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 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.
Othello to start on-campus instruction Nov. 3
Some Othello students will begin limited on-campus instruction Nov. 3.
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.
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.
Warden school officials discuss return to on-campus instruction
Half-time, on-campus instruction is coming soon for all Warden School District students.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Analyzing needs and wants first step in kitchen design
MOSES LAKE — Kitchen designer Barb Skaug said successful home design can change the way a room is used. It can even change the way people live in that space.
Grant County Health District announces two additional COVID-19 deaths
MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Health District has announced two more people have died due to the COVID-19 virus
Work to start on Moses Lake Christian Academy gym exterior
MOSES LAKE — After years of fundraising and preparation, the exterior walls of the new gym at the Moses Lake Christian Academy will be going up soon.
School safety grant awarded to Mattawa Police Department
MATTAWA — A $372,750 grant to improve security in the Wahluke School District has been awarded to the Mattawa Police Department from the U.S. Department of Justice.
Mattawa Police Department receives school security grant
MATTAWA — The Mattawa Police Department has received a grant designed to help improve security in the Wahluke School District.
County to open mental health crisis treatment center
MOSES LAKE — Grant County will be opening a treatment center for patients suffering from a mental health crisis in the next few weeks.
Corn sale benefits Moses Lake FFA program
MOSES LAKE — Part of the appeal of a high school club is the chance to go somewhere different, try new skills, learn new things.
Museum to sponsor Rusty Mammoth sale
MOSES LAKE — Watercolors, paintings, china, stoneware, furniture and miniature antique books will be among the items looking for new homes at the Rusty Mammoth Sale from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.
Eleventh Adams County resident dies from coronavirus
RITZVILLE — Adams County Health Department officials have announced the death of an 11th Adams County resident due to complications from COVID-19.