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
Wheeler Road improvement project to move forward
MOSES LAKE — One major road project in an unincorporated area of Grant County has been canceled in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, but others are continuing. Grant County will open bids Aug. 11 on a project to improve a two-mile section of Wheeler Road.
World War II veteran honored for 99th birthday
MOSES LAKE — Geb Galle didn’t see it himself — he was two decks below at his battle station — but most of the eyewitnesses said it seemed like every Japanese plane over Pearl Harbor drew a bead on the USS Nevada.
Use of Grant PUD recreation facilities rises
Use of Grant PUD recreation facilities rises
EPHRATA — At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Grant County PUD officials anticipated a pretty quiet summer at PUD recreation facilities. Now summer is here, and it’s not quiet.
Contract awarded for fairgrounds lights project to upgrade rodeo arena, south end
MOSES LAKE — A company specializing in lighting for sports arenas will install the new lights at the Moses Lake Roundup arena and add lights to the south end of Grant County Fairgrounds.
Outdoor graduation ceremony planned for Warden High School
WARDEN — The Warden High School Class of 2020 brings down the curtain on its high school career at 7 p.m. July 24 at the WHS football field.
Royal School District to hold ‘virtual community meeting’ on reopening
ROYAL CITY — Parents of Royal School District students and other district patrons are being invited to an online meeting, tentatively scheduled for July 29, to discuss the district’s options for the 2020-21 school year.
Grant PUD negotiates contracts that reduce risk of possible rate increases
EPHRATA — Grant County PUD officials are in negotiations with power purchasers for contracts that would help reduce the risk of possible rate increases to PUD customers.
Quincy graduate promotes value of education
QUINCY — Edward Pinto gives his parents credit for showing him the value of education. It shows today in his career as a teacher and in continuing his own education to the point of recently completing a master’s degree from Western Governors University.
Triple-digit temperatures forecast for this week
MOSES LAKE — One of the positive things about 2020 so far has been spring and summer weather in the Columbia Basin, lots of sun but temperatures that stayed below the high 90s and 100s. But it’s July, and that’s about to end.
Planning to continue for new morgue
EPHRATA — Grant County officials will keep working with Samaritan Healthcare officials on a plan to build a new county morgue at the new Samaritan hospital in Moses Lake. The new hospital is currently in the planning stages, with groundbreaking tentatively scheduled for spring 2021.
Othello physician develops app to help treat infant jaundice
OTHELLO — A Columbia Basin Health Association physician has developed a phone app designed to help medical professionals treat a disease that can cause serious health problems for newborns.
Local hospitals review plans to handle a surge, required in reopening plan
EPHRATA — One of the possibilities of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak is that a sudden increase in patients with the virus could fill a local hospital to capacity — or more — in just a few days. Preparing to meet a sudden increase has been the focus of planning since the outbreak began, and it will continue to be a focus as counties try to reopen.
Othello doctor’s new app helps care for babies
OTHELLO — An Othello doctor is helping medical professionals treat jaundice, a disease that can cause serious health problems in newborns, through technology.
Spokane man sentenced to federal prison
SPOKANE — A former Ferris High School assistant football coach was sentenced to more than 22 years in federal prison Thursday in a case that involved underage girls, including one from Moses Lake.
Othello school reopening plan reviewed
OTHELLO — Othello schools will reopen to students for the 2020-21 school year, but on a staggered schedule. Othello School Board members gave verbal approval for district officials to keep working on the reopening plan at the regular board meeting July 13.
Building permit applications up in Grant County
EPHRATA — Building permit applications submitted to Grant County show that construction activity in the county’s unincorporated areas is making a comeback after a shutdown of construction in March and April.
Fate of Grant County Fair livestock show still uncertain
MOSES LAKE - Wednesday, July 15, is the last day to register for the fitting and showing portion of the livestock show and sale that is replacing the event that normally takes place during the Grant County Fair. Whether the livestock show will be allowed is still to be determined, but an online livestock sale probably will be held no matter the fate of the show.
Othello School District hires new communications director
Othello School District hires new communications director
OTHELLO — Ed Petersen has been hired as the new communications director for Othello School District. Petersen started work July 1.
Local groups team up to give away face masks
Local groups team up to give away face masks
MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake service organizations teamed up with a local agency to give away face masks to anyone who needed a mask, or multiple masks, Tuesday.
More security cameras planned at Grant County Courthouse
EPHRATA — Grant County officials will add more cameras at the Grant County Courthouse after a theft from a parking lot.
Meals to Heal deliveries benefit cancer patients, delivery driver
MOSES LAKE — Steve Czimbal and his fellow volunteers are a crucial part of the Meals to Heal program sponsored by Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation, and they don’t even cook the meals.
Tentative design released for fairgrounds campgrounds
MOSES LAKE — Campgrounds at the Grant County Fairgrounds will — eventually — get a new look. Fairgrounds officials are working with a Wenatchee engineering and planning firm to develop a campground master plan. Tentative designs have been released for three of the campgrounds at the fairgrounds, the east, north and pavilion campgrounds.
Libraries to expand wireless internet access
ROYAL CITY — The North Central Regional Library recently announced plans for technology upgrades funded with grant money.
New director of Grant County Public Works talks about his role, career
EPHRATA — Two months into his new job as Grant County Public Works director, Sam Castro said he has enjoyed his career in public works, including working in the field and as an administrator and public works director.
