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
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.
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.
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.
'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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Adams County primary election results certified
RITZVILLE — Incumbent John Marshall will be challenged by Dan Blankenship in the race for Adams County commissioner, District 1, in the general election in November. Marshall and Blankenship received the highest number of votes in the primary election, which was certified Tuesday.
Othello Police officer in Aug. 5 incident identified
OTHELLO — Investigators have identified the Othello Police officer who discharged his weapon in an incident in Othello Aug. 5.
Primary election results certified
EPHRATA — Incumbent county commissioners received fewer votes than their challengers in Grant and Adams counties in primary election results certified Aug. 18.
Coronavirus testing recommended for contacts of Adams County Jail inmates, staff
RITZVILLE — Adams County Health Department officials are recommending that people who came into close contact with staff or inmates from the Adams County Jail between Aug. 3 and Aug. 17 be tested for COVID-19.
Halfway through season, farmers market drawing crowds
MOSES LAKE — The 2020 season at the Moses Lake Farmers Market is just past its halfway point, and so far it’s been a pretty busy spring and summer.
Contract awarded for Grant County landfill expansion
EPHRATA — Grant County commissioners have voted to award a $2.5 million contract to KRCI, a construction company based in East Wenatchee, to open a new section of the Grant County landfill.
Warden School Board approves 2020-21 budget
WARDEN — Enrollment in the Warden School District is expected to drop slightly for the 2020-21 school year. District Business Manager Tricia Schock said enrollment is expected to be the equivalent of 896 students.
Online instruction planned in Warden schools
WARDEN — The first four weeks of instruction in the Warden School District will be online, but district officials hope to provide instruction at school for some students.
Royal schools 2020-21 budget approved
ROYAL CITY — The Royal School District is projected to start the 2020-21 school year with the equivalent of 13 fewer students than was projected at the start of the 2019-20 school year.
Othello School District, unions still in negotiations about start of school
OTHELLO — Whether teachers and staff in the Othello School District will be working in the district’s buildings, or from home, is still being negotiated.
Othello Fair canceled, livestock sale in planning stages
OTHELLO — While the Othello Fair has been canceled for 2020, livestock committee members are looking at options for a livestock sale.
Building remodel will add food bank storage space
MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake Food Bank is getting more storage space, at a time when operators say it’s really needed.
Exhibitors not allowed at Grant County livestock auction
MOSES LAKE — Participants in the livestock sales at the Grant County Fairgrounds next week will deliver their animals Aug. 19.
Royal schools to provide some in-person instruction
ROYAL CITY — Royal School District officials have announced the district will begin the school year with on-campus instruction part-time for all grades.
Enrollment projected down in Othello School District
OTHELLO — After about two weeks of online and in-person registration, a lot of kids still haven’t registered for school in the Othello School District.
Grant County Fairgrounds livestock auction details announced
MOSES LAKE — Exhibitors participating in the livestock sale at Grant County Fairgrounds will drop off their animals Aug. 19, and the sale will be held Aug. 20 and 21. Final details for the event were announced Tuesday.
Incumbents trailing in Adams, Grant county commission races
EPHRATA — An incumbent Grant County commissioner and an incumbent Adams County commissioner are running behind challengers in updated vote totals from the primary election Aug. 4.
Othello demolition derby canceled for 2020
Othello Demolition Derby canceled for 2020
OTHELLO — The annual Othello Demolition Derby has been canceled for 2020. The derby was scheduled for Sept. 16.
Most Grant County libraries to open for curbside pickup
MOSES LAKE — Library patrons will be able to get books and other materials from most libraries in Grant County beginning Aug. 13. Library patrons can start reserving materials for curbside pickup Aug. 12.
Warden School District levy request to go to voters
WARDEN — Warden School District voters will be asked to approve or reject a two-year educational programs and operations (EP&O) levy during the general election Nov. 3.
Grant County to start installing keyless entry systems
EPHRATA — The Grant County Courthouse and other county buildings will be getting new keyless entry systems on their exterior doors, a project that could cost more than $200,000.
Blankenship widens lead in Adams County commission race
RITZVILLE — Challenger Dan Blankenship widened his lead over incumbent Adams County Commissioner John Marshall in updated results announced Friday.
Blankenship widens lead in Adams County commission race
RITZVILLE — Challenger Dan Blankenship widened his lead over incumbent Adams County Commissioner John Marshall in updated results announced Friday.
Wahluke School District to start school year online
MATTAWA — Wahluke School District officials are considering a proposal to delay the start of the 2020-21 school year. Whenever school starts, all first quarter classes will be online.
Swartz named interim Othello HS principal
OTHELLO — Longtime Othello High School teacher and administrator Scott Swartz has been named interim OHS principal.
Royal, Wahluke school districts plan for reopening
ROYAL CITY — Officials with school districts throughout the Columbia Basin are looking at options for reopening this fall, and districts are coming to different conclusions. Royal School District officials tentatively are planning some on-campus instruction, while the Wahluke School District will start the year online.
Othello Fair canceled for 2020
Othello Fair, demolition derby canceled for 2020
OTHELLO — The Othello Fair, originally scheduled for Sept. 16-19, has been canceled. Fair officials announced the cancellation Aug. 5.
Royal School District announces tentative reopening plan
ROYAL CITY — If possible, Royal School District officials plan to have children back in school buildings this fall. Royal Superintendent Roger Trail laid out the district’s plan and answered questions at an online community meeting July 29.