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
Othello School District patrons to vote on capital levy proposal in February
OTHELLO — Othello School District patrons will be asked to accept or reject a six-year capital levy request in a special election in February 2027. Othello School Board members voted 4-0 to submit the proposal to voters at the regular meeting Monday. Board chair Lindsy Prows was absent. If it's approved, property owners would pay an estimated 97 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. The owner of property worth $350,000 would pay $339.50 in taxes. Ballots would be due by Feb. 9. Because it's a levy proposal, it would require a bare majority, 50% plus one vote, to pass.
Mattawa council considering annexation ordinance
MATTAWA — With discussions about development increasing, Mattawa City Council members will consider adding an annexation procedure to existing city regulations. Council members discussed the options at the regular meeting Nov. 5.
Erickson new ECBID assistant manager of development
OTHELLO — Jon Erickson has been named the assistant manager of development for the East Columbia Basin Irrigation District. Erickson previously was the district's development coordinator.
Port of Quincy energy project update at Nov. 19 open house
QUINCY — Quincy-area residents are being invited to get an update on, and ask questions about, a project to build standalone energy generation, a joint venture between the Port of Quincy and Colusa Indian Energy. A town hall meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. Nov. 19 at the Quincy Business and Events Center, 115 F St. SW.
City and Ephrata Police Department officers reach agreement on new contract
EPHRATA — The union representing Ephrata Police Department officers has come to an agreement with city officials on a new collective bargaining agreement.
First phase of Royal City's Apple Avenue construction complete
ROYAL CITY — The first phase of improvements to Royal City's Apple Avenue is complete, and city officials are working on an application for second-phase funding.
Income and priorities subject of Ephrata budget discussion
EPHRATA — Balancing requests and revenues, what can and should be done in 2027 and what can wait was the subject of a budget discussion at the Ephrata City Council meeting Wednesday.
Power lines, dam upgrades headline Grant PUD capital plans
QUINCY — The Grant County Public Utility District is projected to spend about $118.6 million on a multi-year project to build additional transmission lines from Wanapum Dam to Quincy, about $103.3 million to finish a new maintenance facility in Ephrata. Those are the two largest projects outlined in the PUD's proposed 2027 budget.
GCFD 8 firefighter sustains minor injuries when hit by car
MATTAWA — A Grant County Fire District 8 officer sustained minor injuries Wednesday when he was hit by a driver subsequently arrested for DUI. Battalion Chief Doug Anderson and GCFD 8 crews were on the scene of a non-injury collision at about 10:30 p.m. when a car drove through the crash scene, according to a media release from the Grant County Sheriff's Office. The driver, Jorge Ramirez Suarez, 33, Mattawa, allegedly drove through the crash scene, hit Anderson in the leg, and kept going without stopping, according to the GCSO. He was subsequently booked into the Grant County Adult Correctional Facility on suspicion of DUI, vehicular assault and hit-and-run. Anderson was treated at the scene. He joined GCFD 8 in 1998 as a volunteer firefighter, said Barb Davis, the district's business manager, and is still a volunteer. He has served as a GCFD 8 captain, assistant chief and interim chief, as well as battalion chief.
Port of Quincy Commissioner Patric Connelly retires after 30-year career
QUINCY — Patric Connelly said working on economic development sounded interesting, and he thought diversification would be good for Quincy. He decided to apply for a vacancy on the Port of Quincy commission as a result. "I've been involved with a lot of things community-wise. I've been a chamber president. I've been a Lions Club president, a few other things – I've been on ag advisory committees. It really came kind of out of the blue when one commissioner resigned, and I was approached and asked if I would be interested in doing it." Connelly said. "At that time, it wasn't as involved as it is now, and so I thought it would be an interesting thing to watch in the community. I've been in agriculture most of my life, or at least after I got out west, and I always thought Quincy is an ag town, but it needed some diversity too."