December 30, 2025
December 30, 2025
AIRWAY HEIGHTS — A prominent airline company announced that beginning next summer, direct flights between Spokane and Anchorage, AK will be possible for travelers. Local travelers wishing a non-stop air trip either to or from Anchorage will have the chance to do so twice weekly, according to Alaska Airlines. from June 10-Aug. 15. Flights from Spokane International Airport will connect with Ted Stephens Anchorage International Airport in Alaska. Days for the twice-a-week flights are Wednesdays and Sundays. Times for the...
AIRWAY HEIGHTS - Hank Bynaker and Dave Malet, two prominent city councilmen, will be retiring at the end of 2025. Both were honored at the Dec. 15 city council meeting. Bynaker, Council Position 1, was appointed to the council in 2022. He will be replaced by Casandra Quesnell, a single mother active in area youth programs. Quesnell ran unopposed in the 2025 election. Malet, Council Position 4, has served on the council for several years. Malet will be replaced by Keri Bro, a...
MEDICAL LAKE - The city's newly-re-elected mayor and four members of its city council were sworn in at the Dec. 16 city council meeting. City Finance Director Koss Ronholt conducted the short observance before the meeting began. The four councilmen sworn in by Ronholt were: • Heath Wilbur, Position 1. • Ted Olson, Position 2. • Don Kennedy, Position 3. • Tony Harbolt, Piosition 4. After the councilmen, Ronholt swore in newly-re-elected Mayor Terry Cooper. Cooper ran...
CHENEY – The city of Cheney will begin 2026 with new leadership at City Hall, as a newly elected mayor and several councilmembers take office following the November general election. Cheney voters elected Elsa Martin as the city’s new mayor. She will serve as the city’s chief executive officer under Cheney’s strong mayor form of government, overseeing daily operations and working alongside the City Council to set policy priorities. Martin, a Cheney High School graduate, has lived in the community most of her life....
MEDICAL LAKE – The following calls for service were recorded by the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office from Dec. 22-Dec. 28: Dec. 22 12:12 p.m. – Crisis reported at 850 West Maple Street 3:42 p.m. – Medical service at 623 North Grant Avenue. 4:03 p.m. – Animal-related incident at 211 South Jefferson Street. 9:42 p.m. – Suspicious circumstances at North Martin Street / West Brooks Road Dec. 23 12:45 a.m. – Medical service at 804 North Brooks Road. 2:52 p.m. – Missing adult reported at 420 South Legg Street. 9:35...
CHENEY – Residents can dispose of their Christmas trees at the curb now that the holiday season has ended, following specific preparation guidelines set by the city. Christmas trees may be placed at the curb on residents' regular garbage collection day. Trees must be cut down to manageable sizes before pickup. Trees that are under 6 feet tall must be cut into two pieces, while trees over 6 feet tall must be cut into three pieces. All sections should be placed next to the...
AIRWAY HEIGHTS — Among other legislation, five separate ordinances passed unanimously during the Monday, Dec. 15 city council meeting. All of the ordinances were connected to state law RCW 36.70A.535. That law, passed in 2024, mandated that municipalities in the state implement “Missing Middle” housing, according to Associate Planner Zach Becker. Missing Middle housing is non-rental living spaces that emphasize “co-living,” like townhouses, duplexes, triplexes and Accessory Dwelling Units such as above-garage...
AIRWAY HEIGHTS – The Police Department reported the following arrests from Dec. 22 to Dec. 28: Dec. 22 Isacc E.J. Bennett was arrested for first-degree criminal trespass, obstructing a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest near the 14300 block of West Hwy 2. Mark A. Betschart was arrested for second-degree criminal trespass near the 500 block of South Easy Street. Sarah J. Patterson was arrested for third-degree theft-shoplifting near the 1200 block of South Hayford Road. Dec. 23 Johnathon J. Barnett was arrested...
