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
Moore Brewing beer gets the word out about Carp Classic
MOSES LAKE — People who want to learn more about – and support - an unusual fishing tournament on Moses Lake now can do it with a glass of locally brewed summer beer. The Carp Classic is scheduled for May 17; rather than casting a line in the water, participants pull out their bows and arrows. It's an unusual way to get some of the nuisance fish out of Moses Lake and thereby improve lake quality.
Community volunteers sought for Wahluke facility committee
MATTAWA — People interested in helping write a plan to determine when and how the Wahluke School District will maintain and upgrade its facilities, among other things, are being invited to be part of a planning committee. The first meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. March 11 in the Wahluke School District office, 411 Saddle Mountain Drive.
Othello man arraigned for possessing explicit images of children
OTHELLO — An Othello man was arraigned Feb. 26 in federal court in the Eastern District of Washington on 11 counts of possession or production of material with sexually explicit images of children, extortion and interstate communication of a threat.
Defense key to ACH boys state basketball round two win
WENATCHEE — The Almira-Coulee/Hartline Warriors used a stifling defense to take a decisive 69-34 win over the Ocosta Wildcats in the second round of the Class 1B boys state basketball tournament Friday at Wenatchee High School. ACH held Ocosta to less than 10 points in the second and third quarters, and Coach Graham Grindy said defense was the key.
Man killed in accidental shooting
MOSES LAKE — An 18-year-old Moses Lake man was killed when he and another man were reportedly playing with a gun late Thursday night.
Car chase, robberies make for busy MLPD shift
MOSES LAKE — Two people were arrested for theft after a pursuit and another in a separate burglary, both in Moses Lake, while Moses Lake Police Department detectives investigated a fatal accidental shooting, all in the space of about six hours Thursday night into Friday morning. “Busy night,” said MLPD Captain Jeff Sursely. “We ended up calling the detectives out.”
Top seed ACH opens boys state championship play today
WENATCHEE — The top-seeded Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors open the first round of the Class 1B state tournament against the Ocosta Wildcats at 6 p.m. Friday at Wenatchee High School.
Sale of possible 12th Moses Lake elementary site still pending
MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake School District officials have started a committee that will conduct a review of all district facilities, including the potential construction of a new elementary school. Funding for the new campus was approved by voters in a 2017 bond election but the pandemic and other factors have delayed its development.
More water conservation work to come in Moses Lake
MOSES LAKE — Conservation measures have saved the city of Moses Lake a lot of water over the last two years, but not as much as the city has lost through system leaks. City officials will be working in 2025 to identify leaks and address them. Mayor Dustin Swartz said finding leaks is a priority.
Royal boys take on Meridian in first round of Class 1A state basketball
ROYAL CITY — While both teams are on their way to the Yakima Sundome, the Royal High School boys basketball team will take on Meridian (Bellingham) Friday to determine who will be guaranteed two more games in the state tournament.
Quincy ice cream shop moving into expanded location
QUINCY — The La Michoacana Paleteria makes ice cream and frozen treats that are so popular its owners are expanding into a much bigger space. Owner Heriberto Birrueta said demand has grown – a lot. As a result, they’ve outgrown their current location at 6 D St. SE.
Grant Co. road construction season starts March 10
EPHRATA — A section of Westshore Drive is scheduled for a complete rebuild in 2025, and upgrades are planned for a section of Stratford Road. Westshore Drive construction begins March 10. A pedestrian trail and traffic circles will be added in Desert Aire, and a third section of Drumheller Road will be graded. Those are among the road improvement projects scheduled for Grant County in 2025.
Maverick swimmers break personal records at state
FEDERAL WAY — The Moses Lake High School boys swim team finished the state meet with a long list of personal records. The Mavs tied with Kentwood for 26th place with nine points. Luke Molitor was Moses Lake’s highest placer, finishing 14th in the 100-yard butterfly.
Bridge and two Adams Co. roads scheduled for work in 2025
RITZVILLE — Sections of two Adams County roads were closed on an emergency basis following wet and windy weather. Others are subject to closure as spring approaches.
