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
Community members honored at Othello Chamber banquet
OTHELLO — Othello area residents gathered Friday for the Othello Chamber of Commerce’s banquet where several people were recognized for their contributions to the community. “It was a good turnout. A really good turnout,” 2022 Chamber president Mat Garza said. “It exceeded my expectations.”
Adams County unemployment rate drops in December
OTHELLO — Recovery in Adams County’s food processing sector and expansion of its health services industry contributed to a substantial drop in the county’s unemployment rate between December 2020 and December 2021. The December 2021 unemployment rate of 5.5% was a substantial improvement from December 2019 too. The unemployment rate in December 2020...
In memoriam: MLHS student honored with memorial nursing scholarship
MOSES LAKE — Fabrizio Delgado worked all his life to help people.
Moses Lake Distinguished Young Women contestants to take stage
MOSES LAKE — Six high school juniors will compete for the title of Moses Lake Distinguished Young Woman in the annual program scheduled for 7 p.m. March 12 at the Moses Lake High School theater, 803 E. Sharon Ave.
James Yonko named CTE administrator of the year for FFA District 9
MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake High School ag teacher Tony Kern said he nominated James Yonko for the FFA District 9 Administrator of the Year award because Yonko found ways to make things happen.
Youth Outdoors Unlimited banquet March 5
MOSES LAKE — Tickets are on sale for the annual Youth Outdoors Unlimited fundraising banquet March 5. YOU is a Moses Lake organization that gives young people with physical challenges or life-threatening illnesses the chance to go on a fishing or hunting adventure.
Planning continues for new Samaritan Hospital
MOSES LAKE — A discombobulated construction market and construction material availability concerns are having an effect, or could have an effect, on the construction of the new Samaritan Hospital.
Masquers auditions for next production announced
SOAP LAKE — Auditions are scheduled for 6 to 7 p.m. March 4 and 5 at the Masquers Theater, 322 E. Main Ave. in Soap Lake, for the company’s next production. “These Shining Lives” opens April 22.
Ephrata man arrested after two-hour negotiation
EPHRATA — Glenn Bensch, 52, of Ephrata was arrested Wednesday afternoon after about two hours of negotiation with deputies from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, according to a GCSO statement.
Leading energy: Rich Wallen new head of Grant County PUD
EPHRATA — Rich Wallen didn’t take the traditional path to get to his new job as general manager and chief executive officer of the Grant County Public Utility District.
Wahluke SD to run revised levy proposal while Othello SD defers bond decision
ATTAWA — The Wahluke School Board has decided to submit a revised educational programs and operations levy proposal to district voters in April.
Lynn Falconer named Paramedic of the Year for Moses Lake Fire Department
MOSES LAKE — Lynn Falconer said she originally volunteered as a firefighter to get some experience with a fire department.
Most, but not all, school levies approved in final election results
EPHRATA — Elections results for Feb. 8 special elections for all counties in the state of Washington were canvassed and adopted as final on Friday.
Ephrata Lions like the friends they’ve made and service to community
EPHRATA — Ephrata Lions Club President Mark Wanke said the club offers its members two important advantages - Camaraderie among members and working for something bigger.
Grant County December unemployment rate lowest in more than 30 years
MOSES LAKE — Employment in Grant County is beginning to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Two injured in Moses Lake hit-and-run collision Thursday
MOSES LAKE — Two people were transported to Samaritan Hospital after the car they were riding in was hit by a vehicle Thursday evening.
Tunes to heal: Local physician wants to spread the healing power of music
MOSES LAKE — Larry Birger said he has experienced the support that music can provide in hard times, and wanted to pass it on to others. That’s why he founded the Learn from the Masters Music Outreach.
Most school EP&O proposals passing in special election
COLUMBIA BASIN — School district levy proposals are passing in Quincy, Wilson Creek, Grand Coulee, Warden and Royal City but failing in the Wahluke School District in Mattawa.
Critter champion: New Grant County Animal Outreach chief accepts challenge to make things better
MOSES LAKE — Darrin Hein said there’s been a learning curve in his new job at Grant County Animal Outreach.
Clarkston man injured in collision near Quincy
QUINCY — A Clarkston man was airlifted to Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane after his pickup collided with a semi-truck about two miles west of Quincy Monday afternoon.
Othello boys wrestlers qualify 12 for state, win regional title
ELLENSBURG — The Othello High School boys wrestling team qualified 12 wrestlers for the state tournament and edged out Selah High School for the Region 4 title in regional competition Saturday in Ellensburg.
Royal, Wahluke qualify wrestlers for boys state tournament
ROYAL — Two Royal High School wrestlers and one Wahluke High School wrestler will be going to the state tournament Friday and Saturday.
Royal, Wahluke wrestlers advance to girls state tournament
EPHRATA — Royal wrestler Alondra Morales won a regional championship, and the Knights qualified a second wrestler for the girls state wrestling tournament in regional competition Saturday in Ephrata.
Othello girls wrestling team qualifies three for state tournament
EPHRATA — The Othello High School girls wrestling team qualified three wrestlers for the state tournament and finished second in regional competition Saturday in Ephrata.
