The Water Front
Lorin RayAbbott joins ML City Council
By Nina Culver Stream contributor
Like many veterans who call Medical Lake and the surrounding area home, Lorin Ray-Abbott arrived via the U.S. Air Force and fell in love with the community. Now one of Medical Lake’s newest city council members, Ray-Abbott stayed here after she retired from a 25-year military career.
Still, Washington wasn’t an unfamiliar stop for Ray-Abbott, who grew up in Puyallup. She joined the military shortly after high school primarily because she was interested in the GI Bill benefits that would allow her to attend college.
“We weren’t poor, but we didn’t have a lot of money,” she said of her family. “That was how I was going to see the world and get educated.”
And see the world she did. Her first posting was in Japan and she also spent time stationed in South Korea and Germany. She earned degrees in human resources and logistics management.
She started out in logistics for several years, then transitioned into being a First Sergeant. First Sergeant is a role, not a rank, RayAbbott said, and involves a little human resources, administration and discipline. “I loved that job,” she said. “It beckoned to me.”
She held the position for eight years, then went back into logistics when she was sent to Fairchild Air Force Base before she retired in 2013. At the time, Ray-Abbott’s youngest daughter was starting high school and she threw herself into school activities, becoming a self-described “cheer mom.”
“As a single parent with three kids, I was never as involved as I wanted to be,” she said.
After she retired she initially
stayed in the area because she didn’t want to make her youngest daughter move again. Then, she realized she loved Medical Lake too much to leave.
Shortly before Ray-Abbott joined the Air Force in 1987, she met her now husband, Guy Abbott. “We fell hopelessly in love,” she said. “He asked me to marry him before I left.”
The two exchanged love letters for a year. But in a time before computers and cell phones made connections easy, they lost touch. They would each end up marrying and having a family, then divorcing. In 2010, Ray-Abbott’s superiors told her she needed to sign up for Facebook because that was how airmen communicate. She did, then started searching for people she knew. She found Abbott, who was living in Everett at the time. They started messaging, picking up where they left off decades before.
Ray-Abbott had requested a new position in Nebraska, but was instead informed that she was being transferred to Fairchild. After she moved back to Washington, she and Abbott began visiting each other.
They married a little over 14 years ago.
Her husband supported her desire to apply for a vacant city council seat last fall and Ray-Abbott said she’s been learning non-stop ever since. One of the hardest things has been to learn the terminology common to city governments and Ray-Abbott said Google has been her best friend.
She spends hours pouring over each packet of documents to prepare for each meeting since she wants to make sure she understands everything. “You can read the packet and still not know what vacating the right-of-way means,” she said. “You have to look it up and research. It’s more than just showing up for a meeting. You have to understand it so you can see what is best for Medical Lake.”
When Ray-Abbott applied for the position, she voiced that she wanted the town to do more to fill empty buildings in the downtown area. “There were just so many buildings that were closed, unused,” she said. “I learned that we’re all over that, which is great.”
She learned the city is also on top of restoring and making improvements to burned areas around Medical Lake and the trail system that goes around it, which was another one of her concerns. “Now I just want to be a part of making those come to fruition,” she said.
Ray-Abbott said she doesn’t consider herself a politician and didn’t expect to be selected for the seat, particularly after she met the other two finalists that the council interviewed.
“I really thought it was not going to be me,” she said. “I was surprised, because they were both amazing.”
Q: How long have you lived in Medical Lake and what brought you here?
A: I have lived in Medical Lake going on 13 years now. I was transferred to Fairchild AFB and subsequently retired after 25 years in the Air Force. At the time, our youngest was just entering high school and we wanted to allow her the opportunity to graduate with her friends before moving again. When she graduated and was entering college we realized we had fallen in love with Medical Lake and moved a half mile down the road.
Q: Why did you decide to apply for a vacant seat on the Medical Lake City council?
A: The decision to apply for the vacant council seat was a two or three-fold decision. As stated, we fell in love with Medical Lake and its small town charm. We got involved, mostly through the High School booster club and the Founder's Day parade. We watched our little city grow, stumble, get back up and grow again and all the while hoping and dreaming of it becoming a purposeful destination. Interestingly enough, I met another resident of Medical Lake and we struck up a conversation regarding the vacancy and some of the prerequisites, like living inside city limits. It planted a seed, so I approached my husband on the topic. We were both feeling the urge to get more involved due
Photo by Nina Culver
Lorin Ray-Abbott was appointed to the Medical Lake City Council back in December. Lorin came to Medical Lake during her service in the Airforce where she retired after 25 years.
Zack Boyd Zack works hard from the second he steps into the game. He always answers “yes, coach”
awesome kid!
Lyla Heinenmann Lyla is currently ranked 2nd in the State in her weight class. She’s currently 14-2 and will be looking to earn a return trip to the Mat Classic in a couple of weeks.
Aniela Daniels
Aniela is always looking for ways she can use her Spanish outside of just the expected/ required activities. I appreciate that she’s putting in the additional effort.
Kaito Sessions Kaito consistently demonstrates a positive attitude, strong work ethic, and respect for others in my classroom! He takes on challenges, and is a pleasure to work with in the kitchen!
RAY-ABBOTT
Continued from page 2
to some of the top issues affecting our nation at the time and it seemed like an opportunity to do so. Then I received a phone call from another friend telling me I should apply. I kind of felt I was being guided to it and in all honesty, I felt maybe they were having trouble finding applicants, so after a brief conversation with the Mayor, I "volunteered" via application.
Q: What have you learned in your time on the council that surprised you the most?
