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
Food banks need donations, especially in unusual year
With Halloween in the rear-view mirror and Thanksgiving and Christmas fast approaching, it’s time to think about those traditional food and toy drives and donations for local food banks – well, wait.
Quincy Halloween drive-thru big success
Quincy families came out in force for the trick-or-treat drive-thru held Halloween afternoon.
Samaritan Healthcare officials still committed to new hospital project
While Samaritan Healthcare officials are re-examining their forecasts for future hospital use and how that would affect finances, the plans to build a new Samaritan Hospital are going ahead
Pent-up demand and other factors drive the booming Grant County housing market
Judging by the building permits issued by Grant County and its cities, home construction is booming. Buyers for those homes, according to local home construction companies, are not only local families looking for something new, but people from other parts of the state.
State grant will help pay for Grant PUD fiber optic project
Grant County Public Utility District will use an $810,000 grant from the Washington State Public Works Board to expand the utility’s fiber optic network. The PUD also qualified for an $810,000 loan from the PWB.
Samaritan application turned down; new study on the way
Samaritan Healthcare's application to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for funding to build a new Samaritan hospital has been declined, but hospital district officials have options for keeping the project moving forward.
Wahluke schools to add on-campus instruction in November
MATTAWA — Wahluke School District students will be coming back to school for part time, on-campus instruction beginning sometime in November.
Othello students start returning to school Nov. 4
OTHELLO — Othello primary grade students will return to campus part time Nov. 4.
Othello school officials clarify transgender policy
OTHELLO — Communicating with the parents of transgender students in the Othello School District, and how that will happen, was the subject of a short discussion at the Oct. 26 meeting of the Othello School Board.
Adams County unemployment rate improves from July
RITZVILLE — While Adams County’s August unemployment rate was higher in 2020 than 2019, it’s dropping from highs earlier this year.
Mattawa Police Department training exercises designed to improve skills
MATTAWA — Mattawa Police Department officers took a day to learn more about leadership and cooperation in a training exercise that was also a chance for officers and their families to spend some time together.
Old Hotel celebrates birthday with drive-thru dinner
OTHELLO — The Old Hotel celebrated its 45th anniversary as an art galley with a drive-through banquet.
Royal schools bring some classes back to campus full time
ROYAL CITY — Royal School District kindergartners, first graders and fourth graders returned to on-campus instruction full time Monday.
Juli Rasmussen works to pay it forward
MOSES LAKE — Juli Rasmussen said she wanted to pay back the kindness and support she received when she opened her business, and that she remembered from her youth in Moses Lake.
Scout troops staying involved during pandemic
Their summer camp was canceled because of the coronavirus outbreak, but local Boy Scout troops have found ways to meet and stay active.
Warden schools EP&O levy on the ballot
WARDEN — Voters in Warden School District will decide the fate of a two-year educational programs and operations levy during the general election next Tuesday.
Royal schools start full-time, on-campus instruction for 3 grades
Royal School District students in three grades will go back to school full time beginning today.
Warden School District voters to decide fate of EP&O levy
WARDEN — Warden School District voters will decide the fate of a two-year, educational programs and operations during the general election Nov. 3.
Brian Lumsden builds barbecue rub business
OTHELLO — Brian Lumsden said that when he unlocked the door of the facility where he mixes his barbecue rubs, he wasn’t sure he’d ever need all that space. But B’s Rubs has grown. A lot. “Now we’re out of space,” he said.
Othello to receive grants for Lions Park improvements
OTHELLO — Major upgrades will be coming to the playground in Lions Park in Othello, courtesy of three grants from state recreation programs.
Grant PUD plans no rate increase in 2021
Under a budget proposal for next year, Grant County PUD customers will pay the same rates for electricity in 2021 that they’re paying now.
Mattawa man seriously injured in car acciddent
DESERT AIRE — A Mattawa man was seriously injured after he lost control of his vehicle, crashed and was ejected from the car in an accident near Desert Aire Oct. 15.
Construction continues on Stratford Road through late November
The overnight closures of Stratford Road are about over, and the current construction project is slated for completion by late November.
Othello Rodeo straw maze featuring scariest hits for 2020
OTHELLO — The straw maze sponsored by the Othello Rodeo Association for 2020 is a compilation of their scariest scares of the last decade.
More updates, changes discussed for Grant County Fairgrounds
Demolishing or repurposing some of the empty food booths at the Grant County Fairgrounds and upgrades at the Moses Lake Roundup arena are some of the ideas being discussed for the fairgrounds in 2021.
