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
Hansen Road demolition about halfway completed
MOSES LAKE — Construction crews working to demolish the Hansen Road overpass are halfway through the job. Crews were out Thursday morning demolishing the north end of the overpass while traffic negotiated Interstate 90. Westbound traffic is using the Hansen Road offramp and onramp as a detour, while eastbound traffic is reduced to one lane on I-90. The eastbound lanes shift as different parts of the bridge are demolished.
Moses Lake City Council votes to place restrictions on kratom sales
MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake City Council members approved restrictions on the sale of products containing kratom, both from the plant and synthetic derivatives. Sales will be restricted to people 21 years of age and older.
Moses Lake City Council seeks to build third fire station in north end of town
MOSES LAKE — The city of Moses Lake will be adding a temporary fire station along Patton Boulvard, the interim step to building a permanent facility. Moses Lake City Council members asked for additional research on an option to install temporary housing as well for firefighters at a site at the Port of Moses Lake.
Ephrata looking for infrastructure, economic development grant opportunities
EPHRATA — Infrastructure improvement usually starts with a plan – at least when a city is looking for state or federal funding to help pay for it. Ephrata city officials are working on plans to help bring in some of that funding, along with working on projects already planned.
4 family members killed in Dodson Road crash with tractor-trailer
ROYAL CITY — Four members of a Tacoma family were killed and one critically injured when they ran into a truck at around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon at the intersection Frenchman Hills Road West and Dodson South, about eight miles north of Royal City.
Othello to begin construction of city's first animal shelter
OTHELLO — Construction of an Othello Animal Shelter will start with the fence. Othello City Council members awarded a $68,600 contract to Cortez Fencing, Moses Lake, at the regular council meeting Monday.
Finances for fire district annexation to be discussed at Othello council workshop
OTHELLO — Othello residents are being invited to a workshop at 5 p.m. Aug. 10 to discuss finance options available to the city if a proposal to annex the city into Adams County Fire District 5 is approved. Mayor Ken Johnson said that if an annexation is approved, the way Othello residents pay for their fire services will change, which means the Othello City Council must make some decisions.
Multiple fires keep Grant County crews busy
QUINCY — A car fire that turned into a brush fire closed SR 28 near Quincy for about six hours and prompted evacuation notices Sunday afternoon. Grant County Fire District 3 Chief David Durfee said the fire bordering SR 28 was about 85 acres, but difficult terrain and weather conditions made it a challenge to fight.
Railroad Fire nearing full containment — 10 residences destroyed
MATTAWA — While some hot spots remain, crews have reached the mop-up stage on the Railroad Fire near Beverly as of Monday. No injuries have been reported. “We’re at 90 percent containment,” said Ben Shearer, public information officer for the Southeast Washington Interagency Incident Management Team.
Samaritan Healthcare survey asks residents for ideas on future healthcare
MOSES LAKE — Samaritan Healthcare officials are asking residents of its hospital district and some regional hospital districts for their ideas on where healthcare in the Columbia Basin should go next. Gretchen Youngren, Samaritan chief development and communications officer, said hospital officials are mostly interested in two questions.
State to provide technical assistance for Port of Moses Lake project
MOSES LAKE — The Port of Moses Lake will receive assistance from the Washington Department of Commerce to evaluate options for providing additional electrical generation, or sharing existing power, for industries on East Wheeler Road.
Terrain complicates fighting Railroad Fire
MATTAWA — Rough terrain and red flag fire weather complicated efforts to fight the Railroad Fire north of Mattawa, with crews working on keeping the fire from spreading.
Hansen Road bridge demolition set to start Monday
MOSES LAKE — Like the London bridge – only not as picturesque – the Hanson Road bridge is coming down. “We’re starting (demolition) on Monday,” said Summer Derrey, public information officer for the Washington Department of Transportation North Central region.
Windy conditions forecast for weekend, elevating danger of spreading fires
MOSES LAKE — A fire weather watch has been issued for Saturday for the Columbia Basin and North Central Washington due to the probability of high winds and low humidity. The National Weather Service is advising people to take precautions as a result.