A: Having not been on the council very long, I am still learning... everything. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that there were multiple applicants for position 6. The two that I met were brilliant and engaging and I realized how many others love Medical Lake as much as I. Finally, I was surprised to learn how much of a private person I had become since I retired. All of the sudden, I am being publicly interviewed, strangers take interest in your private life and now can't go to the store in my slippers!
Q: What do you think is the most important thing you’ve learned in your time on the council?
A: The amount of preparation that goes into just one Council meeting is remarkable and I've really only seen a piece of it. The City and staff are like ants, always working and so organized, it is very impressive.
For me, I learned the importance of preparation. There is a lot of research and reading involved prior to a meeting and while unexpected, it is definitely necessary. Finally, going into this position with all my dreams, I learned that those dreams were aligned with the city all along. They already have a finger on the pulse of the issues most important to me, so my focus has shifted a little from creating change, to being a part of the solution.
Q: What are your goals as a city council member?
A: My goals as a council member are to learn as much as I can about helping our city grow while maintaining and/or improving all the reasons our residents love living here.
Q: What do you like to do for fun?
A: For fun, I would say I love making memories. I like planning parties and events with my family, we do like to go all out. I love Halloween and haunted houses and we used to have the Halloween House over in Fox Ridge before we moved! I also love gardening, not vegetable gardening though, plants and flowers. I even like mowing the lawn and pulling weeds, I find it cathartic. My home is full of house plants and I insist it is not hoarding if it is plants. Finally, I love to travel and stop at all the historical markers, I call them "brown signs". If it is in my 100 must see places in your lifetime book, all the better.
Medical Lake Wraps up 2025 Budget and Looks ahead to future projects
By Ben Wick Stream Publisher Lefevre Street Restriping Project
The city’s engineering team walked the council through the long planned redesign of SR 902 (Lefevre Street) aimed at slowing traffic, improving safety, and supporting pedestrians and cyclists. The project has been in development for several years and is now entering its final design phase after extended coordination with WSDOT.
The redesign introduces a center turn lane, parking protected bike lanes, narrower travel lanes, slower speed limit, radar feedback signs, and durable striping materials that reduce long term maintenance. Several adjustments were required by WSDOT since the last presentation, including a wider turn lane and the use of grooved plastic striping at intersections. The team also explained how snow removal, visibility, and long term upkeep shaped the final layout.
The construction is scheduled for this summer and is primarily funded by a grant from the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) with a total estimated cost of $853,000. 90% of the cost being covered by the TIB and $85,300 coming from the city.
Grant Applications Update
waterfront park infrastructure, stormwater mitigation, and sewer improvements; and to the cities insurance agency, Washington Cities Insurance Authority (WCIA), liability-reduction grant for ADA trail access on the Fox Hollow Trail behind to Shepard Field.
“Additional opportunities, including park master planning funds, through the State Recreation and Conservation Office are under review,” said City Administrator Sonny Weathers. Weathers emphasize the importance of persistence “You can’t get it if you don’t ask.”
2025 Budget Recap
City Finance Director Koss Ronholt, shared the 4th Quarter Budget results with the Council, noting that almost all of the operational revenue funds came in higher than expected except Tourism which came in at 96% of the budgeted amount or $116,150 vs the budgeted amount of $121,500 and Broadband which came in at 74% or $2,960 vs the budgeted amount of $4,000.
Similarly on the expenditure side all operational funds came in at or lower than expected with Tourism and Broadband significantly lower at 45% and 43% respectively or $54,430 vs the budget of $120,500 and $44,546 vs the budget of $104,000.
“Broadband fund was planning to construct the fiber optic link to City Hall” explained Ronholt. “However that project was awaiting BroadLink to complete their project” of getting high speed internet to Medical Lake.
Working with the Cities new grant writer, Positive Impact Grant Writing, the staff have authorized the grant writer to apply for three major grant applications: an application to the US Department of Transportation’s BUILD grant for $5 to $7 million supporting the State Route 902 safety, connectivity, and intersection upgrades, to the Federal Economic Development Administration’s Disaster Supplemental grant program for $7 - $7.5 million towards
On the Tourism budget, Ronholt reminded Council that “we did budget for increased communications and while we have been working with Big Sky Communications on communications plans we haven’t done the actual communications.” Koss continued that this is still a council goal and that those funds will continue to roll over into the new year.
Looking at the Project-based Funds, Ronholt highlighted both the ‘Streets – Restricted’ and ‘Contingency’ funds as they showed a current negative balance however Koss explained that they were both negative because of the reimbursement process. “The Streets – Restricted Fund is negative due to the large Lefevre St project
construction which was funded by the Transportation Improvement Board and is waiting the reimbursement.” The Contingency fund was also negative due to the FEMA reimbursed road repair project and will be reimbursed after the project is complete.
STA Moving Forward Update
Emily Poole the Chief Planning and Development Officer for Spokane Transit Authority (STA) outlined the results of STA’s 10-year strategic plan titled “Moving Forward” and introduced the newly adopted 10-year strategic plan titled “Connect 2035.”
Mrs. Poole highlighted the Moving Forward investments including major service expansions, 35% increase in service hours, new high-performance transit lines, and the success of the West Plains Transit Center which allowed STA to increase the frequency of bus service to Medical lake from every 90 minutes to every 60 minutes. This play was funded by a voter approved 0.2% sales tax increase which is scheduled to sunset in Dec of 2028
Included in the Connect 2035 plan is initiatives including: introducing a series of mobility-on-demand pilot zones where smaller STA vehicles would pickup riders outside of the existing fixed route bus service areas and take the riders to the closest bus service stop. Expand high performance transit lines including a new high performance transit line along STA’s current route 61 which services Highway 2 to Fairchild Airforce Base.
