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Page 6

FAIRCHILD’S ‘BASE MOM’ TONYA MURRAY PAGE 2

MEDICAL LAKE CONTINUES GRANT SUCCESS PAGE 5

KC-135 CELEBRATES 70TH ANNIVERSARY PAGE 8

• SEPTEMBER 2026

The Stream

The Water Front Civic Leader to banking and animal rescue, the story behind Tony Murray - Fairchild’s “Base Mom”

By Nina Culver Stream contributor

When Tonya Murray first started working as a bartender on Fairchild Air Force base, young airmen flirted with her. Now, 17 years later, they call her mom.

in April and was supposed to start in May, but she kept pushing it back. There was always something going on in her personal or professional life. Global was flexible and accepted her requests to start in June, then July, then August. That summer Murray signed up to do a half marathon in Snoqualmie. She was running with no other people in sight when she heard a voice. “I heard ‘Why would I give it to you if it wasn’t meant for you?’” she said. “It was a stern voice.” Murray stopped dead in her tracks. “I said ‘Fine, I’ll do it,’ and took off running,” she said. She started work at the credit union soon after and quickly learned that the Global Credit Union branch on base was the first one in the history of the organization. “It was founded at Fairchild in 1954,” she said.

She came in the door knowing just about everyone on base because of her work and her volunteering on base, which Murray said is what made her valuable to the credit union. “They didn’t bring me on for my math skills or my money skills,” she said. She’s continued her community work ever since and currently runs the food bank on base. She’s also an Air Mobility Command Civic Leader. It’s that involvement that has earned her the title of “base mom.” “I just take care of the base, whatever they need,” she said. “I think I’m on every committee there is.” Murray said she’s often asked how she manages to fit everything into her day. “I just do,” she said. “It’s just become a part of my life. You just do the things.” Murray has a rescue farm which,

Murray was born and raised in Spokane Valley, like her husband Ty. They met on a blind date when they were 18 and married in 1989. They left for five years while he served in the U.S. Marines, then came back. She worked as a waitress and a bartender at Denny's, first at the location at Sprague and Pines when she was 16, then for a decade at the location on Geiger Boulevard.

Naturally she needed to get two pigs, one of which she named Harley. Then she took in an abandoned pig, figuring “just one more” wouldn’t hurt. It was never just one more. She now has 17 pigs and a flock of chickens and ducks. There are also two elderly horses on the farm, down from a high of 12 when her three children still lived at home. Murray said she’s committed to caring for the animals that have come her way. “Everybody’s got a story,” she said. “Anything that comes to our house lives out their life there.”

A. To be honest, banking was not a profession I sought out, but if you ever want to hear God laugh tell Him what you are going to do with your life, LOL. This position came at a time when a new chapter was needed and little did I know how much of a blessing it would be to get to continue to serve the installation in all the old ways as well as learning about finance and getting to serve in new ways I didn’t know existed. Global Credit Union has changed my life and offered me opportunities I could not have ever imagined.

The couple lived near neighbors who were airmen on the base and encouraged her to apply for a job there. She started in housekeeping, then added bartending, catering and event planning as she worked her way up to a management role. “I was here 12 to 15 hours a day, seven days a week,” she said.

Still, Murray had a hard time letting go. She received the job offer

“We had not talked about that at all,” she said of the motorcycle purchase. “I didn’t say a word. I went out to get my own hog.”

Q: What attracted you to a career in banking?

“I’ve always worked in food and beverage,” she said.

While Murray loved the work, it was physically demanding. About seven years ago someone suggested she apply for a marketing position at the Global Credit Union on base and Murray went for an interview. They hired her on the spot to replace the retiring branch manager. “I left with an offer letter in my hand,” she said.

like many things in her life, started small. It started when she came home one day to find a new Harley Davidson parked in the driveway. Murray said if her husband got a hog, she wanted one too – specifically a potbellied pig.

Q: How did you become a civic leader with the Air Force?

Contributed Photo Tonya Murray has been active advocate for all teams and units at Fairchild Airforce base including getting recognized by the Fairchild Fire Department for her support.

A. My relationship with Fairchild Air Force Base began long before I became an Air Mobility Command Civic Leader. I have worked on the installation since 2009, first in hospitality food service and now as the branch manager for Global Credit Union. Over those years, I had the privilege of supporting See MURRAY, Page 4

SEPTEMBER 2026 • 3

The Stream

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• SEPTEMBER 2026

MURRAY

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Continued from page 2 countless military ceremonies, retirements, community events, Airmen and military families and now have the honor of running the food pantry on the installation.

A holiday guide for the Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Millwood, Otis Orchards, Newman Lake, Airway Heights, Medical Lake, and West Plains areas

“Eat, Shop and Be Merry” is a special cover section that will champion what the Valley area has to offer in the way of gifts and food. Advertise in this holiday guide aimed at area consumers and businesses — and as a bonus we’ll include your idea as part of our story featuring can’t-miss local gift ideas. Restaurants are encouraged to advertise and contribute a tantalizing menu item for our article on dining out. On November 24 and 25, the guides will be distributed throughout the greater Valley and West Plains areas via The Splash, The Current and The Stream. The December issues are strategically scheduled to land before Thanksgiving, just in time to remind residents about supporting local businesses on Small Business Saturday and throughout the holiday season.

