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
GC Fire District 3, Columbia EMS reach agreement on new contract
QUINCY — Grant County Fire District 3 and Columbia EMS have reached agreement to amend the existing contract for emergency medical services. Fire District 3 Chief David Durfee said the one-year contract includes a 20% increase in the contract price.
Construction to begin this spring on Royal City road project
ROYAL CITY — The first phase of improvements to Apple Avenue Northeast is scheduled to begin this spring. Royal City City Council members voted on a contract for the project Tuesday. Public Works Director Mauricio Romero said construction is scheduled to begin either in late May or the first week of June. Council members voted on awarding the construction contract, about $903,300, to Wheeler Excavation, Benton City. Council members also voted on a $135,000 construction engineering contract with Anderson Perry, La Grande, project engineers.
Interlocal agreement could advance lake crossing study
MOSES LAKE — The city of Moses Lake will take the lead in obtaining funding for an environmental impact study of a possible second crossing of Moses Lake. Moses Lake City Council members approved an interlocal agreement with Grant County April 14, and it’s scheduled for a vote of the Grant County Commissioners Tuesday. Moses Lake City Manager Rob Karlinsey told council members it’s a first step toward fulfilling one of the council’s top goals, which is to at least start studying the possibility of a second lake crossing. “We have applied for federal funding to help us study that. For us to receive that funding, we need to have an interlocal agreement with the county, because the likely locations of that lake crossing are going to be in (the) unincorporated county,” Karlinsey said.
Moses Lake Grange to sponsor candidate forum
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Grange No. 1151 will sponsor a forum where people can listen to candidates for the Fourth Congressional District from 3 to 5 p.m. May 9 at the Grange building, 14724 Road 3 SE.
Ephrata to consider impact fees for new development
EPHRATA — The possibility of adding transportation and parks impact fees for new development will be under consideration by the Ephrata City Council, starting with a discussion April 29. Community Development Director Ron Sell said development fees would be a new thing for Ephrata. “Currently we don’t have any impact fees in place. We do have a parks mitigation fee in place,” Sell said.
Surveys of Moses Lake residents show attitudes toward service cuts, sales tax increase
MOSES LAKE — About 49% of Moses Lake residents contacted as part of a survey of community attitudes and priorities said they were satisfied with the direction of the city, with about 42% saying they thought the city was on the wrong track. The biggest concerns of survey respondents centered around homelessness and public safety. The survey was part of a larger project to get public input on possible revisions to city programs due to a deficit in the general fund. “We’re trying to understand how voters look at their values and what kinds of things you might have the opportunity to do in the future as you’re thinking about corralling this budget. Where are the opportunities, where will you find resistance and (where) will you find more agreement among voters?” said Ian Stewart, of Fulcrum Strategy group, which conducted the survey.
Paving begins Monday night on I-90 from Vantage to George
VANTAGE — Drivers traveling between George and the Vantage Bridge should plan for single-lane travel and reduced speeds at night as road crews repave the section of Interstate 90 between George and the bridge beginning Monday. Sebastian Moraga, communications consultant with the Washington Department of Transportation, said in a press release that crews will be working through approximately mid-August. “Work will occur primarily at night, from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Friday each week,” Moraga said. “Contractors will repave and restripe approximately 11 miles of I-90 to extend the service life of the pavement.”
Royal City to consider rules for new soccer field
ROYAL CITY — Usage schedules for the new soccer field in Royal City’s Lions Park will be on the agenda for discussion by the Royal City City Council next Tuesday. City Finance Director Janice Flynn said the project was built with the help of a grant, which means there are some conditions for its use. The soccer field was built to provide a place for children and teens to play, Flynn said. “Because it is a youth soccer field, the youth will be given priority there,” she said.
ML Council looks at tax increases, program cuts
MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake City Council members discussed what city services they wanted to keep and which ones they might decide to cut, or turn over to other operators, for three hours Tuesday, then adjourned with more discussion to come. Council members will convene a special meeting April 21 for that additional discussion. “Hopefully, (council members) can give us direction, then we can take that, put it in writing and bring it back to you on (April) 28), hopefully for adoption,” said City Manager Rob Karlinsey. The goal is to have priorities established that will be used to prepare the 2027 city budget, a process that starts in July, Karlinsey said
Othello council approves fire contract extension, commits to annexation vote
OTHELLO — After a year and a half of discussion and controversy, Othello City Council members approved a short-term extension to the city’s contract with Adams County Fire District 5 at its Monday meeting. Fire District 5 commissioners considered the contract at their meeting Tuesday night. The contract was approved by the council on a 7-0 vote. Council member Angel Garza said it’s time the two sides reached a deal. “We have to make a decision and move forward and get something done,” Garza said.