The Connect 2035 plan and maintaining the Moving Forward investments would be funded by a renewal of the voter approved 0.2% sales-tax authority.
Cash Management Policy
In 2025 the State Auditor’s Office conducted an Accountability audit of the Cities internal controls and while they found no material deficiencies a management letter was issued noting that the Cities Cash management Policy didn’t define expectations for timely deposits of cash and checks.
City staff brought forward a revised Cash Management Policy that included a section addressing Deposit Timeliness identifying that they city is to deposit cash and checks “by the next business day” unless
NEWS
there are extenuating circumstances in which “the Finance Director must submit a written memo to the City Manager documenting the reason for the delay”
Animal Control Services
The City Council approved a new agreement with Spokane County for Animal Control services through the Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Services (SCRAPS). The agreement is a 5 year agreement beginning on January 1st, 2026, and expiring on December 31st 2030.
The cost of the service will be based upon the actual expenses incurred by the SCRAPS program multiplied by the Percentage of the activity related back to the City of Medical Lake with the pet licensing revenues generated within the city subtracted from the amount due.
Based upon the 2024 Activity Study it was identified that Medical Lake had 60 requests for services and 39 impounds for a total of 99
calls which represented 0.76% of all of the calls processed by the regional entity.
In 2025, the city paid $21,804 for Animal Control Services and with the new agreement it is anticipated to raise to $30,000.
In Brief
Councilmember Lance Spiers was elected chair of the Spokane Transit Authority (STA).
Councilmember Don Kennedy was selected by his peers to serve as Mayor Pro Tempore for 2026.
Mayor Cooper and City Administrator Sonny Weathers attended the Association of Washington Cities, City Action Days Conference in Olympia advocating for the Cities Legislative Priorities.
Mayor Cooper and Councilmember Chad Pritchard attended the Joint Chambers Olympia Fly-in continuing to advocate for the cities priorities.
On January 20th, the City Council amended their policies and procedures to remove the references to the Cities Parks and Recreation Committee noting that it was no longer necessary given the establishment of the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board in January of 2025.
On January 20th the City Council approved an amendment to the agreement with the Four Lakes Water District No 10, where the City of Medical Lake provides water purveyor services for the water district, increasing the monthly charge by $250 per month making the new total $2,750 per month. All services remained the same.
On February 3rd the City Council established the job description for a Senior Planner position. It was noted that this job description is more comparable with the current duties and responsibilities that are being performed by the current City Planner.
Senior Airman rises to the challenge in aerospace propulsion
By Airman 1st Class Emilee Seiler Stream news sources
Senior Airman Caleb Vela spent nearly five years maintaining aircraft engines as an aerospace propulsion Airman. In his three years stationed here, he has taken on responsibilities typically reserved for those with more experience.
Vela began his Air Force career at Robins AFB, Georgia, where he worked on the TF33 engine used in the now retired E-8C Joint STARS airframe. He said the experience provided a strong technical foundation that prepared him for his current mission of maintaining the F108 engine, belonging to the KC135 Stratotanker.
Fairchild presented its own challenges with new sets of responsibilities. Due to a shortage of noncommissioned officers, Vela led swing shift operations for six months, managing daily maintenance priorities and ensuring
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Caleb Vela, 92nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aerospace propulsion journeyman, poses in front a KC-135 Stratotanker at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, Jan. 23, 2026. Aerospace Propulsion specialists test, maintain and repair all parts of the engine, which plays a critical part in keeping aircraft and Airmen safe while executing the mission.
aircraft were ready to meet mission demands.
“Every day was different,” said Vela. “You’d come in, figure out priorities and then troubleshoot whatever issues came up.”
Vela noticed the mission tempo for aerospace propulsion can change quickly due to the global demand for aerial refueling. He even learned to coordinate with multiple sections during his six months as a shift lead, furthering his exposure to leadership
and keeping the mission rolling.
“We’ve been helping out a lot of other shops,” said Vela. “Tankers are needed everywhere, we’re always sending jets out.”
A key part of his leadership approach was emphasizing teamwork over individual recognition.
“We get a lot of work done,” said Vela. “It was never just me, it was always a team effort.”
Recognizing the strengths of others allowed his team to operate more effectively, especially during periods of limited manning.
“Other people are better in certain areas of our job than I am,” said Vela. “I don’t know everything about my job, but as a team, we really excelled this year.
Vela said that mindset was shaped in part by the mentors who guided his development throughout his career.
Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Hudson, 92nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron section chief who previously worked with Vela at Robins AFB, remained a mentor for him after they were both tasked with a permanent change of station to Fairchild AFB. Staff Sgt. Manuel Torres, 92nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron propulsion noncommissioned officer in charge, who Vela met at Fairchild AFB, expanded his knowledge of the KC-135 airframe and propulsion systems. Vela said both Torres and Hanson taught him exceptional skills that guided him not only in his day-to-day career, but also in the months he spent as a shift lead.
“My time at Robins taught me how maintenance happens on an aircraft,” said Vela. “Fairchild helped me grow as a leader.”
Looking back on his experience, Vela said his advice to new Airmen is simple. “Be willing to learn,” said Vela. “Show initiative.”
Despite being selected for a promotion to staff sergeant, Vela will separate from the Air Force at the end of his contract to prioritize family, whom he said have been his primary motivation throughout his career.
“My time at Fairchild reinforced that leadership is not always defined by rank, but by the willingness to step up when the mission requires it,” said Vela.
