The Water Front
High School Principal
Retiring at end of school year
By Nina Culver Stream Contributor
Medical Lake High School
principal Chris Spring is retiring this spring after 32 years as an educator in the district, marking the end of a career that began even though Spring didn’t like school.
Spring grew up in north Spokane and West Valley. He considered teaching as a career, thanks in part to his father, Jack Spring, who was a longtime West Valley teacher and baseball coach. Spring was the youngest of five kids and said he enjoyed attending West Valley High School, a smaller school with a slower pace.
He studied education at Gonzaga University and did his student teaching. Then he hit pause. “I just wasn’t sure I wanted to pursue education,” he said.
He partnered with Steve Stockton, who was opening a new business called Eagle Snacks. “He thought it was really going to go,” he said. “I went to work as a chip driver for six months.”
It was quickly clear that the snack distribution business wasn’t for him. He began working as a substitute teacher and baseball coach in the Mead School District until Rich Cerenzia, principal at Medical Lake Middle School, recruited him to apply for a physical education/health teacher position at his school. The two knew each other because Spring coached Cerenzia’s son.
“He watched a lot of the games and liked the way I handled his son,” he said.
Spring was quickly hired at
Spring’s love of baseball came naturally. After all, his father was a major league baseball player, playing for teams like the Los Angeles Angels, the Cleveland Indians and the St. Louis Cardinals. He switched teams almost every year, though he spent three years with the Angels. “He always said he never unpacked his suitcase, he played for so many teams,” he said.
After he left baseball, he was a teacher and coach for 20 years.
of trouble most of the time. I was heavy into baseball.”
He attended North Idaho College for two years after graduating high school. In his second year playing baseball for NIC, he played well and got noticed. He was able to play a summer league with Gonzaga University, where he excelled. “I had quite the summer,” he said.
He finished his college career at Gonzaga, playing under coach Steve Hertz. “I wouldn’t be here
challenged his athletes to high standards.”
After many years at Medical Lake Middle School, Spring landed his dream job as athletic director at Medical Lake High School. But soon budget cuts hit, and Spring was told he had to be both the athletic director and the assistance principal. When his principal, John McSmith, retired nine years ago, then superintendent Tim Ames strongly encouraged him to apply for the job.
“Here we are,” Spring said. “It’s nine years later and it’s time for me to think about something other than school.”
The decision to retire has been hard, but Spring is grateful he’s had more time to spend with students and staff since he doesn’t have to prepare for next fall. “This industry has changed significantly,” he said. “I’m not against change, but it started to put my mind toward doing something different. I Think I did what I wanted to do. I think I made my mark.”
Though retirement is in the cards, Spring is not one to sit in his recliner and pet the dog. He’s looking into starting a lawn and yard care business with his longtime friend, Bob Finn, who is also retiring.
Q: Tell me about your fourthgrade teacher and the impact she had on you.
A: Hmmm, my 4th grade teacher’s name was Mrs. Reams. Ironically, she was my favorite teacher of all time. Mrs. Reams made learning fun. She had us up and moving around every day. She always had a smile on her face from the minute school started until the end of the day. Mrs. Reams truly cared about us, I would give anything to be able to say thank you to her.
Photo by Nina Culver Principal / Coach Chris Spring is retiring after 32 years with the Medical Lake School District. Spring originally started with the district as a PE / Health Teacher at the middle school before working up to the High School.
SPRING
Continued from page 2
Q: What made you decide you wanted to become a teacher?
A: Well, I loved sports more than anything. My dad was a former major league baseball player for many years. When he retired from baseball, he became a high school teacher and coach. Growing up, I lived on the field and in the gym with him. After playing baseball at G.U. I wasn’t sure if teaching was my destination. I tried a few other things that just didn’t work out. Again, I loved sports but I didn’t love school. Long story short, I found a love of working with young people through getting my teaching degree. Teaching and working with young people became a passion. Rich Cerenzia, Principal at Medical Lake Middle School, gave me my first full time teaching job.
Q: At what point did you decide to become a principal and why?
A: That’s a great question. After teaching and coaching for about 12 years the Athletic Director job opened at Medical Lake H.S. I was excited that I might have a chance to have my dream job. I ended up getting that job and loved it more than anything. Unfortunately, budget cuts required me to take on the job of Assistant Principal and A.D. as well. That was a very busy time balancing home, school, and A.D. I did that for a few years and in came our new superintendent Mr. Tim Ames. When the Principal job came open, he spent a lot of time with me and believed in me as a school leader. I am extremely thankful Mr. Ames saw something in me and challenged me and believed in me.
Q: What is your favorite part of your job?
A: My favorite part of the job is to have the opportunity to work with such a diverse group of people in so many different ways. I get to come to work every day and work to support students, staff, parents, coaches, my
community and so much more. I always call the amazing people I get to work with “TEAM!” What a gift to come to work with all of these people and hope to make a difference side by side with them every day. I can only hope my team knows that without them I would have had no chance. I will miss my people, that is what made getting up in the morning easy!
Q: What advice do you give your students as they prepare to graduate?
A: Don’t be afraid to fail. Continue to do your best, after all your best is good enough. Always believe in yourself and take time to map some goals you hope to achieve. Learn from your mistakes and be better through what you learned. Make the world a better place with you in it. Work hard, play hard, and have fun! Once a Cardinal always a Cardinal!
Q: What made you decide it is time to retire?
A: When I’m asked this question, I laugh and tell people, “I’ve been in school since I was
6 years old.” It’s time and I want to do something different, essentially see the world from a different lens. I am so excited to spend more time at home with my beautiful wife Amy, and make some trips to see our incredible girls at college, Rylie and Madi.
Q: Do you ever have a chance to get back on the baseball field?
A: I spent so many years on the field coaching and playing ball I can’t remember half of it. I watched my first high school baseball game the other day that I have watched in a long time. It brought back amazing memories, but baseball will always be in my blood. I continue to be a Dodger and Mariner fan. I also don’t miss very many Zag baseball games. One of my best friends, Mark Machtolf, coaches the Zags so I watch and see as many games as possible. I will be thankful to Gonzaga baseball for the rest of my life! I’d give anything to be playing second base for the Zags again, it was special! Now it’s time to sing take me out to the ball game!
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Camacho, Campbell appointed to AH council
By John McCallum Stream contributor
New council members, police vehicle purchases and water use were just a few of the issues the Airway Heights City Council dealt with at meetings in late April and early May.
Camacho, Campbell appointed to council
At its May 5 meeting, the City Council unanimously appointed Jesse A.B. Camacho and William Franklin Campbell III to fill a vacant and soon to be vacant seat on the council.
Campbell was appointed to fill Council Position 3, vacant since the resignation of former councilwoman and deputy mayor Veronica Messing earlier this year. Messing resigned due to moving to the city of Cheney. She was appointed twice to council, the most recent in 2017 and won elections in 2019 and 2023.
Camacho was appointed to fill Council Position 2, currently held by Councilman Kevin Richey. Richey was elected to council in 2008, served as mayor in 2015 before stepping down from that position when he was named assistant chief at the Spokane Valley Police Department in 2020. While he has maintained an apartment in the city, Richey’s family is no longer living in Airway Heights, and he has indicated he will step down from council in June to be with his family.
Camacho has lived in Airway Heights for 27 years while Campbell has lived in the city for just short of seven years. State law requires council candidates to be registered voters in their city of residence and to have lived in that city at least one year prior to their candidacy.
