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 schools to return to some on-campus instruction
Students will start returning to Othello schools for some in-person instruction in November.
Mule deer season opens Oct. 17
OLYMPIA — One of the many signs of fall is hunting season - a lot of different hunting seasons, actually. Most general hunting seasons are scheduled to open in October
Scarecrow contest to take over Third Avenue in October
MOSES LAKE — Crows will be avoiding Third Street in Moses Lake during October - people are being invited to make scarecrows which will be displayed along the street. The “Scarecrows on Third” contest is sponsored by the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center and the Downtown Moses Lake Association.
X-ray services added to Connell clinic
CONNELL — The Columbia Basin Health Association has added x-ray services to its Connell clinic.
Xi Beta Xi to sponsor fundraiser for Othello Food Bank
OTHELLO — A local women’s group will sponsor a fundraiser for the Othello Food Bank Oct. 13. Xi Beta Xi will be collecting food and money donations from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. out in front of the food bank, 949 East Main St.
Othello city officials to look at water-sewer rate study
OTHELLO — Othello City Council members will be considering a study of water and sewer rates.
Second hearing to be scheduled on Grant County landfill fees
EPHRATA — The Grant County Commissioners will schedule a second public hearing, with the date and time to be determined, on a proposal to raise the fee to dump garbage at the Grant County landfill.
Othello man's hobby grows into small business, with local helpers and fans
It was the Christmas bazaar in Othello that told Brian Lumsden that something he had been pursuing as a hobby could work into something bigger.
Othello women's group to sponsor food drive
A local women’s group will sponsor a fundraiser for the Othello Food Bank on Oct. 13. Xi Beta Xi will collect food and money donations from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the food bank.
Second public hearing to be announced on proposed landfill fee increases
Grant County commissioners will vote on a proposal to raise the fees charged to dump garbage at the Grant County landfill. The proposal was the subject of a public hearing Tuesday.
Grant County to upgrade audio, video equipment
Installation will begin as soon as possible on upgrades to the video and audio systems in courtrooms for Grant County Superior Court, county juvenile services, the emergency operations center and Grant Integrated Services.
Samaritan Healthcare operating profitably, despite COVID-19 shutdowns
Samaritan Healthcare didn’t make as much money in the first eight months of 2020 as it did in 2019, but it still turned a profit.
New Big Bend Community College president takes the reins
Sara Thompson Tweedy said her research into the Washington community college system made her interested in applying for a job in the state, if the opportunity was available.
Furniture trends have to take reality into account
While there are design trends in furniture just like there are in clothing, the key factor in selecting furniture is what fits in the house.
Mattawa garbage drop box to remain open, for now
EPHRATA — For the time being, the garbage collection facility operated by Grant County in the Mattawa area will remain open. That is the recommendation of the county’s public works staff, announced during a public hearing Tuesday.
Central Basin Community Concert Association cancels 2020-21 season
MOSES LAKE — The Central Basin Community Concert Association has announced the cancellation of its 2020-21 season.
McCain Foods announces construction to resume on Othello expansion
OTHELLO — Construction is scheduled to restart in early October on the expansion of the McCain Foods potato processing facility in Othello.
Othello School Board asks for restart plan
OTHELLO — Othello School District officials will start working on a plan to restart at least some in-person education. Othello School Board members voted 3-2 to ask for a plan at the regular meeting Sept. 28.
Samaritan adds testing to physician substance abuse policy
Physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners working at or with admitting privileges at Samaritan Healthcare of Moses Lake will be subject to random testing for substance abuse.
Royal City street project set to begin next week
ROYAL CITY — Repaving of Poplar Street, a Royal City residential street that is also the site of a new housing development, is scheduled for completion by the end of October.
Fall traditions: Straw mazes, pumpkin patches opening
One of the signs of fall is the pumpkin patch, and one of the signs of Halloween is the straw maze. Fall is here, Halloween is not far away, and the season of straw mazes and pumpkin patches has begun around Othello and Royal City.
COVID-19 outbreak reported in extended care facility
OTHELLO — Adams County Health Department officials have announced a COVID-19 outbreak has been discovered at an Adams County extended care facility.
Grant County does better with sales tax revenue
With three months left in 2020, Grant County is collecting more sales tax than it did in the same period in 2019.
Signs of fall: Mickle Farms pumpkin patch is growing
ROYAL CITY — Actually, Nicole and Dan Mickle just wanted to decorate the porch of their home near Royal City for Halloween.
