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
Grant County sees considerable building permit activity
EPHRATA — The construction industry was booming in Grant County in late 2020, at least as evidenced by building permit applications in the unincorporated areas.
Yonezawa Boulevard to be extended
Revisions are planned at the intersection of Yonezawa Boulevard and Pioneer Way (state Route 17), which will extend Yonezawa Boulevard to an access road and the new Vicki Groff Elementary School.
Ephrata City Council raises garbage rates
Residential garbage rates will increase 6-10% in Ephrata this year, and rates for a container will increase by 8-15%, as Ephrata City Council members on Wednesday approved an ordinance setting new rates.
Dish gardens provide gardening option in winter
It’s January, the height of gardening season, and gardeners should be out there weeding and watering. Oh, wait, that’s Australia. In Grant County, January is not gardening weather.
Final plans still pending for Love's Travel Stop
Final plans for the new Love’s Travel Stop should be submitted to the city of Moses Lake within the next few weeks.
Othello mayor lists 2021 projects
Othello Mayor Shawn Logan has a long list of tasks and goals -- New Year’s resolutions, basically -- for the city in 2021.
Catholic Charities to build apartment complex in Mattawa
Construction should start in the fall on a new apartment complex for low-income Mattawa residents.
Love of books leads to business
Heidi Gales said she was thinking of buying stuff for her house with a gift card she'd received from her employer for Christmas. Instead, she bought books.
Othello students to return to campus beginning next week
Othello School District Board members on Monday unanimously approved a revised reopening plan at a special meeting to allow preschoolers through third-graders to return to campuses for hybrid in-person instruction Jan. 12.
Grant County building permit applications reach high in December
Grant County Development Services received 131 applications for building permits in December, the highest total of the year, and the year's total was 953 applications. And permits are still waiting for processing.
Big Bend CC trustee announces resignation
MOSES LAKE — Big Bend Community College trustee Stephen McFadden has announced his resignation, effective in March.
Priest Rapids workers released from sequestration
Negative coronavirus tests meant employees at Priest Rapids Dam were released from sequestration after 15 days.
First significant snowfall of winter blankets Moses Lake
The snow Wednesday morning was almost too much for James Habedenk’s tractor.
Grant will allow Boys & Girls Club to expand services
A $142,685 grant will give the Boys & Girls Clubs of The Columbia Basin the opportunity to help kids and their families working through some of the challenges of online learning.
Wahluke students scheduled to start returning to campus Jan. 5
If everything goes according to plan, Wahluke School District students in the primary grades will return for some in-person instruction beginning Jan. 5.
Grant County expenses lower than expected through November
Reductions in expenses, and some help from federal coronavirus relief funds, meant Grant County reached the end of November with more cash in its current expense fund than in the same period in 2019.
Othello School Board looks to increase student involvement
Student involvement with the Othello School Board would be expanded under a proposal discussed by board members at the regular meeting Dec. 16.
Othello woman injured in car accident
Kelsey Williams, 24, was driving east on State Route 240 at the Richland city limits Dec. 25 when her car was hit by a car driven by Selina Gilbert, 20, of West Richland.
Life Flight crew's job never the same twice
When there’s an emergency, a fast response can make all the difference.
Ten more Grant County COVID-19 deaths announced
Grant County Health District officials announced Tuesday the deaths of 10 more people due coronavirus infection, bringing the total in the county to 83.
Crisis Solutions facility opening delayed
Opening of a Grant Integrated Services facility designed to treat people undergoing a mental health crisis has been delayed due to confusion over state requirements.
Moses Lake Lioness club gives to toy drive
The Moses Lake Lioness club recently donated money to a local organization, blankets to the Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation and presents to New Hope and an extended-care facility.
Samaritan loses less money in September, October than anticipated
Samaritan Healthcare didn’t lose as much money as hospital officials anticipated in September and October.
Grant County Fairgrounds expected to be busy in 2021
Grant County Fairgrounds officials said 2021 will be busy, at least after the first three months.
Royal City to replace water lines, tackle other projects
Royal City officials will apply for funding to replace water lines in the original part of town, which is among the major items included in the city’s 2021 budget.
Othello Shop with a Cop looks different, but still provides Christmas cheer
It wasn’t the way Shop with a Cop usually looks, but the Othello Police Department provided some Christmas cheer for local families.
Warden budget includes money for fourth police officer, sewer improvements
Working on its sewer system, adding a fourth police officer and a new walking path from Sandy Way to East First Street are among the projects detailed in Warden’s $6,333,471 budget next year.
