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
Grant Co. primary election ballots set after filing last week
EPHRATA — All three open seats on the Quincy City Council will be on the primary ballot, along with the Grand Coulee mayor’s job and one seat on the Soap Lake School Board. The mayors of Ephrata and Quincy will also face challengers. Candidate filing for the 2025 election was last week.
ROAD REPORT: Westshore Dr. and Othello roundabout updates
MOSES LAKE — The rebuilding of a 2.1-mile section of Westshore Drive west of Moses Lake has reached the sidewalk stage.
Moses Lake man arrested in assault, meth case
MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man was arrested Tuesday and booked into the Spokane County Jail on suspicion of trafficking methamphetamines following an alleged assault in late April.
Occupants evicted from Hiawatha Lake camp
MOSES LAKE — Occupants of an encampment near Moses Lake were notified they were trespassing Wednesday morning and asked to leave by Thursday morning.
Defensive driving key for vehicle drivers and motorcycle riders
MOSES LAKE — Spring is here, summer is coming and among other things that means motorcycles returning to the road. That means vehicle drivers may need to readjust their thinking, and motorcycle riders may need to reacquaint themselves with the bike.
Othello receives $1 million capital budget allocation for water reuse facility
OTHELLO — The city of Othello will receive about $1 million from the Washington Senate capital budget for a long-running project for water aquifer storage and recharge.
West hired as Moses Lake School District administrator
MOSES LAKE — Scott West said he thinks his new job is the right fit for him and for the Moses Lake School District. West was hired as executive director of safety and wellbeing last week.
Applications open for Othello Community Hospital position
OTHELLO — The Othello Community Hospital Board will meet at 4 p.m. Wednesday to discuss candidates for an open position on the board.
Mattawa in line for additional water rights
MATTAWA — The city of Mattawa has secured a place in line for new water rights. Jamin Ankney of Gray and Osborne, the city’s engineers, said the Washington Department of Ecology is taking applications for additional water rights in very limited areas, a consequence of local conditions in those areas.
Five arrested in Othello trafficking investigation
OTHELLO — Five men were arrested on suspicion of attempting to patronize a prostitute during an operation conducted recently in Othello, according to a release from the Othello Police Department. The announcement was made May 2.
Transit authority to buy property for Ephrata transit center
EPHRATA — A former auto dealership in Ephrata is scheduled to be converted into a Grant Transit Authority transit center. The GTA board authorized the purchase of 548 Basin St. SW at a special meeting Monday. The property was the Barry auto dealership until earlier this year.
Lots of options at MLHS College and Career Day
MOSES LAKE — One of the challenges of high school is that eventually, it comes to an end. Graduation arrives and – then what? Whatever the choice – college or into the workforce, career training or military service – the decision affects the rest of the student’s life.
Addressing homelessness discussed at DMLA event
MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake city officials will sponsor a town hall meeting June 2 to discuss how the city plans to proceed following the closure of the Open Doors Sleep Center. City Manager Rob Karlinsey said Friday that an update on the plans will be provided to the Moses Lake City Council at 5:30 p.m. May 13, prior to the regular council meeting.
Website launched for Moses Lake seal coat project
MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake city officials have started a website with information on a proposed chip seal project that could mean major changes to West Third, West Fourth and West Fifth avenues downtown, along with East Wheeler Road and East Hill Avenue.
Various road projects underway in Columbia Basin
MOSES LAKE — Drivers around Moses Lake will have seen the truck with the tank in the back and the guy with a hose looking like he’s vacuuming the street. Actually, the attachment that resembles a vacuum is sealing cracks in the pavement.
Sleep center's closure part of a more complex situation
MOSES LAKE — The decision by the Moses Lake City Council to end support for the Open Doors sleep center has prompted a lot of discussion, from the April 22 council meeting to community members to the people who use the sleep center itself.
Group14 to slow Moses Lake project
MOSES LAKE — Group14, a battery manufacturing company, will slow down but not stop construction of its Moses Lake facility. The company announced Thursday that the opening of its Moses Lake production plant will be pushed back to the second half of 2025.
Money allocated for irrigation project north of I-90
MOSES LAKE — About $44 million in state funding will be allocated to a section of the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Project as part of the Washington Senate’s capital budget. The budget was approved Sunday.
Aircraft firefighting spring session starts May 1
MOSES LAKE — Big Bend Community College will be hosting firefighters from throughout the Pacific Northwest at the spring session of the Aircraft Rescue Firefighting Program beginning May 1. College officials said that means people will be seeing smoke – sometimes a big black plume of it - from the area west of the Grant County International Airport.