A total of 39,500 copies of this guide will be included in the December issues of The Current, The Splash and The Stream. That’s right-be part of all three publications for one price!

I was later selected to serve as an Honorary Commander for the Wing Command Chief, which gave me an even deeper understanding of the Air Force mission and the people behind it. That experience grew into my selection as an Air Mobility Command Civic Leader. I don’t believe the role came from one particular event or accomplishment. It came from years of showing up and serving in any way I could.

The Stream

Q: How long have you had your rescue farm? A. We have had animals my whole life. The kids grew up doing 4H and showing horses. When they grew up and moved out my husband got a new Harley Davidson and I got my own first “hog,” two potbellied pigs. It QUICKLY escalated from there! Today our 10 acres is home to “just a few” rescued pigs as well as many other animals who get to live their best lives just being animals that are safe and loved. Q: Do you have a favorite farm animal and why?

Q: What made you go above and beyond your role to become the unofficial “base mom?”

A. I love them all but those pigs have my heart! Their area is called Omar Estates for a rescue that came in from Seattle. He was left on a doorstep in a tied-up rubber tote and eventually made his way to me and my heart!

A. I truly know this happened naturally. I have a heart for “taking care of” and if I see a need it is hard for me to walk by. Whether it is finding food, supporting a ceremony or celebrating an accomplishment. I got ordained and performed a wedding ceremony on the installation. I want our airmen to know that their community sees them and cares about them. If “base mom” means showing up in my home away from home, caring for them, encouraging them, occasionally worrying about them, then I am very proud to carry that title.

A. That is a difficult question because each role allows me to serve in a different way, but the most fulfilling moments are the ones where I get to do something that is a true help to that person. Catering and food service is my passion so any of those events along with the gift of food from the food pantry to our families. Food is life and I love that I get to feed people, in whatever capacity that is!

Q: Of all the roles you fill and things you do on and off base, which do you find the most fulfilling and why?

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Nov. 6 Nov. 11 Contributed Photo Tonya Murray with her husband Ty Murray in front of one of the KC-135s stationed at Fairchild Airforce base. Tonya is a current Air Mobility Command Civic Leader and started her service at Fairchild in 2009.

The Stream

SEPTEMBER 2026 • 5

NEWS

Medical Lake Advances Grant Requests while analyzing Utility Rates By Ben Wick

Stream Publisher

Grant Updates City Administrator Sonny Weathers gave the City Council an update on the Cities Previously awarded Hazard Mitigation Grant, through FEMA, which provided the funding for the cities backup generators project. Unfortunately, between when the City had applied for the grant and when the city bid the project out after receiving the grant; costs had escalated by $132,393.15 bringing the project total to $931,000. Staff had reached back out to FEMA to see they would help cover the increased costs and after review they received a letter from FEMA sharing that they would cover the increased costs. Administrator Weathers did remind that 75% of the funding came from FEMA, the state will match with 12.5% and the city has responsibility over the last 12.5% so there would still be an increase for the cities portion of the project but not to the same extent with out the additional FEMA support. Mr. Weathers provided an update on the Cities Medical Lake Stormwater Mitigation Project. The project is a proactive water quality and stormwater project that includes installing bio infiltration swales, runoff redirection facilities, and stormwater improvements around Medical Lake with the goal to treat 90% of annual runoff volume and reduce pollutants from the impervious surfaces adjoining the lake. The project includes improvements at North End Park, Peper Park, North Martin Street, West Third Street, South Broad Street, Coney Island Park, the Medical Lake Boat Launch, and Waterfront Park. Because Coney Island Park lacks sufficient space for both recreation and a treatment swale, runoff from that location is proposed to be redirected to a South Broad Street treatment facility.

Previously the city was awarded $970,000 of the estimated $1.4 million needed to complete the project from the Washington State Department of Commerce. Mr Weathers noted that the Planning Commission approved shoreline conditional use permit and variance request necessary to complete the project. Mr. Weathers also brought forward a grant opportunity through the Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART Environmental Water Resources Projects program to seek the remaining $430,000 to complete the project. Council approved unanimously. Utility Rate Study Medical Lake is conducting a comprehensive Utility Rate Study to ensure the water, wastewater, and stormwater systems remain reliable and financially sustainable for decades to come. As City Administrator Sonny Weathers explained, a rate study is “one of the most important financial planning tools available to a municipality,” providing a structured and defensible way to understand the true cost of delivering essential utility services.

Capital improvements include wells, reservoirs, transmission mains, treatment upgrades, stormwater facilities, and other infrastructure with decades long lifespans. By evaluating these categories together, the city can shift from reactive fixes to proactive planning. A central question the study answers is whether current utility revenues are sufficient to meet future needs. Weathers emphasized that “the objective is not to raise rates… the objective is to determine whether revenues and expenditures are properly aligned.” If gaps exist, the study will help identify responsible ways to address them. A cost of service analysis will also ensure fairness, making sure residential, commercial, and high use customers each pay a proportionate share based on the demands they place on the system.

