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
‘It’s our biggest fundraiser of the year’
Effort by nonprofit food vendors at Grant County Fair yields good return
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Lions lion ears were a hit. “I’ve been waiting for these,” a customer said, as she sat down at the picnic table.
ROAD REPORT: Repaving work underway on Road H SE
POTHOLES RESERVOIR — Drivers thinking of using Road H Southeast between Potholes Reservoir and Othello should be prepared for delays as the road gets rebuilt.
MLSD, Teachers Association reach tentative agreement
MOSES LAKE — Members of the union representing Moses Lake School District teachers will vote Aug. 20 on a tentative agreement with the district. Depending on the outcome of the teachers’ vote, the agreement could be considered by the Moses Lake School Board at its Aug. 22 meeting.
Wilson Creek School District to implement four-day week
WILSON CREEK — The Wilson Creek School District will hold classes four days per week for the 2024-25 school year. Students will attend classes Monday through Thursday, with the school day beginning a few minutes earlier and ending a few minutes later.
Experienced eye, cool head needed in lamb competition
MOSES LAKE — That lamb just would not behave. It didn’t want to enter the arena for market lamb competition. It didn’t want to follow the other lambs as the judge sent them around in a circle. Its owner, Liam Segura Jones, tugged and pushed, and the lamb pushed back and escaped.
Othello to start municipal fire department
OTHELLO — The city of Othello will be starting its own fire department before May 2026, when its current contract with Adams County Fire District 5 expires. A proposed increase in the contract price for 2024 and beyond and resulting negotiations went to mediation.
Grant County Fair opens today for five-day run
MOSES LAKE — Measuring the ingredients for the first batch of elephant ears – no, no, Lion ears – was not an exact science. The proportions of spices added to the mix might’ve been off a little bit. But Susan Hickok, who was leading a refresher for the volunteers in the Moses Lake Lions Club booth at the Grant County Fairgrounds Monday morning, was philosophical. “It’s day one. That’s how it is,” Hickok said. The Lions were installing their cash register, vendors were working to set up their booths in the Commercial Building, entries were being dropped off in the Agriculture and Arts and Crafts buildings. The Grant County Fair starts its 2024 run today.
Grant County Sheriff’s Office recommends safety measures for GC Fair
MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Sheriff’s Office will be giving out free wristbands to parents and guardians who stop by the GCSO booth at the Grant County Fair. Family members will be asked to write the phone number of the child’s caregiver on the wristband to make it easier to reunite children and their families if somebody goes astray. It’s one of the safety tips released Monday by Kyle Foreman, GCSO public information officer. Foreman also suggested parents and caregivers take pictures of their children when entering the fairgrounds, another way to identify any children that get lost.
Wenatchee Valley Medical Group makes $25,000 CAA donation
MOSES LAKE — A $25,000 donation from the Wenatchee Valley Medical Group helped push a fundraising effort for Moses Lake School District's extracurricular activities to the $450,000 mark. The group leading the fundraising drive, Community Athletics and Activities, began raising money in late June, following the rejection of an educational programs and activities levy proposal. Typically all extracurricular activities are funded through the levy. Luther Thompson, a family practice physician at the Confluence Health clinic in Moses Lake, said WVMG is the largest physician group in the Confluence Health system. Thompson is a member of the board, and said the initiative came from the physicians in Moses Lake.
Ceremony at Ephrata Armory signals change of command
EPHRATA — Golf Company, the Ephrata unit of the Washington Army National Guard, received a new commander in a ceremony Saturday morning that included a literal handing over of the unit emblem
Back to school
Quincy students get ready for school at health fair, school opening dates announced
QUINCY — There’s still some summer left, but it won’t be long. Quincy Community Health Center helped children and families get ready for school with backpacks and pencils, health and resource information, fire hats and the chicken dance at the Back-to-School Health Fair Tuesday. Mary Jo Ybarra-Vega, outreach and behavioral health coordinator for QCHC, said it’s of of the organization’s recognition of National Health Center Week, and a longtime tradition in Quincy. “Every year we do a back-to-school health fair, and we’ve been doing it, I think, 20 years now,” she said.
Moses Lake Industries donation helps ML fundraising effort reach first goal
MOSES LAKE — A $55,000 donation from Moses Lake Industries helped an organization raising money to support extracurricular activities in the Moses Lake School District to reach its first – but not its last – milestone. Ryan Carpenter, president of the Community Athletics and Activities organization, said the donation guarantees that extracurricular groups will have enough money for their activities in the 2024-25 school year. “We have our base budget goals met,” said CAA secretary Eva Olson. While announcing the donation Friday, MLI President Hiroyuki Era said his family moved to Moses Lake when his children were in elementary school.
Most primary races unchanged as more votes counted
Voter turnout remains low in Grant, Adams counties
EPHRATA — Most primary election races in Grant and Adams counties remain unchanged after additional votes were counted during the week.
