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
Williams resigns as interim Mattawa police chief
Interim Mattawa Police Chief Mike Williams resigned Friday, but agreed to stay until Sept. 17 at an unnamed city official’s request.
In-person Walk to End Alzheimer’s to return
MOSES LAKE — Online registration is open for the annual Columbia Basin Walk to End Alzheimer’s, scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Sunday at Moses Lake High School, 803 E. Sharon Ave.
A morning like no other: Local veteran remembers confusion, emotion of Sept. 11
OTHELLO — Aaron Garza was standing post that Tuesday morning.
Into the outdoors: Locals, visitors make the most of Labor Day weekend
POTHOLES RESERVOIR — The boat launch at Potholes Reservoir, about 7 miles south of Moses Lake, was pretty busy early Saturday afternoon, with fishermen and vacationers on the long weekend before the end of summer.
Puppers’ play place: Royal City girl working to build dog park
ROYAL CITY — Nine-year-old Kristi Jenks is working on a project to give Royal City something she thinks it needs.
No suspects arrested in Mattawa shooting
MATTAWA — A 19-year-old Mattawa man was flown to a hospital early Saturday morning after he was shot outside in the 400 block of Seventh Street.
Road work means closures on west side of Moses Lake
MOSES LAKE — Road reconstruction triggered by construction of a Love’s Travel Stop on the west side of Moses Lake, on the south side of Interstate 90, will cause a series of temporary road closures.
Run for a Cause 5K Color Run raises money for recreation
OTHELLO — The Columbia Basin Health Association Run for a Cause 5K Color Run Aug. 28 raised more than $40,000 for parks and recreation departments.
Unknown water line breaks in Mattawa
MATTAWA — A break, originating in the 300 block of Portage Avenue in a previously unidentified water line, forced Mattawa city officials to shut off the water to about 100 homes Sept. 1.
Flowers, pumpkins and games: Quincy Farmers Market to wrap up season
QUINCY — A sunny summer Saturday brought local families, as well as people just passing through town, to the second-to-last Quincy Farmers Market of the season.
Sales up: Grant County Fair 2021 drew substantial attendance; livestock sale set a record
MOSES LAKE — Not only did the 2021 Grant County Fair attract more people than in 2019, it attracted a lot more people. And the annual Junior Livestock Show and Sale set a record for sales.
Last splash of summer: Surf ‘n Slide Water Park closes for year
MOSES LAKE — Jenelle Ottmar said she brought her girls to the Surf ‘n Slide Water Park Sunday because it was the last chance in 2021, as the pool closed for the year Labor Day weekend.
Ready to learn: Churches distribute back-to-school supplies
MOSES LAKE — For kids, part of going back to school is new notebooks and pencils, markers, erasers and other school supplies, even in the computer age.
Fire burns wildland near Blue Heron Park
MOSES LAKE — A fire on wildland adjacent to Blue Heron park burned about 30 acres Friday afternoon.
County to look for different site for new jail
EPHRATA — Grant County officials will look for alternative sites for a new jail after the Port of Ephrata commissioners decided not to sell land on East Division Avenue to the county for the project.
Opening doors: Frontier Middle School uses lessons learned last year
MOSES LAKE — Frontier Middle School Principal Guinevere Joyce was at the door as students arrived Wednesday morning.
New judge sworn in: Nick Wallace takes the bench for Grant County District Court
EPHRATA — Nick Wallace was sworn in as a Grant County District Court Judge Monday before a courtroom filled with family, friends and colleagues.
Fun day in Mattawa: Plenty to see and do at Wahluke Community Day
MATTAWA — A car show, a parade with copious amounts of candy, dancing horses, a soccer tournament, a three-on-three basketball tournament, a fun run, an all-community breakfast and an oversized Jenga game.
Good grief! Quincy Valley Allied Arts presents ‘You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown’
QUINCY — The trials, tribulations and triumphs of one of the most beloved comic strip characters were the subject of the summer production of Quincy Valley Allied Arts.
Port of Ephrata rejects sale of land for new jail
Port of Ephrata commissioners on Tuesday announced their decision not to sell land on East Division Avenue to Grant County for a new Grant County Jail.
Exhibitors welcome normality at 2021 Grant County Fair
MOSES LAKE — The 2021 Grant County Fair got two thumbs up from Easton Sutor. Sutor, of Royal City, was among the kids exhibiting animals at the fair, which turned out to be a pretty normal fair in times anything but normal.
Grant County Fire District 8 to have open house at new station
Residents will get a chance to look at the new station for Grant County Fire District 8 at 2043 Road 22.5 SW during an open house scheduled for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 11.
Crafts & Cruisers for Cancer provides fun for a good cause
MOSES LAKE — A sunny summer afternoon, local craft beer and spirits, a car show, live music and the successful conclusion to a fundraising campaign.
COVID-19 vaccine booster shots available in September
MOSES LAKE — The whole question of who will need a third shot of the vaccines designed to protect against COVID-19, and who will benefit from a booster shot, and when, is a little confusing.
