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
Othello woman arrested on methamphetamine possession
EPHRATA — An Othello woman was arrested May 11 and booked into the Adams County Jail on charges of possession of methamphetamines with intent to deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Othello School District announces reopening plan for 2021-22
OTHELLO — Summer school for Othello School District elementary students will be revised, more tutoring will be offered to students in the 2021-22 school year, and district officials don’t plan to implement year-round school.
Royal Schools chief garners regional award
ROYAL CITY — Royal School District Superintendent Roger Trail recently was awarded the superintendent leadership award from the Washington Association of School Administrators/South Central Region.
Andra named Royal School District assistant superintendent
ROYAL CITY — Red Rock Elementary Principal David Andra was hired Friday as assistant superintendent for the Royal School District, and Linda Achondo, currently the executive director of student and teacher services, will become Red Rock Elementary principal.
16-year-old girl seriously injured in collision Monday
ROYAL CITY — A 16-year-old Royal City girl remained hospitalized at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle Tuesday, after she was partially ejected from the car she was riding in as it rolled early Monday near Royal City.
Filing week opens for candidates in election
EPHRATA — Port of Moses Lake Commissioner Kent Jones will have a challenger for his seat, one candidate has filed for an open seat on the Moses Lake School District Board, and a member of the Mattawa City Council has filed for the mayor’s job.
Effective insect repellents reduce chances of bites and disease
MOSES LAKE — There are biting, stinging little bugs out there, some of which carry nasty diseases. And since humans figured out bugs carry disease, they have managed to find some pretty effective insect repellents.
Scott West named new Warden schools superintendent
WARDEN — Warden School District Board members unanimously voted Warden Middle School Principal Scott West as the new superintendent at their board meeting Thursday.
Warden to award bid for sidewalk, foot path
WARDEN — A Warden street with heavy foot traffic, but not many sidewalks, will get a pedestrian upgrade.
Inslee sets June 30 for reopening state
MOSES LAKE — Reaction was varied among local officials to the announcement by Gov. Jay Inslee on Thursday setting June 30 as the date to reopen the state from the shutdown imposed to combat the coronavirus outbreak.
New hardware store coming to Royal City
ROYAL CITY — Royal City public works crews soon will begin upgrades to a water line on Beech Avenue Northeast, providing water to property being developed for a new hardware, lumber and feed store, with plans to open in March 2022.
Wahluke School District decides against second capital levy vote
MATTAWA — Wahluke School District officials have decided against submitting a capital levy to district voters for a second time.
Othello PD adopts new restraint system
OTHELLO — Among the many dilemmas facing police officers is how to keep people in a volatile situation from hurting themselves or others.
One for the books: Red Rock Elementary library media specialist sees role for printed page
ROYAL CITY — Debra Rees says people who think books are on the way out and kids won’t read them are mistaken.
Mattawa mayor gives statement on police
MATTAWA — Mattawa City Council members are not saying what changes they will make, if any, in the Mattawa Police Department in the wake of the firing of Joe Harris, the former chief of police.
Skeeter patrol: Fighting the bloodsucking pests the job of mosquito control district
MOSES LAKE — It may be counterintuitive, but it’s true, as anybody who’s been outside on a summer evening can testify. The Moses Lake area – yes, that spot out in the middle of the desert – is fertile ground for mosquitoes.
Wahluke School District regroups, won’t resubmit levy
MATTAWA — Wahluke School District officials will not resubmit a capital levy proposal to district voters.
Ybarra urges people to get COVID-19 vaccine
ROYAL CITY — State Rep. Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy, said he’s getting the COVID-19 vaccination in part because he wants to promote vaccinations, especially among the Hispanic population, in the state and his district. And he’s getting vaccinated in part because he’s done with coronavirus.
Adams County projects slated for funding through capital budget
OTHELLO — Upgrades to the Lions Park playground in Othello, money for a new evidence building for the Adams County Sheriff’s Office and fiber upgrades to improve broadband access to the Wanapum Village are among the projects included in the 2021-23 capital budget, which was approved by the state Legislature last week.
Fire destroys abandoned house near Othello
OTHELLO — A brush fire destroyed an abandoned house at around 11:45 a.m. Thursday on West Bench Road, about eight miles southwest of Othello.
Position added to Othello School Board; director map changes
OTHELLO — The Othello School Board has been reconfigured from one at-large position to two.
Precautions urged when cleaning up mouse infestations
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is rare, but it is present in Grant and Adams counties.
Kindergarten class goes out to the ball game for ‘Opening Day’
MOSES LAKE — The concession stand was busy, the dugout was bustling and everybody stood up during the seventh-inning stretch for a rousing rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.”
Long-awaited honor: Quincy man is recognized more than 50 years later for Vietnam war bravery
QUINCY — The mortars and rockets were flying and the radio tower was a natural target, but Vicente Sanchez Jr. said he ignored the order to take cover because he had a job to do.
