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opening children store in Medical Lake

By Nina Culver Stream Contributor

Kathleen Morse recently opened a children’s boutique called The European Child in an old Medical Lake building that she refurbished from the ground up before she opened her doors.

The building at 212 E. Lake Street, next to the hardware store, is 124 years old. It has housed many things in its day, including a veterinary office. Morse hired a contractor to take it down to the studs and to rebuild the inside to resemble a Parisian boutique.

The European Child specializes in clothing, toys, accessories, blankets and books from European companies, the things she liked to buy for her son when he was young. “It’s the world according to me,” Morse said. “I like linen and I like cotton. My goal is to be different than anything else in the Northwest.”

Morse’s building houses more than her boutique. There is also a kitchen and space for events like birthdays or baby showers. She included an Airbnb unit out back that Morse rents to traveling doctors and nurses. Morse said she also plans to host classes in the event space as well, which could include cookie decorating and other crafts. “I want it to be a destination,” she said. “I love this building. She’s seen a lot.”

Morse has been a longtime Realtor and photographer, but previously owned the first iteration of The European Child in Kirkland, Washington, 30 years ago. At the time she was married to a man from

at the time she thought the family might move to Portugal.

Morse is happy to be able to revive her dream of running a children’s boutique. “I’ve never forgotten about it,” she said. “It’s the part of my life that’s happy.”

Morse and her current husband have lived in Seattle for many years,

bought a fixer-upper home in town in July that they’re currently living in while remodeling.

The boutique is currently open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday because Morse still travels back and forth to Seattle every week for work. Despite commuting back and forth regularly, Morse is

“Why not?” she said. “I care deeply. I’m here. I’m in love with Medical Lake.”

Morse said she’s excited about the revitalization she sees in the town’s business district. “Things are going to turn around in Medical Lake,” she said.

She’s in the midst of expanding her boutique’s website, found at

Photo by Ben Wick Kathleen Morse outside her newly renovated building on Lake Street in Medical Lake. Formerly home to the Veterinary office but has been transformed into a Childrens Botique with sites set being a space for also hosting events and celebrations.

www.theeuropeanchild.com, to include more of the items she offers in-store. Morse said she’s working to let people know her boutique exists, which is part of the reason she wants to host classes and other special events.

“Once they find me, they love me,” she said.

Q: What brought you to Medical Lake?

A: I am from the Seattle area. My husband is from Nine Mile Falls and we bought a farm 12 + years ago and sold our home in Seattle about five years ago. I wear a couple different hats these days. I am a realtor in Seattle & Spokane (the entire state). I also work for the company my husband started years ago, TourFactory, which is all things related to marketing a house to sell a house; photography, 3D virtual walkthrough videos, drone videos, etc. I have a crew of photographers that work for me in the Puget Sound but I drive over once a week to work myself and I would drive through Medical Lake and fell in love with the town, that is the short story.

Q: Have you always wanted to own your own business?

A: No, not really with the first one but now a hard YES now for this one! This is really The European Child 2.0 because many years ago I had this boutique in Kirkland, WA with my Portuguese ex-husband, I have a “European Child” of my very own! I have many ideas and plans for other businesses & projects in the future!

Q: What is your vision for The European Child?

A: This is my “elevator” pitch.... this boutique is the world according to me! I buy the things that I like personally and how I dressed my son. I don’t like a lot of “patterns” on the fabric. I like cotton, linen, etc. I tell people the style is a combination of “Prince William” and “southern style”. I like children to be children and not “grown up”, a simple childhood. I have a part of the store to be rented out for events, for birthday parties, tea parties, baby showers, etc. I will also have free, community events to bring people in, like cookie decorating, crafts etc. I want to bring in demonstrations and classes, I want

it to be a destination. I have always felt that you are either a boutique shopper or you are not. My goal is to carry only items that no one else has in the Inland NW.

Q: Tell me about the version of The European Child that you owned in Kirkland.

A: The original “The European Child” was sweet in a great location, downtown Kirkland. I had worked previously at Nordstrom in Bellevue in Children’s Apparel, so it was not a foreign world to me. I was lucky to have some clients follow me from my work there. I had the same vision for that store too. Now I am working on adapting the items that I pick for my new location and new clients.

Q: What is your favorite part about owning a business that caters to children and families?

A: I love this world! I have never stopped thinking about and dreaming about it since I had my first store, even though I have done many things since then. It was always there in my mind and heart! It’s my passion for sure! This is such a happy part of life, babies, children, etc. I love getting to know my new clients and their families and their stories. I feel that when people come into my boutique they are coming into my “home” and I am making a new friend! I want to create a community. I feel that babies and children should be celebrated and there is an element of respect to dress them nicely.

