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
Fire near Ephrata was caused by unattended space heater
A fire that destroyed a pair of travel trailers near Ephrata March 4 has been ruled accidental.
Registration open for mass vaccination clinic Saturday
Registration opens at 10 a.m. today for a vaccine clinic at the Grant County Fairgrounds Saturday.
Officials discuss reopening courthouse
Adams County commissioners and other officials discussed reopening the Adams County Courthouse for an hour March 3.
New Wahluke superintendent says he'll always be a teacher
As far as Andy Harlow is concerned, he was, and is, a teacher.
Royal City to enforce dog license rules
Royal City residents who haven’t licensed their dogs will receive a letter asking them to get a license and could get a fine if they don't.
Rodriguez chosen as Royal City Police chief
Rey Rodriguez was hired as the chief of the Royal City Police Department, Mayor Kent Anderson announced at the March 2 Royal City City Council meeting.
Old Hotel Art Gallery sponsoring art contest
Submissions are open for a children’s art contest, sponsored by the Old Hotel Art Gallery, to commemorate the Othello Sandhill Crane Festival.
Roundabout planned for intersection near Quincy
Planning is underway for a roundabout at the intersection of state Route 28 and White Trail Road, three miles west of Quincy.
New exhibits scheduled at Moses Lake Museum & Art Center
MOSES LAKE — An exhibit of historic photographs of Moses Lake and an exhibit featuring a Quincy artist both are opening Friday at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center.
Man charged with manslaughter in 4-year-old son's death
An Othello man was charged Wednesday with first-degree manslaughter in the death of his 4-year-old son Feb. 27.
Grant County to review building fees
A review of fees charged by the Grant County Planning Division has been postponed to midyear, after which fees may increase, according to Development services director Damien Hooper.
Road guru: Grant County engineer keeps the county rolling
Keith Elefson said the county engineer is responsible for roads, first and foremost.
Man arrested in connection with stabbing near Othello
A man was booked into the Adams County Jail on suspicion of second-degree assault and tampering with a witness following a stabbing Sunday near Othello.
Some cities schedule spring yard cleanup
MOSES LAKE — Days are getting longer, it’s getting warmer, time to get out in the yard and - wow. The yard could use some work.
Grant County child found to have COVID-19 variant
The first case of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children, or MIS-C, in Grant County has been confirmed.
Fire destroys trailers, vehicle near Ephrata
Two travel trailers and a vehicle were destroyed by fire in the 10700 block of Road E.6 Northwest on Thursday night.
Local builders expect lots of work in 2021
Demand for housing in Grant County should translate to a lot of activity in the residential construction market in 2021.
Commissioners to discuss reopening county offices
Grant County Commissioners will meet with other county officials Monday to discuss reopening the Grant County Courthouse and county offices.
New Samaritan feasibility study completed, submitted
Whether construction starts this year on a new Samaritan Hospital depends on when officials hear on the fate of their request from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Child dies with gunshot; father jailed
A 4-year-old Othello boy died after an accidental shooting Saturday, and friends of the family have started a fundraising campaign to help cover funeral and medical expenses.
Othello School District accepting sealed bids for property
Othello School District officials will accept sealed bids for property for sale at the intersection of Lee and Seventh streets.
New walls rise at Royal’s middle school, high school
Walls are going up on the new boys locker room at Royal High School and construction crews are pouring the concrete floors in the girls locker room.
New station: Grant County Fire District 10 station has room to expand
Grant County Fire District 10 Commissioner Dwight Vander Vorste said the district’s new $2 million fire station was a pretty good deal.
Adams County Pet Rescue clinic schedule uncertain
Adams County Pet Rescue operators hope to offer a vaccination and license clinic sometime this year, but when -- or if -- it will happen depends on the COVID-19 pandemic.
Othello SD schools to hire consultant for capital projects
Othello School District officials will advertise in May or June for a consultant to work with the district on possible expansion and upgrades at Othello High School.
Mae Valley development to hook up to Moses Lake municipal water, sewer
Residents of a 24-lot development in Mae Valley can hook up to Moses Lake municipal sewer and water services, but will be required to become part of the city if city officials decide to annex it in the future.