Grant County commissioners award coronavirus aid grants
EPHRATA — Grant County Health District will receive $1.4 million in federal grant funds to help offset some of the expenses incurred during the COVID-19 outbreak. The funding for GCHD was one of the grants announced by Grant County Commissioners July 1.
Libraries to expand wireless internet access
ROYAL CITY — The North Central Regional Library will be adding equipment to make Wi-Fi connections available outside every library in its system. A separate project will add 30 Wi-Fi hot spots in the counties served by the library, with up to 100 additional Wi-Fi hot spots throughout the five-county area.
Fate of Grant County Fair livestock show still uncertain
MOSES LAKE — Registration is open for the livestock show and sale that would replace the event that would normally be part of the Grant County Fair. Whether the livestock show will be allowed is still to be determined, but an online livestock sale probably will be held no matter the fate of the show.
Susan Carbon chosen for Samaritan Healthcare commission
MOSES LAKE — Susan Carbon has been selected to fill the vacant position on the Samaritan Healthcare board.
Grant PUD uses reserves, saves money on debt service
EPHRATA — Financial moves earlier this year will save Grant PUD a lot of money — $158.2 million, the public utility says.
Grant County commissioners give go-ahead for morgue planning
EPHRATA — Grant County commissioners have given verbal approval to move ahead with plans to build a new county morgue in the new Samaritan hospital.
Fire crews have busy, but not too busy, July 4 weekend
MOSES LAKE — While July 4, 2020, had some local fire departments and districts scrambling for a few hours, overall it was a relatively calm night.
Fireworks setup painstaking job
MOSES LAKE — Alex Allsbrook pointed out the irony as he was helping set up the July 4 Freedom Festival fireworks display.
Grant County Health District receives $1.4 million grant
MOSES LAKE — Grant County Health District will hire eight temporary employees and provide some COVID-19 testing for uninsured people by using funds from a federal grant designed to help pay coronavirus outbreak-related expenses.
July 4 fireworks shows please the crowds
MOSES LAKE — People started claiming good spots to watch fireworks long before noon, leaving chairs on the sidewalk along Division Street and cars parked along the curb.
North Stratford Road improvements to begin
MOSES LAKE — Construction will begin Monday on a project to resurface North Stratford Road from the West Broadway intersection to its junction with state Route 17. Crews also will add another left turn lane and another through lane at the intersection of Stratford and Valley Road.
Sidewalk construction requires attention to detail
MOSES LAKE — Pouring and leveling concrete for a sidewalk requires precision, a light touch and attention to detail.
Fireworks shows scheduled at George, Moses Lake
MOSES LAKE — There are longstanding traditions around the Columbia Basin when it comes to July 4 — community celebrations, fireworks and people getting together. But, as the organizers of the George July 4 celebration put it, 2020 is a very different Fourth of July.
Face coverings required in Grant County facilities
Face coverings required in Grant County facilities
EPHRATA — Face masks will be required for all people entering a Grant County facility. County commissioners announced Tuesday that members of the public will be prohibited from entering county facilities if they are not wearing a mask.
Fireworks stands benefit local organizations
MOSES LAKE — Sparklers, of course. And snakes — those long strings that are lit at one end and pop, sparkle and sizzle to the other end.
Regulations governing fireworks differ from town to town
Regulations governing fireworks differ from town to town
OTHELLO — Fireworks have been part of celebrating the nation’s birthday since the beginning, and the 244th birthday will be no different.
Fireworks users: Be aware of local rules and regulations
OTHELLO — The nation’s 244th birthday will be celebrated with fireworks. They can be fun, and they can be dangerous, especially in dry Central Washington.
Summer heat brings people out to Moses Lake
MOSES LAKE — Summer arrived and delivered a bout of heat. The forecast for today is a peak temperature close to 99 degrees.
Samaritan Healthcare reports loss in May
MOSES LAKE — Samaritan Healthcare ended May with a $74,833 loss, though the reopening of surgical and other services made it a smaller loss than in April.
Samaritan may review project budget, design
Samaritan may review project budget, design
MOSES LAKE — Samaritan Healthcare officials will resume the planning process for building a new hospital in Moses Lake, after hospital district commissioners gave the go-ahead at a meeting Tuesday.
Columbia Basin Allied Arts prepares 2021 season
MOSES LAKE — Columbia Basin Allied Arts will have a 2021 season, but performances scheduled for fall 2020 have been canceled or rescheduled.
Grant County revenue expected to dip
EPHRATA — The COVID-19 outbreak and the measures taken to fight it will mean less revenue for Grant County government, although county officials are not sure yet how much less.
Telemedicine provides care options for patients
MOSES LAKE — For patients who needed to visit the doctor during the first two months of the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine often became a necessity. Restrictions are easing, and people are returning to medical facilities, but telemedicine is still an option for patients seeking primary care as well as specialty care.
Basic steps can help reduce spread of coronavirus
MOSES LAKE — The COVID-19 outbreak has wreaked havoc around the world, around the U.S., around Washington and Grant County, down to the community and individual level.
Museum to open new exhibit, but public won’t be able to see it right away
MOSES LAKE — A new exhibit at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center technically will open June 26, although the date when people will be able to get into the museum to see it is undetermined.
Fireworks in county areas allowed, with limits; not in Moses Lake
MOSES LAKE — From the beginning, the nation’s birthday has been celebrated with fireworks. Of course, cities have different rules for setting off those fireworks.