Q: What advice do you have for young entrepreneurs who are interested in owning their own business?

A: When I started my first boutique/business, I knew nothing about business at all. Things have changed so much and there are so many great sources for help. I would say that you need to know about the business you want to start, obviously. Try and offer or have something that no one else has or does. Everyday I try and learn something new and know that change will always happen and it’s a good thing. If you are interested in retail or an online business, I have loved and been so impressed with Shopify. They have been a one stop shop for me.

Medical Lake Active at State Level

By Matthew Stephens Stream contributor

The Medical Lake City Council convened on March 4 to discuss various city matters, including legislative engagement, infrastructure projects, and cybersecurity upgrades.

Councilmember Lance Speirs shared insights from his recent attendance at the City Action Days Conference, hosted by the Association of Washington Cities. Speirs said he was grateful for the experience, stating that he had the opportunity to meet with legislators and gain a better understanding of state-level governance.

“It was super reassuring,” Speirs said. “It gave me a lot better confidence in our system and the way that it works at the state level.”

Mayor Terri Cooper echoed his sentiments, emphasizing that the city found great engagement during the conference.

“We were looking to get our police funding,” Cooper said. “That did pass the Senate and it's in a committee somewhere on the House side, so no final decision has been made. Our capital request is still in the budget, and so we're hoping it makes it through.”

Additionally, Cooper met with Representative Tom Dent of Moses Lake to discuss potential legislative changes concerning wildfire response at the state level. Dent informed her of the establishment of a wildfire caucus,

where Cooper has been invited to speak about her experiences during the Gray Fire.

Beyond legislative affairs, Cooper highlighted an academic achievement from the local high school, announcing that a Medical Lake High School student was awarded the Washington State University President’s Award. The student, only the second from Medical Lake to receive the honor, earned a $10,000 scholarship to the university.

City Administrator Sonny Weathers also attended the City Action Days Conference and emphasized the importance of participation from smaller municipalities.

“There are over 150 cities in Washington with a population under 5,000,” Weathers said. “We’re one of those, and if we can get all those cities to engage in a similar fashion, our state government would be a lot more efficient and effective.”

Weathers also announced that the city has finalized the purchase of the old railroad depot, which has received positive community feedback. Community members have already begun volunteering and donating items to help preserve Medical Lake’s history. Cooper proposed forming an advisory board of residents interested in the town’s history to provide direction for the depot’s future.

Scott Duncan, Public Works Director, provided a self-assessment and overview of departmental priorities.

Duncan underscored the importance of monitoring the city's water supply daily, noting that clean water and sewage treatment are essential services requiring constant

oversight and improvement. He also mentioned several upcoming road projects, made possible through additional funding from the Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) and grant money.

Public works remains heavily involved in infrastructure restoration following the Gray Fire, ensuring that key city services are operational. With the arrival of spring, Duncan highlighted plans to install more ADA-compliant ramps along Lake Street. He emphasized that the goal is to complete as much work as possible before Founder’s Day.

Duncan credited the department’s efficiency to strong leadership and internal communication, ensuring that employees are cross-trained to handle various responsibilities.

“I train all the guys to do everything,” Duncan said. “So, I can send anybody out when there’s a problem and get it diagnosed pretty quickly.”

Duncan also noted that the department successfully managed snow removal and storm drain maintenance throughout the winter. Council members applauded the department's efforts and looked forward to seeing further progress on infrastructure projects.

Finance Director Koss Ronholt provided a cybersecurity update, announcing that the city was awarded a $37,000 cybersecurity refresh grant from the military department. The funds arrived just in time to support the city's planned IT infrastructure updates.

“This one in particular was a cybersecurity refresh grant from the military department,” Ronholt said. “We successfully were awarded

$37,000, and it lined up perfectly with some projects we had just identified.”

Originally, the city planned to use American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for these updates, but the grant covered most of the expenses.

“We ended up spending $45,000,” Ronholt said. “So $8,000 came from ARPA.”

He emphasized that the grant allowed the city to redirect ARPA funds to other needed projects and added that a long-term budget for future cybersecurity maintenance is being developed.

City Administrator Weathers provided an in-depth update on the Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) plan for 2025. Much of the discussion revolved around improving transportation between the cities in the West Plains region.