While the city originally planned on hiring a consultant to assist with the study, Administrator Weathers shared that “the costs came back twice what we were hoping to spend so we are moving forward with the study using existing staff at the city.” The City hopes to continue this conversation during their upcoming budget retreat on October 14th. Future Council Meeting Notes: September 15th Council will be having a workshop to discuss the 2027 State Legislative Priorities and will be followed up by council discussions in October and a planned November tour of the priority areas with the areas state legislators before the state session begins in January. October 14th the City Council will be having their annual budget retreat, with the exact time to be determined.

From Our Farm to Your Table

The study examines three major cost areas: daily operations, short lived assets, and long term capital improvements. Operations include staffing, electricity, chemicals, testing, and routine repairs. Short NER OF N TH E C O RT S lived assets—such as pumps, motors, LOCATENDDOLE E FE V R EA okane town Sp meters, and control systems— LAstK15 mLocated the west of Downon lesS.W. corner of in. Ju , Meats, Pick rie te cu ar Ch typically last 5–15 years and must be Unique gifts,Lake and Lefevre St am - 4 pm replaced on a predictable schedule. ThMedical urs - Sat 10Lake, WA • Wed - Sat 10 am - 4 pm

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• SEPTEMBER 2026

COVER STORY

The Stream

day after the sudden death of Tripp firm attorney Dan Gibbons who Airway Heights. investigation represented At the Aug. 17 legislative meeting the council voted to tabled, table a pair of resolutions that would have authorized an attorney’s investigation into Tripp’s work and placed him on sudden death performance paid suspension / administrative while the investigation was rocks council leave conducted. The second resolution By John McCallum Stream contributor

The Airway Heights government seemed to be a welloiled, smooth running machine. That is until meetings in July and August led to an ethics investigation of current City Council Chair Larry Bowman and the tabling of a proposed investigation into and placing on administrative leave of City Manager Albert Tripp over alleged work performance concerns. The city was also notified of the termination of its contract with its legal representation firm Paine Hamblen, which came one

would also have selected an interim city manager. Both resolutions cited an “observed breakdown in communication between the City Council and the City Manager” as well as council “questions regarding whether the City Manager is properly administering the City’s affairs.” Tripp has served as Airway Heights City Manager since 2008, overseeing rapid population growth in the city and the challenges associated with that as well crisis such as the 2015 water contamination along with the recent economic downturn. He has received awards for his work,

Contributed Photo Daniel Gibbons with the Law Firm of Paine Hamblen was serving as the Airway Heights City Attorney until his sudden death on August 19th.

including selection as a Spokane Journal of Business “People of Influence” in 2025. During discussions on the proposed resolutions Tripp gave council a document he claimed detailed discussions he had with Bowman and that he believed those discussions showed “prejudice.”

Contributed Photo

Councilwoman Jennifer Morton made the motions to table both resolutions and was seconded by Councilman Bill Campbell. The motion to table the investigation resolution passed 4-3, with Morton, Campbell, Councilman Jesse Camacho and Councilwoman Casandra Quesnell voting yea with Davin Perry, Bowman and Councilwoman Keri Bro voting nay.

Airway Heights City Manager Albert Tripp was first appointed to the position back in 2008 and was recently recognized as one of the Spokane Journal of Businesses "People of Influence" in 2025.

The motion to table placing Tripp on paid administrative leave and name an interim city

manager passed unanimously. A second item regarding a substitute city manager that was not included in the original council packet but placed on the agenda at the beginning of the meeting was unanimously tabled. The council also considered motions to investigate Tripp’s work performance and place him on administrative leave at an Aug. 10 work session. After a nearly three-hour executive session to discuss the “performance of a public employee” the council passed motions by a 6-0 vote to allow action on the employee and requesting an investigation into the employee. Council also passed a motion to suspend the employee with pay once an interim was named, with Morton and Perry voting nay. A motion to request staff recommend an interim city manager passed 6-0.

The Stream

At the Aug. 17 meeting, City Attorney Gibbons requested tabling an item to approve the minutes of the Aug. 10 study session, citing revisions that needed to be made. Gibbons also requested placing the “Potential Substitute City Manager” item and another item on proposed policy by council regarding department meetings. Both items passed 5-1, with Morton abstaining. Campbell said he was concerned about the proceedings at the Aug.10 meeting, which he was not able to attend, asking why they were removing those minutes from the Aug.17 agenda. Morton stated she was concerned about the Aug.17 meeting proceedings regarding Tripp and other issues. The City Council has voiced concerns about some items brought before them by Tripp at previous meetings, including a proposal at the July 13 study session to change the city’s form of government from a city manager-council format to strong mayor. The motion to put the proposed change to voters failed at the July 20 legislative session because no council member made a motion for a vote. Several council members said they were concerned about the proposed change, asking why it had even come before council since no interest had been expressed by members about making a change. Events took an even more chaotic turn after the Aug. 17 meeting. According to a staff report at the Sept.8 meeting, the city was notified on Aug. 20 that the firm providing legal representation, Paine Hamblen, was terminating its contract with Airway Heights following the sudden death on Aug. 19 of Gibbons. According to an Aug.21 post on the firms’ Facebook page, Gibbons graduated from the University of Oregon School of Law in 2000, was admitted to the Washington State Bar in 2002 and also the bar associations in Idaho and Oregon. He joined

