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
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.
Air quality advisory in effect in Adams, Grant counties
OTHELLO — While visibility may have improved, the smoke that arrived in eastern Washington over the weekend is still sticking around and is expected to affect air quality at least through Thursday
Adams County unemployment increases in July
RITZVILLE — Unemployment rose in Adams County in July, both when measured against July 2019 and against June 2020, but it might not be as bad as the inital numbers make it look.
Library system to expand curbside pickup hours
MOSES LAKE — Libraries in the NCW Library system will be expanding the hours they are open for curbside pickup, beginning today.
Moses Lake Alzheimer's walk postponed
The 2020 Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Moses Lake has been rescheduled to Sept. 27.
Yearly review recommended for homeowners insurance
MOSES LAKE — Say something happens to the house – oh, just to pick something at random – say there’s a windstorm. Say a tree hits the garage. That’s when the homeowner pulls out the insurance policy and – just a second. What exactly is in that policy?
Warden schools requesting small groups be allowed on campus
WARDEN — While Warden schools are conducting online classes to start the school year, district officials have submitted a plan to the Grant County Health District to allow on-campus instruction for small groups.
Grants available to Moses Lake business owners
MOSES LAKE — Qualifying businesses and community organizations in Moses Lake that suffered losses due to the COVID-19 outbreak are being encouraged to apply for grants being awarded by the city of Moses Lake
Cellarbration for Education fundraiser moves online
The annual Cellarbration for Education fundraiser to benefit the Big Bend Community College Foundation is moving online for 2020.
Othello man dies in Winchester accident
An Othello man died Sept. 9 when his car was hit at the intersection of State Route 28 and Road K Northwest in Winchester.
Smoke may stick around for a few days
Wildfires north and south of Grant County have made their presence known by the smoke coming and going, depending on the wind.
Othello Food Bank to add service for seniors
OTHELLO — The Othello Food Bank will start a new service for seniors, opening just for them on Monday afternoons beginning Sept. 14.
Lind man injured in car accident
MESA — A Lind man was injured when the car he was driving was hit by another car in the intersection of SR-17 and Pepiot Road in Mesa Sept. 4.
Man dies from injuries from Booker Road accident
OTHELLO — An Elgin, Oregon, man has died from injuries suffered when his car was hit while he was crossing the intersection of Booker Road and state Route 26, about seven miles southeast of Othello, on Sept. 2.
Drive-through event provides census assistance
MATTAWA — Volunteers from a number of Mattawa agencies and organizations got together to make it as easy as possible to fill out a census form with drive-through assistance Friday afternoon.
High winds force road closures, help spread fires
A severe windstorm Monday closed roads all over eastern Washington, was a factor in the rapid spread of a massive fire - a fire that caused street lights in Ephrata to come on in mid-morning - downed power lines and toppled trees.
Barrel racers compete at Grant County Fairgrounds
Barrel racing, basically, is about beating the clock. The challenge, and beating the challenge, is one reason Sophie Fountain keeps racing.
Preliminary number shows higher jobless rate in Adams County in July
Fewer jobs at publicly owned medical facilities and public schools helped push Adams County unemployment to 9.2 percent in July.
High winds push fire south
Strong winds and a large, fast-moving wildfire led to road closures throughout northern Grant County on Monday, and blowing dust and smoke closed Interstate 90 near Ritzville. The strong winds also led to numerous power outages.
Library to resume mail order service
WENATCHEE — Patrons of the NCW Libraries, formerly the North Central Regional Library, system will be able to start using its mail order service Sept. 14.
Shooting suspect found dead near Royal City
ROYAL CITY — A man suspected of killing a coworker near Vantage was found dead Aug. 28 in an orchard north of Royal City.
Coronavirus: 32 new cases reported in Grant County
Grant County Health District officials announced that 32 new cases of coronavirus were reported in the county Friday.
Wahluke Industrial Park gets new tenant
MATTAWA — A wholesale food products distributor has opened a new location in the Wahluke Industrial Park in Mattawa.
Walk to End Alzheimer's goes virtual
Registration is open for the Moses Lake 2020 Walk to End Alzheimer’s, scheduled for Sept. 12.
Local home market is hot despite pandemic
It may seem illogical, but the housing market in Grant County is booming.
Othello school registration near budget projections
OTHELLO — Enrollment for the 2020-21 school year is slightly lower than projected in the Othello School District, at least as the school year starts its “soft opening.