Attitudes on treating mental health changing, local chiefs say
Moses Lake Police Chief Kevin Fuhr and Ephrata Police Chief Kurt Adkinson are law enforcement veterans of the same vintage as former Royal City Police Chief Darin Smith and remember what it was like "back in the day."
'There's hope': Former Royal City Police chief details importance of attention to mental health
Darin Smith said his law enforcement career, his experiences and their impact on him emphasized the importance of paying attention to his mental health.
Name change approved for Moses Lake department
The Moses Lake Parks and Recreation Department will be renamed the Moses Lake Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department.
Road projects scheduled for Highway 17 next week
Two road repair projects on state Route 17, south of Moses Lake, will mean traffic delays beginning Monday.
Moses Lake OKs new construction standards
Updated standards for street construction and repairs, as well as for revisions to water and sewer utilities, were adopted Tuesday by the Moses Lake City Council.
Crisis Solutions to open for some patient care
The Crisis Solutions facility administered by Grant Integrated Services will start treating inpatient behavioral health patients returning from hospitalization around March 1.
Othello parks and recreation coordinator resigns
Othello Parks and Recreation Coordinator Randy Gomez announced his resignation, but Othello Mayor Shawn Logan said the city should continue its spring sports schedule.
Proposed Grant County Jail site discussed at public hearing
The Grant County Commissioners will vote next week on a recommendation for the site of the new Grant County Jail and had a public hearing Monday to take public comment.
Arrest leads to brief lockdown at Desert Oasis High School
A man arrested on a parole violation across the street from Desert Oasis High School led to a 10-minute "modified lockdown" Feb. 17.
Bakery expands step-by-step in pandemic
Janice Baginski started her business by taking custom orders and, in just more than a year, expanded to a part-time location and hours.
Othello establishes rental property inspections
Rental housing in Othello will be subject to periodic inspections under the terms of a new ordinance, which started Monday, and addresses substandard housing.
Andy Harlow named Wahluke School District superintendent
Andy Harlow was voted as the new Wahluke School District superintendent by Wahluke School District Board members 3-2 at a special meeting Thursday.
Sand Scorpions give to Moses Lake food bank construction
The Sand Scorpions ORV Group's donation to Community Services of Moses Lake for CSML's new building is worth double the money thanks to a grant from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust.
Former Soap Lake Police reserve officer released from jail after DUI arrest
A former Soap Lake Police Department reserve officer who was arrested Thursday for allegedly driving under the influence while using a SLPD vehicle for unauthorized travel has been released from the Franklin County Jail.
Soap Lake reserve officer fired following DUI arrest
A reserve officer with the Soap Lake Police Department was fired after he allegedly was driving under the influence while using a department vehicle for unauthorized travel.
Moses Lake woman stranded in Texas gets help from strangers
While the trip didn’t go as planned, Dana said it was an example of friends connecting and some stranded travelers helped by strangers.
In-person instruction makes difference at Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center
Professional medical careers students at the Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center were working on a model of the digestive system Thursday, using pipe insulation and vent hoses.
Travel stop project raises concerns in neighborhood
The proposal to build a new truck stop off the south side of Interstate 90's milepost 174 generated a lot of conversation and questions among residents and with city officials.
County construction on Stratford, Valley roads rescheduled for 2021
Projects on Stratford Road and Valley Road, both near Moses Lake, were delayed due to funding concerns in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
Othello man arrested on firearms possession
An Othello man was booked into the Adams County Jail for alleged second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm following a traffic stop by the Othello Police Department Thursday.
Cooking class teaches more than cooking
Isabel Duran just wasn’t sure about the lemon curd.
Othello School District to sell property
The school district bought the 81.14 acres in 2016 for $2.43 million.
New caution lights coming to Othello's Main Street
New caution lights to improve pedestrian safety will go in at two Main Street intersections, Fifth and Sixth streets, in Othello this spring.
Report details effects of COVID-19 pandemic on Adams County economy
While the COVID-19 outbreak damaged Adams County’s economy, the impact wasn’t as great as in some other parts of the state, according to preliminary information released by the Washington Department of Employment Security.