Mayor Cooper noted that many residents live in one town but work in another, with no structured public transportation system in place to facilitate their commutes. The discussion included mention of residents traveling between Medical Lake, Cheney, Amazon’s distribution center, the correctional facility, and Eastern Washington University.

Following the transportation discussion, a representative from Broadlinc presented a proposal for a lease agreement with the city. The agreement would allow the company to install wireless antennas on city water towers to enhance internet connectivity. The company agreed to pay the city $1,200 per month for the lease.

Mayor Cooper expressed support for the agreement, particularly appreciating its 30-day opt-out clause, ensuring flexibility for the city. The council unanimously approved the agreement.

The council also approved an agreement with Hero Events to bring back the Summer Concert Series.

City Administrator Weathers reported that last year's series was a resounding success, with each concert attracting larger audiences.

“Last year’s series was extremely successful and popular, and the whole series got more popular with each concert,” Weathers told the council.

With council approval secured, the event is set to return this summer, offering live entertainment and community engagement opportunities for residents.

Photo Curtesy of the City of Medical Lake YouTube Channel Medical Lake Councilmembers highlighting upcoming construction projects as well as milestones achieved in 2024 at the Medical Lake City Council meeting on March 4th. The City Council meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month beginning at 6:30pm upstairs in City Hall or online via zoom.

Nominated by the Math Dept.

Tyson Clark is a phenomenal student! He often understands the material quickly, but is dedicated to understanding and will seek out clarification and/or assistance when necessary. He is the MLHS Spokane Scholar for Mathematics for good reason.

Nominated from PE Caleb always comes to class with a good attitude and doesn’t complain about the activities we are working on in Life Fitness.

Thanks you for all you do in our community brought to you by

Nominated by the Social Studies Dept.

Maryna is always on time with her work and when she may miss a deadline she communicates so well. She has been a consistent performer in our Civics class.

Nominated by the Band Dept

Emily was selected for 2nd chair in the All Northwest Band on 1st clarinet, and is always being a leader in the Cardinal band!

Maryna Bell

Caleb Tucker

Tyson Clark

Emily Killian

COMMUNITY

COMMUNITY EVENTS

RECURRING

Cheney Farmers Market | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Second & Fourth Saturday. Veterans Memorial Park, 612 4th Street.

Gardeners of Cheney Group | 10:00 a.m., second Satruday of the month, Cheney Parks and Rec., 615 4th St, Cheney, WA. For questions email gardenersofcheney@gmail. com

March 15 | Medical Lake Farmers Market | 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. We can’t wait to see you this Saturday for our March indoor farmers market! Medical Lake City Hall (124 S. Lefevre St., 2nd floor)

Ask Heather with Wild Sage Farms about her 2025 CSA boxes, and shop handcrafted arts, crafts, wares, scratch made jams & baked goods, and USDA prime beef & pork (107 W. Lake St.-a very short walking distance from our market)..

Game Nights | 7:30 p.m., every Tuesday, B & B Theatres., 10893 W. Northern Quest Dr, Join every Tuesday for FREE game nights. Game Nights alternate between trivia and bingo each week. Free to play, no reservation or ticket required.

Seasoned Saints Potluck | 12 p. m. to 1:30 p. m., second Wednesday, Medical Lake Community Church, 211 N Washington St, Medical

Lake. For age 55 and over. Bring a dish to share and enjoy food and fellowship. Free. For more, call 509-2993286

Stitch & Sew Group | 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Tuesday weekly, The Arcadia Building, 12929 E. Sprague Ave. Monthly real estate investing support group. All are welcome. For more, call 509.768.4357.

LEGO Free Play | 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays, Various Libraries. Imagin and build with LEGO! Keep your engineering and problemsolving skills sharp using the library’s abundance of LEGO bricks. Families welcome. For more, scld.org

A Matter of Balance:

Preventing Falls | 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Monday and Wednesday, Cheney Library. A Series of sessions for older adults who are concerned about fall. Learn strategies needed for setting activity goals. Free to public. For more, scld.org.

Cheney Library Book Club | 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., fourth Tuesday of the month. This book club is led by volunteers and meets monthly. New members are welcome to join at any time. For the current month’s title, call the library at 509-893-8280. Free to public.

Wonder Wednesdays | 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., every Wednesday of the month, Medical Lake Library. Drop by the library to try something new. Come explore and wonder with us.

Grades K-5. Free. For more, scld.org.

Family Play & Learn

Storytime | 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Various Libraries. Children ages 2-5 enjoy playing while learning during 30 mins of reading followed by 30 mins of activities. Free. For more, scld.org.

