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
ROAD REPORT: Paving crews head north on SR 17
MOSES LAKE — The big asphalt paving machines are making the turn north at the intersection of State Route 17 and South Pioneer Way.
Grant PUD asks public for more input on rates
MOSES LAKE — Grant County Public Utility District customers will have until July 31 to submit their ideas and opinions on future rate policy, and therefore future rates, in a survey available on the PUD website. Chief Customer Officer Ty Ehrman said Tuesday that options for a revised rate policy are scheduled to be presented to PUD commissioners July 23, although that date is subject to change.
Exhibits, activities on the schedule for local museums
MOSES LAKE — A photo contest in Moses Lake, tractor rides and honeybees in Quincy and ice cream and Scoundrels Getting their Just Deserts in Ephrata are among the activities planned for Grant County museums this summer.
Marijuana moratorium extension requested in Grant Co.
EPHRATA — Grant County development officials are recommending a six-month extension of the moratorium on new marijuana production facilities in the county. If Grant County Commissioners agree, the moratorium will be in effect through the end of 2024.
Hispanic-owned businesses show power of hard work
MOSES LAKE — Brothers Vincent and Ben Hernandez and friends Ulises Sanchez and Hector Guerrero all had pretty good jobs. They had different goals though, goals that required a willingness to take a risk and do some hard work. Sanchez explained why he and Guerrero decided to open Mattawa Fitness in 2022 in a building that had been vacant for about seven years.
Time for AC?
Columbia Basin to heat up later this week
MOSES LAKE — All of a sudden, serious summer is supposed to show up, just in time for the weekend. Jeremy Wolf, meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Spokane, said temperatures in the Columbia Basin will warm up fast as the weekend approaches. Wednesday’s high is forecast to be 77 degrees.
Grant PUD meets most 2023 financial targets
EPHRATA — The Grant County PUD expects to finish the buildout of its fiber network in 2024, along with a project to upgrade some of its transmission, distribution and substation components.That was among the information included in the PUD’s annual report, released Monday. The PUD met most of its financial targets in 2023, according to the report.
WDFW continues pygmy rabbit management
OLYMPIA — The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is seeking public comment on an updated recovery plan for pygmy rabbit populations in Central Washington. The “draft status report” recommends keeping the rabbits on the state’s endangered species list. Comments will be accepted through Aug. 27.
Mavs grads celebrate
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake High School class of 2024 wrapped up high school with graduation ceremonies Friday night at Lions Field.
MLSD board approves loan to general fund
MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake School Board members will take out an interfund loan to ensure the district can meet its payroll and at least most of its expenses in June. Board members approved the loan from one fund to another at a special meeting Thursday.
ROAD REPORT: Stratford Road bridge to be resurfaced this weekend
MOSES LAKE — Drivers will have to find alternate routes over the bridge at State Route 17 and Stratford this weekend - construction crews will be working to resurface it.
Grant County looking for new morgue site
MOSES LAKE — Grant County will need a new morgue, and county officials are looking for land to build one. Grant County Coroner Craig Morrison said the need for a new facility arose because the existing one is in Samaritan Hospital. A new Samaritan Hospital is under construction, but it won’t include a new morgue. Grant County Central Services Director Tom Gaines said that’s because there’s only so much space available at the hospital.
Almira Coulee Hartline takes ‘silver’ in state 1B baseball
EPHRATA — The Almira Coulee Hartline baseball team finished a successful season with an appearance in the state 1B final four, falling to DeSales Catholic 6-0 in the state championship game at Johnson-O’Brien Stadium Saturday. Warriors coach Hunter Lee said the day belonged to DeSales and winning pitcher Sal Sisk.
Spring Festival organizers plan future, celebrate success
MOSES LAKE — As anyone who was downtown - or in McCosh Park, or played 3 on 3, or went to one of the concerts, or ran in the fun run, or walked in the parade - can attest, the 2024 Moses Lake Spring Festival packed them in. In fact, there was so much going on the organizers were thinking about ways to accommodate more growth in the future.
‘Everybody that’s here loves cars’
Spring Festival car show fills Moses Lake’s Third Street with cool cars
MOSES LAKE — The bass contest proved that none of the trucks at the Moses Lake Spring Festival car show had sound systems so powerful they could break windows. But anybody standing next to the orange 2005 Chevrolet Silverado felt their lungs vibrate when owner Santana Palacios turned up the volume. A lot of people were impressed.
Othello council considers pushcart rules
OTHELLO — In the age of mobile businesses and part-time side gigs, Othello city officials are working to ensure proper city regulation while promoting entrepreneurship. Othello City Council members passed an ordinance in April to regulate food truck operation and considered pushcart regulations at the regular council meeting Tuesday.
Adams Co. planning broadband infrastructure expansion
RITZVILLE — Construction could start as early as August on a project to bring fiber optic cable to the Ritzville and Lind areas. Adams County Public Works Director Todd O’Brien said fiber installation in the two cities would be the first phase of a two-phase project. The second phase will be the addition of fiber in an area south of Othello.