Second hearing to be scheduled on Grant County landfill fee proposal
Grant County commissioners will schedule a second public hearing, with the date to be determined, on a proposal to raise fees to dump garbage at the Grant County landfill.
Proposal to raise some county landfill fees subject of public hearing
EPHRATA — A public hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday on a proposal to raise fees charged to dump garbage at the Grant County landfill.
Annual Alzheimer's walk draws more than 100 walkers
Walkers took to their neighborhoods and favorite trails in Moses Lake on Sunday to raise money to help fight Alzheimer’s, and other forms of dementia, and to raise awareness of the disease.
Public hearing set for possible Mattawa annexation
The Mattawa City Council has scheduled a hearing for Oct. 1 to take public comment on a plan to annex property in the Wahluke Industrial Park into the Mattawa city limits
Analyzing needs and wants first step in kitchen design
MOSES LAKE — Kitchen designer Barb Skaug said successful home design can change the way a room is used. It can even change the way people live in that space.
Grant County Health District announces two additional COVID-19 deaths
MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Health District has announced two more people have died due to the COVID-19 virus
School safety grant awarded to Mattawa Police Department
MATTAWA — A $372,750 grant to improve security in the Wahluke School District has been awarded to the Mattawa Police Department from the U.S. Department of Justice.
Work to start on Moses Lake Christian Academy gym exterior
MOSES LAKE — After years of fundraising and preparation, the exterior walls of the new gym at the Moses Lake Christian Academy will be going up soon.
Mattawa Police Department receives school security grant
MATTAWA — The Mattawa Police Department has received a grant designed to help improve security in the Wahluke School District.
County to open mental health crisis treatment center
MOSES LAKE — Grant County will be opening a treatment center for patients suffering from a mental health crisis in the next few weeks.
Museum to sponsor Rusty Mammoth sale
MOSES LAKE — Watercolors, paintings, china, stoneware, furniture and miniature antique books will be among the items looking for new homes at the Rusty Mammoth Sale from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.
Corn sale benefits Moses Lake FFA program
MOSES LAKE — Part of the appeal of a high school club is the chance to go somewhere different, try new skills, learn new things.
Two injured in accident near Warden
A man and a woman were injured early Saturday morning in a two-vehicle collision near Warden.
Eleventh Adams County resident dies from coronavirus
RITZVILLE — Adams County Health Department officials have announced the death of an 11th Adams County resident due to complications from COVID-19.
Othello livestock sale goes on in 'weird' year
OTHELLO — It sure looked like the start of the fair.
County officials cut ribbon at crisis treatment facility
People undergoing a mental health crisis will have an option for inpatient treatment in Grant County.
Key Club collects school supplies donations
The first event of the year for the Key Club chapter at Moses Lake High School resulted in donations of an estimated $239 in school supplies.
Moses Lake Roundup queen makes the best of a challenging situation
Mykiah Hollenbeck had it all planned out, as evidenced by a weekend in early March.
Insurance is important for renters too
MOSES LAKE — The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune - things like windstorms and fires - can afflict people who rent their dwellings.
First day of school starts with questionnaire
MOSES LAKE — The first day of school for 2020-21 at Frontier Middle School started with waiting in line.
Othello School District patrons to be surveyed on on-campus instruction
OTHELLO — Othello School District patrons will be asked to fill out a survey asking their opinions on the timeline and planning for a return to some kind of in-person learning in the district.
Donations sought for victims of Cold Spring Canyon-Pearl Hill fire
Monetary donations are being accepted for victims of a wildfire that started Labor Day weekend and burned in Okanogan and Douglas counties.
Moses Lake HS Key Club to sponsor school supplies collection
MOSES LAKE — Members of the Moses Lake High School Key Club will be collecting donations of school supplies from 3 to 6 p.m., Sept. 18 at McCosh Park.
NCW Libraries expands curbside pickup hours
ROYAL CITY — The NCW Libraries system has expanded its curbside pickup hours.
Girl Scouts donate cookies to local health care providers
Members of Grant and Adams county Girl Scout troops brought a gift to Moses Lake Community Health Wednesday, one of a series of the scouts are making throughout the two counties.
Adams County: 82 new coronavirus cases in 10 days
RITZVILLE — The Adams County Health Department reported 82 new cases of the coronavirus diagnosed in the county between Sept. 4 and 14.