Photo by U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Emilee Seiler
AH hopes new animal contract creates better licensing compliance
By John McCallum Stream contributor
Right now, it’s estimated that about one in 10 pets in Airway Heights are licensed — something that is costing the city money when it comes to instituting animal control.
City officials are hoping a new four-year interlocal agreement with Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Services (SCRAPS) and some combined public education can turn that around, leading not only to more sustainable revenue but also protection for people and pets.
The City Council unanimously approved the new SCRAPS contract at their Feb. 2 meeting. The agreement, which runs through Dec. 31, 2030, is estimated to cost the city $47,500 in 2026 for animal protection services, a marked increase over the anticipated $21,000 paid in 2025.
Airway Heights Police Chief Brad Richmond said the increase stems from several factors, including increasing expenses for animal control and lack of sufficient revenues. According to the SCRAPS website, licensing fees for spayed/neutered cats and dogs is $18 and $28 respectively.
Intact animals, not spayed or neutered, runs $28 and $53. Seniors with pets are charged $13 for cats, $18 for dogs and must be age 65 or older to qualify for the reduced fee.
SCRAPS estimates that only about 12% of pet owners in the county license their animals. With only about 10% of pets in Airway Heights licenses, Richmond told council he believes getting more licensed animals could help offset the $25,500 contract cost increase.
“It would be nice to have the other 90% help us,” he added.
Corporal Adam Johnson
told council that with the new agreement the Police Department would begin working on quarterly education campaigns in the city to facilitate licenses for pets. He said SCRAPS officials will assist with this effort as well.
According to the agreement, SCRAPS will provide enforcement of animal control ordinances and Revised Code of Washington (RCW) chapters in five areas of service. Those are enforcement of the county’s animal control ordinance requirements, inherently dangerous mammals/reptiles ordinance, dangerous dogs ordinance and applicable RCWs along with RCWs on prevention of cruelty to animals and abandoned animals.
Enforcement includes not only animal control service requirements for the city and county as well as maintaining an animal care and control facility but also “Animal Control Ordinance/ Licenses/ Fees/ Penalties Services, Citizen Complaint Process, and Activity Specific Reporting Services.”
SCRAPS is required to make its facility at 6815 E. Trent in Spokane Valley accessible to the general public five days a week for 7.5 hours each day. After hours services will also be made accessible for getting information or leaving messages in non-emergency situations and transfer to a customer service center capable of handling emergency calls or contacting the appropriate animal protection officer in the
field to handle the call.
Animal protection officers are assigned specific areas of the county as their areas of responsibility. According to SCRAPS’ website, officers “Rescue sick, injured, abused, neglected, and abandoned animals, investigate reports of animal cruelty or neglect, return home (whenever possible) or impound stray animals… investigate animal bites, perform dangerous dog inspections, and assist with dangerous dog registrations…issue citations for infractions and misdemeanors and conduct kennel inspections and issue kennel licenses.”
The agreement between Airway Heights and SCRAPS also notes the potential for additional assessment of “extraordinary costs,” unplanned and unbudgeted expenses resulting from services needed to deal with unforeseen animal issues. The include but are not limited to “legal seizure or impound of animals necessitating extended onsite holding, offsite boarding, or nonroutine veterinary care.”
SCRAPS does not handle calls dealing with wildlife. These incidents should be referred to agencies such as the state Fish and Wildlife Departmetn.
According to SCRAPS’ 2024 activity study, Airway Heights had the fifth highest total of animal service calls with 160. The city of Spokane led of the way, accounting for 6,807 of the 13,036 total calls,
with Spokane Valley second at 2,854, the county third at 2,630 and Cheney far back in fourth at 227.
Of Airway Heights calls, 92 were impounds with 10 emergencies and 58 requests for service.
Police Chief Richmond said the city has had agreements with SCRAPS in the past. Aspects of the new director stemmed from changes at the agency, including a new director, new program of service and a new, cost-recovery model where the city will be billed monthly for services.
Richmond said the monthly cycle will help with the department’s review of the contract, what things are working well and where improvements need to be made. SCRAPS has said it will work alongside as a partner to facility better service while mitigate costs.
“Licensing being one of them,” he added. “If only 10% of pet owners are having their dogs, cats licensed, it would help if we could get somewhere in the middle and help offset our costs exponentially.”
Richmond said they will be working on ways of increasing compliance with pet licensing that will help citizens mitigate any increases in expenses as much as is possible. Part of this emphasis will come through community marketing campaigns and education outreach sessions for citizens.
If these don’t prove as successful as liked, Richmond said they might come back before council with a proposed ordinance strengthening the licensing efforts.
“If people aren’t getting their pets registered, then we have to have recourse if they’re just refusing to do it, then they’ll put some fines in place,” he said.
Part of the contract does leave open the approach to creating fines for lack of licensing compliance. Richmond said he needed to do additional research on these options so that any fines come back to the city to cover its increased costs.
“I’m trying to work on multiple different paths and approaches so that we can defer costs at every level and then try to get compliance with all the people in our community that have pets,” he added.
COVER
Medical Lake Kiwanis honors longtime volunteer Steven Meltzer at annual Valentine’s dinner
By Matthew Stephens Stream contributor
Surrounded by family, friends and fellow community members, longtime volunteer Steven Meltzer was recognized as the Medical Lake Kiwanis Senior Citizen Volunteer of the Year for 2025 during the organization’s annual Senior Citizens Valentine’s Dinner on Feb. 7 at St. Anne Parish Hall.
