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
Local offices to be decided on Nov. 4 ballot
EPHRATA — Voters will be selecting people to fill a variety of local elected positions in Grant and Adams counties in tomorrow’s general election, everything from school boards to hospital district commissions to city councils. Most candidates are running unopposed, but some races attracted multiple candidates.
Man stabbed in early morning assault
MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake woman was arrested on suspicion of first-degree assault and robbery after a man was stabbed and car stolen at a Moses Lake business early Saturday morning.
Bad debt, charity care expenses rising at Samaritan in 2026
MOSES LAKE — While bad debt and charity care expenses at Samaritan Hospital were lower than anticipated in September, they’re higher than projected for the first three quarters of the year. Chief Administrative Officer Alex Town said that’s a reflection of the way people are paying their bills, and that trend may continue in 2026. Town said Samaritan administrators have increased the amount of anticipated uncompensated care from the original 2026 budget projections.
USApple acts as industry advocate in Washington DC
WASHINGTON DC — Where there is information, there is misinformation, and one of the jobs of USApple is to combat misinformation that’s out there. Jim Bair, president and chief executive officer, cited the case of an applesauce recall over concerns about elevated levels of lead. “It was a cinnamon-flavored applesauce; the lead was coming from the cinnamon,” Bair said. “In fact, the applesauce was imported, as was the cinnamon. It wasn’t even a U.S. product. But consumers, all they hear is ‘applesauce is bad.’ So we try to provide information to make that messaging something that’s useful to the consumer,” Bair said. USApple is supported by growers, packers, processors and other groups in the apple industry to advocate for industry interests at the federal level, as well as working to provide accurate information about apples and apple production.
New Samaritan Hospital scheduled to open March 7
MOSES LAKE — The new Samaritan Hospital should officially become the property of the hospital district Dec. 12. Consultant Joe Kunkel said Tuesday the first day of operation has been determined. “From today we’re 129 days from seeing our first patient, on March 7,” Kunkel said Tuesday evening.
Tentative contract reached for MLFD study
MOSES LAKE — Whether or not to convert the Moses Lake Fire Department to a different operating model and if so, what it should be, will be the subject of a feasibility study due to start in November. Moses Lake Fire Chief Art Perillo said Tuesday that a proposed contract with Berk Consulting, Seattle, is under review.
Othello port, city considering need for Reynolds Road roundabout
OTHELLO — If, and how, a roundabout at State Route 26 and South Reynolds Road in Othello is built, and how to pay for it, prompted a sometimes-bitter debate that spilled over to the Othello City Council meeting Monday. That followed the rejection on Oct. 13 of a proposal for city officials to work with the Port of Othello to look for funding. Commissioner Deena Vietzke said port officials are interested in getting a roundabout at that intersection.
Work continuing on new Othello animal shelter
OTHELLO — Othello city officials will be advertising for bids for the new municipal animal shelter. “It’s still in development,” said Othello Mayor Shawn Logan Tuesday.
Port of Moses Lake looking for more water
MOSES LAKE — Getting enough water for future needs at the Port of Moses Lake, where to get it, and how much it might cost is the subject of an ongoing study. Commissioner Stroud Kunkel said the port needs more water, even though it could be an expensive proposition.
Moses Lake council, board eye cooperative efforts
MOSES LAKE — Facility use, working to give children alternatives and opportunity, improving partnerships that help students looking at careers were discussed as areas of cooperation at a joint meeting of the Moses Lake City Council and Moses Lake School Board. Mayor Dustin Swartz said the advantages of cooperation extended beyond making it easier for city and district residents.
Moses Lake council, school board discuss water use at joint meeting
MOSES LAKE — Water rates in Moses Lake will change as conditions change, and current Moses Lake City Council members do not intend to rely solely on water conservation by residents and businesses to alleviate the strain on the city’s water supply. Mayor Dustin Swartz said Thursday during a joint council meeting with the Moses Lake School Board that the city is looking at other options.
SNAP benefits uncertain after Nov. 1
MOSES LAKE — Whether or not benefits through the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program will be available to Washington residents after Nov. 1 is still to be determined and is dependent on events in Washington DC. Those events are still unfolding, said Matt Reed, communications director for Fourth District Congressman Dan Newhouse.
Grant Co. homeless plan update draft released
EPHRATA — Grant County residents are being invited to review a draft update to the county’s plan to address homeless issues. Part of the information county officials collected for the update included a survey, which Grant County Commissioner Rob Jones said highlighted one of the problems of dealing with the issues surrounding homelessness.