Chip-sealing scheduled for SR 26 next week
OTHELLO — Drivers on State Route 26 between Othello and Vantage should be ready for occasional delays starting Monday through Aug. 22 as construction crews work on pavement repair. “Travelers will encounter pilot cars and flagger-controlled traffic while contractors perform chip sealing work during daylight hours,” wrote Sebastian Moraga, communications officer for the Washington Department of Transportation.
Grant PUD seeks public input on rate policy changes
EPHRATA — Grant County PUD customers are being invited to give their opinions about proposed changes to rate-setting policy during August and early September. Public comments can be submitted now through the PUD website, and at the PUD commission meeting Aug. 13 for starters.
Soap Lake School District approves '24-25 budget
SOAP LAKE — While Soap Lake School District officials expect to have the equivalent of 455 students from kindergarten through high school during the 2024-25 school year. The Soap Lake School Board approved the budget at a special meeting July 29.
Primary voters choose gubernatorial, congressional candidates
Both major parties frustrated with lack of voter turnout for Tuesday election.
MOSES LAKE — Washington voters chose candidates for governor, U.S. Senator and House of Representative seats, along with other state offices, in the primary election Tuesday. Grant and Adams County voters each cast ballots for two county commission races.
Changes planned for Wahluke elementary schools
MATTAWA — Elementary school will look a little different in the Wahluke School District this fall. District officials will divide elementary students by grade levels with each of the three elementary schools housing different grades.
Hourathon fundraiser brings in $100K to support MLSD students
MOSES LAKE —The total kept climbing – about $44,000 after half an hour. Ten minutes later Moses Lake High School and Vanguard Academy students had broken the $50,000 barrier and then some. “Fifty-five thousand, one hundred (dollars),” said Manny Melo, who was keeping track of the running tally during the “Hourathon” Monday night in the MLHS gym. “Nice work.”
Moses Lake man arrested in connection with November murder
MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man has been apprehended in California by the U.S. Marshal’s Service in connection with a November 2023 murder in Montlake Park.
Primary ballots due today
Commissioners, other offices on Grant, Adams election rosters
EPHRATA/RITZVILLE — Voters will narrow the field for a number of state offices in the primary election, but most local offices only have one or two candidates. Ballots must be returned today by 8 p.m. or postmarked with today’s date.
New Soap Lake superintendent happy to be back, focused on wise budgeting
SOAP LAKE — New Soap Lake School District Superintendent Angela Rolfe said she and her administration are focused on responsible budgeting and that she's glad to be back in the district. “The Soap Lake School District has really always felt like home to me, so I was really excited to be able to come back,” Rolfe said.
Energy production focus of Newhouse visit
EPHRATA — Grant County PUD commissioners met with US Congressman Dan Newhouse Thursday to discuss the permitting process for a small modular nuclear reactor and some of the challenges and concerns that come along with the project. Newhouse also toured the Port of Moses Lake to discuss the need for energy and how to produce it.
Wahluke balances budget
Declining enrollment leads to reduced income, fewer staff and options
MATTAWA — The Wahluke School District will not have to use any of its reserves for operations in the 2024-25 school year, but declining enrollment required staff reductions to meet that target. For 2024-25, the district general fund is budgeted at about $50.92 million. The general fund pays for most school operations, from staff salaries to buying supplies.
ROAD REPORT: Soap Lake streets projects underway
Other transportation projects continue statewide
SOAP LAKE — Curbs and gutters are going in along a section of Soap Lake streets that provide access to East Beach Park. The curbs and sidewalks are part of an upgrade to the streets next to the park, which includes paving sections of First Avenue Northeast and North Canna Street.
Othello pool issue requires transparency, committee chair says
OTHELLO — Chris Dorow said he wants the process followed by the community group looking at options for a possible new Othello swimming pool to be as transparent as possible. Dorow is the chair of the “Aquatic Task Force,” which was formed after city officials announced the pool would not open in 2024 due to damage that may have been caused by faulty construction. The damage was discovered in April.
New QVMC about halfway to opening day
QUINCY — After 11 months, the new Quincy Valley Medical Center is about halfway to its opening day. Groundbreaking on the project was September 2023, and Project Manager Joe Kunkel said the new QVMC will be open for business early next summer.
‘Hourathon’ fundraiser Monday to support MLSD athletics, activities
MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake High School students will be on the phones Monday evening raising as much money as they can to help pay for extracurricular activities in the 2024-25 school year. Students will be setting up in the MLHS gym and hitting the phones from 7 to 8 p.m.
Othello pool issue remains undecided
OTHELLO — A report detailing the damage to the Othello Community Swimming Pool should be delivered to city officials in a few weeks. Othello Mayor Shawn Logan said the pool was evaluated July 26 by an engineer with the city’s insurance company.
Othello council accepts annexation request
OTHELLO — A request to annex about 750 acres into the city of Othello along Bench Road will be considered by the Othello City Council. Council members voted to allow Skone and Connors Partners LLC to move forward with its request at its July 22 council meeting.
Two Moses Lake gravel streets to be paved
MOSES LAKE — Sections of two gravel roads in Moses Lake will be paved with storm drains, curbs, gutters and sidewalks added next month. A contract for about $798,800 for the work was awarded July 9 to Hurst Construction, Wenatchee. The project also includes site preparation for additional streetlights and other infrastructure improvements.
