CHERYL SCHWEIZER
Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer is a journalist with more than 30 years of experience serving small communities in the Pacific Northwest. She began her post-high-school education at Treasure Valley Community College and enerned her journalism degree at Oregon State University. After working for multiple publications, she has settled down at the Columbia Basin Herald and has been a staple of the newsroom for more than a decade. Schweizer’s dedication to her communities and profession has earned her the nickname “The Baroness of Bylines.” She covers a variety of beats including health, business and various municipalities.
Recent Stories
Moses Lake council continues city manager search
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake City Council will meet in executive session Wednesday to discuss the qualifications of a possible candidate for city employment, according to an agenda posted on the city’s website Monday. A vote on a city manager contract is also on the agenda.
Samaritan Healthcare projected to finish 2025 with carryover
MOSES LAKE — Samaritan Healthcare is expected to spend a lot of money on its new hospital in 2025, enough that its operating income will show a loss for the year, according to the budget approved by Samaritan commissioners late last year. However, there’s projected to be enough non-operating income to cover the loss and leave Samaritan in the black by the end of 2025. The hospital’s 2025 budget projects an operating income loss of about $15.1 million, but a non-operating income gain of about $23.2 million. As a result, Samaritan should end 2025 with a net income gain of about $8.1 million. Spending for the new hospital was projected at about $86.15 million in 2025.
Grant County Jail scheduled to open in mid-2026
MATTAWA — Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete said the new Grant County Jail is projected to open in about 18 months. “They’re still targeting for the opening of May of 2026,” Kriete said. “It felt like it was going to be so long when we started, but here we are. We’re getting close.” Kriete gave an update on the project’s progress at a Jan. 9 luncheon sponsored by the South Grant County Chamber of Commerce in recognition of National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. The new jail will hold 512 inmates, more than double the existing jail.
Challenge, innovation, appreciation at law enforcement luncheon
MATTAWA — Staffing, recruitment and innovation were among the subjects discussed by Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete and Yakima County Sheriff Robert Udell during a luncheon in Mattawa Thursday recognizing law enforcement contributions.
Community servant
Peny Archer put her heart into feeding the hungry
MOSES LAKE — Peny Archer first encountered the Moses Lake Food Bank more than 20 years ago. It changed her life. Her youngest child was starting school, Peny said in a 2023 interview. “Because of working and having a career, I had missed a lot of school plays, a lot of things my children were involved in because I had to work,” she said. “I wanted to spend some time with our youngest during the summer and so on. When school started again, I thought ‘You know, I’m going to go to the food bank and volunteer for two hours a week.’” That volunteer shift was a revelation, she said.
Othello teams up with partners to work on improving water storage permitting process
OTHELLO — Othello city officials will be working with a coalition of regional partners to make it easier to work on – and finish – projects to find and build additional water sources.
Wahluke district patrons to vote on capital levy Feb. 11
MATTAWA — Wahluke School District voters will decide the fate of a three-year capital projects levy in a special election Feb. 11. District officials are asking for $2.58 million over three years.
Volunteers sought for Wahluke facility committee
MATTAWA — Volunteers are being solicited to work on a long-term plan to address building maintenance and facility needs in the Wahluke School District. Superintendent Andy Harlow said the Facilities and Operations Committee will meet over the winter and spring with the goal of finishing a plan by June 30.
Date of Downtown Moses Lake Association annual meeting to be announced
MOSES LAKE — The Downtown Moses Lake Association will review its plans for 2025 and its schedule of events during its annual public meeting, tentatively scheduled for early February. The date will be determined during the annual DMLA board member retreat this weekend.
Lions Park expansion, planning for road improvements in 2025 Royal City budget
ROYAL CITY — Royal City will spend some of its reserves to expand Lions Park and will be working on designing improvements to Apple Avenue Northeast. Royal City City Council members approved the city’s 2025 budget in December. The city’s current expense fund is budgeted at about $2 million. It’s projected to end 2025 with about $1.9 million, a decrease from $2.2 million at the end of 2024. Janice Flynn, the city’s finance director, said the city will use part of the money for Lions Park improvements. The park is located on Camelia Street. “We’re spending some of our funds,” Flynn said.