Matthew O. Stephens - Reporter

23/06/2023

SPOKANE VALLEY - Another motion passed unanimously during the June 20 Spokane Valley City Council meeting, and this was presented by Economic Development Director Mike Basinger. Basinger went to council asking for approval of a motion consideration to allow a contract with Spokane Sports on June 20....

23/06/2023

SPOKANE VALLEY – Transportation is certainly a driving topic as the region grows, and during the June 20 Spokane Valley City Council meeting a public hearing was held in regard to the proposed six-year transportation improvement plan. Engineering Manager Adam Jackson went in front of the council t...

23/06/2023

SPOKANE VALLEY – The city of Spokane Valley is struggling with the ever increasing issue of homelessness, and have developed a plan of action to alleviate some of that. The Spokane Valley Homeless Action Plan is a systematic, long-term response plan that works to the explicit goal of prevent homel...

15/06/2023

An artist design has been chosen for the new mural to be painted this fall.

LIBERTY LAKE – Area residents will soon see the Pavilion Park basketball courts getting some renovations including a new mural that will be done by local artist Danielle Davis. During the June 6 regular meeting, her design was approved by city council. A committee built from members of Parks and A...

08/06/2023

MEDICAL LAKE - Brooks Road will be closed for repairs starting June 8 and it will remain closed through September, 2023, according to Eric Jenkin, Project Manager. Brooks Road will have a hard closure at the railroad tracks just north of Medical Lake City limits in order to replace the drainage stru...

08/06/2023

Spokane International Airport has been awarded nearly $26 million in grant funding through the Airport Improvement Program by the Federal Aviation Administration. The funding will specifically be used for the West Terminal Ramp Expansion and Parallel Taxilane Project. The West Terminal Ramp Expansio...

08/06/2023

AIRWAY HEIGHTS – An Airway Heights man was sentenced to 96 months in federal prison on drug charges. The announcement was made in a June 5 press release by Vanessa R. Waldref, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington. Joseph William Baker, age 28, of Airway Heights, Washin...

08/06/2023

TYLER – Hungry people of the west plains were able to find a hot meal, tables full of local crafts, and displays from the Tyler Station 312 Volunteer Association set up for Tyler Daze on June 3. Tyler Daze, the annual fundraiser for the Tyler Grange is a community flea market and community feed co...

08/06/2023

CHENEY – An experienced reporter has been named managing editor of the Cheney Free Press. Matthew O. Stephens, 41, of Spokane –formerly of Cheney – took over the newsroom beginning June 1. "It's good to have an experienced reporter back at the helm of the newspaper," Publisher Roger Harnack sa...

08/06/2023

AIRWAY HEIGHTS – Keeping the roadways clean and free of debris will now be a little easier and more comfortable for the driver as a new street sweeper was unanimously approved for purchase during the June 5 City Council meeting. According to Public Works Director Kevin Anderson, the new vehicle wi...

08/06/2023

AIRWAY HEIGHTS – Cheney School District Superintendent Ben Ferney brought a presentation to the floor of the June 5 city council meeting in Airway Heights, and he brought discussion of some surveying and studies that have been done during his 11 months as Superintendent. According to Ferney, he ha...

08/06/2023

CHENEY -Four people were transported to area hospitals June 2 after a two-car crash shortly after 9:30, according to a report from Spokane County Fire District No. 3. The intersection was completely closed for close to an hour as responders worked to clear the scene. According to the report a blue M...

03/06/2023

EWU has updated their emergency notification system, and implemented a new safety app as well.

CHENEY – In an effort to improve public safety for the students of Eastern Washington University (EWU), the campus will be using a new safety notification system starting June 1. The new EagleSafe mobile app is already available for download and is supported through Rave Mobile Safety, and will al...

26/05/2023

The Liberty Lancers crushed Asotin, and then beat Chewelah 7-1. However, they fell to Colfax in their third game of the day and just missed a trip to the state tournament.

SPOKANE – Fast bats and stout defense moved the Liberty Lancers through the first two games of the 2B Bi-County District Tournament on May 20 at Merkel Sports Complex. Finishing third in district by the end of the day, they just missed a trip to state this season. The Lancers knew they would have ...