Campbell is currently on the city’s Civil Service Commission and the Planning Commission, serving as vice chair of the latter. Camacho, a U.S. Army and Air Force veteran, has no prior public service experience.
Seven candidates applied for the positions, although one later withdrew because they were not an Airway Heights resident. Council
interviewed four candidates at its April 21 meeting, going into executive session at the May 5 meeting and emerging to select Campbell and Camacho in public session.
Two other Airway Heights council positions will have new members this fall as both council members Hank Bynaker, Position 1, and David Malet, Position 4, are not running for reelection. Both Campbell and Camacho have filed their candidacy with the Spokane County Elections Office, with Campbell running to fill out the remaining two years on the Position 3 term and Camacho running for a full, four-year term.
Two candidates interviewed for Messing and Richey’s positions but not selected have also filed to run. Casandra Quesnell is running unopposed for Position 1 while Keri Bro is running unopposed for Position 4.
Current Deputy Mayor and Councilman Davin Perry is running unopposed in Position 6.
Council also voted unanimously at its April 21 meeting to appoint Lisa Specht to the city’s Planning Commission. A five-year resident of Airway Heights, according to her resume, Specht has 30-plus-years’ experience in land use and resource management related to agriculture in rural communities.
Bidding requirements on vehicles waived
Council unanimously approved a resolution at its May 5 meeting authorizing the Police Department to waive the requirement for obtaining competitive bids and proceed with purchasing new Ford Explorer vehicles from Corwin Ford in Spokane Valley.
Police Chief Brad Richmond told council at its April 28 study session that the department’s fleet manager, Cpl. Adam Johnson, had researched pricing on these vehicles — which will require special outfitting before entering the field — and determined buying the Explorers through Corbin would save the city about $2,000 per vehicle than if they were purchased through the State of Washington’s competitive bidding program. Currently there are six vehicles in the department needing replacing.
Using the state’s Department of Enterprise Services program likely would result in buying the
vehicles from an out of area dealer, and Richmond said there were advantages to a more local purchase. He also pointed to uncertainties in the market place, particularly with automobiles and recent tariffs imposed on foreign manufacturers by the administration of President Donald J. Trump.
“We’re just trying to beat the tariffs,” Richmond said.
Richmond added the purchase would be on a leasing basis, with the department owning the vehicles outright once the lease terms expired. He also said they were working on putting a program in place to help the department better facilitate purchase savings.
“We’re trying to do more with less, as always,” Richmond added.
Hayford Road work delayed
At the April 28 meeting, Public Works Director Steve Flude told council the city had asked for and received an up to two-year extension for using funding for the city’s proposed South Hayford Road Preservation project. The city received $850,450 in March in federal funds through the Spokane Regional Transportation Council for the estimated five-week project that will feature grinding of 2 inches of 5,300 feet of existing asphalt and replacing it with a new surface as well as construction of an extended curb on the south side of the intersection to prevent southbound left turns from Hayford onto Maverick.
Flude said the project was originally slated for completion by July 4 this year, but due to a late start on design, uncertainty over funding — including city matching funds — and scheduling with two additional South Hayford Road projects, Public Works decided it was in the best interest to hold construction
work. Design work wouldn’t be completed until midsummer, he added, which is not a good time to pursue competitive bids for road work since the asphalt season is close to wrapping up.
Flude said the department has since worked out the funding issues, and will have the project design consultant complete 90% of the work this year, at which point the city will decide if they want to proceed with the work in 2026, or possibly hold it until 2027.
“In the end we hope to have a nicely paved road from SR2 to McFarland,” Flude added.
West Prairie Village water study approved
At the May 5 meeting, council unanimously approved a $50,000 contract with consultant Century West Engineering to conduct a water system feasibility study between the city and West Prairie Village Mobile Home Park, LLC. The city applied for, and has received, $50,000 to fund the study from the federal Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.
Park representatives approached council in late February 2024 about the possibility of the city supplying the park — located on Craig Road just northwest of the city — with water as its two wells have decreased in production dramatically over the past two years. As with city and private wells in the area, the park’s wells “have been found to have significant PFAS/PFOA contamination in their water system and the levels of contamination continue to rise,” according to the study scope.
The council agreed to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with West Prairie Village in May 2024 that allowed the city to pursue funding for the system feasibility study.
Safety and Security dominates City Council Agenda
By Ben Wick Stream Publisher
Special Presentation
At the May 6th City Council meeting Mayor Terri Cooper invited Spokane County Sherriff Officer Justin Lundgren to give an update on the drug crisis. “Meth never went away, we are continuing to see meth abuse and overdoses and now we are seeing Fentanyl on top of that or oftentimes in combination with” said Lundgren.
“From 2022 to 2024 drug related calls have quadrupled. Fentanyl related deaths have doubled. 95% of the 322 drug related deaths we saw last year are related fentanyl and / or meth, in 2018 only 1 death from fentanyl,” explained Lundgren. He went on to cite the latest County Medical Examiners report from 2023 in which there were “221 natural deaths, 677 accidental deaths of that 301 were from accidental drug poising.” Especially calling out that more people died from drug overdoses than from natural causes.
According to Lundgren in 2024 alone, SCSO seized 2.6 kilograms of meth, 2.6 kilograms of cocaine, and ~75,000 fentanyl pills across the county. “We are responding to more than 10 overdoses a day, totaling over 4,000 calls last year.”
“No, community or family or people immune from this crisis. Medical Lake specifically had nine incidents related to overdose last year and eight so far this year” said Lundgren.
The Mayor then read a proclamation calling the community to action supporting Gabriels Challenge. Gabriels Challenge is a community response against Fentanyl encouraging a 36 day awareness campaign of engaging, educating, and mobilizing the community to stop the fentanyl crisis between Mothers Day and lasting through Fathers Day. The Challenge was named after Gabriel the son of Kitara Johnson who died from a Fentanyl overdose in March.
“Its about showing up for our community” explained Johnson.
The Mayor then went on to recognize a recent effort by the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. There was a burglary outside of Medical Lake on April 27th, during that burglary 11 firearms taken, by April 29th Liberty Lake Police found two of the suspects which led to development of a third suspect and a connection to a location within Medical Lake which they were able to find the suspects and recovered the firearms. “It all started from a citizen call which led to the investigation and law enforcement action” said Cooper. “You may not think it would be important but please call the Spokane County Sheriff’s office if you know something. You never know if it will be the connection they need.”
Code Enforcement
Dave Yuhas presented the 2025 Q1 Code Enforcement report. In the first quarter of 2025, there were 57 cases, which is a large uptick from last year and prior years. Noting that the increase was more related to increase in efficiencies, but noted that 7% of those cases are going to civil infraction or court. It was also noted that the code enforcement position is not currently a full time staff position, but Yuhas commented that he was going to be requesting an increase in hours to do night time patrols to help enforce restrictions on no living in RVs.
Post Legislative Session Report
Emily Shay from Gordon Thomas Honeywell, the cities state lobbyist, provided the city council a recap from the state legislative session that ended on April 22nd. The City of Medical Lakes 2025 Legislative priorities included a $1.2 million capital request to purchase the property that is currently Waterfront Park from the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). While the city didn’t get the capital as requested, WA State Representative Mike Volz led an effort supported by both Representative Graham and Senator Holy to provide a “government to government transfer of the 60 acres for waterfront park from DSHS to the City of Medical Lake by May 2026, plus $100,000 to support the transfer logistics.”