COVER STORY

SEPTEMBER 2026 • 7

Paine Hamblen in 2024 and has served on several organizations including as president of the Federal Bar Association for the Eastern District of Washington and on the board of Children FIRST. Gibbons is survived by his wife and two children. An Aug.24 post on the city Facebook page announced Tripp had named Building and Planning Department Director Heather Trautman as Acting City Manager while Tripp is on administrative leave. Trautman has served in the director position since 2019.

“I remain committed to a simple but important principle: serving those who serve,” she said in statement on the post. "We will continue supporting our employees, maintaining open communication, working collaboratively with our City Council, and ensuring that we remain focused on providing exceptional service to the people who depend on us." The selection is retroactive to Aug.20, which according to a staff report is the day the city not only learned of the departure of Paine Hamblen from legal representation but entered into a “professional services agreement” with the firm Kenyon Disend, PLLC for interim city attorney services. The report states Trautman interviewed Kenyon Disend attorney Lisa Marshall on Aug.20 for the city attorney position and offered her and the firm the interim post following the interview. Council unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the selection at the Sept.8 meeting that also indicated Kenyon Disend would assist in the process to select a new legal representative for the city and aid in transition. According to information from the Airway Heights website, the city issued a “Request for Qualifications: City Attorney Services” on July 31. Paine Hamblen was one of six firms submitting proposals to the RFQ but withdrew after the death of

Photos from the August 10th Airway Heights City Council meeting where after a three hour executive session the City Council voted to put City Manager Albert Tripp on Paid Administrative Leave and authorize and investigation into his performance. Mayor Larry Bowman and Councilmembers Jesse Camacho, Casandra Quesnell, and Keri Bro infavor (above)and Councilmembers Davin Perry and Jennifer Morton voting Against (below). City Councilmember William Campbell was absent.

Gibbons. The issue regarding the city manager position is not the only one facing the council. At the July 6 meeting the council unanimously approved hiring attorney Andrea Asan of McDermott Asan PLLC to investigate a complaint brought by former Councilman Hank Bynaker against Bowman alleging the latter had engaged in misconduct and violated his oath of office. The accusations were made in late May and stem from a council meeting in May 2024 in which purchase of exercise equipment for the Recreation Center was discussed and approved. Bynaker alleges that during the meeting discussion on spending $7,834.97 on pieces of fitness equipment for the center, Bowman “falsified

information pertaining to a ‘survey’ that he claimed to perform” at the center indicating the equipment was in demand. Council subsequently voted 4-2 to purchase the equipment despite then-Parks and Recreation Director JC Kennedy’s assertion the apparatus were not needed. Bynaker stated in his complaint that the equipment was also not budgeted for and purchased “in spite of having higher priority needs for the monies which would be drawn from the reserve fund.” Bynaker wrote that at a subsequent council meeting when asked to produce a copy of the survey, Bowman admitted he hadn’t actually conducted one but rather “spoke with some people at the Rec. Center.”

• SEPTEMBER 2026

HISTORY

The Stream

only tankers in the SAC inventory KC-135 marks the were piston-engine Boeing KC97s. The difference in performance between the two planes forced the 70 years in B-52 to fly near its aerodynamic stall speed while performing the already flight difficult process of aerial refueling.

Born to keep pace This situation created an opportunity Boeing to introduce a jet-powered with the B-52, the for aerial refueling tanker — and further the “flying boom” refueling jet tanker helped refine technology it invented in the late transform air-to-air 1940s. In 1948, the Air Force asked refueling. Contributed by Boeing Corporation

It’s a rare treat to see a classic 1957 T-bird or Corvette classic car cruising down the road. It might not seem as nostalgic to see a KC135 Stratotanker fly overhead, even though the airplane type went into service the same year as those classic cars. This month, Boeing celebrates the 70th anniversary of the first flight of the KC-135, which continues to fly a variety of support missions for the U.S. Air Force as well as allied air forces. The most important of these is the role of aerial tanker, a flying gas station able to refuel other military planes while in flight. The KC-135 was born out of necessity and innovation. In the early 1950s, Strategic Air Command was beginning to operate the new jetpowered Boeing B-52 Stratofortress that with in-flight refueling was capable of striking targets anywhere in the world. At the time, however,

Boeing to develop a more efficient aerial fueling system that would address the deficiencies of the hose system developed in Great Britain. The existing system, which trailed a hose behind the tanker, had many drawbacks including slow rate of fuel transfer, as well as difficult and dangerous contact procedures. In response, Boeing invented the flying boom. This system features a telescoping tube that trails underneath the tail of a tanker aircraft and is flown by an operator controlling two small wings called “ruddevators.” The first airplanes equipped with the flying boom were 116 Boeing B-29 Superfortresses modified at the Boeing plant in Renton, Washington, and re-designated KB-29Ps (the letter “K” is the U.S. military code for a tanker aircraft). In response to a demand for even more capable tankers, Boeing redesigned the C-97 Stratofreighter into a dedicated aerial refueling tanker and built 811.

