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
Grant County Sheriff's Office seeks robbery suspects
The Grant County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information on two men who robbed a Royal City-area business at gunpoint Saturday.
Othello council discusses housing inspection ordinance
A proposal to require periodic inspections of rental housing will be back before the Othello City Council at its Feb. 1 meeting because a public hearing on the proposal was continued after extensive discussion at Monday's meeting.
Grant Integrated Services to expand some youth mental health services in 2021
Grant Integrated Services will provide additional treatment for youths with acute mental health issues and their families.
Proposal to change Grant County Fire District 10 commission on Feb. 9 ballot
Voters in Grant County Fire District 10 will decide whether the number of fire district commissioners should change from three to five in the special election Feb. 9.
Cryptocurrency rates subject of Grant PUD commission discussion
Demand for electricity among cryptocurrency businesses in Grant County has fallen to the point where the industry no longer qualifies for its current Grant County PUD rate class. That has left PUD commissioners discussing what rates they should be charged.
Serve Moses Lake receives donation from Moses Lake Industries
Serve Moses Lake Director Brandon LaBonte called it a “unique surprise” when the charity received a $5,000 donation from Moses Lake Industries as an end of year gift.
At last, back to school at Othello High School
In usual times, it’s a normal scene. In fact, in any other school year, kids would probably be tired of decorating the bulletin boards that dot the halls of Othello High School by now.
Trees, bushes attract feathered friends in winter
Kurt Braunwart remembered how the cedar waxwings used to show up in the yard of his childhood home in Moses Lake.
Grant County Fire District 5 takes unusual approach to expanding fire truck fleet
Buying a new fire truck, or even a used one, can be an expensive proposition for a fire district.
Dano challenges Inslee to forgo salary until lockdowns end
A Grant County official announced he will not take his salary until restrictions on businesses are lifted by Gov. Jay Inslee, and challenged Inslee and other state officials to do the same.
Courthouse repairs part of Grant County capital budget
Repairs to the steps at the Grant County Courthouse and deferred maintenance and improvements at the Grant County Fairgrounds are among the projects in the county's capital budget for 2021.
Public libraries again close to in-person visits
The NCW Libraries system closed libraries to in-person use Wednesday afternoon, due to the state's pandemic-related limits.
Royal City weighs options for new police chief
Royal City officials aren’t sure how they’re going to replace retiring Royal City Police Chief Darin Smith.
Othello hires grant writing administrator
Thalia Lemus DeLeon has been hired as the grant writing administrator for the city of Othello and started this week.
Grant County Fair for this year is being planned
The 2021 Grant County Fair will have a livestock show and sale, but what else will happen during fair week is still to be determined.
Othello Chamber of Commerce looking for new manager
Othello Chamber of Commerce directors are looking for a new manager, as current manager Sharon Skorick has announced her retirement, effective Feb. 28.
Car parade to honor retiring chief
Retiring Royal City Police Chief Darin Smith will be recognized with a car parade from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Jan. 29, starting at 445 Camelia St. N.E., but civilians can join anywhere on the route.
Othello High School adds graduation options
Students at Othello High School will have more options for getting their diplomas, following some changes to the district’s graduation requirements.
Othello High School video details rules for reopening
Sometimes it’s hard to direct or be in a video.
Wahluke School District to vote on new levy
The Wahluke School District has a three-year, $4.5 million levy on the Feb. 9 ballot to pay for capital improvements and safety projects.
Royal City police seek information on theft suspects
Royal City Police Department officers are asking the public to help identify two people who attempted to break into a Royal City business earlier this month.
The dream goes on: Moses Lake march commemorates legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.
Between 85 and 90 people came on a sunny, but windy Monday, to commemorate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., with a march and the traditional rendition of King’s, “I Have a Dream,” speech on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Moses Lake marchers commemorate Martin Luther King Jr.
An estimated 85 to 90 people came out on a sunny, breezy afternoon to commemorate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday in Moses Lake.
Construction underway at Ephrata's Columbia Ridge Elementary
The foundation is going in for the new office and entryway, classrooms and second gym at Columbia Ridge Elementary, and a hallway in the existing building blocked off, with remodeling in the classrooms.
Defensive techniques subject of criminal justice class
Students in the criminal justice class at Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center got some training Friday on the proper use of techniques to subdue an unruly person.