The second city priority was to increase the funding for Eastern State Hospitals Community Policing
Program and according to Shay, “the final budget includes increased funding for Eastern State Hospital from $622,000 to $640,000 as requested.”
The third priority of the city was around long term recovery groups (LTRGs) with the goal to educate legislators and the governors staff on the importance of LTRGs. Shay noted that the city was able to spend two weeks with her in Olympia as well as numerous meetings with the Mayor where they were able to meet with “over 30 legislators, the Wildfire Caucus which included legislators, the governors office, as well as State Patrol.”
Fireworks Ballot Measure
Back at the July 16, 2024 city council workshop the city council directed staff to explore the possibility of putting forward a ballot measure for a nonbinding advisory vote concerning discharge of consumer fireworks in the City of Medical Lake for the November 2025 general election. City Administrator Sonny Weathers discussed the process and timeline which includes a requirement for the city to pass a resolution, explanatory statement, and identify for and against committees (which are no more than 3 members of the community) by no later than August 5, 2025. Mr. Weathers laid out a proposed timeline of publicizing the committee recruitment and begin receiving letters of interest by June 2nd, Mayor to appoint with City Council confirmation of committee members by July 1st, then pass a resolution calling for the fireworks advisory vote ballot measure by July 15th for submission by the August 5th deadline by the Spokane County Elections Office.
Councilmembers asked about the expense of the vote, “because we are running on a ballot with other issues the cost will be lower than if we were to put it on a ballot on its own” noted Weathers. Council member Pritchard brought up the confusion around the ban last year “the ban only applied to the use of fireworks but not the sale of fireworks which caused a lot of confusion.” Mayor Cooper pointed out that the Council has the authority to change the law however they see fit, but agreed that they should wait to see how the vote comes back before having further discussions over the next year. There was no objection from the City Council on the proposed timeline.
Parks and Recreation Facilities Rental Fee Schedule Update
City Parks and Recreation Director Glen Horton brought forward an update to the current fee schedule for facility rentals citing “partially due to the confusing verbiage within the current schedule” and also to be in better alignment with their new reservation system software noted Horton.
Other changes included updating the special events fees to remove the fees for events with fewer than 100 participants as “last year the Council changed the resolution defining special events as being events with over 100 participants,” said Horton.
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board had a few questions, but supported the recommended fee schedule changes.
Councilmember Speirs asked if the system would allow people to reserve the parks outside of the normal operating hours. Horton clarified “Only Special events can schedule a park or recreation facility outside of the normal operating hours.”
City Administrator Weathers added “the fee schedule we were using was clunking and complex and our role is to simplify and streamline it. Then as we make it easier more people would be encouraged to use it and we appreciate your [the Councils] support in doing that.”
Cascade Columbia Supply Agreement Amendment
The current agreement with Cascade Columbia Supply expired on February 28, 2025. City Finance Manager Koss Ronholt shared that this agreement didn’t have an option for automatic renewal but is how the city purchases its supply of polymer which is a chemical necessary for the operation of the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant. The proposed agreement provides an extension for one year with an option for up to 4 additional automatic one-year renewals while maintaining the same pricing, terms, and conditions of the original agreement. The agreement was approved unanimously.
Personnel Policies
Finance Manager Ronholt brought forward an update to the cities Personnel Policies, citing that the changes are primarily around clarifications in the leave section with “the goal of minimal changes and an abundance of clarity” explained
Ronholt.
While mostly clarifications, there was one change pointed out which was the addition of a ‘Civic Engagement Leave section.’
According to the policy “The purpose of Civic Engagement Leave is to encourage employees to engage in Medical Lake’s community through civic, charitable, or community supporting activities by allowing paid leave from work to do so.”
City Administrator Weathers highlighted that in the latest magazine published by the Municipal Services and Research Center (MRSC) that there was an article highlighting that jurisdictions around the state were implementing similar paid time off policies.
The City Council approved the updated policies unanimously.
Security at Waterfront Park
City Administrator Weathers discussed the city’s desire to increase safety and security at Waterfront Park, noting that back at the February 4, 2025 council meeting the idea of combining uniformed security with the extra-duty-deputies could provide additional coverage and remain within the budget. Weathers noted “Our extra-duty deputy contract is subject to availability and willingness to serve those shifts and we don’t get 100% of our requests, however contracting with a security agency would give us a guaranteed coverage.”
Receiving bids from Phoenix Protective Corporation, Go Joe Patrol and Securitas. Staff recommended going with Phoenix Protective Corporation. “Overwhelmingly we found that the Phoenix bid was the most appealing and seemed to fit well with the intent,” said Weathers.
The proposed contract adds uniformed security for eight hour shifts over the summer between Thursdays and Sundays and on holidays between Memorial Day and Labor Day at Waterfront Park. “We will still have our Extra Duty Deputies as well to come in during our special events to help” explained Weathers.
Mayor Cooper shared her enthusiasm for the proposal saying “and its all within the budget, as it shifts hours that were budgeted for Extra Duty Officer shifts that weren’t able to be filled into this contract.”
The contract with Phoenix Protective Corporation was approved unanimously.
Ecology Groundwater Study Grant Amendment
The City of Medical Lake entered into a Grant agreement with the Washington State Department of Ecology for $450,000 back in August of 2023 for the West Plains PFAS Groundwater Transport & Fate Study. City staff brought forward an amendment that would extend the grants existing deadline from June 30, 2025 to December 31, 2025 and proposed to re-allocate $25,000 from the project administration task to the Groundwater Investigation task while creating a deliverable of an improved recipient close out report.
City Finance manager Ronholt identified that the city had only spent approximately $11,000 of the $50,000 in the project administration area of the project and was confident that they should be able to cover their expenses through the end of the year after the reallocation.
The amendment was approved with Councilmember Prichard abstaining.
Waterfront Park Electrical / Lighting
The city received $272,230.37 from the city’s insurance carrier related to damage and destroyed ballfield lighting in Waterfront Park during the Gray Road Fire. While the bids came in lower than anticipated, the cost is estimated to be $226,748 for the base contract to remove and dispose of the old wood light poles and lights, supply and install new metal light poles and updated lighting to cover entire playing surface, removal of the old score board and install a city provided score board.
Additionally the city considered alternates that could be incorporated into the project.
The first alternate would be to upgrade the electrical along the path to better support events and food trucks during the special events. City Parks Director Glenn Horton explained "Typically during our events such as founders day and the concerts at Linger at the Lake, we bring in food vendors that constantly have to get permits and install temporary electrical such as spider boxes or generators.” The alternate includes $16,646.00 to install four 50 amp receptacles along the path, and $7,721 to upgrade the service
in the park from a 200 amp service to a 400 amp service to support the expansion.
The last alternative discussed was to upgrade the lighting in the south field. The current lighting levels are 30-foot candle in the infield and 20-foot candle in the out field. For $17,616 it would upgrade the lighting to 50-foot candle in the infield and 30-foot candle in the outfield.
While both alternatives come to $41,983 it was noted that this is before tax, and $293,000 when combined with the base bid and tax which is approximately $20,000 more than the city received in the insurance money.
City Administrator Weathers pointed out that the previous lighting was at the 30/20 candle power as is the other field at the park “so this would be an upgrade.”