Photos Curtesy of the Boeing Company The Dash-80 (top) and a B-52 Stratofortress salute the rollout of the first KC-135 and the last KC-97 at the Boeing site in Renton, Washington, on July 18, 1956. Seeing the need for a jet-powered tanker to keep pace with the B-52, as well as the potential for such a plane to be used as both a commercial and military transport, Boeing used $16 million of its own funds to develop a prototype jet transport, the Model 36780 — popularly known as the “Dash 80.” The Dash 80 led to two airplanes: the 707, the world’s first successful commercial jet, and the Model 717, the world’s first production jet tanker, the KC-135. To honor its birthplace, the first KC-135 proudly displayed the name “City of Renton” on its nose when it rolled out on July 18, 1956. To christen the airplane, the wife of Renton’s mayor used a bottle of water from the Cedar River, which runs through both Renton and the Boeing site. In the same ceremony, the last KC-97 — the world’s first production aerial tanker, and the last production piston-powered airplane Boeing built — rolled out as well.

Photos Curtesy of the Boeing Company Boeing test pilots Tex Johnston and Dix Loesch (on ladder) prepare to take the first KC-135 up for its first flight on Aug. 31, 1956.

The last KC-135 entered the U.S. Air Force fleet in 1965, and 376 of the 732 tankers built remain in service. Boeing continues to maintain, upgrade and support the KC-135

fleet. In 2011, the U.S. Air Force selected Boeing’s KC-767 derivative as the winner of the renewed KC-X competition, later formally designating it the KC-46A Pegasus. The Pegasus completed its first successful test flight from Everett, Washington, in 2014. Today, the KC-46A Pegasus is the world’s most advanced multi-mission aerial refueler, designed to meet the full spectrum of U.S. Air Force and allied mission needs while delivering proven capability today and continuing to evolve for tomorrow. In 2025, the USAF announced it would forgo a competition and extend production beyond the current program of 188 aircraft, securing KC-46 production through the next decade. To date, Boeing has delivered 112 KC-46s to the U.S. Air Force, six to the Japan Air Self-Defense Forces and two to the Israeli Air Force. As the KC-135 is incrementally phased out, the KC-46 will continue to carry on its legacy of unmatched connectivity, survivability and next-generation aerial refueling capabilities for years to come.

The Stream

Council approves water tank bid, faces citizen data center concerns By John McCallum Stream contributor

The Airway Heights City Council unanimously approved a first step in the expansion of its reclaimed water system, but not before facing accusations during the public comment section of the Sept. 8 meeting that the over $4 million project could potentially be used to help site a data center on the West Plains. The council approved awarding an almost $3.52 million bid for construction of a 1 million gallon reclaimed water storage tank at the city’s water treatment facility on West 21st Avenue to T Bailey LLC. The Anacortes-based contractor was the lowest responsive bidder of two on the project, which will construct the first of four planned tanks and infrastructure at the plant. Before council approved the bid award they received a variety of comments from the public about data centers and potential impacts such a facility could have on the West Plains. One woman asked the council to look at the impacts a facility has on residents’ physical health, not only from potentially contaminated groundwater but also from very low frequency sound waves. A Spokane Valley man who said he is a nurse working at the medical facilities at Fairchild Air Force Base and Geiger Corrections Center said data centers discharge cooling water at temperatures exceeding 103 degrees, a range that can lead to unwanted algae blooms in nearby water bodies. John Hancock, president of the West Plains Water Coalition, said potential contamination from what are referred to as “forever chemicals” is a serious threat to the West Plains aquifer. The aquifer is already facing threats from these chemicals called polyfluoroalkyl

NEWS

substances or PFAS from uses over the years at Fairchild and Spokane International Airport, and Hancock said data centers are more inclined to use these in their cooling systems than reclaimed water.