Facilities plan recommends remodeling Quincy Middle School within eight years
QUINCY — Quincy School District patrons should be thinking about remodeling or replacing Quincy Middle School sometime in the next five to eight years. That was one of the recommendations in a new master facilities plan presented to the Quincy School Board Aug. 25.
Start of school pushed back in Wahluke
MATTAWA — The first day of school in the Wahluke School District has been pushed back to Sept. 14.
Color Run draws 600 registrants
OTHELLO — Organizers don’t know yet how much money was raised through the annual Color Run sponsored by the Columbia Basin Health Association, but about 600 people registered to run.
Grant County unemployment rises from June to July
MOSES LAKE — While unemployment in Grant County in July was lower than it was in May, it was higher than June. And it was up substantially when compared with July 2019.
Othello teacher tests positive for coronavirus
OTHELLO — A teacher at Scootney Springs Elementary has tested positive for the coronavirus, and a second Scootney Springs teacher is displaying COVID-19 symptoms. Both are under quarantine, and so are seven other Scootney Springs staff members.
'Soft opening' designed to help parents with challenges of online learning
OTHELLO — Technically, school will be in session next week in the Othello School District, and teachers and staff will be in the buildings, but children will not.
Royal first day of school a little different
ROYAL CITY — The first day of school was a little different for the students at Red Rock Elementary.
New tenant at Wahluke Industrial Park
MATTAWA — A new tenant has set up shop in the Wahluke Industrial Park. Azteca Products Corporation opened its operation in town last week.
Quincy School District purchases property
QUINCY — The Quincy School District’s Innovation Academy and distance learning programs will get a new home sometime this fall.
Library mail order service to resume
WENATCHEE — Patrons of the NCW Libraries system will be able to start using its mail order service Sept. 14.
Some local museums already open, others will stay closed for year
OTHELLO — While the Old Hotel Museum and Art Gallery has been open since early June, other museums won’t be opening at all this year.
Veterans job fair canceled
MOSES LAKE — The annual Veterans Job Fair, originally scheduled for Sept. 26 at the Grant County Fairgrounds, has been canceled for 2020.
Registration open to Sept. 1 for Adams County livestock auction
OTHELLO — Registration will be open through Sept. 1 for the livestock sale sponsored by the Othello Fair Livestock Committee.
Samaritan Healthcare to buy new diagnostic imaging equipment
MOSES LAKE — While the start of construction has been delayed at least until next spring, Samaritan Healthcare officials are still working on plans and purchasing equipment for a new Samaritan hospital.
Despite different format, livestock sale successful
MOSES LAKE — While it was different than exhibitors and organizers expected back in the spring, the livestock sale at the Grant County Fairgrounds last week accomplished its goal.
Sixth coronavirus death in Adams County announced
OTHELLO — An Othello man is the sixth person in Adams County to die from COVID-19 or its complications.
Some local museums to open, others to stay closed
QUINCY — The Quincy Valley Historical Society & Museum will open to the public Friday, following an announcement from Gov. Jay Inslee on Aug. 20 that museums could reopen on a limited basis. Other museums in the area have responded differently to Inslee’s announcement.
Chris Lupo new Warden High School principal
Former teacher returns as new Warden High School principal
WARDEN — Chris Lupo said his new job brings him back to the place where he started.
Online auction provides finale for livestock sale after coronavirus disruption
MOSES LAKE — It has been a very different spring and summer all the way around, and nowhere was that more evident than at the annual livestock auction at the Grant County Fairgrounds on Friday.
Dan Newhouse discusses issues on Othello visit
OTHELLO — Representative Dan Newhouse said he does see a possibility for bipartisan action in Congress to help undocumented young people brought to the United States when they were children. Newhouse said what he called a “window of opportunity” may exist following the 2020 presidential election.
Warden schools to start school year online
WARDEN — School will start online in the Warden School District.
COVID-19 tests recommended for contacts of Adams County Jail inmates, staff
RITZVILLE — People who came into close contact with staff or inmates from the Adams County Jail between Aug. 3 and Aug. 17 are encouraged to be tested for COVID-19, said Adams County Health Department officials.
Royal schools to open with part-time on campus instruction
ROYAL CITY — Parents in the Royal School District will have their choice of sending their children to school online or half-time online and half-time in-person instruction. The Royal School Board approved a reopening plan that includes both those options on a 5-0 vote at a special board meeting Aug. 13.
Volunteers help prepare for livestock sale
MOSES LAKE — Volunteers turned out Tuesday morning to sweep the walks and prepare the stalls for the livestock sale this week at Grant County Fairgrounds.