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
Summer’s end approaches, but roadwork continues
MOSES LAKE — Summer is winding down, but road construction season still has a couple more months to go – something drivers will have to keep in mind when school starts next week. Sections of A Street Northeast and Jackrabbit Street Northeast in Quincy remain closed for construction.
Grant County Fair history barn keeps fair memories alive
MOSES LAKE — There was a time, that time being 1911, when Wilson Creek was the up-and-coming town in a county that was only two years old. Back in the day, every self-respecting county had to have a county fair, so the good folks of Wilson Creek sponsored one. The history barn at the Grant County Fairgrounds has a picture of the 1911 fair parade as well as a copy of the fair program. Some existing events can trace their roots back to that first fair – livestock exhibits, for example – but others are long gone. The 2026 fair isn’t sponsoring three-legged races, potato sack races, or a footrace for men weighing more than 200 pounds.
First-year rabbit competitor takes home Grand Champion ribbon
MOSES LAKE — Remmi Reffett and her rabbit Domino did pretty well at the 2026 Grant County Fair, all things considered. “We won Grand Champion in showing,” Reffett said. “And he got Best of Breed and Reserve (Champion) Best in Barn. This is also only my first year showing rabbits.”
Fire weather watch in effect Saturday
MOSES LAKE — The National Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather Watch for much of eastern Washington, including Grant and Adams counties, for Saturday afternoon and evening.
Sila Nanotechnologies looking at possible Moses Lake expansion
Quincy Solar project breaks ground
Sila Nanotechnologies is considering expansion of its Moses Lake facility following the announcement of a $1.4 billion loan from the U.S. Department of Defense earlier this month. The company also received about $300 million in funding in July, said co-founder and chief executive officer Gene Berdichevsky.
‘We’re planting seeds’
FFA shows students opportunities in agriculture
MOSES LAKE — Othello High School ag teacher Chris Baginski said there’s plenty of opportunity in agriculture, and one of the goals of FFA is to show students what’s possible, no matter their background. Many FFA participants don’t have farm experience, he said, but there’s room in agriculture nonetheless.
DiscoverWorks summer school program -- a fun way to learn for Royal students
ROYAL CITY — The Royal School District was chosen for the inaugural DiscoverWorks program in Washington. The program is the work of a foundation based in Bellevue, the Ballmer Group. The Wahluke School District also was part of the initial program.
Day of preparation before the Grant County Fair opens
MOSES LAKE — For the volunteers at the Covenant Christian School booth, the Grant County Fair started with a lesson in how to make smoothies. The fair starts today, and CCS students, staff and parent volunteers are running the fruit smoothie booth as a school fundraiser. Monday was the day to set up the displays, booths and tents, house the animals, enter exhibits and generally clean up those spaces that are used sparingly during the rest of the year. The booth was packed with parents, staff and CCS elementary and high school students. Principal Desiree Sept said CCS does use a lot of its equipment year-round, but a test run is never a bad idea.
Man hit by bus near Gorge Amphitheatre
QUINCY — A Spokane Valley man was airlifted to an out-of-area hospital after he was struck by a bus near the Gorge Amphitheatre early Friday morning. Alexis Morga-Sevilla, 29, was hit by the bus after he stepped into the road at about 1:30 a.m. Friday, said Kyle Foreman, public information officer for the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. Morga-Sevilla was walking near Silica Road and Sagecliff Road Northwest, Foreman said, and was wearing dark clothing at the time of the incident.
Gorge death under investigation as controlled substance homicide
MOSES LAKE — The death of an Olympia man at the Gorge Amphitheater over the weekend is being investigated as a controlled substance homicide. A Seattle man was arrested on controlled substance distribution charges in connection with the case. Quincy Travers, 28, was booked into the Grant County Jail on suspicion of one count of delivery of a controlled substance and three counts of possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute, said Kyle Foreman, public information officer for the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, in a media release. Travers was identified by witnesses as the man who sold the victim the drugs, Foreman said. “Cocaine was the drug,” Foreman told the Columbia Basin Herald in a separate interview. “Whether the dose, or amount, he was using was too strong or whether he used too much, I don’t know.”
Death at the Gorge under investigation as controlled substance homicide
QUINCY — The death of an Olympia man at the Gorge Amphitheater over the weekend is being investigated as a controlled substance homicide. A Seattle man was arrested on controlled substance distribution charges in connection with the case.
New location, big crowd for Cowboy Breakfast
MOSES LAKE — The traditional kickoff for the Grant County Fair and Moses Lake Roundup drew a crowd that filled the back patio at its new location. The Cowboy Breakfast is a longstanding tradition that dates back decades, with the Elks Lodge hosting breakfast for 2026. Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce Manager Debbie Doran-Martinez said it drew a lot of interest, including so many sponsors that breakfast could be offered free of charge.