For love of books: Moses Lake woman hopes to encourage literacy in kids
MOSES LAKE — Brenda Goodrich learned to love reading when she was a kid and she wants other kids to have that same opportunity.
Partial road closures anticipated during Love’s Travel Stop construction
MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake city officials are talking with the Washington Department of Transportation on ways to limit road closures in Mae Valley while construction is underway on Love’s Travel Stop.
In the spotlight: Moses Lake girl named Distinguished Young Woman of Washington
MOSES LAKE — Esther Roeber said she didn’t really think anything of it when Jennifer Gaddis said she would have to be a little late.
Grant County PUD seeks commissioner applicants
EPHRATA — Grant County PUD commissioners are seeking letters of interest and resumes from people to fill an open commission position, which must be appointed by Nov. 6 per state law.
No timeline for repairs of Palouse to Cascades trail bridge
BEVERLY — A wildland fire Aug. 16 destroyed a second historic bridge on the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail near Beverly, meaning an existing detour will stay in place for the time being.
Protest in Othello opposes mandates
OTHELLO — About 75 people gathered in front of the Othello School District office Monday evening to protest an order from Gov. Jay Inslee requiring most school employees to receive the COVID-19 vaccine by Oct. 18.
Hot wheels: Car show attracts classic, modern, crazy cars
SOAP LAKE — Classic cars, antique cars, some really wild vehicles, and modern cars filled the lawn Saturday at the Smokiam RV Resort along state Route 17 for the Hot August Nights car show.
Wahluke Community Day returns Saturday
MATTAWA — A parade, car show, community breakfast, variety of sports events and contest to find the best salsa in town are among the activities during Wahluke Community Day scheduled for 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday in Mattawa.
CBHA Run for a Cause 5K Color Run to return
OTHELLO — The Run for a Cause 5K Color Run is back.
Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation meets goal for radiation treatment center
MOSES LAKE — The Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation has reached its goal in a fundraising drive to build a radiation treatment center in Moses Lake for cancer patients.
After the fair: It’s not over until the cleanup is done
MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Fair was over, but there was still plenty of work going on at the fairgrounds Sunday morning.
'Hustle and bustle': Grant County Fair marks successful return after hiatus
MOSES LAKE — What a difference a year makes.
Fair fare: Food booth fundraisers part of Grant County Fair tradition
MOSES LAKE — The tater dogs were flying out the door of the Moses Lake Youth Dynamics food booth at the 2021 Grant County Fair on Tuesday.
Archaeology of Holy Land subject of weekend lecture in Soap Lake
SOAP LAKE — Archaeological discoveries in the Holy Land and the stories they tell will be the subject of a free lecture at 6 p.m. Saturday at the First Baptist Church of Soap Lake, 322 Division St. S.
Inside the fair: Showing success requires preparation
MOSES LAKE — Showing a fair animal is something of a partnership between animal and owner.
Aiming high: Trapshooting is a Shearer family tradition
MOSES LAKE — Travis Shearer saved his best performance for the biggest stage.
Final ballot count sets races for city council, school board
EPHRATA — The Aug. 3 primary election was certified Tuesday, with some tight races in Grant and Adams counties.
Wahluke School District students back in class Aug. 30
MATTAWA — After 18 months of remote instruction or part-time classes, Wahluke School District students return to the classroom full-time Aug. 30.
Port of Ephrata commissioners continue to mull sale for jail
EPHRATA — Port of Ephrata commissioners have not set a timeline for their decision on whether to sell property to Grant County for the county to build a new jail.
It's fair time: Locals elated to start Grant County Fair 2021 after missing it last year
MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Fair was set to open its gates this morning, and on Monday morning, people were getting ready.
Know limits, technique to avoid ‘weekend warrior’ injuries
MOSES LAKE — Hey, life is busy. People have jobs. People have kids. People need to stop by the store on the way home after work. Some days there’s just no time for that after-work run, or to go to the gym.
Crash course: Northwest Ag Demolition Derby returns, expands to two nights
MOSES LAKE — After a pandemic-induced year off, the Northwest Ag Demolition Derby returns to the Moses Lake Roundup arena at 3953 Airway Drive NE.
More than just a job: Hospice nursing is a demanding, but satisfying calling
MOSES LAKE — Maryann McCarty said nursing hospice patients is more than a job.
Supply chain woes trouble furniture suppliers
MOSES LAKE — So the refrigerator or washer died, or the family moved and sold the old couch. It shouldn’t be a problem to get a new couch, or a new washer, right?
Othello parks and rec levy coming up short in vote tally
RITZVILLE — A maintenance and operations levy proposal to pay for upkeep to P.J. Taggares Park near Othello is still falling short of the votes it needs to pass.
Masquers Theater schedules ‘Moon Over Buffalo’ auditions
SOAP LAKE — The Masquers Theater company will hold auditions for its next play, “Moon Over Buffalo,” at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday at the theater, 322 E. Main Ave., Soap Lake.