Mary Dye named ranking member of House Environment and Energy Committee
Ninth District Rep. Mary Dye, R-Pomeroy, was chosen as ranking member of the Environment and Energy Committee of the Washington House of Representatives for the 2021 Legislative session.
Roost evolves to cope in changing times
Businesses, especially small businesses, could be considered their own kind of ecosystem. And in any ecosystem, it’s important to find a niche.
Othello Christmas baskets delivered on time, despite pandemic
After more than 40 years, the volunteers who organize, assemble and distribute the Christmas baskets of food and other items in Othello have it down to a science.
Operation Friendship sees overwhelming success
It was a great year for Operation Friendship.
Royal City applies for grant to use toward major expansion of Lion’s Park
Royal City officials recently applied for a $500,000 grant for expansion of Royal City Lion’s Park, the city’s main park, and allowing city officials to fix a mistake made a quarter of a century ago.
Counselor’s license suspended after charge of second-degree rape
The credentials of a Grant County agency-affiliated counselor were suspended for allegedly raping a patient while working at a facility in Richland.
Samaritan to expand Patton Clinic
Construction should start by mid-2021 on a $3,755,035 expansion of Samaritan Healthcare’s clinic near Patton Boulevard, as commissioners approved the project Tuesday.
Deadlines loom to get Christmas packages to destinations
Lisa Castro, owner of The UPS Store on South Pioneer Way, had some advice for people who are still planning to mail Christmas presents and actually get them to their destination by Christmas.
Grant PUD commissioners approve 2021 budget
EPHRATA — Grant County PUD customers will pay the same for electricity in 2021 they’re paying in 2020. Utility district commissioners unanimously approved a 2021 budget Nov. 24 that did not include billing increases for any customers.
Othello schools make changes to secondary grading system
OTHELLO — A new grading policy recently was introduced for middle and high school students in the Othello School District.
Wahluke School District launches superintendent search
MATTAWA — Wahluke School District patrons are being asked to fill out a survey detailing some of the attributes they want to see in a new superintendent.
Holiday shine: Light Up Moses Lake winners united by love of holiday lights
MOSES LAKE — The winners of the Light Up Moses Lake contest all have one thing in common. They love Christmas lights. “Lights are something cheery,” Jamie Casteel said.
Buildout delayed for sections of Grant PUD fiber optic network
Delays in material delivery and obtaining permits mean some customers will wait longer than anticipated to hook up to the Grant County PUD fiber optic network.
Mike Garza re-elected as Othello School Board president
OTHELLO — Mike Garza was re-elected — on a 4-0 vote during the regular school board meeting Dec. 7 — for another one-year term as Othello School Board president.
Remodeling project underway at Royal Middle and High schools
ROYAL CITY — Bleachers in the Royal High School gym are gone, so is one locker room and the footings are in for new classrooms at Royal Middle School.
Adams County commissioners release third round of grants
OTHELLO — The Adams County commissioners have authorized a third round of grant money to support small businesses and nonprofit groups, which will be distributed this week.
Information sought in Beverly homicide
BEVERLY — Grant County Sheriff’s detectives are seeking the public’s help in their homicide investigation of a Beverly man whose body was found Dec. 8.
Confluence is building a $3 million clinic in Moses Lake
MOSES LAKE — Construction started on a $3 million Confluence Health facility on Yonezawa Boulevard last week. It will have physicians in three specialties and room for visiting doctors.
Othello students stay in online instruction
OTHELLO — All students in the Othello School District will stay in all-online instruction at least through the start of winter break, Dec. 18.
Priest Rapids workers ‘sequestered’ at dam as COVID numbers rise locally
PRIEST RAPIDS DAM — Control room operators and maintenance workers at Priest Rapids Dam are being asked to stay on the site seven days at a time.
A peek at Christmas wishes: Local gardeners discuss their ‘ultimate gift’ ideas
MOSES LAKE — Holly Trinnamen, a Moses Lake gardener, said she knew exactly what her ultimate garden gift would be. “The first thing that comes to mind is a gardener to work for me. A whole crew,” Trinnaman said. “And of course, I would love to hire an amazing landscape designer.”
Grant PUD rebate program helps homeowners improve energy efficiency
There are houses out there that are — well, they’re a little bald. No offense, but they’re lacking in insulation.
Beverly man's death ruled a homicide
The death of a Beverly man whose body was found Tuesday has been ruled a homicide, according to a press release from the Grant County Sheriff's Office.