Windstorm causes scattered power outages
Strong winds caused by a cold front led to scattered electrical outages around Grant County Tuesday night into Wednesday.
Othello schools to change emergency preparedness training
Emergency training for teachers and students in the Othello School District will change under the terms of a revised policy presented Monday to the Othello School Board, with no board action required.
Ephrata School District voters to decide fate of four-year levy proposal
Ephrata School District voters will decide the fate of a four-year educational program and operation levy in a special election Feb. 9.
Class gives students look at the computer programming industry
High school student Andrew Pannullo said he’s learned more than the techniques of coding at the Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center.
Big Bend Electric Cooperative donates to local organizations
Operators of the Big Bend Electric Cooperative recently announced a number of donations to organizations and community service projects through its Caring Neighbors fund.
Royal City to work on plans for water system, parks in 2021
Growth is coming to Royal City, and city officials are working on plans -- a set of New Year resolutions, in a way -- to accommodate that growth.
Adams County 2020 unemployment rate rises slightly from 2019
Unemployment in Adams County went up in November 2020, compared with November 2019. Unemployment also went up between October and November 2020.
Mattawa budget includes new sidewalks, sewer treatment facility repairs
The city of Mattawa likely will spend about $7.035 million in 2021, with projected revenues of $6.195 million, and end the year with $3.39 million in reserve due to leftover money from 2020.
Grant County sees considerable building permit activity
EPHRATA — The construction industry was booming in Grant County in late 2020, at least as evidenced by building permit applications in the unincorporated areas.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day to be observed with march, speech
The life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. will be commemorated with a march and a recitation of his “I Have a Dream” speech, starting at 2 p.m. Monday in McCosh Park.
Ephrata City Council raises garbage rates
Residential garbage rates will increase 6-10% in Ephrata this year, and rates for a container will increase by 8-15%, as Ephrata City Council members on Wednesday approved an ordinance setting new rates.
Yonezawa Boulevard to be extended
Revisions are planned at the intersection of Yonezawa Boulevard and Pioneer Way (state Route 17), which will extend Yonezawa Boulevard to an access road and the new Vicki Groff Elementary School.
Dish gardens provide gardening option in winter
It’s January, the height of gardening season, and gardeners should be out there weeding and watering. Oh, wait, that’s Australia. In Grant County, January is not gardening weather.
Final plans still pending for Love's Travel Stop
Final plans for the new Love’s Travel Stop should be submitted to the city of Moses Lake within the next few weeks.
Othello students to return to campus beginning next week
Othello School District Board members on Monday unanimously approved a revised reopening plan at a special meeting to allow preschoolers through third-graders to return to campuses for hybrid in-person instruction Jan. 12.
Grant County building permit applications reach high in December
Grant County Development Services received 131 applications for building permits in December, the highest total of the year, and the year's total was 953 applications. And permits are still waiting for processing.
Catholic Charities to build apartment complex in Mattawa
Construction should start in the fall on a new apartment complex for low-income Mattawa residents.
Love of books leads to business
Heidi Gales said she was thinking of buying stuff for her house with a gift card she'd received from her employer for Christmas. Instead, she bought books.
Othello mayor lists 2021 projects
Othello Mayor Shawn Logan has a long list of tasks and goals -- New Year’s resolutions, basically -- for the city in 2021.
Priest Rapids workers released from sequestration
Negative coronavirus tests meant employees at Priest Rapids Dam were released from sequestration after 15 days.
Big Bend CC trustee announces resignation
MOSES LAKE — Big Bend Community College trustee Stephen McFadden has announced his resignation, effective in March.
First significant snowfall of winter blankets Moses Lake
The snow Wednesday morning was almost too much for James Habedenk’s tractor.
Grant will allow Boys & Girls Club to expand services
A $142,685 grant will give the Boys & Girls Clubs of The Columbia Basin the opportunity to help kids and their families working through some of the challenges of online learning.
Othello woman injured in car accident
Kelsey Williams, 24, was driving east on State Route 240 at the Richland city limits Dec. 25 when her car was hit by a car driven by Selina Gilbert, 20, of West Richland.
Grant County expenses lower than expected through November
Reductions in expenses, and some help from federal coronavirus relief funds, meant Grant County reached the end of November with more cash in its current expense fund than in the same period in 2019.