Filing period next week for Adams County offices
RITZVILLE — Two Adams County towns will be electing mayors, most will be electing city council and school board members along with fire, parks and recreation and port district commissioners. The filing period for the 2025 election is May 5 through 9.
Candidate filing period scheduled for next week
EPHRATA — Twelve cities in Grant County will be electing mayors in 2025, city council and school board seats will be on the ballot, along with other jobs such as fire and hospital district commissioners. The filing period for the 2025 election is May 5-9.
Moses Lake approves new contract with employee union
MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake municipal employees represented by Washington State Council of City and County Employees will receive a 3% pay raise in 2025. Moses Lake City Council members approved a three-year contract April 22.
Bill revises rules for police, fire state retirement plan
OLYMPIA — The Washington Legislature has approved revisions to state law that will make it easier for law enforcement officers and firefighters in one tier of the state’s retirement system to use time they spent on authorized leave toward their retirement, regardless of whether they returned to work.
Steady home sales market in Moses Lake
MOSES LAKE — The return of mortgage interest rates to more historic norms has resulted in a Moses Lake housing market that’s closer to historic norms. Longtime real estate professional Alan Heroux said there are about 210 to 215 houses on the market currently, compared to a historic average of about 250 to 350 at any given time. But a couple of years ago the number was less than 30 houses for sale at any given time, he said.
Workshop Tuesday to discuss possible revisions to downtown Moses Lake streets
MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake residents are being invited to discuss a project that may mean some revisions to Third, Fourth and Fifth avenues, as well as roundabout at the intersection of Wheeler Road and Road L Northeast. The open house is scheduled for 5 to 7 p.m. April 29 at the Moses Lake Civic Center auditorium, 401 S. Balsam St.
Moses Lake, Warden residents arrested on drug, weapons charges
MOSES LAKE — Two Moses Lake and two Warden residents are in federal custody in connection with multiple investigations by the Moses Lake Police Department and two federal agencies into drug trafficking and firearms violations.
Mattawa Public Library to expand hours, add services
MATTAWA — North Central Washington Libraries officials will be expanding the hours at the Mattawa Public Library. The library is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. four days a week, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. It's open Wednesday morning from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Adams Co. Fire District 5 chief to retire
OTHELLO — Longtime Adams County Fire District 5 Chief Gary Lebacken has announced his retirement effective May 31. Lebacken will be replaced by GCFD 5 Assistant Chief Tom Salsbury. Lebacken has been ACFD 5 chief since 2008, but he started as a volunteer firefighter in 1982. He became a volunteer captain in 1989, an assistant chief as a volunteer in 1999, and was hired full-time in 2001.
Yakima man arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking
GRANT COUNTY — A Yakima man was arrested on possession of fentanyl and methamphetamines with intent to deliver during a traffic stop April 18.
Three injured in two separate collisions near Othello
OTHELLO — An Othello woman was injured and charges are pending against a Moses Lake man following a head-on collision near Othello Saturday evening. An Othello man was injured when his car was hit while he was directing traffic at the scene after the initial crash. According to a press release from the Washington State Patrol, Demetrio Robles, 19, of Moses Lake was driving north on State Route 17 about two miles north of Othello when he crossed the centerline and ran head-on into a vehicle driven by Nancy Cortes, 44. The collision occurred at about 8:30 p.m.
Quincy continues to consider downtown big rig restrictions
QUINCY — Semi-trucks, where they should and shouldn’t be on the streets of Quincy, is a subject of longstanding discussion, which continued during a public hearing April 15 on a proposed ordinance to change designated truck routes.
Moses Lake council votes to end support of sleep center
MOSES LAKE — The city of Moses Lake will end its support of the Open Doors sleep center June 30. Moses Lake City Council members made the decision in a unanimous vote at a special meeting and workshop on homeless issues Friday.
Mattawa woman arrested for daughter’s overdose death
MATTAWA — A Mattawa woman was arrested and booked into the Grant County Jail on suspicion of controlled substance homicide in connection with the death of her 16-year-old daughter in 2024. Ashley Perin Sandoval, 40, was arrested April 14 on suspicion of involving a minor in a drug transaction, distribution to people less than 18 years of age and endangerment with a controlled substance in addition to the homicide charge.
MLSD hires new transpo directors
MOSES LAKE — Longtime Moses Lake School District employee Dyan Ford has been named one of two people to lead MLSD’s transportation department. Ford will be the Director of Transportation,Personnel. Amiee Cook, currently director of transportation for the Prosser School District, will take over as Director of Transportation, Operations.
Moses Lake residents invited to chip and seal info night
MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake residents are being invited to an open house to discuss the city’s proposed 2025 seal coat project from 5 to 7 p.m. April 29 at the Moses Lake Civic Center auditorium, 401 S. Balsam St.