Changes coming to Mattawa development application process
MATTAWA — With residential and commercial building activity coming to Mattawa, city officials are working on ways to streamline the development application process. Rachelle Bradley of SCJ Alliance, the city’s planners, told Mattawa City Council members that a checklist is being prepared to give people thinking about development some basic guidelines.
Lincoln Day Dinner draws big crowd
MOSES LAKE — Members and guests of the Grant County Republican Party gathered Saturday night to discuss the issues, network and fundraise at the annual Lincoln Day dinner. Andrew Koeppen, county chair, said the dinner was sold out. “Our preliminary numbers show this was another record year,” Koeppen said. The Lincoln Day Dinner is a longtime annual event for Republicans, and the 2025 dinner featured talks from William Kirk with Washington Gun Law and Mary Dye (R-Pomeroy), who represents the Ninth District in the Washington House of Representatives.
Port adopts updated strategic plan
MOSES LAKE — Within five years Port of Moses Lake officials have set the goal of completing a rail line to the port and will be working to provide additional electricity to its tenants – or will already be providing it. The port will be operating its own water system and will have additional businesses in the property on its western edge. Those are among the goals in the five-year strategic plan, approved by port commissioners Monday. Commissioner Kent Jones said it’s a work in progress, building off the previous plan. And since it’s a plan, it’s subject to change. “Our thought process is that this is a plan of what we expect to do over the next five years,” Jones said. “It doesn’t tell us who’s going to do it or how it’s going to get done – and some of these are aspirational goals anyway.” Kim Detrolio, the port’s director of finance and administration, said port officials already are working on some of the projects, but more are planned. “it’s an expa
Lions win fourth straight Central Washington 1B district title
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Christian Academy/Cascade Christan School boys basketball team won their fourth consecutive Central Washington 1B District 6 championship Feb. 21 with a 49-26 win over Waterville-Mansfield. The Lions were among local teams looking to qualify for the state tournament over the weekend.
Wahluke, MLSD, Ephrata levy requests approved by voters
EPHRATA — Voters in the Moses Lake and Ephrata school districts approved maintenance and operations levies and Wahluke School District voters approved a capital projects levy. The results of the Feb. 11 special election were certified Friday. Moses Lake School District patrons approved a four-year levy request with 6,690 yes votes to 4,533 no votes, 59.61% approving. The passage came after levy voters twice rejected a levy request in 2024. At the same time district officials discovered that accounting errors and inaccurate enrollment counts had drained MLSD reserves.
Applications sought for GCFD 8 commissioner
MATTAWA — Applications will be accepted through March 7 to fill an open seat on the Grant County Fire District 8 commission.
Othello man faces animal cruelty charges
OTHELLO — Dogs were confiscated from an Othello man Feb. 18 after a report that the animals were neglected. Ulises Neponoceno Pineda was cited for second-degree animal cruelty, a gross misdemeanor, according to a release from the Othello Police Department. The dogs were initially taken to a local veterinarian.
Moses Lake swim team looking for improvement at state meet
FEDERAL WAY — Moses Lake High School boys swimming coach Tony Preston said his team is ready to climb up the rankings at the state meet this weekend. “The top 16 (placers) go on to swim on Saturday, and we really want to do that,” he said. “Only two or three of our swimmers are ranked in the top 16, but I think we’re going to do a lot better than that.”
Fees set for Quincy short-term rental permits
QUINCY — Quincy residents who want to convert property into short-term rentals will be required to buy a permit and update it annually. Quincy Public Works Director Carl Worley said the ordinance is something relatively new in Quincy.
SkillSource offers skills development, employment aid
MOSES LAKE — Finding a job can be tricky. Job seekers may not have the right skills, or may need help polishing up their qualifications. They might need help making the right connections or face other challenges. Emily Anderson, career and training manager for SkillSource in Moses Lake, said its job is helping people find not only new jobs, but new careers.
Warden boys look for top 10 finish, seven Cougar girls make state
WARDEN — Warden boys wrestling coach Johnny Hernandez said his team has measured itself – and improved – against tough competition all year. It has paid off with 14 Warden wrestlers advancing to Mat Classic. “Last year we only took four guys. Now we’ve got 14. We’re definitely looking to do better than we did last year,” Hernandez said. “Our goal at the end of the year was to be in the top 10 (at the state tournament), and I think we’ve got the team to do it.”