Quincy truck route revisions go into effect next week
QUINCY — Signs will be going up early next week alerting truck drivers to revisions of the allowable “heavy vehicle routes” throughout the city of Quincy. Some streets that could be used by trucks are now off-limits, a move that Quincy Engineer Ariel Belino said was prompted by growth and changes in traffic patterns.
Grant County PUD net expenses projected at $413.4 million in 2026
EPHRATA — The Grant County PUD is projected to spend about $413.4 million, when expenses and payments are added up, and end the year with about $251.9 million in carryover. R
Transmission upgrades, Priest Rapids repairs on 2026 Grant County PUD project list
EPHRATA — Repairs to Priest Rapids Dam and rebuilding a transmission line between Ancient Lakes and Frenchman Hills are among the Grant County PUD projects scheduled to begin in 2026. Tarrah Bicondova, the PUD’s budget and reporting manager, said the utility is projected to spend $322 million on capital projects in 2026, compared to an estimated $225.6 million in 2025. “The increase is really driven by major infrastructure improvements,” she said. Scheduled projects include the continuing work on upgrading electrical transmission to the Quincy area, upgrades at Priest Rapids Dam, the PUD’s new Ephrata maintenance shop, known as a service center, and a rebuilt electrical line between Royal City and Quincy. Three projects on the list eventually will be paid for by the customers, but they had to be included as expenses, Bicondova said. Christine Pratt, PUD public information officer, said most are multiyear projects, and the projected cost is for 2026 only.
Moses Lake council, school board to hold joint workshop
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake City Council and Moses Lake School Board will be talking about water, partnerships and facilities at a workshop scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday. Ryan Shannon, Moses Lake School District director of public relations, said MLSD officials proposed the workshop to talk about issues that affect both of them as well as the city as a whole.
Othello employee recognized for 20 years
OTHELLO — Public Works employee Felipe Martinez received a plaque recognizing 20 years with the city Oct. 13,
2023 operating loss at Ritzville hospital larger than reported
RITZVILLE — East Adams Rural Healthcare lost more money in 2023 than originally reported, according to an audit submitted to EARH commissioners Oct. 15. Joe Lodge, accountant for DZA, Spokane, said Ritzville hospital lost about $5.6 million in 2023. Lodge said the losses were related to higher expenses and revenue that remained relatively flat.
Voters to decide on possible Long Term Care Trust Fund changes
OLYMPIA — Washington voters will be asked to accept or reject a constitutional amendment to allow funds from a program designed to help pay for extended care services to be invested in different securities than what’s allowed now. Kristen Hyde, press secretary for the campaign in support of the amendment, said the proposal would leave most of the money in the current investment portfolio.
Othello voters considering $3.55M pool bond
OTHELLO — Othello voters will be asked to accept or reject a $3.55 million bond to pay for repairs to the Othello Community Pool, and renovations where needed. Othello City Council members voted in July to submit the proposal to voters, and Othello Mayor Shawn Logan said the money will pay for repairs, but few, if any, changes.
Co-responders provide behavioral health assistance, support
MOSES LAKE — Sometimes a disturbance or a welfare check that requires a law enforcement response is also a mental health crisis. Renew, Grant County’s behavioral health organization, the Moses Lake Police Department and Grant County Sheriff’s Office are partnering on a program to make help available for people facing a crisis when it’s needed.
Roadwork to close SR 243 south of Mattawa starting Monday
MATTAWA — Drivers heading south of Mattawa can expect State Route 243 to be closed for a short stretch between Mattawa and Desert Aire, beginning Monday.
Moses Lake council, school board candidates discuss issues at forum
MOSES LAKE — Candidates for the Moses Lake City Council and Moses Lake School District discussed school and city finances, trust and water at a forum sponsored by the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce. Joel Graves, running for city council, said Moses Lake has some challenges to address. “These aren’t problems that we can keep kicking the can down the road on,” he said. Council candidates Deanna Martinez, Graves and Jeremy Davis, and school board candidate Mike Nordsten, answered questions submitted by the forum’s sponsors. Council candidate Jim Perez sent a statement, saying work commitments kept him from attending. Chamber Manager Debbie Doran-Martinez said school board candidate Lila Baker had declined to attend, citing her withdrawal from the race due to health reasons.