The evening marked the 43rd year the Kiwanis Club has hosted the dinner, a tradition celebrating community connection while honoring individuals whose service has shaped the city. Before the award presentation, guests enjoyed a warm meal accompanied by easylistening music from local group The Radio Helpers, a duo of multiinstrumentalists whose name nods to their father’s work in radio.
Kiwanis President-Elect Daniel Dorshorst presented the award, highlighting Meltzer’s decadeslong commitment to service. A Kiwanis member since 1985, Meltzer has served multiple terms as president and board member and remains deeply involved in efforts supporting youth and seniors.
Among his most enduring contributions is his role as a founding member of Medical Lake Dollars for Scholars, established in December 2000. The organization raises funds year-round to provide scholarships to local high school seniors pursuing higher education or vocational training. Since 2001, the program has awarded more than $922,000 to 1,015 graduates, and Meltzer noted the group is nearing the $1 million milestone — a goal he hopes will soon be realized.
For Meltzer, the work has always been personal. He said the Medical Lake community has meant a great deal to him and his family since they first settled there more than four decades ago, describing the city as a place where neighbors consistently show up for one another — especially for young people.
He praised the strength of local
schools and expressed confidence in the district’s future under the leadership of Superintendent Kim Headrick.
“It’s always been a community where we have always looked out for our youth and the community donates to the cause and that guarantees scholarships for some of these kids,” Meltzer said. “It is just a good feeling to continue helping and to give back where I can.”
Meltzer’s lifelong spirit of service traces back to his upbringing in Brooklyn, New York, where he was born into a family rooted in the food-service industry. His father, Milton, and uncle, Jack, operated a kosher butcher shop and catering business for more than two decades before opening the MilJay Kosher Deli on Long Island, which they ran for another 24 years. As a teenager, Meltzer learned the value of hard
work firsthand, taking on roles from dishwashing to food preparation and event support.
After graduating from General Douglas MacArthur High School in 1965 and attending the State University of New York at Potsdam, Meltzer joined the United States Navy in 1969. He served as a medical corpsman in both surgical
Photo by Matthew Stephens
Medical Lake Kiwanis Club President-Elect Daniel Dorshorst recognized Steven Meltzer as the Medical Lake Kiwanis Senior Citizen Volunteer of the year at their annual Senior Citizen Valentine's Dinner on Feb 7th.
Photo by Matthew Stephens Steven Meltzer has been a member of the Medical Lake Kiwanis club since 1985 and has served in nearly every role in the clubs leadership including multiple terms as President and founding member of the Medical Lake Dollars for Scholars program which has given more than $922,000 to over 1,000 graduates of Medical Lake School District.
COVER STORY
and psychiatric settings at the Philadelphia Naval Hospital and later at Subic Bay in the Philippines.
It was in Philadelphia that he met Christy, a Navy nurse who would become his wife in 1973. The couple is celebrating 53 years of marriage this month.
Following his military service, Meltzer completed his psychology degree and entered the Physician Associate Program at Duke Medical Center. His early career took him to a rural health clinic in Atkinson, North Carolina, where he practiced from 1977 to 1979 while growing his young family.
Seeking proximity to family and drawn to rural health care, the Meltzers packed a station wagon, a U-Haul, two children, a newborn and their dog and made the cross-country journey to Eastern Washington in 1979. He soon began traveling throughout the region, introducing the physician associate role to hospitals and clinics in smaller communities.
Meltzer accepted a position with Grand Coulee Hospital, managing clinics in Wilbur and Coulee City as
a solo provider for more than four years. By 1984, he had arrived in Medical Lake to provide part-time care at the Medical Lake Family Practice Clinic — now the MLHS Wellness Center — beginning what would become more than four decades in the community he now calls home.
His professional path eventually shifted from clinical practice to strengthening rural health systems.
Meltzer developed the Washington State University Area Health Education Center, supporting rural providers and promoting health professions education across Eastern Washington for two decades. He later served as director of education and outreach for the University of Washington Physician Associate Program in Spokane and Yakima before retiring in 2016.
Service, however, has long extended beyond his professional life. Wherever he has lived, Meltzer has stepped into volunteer roles — from serving as secretary of a volunteer fire department and president of the Ruritan Club in North Carolina to joining the Medical Lake Planning Commission
since 1978, Meltzer served as both Cubmaster and Scoutmaster and later supported local Pack and Troop 307 as the Kiwanis chartered organization representative, earning recognition for his leadership along the way.
For two decades, he also helped guide the Blue Waters Bluegrass Festival, a community event that brought music lovers together each year until he stepped away from leadership in 2022.
Those who know Meltzer often describe a common thread throughout his life: a willingness to help wherever needed. That reputation was evident as attendees gathered to celebrate the 79-yearold volunteer whose efforts have helped strengthen Medical Lake’s civic and educational landscape.
As the evening concluded, the sentiment shared by many in attendance was clear — volunteers like Meltzer form the backbone of communities such as Medical Lake, helping create an environment where families can thrive.
at the request of then-Mayor Ramsey shortly after arriving in town.
His dedication to youth development is equally notable. Active in Scouting leadership
While he continues to serve, Meltzer acknowledged he hopes to slow the pace in the coming years, looking forward to spending more time traveling with Christy. Even so, his legacy of service — rooted in compassion, education and community pride — is already firmly woven into the fabric of the town he has long called home.
Photo by Matthew Stephens Students from the medical lake school district volunteer with the Kiwanis Club to help put on the annual event at St Anne Parish Hall.
Photo by Matthew Stephens
Steven Meltzer received this clock in recognition for all that he has done for the Medical Lake Community.