Councilmember Pritchard asked if this quote would be Dark Sky compliant. While it wasn’t, Sean Vinson from Triumph added that these light fixtures have been used elsewhere and are significantly better at directing the light downward than what was previously there.
They city received 4 bids for the project with Triumph Electric being the lowest bidder.
Council approved the contract to Triumph including the alternates discussed, with council member Don Kennedy abstaining.
Transportation Plan
The City is required to include a transportation plan that outlines the community’s vision for future mobility needs, analyzing current transportation conditions, identifying key issues and proposing strategies to improve accessibility, safety, and sustainability with the goal of creating a well-connected and efficient transportation system for the community. This element will be incorporated into the Medical Lake Comprehensive Plan which is due by 6/30/2026.
The city issued an RFP, but no bidders were received. Staff reached out to Ardurra who recently completed related work for the cities of Airway Heights, Lewiston, and Ellensburg. The staff reviewed the bid and recommends awarding it to Ardurra in the amount of $30,000. Council approved unanimously.
Local Residents step forward to seek elective offices
By Nina Culver Stream contributor
Candidates for everything from city council to school board to fire commission threw their hats in the ring by filing with the Spokane County Elections Office the week of May 5-9. Quite a few candidates are unopposed, but there are contested races for Cheney Mayor, Cheney City Council, Medical Lake Mayor, Medical Lake City Council, Cheney School District and Spokane County Fire District 3.
Medical Lake Mayor Terri Cooper is running to retain her seat because she wants to continue the revitalization work she’s been promoting, particularly in the downtown business district. “I don’t think my work is done,” she said. “We’re mid-stride on many different projects.”
The business district had a lot of vacant buildings, boarded up windows and cracked sidewalks, Cooper said. It was her goal to bring together city government, the community, business owners and schools to breathe new life into the town. “It wasn’t just the infrastructure, it was wanting to bring the community together,” she said. “We have a capital improvement plan and a strategic plan and we’re just getting started.”
She points to reducing the amount the city pays for law enforcement services provided by the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office from $1.2 million to $300,000, partly by getting reimbursed by the state more than $600,000 for providing coverage to Eastern State Hospital and partly by reducing law enforcement coverage to 12 hours a day. “We reduced our police expenses and increased services,” she said. “We’ve moved to a community policing model.”
Cooper’s opponent, John Higgins, is no stranger to the mayor’s office. He previously served in the position for 12 years, stepping down in 2017 because he wanted someone new to have the opportunity. “I thought 12 years would probably be enough,” he said.
Higgins, who retired as a forensic
therapist at Eastern State Hospital after 25 years and was a softball coach at the high school for 28 years, said he’s running again for one simple reason. “Nobody should run unopposed and we don’t see eye to eye on many things.”
Higgins has lived in Medical Lake for decades and he’s concerned about ongoing growth, including a proposal for 101 homes near Waterfront Park. He doesn’t believe the city has enough revenue to support increased infrastructure needs. “We don’t have enough water for that,” he said. “Our sewer system probably wouldn’t do good with that, either.”
He’d also like to see the city’s contract with the Sheriff’s Office restored to 24-hour a day coverage.
In Medical Lake, Heath Wilbur and Kathleen Morse have filed to run for Position 1, previously held by councilman Don Kennedy, who is now running unopposed for Position 3. Wilbur, a military veteran, previously applied for a vacant council seat in 2021. Morse is a Realtor and owner of The European Child, a children’s clothing boutique.
Cheney Mayor Chris Grover filed to retain his seat, but he has drawn a challenge from Elsa Martin. Grover, who works as an Edward Jones Financial Advisor, was unopposed in the 2021 and 2017 elections. Neither candidate returned a message seeking comment.
Two current Cheney City Council members, Paul Schmidt and Teresa Overhauser, did not file for reelection, and their seats have drawn several candidates. The candidates for Position 1, Mia Pesefea, the YMCA Children’s Center Director at Eastern Washington University, and Shelly Hahn, did not respond to messages requesting comment.
Cheney Planning Commissioner Shawn Ricketson, ENGIE Impact Director of Software Engineering Rebecca Long and Cheney Fire Department Battalion Chief Timothy Steiner have all filed for Position 4.
Long previously ran unsuccessfully for a city council seat in 2023. “Last time I ran primarily on a desire to serve,” she said. “I believe everyone should try and give back.”
She sees the city council as even more important in the current political climate, Long said. “I feel like it’s extra important to have a local government set up to protect and defend our local communities,”
she said.
Long said she’s been attending city council meetings to learn the issues and has started a community newsletter called Cheney Coffee and Civics. She said she believes the city will be dealing more with technological issues in the future. “We’re going to have a lot of that going forward, like AI,” she said. “I think I can help on those fronts.”
Timothy Steiner has worked with the Cheney Fire Department for 38 years, starting as a volunteer. Now a battalion chief, he plans to retire in six weeks. “I’ve been of service to the city for 38 years,” he said. “With my knowledge of the city, it’s a good fit to continue being of service.”
Steiner was born and raised in Cheney. “I know how things have progressed and where they’ve come from,” he said. “I’m not going in with an ax to grind about something in the city, necessarily. The job is much larger than that.”
Shawn Ricketson has served on the Cheney Planning Commission for about a year. He’s been a civilian IT specialist with the Department of Defense for 10 years and currently works at Fairchild Air Force Base. He’s lived in the city for the last four years and said he wants to maintain the character of the community. “It would be nice if we can keep Cheney Cheney and not Spokane,” he said.
Ricketson said the city recently received a land quality analysis that examined all the vacant land inside the city limits and how best to utilize it. He said he was struck with the realization that the analysis did not take into account the nearby Air Force base.
“No one talked about Fairchild,” he said. “Fairchild is growing. The base itself is probably going to double in size in terms of personnel.”
The city needs to take that coming growth into account, Ricketson said, and he believes he can help do that.
In the Cheney School District, incumbent and current school board vice president Mark Scott has filed to retain his District 1 seat. He was first elected to the school board in 2021 and is a member of the Washington Air National Guard. Scott is being challenged by Kyle Belock, the husband of Cheney City Council member Jacquelyn Belock.
Cheney School Board District 2 incumbent Elizabeth Winer, a science teacher at Insight School of Washington, an online public school,
was appointed to her seat in 2023 and was elected later that year. She said she has enjoyed her time on the school board.
“I’ve learned so much,” she said. “As a teacher, I have mostly focused on the lower levels of what goes on in a district. I enjoyed the change in viewpoint. I’ve learned so much about funding, in particular.”
Winer, a teacher for 13 years, said she particularly enjoys getting to visit schools and talk to students and teachers. She said she finds the visits illuminating. “I really enjoy that I get to see the different schools for site visits,” she said. “I wish I could bring everyone with me so they can see.”
She has been the legislative liaison for the board for two years, frequently advocating for the district at the state level. She said she’s been particularly concerned about funding. As an example, the state pays for 7.5 paraeducators for the entire district, which spans eight buildings. Only one paraeducator per building is not enough and the school district is forced to pay for more with levy money, Winer said. “We have quite a shortfall in operating costs,” she said.
She’d like to stay on the board in part to see through the projects that will be paid for by a construction bond approved by voters last year, including the new Craig Road Elementary.