Sweet heart: Moses Lake baby keeps smiling through transplant
MOSES LAKE — The doctors knew Ava Jaymes Stemhagen would have a fight on her hands before she was even born.
Sun Tribune becomes part of Columbia Basin Herald
As times change newspapers are changing, and changes are coming to the Sun Tribune. The Sun Tribune will be joining with the Columbia Basin Herald in an effort to provide readers of both publications with more local news.
Newhouse meets with local hospital officials
Congressman Dan Newhouse discussed additional COVID-19 funding, paying back COVID-19 funding already received, profit and loss for health care organizations, health care staffing and other topics with chief executive officers of local hospitals during a visit to Moses Lake on Monday.
McKay Healthcare pays down debt to Grant County
McKay Healthcare and Rehabilitation has cut its debt to Grant County by more than half, due in part to money the facility received as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Scary stuff in the Othello Rodeo Association straw maze
OTHELLO — How scary can it get inside the straw maze sponsored by the Othello Rodeo Association? Rick Bougher, a longtime volunteer, said there are parents who will let their kids go through, but as for themselves - well, they’ll just wait outside.
Yakima woman dies from injuries suffered in Quincy accident
A Yakima woman died Friday from injuries suffered in a three-car accident about eight miles south of Quincy on Tuesday, Oct. 13.
Warden schools to start some on-campus instruction Oct. 26
WARDEN — The Warden School District will start in-person instruction for preschool through fifth grade students Oct. 26. Middle school and high school students will return to campus Nov. 9.
Car enthusiasts gather for show near end of strange year
Reimagined 1970s and 1980s sedans, old pickup trucks and classic cars filled Zamora Park in Moses Lake for an informal car show and dance Saturday.
Royal School Board awards construction contract
ROYAL CITY — Leone and Keeble, Spokane, has been awarded a $19.87 million contract for upgrades at Royal High School and Royal Middle School. Royal School Board members awarded the contract during a special meeting Oct. 13.
Moses Lake man dies in motorcycle accident
A Moses Lake man died when he drove his motorcycle off Interstate 90 near Vantage on Saturday.
Grant County home construction market booming
MOSES LAKE — No matter the price, the home construction market in Grant County is booming. Bustling. Red hot.
Grant County PUD unveils 2021 budget
Grant County PUD projects $278.4 million in total expenses in 2021 and that it will end the year with about $47.7 million income in excess of expenses.
Moses Lake School District officials answer questions about new high school
Site preparation should begin in about a month for the new high school in Moses Lake.
George officials looking for new library property
The NCW Libraries system will be sending its bookmobile to George while city officials finalize plans for a temporary location for the library.
Othello to start on-campus instruction Nov. 3
Some Othello students will begin limited on-campus instruction Nov. 3.
Warden school officials discuss return to on-campus instruction
Half-time, on-campus instruction is coming soon for all Warden School District students.
Quincy schools set tentative date for return
Quincy School District officials have set a tentative date for the return of part-time on-campus instruction.
Family's love of Halloween on display in front yard
It starts small, with maybe a few witches who failed flight training and cratered in the front yard. Jaymee Welch and her mother, Christy, really love Halloween.
Othello School Board approves transgender student policy
OTHELLO — Training will be offered to Othello School District personnel and students around issues dealing with gay and transgender students. The training will be scheduled as part of a new district policy on gay and transgender issues, which was approved by the Othello School Board Oct. 12.
Driven by construction and retail gains, Grant County unemployment rate drops
Unemployment in Grant County is dropping from its April and May highs, driven in part by employment gains in construction and the retail sector.
Mattawa Community Clinic pays back Grant County debt
Even with the challenges presented by the coronavirus outbreak, one Grant County medical facility has paid back the money it owed the county and is operating at a profit.
Medical centers reduce debt to Grant County
Even with the challenges presented by the COVID-19 outbreak, two medical facilities have reduced the debt they owe to Grant County.
Wide array of choices when replacing floors
MOSES LAKE — Any home remodeling project, whatever its scope, is bound by certain rules. But within those parameters homeowners have all kinds of choices.
Moses Lake museum offers Project Postcard
MOSES LAKE — A new project sponsored by the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center has the goal of using art to help connect with people isolated by the COVID-19 outbreak.
Luminaria ceremony to honor people affected by cancer
The Grant-Adams Relay for Life will sponsor a commemoration of people who are fighting cancer, cancer survivors and those who lost the battle, and their caregivers.