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
‘A good, tough class’: Pride, determination show through at Wahluke High School graduation
MATTAWA — Seniors Victor Perez and Oscar Tlatelpa said they didn’t quite know how to feel as the Wahluke High School class of 2021 left the football stadium at the end of graduation ceremonies Friday.
Grant County commissioners decide not to buy downtown Ephrata building
EPHRATA — Grant County Commissioners approved a budget revision allowing them to buy property adjacent to the Grant County Fairgrounds, but they decided Monday not to purchase a building in downtown Ephrata, which they also had been considering.
Two new officers sworn in to Othello Police Department
OTHELLO — Two new officers have joined the Othello Police Department.
Othello City Council to discuss traffic
OTHELLO — Othello residents are invited to the July 12 Othello City Council meeting to discuss traffic, the city’s collision rate and options being considered to slow down traffic.
Changes planned for mail delivery
MATTAWA — Mattawa residents will get home mail delivery, with the goal of initiating mail routes by the end of the year, and a second carrier route will be added in Desert Aire.
Wahluke High School graduation 2021
Scenes from Wahluke High School's graduation ceremonies Friday, June 18 in Mattawa.
Bringin’ the heat: Dry, hot air from the southwest to sit on region
MOSES LAKE — Summer officially started Sunday, and it’s going to celebrate its arrival with temperatures that are about as summery as possible.
Seeing and being seen critical to paddle craft safety
MOSES LAKE — It’s the right time of year to take out the boat, whether it’s to the lake or the river. But no boat usually is out there alone, and some of the other watercraft out there don’t have a motor.
‘Abbreviated program’: Even in a pandemic, scholarship winner gets valuable experience
MOSES LAKE — Lauren Tolley said she had certain expectations about the 2020 Distinguished Young Women scholarship program for high school juniors, based on her older sister’s experience.
Some offices attract candidates during special filing period
EPHRATA — Candidates filed for two open seats for the Mattawa Community Clinic board in a special filing period June 1-3, and an open fire district seat also attracted a candidate.
Fun hats, box lunches: Senior Picnic draws crowd for drive-thru
MOSES LAKE — It was a perfect day to be out and about, and Kent Rukke said the beautiful weather was a good reason to drive to the Grant County Fairgrounds for the annual Senior Picnic.
ML man injured in collision
VANTAGE — A Moses Lake man was flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle after his motorcycle veered off the road Wednesday night, about five miles west of Vantage.
Grant PUD’s 2020 ended with good financial health
EPHRATA — While 2020 was tough on most businesses, it was not quite as tough on Grant PUD.
‘It’s a blessing’: High school experience ends for Warden seniors
WARDEN — Warden High School class of 2021 student speaker Averie Golladay said she welcomed and regretted graduation.
New study details Othello housing challenges
OTHELLO — The city of Othello doesn’t have enough housing to meet the demand, according to a study commissioned by city officials.
Grant County to consider budget amendment for possible property purchases
EPHRATA — The Grant County commissioners will have a public hearing 1:20 p.m. June 21 to consider changes to the 2021-26 capital facilities plan ...
Fairgrounds events, revenue starting to recover from COVID-19 pandemic
MOSES LAKE — As would be expected for an event venue, the COVID-19 pandemic drastically reduced revenue at the Grant County Fairgrounds. But director Jim McKiernan said activity — and revenue — have started to increase.
Challenges possible in police chief firing appeal
MATTAWA — Attorneys for the city of Mattawa and former Mattawa Police Chief Joe Harris have until June 21 to file requests to disqualify Mattawa Civil Service commissioners who are scheduled to hear an appeal of Harris’ firing.
Othello Police Department starts neighborhood watch program
OTHELLO — The Othello Police Department has started a program designed to encourage neighbors to work together, look out for each other and help reduce crime.
Education, health care ‘immune’ to COVID-19 layoffs
RITZVILLE — Unemployment in Adams County was lower in April 2021 than April 2020 and March 2021.
Street work: Othello City Council approves rebidding Ash Street contract
OTHELLO — Othello city officials will advertise a second time for bids for a project to modify some street corners on Ash Street and build a few sections of sidewalk, as Othello City Council members approved rebidding the project Monday.
Warden High School 2021 graduation
Scenes from Warden High School's 2021 graduation ceremony.
Free cargo nets this weekend in Grant County
MOSES LAKE — Advance registration is required for people who want to take advantage of a free cargo net giveaway from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at two locations in Grant County.
Two die in separate Grant County collisions
An Othello man and a Moses Lake child died in separate vehicle collisions Sunday near Moses Lake.
Grant County Fair to go on without restrictions
The 2021 Grant County Fair will go on without restrictions on crowd size or carnival rides, for the livestock sale or the concert venues. In fact, there will be no restrictions at all.
