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
Warden man injured in tractor-trailer collision with train
BRUCE — A Warden man was transported to an out-of-area hospital after the tractor-trailer he was driving was hit by a train near Bruce at about noon Tuesday. "The extent of the driver's injuries is not known at this time," wrote Adams County Sheriff Dale Wagner in a media release. "Preliminary information indicates the semi-truck was traveling above the speed limit and failed to obey posted requiring traffic to yield at the railroad crossing. The train was traveling at a slow speed," Wagner said. "He was moving. He wasn't stuck on the tracks," he said in an earlier interview.
Othello man arrested for Moses Lake attempted burglary
MOSES LAKE — An Othello man jumped into Moses Lake in an unsuccessful attempt to avoid Moses Lake Police Department officers last Friday. An MLPD media release issued Wednesday said Fernando Lira, 36, was booked into the Grant County Jail on suspicion of second-degree burglary in connection with the incident. Lira allegedly attempted to burglarize a business in the 600 block of East Broadway Friday morning. The business owner discovered him and chased him off the property, the release said.
Higher revenues, expenses projected in preliminary Moses Lake city budget
MOSES LAKE — While Moses Lake city officials have reduced expenses and revenues are projected to increase by about 7.9% in the city's preliminary budget, proposed expenditures are projected to go up by about 9.5%. Assistant City Manager James Richmond emphasized the preliminary budget presented earlier this month is not cast in stone. "The projected figures are not finalized. They are requests from departments based on projected 2027 operational costs. Largely, the figures are based on guidance from the city council during the financial sustainability plan analysis," Richmond wrote in answer to questions from the Columbia Basin Herald.
Moses Lake Classic Car Club donates to Moravida Festival trunk or treat
MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake Classic Car Club members came up with a novel way to raise a little money for a good cause. "At our last club meeting we painted pumpkins and then auctioned them off," said club president Mason Utter. "That was fun. It was funner than I thought it would be," said Jerry Fisher, club treasurer. The money was donated to the organizers of a Trunk or Treat scheduled for the Moravida Festival at the Grant County Fairgrounds on Halloween. Paul Brumly, who's part of the Moravida organizing committee, said it's greatly appreciated.
Wahluke Community Coalition works to reduce substance use
MATTAWA — The Wahluke Community Coalition starts with the premise that local problems are best solved with local solutions. Gigi Calaway, student support services director for the Wahluke School District, said Mattawa's size and location make it more difficult to provide services for people affected by substance abuse. As a result, the coalition is working on ways to keep everybody, especially children, from using substances in the first place. "Our school has to be a hub of education, even for our parents," she said.
Paving scheduled for next week on Royal City's Apple Avenue
ROYAL CITY — The first phase of upgrades to Apple Avenue Northeast is reaching the finish line as the construction season winds down.
Driver injured when truck hit by train
BRUCE — An unidentified truck driver sustained unspecified injuries when his tractor trailer was hit by an oncoming train Tuesday morning near Bruce.
Adams, Hiawatha road bridges scheduled for spring 2027 replacement
QUINCY — Washington Department of Transportation officials haven't made a definite schedule for replacement of the overpasses at Adams and Hiawatha roads, but they do have one in mind. "According to our project manager, we are looking at spring (2027) for both," said Summer Derrey, public information officer for the WSDOT North Central region. Derrey said any timeline would be subject to change, but spring 2027 for both is the goal.
Collision closes Vernita Bridge most of the day Monday
MATTAWA — A Desert Aire man was transported to Kadlec Regional Medical Center Monday after the car he was driving was hit by a car coming in the opposite direction. The collision closed the Vernita Bridge, which remained out of service for most of the day. Rogelio Cardenas, 40, was driving north on SR 24 about two to three miles from the Vernita Bridge at about 5:40 a.m., according to a press memo from the Washington State Patrol. Cardenas' car was hit by a car driven by Zachary Holder, 42, Richland, who crossed the centerline. Cardenas's car ran into a truck and trailer driven by Lwin Maung, 45, Las Vegas, Nevada.
Detours on I-90 in early November for Hansen Road overpass work
MOSES LAKE — While not much was visible above ground, work on the Hansen Road overpass has progressed to the point where detours on Interstate 90 will be required during the first week of November.