Exterior, interior construction on schedule at new Samaritan Hospital
MOSES LAKE — Exterior insulation is almost installed, the exterior water barrier is making its way around the building, and windows are being installed in some sections of the new Samaritan Hospital. “There is a lot of work going on right now,” said Abram Jenks of the Klosh Group, the consultants working with Samaritan Healthcare on the construction of the new hospital. “There are over 180 people (working on site).”
Yonezawa roundabout construction could start mid-2025
MOSES LAKE — A new roundabout could be coming to the intersection of Yonezawa Boulevard and State Route 17 sometime in 2025, the preliminary step to development of property on the east side of SR 17. Moses Lake city officials will apply for additional funding to help pay for the project later this year.
Some road projects done, others still in progress
VANTAGE — At midsummer, many road construction projects are winding down, done or almost done, while longer-term projects are in high gear.
Samaritan Healthcare in black for first half of 2024
MOSES LAKE — Even with the additional expense of construction, increased staff costs and additional bad debt, Samaritan Healthcare is in reasonable financial shape. Samaritan generated a profit of about $1.15 million in June, and for the first six months of 2024, Samaritan was $1.67 million in the black, according to hospital district staff.
Moses Lake council accepts sleep center grant
MOSES LAKE — The city of Moses Lake will continue to operate the Open Doors Sleep Center, but Moses Lake City Council members want more information on the city’s options in the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court decision issued last month. Council members voted 5-2 Tuesday to accept an emergency housing grant which will provide funding through July 2025. Council members Dustin Swartz and Victor Lombardi voted no.
Blankenship still has projects to see through, he says
RITZVILLE — Dan Blankenship said he decided to run for a second term as Adams County Commissioner because there’s still work he wants to do. “I’ve got some projects that I’ve gotten started that I just want to see through,” he said. “I think my skill set still applies to the job. I think we’re having some successes.”
Revisions proposed to Othello home-based business ordinance
OTHELLO — The Othello Planning Commission will have a public hearing Aug. 19 to take public comment on a proposal to revise the ordinance governing home businesses.
Weise looks at balancing needs, resources if reelected
RITZVILLE — Jay Weise said he planned to run for a second term as Adams County Commissioner when he was elected in 2020, because it takes a while to learn the job and do it effectively. “There’s a whole bunch of stuff you don’t know,” he said.
JR Simplot donates $50K to CAA
Students, parents and coaches turn out to show appreciation.
MOSES LAKE — The word went out from coaches and advisors - the JR Simplot company was stepping up to help out the Moses Lake School District extracurricular program with a $50,000 donation. The coaches and advisors suggested the students should turn out to show their appreciation.
Major upgrades coming to Westshore Drive next summer
MOSES LAKE — Drivers who use Westshore Drive can get an overview of the work planned for spring 2025 along Westshore Drive, and get their questions answered, at a meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Moses Lake Country Club, 1373 at Road F.2 NE.
Upgrades included in Quincy 6-year parks plan
QUINCY — New playground toys, more park benches and picnic areas in most Quincy parks, a new park on Sixth Avenue Northeast and new baseball and softball fields with lights are among the components of the city’s updated comprehensive parks, recreation and open space plan.
Yonezawa roundabout workshop set
MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake residents are being invited to an open house from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Moses Lake Civic Center to learn more about a proposed project to build a roundabout at Yonezawa Boulevard and South Pioneer Way.
Rivard wants changes to Adams Co. government
OTHELLO — Adams County Commission candidate Hank Rivard said he believes county government should be run differently. Rivard is running against incumbent Jay Wiese. “There are a lot of things that need changing,” Rivard said.
Road construction scheduled in Soap Lake
SOAP LAKE — Crews have started work on two major street improvements in Soap Lake, and a third is scheduled to start next month. The installation of a lighted crosswalk at Southeast Third Avenue and South Daisy Street (State Route 17) has been completed.
Small cities in Grant Co. see crime trending down
MOSES LAKE — The communities are smaller, so the incidents are fewer, and the percentage changes look more dramatic. But cities in Grant County are for the most part following the same trend in declining crime as the rest of Washington.
Grant PUD fiber buildout scheduled for October completion
EPHRATA — The buildout of the Grant County Public Utility District fiber network should be complete by late October.
Transparency, accountability critical, incumbent commissioner says
EPHRATA — Rob Jones said he’s running for a second term as Grant County Commissioner because there are some important initiatives coming up and projects he wants to see through.
Crime trending down in Othello, Ritzville
OTHELLO — With a few exceptions crime in Othello and Ritzville is following the statewide trends - crime rates are going down. The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs released its 2023 report last week, which included data for most cities statewide, including both Adams County cities.
Fire district proposals, commission races to be decided in Grant Co.
EPHRATA — Grant County voters will receive ballots this week for the primary election Aug. 5. Two county commission seats, two requests for increased fire district levies (called a levy lid lift) and one fire district EMS levy will be on the ballot in addition to federal and state offices.