Jessica Davis, who co-owns Wolffy’s Breakfast, Burgers & Brew in Airway Heights and is a volunteer firefighter with the Airway Heights Fire Department, is seeking Winer’s seat. Davis formerly lived in Mead and moved into the Cheney School District two years ago.
Davis said she’s prepared to bring a “strong stance” to the school board and is concerned about transparency and parental rights. “It’s fairly public knowledge that I’m fairly outspoken and have morals and values I don’t waver on,” she said. “There is a lack of stronger leadership at the moment. I do hear a lot of things. I have parents who will come up to me and talk about issues they’re having.”
The school district should be focusing on education, not social and political agendas, she said. “I would like to see our school system push our kids more,” she said.
There are three candidates vying for the Spokane County Fire District 3 seat being vacated by longtime fire
commissioner Sharon Colby, who decided not to run for re-election after 34 years on the board. The candidates seeking to replace her are volunteer firefighter Mike Meyer, Battalion Chief Tim Flock and former farmer Kent Reitmeier.
Flock, who owned the Standard Register newspaper in Tokoa for 10 years in the 80’s and 90’s, was a 28-year member of the Air National Guard and the Active Guard Reserve as a boom operator in a KC 135 refueling plane. He had multiple overseas deployments before retiring in 2010 as a chief master sergeant who held the nickname “Chief Boom.”
He was a volunteer firefighter and EMT in Tekoa for decades before beginning work as a volunteer with Fire District 3 14 years ago. He’s now a paid battalion chief.
Flock said he believes his experience will make him a good fit for the board seat and said it made sense to take advantage of Colby’s retirement. “The timing is right,” he said.
In Airway Heights, all city council candidates are running unopposed. Those who will be on the November ballot include Casandra Quesnell, Position 1; Jesse Camacho, Position 2; Bill Campbell, Position 3; Keri Bro, Position 4; and Davin Perry, Position 6.
In Cheney, incumbent Mark Posthuma is running unopposed for Position 3. Incumbent Ted Olson is the only candidate running for Position 2 on the Medical Lake City Council, while Donald Kennedy is unopposed in Position 3 and incumbent Tony Harbolt is unopposed in Position 4.
There are no contested races for Medical Lake School Board, with incumbents Gerri Johnson on the ballot for District 1 and Wendy Williams-Gilbert in District 5.
Airway Heights approves police collective bargaining agreement
By John McCallum Stream contributor
The Airway Heights City Council has unanimously approved a new collective bargaining agreement between the city and the Airway Heights Public Safety Guild — the organization that represents all uniformed officers in the city’s Police Department.
The previous agreement expired Dec. 31, 2023, with the new agreement effective retroactively to Jan. 1, 2024 and running through Dec. 31. 2027.
Under the new agreement adopted at the council’s May 5 meeting, Airway Heights officers will receive an annual wage increase of 5% each year except 2024. In 2024 the officers receive a retroactive increase of 5.5%.
Officers will receive a monthly contribution of $1,591 from the city for employee and family medical coverage for the duration of the contract. In contract years 2025 – 2027, officers receive specialty assignment pay of 3% or 4%, depending upon specialty as well as longevity pay ranging between 1.5% to 5% depending upon the employee length of service time with the city,
beginning with 1.5% at five years and increase by a percentage point every five years up to 25 years of service.
“In general, this (agreement) would memorialize the terms and working conditions for the collective bargaining group with the city of Airway Heights,” City Manager Albert Tripp said.
Tripp asked the council to approve the contract pursuant to clarification and further discussion of three items in agreement. The first was an agreement to a $500 per month Voluntary Employees Benefit Association (VEBA) payment in 2024, the second was retroactive payment of holiday pay for 2024 for “those who might be affected by that,” while the third involved clarifying the taxability and correct amount of taxation on uniforms, something Tripp said historically was nontaxable.
“Does the Guild back up those three changes or are they just VEBA requirements we have to abide by,” Council Chair Larry Bowman asked.
Guild members had already approved the contract prior to council action. Tripp said approval of the agreement contingent on clarifying these three issues would allow the parties to confirm they “were on the same page” with contract language that currently might seem to address otherwise.
“We’ve been aware of it, it’s just we need the language to be reflective of same, given they (the Guild) took action on that said language,” Tripp said.
According to the contract’s seven-step “Base Wage Schedule,” a police officer starting at Step 1 in 2024 would earn $77,633.34 annually in 2024, increasing to $92,698.26 – roughly $6,469.45 a month to $7,724,86. Corporals and detectives start at $84,658.94 and increase to $101,087.20 while a sergeant’s Step 1 begins at $91,780.92 and increases to a Step 7 rate of $109,951.10. By 2027, with the annual cost of living increases, those figures rise to Step 1 rates of $89,870.29 for police officers, $98,003.30 for corporals and detectives and $106,247.77 for sergeants, with Step 7 annual salaries of $107,309.83, $117,021.07 and $126,865.40 respectively.
According to City of Cheney ordinance Y-86, beginning Jan. 1, 2025, police officer annual Step 1 salary is set at $73,300, increasing to a Step 6 level of $97,961, with trainees making $62,305 a year. A corporal’s annual salary is set at $101,879, with sergeants having a two-step range of $110,240 and $115,594 and a lieutenant at $136,401.
According to its website, monthly salaries for entry/lateral level officers with the Ephrata Police Department range from $5,913 ––$6,804 depending on experience. In Othello, patrolman annual salaries range from $69,783 for entry level to $89,063 depending upon lateral entry experience.
According to online sources, average annual salaries for police officers in Washington state range from $70,389 to $104,198 depending upon experience, with entry level salaries beginning at $54,900.
During council review of the agreement at its April 28 study session, Airway Heights Police Chief Brad Richmond said negotiations had involved doing a lot of research on current contracts with other jurisdictions, and focused on providing the best available conditions that would help the city retain the “best officers.” Contract language indicated both parties had collective bargaining agreements with police departments in Cheney, Ephrata, Othello and West Richland as “comparable cities,” with Tripp saying in an email they had paid particular attention to nearby Cheney.
“This investment is 10-fold for what we need for the future,” Richmond said at the study session.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Washington was second to California for having the highest paid police officers in 2024, earning a median of $99,510 annually to California’s $113,460. In contrast, Washington has the lowest officer per resident ratio in the nation, 1.36 officers per 1,000 residents — with the national average at 2.31 officers per 1,000 residents.
At the April 28 study session, Bowman expressed the council’s appreciation for the work the officers do for the city, adding he wished “we could do a lot more” when it comes to compensation.
“We just want to bring what is fair and good for the future,” Chief Richmond added regarding the agreement.
Linger at the Lake Summer Concert Series
Located at Medical Lake's Waterfront Park. Will include live music, vendors, beer garden, car show, and kid zone. All concerts are free to attend.
6/20 8-10pm, Whack a Mole (5-piece powerhouse band doing rock n' roll with powerful vocals and electrifying instruments)
7/3 8-10pm, Soul Proprietor (9-piece with horn section doing soul, funk and pop)
7/31 6-8pm, Sara Brown Band (5-piece boogie band doing blues, rock, pop and funk)
8/31 6-8pm, Justyn Priest Band (4-piece hot guitar band doing country, rock and blues)
Medical Lake Farmer’s Market
The 2025 Re*Imagine Medical Lake Farmer’s Market features a wide range of vendors offering locally grown produce and flowers, locally raised meat, jams, scratch-
Medical Lake Summer Events
made baked goods, tinctures, handcrafted arts, crafts, jewelry, and more.