Spokane resident Brittany Anderson, speaking to the council online, said she has received records from the city showing a data center applicant has asked Airway Heights for as much reclaimed water as the city can supply for use in cooling. She said the records she acquired indicate the city could supply 250,000 – 300,000 gallons of reclaimed water per day to a data center. According to the city’s website, the water reclamation plant produced about 600,000 gallons of water daily, with nearly 50% of this going towards city uses such as irrigation of parks and open spaces. Anderson asked the council to go on the record about whether or not aspects of the reclaimed water tank have been discussed or considered in connection with a large load customer or any other applicants or data center developers. If no, would the city commit to any future decisions about the use of reclaimed water for large industrial purposes be made publicly by the council. “I’m not asking anyone to assume what this reservoir is for,” Anderson said. “I’m asking for transparency about how publicly funded water infrastructure could be used in future use, especially when those discussions are already taking place because I have the proof.” Anderson’s public records research has played a role in bringing to the public’s attention a year-long discussion by Spokane County Commissioner Al French, who represents the West Plains, has had with a potential data center company for a facility at 11703 West Medical Lake Highway near Hayford Road. Apricus Energy Solutions has confirmed it is in discussions to build the Big Rock Data Center as part of its hydrogen energy production project. According to Mapquest, the potential data center location is about four miles from Airway Heights water treatment plant. In an Aug.5 news release Airway Heights acknowledged it had been contacted by a private company interested in building a data center and green hydrogen production facility. City officials have met with company officials to get an idea of

what is planned, with no agreements being reached. The release noted there are many factors that need to be considered before any facility is built, with some factors as yet undetermined. Two of those are whether the facility would be able to receive water and sewer services from the city of Spokane, which services the site. The Spokane City Council passed a one-year moratorium on data center construction earlier this summer. Airway Heights is “requesting an analysis from an independent engineering firm to evaluate the feasibility and impacts of providing reclaimed water for the project.” The study is expected to last 12 months and cost about $163,000. “The City takes its responsibility to residents, businesses, and ratepayers seriously,” it wrote in the news release. “This includes responding to community concerns, protecting our water resources, and planning responsibly for our longterm infrastructure needs.” Potential usage of reclaimed water for a data center wasn’t the only challenge facing the water reservoir project. Accepting an alternate for using steel in tank construction instead of concrete along with construction management, inspection costs and a 5% contingency for any change orders put the project over $4 million. The city has funding from the state Department of Ecology of $3,147,749.24 to cover the project, leaving a gap of $858,107.34. Public Works Director Katherine Miller said they have spoken with Ecology staff about the possibility of receiving additional funding from the state. “While those funds were not guaranteed, Ecology staff were very positive this could happen,” she said. The city also has enough money in its Utility Reserve Fund to cover the shortfall, a path Miller said they are recommending. Council agreed to use the Utility Reserve Funds when they approved the contract with T Bailey for the construction project. Council balances General Fund with transfer At the Aug. 17 meeting the council voted 6-1 — Councilwoman Quesnell abstaining — to transfer

SEPTEMBER 2026 • 9

over $2.83 million from the Executive Fund Reserve account to the General Fund account. The transfer was made to honor a commitment by city staff and council to not create a deficit in the General Fund in 2026 as well as a pledge to “begin building back reserves in 2027 with 2027 budget planning.” At the March 9 study session staff indicated that after completing financial transactions for 2025 additional transfers were needed or proposed in order to close out several funds. Three transfers would close out existing funds with no additional activity, revenue or expenses while five transfers would close out funds with no further revenue sources. Examples of these funds included those established to receive specific source funding, but where the project had been completed or the source was no longer required to submit funding and the funds still remained. The goal of the transfers was to consolidate the remaining fund balances into the Executive Reserve Fund where enhanced controls existed over the spending. Some of these included the Casino Impact Reserve Fund ($1,210,591.06), the Kalispel Impact Mitigation Fund ($47,548.90) and the Landfill Closure Reserve ($35,172.40). Smaller amounts came from the Finance Reserve, Community Services Fund and Sewer General Obligation Bonds 1997 Debt Fund. According to the staff report, the General Fund deficit at the end of 2025 was $2,831,371.02. As of June 30, the transfers to the Executive Reserve Fund had yielded a balance of $2,927,243.32, with the transfer to the General Fund leaving a balance of $95,872.30.

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Wild Things Art Creation For kids ages 5+ & their families Explore your creativity and make some art, such as a Wild Thing mask and other wild creations. CHENEY LIBRARY 610 First St Friday, Sep 18, 3:30–5pm MEDICAL LAKE LIBRARY 321 E Herb St Wednesday, Sep 23, 3:30–4:30pm AIRWAY HEIGHTS LIBRARY 1213 S Lundstrom St Thursday, Sep 24, 4–5pm

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• SEPTEMBER 2026

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MEDICAL LAKE The Blackhawks look to build on players on the varsity roster Blackhawks last year’s breakout season in the sophomores and freshmen — Cross country Greater Spokane League where they including six of the latter. Five The Cardinal girls placed third 8-1 and won the league’s seniors return: goalkeeper Sami and Cardinals finished overall at 1A state competition in 3A classification regular season title. Lopez, defender Marcie Gasperino, Pasco in 2025, an improvement of Cheney graduated 20 seniors who midfielder Georgia Bingham, launch helped turn around a program that midfield/forward Kinley Collins seven spots from 2024’s 10th-place. Senior Kaylee Dennler placed fourth had won just four league games in and forward Molly Domrese. fall sports — same as in 2024 — to lead Medical the previous three seasons. Cheney is looking to improve Lake. Cheney advanced to the opening on last year’s eighth-place GSL 3A campaigns Medical Lake’s Northeast A round of the state playoffs where finish, ending with a 2-6 league mark By John McCallum Stream contributor