Royal City to inform residents of commercial truck parking rules
ROYAL CITY — Royal City city officials will start a campaign to inform residents of the city’s rules for parking commercial trucks in town. Commercial trucks parking in residential areas has been discussed by the City Council members, and Royal City Police Chief Rey Rodriguez told council members Tuesday that the city does have an ordinance in place.
Sidewalks, paving among plans for Mattawa street improvements
MATTAWA — Mattawa city officials are planning upgrades to West Steven Street, with the work tentatively scheduled for 2027. The project will depend on obtaining state funding; the Mattawa City Council discussed the project during a hearing on an application for a Community Development Block Grant during the regular meeting July 16.
New Samaritan Healthcare CEO grateful to staff, patients, community
MOSES LAKE — New Samaritan Healthcare Chief Executive Officer Alex Town said it’s up to hospital district officials to deliver on the potential for medical care.
Othello man arrested in connection with drive-by shooting
OTHELLO — An Othello man has been arrested and booked on suspicion of first-degree assault and drive-by shooting in connection with an incident July 11 that left one person wounded. A second suspect is still being sought. Gustavo Pineda-Felicano, 18, was arrested Monday night near his residence in the Edson Tracts area near Othello, said Adams County Sheriff Dale Wagner in a media release. “He was taken into custody without incident,” Wagner said.
Smoke from Kaiser Canyon Fire blankets the Basin
Public should remain alert to unhealthy air quality
MOSES LAKE — It’s smokey out there, the result of winds blowing smoke into the Columbia Basin from a wildfire north in Okanogan County, making its presence felt throughout Central Washington.
Public’s help sought in finding Othello area drive-by shooting suspects
OTHELLO — The Adams County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in finding two Othello-area men being sought in connection with a drive-by shooting July 11. Deputies are looking for Gustavo Pineda-Feliciano, 18, and Angel Alvarez, 22, in connection with the shooting on West Angel Street west of Othello. One person sustained a gunshot injury to the face in the incident, according to a statement from the ACSO. Adams County Sheriff Dale Wagner said in the statement that ACSO investigators served two search warrants on residences in the Edson Tracts area south of Othello at about 6 a.m. Monday. The ACSO was assisted by the Moses Lake Regional Tactical Response Team and other law enforcement agencies, he said.
Heat wave: temperatures approaching triple digits this week
MOSES LAKE — It being July, a heat wave is not unexpected, and one is on its way. The National Weather Service is predicting temperatures around 100 degrees for most of the week, starting today.
Traffic restrictions throughout Columbia Basin with road construction season in full swing
MOSES LAKE — Summer is definitely here with hot sunny days, a lot of time outdoors, and plenty of road construction, both locally and regionally. Drivers on Interstate 90 have encountered the first phase of demolition and replacement of the Hansen Road overpass, with traffic reduced to one lane in each direction around the bridge. Speeds are reduced in the construction zone. The lane closures stay in place through the duration of the project, which is scheduled for completion in late 2026 or early 2027.
Affordability, healthcare among big issues for Fifth Congressional District candidates
SPOKANE — Six of the 12 candidates for Washington’s Fifth Congressional District detailed the issues facing the district that they think are the most important, and how they would address those issues if they’re elected. All 12 candidates were asked the same three questions by the Columbia Basin Herald. Six responded. Their answers to the first two questions ran in previous editions of the Columbia Basin Herald.
Fifth Congressional District candidates discuss their qualifications
SPOKANE — Six of the 12 candidates running for the Fifth Congressional District seat detailed some of their qualifications for the job in answers to questions from the Columbia Basin Herald. The Fifth District includes portions of Adams County.
5th Congressional District candidates discuss motivation for running
SPOKANE — Twelve candidates, including incumbent Michael Baumgartner, are running for the seat in the Fifth Congressional District, which includes part of Adams County.