Fresh, locally grown produce and flowers available when in season along with locally raised meat.
A wide range of artwork, crafts, and other handmade goods. Fresh baked pies, cookies, treats, and jams.
2025 Farmers Market Schedule
Saturday, May 17, 11:303:30pm
Saturday, June 7, 9am-1pm
Saturday, June 21, 9am-4pm
Saturday, July 5, 9am-1pm
Saturday, July 19, 9am-1pm
Saturday, Aug 2, 9am-4pm
Saturday, Aug 16, 9am-1pm
Saturday, Sept6, 9am-1pm
Saturday, Sept 20, 9am-1pm
Saturday, Oct 4, 9am-1pm
Saturday, Oct 25, 11pm-4pm
Founders Day
The Re*Imagine Medical Lake Founders Day takes place on
third weekend in June each year! This signature event features a market, parade, and a wide range of other summer attractions spread across Medical Lake that are assured to be fun for the entire family.
Jun 20-21, 2025, 10AM - 4PM
Kick Off in the Park
Come out Friday, June 20th, from 6pm -10pm for live music, food trucks , cornhole tournament, and fireworks at Waterfront Park.
Founders Day Parade
The parade kicks off Saturday June 21 at 10am. The main stage will be at the intersection of Lake St & Lefevre St. If you would like to participate you can register at https://medicallake.org/ founders-day-parade/
To apply for booth space during the Founder’s day Celebration contact Contact Kylie (509) 885-2386
kylie@medicallake.org
More comprehensive information for the Founder’s
Day event will be available in the upcoming June edition of The West Plains Stream.
Adult Programs
Summer farm tours are back with our lovely guide, Sue Hines! We will be offering several different tours this summer to local farms, where we will learn about what they do and get the chance to sample some of their products! Meet us at City Hall and we will facilitate transport. Space is limited for tours, so make sure to sign up today and grab yourself a spot. Make sure to bring a sack lunch.
6/6 - Peony Farm Tour at My Favorite Flowers and MoreTime: 9:30am-4:00pm Cost: $20
7/30 - Blueberry Picking and Tour at Piper FarmsTime: 9:00 am-2:00pm Cost: $20
8/27 - Dahlia Farm Tour at Tall Grass FarmsTime: 9:30 am-2:00pm Cost: $30
10/9 - Wild Sage Farm Tour and Pumpkin Decorating Time: 12:30pm-6:00pm Cost: $30
Pinochle Cost: FREE! Socialize and meet new people in our weekly Pinochle group. Bring a snack to share. 12:00pm - 4:00pm Tuesdays & Saturdays Location: City Hall Auditorium, 124 S LefevreSt.
Craft & Chat Macrame
Join us at City Hall for a night of crafting and conversation! We will have fun new projects each month to create. This month’s project: Macrame! Participants will learn a variety of decorative knots to create their own macrame masterpieces, such as a plant hanger, produce bag, or wall hanging! Ages 12 and up are welcome, but participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.Date: 6/28 Register By: 6/25 Time: 5:00pm-8:00pm Cost: $28 Once we reach enough registrants for Craft &Chat events, we will open up a second time from 6:30-8:00 pm to accommodate everyone!
Airway Heights Summer Events Cheney Summer Events
Seniors Friendly Fork Lunch
Enjoy a wonderfully delicious meal, along with games, guest speakers, occasional entertainment, and good conversations with family, friends, and fellow community members. Number of meals is limited is week. Lunch is served on a first come first served basis.
Tuesdays 11:30 am $7 per plate
Sunset Park Splash Pad
Memorial Day to Labor day. Open Tuesday - Sunday 1 pm - 7 pm.
Frankie’s Beach Ball Bash
Frankie is hosting a Beach Ball Bash to kick off the summer! Join him and all his friends for a fun night filled with beach ablls, pool games, music and more.
Friday June 20th, 6 pm - 8 pm. All facility and aquatics rules apply. Membership or day pass to participate.
Summer Moonlight Movies
Bring your lawn chairs and snacks to enjoy a movie under the summer stars. Movies are free and will begin at dusk at Sunset Park.
June 20th The Wild Robot
July 11th Rookie of the Year
July 25th Surf’s Up
August 15th IF
Parks & Rec Month Celebration
Cheney Summer Concert Series
All concerts are hosted at Sutton Park, 6:30 pm - 8 pm. Pappy’s Catering will be available at the park with food.
July 9 Steve & Kristi Nebel, Americana
July 16 Plaid Cat, Swing, Country Blues, Doo-Wop and Jug Band
July 23 Tim Snodgrass Ft. Dave Olson, Country Rock ‘n’ Roll
July 30 Kosta La Vista, Classic Rock and Electric Blues
August 6 Free Whiskey, Celtic Rock
Movies in the Park
July 1st the Airway Heights Parks and Recreation team will be putting on a celebration including food, games, music and more!
More information will be release closer to the event.
Airway Heights Days
Friday August 22nd events
Watermelon Races
Build it, race it, smash it!
Sponsored by the Airway Heights Kiwanis Club, build a watermelon racer 4:30 check in as Sunset Park. $10 for Residents, $20 Corporate Cup.
Darla’s School of Dance, summer performance 7pm
Saturday Main events
August 23, Sunset Park 10 am - 4 pm.
Pharoahs Car Club Show and Shine
Registration 8 am - 9:45 am
Show 10 am - 4 pm
Live Music
Atomic Jive 10 am
Eternal Jones 12 pm
Tamarack Ridge Band 2 pm
This event is still looking for food vendors, if you are interested or to see a full schedule of events go to airwayheightsdays.org.
Airway Heights Summer Market
Unfortunately this event will not occur for the 2025 season.
Live Music and Vendors: 9am1pm
Parade:10:30am
The parade route is along 1st Street, it starts at K St. and ends on Cocolalla St.
Parade and Downtown Events
Join us as a participant in the parade!
A link to our parade application is below.
Entry Deadline is July 8th
No Fee For Private, Community, Royalty, or NonProfit Entries
Community Entries are no charge and HIGHLY Encouraged! $50 Fee For Business Entries
Movies begin at dusk in Sutton Park. The City of Cheney asks that you please be aware that Barbie and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 have a PG-13 rating and request your assistance in determining if a particular movie is appropriate for your family. Pappy’s Catering and Concessions will be onsite.
July 11 Barbie
July 18 Inside Out 2
July 25 Wonka
August 1 Sonic the Hedgehog 3
August 8 IF
Cheney Rodeo Parade and Downtown Events
Saturday, July 12th, 2025
Join us in Downtown Cheney for our Annual Cheney Rodeo Parade and Downtown Events!
Online Parade Entry Form: https://forms.gle/ g69Q4Ee9Qj4frc5A9
Downtown Events
Dallas Kay Music will be live on stage (on first street Between Ree Creations and Wild Bills Longbar) from 9:00 am to 10:30am. Parade Starts at 10:30am
Vendors will be in the Cheney Federal Credit Union Parking lot and on College Ave. from 9:00am to 1:00pm
Kids”Sawdust Dig” Sponsored by J&M Fabrication following the end of the Parade in front of the announcers stage
Parade Vendor Registration: https://forms. gle/1igeMME1UGUN27nd8
Photo by Torrey Vail Photography
Brought
“A RUNAWAY HIT”
–The Washington Post
LEVEL UP at Your Library
• Create & code racetracks at Mario Kart Coding & Crafts
• Explore the science of bubbles at Bubblemania
• Take the reading challenge & track your minutes with Beanstack
All programs are free at SCLD libraries.
