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 meeting part of state initiative to address water availability
MOSES LAKE — Officials from Columbia Basin cities sat down with the director of the Washington Department of Ecology in Moses Lake Tuesday to talk about water. It was part of a statewide effort to outline a plan for the present and future of water use across Washington.
Quincy officials looking for more lifeguards for new Aquatic Center
QUINCY — The new Quincy Aquatic Center is so popular with residents and visitors that city officials are looking for more lifeguards to accommodate more people. Quincy Recreation Director Russ Harrington said the pool had 12 days of operation as of Tuesday.
Investigation underway into Moses Lake boat, personal watercraft collision
MOSES LAKE — Investigators from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office say there is no indication that intoxicating substances were involved in a collision between a boat and personal watercraft Sunday on Moses Lake.
Reconstruction of Apple Avenue in Royal City pushed back to August
ROYAL CITY — Reconstruction of Apple Avenue Northeast in Royal City has been delayed, but it’s still scheduled for completion in 2026. “Originally we hoped it would start in June, but the contractor had to move it back to August,” said Janice Flynn, Royal City finance director.
Proposals being accepted from groups interested in Larson Recreation Center operation
MOSES LAKE — Applications are being accepted from nonprofits interested in operating the Larson Recreation Center in Moses Lake. Proposals are being accepted through Sept. 1. Doug Coutts, director of parks, recreation and cultural services, emphasized the request is the first step in an extensive process.
Federal Way drowning victim recovered Tuesday
MOSES LAKE — The body of a Federal Way man who disappeared while he was swimming in Moses Lake Saturday was recovered from the lake Tuesday morning, according to a media release from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.
Over 100 fire calls made across Grant County during Fourth of July weekend
MOSES LAKE — Fireworks sparked over 100 fire calls across Grant County during the Fourth of July holiday, stretching local fire agencies and volunteers as crews raced from one incident to the next under dangerous fire weather conditions. "All I can say is wow," Grant County Fire Marshal Nathan Poplawski said in a statement released following the holiday weekend. The amount of fires responded to over the Fourth of July weekend was roughly double the number recorded during the first week of the county's burn restrictions, according to Poplawski.
Dune Lake, Westover Boulevard fires damage residences, destroy vehicles
MOSES LAKE — Three vehicles were destroyed and a residence was damaged in an early-morning fire in the Dune Lakes area south of Moses Lake Saturday. A separate fire heavily damaged a duplex in the Larson area north of Moses Lake later Saturday morning. No one was injured in either fire.
Search continuing for possible drowning victim
MOSES LAKE — Grant County Sheriff’s deputies will continue their search Tuesday for a Federal Way man who disappeared Saturday while swimming in Moses Lake. Jaime Lazaro Ticorralco, 40, was last seen at about 1 p.m. Saturday swimming at the south end of Moses Lake near the Sand Dunes, said Kyle Foreman, GCSO public information officer, in a media release Monday. The search for him began Saturday, Foreman said later in answer to questions from the Columbia Basin Herald. “Once deputies were told he was missing, they started searching,” Foreman said.
Multiple injuries in boat, personal watercraft collision on Moses Lake
MOSES LAKE — Several people sustained injuries Sunday in a watercraft collision in the Laguna area of Moses Lake, according to a statement from Moses Lake city officials. “There was a personal watercraft being operated in an area where there were some boats,” Moses Lake Fire Chief Art Perillo said. “The personal watercraft had two people on it. They ended up hitting one boat, going up and over, and then hit a second boat.” “Eight individuals were transported to the local hospital for further evaluation. Three patients involved in the collision sustained significant injuries,” the city wrote in its statement.