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
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.
Grant PUD commissioners approve 2021 budget
EPHRATA — Grant County PUD electrical billing rates will remain the same in 2021 as they are in 2020.
'I can’t tell you how many babies he delivered': Othello physician was a mainstay in the community
OTHELLO — The Othello community recently lost a physician who played a key role in many residents’ lives – from birth to death – and in the area for more than half a century.
Grant County unemployment drops from September to October
MOSES LAKE — Unemployment in Grant County dropped 2.3% between September and October, according to information released Thursday by the Washington Department of Employment Security.
Law enforcement seeks information in Beverly case
BEVERLY — Grant County Sheriff’s detectives are asking for the public’s help in the case of an unidentified man whose body was found outside a Beverly home Dec. 8.
Moses Lake apartment complex residents donate to food bank
MOSES LAKE — Central Park Apartments residents held a food drive that resulted in a donation of more than 300 pounds of non-perishable food to the Moses Lake Food Bank.
Othello students won’t return on-campus in December
OTHELLO — All students in the Othello School District will stay in all-online instruction at least through the start of winter break Dec. 18.
Othello Christmas Basket project continues in pandemic
OTHELLO — Even in a year of a pandemic, some traditions continue, as donations are being accepted for the Othello Christmas Baskets, a charitable project that involves most of the town and dates back to the mid-1970s.
Mike Garza re-elected as Othello School Board chair
OTHELLO — Mike Garza has been re-elected for another one-year term as Othello School Board president, with a 4-0 vote during the regular school board meeting Monday.
The show goes on: Quincy High School drama club musical revue presents unique challenges
QUINCY — The COVID-19 outbreak put the Quincy High School drama club in a situation that’s all too familiar, switching to online from in-person.
Grant County PUD to vote on new contract
EPHRATA — Grant County Public Utility District commissioners will vote today whether to approve a contract to avoid higher electrical rates for customers.
Lioness Club donates to Boys & Girls Club, Cancer Foundation
MOSES LAKE — The Lioness Club of Moses Lake donated proceeds from Spaceburger sales to two Moses Lake organizations.
Othello schools to continue all-online for December
OTHELLO — All Othello School District students, including kindergarten through third grade, will stay in all-online school until the winter break, after the last day of school Dec. 18.
Lots of gift ideas that gardeners will dig
MOSES LAKE — For a gardener, there’s nothing like a patch of ground and some plant starts, or maybe some seeds. While a garden is hard work, it’s also a space of almost unlimited possibilities.
Air stagnation advisory issued for Grant County, eastern Washington
MOSES LAKE — Despite all that bright sun and clear skies, air quality has deteriorated and will remain the same in the next few days.
Part time animal control, walking path part of 2021 Warden budget
WARDEN — Work on Warden’s sewer system, a new walking path from Sandy Way to East First Street and a fourth police officer are among the projects in the city’s 2021 budget.
Scott Swartz hired as permanent Othello High School principal
OTHELLO — Interim Othello High School principal Scott Swartz has been hired as the permanent principal at OHS. Othello School Board members approved Swartz’s hiring at the Nov. 23 board meeting.
Warden Police give back for Thanksgiving
Warden Police Department officers and staff celebrated Thanksgiving took a charitable project a step further.
Arranged connections: Flowers allowing people to stay in touch during pandemic
MOSES LAKE — It’s been a bad year to get together with family and friends. The coronavirus pandemic has made the normal summer barbecues and family Thanksgiving dinners — and any other celebration — pretty much impossible, so people have been left to turn to alternative ways to connect with friends and loved ones, and a lot of people have been doing that with flowers.
Maria Celaya appointed new Mattawa mayor
MATTAWA — Maria Celaya, formerly a member of the Mattawa City Council, was appointed mayor of Mattawa last month.
Setting up lights at fairgrounds arena is a slow, precise process
MOSES LAKE — The job of setting a 75-foot light pole on a seven-foot base, using a lift that extends 20 feet and a crane that extends 100 feet, is an inches game.
Othello physician had an impact on many lives
OTHELLO — Richard Bunch was a part of life -- from birth to death -- in Othello for more than half a century. Bunch, who died Nov. 10 at 84 years of age, was a physician in Othello from 1962 until his retirement in 2014.
Local business sponsors coat drive for foster children
MOSES LAKE — A local business is sponsoring an unusual coat drive to benefit children in foster care.
