2000, thanks to a suggestion from his friends, Freddy and Mary Johnson.

February 14, 2002

20 years ago

A crushing blow: Cheney loses five of its finest in two-car wreck on 904

Five long-time members of the Cheney community lost their lives in a tragic two car head-on-collision on dark and wet Highway 904 near Four Lakes last Thursday just before 7 p.m. James Edmonds and his two sisters, Arreta Smith and Lorna Whitfield, were returning from an evening in Spokane celebrating Edmonds' 71st birthday when Edmonds' Geo Prizm crossed into the oncoming lane and collided with a Toyota Camry driven by Fred Pierce. Pierce's wife, Berta, was riding with Pierce. When rescue workers and police arrived, only Edmonds' car were were still alive. They both died en route to Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane. All of the occupants of Edmonds' car were wearing seat belts, the Pierces were not. While the road surface was not slippery, it was covered in about a quarter-inch of water from a hard rainfall that had just turned into heavy snowflakes. The road stripping delineating lanes was difficult to see with the water on the road. The collision happened near the point where the turn lane that runs through Four Lakes disappears and the road goes back to two lanes. The sudden passing of five well-known Cheney-ites sent a shock through the city, as the mood around town was somber the day after.

Local post offices still hurting from Sept. 11

More of the fallout from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks is drifting over the West Plains, this time in the form of changes at area post offices needing to cut expenses. The United States Postal Service estimated in November 2001 that it could lose over $5 billion as a result of the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the subsequent Anthrax assault. Attempts to offset these losses have been going on nationwide, and are now beginning to filter into Cheney and Medical Lake post offices. Rick Jenkins, USPS consumer affairs manager for the eastern Washington district, said the service was seeing a decline in revenue and mail volume even before Sept. 11.

The attacks resulted in extra expenses to the postal service. "This is just a tough time for the post office," Jenkins said. Beginning April 6, Cheney's post office will no longer be open on Saturday for inside window service. Window hours will be 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday beginning April 8. Jenkins said the Cheney post office wasn't generating enough revenue to warrant staying open on Saturdays. Medical Lake has taken other measures to rein in expenses. Jenkins said the staff now cleans the lobby carpets themselves where before they had an outside service do the work at $150 per month.

February 17, 1972

30 years ago

Conservation Dinner Plans Guest Speaker

"Conservation Districts Today and Tomorrow" is the topic assigned to the featured speaker of the Southwest Spokane Soil and Water Conversation District Annual meeting. The meeting begins with a free public pancake and ham feed at 6:30 p.m. in the Cheney City Hall February 25. Billed for the spotlight is G.C. "Gay" Digerress, Executive Secretary, Washington State Soil and Water Conservation Committee, Olympia. A graduate of Western Washington State College, Digerness taught school in Kitsap County for five years. In Kitsap County for five years. In 1938 he left the teaching profession to try his hand at operating a dairy farm. In this he was apparently successful, for he continued his enterprise for 25 years. During these 25 years, Digerness became interested in the conservation movement, served as Chairman of the Whatcom County SWCD for 14 years, and as drainage district supervisor for eight years. It was during this time the first Public Law 566 Watershed project was completed in the state of Washington. Governor Albert D. Rosellini appointed Digerness to the Soil and Water Conservation Committee in 1959. He continued to serve in this capacity until 1963 when he was hired as the conservation field representative. In March of 1966 Digerness advanced to his present position of Executive Secretary.

Proposed Trailer Park Reviewed by Planners

After some house cleaning to clear up the Cheney Grange Supply's special use request for bulk tank installation in Cheney, the Cheney Planning Commission talked about the proposed trailer court north of Cheney at the monthly meeting Monday in Council Chambers. All seven commissioners were present to hear the progress on the proposed Alpine Trailer Mobile Home Park near Cheney. As a point of information, City Superintendent Roy Hanson said there has been no formal request from the firm to locate near Cheney and tie in with the City of Cheney for sewage service. Under new laws, any development if this sort must first go to the County Planning Commission and the Boundary Review Board before action by the city Planning Commission or City Council is necessary, Hanson said. Reviewed was a petition signed by residents in vicinity of the 120 unit development stating their opposition to its location there. It would be located approximately 2000 feet from the northern most city limit of Cheney. According to interpretations of the law, the new development would have to tie in with the nearest community offering sewage service to gain building permits. The tie in would be at the developer's expense and it would be up to the city to take care of maintenance.