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
McKay Healthcare pays down debt to Grant County
McKay Healthcare and Rehabilitation has cut its debt to Grant County by more than half, due in part to money the facility received as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Scary stuff in the Othello Rodeo Association straw maze
OTHELLO — How scary can it get inside the straw maze sponsored by the Othello Rodeo Association? Rick Bougher, a longtime volunteer, said there are parents who will let their kids go through, but as for themselves - well, they’ll just wait outside.
Warden schools to start some on-campus instruction Oct. 26
WARDEN — The Warden School District will start in-person instruction for preschool through fifth grade students Oct. 26. Middle school and high school students will return to campus Nov. 9.
Car enthusiasts gather for show near end of strange year
Reimagined 1970s and 1980s sedans, old pickup trucks and classic cars filled Zamora Park in Moses Lake for an informal car show and dance Saturday.
Yakima woman dies from injuries suffered in Quincy accident
A Yakima woman died Friday from injuries suffered in a three-car accident about eight miles south of Quincy on Tuesday, Oct. 13.
Royal School Board awards construction contract
ROYAL CITY — Leone and Keeble, Spokane, has been awarded a $19.87 million contract for upgrades at Royal High School and Royal Middle School. Royal School Board members awarded the contract during a special meeting Oct. 13.
Moses Lake man dies in motorcycle accident
A Moses Lake man died when he drove his motorcycle off Interstate 90 near Vantage on Saturday.
Grant County home construction market booming
MOSES LAKE — No matter the price, the home construction market in Grant County is booming. Bustling. Red hot.
Moses Lake School District officials answer questions about new high school
Site preparation should begin in about a month for the new high school in Moses Lake.
Othello to start on-campus instruction Nov. 3
Some Othello students will begin limited on-campus instruction Nov. 3.
Grant County PUD unveils 2021 budget
Grant County PUD projects $278.4 million in total expenses in 2021 and that it will end the year with about $47.7 million income in excess of expenses.
George officials looking for new library property
The NCW Libraries system will be sending its bookmobile to George while city officials finalize plans for a temporary location for the library.
Warden school officials discuss return to on-campus instruction
Half-time, on-campus instruction is coming soon for all Warden School District students.
Quincy schools set tentative date for return
Quincy School District officials have set a tentative date for the return of part-time on-campus instruction.
Family's love of Halloween on display in front yard
It starts small, with maybe a few witches who failed flight training and cratered in the front yard. Jaymee Welch and her mother, Christy, really love Halloween.
Driven by construction and retail gains, Grant County unemployment rate drops
Unemployment in Grant County is dropping from its April and May highs, driven in part by employment gains in construction and the retail sector.
Othello School Board approves transgender student policy
OTHELLO — Training will be offered to Othello School District personnel and students around issues dealing with gay and transgender students. The training will be scheduled as part of a new district policy on gay and transgender issues, which was approved by the Othello School Board Oct. 12.
Mattawa Community Clinic pays back Grant County debt
Even with the challenges presented by the coronavirus outbreak, one Grant County medical facility has paid back the money it owed the county and is operating at a profit.
Medical centers reduce debt to Grant County
Even with the challenges presented by the COVID-19 outbreak, two medical facilities have reduced the debt they owe to Grant County.
Wide array of choices when replacing floors
MOSES LAKE — Any home remodeling project, whatever its scope, is bound by certain rules. But within those parameters homeowners have all kinds of choices.
Moses Lake museum offers Project Postcard
MOSES LAKE — A new project sponsored by the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center has the goal of using art to help connect with people isolated by the COVID-19 outbreak.
Luminaria ceremony to honor people affected by cancer
The Grant-Adams Relay for Life will sponsor a commemoration of people who are fighting cancer, cancer survivors and those who lost the battle, and their caregivers.
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
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.
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 city officials to look at water-sewer rate study
OTHELLO — Othello City Council members will be considering a study of water and sewer rates.
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.
X-ray services added to Connell clinic
CONNELL — The Columbia Basin Health Association has added x-ray services to its Connell clinic.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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