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
Meeting with Blitz leads to new kicks for kids in Othello
OTHELLO — Shawn Christopherson, mascot coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, said he understood why Othello Police Officer Tyson Cox decided to investigate those guys parked along an Othello street one day last summer. “A bird on a scooter with four influencers following him draws some attention,” Christopherson said. “Officer Cox kind of pulled over just to check out what was going on.” Well, of course a bird wasn’t actually driving the scooter – it was Blitz, the Seahawks mascot.
Knights bring home fifth-place in 1A state basketball
YAKIMA — Royal High School fell just short in overtime and brought home a fifth-place trophy from the Class 1A state boys basketball tournament after a 75-70 loss to Zillah Saturday.
Stratford drive-by injures one
MOSES LAKE — One person was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries following a shooting on Stratford Road.
Port of Moses Lake acquires 3 miles of rail
MOSES LAKE — After about two decades of work and three years of negotiation, the Port of Moses Lake took ownership of about three miles of railroad track between State Route 17 and Port property Monday. The rail line had been the property of the Columbia Basin Railroad.
Water lines flushed to address discoloration on Patton Boulevard
City of Moses Lake works to ensure water quality after facility closures
MOSES LAKE -— Samples of water from the system around North Elementary and along Patton Boulevard late last week met and were consistent with water quality standards. Discolored water discovered Wednesday at North Elementary School prompted that campus’s closure through Monday. Discolored water also closed the Family Services of Grant County facility on Patton Boulevard.
Two Basin teams advance to trophy round
SPOKANE — The Almira-Coulee/Hartline boys basketball team played Lummi Nation School for the Class 1B boys state basketball title Saturday night at the Spokane Arena. The score was not available at press time, but a full story on the game will be in Tuesday’s Columbia Basin Herald. ACH made their way to the state title game with a 64-56 win over DeSales Friday. The Warriors got off to a slow start, trailing 17-12 after the first quarter and 29-26 at the end of the first half. They still trailed by three, 44-41, at the end of the third quarter. But the Warriors outscored DeSales 23-12 in the fourth quarter to take the semifinal victory
Lions, Warriors, Knights to play state tournament games Friday
SPOKANE — Three local teams will be playing Friday in the Class 1A and Class 1B basketball tournaments.
Addressing growth focus of Moses Lake comprehensive plan update
MOSES LAKE — Growth, and how Moses Lake manages it and adapts to it, is already a focus of attention by city officials. Moses Lake Mayor Dustin Swartz said a lot of things go into answering that challenge, the city’s comprehensive plan among them.
No timeline set for replacement of Grant PUD CEO
EPHRATA — Commission chair Terry Pyle said the search for a new chief executive officer for the Grant County Public Utility District is starting with talking to employees.
BASIN GIRLS HOOPS SUMMARY
ACH girls end basketball season with loss in state second round
COULEE CITY — The Almira-Coulee/Hartline girls basketball team finished the 2024-25 season with a 58-45 loss to Sunnyside Christian in the second round of the Class 1B state basketball tournament. With the loss ACH just missed a trip to the Spokane Arena.
Wildcats women’s soccer coach resigns
ELLENSBURG — Lindsey Lee, head coach of the Central Washington University women’s soccer team, has announced her resignation.
Knights advance to state 1A quarterfinals
ELLENSBURG — The Royal High School boys basketball team advanced to the quarterfinal round of the WIAA Class 1A state tournament with a 65-47 win over Meridian (Bellingham) Feb. 28 at Ellensburg High School. Royal Coach Greg Jenks credited the Knights defense and rebounding.
Lions play for chance to advance at 1B state tourney
MOSES LAKE — The first round of state tournament play was one of those games for the Moses Lake Christian Academy/Covenant Christian School boys basketball team. The Lions lost a hard-fought 48-43 defensive battle to Lummi Nation School Feb. 28.
New Quincy hospital close to completion
QUINCY — As of Tuesday it’s 78 days until a new hospital opens. The brand-new Quincy Valley Medical Center is still in the final stages of construction, with the first day for patients scheduled for May 21.
Vantage Bridge construction gets rolling again
VANTAGE — Among many other things, spring and summer mean roadwork. And work has already started for 2025 on the Vantage Bridge. Starting Monday, the bridge is back to a single lane of traffic in each direction. Summer Derrey, Washington Department of Transportation assistant communications manager for the south central region, said WSDOT is asking drivers to think about taking alternate routes.
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.”
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.
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.
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.