CHENEY Cross country The Blackhawk boys placed fifth overall at the 3A state meet last season. Cheney tallied 172 points, 31 behind fourth-place Central Kitsap, with Greater Spokane League regular-season 3A title winner Mt. Spokane third, Shorewood of Seattle second and Mercer Island winning the 3A title. Cheney finished third in the GSL at 6-3 overall, with Mt. Spokane second at 8-1 and 4A Mead the overall regular-season champion at 9-0. The Blackhawks were edged by Mt. Spokane 61-69 for the District 6 title. Andrew Ward and Carter Ward placed 21st and 39th last year respectively at state while Miles Moseley was 73rd. All three return this season as the boys once again field a deep team with 42 runners listed on the roster. The Cheney girls placed fifth in District 6 competition last year, missing a team slot at state by two spots. They were eighth overall in the GSL at 2-7, finishing ahead of Shadle Park and Central Valley. Abigail Scharosch and Isabella Adaszewski qualified for state as individuals, 12th and 13th respectively. At state, Adaszewski was 55th and Scharosch was 76th. Both return this season as part of a girls team that is small with 15 runners but capable of competitive performances. The Blackhawks opened the 2026 season at the annual Highlander Invitational Sept. 12 at Shadle Park. Football

they hosted Ferndale, losing 3534 after a last-second 2-point conversion failed. The Blackhawks finished 8-2 and ranked 16th in the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association’s 3A poll. Cheney returns 18 seniors in its varsity roster of 67 — including last year’s GSL offensive Most Valuable Player quarterback Connor Collins. Collins led the GSL in passing over nine games, completing 113 of 171 attempts for 1,641 yards, 24 TDs and two interceptions as well as leading the GSL in total offense with 1,817 yards.

The Blackhawks opened the 2026 season on the road at 3A Southridge Sept. 4, falling 29-9 to the Kennewick team. Suns running back Jacob Korotkov scored three touchdowns and combined with fellow running back Tayton Jackman for 265 total rushing yards in a matchup between 2025 playoff teams. Southridge opened a 14-0 first quarter lead. Cheney sliced that in half with a Collins to Blake Kernen 18-yard touchdown pass and made it 14-9 with a second quarter safety after a Suns high snap went through the end zone. Southridge responded with a 90 yard drive, capped by quarterback Austin Hazenburg’s 4-yard TD pass to Stockton Parish to make it 21-9 at the half. Korotkov scored his third TD in the fourth quarter to seal the Suns’ win. Cheney’s next three games are at home, beginning with a Sept. 11 match up against University (1-0), followed by GSL 4As Lewis and Clark and Mead. Girls soccer The Blackhawks are a pretty young squad with 11 of the 19

and 7-10-2 overall. Seeded seventh in districts, the Blackhawks defeated No. 6 Southridge before losing to No. 4 Kennewick in the game for the district’s third seed to state.

Cheney opened the 2026 campaign with an 8-0 win over visiting 1A Medical Lake on Sept.3 and ran their record to 2-0 with a 7-0 win over GSL 2A East Valley on Sept.8. Kaycee Curley had two goals and an assist while Collins added one goal and two assists as Cheney outshot the Knights 13-2. Slow pitch softball The Blackhawks have some balance this season with seven freshmen and sophomores on the 13 player varsity roster. Three seniors return from last season’s team that finished 11th in the GSL at 3-10, 4-12 overall: Cariss Bludau (left field), Millie Beito (flex) and Heaven DesJardin (pitcher). Cheney opened at tournament Sept. 3 at Ridgeline High School, losing 24-3 to 4A Chiawana from the Mid-Columbia Conference and 19-9 to the host Falcons. Junior centerfielder Mataya Kuchenbecker had two doubles for the Blackhawks against the Riverhawks. Cheney opened its GSL season Sept. 4 at Lewis and Clark, falling 14-12 to the Tigers at Hart Field. Volleyball Seven juniors return from last season’s team that went 1-8 in GSL play, 6-9 overall. The Blackhawks have one senior: middle hitter Mairyn O’Regan as well as a pair of sophomores for a team hoping to return to the postseason after a three year absence. Cheney opened its season Sept. 9 at North Central.