HEALTH & RECREATION

RECURRING

Various Dates and Times | Airway Heights Park and Rec – Aquatics, Group Exercise, Camps, Babysitting Classes, Sports and more aviailable. Go to https:// airwayheightsparksandrec. org/activityguide/to see all offerings

CIVIC & BUSINESS

RECURRING

| 6:00 p.m., fourth Tuesday of the month. Location varies, for more visit mlsd.org

Medical Lake City Council | 6:30 p.m., first and third Tuesday of the month. Medical Lake City Hall, 124 Lefevre St.

Airway Heights Kiwanis Club Meeting | Fourth Wednesday, Noon at The HUB, 12703 W 14th Ave

Cheney Kiwanis Club Meeting | Thursdays 7:00 am at Sessions Village Clubhouse

Medical Lake Kiwanis CLub Meeting | Second Wednesday each month,, Noon at The Pizza Factory 123 S Broad Street

If you have an upcoming meeting or event that you want added to the calendar, email the details to danica@westplainsstream.com so we can include it in the next edition or call 509-242-7752.

Airway Heights City Council | 5:30 p.m. weekly on Mondays, Court House, 13120 W 13th Ave. Public is welcome.

Cheney School Board | 6pm. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, Cheney Highschool, 460 N 6th St.

Cheney City Council | 6 p.m., second and fourth Tuesday of each month, City Hall 609 2nd St. Public is invited.

Medical Lake School Board

Correction: Last month in the Streams article titled Medical Lake Faces Community Division Over Historic Property Purchase by Matthew Stephens, we incorrectly represented comments from Tammy Roberson that suggested the zoning change would come to a vote of the people however zoning changes are voted on by the City Council based upon recommendations from the Cities Planning Commission.

Airway Heights City Council Update

By Matthew Stephens Stream contributor

The Airway Heights City Council convened on March 3 to address a range of municipal matters, including the vacant deputy mayor seat, property exchanges, committee appointments, a land capacity analysis, and a special fund for affordable housing.

One of the first issues discussed was the unoccupied deputy mayor position. City Manager Albert Tripp informed the council that they had the option to appoint an interim official to serve until November or leave the seat vacant until a candidate emerged. The council members ultimately decided to defer the discussion to a future meeting and moved forward to other action items on the agenda.

In other business, the council approved a resolution authorizing the exchange of surplus property. Fire Chief Mitch Metzger explained that with the arrival of a new fire engine, an older unit could be declared surplus. “We got that into service last week,” Metzger said. “It gives us an extra one that we would like to declare a surplus with.” The surplus vehicle will be exchanged with Adams County Fire District 7 for a work truck, which the city’s public works department expressed interest in acquiring. The city attorney clarified that council approval was necessary under the municipal code for non-cash trades.

City Manager Tripp also introduced an amendment regarding the City Council Committee and Board Representatives. Specifically, Tripp proposed reinstating Council Member Davin Perry to the Public Works Committee while removing Council Member Hank Bynaker. “Might recall from previous work early this year there was a switch in roles to facilitate some conversations,” Tripp said.

NEWS

“At this particular junction we are asking for that to be reversed.” The amendment passed unanimously.

The council also gave unanimous approval to the transmittal of the Land Capacity Analysis to the Steering Committee of Elected Officials. Principal Planner Heather Trautman explained that this step is part of the process to meet state requirements for the city’s 2026 comprehensive plan. This analysis aims to assess the city’s ability to accommodate future population growth and housing needs. “In summary, we've been assigned 6,665 people between 2023 and 2046,” Trautman said. “As well as a housing assignment of just under 4,000 housing units through a variety of income brackets.”

Trautman also provided a job description for a Code Compliance Officer position that the city is looking to fill. The city has been using a contractor to establish a compliance system, but officials now seek to reinstate a permanent position. “We’re seeking to reestablish a permanent position we've had historically in the city of Airway Heights,” Trautman said. "We've worked with our human resources as well as administration to develop an updated job description with regards to these responsibilities." She emphasized that the role focuses on compliance

rather than law enforcement. While one council member noted the difficulty in finding a candidate with the contractor’s unique qualifications, Trautman assured the council of the city’s ability to recruit a suitable candidate, but acknowledged the complexity of the position. Trautman explained that the individual would be reporting to her, and that she has 13 years of experience where she supervised and directed the code enforcement program for the city of Spokane. The request was approved unanimously.