25/05/2023

Two semis, a commercial box truck, and two minivans were involved in this serious crash that tied up westbound traffic on I-90 for hours.

SPOKANE VALLEY – A crash involving five vehicles injured six people and impacted traffic on the westbound lanes of I-90 for several hours on Tuesday, May 23. The I-90 west bound on ramp at Broadway was closed for over three hours to clear the debris and do an initial investigation. The crash invol...

25/05/2023

Election filing is over, and here is a list of current candidates in Liberty Lake and Spokane Valley.

LIBERTY LAKE – Liberty Lake is set for a busy election year with several seats opening. Quite a few candidates have filed also, but Cris Kaminskas remains the only person to have filed for the mayoral seat. Seat one in the city council is also up for contention, and two people have filed to run fo...

25/05/2023

Jake is a great writer down in Whitman County, and this is one of my best sports photos to date. Definitely the most impactful image from the tournament. Colfax was edged out by Northwest Christian for the District Championship, but after beating Liberty 11-0 Colfax will head to the state tournament.

COLFAX - The Colfax girls softball team went through early adversity Saturday, May 20 during the district championship game. They would lose the game 2-1 against Northwest Christian, but headed to a loser-out and winner-to-state game against Liberty, where the Bulldogs would shine once again. The vi...

25/05/2023

Here is a list of Commencement ceremonies for high schools in Spokane Valley

Mica Peak High School---Thursday June 8, 6:30-8:00 p.m. at the Ridgeline High School Theatre. 20150 E Country Vista Drive, Liberty Lake, WA 99019 West Valley High School---Friday June 9, 6:30-8:00 p.m. at The Podium. 511 W Dean Ave, Spokane, WA 99201 Ridgeline High School---Saturday June 10, 8:30 a....

25/05/2023

This community event allows people to access multiple services under one roof, meaning it helps them save time and money.

SPOKANE VALLEY – Opportunity Presbyterian Church housed over 60 vendors on the afternoon of May 18, and these vendors were there offering a variety of services to area residents. These services are geared to primarily help those struggling with housing or are underserved in some aspect. Those in n...

25/05/2023

Splash pads in Spokane Valley have opened for the season.

Beat the heat by visiting a Spokane Valley Splash Pad! These fun, free water features have been turned on for the season. Splash Pads operate daily from 10:00am to 8:00pm through October 15. Splash Pads are located at: Discovery Playground, Edgecliff Park, and Greenacres Park. The Browns Park Splash...

23/05/2023

Elk Meadows Estates brings 331 new homes to south Spokane Valley.

SPOKANE VALLEY – The doors have been opened to new homeownership opportunities in Spokane Valley, and this was celebrated with a ribbon cutting held by the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce. Elk Meadows Estates is the newest neighborhood addition to Spokane Valley. Built by D.R. Builders,...

06/05/2023

The Eagle defense tightened up in the second half, forcing 3 turnovers and winning the scrimmage for team red.

CHENEY – What started as a high powered offensive aerial assault, was slowed to a stop as the Eagle defense was able to stand strong and win the annual Red/White Spring scrimmage 43-35 on April 28. The offense got to work quickly putting up some big passes and with quarterbacks scrambling and exte...

06/05/2023

A vigil to remember and honor the life and memory of Brayden "Fish Pockets" Bahme was held on May 1.

CHENEY - A vigil to remember and honor the life and memory of Brayden "Fish Pockets" Bahme was held on May 1 at Crunk's Field. The sports field held nearly 500 people wearing Bahme's favorite color. Family, friends, neighbors and teachers all took time to speak about their fondest memories with Bahm...

30/04/2023

Keep an eye out for more photos and my full breakdown of the 2023 Eastern Washington Red/White Spring Game in the next issue of the Cheney Free Press.
After a fast paced offensive aerial assault in the first half, the defense made some second half adjustments to bring the win home for Team Red.
I'll bring my full game analysis along with what the team is working on for the season, and where the Eagles stand in comparison to last year.

27/04/2023

The new Wellness Vault in Cheney just opened, and they have a lot to offer.

CHENEY – A new business is bringing wellness classes and a feeling of community to town, and the owners have been overwhelmed by the support in the short time they have been open. The Wellness Vault had a soft opening April 1, followed by a grand opening April 22 that drew a sizeable crowd. Co-Own...