Brought
The Pointe
About and for West Plains area seniors
Council upgrades court services, accepts Spokane Tribe impact grants
By John McCallum Stream contributor
The Airway Heights City Council unanimously approved a pair of measures at its Feb. 2 meeting expanding Municipal Court functions — functions the city has contracted with third parties to perform in the past.
Council passed an ordinance establishing a Prosecutor’s Office within the Municipal Court, a move that should help the court get reimbursed for fees and costs associated with prosecuting misdemeanors and civil infractions. The Washington State Patrol requires an Originating Agency Number (ORI) from an agency in order to reimburse it for these costs.
According to the city staff report, generating an ORI required amending the city’s Municipal Code to establish a Prosecutor’s Office, allowing the court to seek reimbursement from WSP. While Airway Heights has contracted with third parties, such as the city of Spokane, for prosecutor services in the past, the city hired a full-time prosecutor about two years ago.
According to the State Patrol’s website, use of the ORI for reimbursement documents dates to 1972. City Manager Albert Tripp was uncertain why the Patrol suddenly decided to demand it formally for reimbursement.
“Previously, the ORI was not an issue,” Tripp said in an email. “The catalyst for the ORI may have been triggered by an internal WSP policy change.”
Council also passed a measure establishing a public defender position in the Municipal Court. Airway Heights has historically contracted with third parties for public defender services, approving contracts totaling $145,000 for two public defenders in June, 2025.
A staff report indicated the city is “routinely recruiting to maintain provision of this required service” due to frequent turnover among contracted legal counsels. Population growth, changes to the state’s public defender system taking effect at the beginning of the year and a need to find budget savings led staff to make the proposal for the public defender position.
The position will be paid for by using $85,000 from the city’s Public Defense Contract Amount fund.
According to the Zip Recruiter website, the city began advertising the position on Feb. 7, with an annual salary range of $72,373 –86,417.
Tripp told council the city will carry a supplemental public defender contract to cover time off such as vacations for the permanent public defender. In response to a council question, Tripp said the permanent contract does have some flexibility.
“I would expect you will see this evolve over time,” he added.
Part of that evolution involves recent changes in state standards regulating public defender workloads. In June 2025, the Washington State Supreme Court issued an order adopting recommendations from the state Bar Association to reduce public defender annual caseloads for felonies from 120 to 47 and misdemeanors from 400 to 150.
Implementation of the order went into effect Jan. 1, 2026. How this will impact local courts is something counties and cities are monitoring over the coming months.
The court order allows for a “phased approach to implementation,” declines to mandate a method for case counting but encourages use of case weighting and requires an evaluation of the progress and impacts after three
years.
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Council accepts Spokane Tribe grants
At the Jan. 20 meeting, the City Council unanimously approved $195,000 in Impact Mitigation Fund grants sent from the Spokane Tribe of Indians Impact Mitigation Committee to three Airway Heights departments.
The Fire Department received $75,000 while the Police Department received $100,000 from the committee for “community safety initiatives” that are outlined in both department’s original grant application. The Airway Heights Municipal Court was also awarded $15,000 from the Tribe impact grant fund.
According to its IMF grant application, the Police Department responded to 21,155 total calls for service from October 2024 to September 2025. The department requested $457,400 in funding from the Spokane Tribe to help with items such as upgrading aging patrol vehicles, providing Special Response Team equipment, investigative and analytical equipment along with less-lethal response capabilities, protective equipment and armored response vehicles.
According to its application, the Fire Department intends to put the $100,000 award towards purchase of a backup emergency generator for the new fire station. Any additional award amount would go towards purchase of two apparatus needs: a new ladder truck, estimated at $2.5 million, as the current truck cannot reach upper levels of the Tribe’s Northern Quest Casino Hotel and a new wildland (brush) fire truck, estimated at $150,000.
The Municipal Court requested $35,000 in IMF grant funding, $25,000 to help establish an electronic home monitoring system (EHM) and a Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitoring (SCRAM) program as well as $10,000 to support the Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) for indigenous individuals under court ordered supervision.
South Easy Street plat, Garfield
water line
At the Feb. 2 meeting, council approved an ordinance and a resolution allowing a residential development along South Easy Street and 6th Avenue to move forward to construction. The resolution approves a preliminary long plat with conditions for development of a 1.83-acre parcel owned by TCF Properties at 596 S. Easy St. into a 10-lot duplex subdivision, with the ordinance providing an accompanying Planned Unit Development (PUD) also with conditions for the site.
According to the site map, lot sizes range from 6,005 square feet to 6,215 square feet, with two units per lot for a total of 20 units for the development. The project includes two new, private streets accessible from Easy Street, something Airway Heights Principal Planner Heather Trautman said is allowable under current codes, and an upgrade of a 3,609 square foot open space tract at the corner of Easy and 6th.
At the Jan. 20 meeting, council approved a request from the Public Works Department for a work order adding a waterline crossing to the design of the proposed roundabout at U.S. Highway 2 and Garfield Road. Century West is currently working on design of the roundabout.
The $22,405.92 work order will add design of a potential 12-inch polyvinylchloride (PVC) pipe to the construction that will run under U.S. 2. The waterline will be installed 5 feet below the surface to match an existing waterline.
The current design did not include water utility infrastructure improvements. The cost of the work order will be paid for out of utility fee revenues.
“Typically, during projects that will cause disruption to a significant corridor such as a highway system, addressing all the needs at once is the least disruptive to the traveling public, rather than coming back to the same location to address the needs separately,” Public Works Director Katherine Miller noted in her report to council.