CHENEY — The Cheney Free Press covered events ranging from the tragic to the groundbreaking through 2025. Here are ten stories considered by some to be the most consequential to local residents: 1. Two Dead in shooting at Eastern State MEDICAL LAKE — A shooting at Eastern State Hospital ended the life of 57-year-old Colleen Hendrickson-Bass of Cheney. The alleged shooter was also reported dead after a shootout with Spokane County Sheriff’s Office deputies. The Saturday, Sept. 27 shooting was allegedly the work of a...
CHENEY – The following calls for service were recorded by Eastern Washington University police from Dec. 17 – Dec. 27: Dec. 17 4:04 p.m. – Fight at Eastern Washington University Special Events Pavilion. Dec. 18 12:30 p.m. – Burglary at Eastern Washington University Playing Field 3. Dec. 24 3:13 a.m. – Malicious mischief at Patterson Hall. 1:06 p.m. – Driving with suspended license at Washington Street / Golden Hills Drive. Dec. 27 1:24 p.m. – Crisis reported at Anna Maria...
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE — The 92nd Force Support Squadron officially opened “The Alley”, a new bowling recreation area, inside the Red Morgan Center during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Dec. 15. During the ceremony, U.S. Air Force Col. Chad Cisewski, 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander, cut the ribbon and bowled the first ball alongside other Fairchild AFB leaders and members of the 92nd FSS. “This offers service members the chance to unwind and connect, building resiliency and relationships,” said Amber Troiano, 92nd...
CHENEY - As could be expected, the 2025 sports season across the West Plains had its share of memorable moments and the Cheney Free Press looks back at some of those. January Blankenship enters Washington XC Hall SEATTLE - A string of success from 2013 through 2017 where he guided Medical Lake to three state championships and a pair of runner's up helped voters induct Gene Blankenship into the Washington State Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame in a Jan. 24...
Cheney boys travel to tourney CHENEY — Cheney’s boys will focus on a return to a familiar place for the Eastmont Tournament. The Blackhawks will take a 4-3 pre-season record into games, Jan. 1 at Wenatchee (7:30 p.m.) and follow Jan. 2 vs. Sandpoint (3:30) at Eastmont, concluding Jan. 3 with a 2:30 meeting against host Eastmont. Cheney traveled to Walla Walla Dec. 23 where they lost 54-39 with Kade Adderley and Juleon Horyst each scoring eight points. The Blackhawks finish non-league play Jan. 6 at Lewis and Clark at...
The fall sports season produced a significant list of All-Greater Spokane League selections for the Cheney Blackhawks. Last week the Cheney Free Press singled out the Blackhawks football members. This week we honor other sports represented. Cross Country First Team Andrew Ward “Andrew emerged as our front runner and will really push the next couple years to be top in the region and the state,” his coach, Derek Slaughter, wrote in an email. Second team Ethan Martin “All the stars aligned his senior year to become a sub...
The Cheney girls team takes 1st place at the East Valley Ladies Winter Clash...
The 2025 Tour of Lights contest was sponsored by Re-Imagine Medical Lake. The contest is one of many 'self-guided' tours featured by area cities encouraging residents to make their homes bright and festive enough to delight visitors and bring joy to...
Thorne Leroy Tibbitts, 88, passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 17, 2025, in Spokane, Washington. Born on May 17, 1937, Thorne was raised in Spanaway and graduated from Washington State University in 1960, where he was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, a four-year letterman in gymnastics, and a yell leader. He went on to dedicate 16 years to teaching and coaching at Eastern Washington University where he made a lasting impact on students and athletes...
Robert S. Kibling, 87, of Medical Lake, Wash. passed away Dec. 22, 2025. He was born July 9, 1938 to Glen and Bessie Kibling in Pawlet, VT. Upon graduating High School, he joined the Air Force. He stayed in for 20 years. He was proud of his service. He also was involved and helped in his community. He was a kind man who would help anyone he could. He is survived by one sister, Ruth Kibling and one brother, Ralph Kibling. His two daughters Debra Kibling of Medical Lake, Wash....