Ephrata looking for architect to remodel potential new city hall
EPHRATA — The final layout of a former business recently purchased by the city of Ephrata, and the ultimate fate of the existing Ephrata City Hall, are still to be determined. That will be part of the process of remodeling the old Rite-Aid building at 250 Basin St. SW. Ephrata City Administrator Ray Towry said the first step will be hiring an architect. “We’ll budget for a (request for proposals) for an architect to redesign that space for us next year,” Towry said. “Depending on how involved you want to be, and (how much) we want to involve the public in that design, will determine the length of time it takes.” The existing city hall and the possible uses of the old Rite-Aid building were among the items discussed at the regular meeting of the Ephrata City Council Wednesday. Council members also discussed revisions to a union contract and renaming two streets at the site of the new Grant County Jail.
Othello Hospital Commissioner Pos. 2: Lallas vs. Logan
OTHELLO — John Lallas and Martha Logan are running for Position 2 on the Othello Community Hospital Board. The position was left open in March, when former board member Shirley McCullough resigned. Lallas and Logan both applied for the open job, and Lallas was appointed to the board in June. The Columbia Basin Herald provided questions to both candidates, but Logan did not respond. Candidates had a word limit.
Port of Othello working to expand airport services
OTHELLO — Port of Othello commissioners are looking to expand services at the Othello Municipal Airport and have purchased a hangar with the potential to do that.
Annexation request denied by Othello council
OTHELLO — Othello City Council members voted 6-0 to decline a request to annex property south of State Route 26 along West Bench Road. The decision followed a third public comment session, some of it impassioned, on the proposal. Council member Angel Garza said he thought accepting the annexation proposal would move growth in the wrong direction.
Q&A sessions next week on ACFD 5 levy lid lift proposal
OTHELLO — Adams County Fire District 5 residents are being invited to two public meetings to learn about, and ask questions about, ACFD 5’s request for a levy lid lift. The meetings are scheduled for 6 p.m. Oct. 22 and 9 a.m. Oct. 25 at the ACFD station, 220 W. Broadway Ave., Othello. The proposal is on the Nov. 3 ballot.
Othello City Council Position 3: Carmona vs. Lopez
OTHELLO — Oscar Lopez and Alma Carmona are running for an open position on the Othello City Council. The Columbia Basin Herald provided identical questions to each candidate, with a word limit; both responded.
Financially, 2025 best year yet for Moses Lake Airshow
MOSES LAKE — Attendance was down at the 2025 Moses Lake Airshow, but it was a very good year financially. Board member Micah Trautman said the airshow finished 2025 with a carryover for 2026.
Port of Moses Lake rail construction moving forward
MOSES LAKE — The request for bids to build new rail line and rehabilitate other sections of the line to the Port of Moses Lake should go out to bid in early January. Port commissioners approved a $1.2 million agreement with Central Terminals for the right of way at the regular meeting Monday.
Officials analyze EMS in Quincy area
QUINCY — While there are challenges ahead, there are options to reinforce emergency medical response in the Quincy area. In some ways, the Quincy Valley is fortunate because EMS agencies are willing to – and do – work together. Those were the conclusions of a study commissioned by emergency response agencies and the city of Quincy. Grant County Fire District 3 Chief David Durfee said the results provided some options to help strengthen EMS services.
Othello to host public hearing on large annexation request
OTHELLO — A public hearing to consider a request for annexation into Othello of property south of the existing city limits is scheduled to be reopened Monday. While the Othello City Council can make a decision on the proposal after the hearing, they don’t have to, said Othello Development director Anne Henning.
Salvation Army Moses Lake office to close Oct. 17
MOSES LAKE — The Salvation Army will be closing its Moses Lake office Oct. 17, but will still provide services in Grant County. Sara Beksinski, Northwest Division director of development, said the organization’s goal is to put more money into its services.
Wheeler Road intersection will stay in current configuration, for now
MOSES LAKE — Newly restriped streets at East Wheeler Road and Pioneer Way will remain in their current configuration, at least for now. Moses Lake City Council members voted to leave the street striping as it is at a special meeting Tuesday.
Construction scheduled for 2026 on new Grant Co. morgue
MOSES LAKE — County infrastructure includes a lot of different things, including attention to the end of life. To that end, a new county morgue is projected to be finished by late 2026 or early 2027.
Othello candidate forum lets voters explore options
OTHELLO — Fire services in the Othello area, the pros and cons of annexation, accessibility, the challenges facing the Othello, the Othello School District and Othello Community Hospital were among the topics discussed in a wide-ranging candidate forum in Othello Tuesday.