Basin road projects ongoing to the end of summer -- some into fall
QUINCY — Back-to-school sales, NFL preseason games, apple harvest dead ahead – it's still summer, but fall is approaching. While some road projects are wrapping up, others are still ongoing, and some will continue after fall gets here.
Port of Quincy electrical project hoping to start generation in 2029
QUINCY — A project to bring a standalone energy source to the Quincy area could be in the testing phase by 2029. Port of Quincy Commissioner Brian Kuest said Wednesday that Colusa Indian Energy has completed a first draft of a proposal that eventually will be submitted to state and federal agencies.
Moses Lake man arrested for unlawful gun possession
MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man was booked on suspicion of possession of narcotics, possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of firearms after a search of his home turned up four guns he allegedly wasn’t allowed to possess.
Othello School District 2026-27 finances healthy -- but there are warning signs
OTHELLO — While the Othello School District is in good financial condition for 2026-27, things look a little bumpy over the next four to five years unless there’s some advance planning. Othello School Board members reviewed the proposed 2026-27 budget Monday, and Othello Superintendent Pete Perez said there could be some tough decisions ahead.
Othello City Council considering second pool bond proposal
OTHELLO — The fate of the Othello Community Pool – whether to fix or replace it, how to fix it, and when – was the subject of a lively discussion at a special meeting of the Othello City Council Monday.
Othello City Council approves pre-annexation fire contract
OTHELLO — The city of Othello and Adams County Fire District 5 will work to annex the city into ACFD 5. Othello City Council members approved a pre-annexation agreement with the fire district on a 6-0 vote Monday.
Port of Moses Lake issues bonds to buy property
MOSES LAKE — The Port of Moses Lake will issue about $19 million in bonds to buy land adjoining existing port property.
Evaluation of possible Othello School District construction bond underway
OTHELLO — There’s no timeline, and any possible construction bond is still in the discussion phase, but Othello School Board members and Othello School District officials may be asking for a bond in the next few years. Board members have approved a facility analysis that’s one of the requirements for the district to qualify for state construction funding.
Warden PD chief outlines best ways to get quick response
WARDEN — The Warden Police Department is advising residents that the best way to ensure the quickest response is through the lines at the Multi-Agency Communications Center, also known as MACC.
Wahluke School District general fund budget about $52.6 million for 2026-27
MATTAWA — The Wahluke School District will operate with a general fund of about $52.6 million for the 2026-27 school year. The general fund pays for most district operations, including staff salaries and supplies.
Shifting traffic lanes planned along I-90 in Hansen Road construction zone
MOSES LAKE — At least for a while, drivers at the Hansen Road intersection on Interstate 90 probably won’t face delays but will be working their way through the construction zone.
Wahluke DiscoverWorks summer experiment proving successful
MATTAWA — The Wahluke School District experimented with a new summer learning opportunity, and it looks like a success. The district was one of the first group of schools in Washington to be selected for the DiscoverWorks summer program, the work of a Michigan-based foundation, the Ballmer Group. Bethany Martinez, director of WSD’s Department of Migrant and Multilingual Services, said most children who joined the program stayed with it to the end.
Bystander pulls man from truck in water at Blue Heron boat launch
MOSES LAKE — A bystander pulled a man to safety after the truck the man was in rolled into the water at the Blue Heron Park boat launch early Wednesday morning. The unidentified man was seriously injured.
Early morning fire damages Moses Lake residence, no injuries reported
Othello splash pad progressing, pool options being considered
OTHELLO — The underground plumbing has been installed and the concrete has been poured at the new splash pad in Othello’s Kiwanis Park. Construction is scheduled to begin Aug. 17 to rebuild and extend the walking paths through the park.
Proposed development prompts discussion of city street improvements in Othello
OTHELLO — The proposed redevelopment of a commercial site in the south section of Othello prompted discussion of what that development, and others, would mean for city streets along SR 24, and for the state highway itself.
Smoke and unhealthy air quality to continue throughout the week
MOSES LAKE — The smoky skies and poor air quality are forecast to stick around the Columbia Basin, at least through most of this week. The National Weather Service issued an “extreme fire risk” warning for last weekend, and while no major fires were reported in Grant County, surrounding areas weren’t so lucky.
Primary election to narrow candidate fields
EPHRATA — Races for local, statewide and federal offices will be winnowed to two candidates in today’s primary election. Not all races attracted more than two candidates, so not all races are on the primary ballot. In Grant County, four people are running for Commission District 3, which opened when longtime commissioner Cindy Carter retired. In the primary, however, only voters who live within the commissioner district are eligible to cast ballots.
Stoke Space Technologies announces Moses Lake expansion
MOSES LAKE — A company experimenting with reusable rockets will be expanding its operations in Moses Lake. Stoke Space Technologies will be adding test facilities on 324 acres across the road from its existing location on Road G Northeast at the Port of Moses Lake.
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.