Grant will help expand broadband availability in Adams County
RITZVILLE — An expanded fiber optic network is coming to Adams County with the help of a $10.3 million grant from the Washington Department of Commerce.
Moses Lake High School cheer team wins two state championships
MOSES LAKE — No question about it, there were expectations for the Moses Lake High School cheer team going into the state championship.
100-year-old Moses Lake woman lives remarkable life
Delight Morrison Leas is one of those people who didn’t talk much about her life. But her son Terry Leas said he wishes she’d reminisced a little more, since it’s been a remarkable life.
Moses Lake artist finds unlimited possibility in acrylic medium
Phyllis PuFahl said her exploration of jewelry making started as a way to use acrylic pouring paintings that hadn’t turned out like she planned.
New homeowners need checklists when moving in
The finances have been secured, the place has been inspected, the papers are signed and the keys are in hand.
Free concert to feature electric, acoustic guitar
An Ellensburg-based musical education organization will sponsor a free concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Huck Fuller building at the Grant County Fairgrounds, 3953 Airway Dr. NE in Moses Lake.
‘It is not a job to me’: Shuttle driver loves meeting interesting people
MOSES LAKE — Ray Mayo said Moses Lake, and central Washington in general, are full of interesting people.
Lady Huskies wrestlers take Sub-Regional tournament title
OTHELLO — The Othello High School girls wrestling team brought home the team title from the North Girls Sub-Regional tournament Saturday in Spangle.
Grant County PUD commissioners choose new general manager/CEO
EPHRATA — Grant County Public Utility District commissioners voted 5-0 Tuesday to elect interim Grant County PUD General Manager/Chief Executive Officer Rich Wallen for the permanent GM/CEO position.
Othello wrestlers take CWAC title; co-recipients of sportsmanship award
OTHELLO — The Othello High School boys wrestling team upset No. 2-ranked Selah High School to take the Central Washington Athletic Conference district title Saturday in Grandview.
Othello to consider updated park master plan
OTHELLO — With any luck, Othello’s Lions Park will have a new playground and expanded basketball courts by the end of 2022.
Columbia Basin Rodeo Association Banquet recognizes key figures
Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, and Jill Tonne, queen director for the Columbia Basin Rodeo Association, were recognized for their contributions to the CBRA during the association’s annual banquet Saturday.
Quincy Valley Allied Arts returns to stage with ‘Sister Act’
QUINCY — Quincy Valley Allied Arts is telling the story of a murder witness on the lam, a nunnery, learning from others and making music.
A glass of comedy: Masquers Theater to present ‘Beer for Breakfast’
SOAP LAKE — The tale of three old friends, an all-night battle of the sexes and the impact of passing time comes to the Masquers Theater stage starting Feb. 11.
Growing viral: Pandemic contributes to collectible plants
MOSES LAKE — Roost Lifestyle owner Bruce Bailey said he brought some of his plants from home to his shop, just to decorate and soften the look.
Changing times: Othello High School to start new schedule in 2022-23 school year
OTHELLO — A whole new class schedule will come to Othello High School for the 2022-23 school year.
The opponent within: Othello athlete comes back from chronic illness
OTHELLO — Ethan Medina said his experiences taught him life can change in an instant. And he also learned to deal with setbacks.
Othello boys wrestling team wins three dual meets
OTHELLO — The Othello High School boys wrestling team finished the regular season Thursday with wins in two dual matches on Senior Night at OHS.
Lady Huskies take East Valley dual
OTHELLO — The Othello High School girls wrestling team defeated East Valley High School Thursday in a dual match on Senior Night at Othello High School.
Pet project: Donations help organizations, animals in need
MOSES LAKE — There likely are a lot of lost and stray dogs and cats in Grant and Adams counties.
Voters to decide on educational program and operations levies
ROYAL CITY, MATTAWA — Voters in two local school districts will decide on replacement educational program and operations (EP&O) levy proposals in a special election Feb. 8.
Vintage variety: Car repair shop is a walk into the past
MOSES LAKE — Walk in the door at Shade Tree Customs and there is a full-size 1920s-era gas pump straight ahead. It’s a reproduction, but there it is – 6 feet tall, glass dome and all, and a price sticker of 17.6 cents per gallon.
Sowing seeds: Winter gives time to plot garden
MOSES LAKE — It’s a sad fact unless the garden is somewhere like Australia or Argentina, January is not a gardening month. But it’s not to say there’s nothing for a gardener to do.
Words in pictures: Warden artist tells stories from old 35mm film
WARDEN — Vinnie O Bannon has been a photographer for most of his adult life, and has the 35mm film negatives to prove it.
Hanging in there: Wrestling team shows determination
OTHELLO — If one word can be used to sum up the girls wrestling program at Othello High School, it’s probably perseverance.
Royal girls finish fifth at Lady Huskies invitational
OTHELLO — The Royal High School girls wrestling team finished fifth at the Lady Huskies invitational in Othello on Friday and Saturday, and Wahluke High School wrestlers competed.