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
Public hearing set for street change
EPHRATA — The Grant County Board of Commissioners will take public comment at 1:30 p.m. April 27 on a proposal to vacate a portion of a platted road and alley at the Trinidad townsite west of Quincy.
Job gains: Grant County unemployment drops between February 2020 and February 2021
Unemployment in Grant County dropped between February 2020 and February 2021, but rose between January and February 2020.
Othello park gets new life
There are big plans for P.J. Taggares Park: improvements to the combined football-soccer fields, lights at the shop and the playground.
Deena Vietzke new Othello Chamber of Commerce manager
Deena Vietzke said she wants the Othello Chamber of Commerce to keep expanding its potential.
Jobless rate down in Adams County
RITZVILLE — Unemployment in Adams County dropped between February 2020 and February 2021, and increased slightly between January and February 2021.
Building boom: Construction surges on in Grant County
The boom in construction is going strong in Grant County, at least in the unincorporated areas.
Othello buys new fire truck
The city of Othello will spend $637,670 to buy a new fire truck.
Royal City Summerfest scheduled to return in 2021
While a lot could happen between now and the second weekend in July, planning for Royal City Summerfest is underway.
First cases of ‘California variant’ COVID-19 strain found in Grant County
Grant County Health District officials announced Monday the first three cases of the COVID-19 “California variant,” B.1.429, were confirmed in the first few days of April.
Esther Roeber selected as 2021 Moses Lake Distinguished Young Woman winner
Esther Roeber was selected Tuesday night at Youth Dynamics, 106 East Third Ave., and streamed online, as the Moses Lake Distinguished Young Woman winner for 2021.
Architect, family build Moses Lake custom home
Kyrissa Morigeau and her husband, Justin, bought undeveloped property and are building a custom house.
Odessa woman arrested for alleged burglary, assault
An Odessa woman was booked into the Grant County Jail on assault and burglary charges Wednesday after she allegedly entered a house near Warden, assaulted a man and woman with a Taser and chased the man with a handgun after he left the house.
Fire destroys tractor, haystack near Ephrata
A fire Wednesday afternoon in the 2400 block of Road 7 Northwest, south of Ephrata, destroyed a tractor and a haystack.
Mental health facility moves closer to meeting license requirements
Crisis Solutions will have to upgrade its heating-cooling system before it can be licensed to provide inpatient services.
Adams County Commissioners consider changes to emergency management job
Adams County Commissioners will make changes to the emergency management director position, as Commissioner Jay Weise, who had the job before he won his commission seat, said times have changed and the job needs to change with it.
School upgrade: Progress starting to show on Royal construction project
Construction workers were adding stucco to the exterior of two new classrooms at Royal Middle School Friday, and crews have finished the foundation slab for the new entrance to the Royal High School gym.
Perez appointed interim Othello School District superintendent
Pete Perez has been appointed as the interim Othello School District superintendent, replacing Chris Hurst, who announced in March he accepted a job in California.
Paving time: Road construction season is here; Valley Road project nears completion
Paving crews should be finished late next week on repaving a section of Valley Road Northeast, adjacent to the Moses Lake city limits, extending from the entrance of Cascade Park to Scott Road.
Learning, sharing: New Grant County Health District spokesperson keeps public informed
Misty Aguilar said her career in communication started with her desire to learn.
Moses Lake Distinguished Young Women program to be held at local venue
Seven high school juniors will compete Tuesday for the title of Moses Lake Distinguished Young Woman.
Rimrock Meadows fire destroys travel trailer
EPHRATA — A travel trailer was destroyed in a fire Wednesday at Rimrock Meadows about 16 miles north of Ephrata.
Spring is here, and that means cleaning time
MOSES LAKE — It’s officially spring, and one of the season’s rituals is spring cleaning.
At Easter, churches adapt to changing conditions
Church observances for Easter 2021, like Easter 2020, will have restrictions due to COVID-19, but church congregations have adapted to changing conditions.
Traffic concerns: Hansen Road interchange gets spotlight
Increasing residential development in Mae Valley and plans for a new truck stop at the Hansen Road exit on Interstate 90 have focused attention on traffic flows and traffic volume around the interchange.
Some Easter egg hunts slated to take place this weekend
The COVID-19 outbreak is still putting a damper on activities, but some Easter egg hunts are on Saturday, one way or another.