League rival Lakeside (Nine Mile Falls) was second with Meridan of Bellingham emerging as state champion. The Cardinals placed second behind Lakeside in both the NEA and District 5 championships last year. At state, Autumn Trout was 17th while freshman Aya McNeill came in 19th. Feodora Lalicker was 41st and Teagan Cadman was 50th to wrap up the Cardinals top five scorers. Allison Appel was 56th and Angelica Bowman was 83rd to complete the varsity finishers. All but Trout have returned for the 2026 season. The Cardinal boys placed third overall at the NEA championship meet, missing a trip to districts and state but advancing several individuals to districts and state. At Pasco, Mercury Bergquist was 41st while Steven Shotts was 45th and Erik Moon 61st. Bergquist and Shotts, both AllNEA selections in 2025, return for another run at state. Also making the All-NEA team were McNeill, Trout and Lalicker. Medical Lake opens 2026 on Sept.12 at the Melon Fest in Sandstone, Oregon. Football The Cardinals found the end zone elusive in their season opener at Cascade (Leavenworth) on Sept. 4. The Kodiaks blitzed the visitors for a 35-0 win. Medical Lake is hoping to improve on last year’s 0-8 finish. The Cardinals lost 12 seniors to graduation including All-NEA punter Julian Taylor but return AllNEA offense and defense selection See SPORTS SUPPLY, Page 14

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SPORTS SUPPLY Continued from page 13 Dylan Harris.

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The Cardinals are still looking for a first win after their two opening games. Medical Lake lost 4-1 at home to Upper Columbia Academy on Sept.3 and 8-0 at Cheney Sept.5.

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Volleyball The Cardinals are hoping to improve on last year’s 9-11 overall record and 4-2 mark in the NEA, good enough for second in the league. In the District 6 tournament, Medical Lake lost to first place and defending league champion Lakeside in the opening round, but advanced to the District 5/6 crossover tournament with a 3-0 win over Riverside. In the tournament, the Cardinals lost 3-0 to Omak in a winner to state / loser out match, ending their season at 9-11 overall. Sophomore Julie Smith were All-NEA selections, with head coach Hailey VanSoest selected NEA co-Coach of the Year. Medical Lake exacted a measure of revenge for their loss to Omak last year, edging the Pioneers 3-2 on the road to open the 2026 campaign. The Cardinals ran their record to 2-0 with a 3-0 win over visiting GSL 2A North Central on Sept.8.

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The Cardinals return senior Lyla Heinemann, who was an All-NEA selection last year as a junior.

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SPOK ANE COUNT Y LIBR ARY DISTRICT

own pace. They can experiment Wild Thing mask and other wild Library and try new things at each library creations. program.” Wild Things Art Creation activities, ACTIVITIES AT LIBRARIES takes place at Cheney Library on Kids ages 5 and older and their Friday, September 18, 3:30–5pm snack families can drop by Medical (drop-in session); at Medical Lake Library (321 E Herb St) to try Library on Wednesday, September program keep Lake something new during Wonder 23, 3:30–4:30pm (during Wonder Wednesdays at 3:30–4:30pm. Wednesday); and at Airway Heights kids, teens Each week brings an engaging Library on Thursday, September 24, activity with a science, technology, 4–5pm. engineering, art, or math theme. Get information about additional learning, Kids can explore these activities at library programs for kids and teens their own pace and wonder with us! at scld.org/kids-teens-events. fueled for Don’t forget about LEGOs at the FREE AFTERNOON SNACK library! Building with LEGO bricks success Machines need energy or fuel to helps kids keep their engineering By Erin Dodge

Spokane County Library District (SCLD)

Kids’ busy brains keep learning even after school’s out for the day. After-school activities and other programs at the library that focus on creativity and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, or math) are good ways to engage young minds. “Children have natural curiosity and love to explore the world around them,” says Mary Ellen Braks, Youth Public Services Manager at SCLD. “At the library, kids can practice the skills they are learning at school in a different environment and at their

and problem-solving skills sharp. LEGO Free Play is a weekly program that takes place on at Medical Lake Library on Mondays, 3:30–4:30pm; at Airway Heights Library (1213 S Lundstrom St) on Thursdays, 4–6pm, and on Saturdays, 10am– 6pm; and at Cheney Library (610 First St) on Saturdays, 2–4pm. Kids ages 5 and older and their families are invited to explore the program Wild Things Art Creation. Let imaginations run wild as the wild rumpus begins! Inspired by Maurice Sendak’s book Where the Wild Things Are, we’re doing creative art activities, featuring a

function, and so do kids! Several SCLD libraries offer free afternoon snack through the USDA Child Nutrition Programs.

Kids and teens ages 1–18 can get snack year-round at Airway Heights Library on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 3:30–4:30pm, and at Cheney Library, Monday–Friday at 3–4pm. SCLD is an equal opportunity provider. Snack is not available when the library is closed, including for holidays on Sep 7, Nov 11, 26, and 27, Dec 24 and 25. You can learn more about this program and other participating SCLD locations at scld. org/snack.

Thyme Flies When We’re Gardening

Check out these library programs for gardeners. Produce Swap AIRWAY HEIGHTS & CHENEY LIBRARIES Sep–Oct, during open hours

WSU Extension Master Gardeners Plant Clinic CHENEY LIBRARY Friday, Sep 18, Oct 2 & 16, 1–5pm

Planting Bulbs CHENEY LIBRARY Saturday, Sep 26, 11am–12pm

Introduction to Seed Saving ONLINE Wednesday, Sep 23, 6–7pm CHENEY LIBRARY Tuesday, Oct 13, 6:30–7:30pm

Find out more at scld.org/events

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