By John McCallum Stream contributor
Cheney wrestling sending sizeable contingent to Mat Classic
Cheney wrestlers capped a successful season by sending 22 individuals on to Mat Classic XXXVII, Feb. 19-20 at the Tacoma Dome. The Blackhawk boys qualified nine for state while the girls are sending 13.
CHENEY HIGH SCHOOL
Boys basketball
Cheney was eighth in the overall GSL standings as of Feb. 11 at 3-6, fifth among 3A classification schools. The Blackhawks finished 10-11 overall after a tight, 56-55 loss to GSL 2A second-place North Central, 10-2, 15-6, on Feb. 10.
The loss knocked Cheney out of the playoffs and gave the Wolfpack the GSL’s No. 5 seed into the District 6 tournament, facing Mid-Columbia Conference (MCC) No. 4 Walla Walla on Feb. 12.
Girls basketball
The Blackhawks wrapped up their season at 0-9 in the GSL, 3-17 overall. Cheney graduates four seniors, Natalie Richards, Sarah Hanson, Isabella Weed and Layla Shepard Barnhart but should return eight players in 2026-2027.
Boys swimming
The Blackhawks placed second at District 6 competition Feb. 6-7 at Richland High School. Cheney scored 350 points, well ahead of third-place Ridgeline High School but well back of meet champions Walla Walla with 534 points.
“Cheney swimmers did great against a very tough, very experienced Walla Wall team,” head coach Jennifer Hochwalt said.
While the Blackhawks finished high in the event standings, because of tight automatic berths for Eastern Washington schools, the only Cheney swimmer qualifying for state at Federal Way, Feb. 20-21 was Carson Bentley. The sophomore won the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1 minute, 39/100ths of a second, setting a new meet record by 32/100ths of a second.
Bentley was also third in the 200 individual medley. Tanner Nelson was second in the 200 freestyle and third in 100 butterfly, with Henry Gipple third and Christian Samson fifth in the 50 free.
Oli Gipple was third in both the 100 free and 100 backstroke with Wes Hanely fourth in the 500 free. Cheney relay teams were second in the 200 medley and third in both the 200 and 400 free.
Boys Wrestling
The Blackhawks finished their GSL season at 6-5, fifth overall but third in the 3A classification behind Central Valley and University. Cheney was 6-2 in dual match results over the last half of January, including a 5-1 end to the season with wins over Shadle Park, Walla Walla, Prosser and Southridge at a Jan. 24 round-robin of dual matches against MCC 3A schools and the season finale at home with Ridgeline, Jan. 29.
The Blackhawks also competed Jan. 17 at the Ray Westberg Invitational at Ellensburg High School, placing eighth out of 15 teams. Wyatt Wells emerged as champion in the 215-pound bracket, with Kaden Rasmussen and Ethan Guske placing second at 150 and 157 pounds respectively.
At District 6 competition Feb. 6-7 at the Spokane Convention Center, Cheney placed fourth overall among seven GSL and four MCC 3A schools with 299 points. The top-six from each weight bracket advanced to Mat Classic XXXVII.
While the Blackhawks had no district champions, nine wrestlers advanced to the semifinals and four reached the finals and placed second: Hank Gehring at 132, Rasmussen at 157, Wells at 215 and Macade Munro
at 285. Advancing to state through the consolation bracket were Mason Bridges (third, 157), Chazz Gray (third, 285) and Aide Carr (third, 120), Cooper French (fifth, 190) and Guske (sixth, 150).
Stevie Rasmussen was seventh at 170 and will advance to state as an alternate. Hermiston emerged as district 3A champions with 377.5 points, followed by University, with Ridgeline a surprise third.
“We are looking forward to a week off from competition and heading to the state tournament rested and ready to bring home some state medals,” Cheney boys head coach Brian Skaff said.
As of Feb. 11, Wells and French were ranked No. 4 in their respective 3A weight classes by the Washington Wrestling Network (WWN) with Kaden Rasmussen No. 5 and Carr No. 9.
Girls Wrestling
The Blackhawk girls went 6-0 in the GSL 3A classification, with University the only other school to notch more wins at 8-1. Cheney was also fourth in 3A overall in the inaugural State Duals Championships at Kelso High School, Jan. 31, defeating EdmondsWoodway 53-28 and Sageview 48-33 in the quarterfinals before losing to Kelso in the semifinals and Sedro-
Wooley in the match for third.
Head coach Jeremy McGee said Cheney sent 21 girls to District 6 competition Feb. 6-7 at the Spokane Convention Center, advancing 13 to state including three state placers from last year: Jalisca Holmgren, Jennifer Tian and Paige McGee.
Holmgren was district champion at 125 pounds. McGee (135), Addison Lathrop (115), Tian (120), Skylar Buckner (145) and Gigi Ajenifuja (235) all placed second. Fourth-place finishes went to Taygen Turner (155), Jazmin Cuevas (105) and Ren Schaber (190) with Alli Skjothaug (145), Kali Betanzos (170), Juel Turner )115) and Izzy Haugen (235) placing sixth.
Sadie Rockhold placed sixth at 140 to qualify as an alternate.
“Gigi (Ajenifuja), Juel (Turner) an Izzy (Haugen) are first year wrestlers,” McGee added.
As of Feb. 11, the WWN’s 3A individual rankings had Holmgren No. 1 at 125, Tian No. 2 at 120, McGee No. 3 at 135, Schaber No. 7 at 190 and Ajenifuja No. 14 at 235.
MEDICAL LAKE HIGH SCHOOL
Boys basketball
The Cardinals were second in the
See SPORTS, Page 14
Contributed photo Brian Skaff Cheney High wrestlers head to state competition at Mat Classic XXXVII are left to right Cooper French, Chazz Gray, Hank Ghering, Aiden Carr, Kaden Rasmussen, Wyatt Wells, Macade Munro and Mason Bridges. Not pictured is Ethan Guske.