Additionally, City Manager Tripp asked the council to consider authorizing a notice of termination with West Central Community Center for its use of space in City Hall. The space has been used for WIC services but is needed for other city functions. Tripp noted that the rental fee of $140 per month was far below market rates, and with the city's growth, the space is required for municipal use. While acknowledging the impact of terminating WIC’s location, Tripp said the city is working with the organization to ensure a smooth transition to a new facility.

Another key item discussed during the meeting was the transfer of a franchise agreement, which passed with five votes in favor and one abstention. City Manager Tripp introduced the request,

explaining that in March 2024, the city entered into a franchise agreement with Ziply Fiber for the provision of telecommunications services. Ziply later submitted a request to transfer the agreement to BCE Holding. Tripp expressed concerns about certain language in the agreement structure and explained that the city requested modifications to ensure the council retained the authority to authorize the transfer. He also noted that the $5,000 in administrative costs associated with the transfer had been covered. Mayor Larry Bowman recalled that there were gaps in the initial contract language when the agreement was first established.

The council also held a second reading of Ordinance C-1070, which establishes a special fund for the affordable housing tax. The ordinance passed with five votes in favor and one abstention. Council initially adopted the ordinance in 2020 to collect a portion of the state sales tax for affordable housing purposes. Finance Director Stanley Schubert reported that between 2020 and the present, the city has collected approximately $66,000, with additional funds accumulating each month. The funds have remained in the current expense fund but will now be allocated specifically for affordable housing efforts.

Upcoming Construction in Medical Lake

By Nina Culver Stream contributor

Medical Lake residents can expect to see quite a few improvements underway in the coming months, including residential street repairs and the addition of a new dock at Coney Island Park.

Perhaps the most anticipated addition is the dock at Coney Island Park, which is located just off the town’s central business district. Though park amenities are currently limited to restrooms and a few benches, the park used to be the site of the historic Coney Island Pavilion Boat House, which stretched out over the lake.

“There was a dock, historically, but it was removed because, as docks do, it deteriorated,” said City Administrator Sonny Weathers.

The goal of the new dock is to give better access for swimming, fishing and kayaking at a park only a short distance away from shops and restaurants.

Avista Utilities Risk Tree Work

From Avista: By Q1-2025, Avista will be working to prune or remove risk trees (visibly dead, diseased, dying, unstable or fall hazards) near power lines. Addressing risk trees before they impact power lines ensures service reliability, maintains safety, and reduces the possibility of wildfires. Live, pruned branches will be chipped and hauled away. All risk trees, wood over 4″ diameter, and any dead wood will be left on site.

Avista will be sending out postcards with this information to any property owners with identified risk trees on their property. If you receive one of these postcards, please follow the instructions and contact Avista directly with any questions or concerns.

The hope is that people visiting the upgraded park will visit nearby businesses, Weathers said.

The dock will include two sections, including a fixed pier that is about 25 feet by 20 feet, Weathers said. A T junction will connect the pier to a floating dock located further into the lake that will provide easy access for swimming and fishing.

“We’re pretty ecstatic about having it,” Weathers said.

The extensive permitting process was completed over the winter. Installation of the pier and floating dock, which has to be done during the dry season, will begin after the town’s Founders Day celebration on the third weekend in June. The work is expected to last a month and the $100,000 project is being paid for by the city’s Tourism and Parks Capital Improvement Fund.

Lefevre Street, one of the city’s main arterials, will get a Complete Streets upgrade between Brooks Road and Hancock Street. The project includes new sidewalks, pedestrian lighting and street lighting. The street will include a bike lane, but it will be a parking protected bike lane. Instead of the bike lane being in between parked cars and the lane of traffic, it is put next to the curb. A parking lane between the bike lane and the lane of travel provides a buffer for bicyclists, Weathers said.

“It’s kind of a new approach that the state is looking at doing,” he said. “It’s actually safer for the cyclist to be away

from the lane of travel.”

A parking protected bike lane was put in last year on Barker Street near the high school, Weathers said, so residents have been becoming familiar with it. “It makes it a lot safer for all parties,” he said. “People are figuring it out.”

The city relocated overhead utilities in the area last fall to prepare for the $2.3 million project, which is expected to be complete in June. It is being funded by a Transportation Improvement Board grant.

The warming kitchen on the second floor of City Hall has been torn out and the city is in the midst of replacing it with a full commercial kitchen. Use of the warming kitchen was limited, Weathers said. “It’s not a commercial kitchen and can’t be used as such,” he said. “It’s just very outdated.”