July 5 boating accident required effort of well-trained emergency personnel
Multiple agencies and public boaters worked together for affective response to collision that injured 8 people
MOSES LAKE — A collision between a boat and a motorized personal watercraft on Moses Lake July 5 sent eight people to the hospital and left some with serious injuries. Moses Lake Fire Dept. Captain Schrade Rouse said treating multiple patients after a collision on the water takes training for individual departments and teamwork among multiple agencies.
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.
What will improve downtown, and how to do it, focus of Moses Lake council discussion
MOSES LAKE — Rod Stevens, one of a team of consultants working with the city of Moses Lake on ways to improve downtown, said he wants to help answer a question that came out of the personal experience of some family members who lived in and visited Moses Lake.
Separate fires destroy vehicles, damage residences Saturday morning
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, while a second, separate fire heavily damaged a duplex in the Larson area north of Moses Lake later in the morning. No injuries were reported in either blaze. The Dune Lakes fire was reported at about 3 a.m. in the 7000 block of Dune Lake Road southeast, said Travis Svilar, battalion chief for Grant County Fire District 5.
Interstate 90 to be closed beginning July 27 for Hansen Bridge demolition
MOSES LAKE — Drivers on Interstate 90 in Moses Lake should be prepared for detours beginning July 27 as the freeway is closed temporarily to demolish the Hansen Road overpass. The closure is expected last several days.
Moses Lake program to encourage residents to volunteer their talents
MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake City Administrator Rob Karlinsey said it’s starting small, but city officials are looking to recruit volunteers to help improve the town. Karlinsey said city officials will be asking people to help clean streets and other public spaces. There will be more volunteer opportunities to follow.
After Fourth of July break, work resumes on regional road construction Monday
MOSES LAKE — While road construction is on hold for the July 4 weekend, there’s still the potential for traffic slowdowns. “Heavy traffic everywhere,” according to a media release from the Washington Department of Transportation.
Busy fire season continues in Moses Lake, Quincy
MOSES LAKE — An early-morning fire destroyed an outbuilding at the Gorge Amphitheatre near Quincy Wednesday, one of the latest in what’s been a busy fire season. Moses Lake Fire Department crews extinguished two fires in almost the same place on two different days this week.
Another pilot project for Othello ASR facility to start in July
OTHELLO — The next phase in a long-running project to use canal water to supplement Othello’s water system should begin in late July or early August. The test of an alternate water treatment system will be completed in spring 2027.
Moses Lake street changes reducing traffic crashes, according to data
MOSES LAKE — Accident rates declined after Moses Lake city officials revised traffic lanes in sections of Moses Lake’s downtown, along East Hill Avenue and East Wheeler Road, at least in the first 200 days. Levi Bisnett, Moses Lake project engineer, reviewed the results of about six months of data with Moses Lake City Council members at a special meeting Tuesday.
Grant County Commissioners allow fireworks, precautions urged
EPHRATA — Grant County Commissioners decided Monday not to ban fireworks in the unincorporated areas of Grant County, but they are urging people to take precautions if they do decide to celebrate July 4 with a bang.
Fireworks prohibited in some jurisdictions, precautions advised in others
EPHRATA — Fireworks have always been one of the traditions of celebrating the nation’s birthday. In 2026, however, people are being advised to be cautious with them – if they’re set off at all.
Moses Lake council member rebuked by colleagues
Council offers support of legislators after councilman Lombardi statement
MOSES LAKE — Six Moses Lake City Council members publicly repudiated comments made by councilman Victor Lombardi, at the regular council meeting June 23.
Hansen Road overpass demo starts July 7
MOSES LAKE — Demolition will begin July 7 on the overpass at Hansen Road in Moses Lake. Washington Department of Transportation officials will release a list of recommended detours on July 1.
Othello council ratifies three-year contract with police unions
OTHELLO — The city of Othello has reached agreement with the union representing Othello Police Department officers and OPD sergeants. The three-year agreements, separate contracts for officers and sergeants, were ratified by the Othello City Council Monday.
Moses Lake man arrested on suspicion of rape of a child
OTHELLO — A Moses Lake man has been arrested on suspicion of second-degree rape of a child and sexual exploitation of a minor, according to a media release from the Othello Police Department.