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SPORTS
Continued from page 13
Northeast A League standings at 4-2, 13-8 overall and one game back of league-leader Lakeside, 5-0, 14-5. Medical Lake lost to the Eagles on Feb. 10,56-48 in the season finale.
The Cardinals get one more crack at the Eagles, this time in the NEA championship game Feb. 17 at West Valley High School. The winner moves on to the District 5/6 crossover tournament with a shot at state while the loser needs to play one more game against the winner of the Colville-Riverside game for the No. 2 seed to the crossover.
Girls basketball
Index of advertisers
of The Current.
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The Cardinals finished third in the four-team NEA following a 6120 loss in the regular-season finale Feb. 10 at home against leagueleaders Lakeside. At 2-4, 5-14 overall, Medical Lake will face No. 4 seed Riverside (0-6, 0-20) on Feb. 17 at West Valley High School in the District 6 tournament.
A win would put the Cardinals in the game for the district’s secondseed into the District 5/6 crossover tournament against the loser of the Colville-Lakeside game.
Boys swimming
The Cardinals competed in 2A competition at Lions Pool in Yakima, Feb. 6-7, and while no individual or relay team advanced to state, the fact Medical Lake was even there as a team was quite the accomplishment.
“This is impressive because 1) it is the first time since before Covid we have had enough swimmers from the Medical Lake Boys team to have a relay, and 2)With the exception of Mercury Berquist this is the first year for all the other swimmers,” head coach Jennifer Hochwalt wrote in an email. “They started the season not knowing any of the strokes, turns or rules and have improved tremendously.”
Berquist placed the highest among Cardinal swimmers. The sophomore won the B consolation heat, placing seventh overall, in the 500-yard freestyle with fellow sophomore Steven Shotts 10th.
Berquist was 12th in the 200 free while Shotts was 12th in the 100 breaststroke. The 200 free relay team of Shotts, Jaxon Stolp, Bradley Loghan and Berquist finished fifth, as did the 400 free team of Shotts, Loghan, Stolp and Berquist.
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Library digital resources can save you money, help you learn new things, bring enjoyment
by Jane Baker
Spokane County Library District (SCLD)
For learning, working, or relaxing at home, you’ll find that the library has digital resources to save you money and help you learn and enjoy. To get the most out of SCLD’s digital resources, visit the website at scld.org/digital.
Once there, you’ll see a dropdown list of categories on the upper right side of the page. When you select a category, the resources that fit are displayed. The library has digital resources for just about anything you would want to learn, create, or do!
Within the category of “eBooks, Audiobooks & Comics,” you’ll find digital reading resources for all ages and reading styles. For kids, “TumbleBook Library” is a collection of narrated, animated picture books, early reader books, graphic novels, and nonfiction books about animals, places, and people.
“TeenBookCloud” has fiction and nonfiction titles for a variety of tastes, including graphic novels, audiobooks, books for AP English, and titles for middle school readers. You’ll even find National Geographic videos for students interested in history, science, and geography.
You’ll find thousands of audiobooks and eBooks on “OverDrive” and the “Libby app” for adults, kids, and teens. The Kids collection includes read-along books, nonfiction titles for learning, and more. The Teens collection has popular young adult reads, graphic novels, as well as the latest nonfiction titles.
Get a mix of educational and entertaining content with “Hoopla.” This resource has digital books, streaming music, movies, and TV shows. From Elmo for the kids, just released music for the teens, to murder mysteries for the adults,
“Hoopla” has a great variety of content.
Our “Movies, TV & Music” category also includes “Kanopy” and “Just for Kids.” With “Kanopy,” you can stream and enjoy critically acclaimed movies, documentaries, and foreign films. “Just for Kids” gives you ad-free videos for prekindergarten and elementary learners that entertain, educate, and inspire.
Our “Homework Help & Tutoring” resources are abundant. “World Book” includes the entire encyclopedia and more with interactive tools, videos, maps, science projects, and more for early learners through high school students.
“HelpNow” offers online tutoring for all ages available 24/7, except holidays. You can work on writing essays and reports using HelpNow’s Writing Lab. In the Skill Surfer area, you’ll find lessons and practice tests for reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies. For college bound students, there are practice tests and preparation for college entrance exams.
Other resources for students include “CultureGrams” for information about people around the world, “Pronunciator” for language learning, and “eLibrary” for an extensive list of research
topics.
Within the category of “Online Classes,” you’ll find a wide variety of topics to explore for professional development as well as personal enrichment. “Gale Courses” offers online classes on topics such as accounting, business, college readiness, design, healthcare, and more. The courses are instructor-led and 6 weeks long. “Udemy”, helps you learn and improve skills across business, tech, design, and more with over 25,000 on-demand video courses in multiple languages.
“LinkedIn Learning” has a variety of on-demand video training and courses for technology, business, and creative industries, taught by industry experts. You can find classes that relate to a career path you’re currently on or one you’d like to be on.
If you’re interested in crafting and art techniques, “Creativebug” has thousands of on-demand online classes that are available to explore your creative side.
To access SCLD’s digital resources, you’ll need your library card number and PIN/password ready for logging in. Some resources also require that you create an account with an email and your library information.
Find your go-to digital resources for learning and entertainment today at scld.org/digital.
Spend nothing at the library to access: • Audiobooks • eBooks • Streaming movies & TV • So much more!
SCLD digital resources are available to in-district library card holders.
Start today at scld.org/digital