The new kitchen will be available for community use, Weathers said, giving small businesses access to a commercial kitchen that they cannot afford on their own. It can also be used for a senior lunch program, cooking classes and to provide meals in emergencies.

It was during the Gray Fire that the city realized that it needed the ability to feed large numbers of people in emergencies, Weathers said. “It’s a good investment to make us a little more resilient,” he said.

The $300,000 project was originally slated to be complete in March, but delays have pushed the expected

completion date to June. It is being funded by money provided by the American Rescue Plan Act.

Improvements are also planned for the city’s Wastewater Treatment Plant, including an upgrade to the plant’s programmable logic controls and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. “It’s the brain that tells all the valves and control mechanisms what needs to be done,” Weathers said.

The old system was very outdated and the upgrades will allow remote operations, Weathers said. The upgraded system will also match the SCADA system currently in use in the city’s water system. That means that if either the sewer or water systems go down due to power loss, the other will be able to run both systems at once, Weathers said.

“Now we’ll have a redundant system that’s shared,” he said.

The city is using $150,000 from its Wastewater Restricted Fund reserves to pay for the project.

The city also plans to build a storage building and an equipment garage at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Currently equipment is left outside in the elements. “It was built bare bones, not a lot of storage space and workshop space,” Weathers said.

The project, which has not yet gone out to bid, is expected to cost $250,000 from the Wastewater Restricted Fund and Capital Improvement Fund reserves. Work is expected to be complete in the fall.

Last year the city resurfaced the north-south residential streets and this summer plans to resurface the streets running east-west. Crews will do crack sealing and minor repairs ahead of a scrub seal on eight miles of city streets, Weathers said. “It’s a newer technique,” he said of the scrub seal. “It’s kind of like a chip seal.”

The oil used in a scrub seal is heavier than the oil used in a chip seal. The process is cheaper and should last seven years, which is longer than a chip seal, Weathers said. It’s also much cheaper to do a scrub seal than to wait until the streets deteriorate so much that a complete replacement is necessary, he said.

“If we don’t get them resurfaced it’s going to degrade and cost us a whole lot of money,” he said.

The scrub seal project is expected to cost $1.45 million and is being paid for by Transportation Improvement Board grants.

Photo by Ben Wick Construction continues along N Lefevre Street as Medical Lake City Crews continue work to install curbing, lighting, and pedestrian upgrades along the western side of the street. A project that carried over from the 2024 construction season.

Airway Construction

By Nina Culver Stream contributor

The project to improve pedestrian safety on Highway 2 through Airway Heights is progressing, but not yet ready for construction. Residents will, however, be able to see the city start the second phase of the Sixth Avenue extension project next month.

Construction of the first phase to improve Sixth Avenue from Craig Road to Russell Street was largely completed last year, said Airway Heights Public Works Director Dennis Fuller. The second phase, which is Craig Road to Campbell Street, should start construction in mid-April.

Sixth Avenue did not previously exist between Craig Road and Ketchum Drive. Putting in that 600foot section of road will provide an important east-west connecting street north of Highway 2.

The construction will impact traffic using roads in the area. One lane of Sixth Avenue will be open with alternating traffic controls and there will occasionally be impacts to cross streets.

In addition to extending the street, the project includes traffic calming on Sixth Avenue, a shared use path on the south side of the street and a sidewalk that includes ADA ramps and pedestrian crossings on the north side of the street. The street will also include future Spokane Transit Authority bus stops.

The project includes the construction of roundabouts at the intersections of Sixth and Lawson as well as Sixth and Lundstrom. A landscaped median will be added the length of Sixth Avenue to give the street a boulevard appearance.

Construction on the project should be complete this year, Fuller said. “It’s probably going to be later in the fall,” he said.

Funding for the $6.1 million project comes from several different agencies, including $2.4 million from the Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board, a $2 million grant from the Spokane Transit Authority and a $754,000 grant from the Transportation Improvement Board. In addition, Chas Medical Clinics contributed $639,000 and $400,000

came from the city’s Transportation Benefit District.

Design work in improving a milelong stretch of Highway 2 inside city limits is nearly complete, with plans submitted to the Washington State Department of Transportation for review, said Fuller. Once the plans are reviewed, the city could move forward with the construction of a roundabout at Garfield and Highway 2 this year.

“This year might be a bit tight,” Fuller said. “We do have the funding for that. It could possibly go out for construction later in the year.”

There is currently a traffic light at the Garfield intersection, but Fuller said putting in a roundabout should make it safer. It would join several other roundabouts already in place on Highway 2.