Assn. of Washington Businesses bus tour comes to Grant Co.
MOSES LAKE — Association of Washington Business President Kris Johnson said the organization’s annual Manufacturing Week tour is designed to give participants a look at businesses – and job opportunities – they may not have known existed.
Improvements planned for Othello’s Kiwanis Park in spring 2026
OTHELLO — Construction of a new splash pad in Kiwanis Park is scheduled to start in spring 2026. Construction was planned for summer 2025, but Othello Mayor Shawn Logan said the need for state agency approval slowed down the project.
MOSES LAKE CITY COUNCIL 1: Martinez vs. Davis
MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake City Council incumbent Deanna Martinez is being challenged by Jeremy Davis for her position on the council. Both candidates were given identical questions, with a deadline. Martinez submitted her answers, which came in after the deadline, but the delay was due to miscommunication. Davis’s answers were printed Monday, and Martinez’s answers are below.
East Adams Rural Health lays off staff, looks to address finances
RITZVILLE — A special meeting of the East Adams Rural Healthcare commission is scheduled for 2 p.m. Oct. 15. People who can’t make the meeting in person can join through a link on the district’s social media. The discussion follows further layoffs at the hospital, bringing the total of positions eliminated to 16; Chief Financial Officer Viola Babcock said none of the layoffs were in positions connected with patient care.
Quincy Renew office closed for remodeling beginning next week
QUINCY — The Quincy office of Renew, Grant County’s mental health provider, will be closed for most of October and all of November while the space is remodeled. “The Quincy building closure is temporary and part of a planned renovation to improve client experience and service delivery,” wrote Dayana Ruiz, Renew community relations manager, in response to an email from the Columbia Basin Herald. “The Quincy office has served the community for many years, and these updates will create a more welcoming, accessible, and efficient space for both clients and staff.” The Quincy facility is owned by Grant County, she said, and as a result Renew officials want to keep it in good condition.
Downtown improvements part of proposed 2026 Moses Lake city budget
MOSES LAKE — If it’s approved by the Moses Lake City Council, changes could be coming to Third Avenue and downtown in general to make it more appealing to residents and non-residents alike.
Budget cuts projected to reduce Moses Lake 2026 deficit
MOSES LAKE — The city of Moses Lake’s general fund is projected to have a smaller deficit than it did in 2025, but still to have a deficit. While spending in the general fund is projected to decrease, the city’s overall preliminary budget includes an increase in capital projects.
MOSES LAKE CITY COUNCIL 1 Q&A: Martinez vs. Davis
MOSES LAKE — Deanna Martinez and Jeremy Davis are running for Position 1 on the Moses Lake City Council. The Columbia Basin Herald sent identical questions to each candidate with a 150-word limit on the answers. Martinez did not respond by the deadline.
Chances for legislative cooperation slowly improving, legislators say
EPHRATA — Making progress in the Washington Legislature requires cooperation between Democrats and Republicans, and there some signs that more legislators are getting more interested in cooperating. That was one of the conclusions when Senator Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, and Representatives Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, and Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy, talking to Ephrata City Council members Wednesday
Roundabout proposed between Ephrata and Soap Lake
EPHRATA — A new roundabout will be coming to State Route 28 between Ephrata and Soap Lake, probably in 2028. The Washington Department of Transportation is looking for information and ideas from Ephrata-area residents while the project is still in design.
No deficiencies in 2024 Adams Co. audit
RITZVILLE — Adams County’s internal financial controls met the standards set by the Washington Auditor’s Office in 2024. The county’s financial procedures didn’t have any material weaknesses in 2024, according to an WSAO audit report issued Monday.
Othello candidate forum Oct. 7
OTHELLO — Othello-area voters will get a chance to listen to candidates for local offices at a forum Oct. 7 at The Showhouse, 130 N. Broadway Ave., Othello. Showhouse co-owner Tania Morales said the forum is the continuation of what its former and current owners consider a public service. “The previous owners, the Reicherts, actually have held several candidate forums here,” Morales said. “And community members have approached us and told us, ‘You guys should consider doing this.’” School board positions are among the races on the 2025 ballot, which makes it difficult to use school district locations, she said. “The Showhouse has a stage, and lights and sound and everything. This is where the Reicherts (sponsored) them. A lot of people came up to us and said, ‘Hey you guys should do this.’ And we (said), ‘We’ve never done it before,’ and then we just said, ‘Hey, why not?’ So, we decided to go for it,” she said.