Power plants: Moses Lake FFA offers greenery to go
MOSES LAKE — Gardeners will have their choice of flowers, vegetable starts and hanging baskets – while supplies last, anyway – at the annual Moses Lake High School FFA plant sale starting this afternoon.
Othello mayor rescinds emergency power proclamation
OTHELLO — Othello Mayor Shawn Logan rescinded on Monday a declaration of civil emergency signed in March 2020 in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, as it was no longer needed, and he never used the power it gave him.
Othello site for medical student research into pandemic impact
Kirsten Myers said the early coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic didn’t really cover what was going on outside large cities.
Grant County seeks volunteer for SWAC
EPHRATA — Grant County officials are looking for a volunteer to serve on the county’s Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC).
Safety improvement project on Booker Road, east of Othello, moves forward
RITZVILLE — Moses Lake-based Central Washington Asphalt Inc. submitted the low bid of $319,000 for a federally funded project to add rumble strips at the intersection of Booker Road and state Route 26, west of Othello.
Mayor, council, school board seats open in 2021
Many local races are on the ballot in November, including city councils, school boards, hospital boards, and fire districts.
Othello seeks reactions to street proposal
Officials are seeking residents’ opinions on possible changes to street design standards for new residential development, as city council members approved public works design standards April 12, but didn’t include the street standards.
Start out small when you’re ready to return to exercise
The weather is warming up, and it’s tempting to get out there and get a little exercise.
Food bank gets state budget allocation
Construction is scheduled to begin this summer on a new and larger distribution center for Community Services of Moses Lake, which operates the Moses Lake Food Bank.
Hill sworn in as Grant County Superior Court judge
New Grant County Superior Court Judge Tyson Hill pledged to give his job the time and attention it needs, as he was sworn in Friday during a virtual ceremony as the county's third Superior Court Judge.
Sitting out: Durability, space key to choosing outdoor furniture
The sun is out, the days are longer, it’s getting a little warmer and sooner or later the wind will stop blowing. It’s time to dust off the outdoor furniture, or maybe even buy a few new pieces.
Quincy man sentenced to federal prison on drug-trafficking charges
A Quincy man was sentenced Thursday to more than 11 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess and distribute methamphetamine.
Seattle woman killed, Royal City man injured in head-on collision
A Seattle woman was killed when she attempted to pass a semi and collided head-on with a pickup truck near Royal City at about 8:15 p.m. Wednesday. The Royal City man driving the truck was flown to Harborview Medical Center.
Yonezawa Boulevard project depends on Department of Transportation review
Whether construction will begin this year at the intersection of Yonezawa Boulevard and Pioneer Way depends on a review process with an unknown completion date by the Washington State Department of Transportation.
Moses Lake man arrested after standoff near Soap Lake
A 40-year-old Moses Lake man was booked into the Grant County Jail following a three-hour standoff Tuesday night at a home near Soap Lake.
Roundabout planned for Cunningham Road and State Route 17 intersection
The intersection of Cunningham Road and state Route 17 near Othello will get a roundabout in 2023, with Washington State Department of Transportation engineers designing the project in 2022.
COVID-19 vaccine eligibility expanded
Adams County Health Department officials announced eligibility for COVID-19 vaccines for people age 16 and older, as expanded guidelines went into effect statewide Thursday.
Details released for Othello School District superintendent contract
Interim Othello School District superintendent Pete Perez will receive an extra $8,946.27 for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year in addition to his existing salary as assistant superintendent.
Moses Lake Spring Festival canceled for second year
The annual Moses Lake Spring Festival this year is canceled, organizers said Monday via social media, due to restrictions imposed to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
Perez follows path from Othello student to administrator
Whether as a student, teacher or administrator, interim Othello School District Superintendent Pete Perez has been part of the district most of his life.
Applications now available for business tax deferral
Businesses with losses in 2020 due to COVID-19 may be eligible for a deferral on their 2021 property taxes.
Baking the best of it: Paige Tolley uses restrictions to start business
Paige Tolley started her own business, Paige’s Custom Cakes, last summer because she said there wasn’t much to do.
Fundraising page set up for family of Quincy boy killed in collision
A GoFundMe account has been set up for the family of an 8-year-old Quincy boy killed in a car accident April 2 near Santa Nella, California.
Planning to plant: Spring cleaning a good idea in the garden, too
A garden, just like a house, can benefit from spring cleaning.
Don't be afraid to question potential contractors
It pays to do research, and a lot of research, when looking for a contractor to build a home. And it pays to set clear expectations written into the contract.
Construction contract award delayed for Yonezawa Boulevard project
Moses Lake city officials have not awarded a construction contract for revisions at the intersection of Yonezawa Boulevard and Pioneer Way because they must coordinate with the state Department of Transportation. Total project cost also has not been determined.