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
Awareness helps protect people from increasingly sophisticated scammers
MOSES LAKE — A check of the records all the way back to Sumerian clay tablets shows that scammers are always looking for new ways to separate people from their money. Kyle Foreman, public information officer with the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, said scamming is a volume business.
Applications open for apple industry training program
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Applications are open for a program designed to provide training and networking opportunities for young professionals in the apple industry. Recipients of the 2026 NextGen Apple Fellowship will be announced in February. The program is sponsored by USApple, the industry’s national trade organization.
Othello pool construction bond failing
OTHELLO — The fate of the Othello Community Pool, whether it will reopen and if so, how soon, will be in the hands of new Mayor Ken Johnson and a new Othello City Council. Johnson and the new council members will take office in January.
Donor support helps finance Othello museum upgrades
OTHELLO — The Othello Community Museum will be expanding its schedule with the help of donations and an Othello business. Steve’s Refrigeration & Heating started work Monday on repairs and upgrades to the museum’s heating and cooling systems.
American Legion offers veterans support
EPHRATA — Jane Montaney said the door is always open for military veterans at the American Legion. “The American Legion family is always there to welcome other veterans,” Montaney said.
$5.8M planned in capital projects at Port of Moses Lake
MOSES LAKE — The Port of Moses Lake is projected to generate about $12 million in revenues and spend about $16.07 million in 2026. The preliminary budget was reviewed by commissioners Monday. “We’ve had some economic conditions – we're losing a tenant and a user of our wastewater, so port staff is working to fill those spaces,” said Kim DeTrolio, the port’s director of finance and administration.
Moses Lake library contract extended, but questions remain
MOSES LAKE — The city of Moses Lake will maintain the existing funding level for the Moses Lake Public Library for 2026 and will not ask NCW Libraries for more money next year. City officials will be evaluating the building in 2026, and Mayor Dustin Swartz said city residents will be invited to be part of that process.
Othello mayor elect says a number of issues need attention
OTHELLO — Ken Johnson leads the race for Othello mayor in unofficial results updated Thursday afternoon, and said some issues require immediate attention if he wins. As of Thursday, Johnson had 478 votes to 398 for Logan.
ACFD 5 voters approving levy lid lift
OTHELLO — The “levy lid lift” approved by Adams County Fire District 5 voters will help fill the funding gap left when the city of Othello broke off contract negotiations in 2024, but ACFD 5 Chief Tom Salsbury said it won’t fill that gap completely. “It doesn’t come close to what we were getting,” Salsbury said.
Las Vegas attempted murder suspect arrested in Moses Lake
MOSES LAKE — A Las Vegas man was arrested and booked into the Grant County Jail on suspicion of attempted murder after he was arrested at a Moses Lake business at about 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Adams County General Election results 2025
RITZVILLE — Othello voters are choosing a mayor and deciding the fate of a bond to repair the Othello pool; Lind voters are choosing a new mayor. Adams County Fire District 5 is submitting a revenue request to its voters. Unofficial results from the 2025 general election are below. Updated numbers will be provided as mail-in ballots come in and are counted.
Grant County General Election results 2025
EPHRATA — Quincy, Ephrata and Soap Lake voters are picking a mayor, Columbia Basin Hospital district voters are considering a construction bond proposal and there are contested races for Quincy and Moses Lake city council seats. Unofficial results from the 2025 general election are below. Some ballots remain to be counted and updates will be provided as the County Auditor's Office completes tabulation in the days to come.
Educational programs and operations levy proposal goes to Wahluke voters Feb. 10
MATTAWA — Wahluke School District voters will decide the fate of a four-year educational programs and operations levy in a special election Feb. 10. If it’s approved, it would replace the four-year levy approved by voters in 2022. Property owners would pay an estimated $2.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value, the same as the current levy. District superintendent Andy Harlow said that due to the way taxes are structured, the proposed rate can change as property values change.
Man dies at Grant County Jail
EPHRATA — The Columbia Basin Investigative Team will be investigating the death of an inmate found unresponsive in his cell at the Grant County Jail early Tuesday morning. The name of the victim, 54 years of age, has not been released.
Quincy celebrates Halloween
QUINCY — Cartoon characters, dinosaur wranglers, clowns and plenty of other creatures filled the streets of Quincy on the Trick or Treat walk Oct. 31 sponsored by the Quincy Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Shutdown threatens Head Start funding for Family Services of Grant County
MOSES LAKE — The Head Start program operated by Family Services of Grant County will have to close after Nov. 14, at least temporarily, if federal funding is not restored. Executive Director Sally Gundry said the funding cycle for the Moses Lake facility meant its federal money stopped as of Nov. 1.
Important community elections to be decided tomorrow
EPHRATA — A $30 million bond proposal for Columbia Basin Hospital, a $3.55 million bond request for the Othello Community Pool, levy lid lift proposals for Mattawa Community Medical Clinic and Adams County Fire District 5 are among the issues on the Nov. 4 general election ballot. Ballots must be returned by Nov. 4, either through the mail or a drop box, and mailed ballots must have a Nov. 4 postmark or earlier to be counted.
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.
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.