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
Katrina Ball first female detective for Grant County Sheriff's Office
Katrina Ball said there was more she could do for her community.
Fixes for the long term: Whether to reupholster depends on a budget, an object’s value to owner
Diana Derricott said there are three questions people should ask themselves when they’re trying to decide whether to reupholster furniture.
In-person instructions: Local school districts meet Inslee’s requirement differently
School districts in Grant County and the Othello School District (in Adams County) have one thing in common: they all meet the criteria established by Gov. Jay Inslee, requiring schools to reopen for some kind of in-person learning by mid-April.
Volunteers sought to assist at vaccination clinics
The Grant County Vaccine Task Force is looking for volunteers to assist at COVID-19 vaccination clinics around the county and there is a bonus.
Ephrata group to review recommendations for Grant County Jail site
A committee of Ephrata residents will meet next week to evaluate two possible sites for the new Grant County Jail, which is among the first steps in the city's requirement.
Othello Police Department swears in a new officer
Tyson Cox, 37, is the newest officer in the Othello Police Department, as he was sworn in Monday by Othello Mayor Shawn Logan.
Royal student wins award in regional art show
Royal High School senior Fernandez Ruiz-Cisneros said he was looking for something to draw one afternoon in art class. The resulting piece won him a $2,000 art scholarship from Central Washington University.
Othello schools looking for bus drivers
Holly Gross, assistant transportation director for the Othello School District, said driving a school bus is pretty fun.
In the right place: Royal City’s new police chief has found his niche
Royal City Police Chief Rey Rodriguez said he decided early on that Royal City was the place for him.
Othello PD to expand detective division
The Othello Police Department will expand its detective division to address changes in patterns of crime.
Othello to keep schools on blended schedule
Othello schools may remain in a hybrid model through the end of the school year, with the goal of returning to complete in-person instruction at the beginning of the 2021-22 school year.
Arraignment in Othello manslaughter case delayed
The arraignment of an Othello man charged with first-degree manslaughter in the death of his 4-year-old son has been postponed one week.
Phase 3 good news, say local officials
The news Thursday, about the state moving to Phase 3 of Gov. Jay Inslee's reopening plan, was good, officials said.
Warden City Council receives annexation request
Warden city officials may plan to annex a piece of property, located at Pine Avenue and First Street, into the city, after receiving a request for it.
Grant County Courthouse scheduled to reopen April 5
The Grant County Courthouse and most other county offices are scheduled to reopen to the public April 5.
Virtual nature: Sandhill Crane Festival goes online for 2021
The 2021 Othello Sandhill Crane Festival events will move online, with most of them scheduled for March 20.
Warden to add online bill pay option
Warden residents can pay their utility bills online in about a month, as council members on Tuesday approved a resolution allowing online payments.
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.
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.
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.
Officials discuss reopening courthouse
Adams County commissioners and other officials discussed reopening the Adams County Courthouse for an hour March 3.
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.
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.
New Wahluke superintendent says he'll always be a teacher
As far as Andy Harlow is concerned, he was, and is, a teacher.
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.
Road guru: Grant County engineer keeps the county rolling
Keith Elefson said the county engineer is responsible for roads, first and foremost.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.