Discover more summer programs at scld.org/engage
manufacturing
of
Small towns have career opportunities young people should be considering. Your support and mentorship can deepen their sense of community and inspire them to pursue their dream. You can help shape their future. The future of your town depends on it.
We’re here to help. LaunchNW provides access to resources to make education possible.
Cheney High School Senior Alma Smith makes waves on the sports field. He was recently selected as the Cheney High School Scholar Athlete, practices year round with the Inland Empire Diving Club, and plans to go back to Internationals this summer. Smith also participates in the Cheney High School Track team where is competes in the pole vault event and is currently tied for the leading pole vault in the state reaching 14’6.” Back in school Smith maintains a 3.83 GPA while taking Advanced Placement Calculus, AP Environmental Science, and AP Literature. After graduation he plans on attending California State University in Bakersfield on a diving scholarship and is going to study Bio Chemistry with hopes to go on to medical school.
One of Cheney High School 2025 Class Valedictorians, Elsa Bertelsen makes the Blackhawks proud. This high school senior maintains her 4.0 GPA and is the Treasurer for the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) club where she competed at the state level in organizational leadership and mobile development as well as entrepreneurship. Elsa is also apart of the schools DECA program, National Honor Society, plays violin in the chamber orchestra, is the past president of the first robotics club and is in AP Computer Science. Outside of school she is a graduate of Youth Leadership Spokane class of 2023, Spokane Scholar for Mathematics, received the National Center for Women’s and Information Technology Aspirations in Computing Award in 2025. On the sports field she is also the Captain of the Cheney Girls Golf Team and apart of the Girls Soccer Team. After graduation Elsa plans to pursue a degree in Computer Science with the goal of becoming a front end software developer to help develop mobile apps or websites for a living.
Elsa Bertelsen
Alma Smith
Summer Reading features puzzles, games and skills to “Level Up at Your Library”
By Erin Dodge Spokane County Library District
This summer, “Level Up at Your Library” with events and activities at Spokane County Library District (SCLD) locations, including Airway Heights (1213 S Lundstrom St), Cheney (610 First St), and Medical Lake (321 E Herb St).
This year’s Summer Reading theme is based around puzzles and games, which may have you wondering how it relates to reading.
Public Services Manager and librarian Mary Ellen Braks shares this insight: “Playing games and solving puzzles is a fun way to continue learning through the summer to develop literacy, STEM, and social skills. Basically, you’re sneaking in learning through games.”
At SCLD summer programs, kids and families can create and play games, make game-related
Level up with the Online Summer Reading Challenge for everyone
By Erin Dodge Spokane County Library District
Spokane County Library District (SCLD) has announced the theme of this year’s Online Summer Reading Challenge: “Level Up at Your Library”. When you take on the reading challenge, you can reach a new reading goal, try new activities, and explore and expand your knowledge about your community.
The challenge begins June 1, 2025, and goes through August 31. This reading challenge is for everyone, including adults, families, teens, kids, and even infants. You can sign up on the Beanstack website at scld.org/beanstack or using the Beanstack app, found at scld.org/ apps.
Adults can track their beach reads, book club reads, informational reads—all their reading! Studies with adults have shown that reading
crafts, and participate in engaging activities, including “Science & Play: Bubblemania,” “Ping Pong Palooza,” “Create Your Own Sock Animal,” “Make Perler Bead Creations,” “Build Your Own Board Game,” and “Mario Kart Coding & Crafts.”
Get ready for an exciting summer of storytelling, creativity, and inspiration with the “SCLD Online Author Series” summer lineup, featuring four incredible authors who have captivated readers of all ages: Katherine Applegate, Raúl The Third, Marie Lu, and Rex Ogle. Ask them questions and hear about their writing journeys, creative processes, and beloved books.
Teens and tweens can level up their creative skills during “Cupcake Decorating” and “LEGO Stop-Motion Studio.” During “RPG Adventures,” teens explore tabletop role-playing games and level up their characters during the adventures. Expand your local and geological knowledge during the “Medical Lake Geology Walk & Water Sampling” for tweens, teens, and adults.
“Kids Free Afternoon Snack” continues at two West Plains libraries this summer. Kids ages 1–18 can eat
can help reduce stress, strengthen memory, and improve sleep quality.
Reading during the summer also helps children maintain and improve their reading skills. It can help prevent summer learning loss—also called “summer slide”— which can happen when children aren’t reading and can lose up to three months of reading progress during the summer break.
Public Services Manager and librarian Gwendolyn Haley shares, “Along with the engaging activities at our libraries, the reading challenge helps ensure that kids’ reading skills remain strong and that they are ready to learn when returning to school in the fall.”
Kicking off the challenge, kids and teens (ages 0–17) who register for summer reading with Beanstack can visit their library to choose an age-appropriate book, while supplies last, that they get to keep.
All readers can earn badges by tracking reading minutes, rating and reviewing books they’ve read, and completing activities. Registered youth, ages 5–17, who read at least
a free, nutritious snack at Airway Heights Library, Tuesday–Thursday, 3:30–4pm and at Cheney Library, Monday–Friday, 3–4pm. The snack program is not available when libraries are closed on June 19, July 4, and September 1, 2025. These institutions are equal opportunity providers.
Summer Reading is for adults as well. Level up your creativity and knowledge during programs such as “Cookie Decorating,” “Tree Identification Walks,” and “Introduction to Wilderness Survival,” among others.
If you have gardening questions, stop by the “WSU Extension Master Gardeners Plant Clinic” held twice a month at Cheney Library. You can also bring fresh produce from your garden to Cheney Library all summer long and try someone else’s extras during the “Produce Swap.”
Be sure to pick up a copy of “Engage” at your library or local grocery store. Or you can view it digitally at www.scld.org/engage. Its pages are full of information about these and other library programs and activities happening this summer.
300 minutes can earn a free ticket to a Spokane Velocity FC or Spokane Zephyr FC soccer match, while supplies last.
Everyone who registers and reads at least 600 minutes during the challenge receives a Certificate of Achievement and bragging rights.
Activity challenges include things such as playing a new game with family and friends, trying a new hobby or learning a new skill, exploring Washington State Parks, finding a new eBook or audiobook using SCLD’s digital resources, and more.
The giveaways have been provided by the Library Foundation of Spokane County. The free Summer Reading books were made possible by generous donations from community members to Library Giving Day 2025. You can learn more about the Foundation at supportscld.org.
Help SCLD reach its community reading goal this summer by tracking all of your reading minutes! Sign up starting June 1 at scld.org/ beanstack.
LEVEL UP at Your Library
Online Summer Reading Challenge
For all ages Sign up on Beanstack to:
• Track your summer reading
• Get a free book (kids & teens)
• Reach your reading goal! Get started at scld.beanstack.org
Summer Reading Programs
Check these out!