“Highway 2 is a corridor with a lot of traffic accidents,” Fuller said. “Roundabouts tend to slow everything down and provide traffic calming. They also help with pedestrian safety.”

The project envisions Highway 2 as a boulevard-style street with a landscaped center median, sidewalks on either side and stormwater swales. Phase One of

the project will include Highway 2 from Lawson to Lundstrom and Phase Two will include Craig Road to Garfield.

The city, however, does not have construction funding for either phase, Fuller said. Construction is probably at least two years away, he said.

A grind and overlay project is planned for Hayford Road between Highway 2 and 21st Avenue this summer to refurbish the road. The project has not yet gone out to bid, but it is estimated to cost $1.3 million from a combination of a Spokane Regional Transportation Council grant and city funds.

Fuller said Hayford Road will remain open during construction and the project is anticipated to take place in late summer.

Several other smaller projects are planned in the city this summer, including the construction of a sewer lift station and forcemain (a pressurized pipe) on Russell Road near the Amazon facility that is currently underway.

The city is also working on a septic elimination program in the commercial area on Garfield Road south of 21st Avenue, Fuller said.

Those businesses will be hooked up to the city’s sewer system. The two sewer projects are expected to cost about $2 million, paid for by grants and a low interest loan from the Washington State Department of Ecology.

The city is also expanding its water reuse system that uses treated and reclaimed wastewater. “We’re running new reclaimed water out to three city parks for irrigation,” Fuller said.

As part of that, the city will build a storage area for an additional 1 million gallons of reclaimed water, Fuller said. The $2 million project will be paid for by grants and a low interest loan from the Washington State Department of Ecology.

Upgrades to the city’s water reclamation plant are also planned, including replacing membranes and upgrading the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. The SCADA system is essentially the brains of the plant, Fuller said. “It runs the plant,” he said.

The $2.2 million project is also being paid for by grants and a low interest loan from the Washington State Department of Ecology.

By Matthew Stephens Stream contributor

Winter Sports Wrap Up as Spring Season Kicks Off

With the change of seasons, high school athletics in the region have transitioned from winter competitions to the excitement of spring sports. The winter season concluded with notable achievements for both Medical Lake and Cheney High School athletes, particularly at the state level.

Medical Lake Wrestlers Shine at State

The Medical Lake wrestling team ended its season on a high note, sending seven competitors to the state tournament. Representing the Cardinals were James Oliver, Lyla Heinemann, Xane San Agustin, Carsen Buenzli, Haedyn Deardorff, True Cole, and Kianoa Beyer.

Three of these wrestlers earned a place on the podium. Oliver secured a third-place finish in his weight class, while Heinemann made history by becoming the first female wrestler from Medical Lake to place at state, earning fourth. Cole also delivered a

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strong performance, taking fourth in his division.

Cheney Wrestlers and Swimmers Make Their Mark

Cheney High School also saw success at the state level across multiple sports. The girls' wrestling team was recognized for their academic achievements, earning the title of Academic State Champions. Individually, Jenny Tian placed sixth in her division, Jalisca Holmgren finished fifth, Ireland Chodorowski took eighth, and Paige McGee also secured a sixth-place finish. On the boys’ side, Camron Bogle placed eighth, while Jackson Syron brought home a bronze medal with a third-place finish. Trenton Moore rounded out Cheney’s wrestlers with a seventh-place finish.

In swimming, Alma Smith had an impressive performance, finishing second in her event and securing a silver medal for the Blackhawks.

Spring Sports Take Center Stage

With winter sports in the books, the focus now shifts to spring athletics. Baseball, softball, boys’ soccer, track and field, and tennis are gearing up for competition as temperatures rise.

Medical Lake has long maintained a strong baseball program and looks to build on its tradition of success. The Cheney Blackhawks are also aiming for a solid season, with pitchers ready to dominate the mound and batters eager to deliver big hits. Softball teams for both schools anticipate a competitive season, striving for deep playoff runs.

Track and field athletes are also preparing to showcase their speed and endurance. Both Medical Lake and Cheney have historically boasted strong track and field programs, and expectations remain high. Longtime Medical Lake cross country and track and field coach Gene Blankenship was recently honored for his dedication and contributions to the Cardinals' athletic success. He was inducted to the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association Hall of Fame, and received a plaque for serving his school and teams since 2011.

Nick Puzycky was also inducted for his service to the school as a long time football coach.