Quincy takes large team to Mat Classic, hopes for hardware
QUINCY — Quincy girls wrestling coach Mark Kondo said the format for Mat Classic has changed, but his team will be competing against familiar opponents. Quincy moved to Class 2A at the beginning of the 2024-25 school year, and Mat Classic changed to a new format for 2025, with a separate tournament for Class 2A. But Kondo said those changes really won’t make much difference for the Jacks.
Knights ready for battle in the Dome, coaches say
ROYAL CITY — Royal High School girls wrestling coach Jesus Carlos Villa said the Knights have a chance to do well at Mat Classic 2025, and it’s a testament to his wrestlers and the coaching staff. “It’s about peaking at the right time. You never want to peak too early, because then you wrestle too flat, and you definitely don’t want to peak too late, because the opportunity is gone. I feel like the girls are coming along. The coaches are doing a great job of keeping the girls motivated, trying to keep them technically sharp,” Villa said. “I’m the head (coach), but they’re the ones that are in there helping motivate the girls.”
Huskies wrestlers work to achieve lofty goals in Tacoma
OTHELLO — Othello girls wrestling coach Sonny Rocha said the coaches set a lofty goal for the Huskies in the 2024-25 season, and he’s optimistic his team can reach it after earning the district championship this year. “Our goal at the beginning was to be state champions, so sending 14 quality girls, it’s going to be something that’s going to set us up for that stage,” Rocha said. “It's just going to be a matter of doing the same thing we’ve been doing all year.”
Annexation request may be coming to Othello
OTHELLO — New property could be coming into the city of Othello, destined for eventual development. Othello City Council members approved a “notice of intent” for annexation at the regular meeting Feb. 10. Development Director Anne Henning said in a separate interview that the notice of annexation starts the process, but that’s just the start. “The council looks at the boundaries of the proposed annexation, the zoning and the indebtedness,” Henning told council members. “Approving it to move forward doesn’t mean you’re approving the annexation.”
Moses Lake freshman basketball team finishes with undefeated season
MOSES LAKE — About halfway through the season, Moses Lake High School freshman boys basketball coach Ryan Carlstrom and his players noticed something – they were undefeated. They wanted to keep it up.
BASIN HOOPS ROUNDUP: Some teams advance, some go home in district basketball
MOSES LAKE — The field is narrowing as boys and girls basketball teams from around the Columbia Basin work their way toward the state tournaments. Some teams are already on their way to state; others are still in contention. Where teams are and where they’re headed is listed below.
'Big hospital care'
General surgeon joins Othello Community Hospital staff
OTHELLO — General surgeon Sam Hsieh – pronounced “shay” - traveled an interesting road to his full-time job at Othello Hospital. “I was born in Hong Kong and moved to Canada when I was five,” he said. “I did my med school in Ireland and met my wife there. We went to Texas for our residency training program.”
Wahluke capital levy request passing in updated vote totals
EPHRATA — A Wahluke School District capital levy request that was losing after the first vote count Feb. 11 edged ahead in updated vote totals released Feb. 13, according to the Grant County Auditor’s Office. The total of yes votes increased slightly for educational programs and operations levies submitted to voters by the Moses Lake and Ephrata school districts.
Division Street sewer upgrade project almost complete
MOSES LAKE — A project to upgrade a sewer lift station on South Division Street in Moses Lake is in the final stages.
Nat Washington Way roundabout coming summer 2025
EPHRATA — Construction is planned this summer on a new roundabout at the intersection of State Route 282 and Nat Washington Way near the new Grant County Jail construction site. Grant County Central Services Director Tom Gaines said there is a tentative timeline.
Joann Fabric and Crafts Moses Lake location to close
MOSES LAKE — The Joann Fabric and Crafts location in Moses Lake is one of 21 stores that will be closing as the company continues bankruptcy proceedings. Locations in East Wenatchee, Walla Walla and Clarkston also will be closing, along with one of two locations in Spokane and one location in Spokane Valley.