• Ping Pong Palooza
• Build Your Own Board Game
• LEGO Stop-Motion Studio
• Tree Identification Walks
• Wilderness Survival
See all events at scld.org/engage
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Breaking groundNew flight base ops facility to supercharge Fairchild AFB's global reach
By Louis R. Velasco Stream News Sources
Saying goodbye is never easy— especially to a longtime facility that stood as a symbol of innovation, collaboration, and growth. But Fairchild Air Force Base is poised for an expansive and critical facility upgrade that will house more than a dozen Active, Guard and Reserve organizations to support the installation’s aerial refueling mission and operational readiness for years to come.
Leadership and representatives across the 92nd Air Refueling Wing, 92nd Operations Group, 141st Air Refueling Wing, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Graco Construction and more, gathered near the project site’s perimeter wall on May 9 to celebrate the groundbreaking milestone of the new Consolidated Flight Base Operations Facility.
With a smile on his face, Col. Chad Cisewski, 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander thanked the crowd for their many years of hard work and support.
“I’ve only been here for three years, and that’s a drop in the bucket compared to some of our civilian teammates who’ve been planning this project,” said Cisewski. “And I’m really excited, because it’s a big deal for Fairchild and our future of our base operations and mission.”
Slated for completion in early 2027, the $48 million facility will serve as a central hub for 17 distinct organizations
on Fairchild AFB operating under the U.S. Air Force’s Total Force Integration model. It is an Air Force strategy to fully integrate Active, Guard and Reserve components and improve operational efficiencies, training and readiness.
Some U.S. Air Force installations like Fairchild Airforce Base are actively expanding their space to integrate several different units in the same area.
Demolition efforts will commence later this summer to make way for the new 62,000 square foot facility and new parking.
This groundbreaking joins other recent USACE Seattle District-led military projects on behalf of the U.S. Army and Air Force: an Information Systems Facility ribbon cutting for Joint Base Lewis-McChord and a water treatment plant groundbreaking at Mountain Home Air Force Base.
As the construction and contract manager for the project, there were unique hurdles to clear to ensure that a facility for 17 organizations doing mission-critical work stayed on course.
Seattle District Commander, Col. Kathryn Sanborn, acknowledged the project’s complexity and its broader impact.
“This groundbreaking is a testament to our project delivery team member’s ingenuity and dedication in navigating a complex project to deliver a solution that will truly benefit all users,” remarked Sanborn. “Together, we’re enhancing warfighting abilities and strengthening military readiness to better support Fairchild Air Force Base, our military forces, and our Nation.”
The Seattle District will continue working on numerous military construction projects throughout Fiscal Year 2025 and Fiscal Year 2026, as demand for its engineering, design, and contract services increases throughout its military construction area of responsibility of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana.
Photo by SrA Matthew Arachikavitz
EDITOR/PUBLISHER Ben Wick
ben@westplainsstream.com
CO OWNER Danica Wick
danica@westplainsstream.com
CONTRIBUTORS
Nina Culver, John MacCallum
The West Plains Stream P.O. Box 363 Liberty Lake, WA 99019
Phone: 509-242-7752
www.westplainsstream.com
The Stream is published monthly by or near the 15th of each month. It is distributed free of charge to every business and home in Airway Heights, Fairchild Airforce Base, and Medical Lake area. Copies are located at drop-off locations in Airway Heights, Medical Lake and the surrounding area.
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PFAS in the River
By Nina Culver Stream contributor
As experts have learned about the spread of PFAS contamination from Fairchild Air Force Base and the Spokane International Airport, where firefighting foam containing the forever chemicals was used for decades, the question has been if the contamination has spread to the Spokane River.
The answer is yes. And no. Recent testing has shown that the chemicals are present in some areas of the river, though sometimes only at certain times of the year, and not in others.
Several local experts presented their preliminary findings at a recent community meeting hosted by the West Plains Water Coalition. The full results will be presented at a meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. June 9 at The HUB at 12703 W. 14th St. in Airway Heights.
The study was funded by a two-year research grant from the Washington Department of Ecology and was overseen by Spokane County. EWU geology professor Chad Pritchard is heading up the research, which involved testing of private wells beyond the known FAFB and SIA contamination zones as well as surface water sampling of nearby lakes and streams, including the Spokane River.
The Environmental Protection Agency has maximum contaminant levels of FLOA and PFOS, two of the most common types of PFAS chemicals, at 4.0 parts per trillion (ppt) for drinking water.
PFAS are called forever chemicals because they do not break down and can accumulate in the human body. Though the effects of PFAS on people and animals are still being researched, it’s thought to be tied to some types of cancer, high cholesterol, low birth weight and problems with the liver.
Pritchard said part of his work was to make a groundwater model by examining the geology of the area so water flows could be predicted. He sampled 40 different locations multiple times in a year to see if the PFAS contamination
levels changed seasonally.
Groundwater flows to the north from the West Plains, Pritchard said, generally following paleochannels, ancient underground river or stream channels.
He found low levels of contamination in Latah Creek that weren’t consistent. Levels of 7080 ppt were detected at Mystic Falls. No chemicals were detected in the Spokane River near the T.J. Meenach bridge, but they were detected in the Nine Mile area. “It’s downstream of where the paleochannels dump into the river,” he said.
Elevated PFAS chemicals were also found in Medical Lake, West Medical Lake, Garden Springs, Silver Lake, Willow Lake and Deep Creek, some as high as 51 ptt.
The Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer connects to the Spokane River in several places. In some places the aquifer dumps into the river and in others the river adds water to the aquifer, which means contamination in either the aquifer or the river will eventually be present in both.
Spokane Riverkeeper Katelyn Scott presented information gathered as part of the Waterkeeper Alliance Study, which involved testing 114 waterways throughout the United States. The study was focused on testing near wastewater treatment plants. Testing near Spokane’s wastewater treatment plant found no detectable levels upstream of the plant, but 1.6 ppt of PFHxA and 1.7 ppt of PFOA downstream of the plant.
Last summer the group left water monitors in the Spokane River for a week to collect data. That information is expected to be available in June.
Scott said that it’s important to remember that while firefighting foam is a major source of PFAS, the chemicals are also found in a wide variety of products, including ski wax and Teflon pans, and have industrial uses. It’s important to identify and remove those sources as well, she said.
In the future Scott said she’d like to see a study on fish consumption and how much PFAS the fish absorb. “No one is studying game fish,” she said. “It’s in the fish. Eating one contaminated fish is
the same as drinking contaminated water for a month.”
City of Spokane Public Works Director Marlene Feist said the city has been regularly testing for PFAS in the city water supply since 2023. “They don’t break down in the environment,” she said. “We’ve seen that with PCB’s.”
The city draws its water from the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer, Feist said. “It’s fortunately very clean and we want to keep it that way,” she said.
The city has been testing multiple wells at eight well sites, the newest of which was dug near Havana Street in 2024. Some of the wells are only used during peak summer water usage, Feist said.
Initial tests conducted back in 2015 at five well sites showed no contamination, Feist said, though the tests were less sensitive than the ones now in use. Since regular testing began in 2023, some city wells have tested positive for low levels of PFAS and then tested clean again. The city now tests each well every quarter and it’s usually the summer only wells that are testing positive at times, but not the same ones. “We’ve had hits around 2 and 4 ppt at some wells,” she said. “So far we haven’t found a consistent pattern.”
The city will continue the quarterly testing and hopefully gather enough data to see trends in the intermittent positive results, she said.
Information about the ongoing PFAS contamination issue, including data on private well contamination on the West Plains, is available at www.westplainswater. org.