As athletes trade in basketball shoes for cleats and rackets, the excitement of a new season begins. Fans can look forward to another action packed chapter in local high school sports as spring competition gets underway.

Cheney sports schedules can be found through the high school or arbiter website, and Medical Lake schedules can be found at the high school website.

Brought

Make a Tabletop Miniature Golf Hole

For kids in grades K–5

Create a tiny tabletop golf hole with supplies provided by the library. Then, try to get a hole-in-one!

MEDICAL LAKE LIBRARY

321 E Herb St Wednesday, March 19, 3:30–4:30pm

AIRWAY HEIGHTS LIBRARY

1213 S Lundstrom St Tuesday, March 25, 4–5pm

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Help end food insecurity with a donation to the Community Food Drive in April

By Aileen Luppert Spokane County Library District

Spokane County Library District (SCLD) engages with our community to understand its wants, needs, aspirations, and challenges. Last year, our staff spoke to hundreds of people and learned our community aspires to be a safe, welcoming place where everyone has opportunities. We also learned more about challenges our community has, including lack of resources and food insecurity.

The USDA defines food insecurity as “limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe

Library Giving Day raises funds to provide summer reading books to kids, teens

By Jane Baker Spokane County Library District

For Library Giving Day last year, the Library Foundation of Spokane County fundraised to give books to kids and teens to kick off summer reading in Spokane County. The Library Foundation met their fundraising goal, and each youth who registered for the summer reading program with Spokane County Library District (SCLD) received a new book to keep.

In 2025, the Library Foundation is supporting Summer Reading again with a goal of raising $5,000. This year’s

foods, or limited or uncertain ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways.”

Feeding America estimates that “47 million people—1 in 7—are food insecure in the US.” In Spokane County, 13% of our population and 19% of our children are food insecure. If you need help getting food for you or your family, visit the Second Harvest “Food Near Me” web page at https://2-harvest.org/ food-near-me/.

The thought of one hungry child is troubling, but nearly 1 in 5 kids in Spokane County is food insecure, which is upsetting and a major concern for our communities. Hungry children struggle to learn and grow.

SCLD has taken steps to help ease food insecurity in our communities. In 2016, our Deer Park Library launched a federally funded snack program. After school and during school breaks, including summer, youth ages 18 and under can get a free, healthy snack at the library. The program was expanded to Cheney, North Spokane, and Spokane Valley Libraries in Fall 2024. The snack

Library Giving Day is Tuesday, April 1, with donations accepted throughout the entire month of April.

The giveaway is expanding in 2025 to include preschool readers so that all youth ages 0–17 registering for Summer Reading will receive a book. The entirety (100%) of donations to Library Giving Day go directly to covering the costs of providing these books.

Offering a book at the beginning of Summer Reading increased registration and participation, particularly among school-aged children. It also incentivized visiting the library at the beginning of summer and encouraged continued reading activity throughout the season.

The Summer Reading Program at SCLD encourages kids to maintain or improve their reading skills during summer, helping to ensure that they are ready to learn and not working to regain forgotten skills when they return to school in the fall.

Last year, over 1,500 children

program has served 1,387 snacks to children in January 2025.

To do even more, SCLD is expanding its annual spring food drive. In partnership with Spokane Public Library, Liberty Lake Municipal Library, Second Harvest, and KHQ, SCLD is launching a county-wide food drive for the entire month of April.

Every library in the county will be collecting non-perishable food. Second Harvest will distribute food to local food banks, including those serving Airway Heights, Cheney, and Medical Lake. KHQ is helping us get the word out. You can learn more about Second Harvest and food insecurity at https://2-harvest. org/.

We know that residents in the greater Spokane area are generous and value community, so we hope that you help us fight food insecurity in April. Bring canned or packaged food to any library during the month. We look forward to seeing how your generosity and the Community Food Drive will help to end food insecurity in the region.

registered for summer reading. SCLD saw a 33% increase in total registration and a 59% increase in school-aged participants (ages 5–17) over the previous year. The largest group of youth participants were in grades 2, 3 and 4, which are the most critical grades for learning to read.

Let’s do it again!

The benefits of reading can last a lifetime, beginning in early childhood and continuing through the senior years. If you’re passionate about reading, we hope you consider donating and helping spread the word about Library Giving Day.

Donations of any size are welcome and can be made at www.supportscld.org.

Library Giving Day is a nationwide, annual fundraising event with the goal of encouraging people who depend on and enjoy public libraries to donate to their local library system. And in turn, that support goes toward the incredible programs, services, and materials provided by local libraries all over the country.