2025 special election turnout in line with five-year trends
EPHRATA — As of Tuesday, 35.78% of eligible voters in five Grant County school districts cast ballots in the February special election, according to the Grant County Auditor’s Office. That’s a preliminary estimate; it may change as additional ballots are counted. Updated vote totals will be announced Friday afternoon. The election certification date is Feb. 21.
Moses Lake man pleads guilty to possession of child pornography
OTHELLO — A Moses Lake man will be sentenced April 8 after pleading guilty to three counts of possessing sexually explicit images of children Tuesday. Dustin Blaske, 40, pleaded guilty in Grant County Superior Court to three counts of first-degree possessing depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. He was caught following an investigation in 2021, according to a release from the Othello Police Department.
‘Cat roundup’ under consideration in Othello
OTHELLO — Othello city officials will review the cost of doing a “cat roundup” to remove feral cats, spay and neuter them, then release them back into neighborhoods. Cats were part of a discussion of animal control by the Othello City Council Monday. Mayor Shawn Logan said a cat roundup probably wouldn’t be a one-time event, if city officials decide to go ahead.
Voters rejecting Wahluke capital levy request in early results
MATTAWA — Wahluke School District voters are saying no to a proposal that would help pay the balance of a loan taken out for improvements at Mattawa Elementary School and pay for upgrades to fire and security alarm systems in four district buildings. “I guess it means we have to weigh staffing against these capital upgrades, and how much more can we cut?” said Wahluke Superintendent Andy Harlow.
Four dead after car hits bus near Wenatchee
EAST WENATCHEE — Four people were killed when a car hit a bus head-on about 11 miles south of East Wenatchee early Sunday afternoon.
Moses Lake Air Show to move to different dates for 2025
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Air Show will move to a new weekend in 2025 and change back to a Friday-Saturday show. Rich Mueller of the air show’s board of directors (and the airport director for the Port of Moses Lake) reviewed the 2024 event and talked about some of the changes coming for 2025. He spoke during the regular port commission meeting Monday morning.
Family Resources Home Care purchases Beneficial In-Home Care
MOSES LAKE — Two home health care agencies that have offices in Moses Lake have merged. Beneficial In-Home Care has been acquired by Family Resource Home Care; the sale was announced Feb. 5. Samantha Hoffman, marketing project manager for Family Resource Home Care, said patients shouldn’t experience any changes in the services from either agency.
Grant PUD general manager leaving for Georgia job
EPHRATA — Grant County Public Utility District General Manager Rich Wallen has announced his resignation from the PUD to take a new job in Georgia. Wallen will take the job of chief operating officer and executive vice president at Oglethorpe Power in Tucker, Georgia. Wallen worked there from 2014 to 2017.
Newhouse introduces bill to increase promotion money in export markets
YAKIMA — Additional funding could be available to promote farm products from Washington and throughout the nation under the terms of a bill introduced by Fourth District Congressman Dan Newhouse Thursday. The “Agriculture Export Promotion Act of 2025” has bipartisan co-sponsors from other parts of the country, including Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, California and Maine.
Future and development focus of ML council discussion
MOSES LAKE — Water, urban growth and future development was the focus of an extensive discussion by the Moses Lake City Council while they considered amendments to the city’s comprehensive plan. The council considered an extensive list of amendments, with the discussion focusing on the city’s urban growth boundary. That prompted a question from council member Deanna Martinez.
Group14 projects production delayed
MOSES LAKE — Production at the Group14 facility in Moses Lake is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2025. Company officials originally hoped to start production in late 2024. Katie Rolnick, Group14 senior communications manager, said the facility, known as BAM-2, is still under construction.
New law adds ID to Department of Corrections reentry plans
OLYMPIA — A new law will require the Department of Corrections to help state inmates to get some form of state identification before they are released. The law, which went into effect in January, requires the Washington Department of Corrections to make identification available as part of a reentry plan program that was already mandated by the state.
Students think fast during Amazing Shake
MATTAWA — Let’s see – the preamble to the U.S. Constitution. Aiden Avila Salgado ran through it one more time with his friend Ledger Carl while they waited their turn at what is known as the gauntlet. The school fight song? McFarland Middle School students practiced as they lined up.
Family seeks help in finding missing Moses Lake teen
MOSES LAKE — The family of a missing Moses Lake teen is asking for help in finding him.