Transportation options focus of Grant Transit
MOSES LAKE — The Grant Transit Authority may be working on a pilot project to provide on-request bus service to senior citizens, starting in selected areas of Grant County. That was one of the possibilities discussed during the GTA board’s annual review Thursday.
Quincy-area recreation area project still uncertain
QUINCY — The ultimate fate of Port of Quincy-owned property overlooking the Columbia River, originally intended for a recreation and wildlife viewing area, is still to be determined. Port officials purchased about 90 acres in 2013, with the intention of developing the site for camping, along with picnic tables, a building that could be used for small events and other amenities. But Port Commissioner Patric Connelly said the plans didn’t work out, and so far, plans to sell it haven’t worked out either.
Donation helps Confluence Health purchase new equipment
WENATCHEE — A donation from a longtime Wenatchee physician helped Confluence Health officials buy equipment for an upgraded patient monitoring system and simulators for emergency response.
Quincy public works to experiment with four-day week
QUINCY — Quincy public works employees will be experimenting with a four-day work week this summer, one of the provisions in a new contract between the city and the union representing public works. The new contract, which replaces the existing contract, was approved by Quincy City Council members Tuesday by a 5-0 vote. Union members had ratified it earlier. The contract will be in effect for four years.
Wahluke High students bring home SkillsUSA medals
MATTAWA — Wahluke High School junior Diana Barber said her performance in regional SkillsUSA competition left her a little unsure going into state competition. While she was satisfied with her performance on the test in the medical math category, she just wasn’t sure. “I try not to get my hopes up,” she said.
Public hearings set for Othello housing regulations
OTHELLO — The Othello Planning Commission will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. April 21 on amendments to city zoning regulations that would allow the establishment of transitional and other types of temporary and supportive housing within the city limits. A public hearing is scheduled for the April 28 Othello City Council meeting. Othello Community Development Director Anne Henning said state law mandates the changes. The city is not required to build what is called “STEP” housing, however.
Adams Co. Sheriff addresses driver’s license suspension
RITZVILLE — Adams County Sheriff Dale Wagner has had his driver’s license reinstated; it had been suspended in mid-2023 over a traffic fine Wagner said he didn’t know he owed.
Grant PUD commissioners approve 20-year solar power production contract
EPHRATA — A solar power project that received a construction permit in 2020 is projected to be producing electricity by late 2027. Grant County Public Utility District commissioners approved a power purchasing agreement with Quincy Solar on April 8.
One road project completed in Quincy
QUINCY — It’s still early in the spring, but one transportation project in Quincy was completed last week. A bridge at the intersection of M Street Northeast and Road O Northwest reopened Friday. The bridge was widened to accommodate traffic turning onto or from Road O Northwest and the wooden railing was replaced with a metal guardrail. The bridge was closed while construction was underway. Quincy Administrator Pat Haley said in an earlier interview that typically the bridge railing was damaged about twice a year. Widening the bridge should better accommodate large vehicles turning at that intersection, he said.
Decision delayed on condemnation proceedings along proposed power line route
EPHRATA — Grant County Public Utility District commissioners will delay a decision on beginning condemnation proceedings for property along the route of a projected power line between Wanapum Dam and Quincy for six weeks. Commissioners voted to table a resolution that would’ve started the condemnation proceedings at the April 8 meeting, following testimony from residents along the proposed route.
Early-season roadwork, work on North Cascades Highway, continuing
MOSES LAKE — It’s getting warmer, ever so slowly, and road construction will be ramping up soon, but few projects are underway yet. Washington Department of Transportation crews have finished the first phase of clearing the North Cascades highway, but it’s not officially open yet.
New conservation district program offers sprinkler system analysis
MOSES LAKE — Residents of Grant and Adams counties who want to reduce their water use but who may not want to completely change their landscape – or do want to make changes - can get some help from the Columbia Basin Conservation District.
Challenges of homelessness prompting debate in Moses Lake
MOSES LAKE — The challenges around homelessness in Grant County and the Open Doors Sleep Center in Moses Lake, and how to address them, prompted the same reaction from Moses Lake Mayor Dustin Swartz and Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce Director Debbie Doran-Martinez. “It’s frustrating,” Doran-Martinez said.
Traveling to Spokane — mind your speed on I-90
SPOKANE — Drivers who are speeding on Interstate 90 between the Liberty Lake and State Line interchanges between now and the end of June may receive a notice from the Washington Department of Transportation. WSDOT will be installing “speed cameras” to identify cars traveling in excess of the speed limit.
Mattawa spring cleanup scheduled for this weekend
MATTAWA — Just as houses have a spring cleanup, so do cities. Mattawa’s spring cleanup is scheduled for this weekend.