'Christmas Miracle on Main Street' in Othello this weekend
OTHELLO — The Christmas season will be commemorated with a parade, fireworks, lighting the community tree and a food and toy drive at the “Christmas Miracle on Main Street” celebration Saturday in Othello.
Cost for fairgrounds ag building upgrades higher than expected
MOSES LAKE — Refurbishing the agriculture building at the Grant County Fairgrounds will cost $40,000 to $45,000 more than expected, but officials have said funds are available in the budget.
Small Business Saturday: Customers come out in support as downtown ML businesses adapt
Moses Lake businesses adapted to COVID-19 restrictions
MOSES LAKE — Stores were open and business was brisk on Small Business Saturday, but shopping was different. Of course, it was 2020 and in the midst of a pandemic, on the American shopping holiday held on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Royal schools open, struggle to maintain staffing
Royal School District schools remained open last week, but Superintendent Roger Trail said the surge in COVID-19 cases has had a significant impact on staffing.
'Light Up Moses Lake' to feature reverse parade
A new take on a Moses Lake tradition will be part of the “Light Up Moses Lake” celebration beginning Friday.
A jump on shopping: In-store Black Friday crowds down this year
MOSES LAKE — Anyone who can remember back to, oh, Thanksgiving 2019, remembers the hustle and bustle of Black Friday. Cars overflowing the parking lots of stores, shoppers getting an early start on Thanksgiving afternoon, or people lining up before stores’ doors open on Friday morning. But Black Friday 2020 was a lot different.
Wahluke School District delays return to campus
Wahluke School District has put off on-campus instruction until January.
Maria Celaya appointed as Mattawa mayor
Mattawa City Council member Maria Celaya has been appointed as the mayor of Mattawa.
Animal rescue group celebrates first anniversary
It was Muffy who prompted the founding of the Animal Rescue Friends Society of Grant County.
Grant County 2021 budget picture developing
Grant County expenses are projected to increase slightly in 2021, while revenues are projected to remain about the same as in 2020.
Stepping down: Mattawa mayor Scott Hyndman resigns
Mattawa Mayor Scott Hyndman announced his resignation on Monday, effective immediately.
Wahluke School District revises plan
MATTAWA — Wahluke School District officials have decided to delay the start of on-campus instruction at least until January.
Royal City man charged in robbery
A first-degree armed robbery charge is pending against a Royal City man in connection with a holdup at a Rock Island business Nov. 17.
Moses Lake Food Bank distributes Thanksgiving baskets
MOSES LAKE — Even in the midst of a pandemic, Thanksgiving 2020 is approaching, and some people need a little help getting a Thanksgiving dinner.
Warden schools levy proposal passes easily with 63% in favor
Warden School District voters have approved a two-year educational programs and operations levy.
RSD Superintendent Roger Trail: Screening system has worked well
Royal School District schools are remaining open, at least for now.
Samaritan offers drive-through coronavirus testing
MOSES LAKE — Samaritan Healthcare is offering drive-through COVID-19 tests, a service that began Monday.
Othello schools return to online instruction
Most Othello School District students will go back to all-online instruction, starting Monday and continuing at least through Dec. 4.
Samaritan operating expenses may be higher than income in 2021
MOSES LAKE — Samaritan Healthcare will finish 2021 with a profit, but only because it has help from the the hospital district levy and its investments.
Pop-up bakery chance to experiment
OTHELLO — It was a successful first summer for the Cow Path Artisan Bakery and Creamery, and its owner wanted to keep it going during the fall. The solution was to take an urban concept and retool it for Othello.
Interim principal named for Warden High School
WARDEN — Ausencio “Cinco” Delgado has been named the interim principal at Warden High School. Warden School Board members voted to appoint Delgado as the interim principal during the regular board meeting Nov. 12. Board members had accepted the resignation of former principal Chris Lupo during a special meeting Nov. 9.
Free coronavirus testing in Grant, Adams counties from Nov. 17-20
QUINCY — Medical Teams International will provide free COVID-19 testing in communities throughout Grant and Adams counties from Nov. 17-20.
Building a new house is a long, slow process
Kris Butt knew what she wanted in the house she and her husband are building next to the water of Moses Lake.
Samaritan's Patton clinic to be expanded
MOSES LAKE — Samaritan Healthcare officials are looking to expand the clinic on Patton Boulevard in 2021.
Quincy Valley Chamber seeks nominations for annual awards
QUINCY — Quincy Valley Chamber of Commerce members are invited to submit nominations for the chamber’s annual awards event.