‘A Day at the Races’ theme of annual Senior Picnic
MOSES LAKE — Grant County senior citizens are encouraged to wear their best Kentucky Derby hats and join the parade at the seventh annual senior picnic from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at the Grant County Fairgrounds, 3953 NE Airway Drive, in Moses Lake.
After a loss: Home inventory list important in recovering
MOSES LAKE — Homeowners and renters insurance is one of those things people hope they’ll never need, and in a way it’s easy just to pay for it and forget about it. But it might be more productive to think of it like a smoke alarm – it needs attention once or twice a year.
Fire destroys trailer northwest of Ephrata
A fire apparently started by a child playing with a lighter destroyed a travel trailer near Rimrock Meadows RV Park, about 17 miles northwest of Ephrata Tuesday evening.
Fire near Soap Lake destroys structures, recreation equipment
SOAP LAKE — A fire destroyed a house, an outbuilding and camping trailers at two homes Wednesday afternoon, about two miles southeast of Soap Lake.
Ephrata man dies when car flips
An Ephrata man died Wednesday morning when he flipped the car he was driving about five miles northeast of Ephrata.
‘A year of new beginnings’: Othello class of 2021 graduates in person
OTHELLO — The Othello High School class of 2021 finished in the traditional way, after a year that was anything but traditional, as class valedictorian Anna Chen pointed out.
Desert Oasis High School seniors graduate in emotional ceremony
EPHRATA — The Desert Oasis High School class of 2021 finished during a ceremony Monday at Huskie Stadium at Othello High School -- a big day for the 25 graduates of the alternative school.
New Grant County Jail plans creep forward
EPHRATA — The planning process for the new Grant County Jail has reached the start of the design phase and negotiations with the Port of Ephrata to purchase more land at the preferred site are in the beginning stages.
Royal City waives bid process for pump repairs
ROYAL CITY — Royal City Mayor Kent Anderson was authorized to approve a contract to start repairs on one of the city’s two wells without going through the competitive bid process, after Royal City City Council members passed an ordinance June 1 declaring the well’s failure to be an emergency and waiving the process.
Desert Oasis High School graduation
Scenes from Desert Oasis High School's graduation ceremony Monday, June 7.
Othello High School graduation
Scenes from Othello High School's graduation at Huskie Stadium on Friday, June 4.
Grant County government unveils website
EPHRATA — Grant County officials unveiled a new county website last week.
Mobile clinics designed to bring COVID-19 vaccine to patients
MOSES LAKE — Maybe work has been crazy busy, or maybe the clinic giving COVID-19 vaccinations is 45 minutes away.
Brush fire burns about 150 acres near Vantage
Traffic on Interstate 90 was restricted for a few hours Sunday afternoon as firefighters battled a brush fire near the Wild Horse Monument, about four miles northeast of Vantage.
Sunday fire damages unoccupied home near MarDon
An unoccupied double-wide trailer near MarDon Resort sustained extensive damage when it caught fire Sunday evening.
Game on: Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center students qualify for national FBLA competition
MOSES LAKE — Building a video game with a deadline works better when it’s a collaborative effort.
Sound base: Detail is essential to building a good foundation
EPHRATA — It’s a common expression, from education to business to almost any endeavor, that a successful project starts with a good foundation. It’s especially true when it’s an actual foundation for an actual building.
Ephrata teen drowns in irrigation canal
An Ephrata teenager died Thursday night when he was swept away by the current in an irrigation canal about four miles south of Ephrata.
Quincy boy arrested after allegedly making threat to district office, school
QUINCY — A 15-year-old Quincy boy was arrested Wednesday after he allegedly admitted sending threats to the Quincy School District Office and Quincy Junior High School via Instagram earlier in the day.
Moses Lake man in critical condition after Memorial Day collision
MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man was in critical condition at Harborview Medical Center on Wednesday after the farm vehicle he was driving was hit by a car near Moses Lake on Monday.
Traffic stop, arrest reveals likely meth lab
RITZVILLE — A traffic stop led Adams County Sheriff’s Office deputies to discover what they termed a possible mobile meth manufacturing lab.
Instructors for virtual class visit in person
MOSES LAKE — Four industry-based instructors visited the Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center on May 24, and video game programming student Logan Beck remarked on the change in perspective – from virtual to in-person learning for the first time this school year.
Samaritan plans construction work, will expand Patton Clinic
MOSES LAKE — Halme Construction Inc., of Davenport, has been awarded a $1.6 million contract to expand the Samaritan Healthcare clinic near Patton Boulevard.
Royal School District decides against year-round school in reopening plan
ROYAL CITY — The Royal School District will offer summer school and extra tutoring to help kids who fell behind during the COVID-19 pandemic, but will not implement year-round school.
Coding the future: Wahluke High School students qualify for FBLA nationals
MATTAWA — Two Wahluke High School students will advance to the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) national competition after placing in the top four in state competition. And, a team from WHS placed seventh in the state video game competition.