Grant County Fair planning advances, hinges on phase
It looks likely if the 2021 Grant County Fair happens, it will have a carnival and the exhibit buildings will be open. But numbers of COVID-19 cases will be a determining factor in its fate.
Othello looks for new district superintendent
Who the Othello School District superintendent will be in the 2021-22 school year is uncertain, as current district superintendent Chris Hurst announced he accepted another job, but has not resigned from his Othello position.
Desert Aire plans Easter egg hunt
Children in the Mattawa area are invited to hunt Easter eggs at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Desert Aire Park at 368 Desert Aire Dr. SW.
Dorow hired as consultant for Othello sewage plant
Othello City Council member Genna Dorow has been hired by the city on a short-term contract to provide consulting services for the city’s wastewater treatment facility.
Eager to move in: GC Fire District 8’s new fire hall nearly ready for crews
It’s almost moving day for Grant County Fire District 8.
Othello schools to remain in hybrid model
Othello School District students will attend classes in the hybrid model, which includes classes on campus part-time and online part-time, through the end of the current school year.
Road rebuilding planned around new Love’s Travel Stop
The plans for the new Love’s Travel Stop on the south side of Interstate 90 in Moses Lake include major upgrades to the two roads that provide access to the property.
Royal schools to drop hybrid option after spring break
Royal School District officials are planning to drop the hybrid schedule — part-time on campus and part-time online — April 12, in favor of full-time, in-person instruction, when classes resume after spring vacation.
Police search for suspect in Othello shooting
Othello police are searching for a suspect who shot an Othello man in the leg outside his home early Tuesday morning.
Vaccination clinic tentatively scheduled for Saturday
The Grant County Vaccine Task Force tentatively scheduled a mass COVID-19 vaccination clinic Saturday at the Grant County Fairgrounds in Moses Lake.
Sweet tradition: A love of baking is ingrained in Shawna Sloane’s family
Shawna Sloane said her love of baking has its roots in family tradition.
Libraries expand operating hours
Libraries in the NCW Libraries system, including those in Grant County, have expanded operating hours.
Love’s Travel Stop submits building plan to city
The preliminary floor plan for the new Love’s Travel Stop in Moses Lake is under review by the city’s building department, but likely won't change too much.
More vaccines, options available
There are still qualification requirements and appointments required, but people who qualify have more options to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Two Samaritan employees test positive for COVID-19 after receiving vaccine
Two employees at Samaritan Healthcare have tested positive for COVID-19 after receiving both shots of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine.
Sandhill Crane Festival still draws birdwatchers
Othello Sandhill Crane Festival events were online this year, but that didn’t stop birdwatchers from trekking to see birds.
Medical students’ research project features Moses Lake
Local first-year medical students turned the challenge presented by the COVID-19 pandemic into an opportunity to conduct research and provide a small economic boost to communities in which they are studying.
Othello man pleads not guilty to manslaughter
An Othello man pleaded not guilty Monday in Adams County Superior Court to first-degree manslaughter in the death of his 4-year-old son Feb. 27.
Phase 3 begins: Move forward encourages local business owners
MATTAWA — The first day of the third phase of Washington’s reopening didn’t produce much additional business at Tiddaly Diddalys sandwich and pizza shop in Mattawa. Owner Ken Broda said business has been picking up for a couple weeks.
Royal City City Council to resume in-person meetings
The Royal City City Council plans to start in-person meetings April 6 in the council chamber at Royal City City Hall, 445 Camelia St.
Othello Fair planning begins tentatively
Planning is underway for the 2021 Othello Fair, although whether the fair will occur is still unknown because longer-term use and maintenance of the fairgrounds is under discussion by Adams County Commissioners.
Amy Suarez named Othello School District finance director
OTHELLO — Amy Suarez is the new executive director of business for the Othello School District.
Royal City approves contract for water planning
ROYAL CITY — Royal City officials will spend $30,000 to $40,000 for a plan for a new water system.
‘Roller coaster’ ride continues as reopening moves forward
The parking lot at Checo's Mexican Grill was almost full during Monday’s lunch hour.
Katrina Ball first female detective for Grant County Sheriff's Office
Katrina Ball said there was more she could do for her community.