Hispanic-owned businesses show power of hard work
MOSES LAKE — Brothers Vincent and Ben Hernandez and friends Ulises Sanchez and Hector Guerrero all had pretty good jobs. They had different goals though, goals that required a willingness to take a risk and do some hard work.
No injuries in Wheeler Road fire
MOSES LAKE — No injuries were reported in a fire at an industrial facility on Wheeler Road in Moses Lake Monday afternoon.
MLHS grads set an example at Peninsula Elem.
MOSES LAKE — Students at Peninsula Elementary School and Moses Lake High School seniors who once attended Peninsula had a message for each other. The Peninsula students wanted the seniors to know Peninsula was proud of the class of 2024; the seniors wanted Peninsula students to know they could be wearing that cap and gown someday.
Class of 2024 to say goodbye to high school
MOSES LAKE — The class of 2024 throughout the Columbia Basin closes out an eventful high school career with graduation ceremonies over the next two weeks at area high schools.
Work on Vantage Bridge expands to seven days per week May 31
MOSES LAKE — It being a holiday weekend - and bringing with it a lot of traffic - most road projects will be taking a break for Memorial Day, with many resuming Tuesday.
Moses Lake School Board hears from concerned community
MOSES LAKE — Decisions on a modified educational plan for the Moses Lake School District could be coming later today, although they may be delayed. Moses Lake School Board members have scheduled a workshop for 3 p.m. for further discussion on proposed spending and staff reductions for the 2024-25 school year. The discussions follow the rejection of the district’s educational programs and operations levy and the discovery of an accounting error. As of May 11, staff from the North Central Education Service District estimated that MLSD would have to reduce its 2024-25 budget by about $20 million. About 100 staff members, both teachers and support staff, could lose their jobs, and among other things, the district’s entire extracurricular activities program could be reduced or eliminated for 2024-25.
Customer opinion sought on future Grant County PUD rate structure
MOSES LAKE — Grant County PUD electrical rates, relative power use and revenue and rates in the future were topics of discussion and questions during a “rate strategy” presentation from PUD employees Tuesday in Moses Lake.
Wallen to stay as Grant County PUD chief executive officer
EPHRATA — Grant County PUD General Manager Rich Wallen will stay in that position, rather than resigning to take a job with the Chelan County PUD. Utility district commissioners announced Wallen would be staying during a workshop Tuesday, followed by a statement from Commissioner Terry Pyle warning against listening to rumors.
Bowfishers reap harvest of carp at Carp Classic
MOSES LAKE — High winds affected participation, but bowfishers still removed about 2,600 pounds of carp from Moses Lake in the fifth annual Carp Classic Saturday.
National Holstein Convention set for June 24 through 27
SALT LAKE CITY — Registration is open for the junior and adult National Holstein Convention, scheduled for June 24 through 27 in Salt Lake City.
Construction begins on new Habitat for Humanity house
MOSES LAKE — Workers from Bailey and Sons Construction started clearing the site for a new Habitat for Humanity house in Moses Lake on Monday, about five years after the last house was finished. Executive Director Rebecca Mabius said there have been some changes, including almost all new board members, and some challenges since the last house was built. “It really has been a journey,” she said. “It’s definitely been a great learning opportunity for myself and our board members.”
‘That was great softball’
Moses Lake fastpitch softball wins Big 9 title, advances to state
MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake High School fastpitch softball coach Mike Hofheins assessed the game for his team after the Mavericks’ 7-0 win over West Valley (Yakima) Saturday. “That was great softball,” Hofheins said.
Quincy hosts Special Education Field Day
QUINCY — Connie Martin, special education director for the Quincy School District, said she had a goal for the participants in the Special Education Field Day Friday. “I want them to be able to have their moment to shine,” she said. “To be able to participate in a sports event and get their moment in the spotlight. And for their parents to see it.”
Lane closures on SR 17 this weekend, other projects continue
MOSES LAKE — Lane closures are scheduled for the State Route 17 bridge that crosses Interstate 90, starting at 8 p.m. today and lasting through Monday. Crews will be working 24 hours per day, from Friday night through 6 a.m. Monday.
Grant, Adams counties need more housing, Department of Commerce says
OLYMPIA — The state of Washington will need to build more than 1 million new residences over the next 20 years to catch up to current demand and accommodate new residents, according to a report released this week by the Washington Department of Commerce. The Housing Advisory Plan was issued by the Washington State Affordable Housing Advisory Board.
Sprucing up downtown
Work of Moses Lake students yields colorful results downtown
MOSES LAKE — Samatha Underwood said one lesson she’s learned in three years of planting the flower boxes in downtown Moses Lake is that people really are paying attention. “People actually do appreciate this,” she said. “We actually had somebody in a truck roll down the window and yell, ‘Thank you.’”
Shoppers hunt for the good stuff at museum yard sale
MOSES LAKE — The appeal of a yard sale is that hunt for treasure. Maybe the treasure is a 1930s radio in a handsome wood cabinet. Maybe it’s jewelry or artwork, maybe a vintage baseball mitt or even a 1970s sewing pattern catalog. The thrill of the hunt attracted shoppers to the Rusty Mammoth sale Friday night and Saturday at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center.
Ephrata School District hires two new campus leaders
EPHRATA — Ephrata School District officials have announced the selection of Ashlie Miller as the new principal at Ephrata High School. Levi Spencer has been hired as the new assistant principal at Ephrata Middle School.
‘Guaranteed maximum price’ accepted for jail construction
EPHRATA — The maximum cost for building the Grant County Jail and Grant County Sheriff’s Office - just for construction, not equipping it or paying construction fees - will be $131.56 million. The Grant County Commissioners approved an agreement for the “guaranteed maximum price” for construction Tuesday. That’s about $3 million less than the estimated cost for construction made in April, which was about $134.21 million. Grant County Central Services Director Tom Gaines said in a separate interview that reflects changes in the construction market.
Quincy tennis finishes season
QUINCY — The Quincy High School tennis team ended its season Saturday at the boys Caribou Trail League championships and the girls District 6 championships in Quincy. Both were qualifiers to advance in state competition, and the Jacks failed to send any players to the next round.
Groundbreaking celebrates new Coulee City clinic, library
COULEE CITY — Construction could begin this year on the first phase of a project to build a new medical clinic and library in Coulee City. Local officials held a groundbreaking for the project May 10. Officials from the Town of Coulee City and the Port of Coulee City have been working on obtaining funding to build new facilities for the library and clinic, an effort that dates back to 2015, according to a press release from the port.
Stratford Road shooting leaves one injured
MOSES LAKE — One person was injured and a suspect was detained after a shooting on Stratford Road about 16 miles north of Moses Lake Monday evening.
Quincy takes next step toward water, sewer upgrades
QUINCY — Design work is beginning on a project to upgrade sewer systems in the city of Quincy. The city’s water system will be getting some upgrades too, among them a new water tower.
Tennis season ends for Quincy Jacks
QUINCY — Quincy’s Victor Torres lines up the shot during a consolation round doubles match at the District 6/Caribou Trail League tennis championships Saturday in Quincy. Both the boys and girls teams ended the season at the tournament. A review of the Jacks’ tennis season will be in the Wednesday edition of the Columbia Basin Herald.
Basin races have mix of challengers, unopposed incumbents
MOSES LAKE — The filing period for the 2024 election closed Friday with a mixed grouping of candidates at the county and state levels. Some will run against multiple challengers while a few incumbents have exclusive spots on the ballot.
Road work season in full swing
MOSES LAKE — Road construction throughout the Columbia Basin is chugging along as several area projects move forward as spring progresses into summer. Resurfacing of State Route 17 through Moses Lake has moved on to the resurfacing part of the project. Crews started working on the project in April, with the first phase being the replacement of ADA-accessible sidewalk ramps at intersections throughout the project area. The second phase of the project will involve resurfacing about seven miles of SR 17 where it runs through Moses Lake. Work on that began May 8.
Grant Co. generating interest as solar farm location
EPHRATA — With solar power touted as an important part of meeting future energy needs, Grant County is getting increasing interest from companies proposing to build solar generating facilities. Grant County Deputy Development Director Jim Anderson-Cook said that currently county officials are working on eight proposed projects. All of them are between Royal City and Coulee City, most in the Quincy-Ephrata area. “We are getting a lot of attention,” Anderson-Cook said. “The Columbia Plateau in general is getting a lot of attention.”
Adams Co. receives funding for bridge rebuilds
RITZVILLE — Adams County officials are scheduled to start work this fall on the first of six bridges that will be rebuilt to accommodate the widening of the East Low Canal.
Immigration, workforce integration addressed at economic conference
ELLENSBURG — The pattern followed by current immigrants to the United States is similar to earlier periods of higher immigration. Both workers and employers must adjust when integrating immigrants into the workplace. Those were among the conclusions from speakers discussing immigration and its impact on the workplace in Washington at the annual Economic Outlook Conference Monday at Central Washington University in Ellensburg.
SR 17 paving to begin May 8 near I-90
MOSES LAKE — The second phase of repaving of the section of State Route 17 that runs through Moses Lake will begin Wednesday. The second phase is paving, and so drivers should plan for a little slower traffic through the work zones, according to a press release from the Washington Department of Transportation.
WA economy slowing but in relatively good condition, state economists say
ELLENSBURG — Washington’s economy, its job market and unemployment were topics of discussion at the annual Economic Outlook Conference Monday at Central Washington University. Dave Reich, executive director of the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council, said the state is still dealing with the aftereffects of 2020.
Changes to Grant Co. marijuana regs coming in July
EPHRATA — While some licenses have been issued to multiple entities, as of April 25 the unincorporated areas of Grant County have 117 active licenses for marijuana producers and 29 for marijuana processors. There are 57 tax parcels in the unincorporated areas where people are producing or processing marijuana, according to data that Grant County Development Services personnel obtained from the Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board.
Last piece of steel framing goes into place at Samaritan Hospital
MOSES LAKE — That short piece of steel framing had been around. It was the last steel beam going into the framing at the new Samaritan Hospital. Samaritan Healthcare Chief Executive Officer Theresa Sullivan chronicled some of its travels before it was tacked into place. The last piece of framing marks a milestone, and it’s treated accordingly.