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 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.
Senior picnic scores big success
Senior picnic big success in community
MOSES LAKE — The drive-thru 2020 Senior Picnic was such a success the organizers had to order more lunches.
Farmer-Consumer Awareness Day canceled for 2020
QUINCY — Farmer-Consumer Awareness Day, a longstanding annual celebration in Quincy, has been canceled for 2020.
Opening a water park has become unexpectedly complicated
MOSES LAKE — It seems like a simple enough question. When does the pool open?
Fireworks allowed at certain times in Quincy, Ephrata
EPHRATA — John Adams, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, wrote to his wife, Abigail, that the anniversary of the signing should and would be celebrated with fireworks. Adams was right about the fireworks, but he thought the nation’s birthday would be celebrated on July 2.
Work on projects at Grant County Fairgrounds continues
MOSES LAKE — Construction crews were installing insulation in the Agriculture Building at Grant County Fairgrounds on Tuesday in one of a number of projects underway or near completion at the fairgrounds.
Othello marchers bring attention to problem of racism in society
OTHELLO — About 80 to 100 people gathered at Othello City Hall on Saturday afternoon to raise awareness of, and demonstrate opposition to, racism and racist attitudes.
Fate of Grant County livestock show still uncertain
MOSES LAKE — A meeting is scheduled for June 18 between officials of fairs canceled in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak and representatives of the governor’s office to look for ways to offer alternatives, a livestock show or other event, for 4-H and FFA participants who were raising animals to show and sell.
Children go exploring at a summer camp option
MOSES LAKE — It’s almost summer and children can — no, they can’t. Not this summer. The COVID-19 outbreak is messing up summer.
Wahluke High School Class of 2020 graduates with car parade
Wahluke High School Class of 2020 graduates with car parade
MATTAWA — It might not have been the way students of the Wahluke High School Class of 2020 thought they would graduate, but they went out in style Friday night. Graduation started with a parade through town and ended back at the high school, where seniors were allowed out of vehicles long enough to walk across the stage and receive their diplomas.
Car parade sends Wahluke High School graduates out in style
MATTAWA — It might not have been the way the Wahluke High School class of 2020 thought they would graduate, but they went in style Friday night. Graduation started with a parade through town, and ended back at the high school, where seniors were allowed out of the vehicle long enough to get a diploma.
Road work to begin on Route 282 in Ephrata
EPHRATA — The overpass that begins at the intersection of Basin Street Southwest and state Route 282 will be closed June 19-22 to allow the SR-282 to be resurfaced.
Rest of Freedom Festival canceled, but fireworks show approved
MOSES LAKE — Sean Sallis, president of the committee in charge of the Freedom Festival, said he wanted people to know the July 4 fireworks in Moses Lake are happening. Some people had expressed skepticism to him about the fireworks display, he said, but it’s confirmed.
Samaritan’s financial results tied to COVID-19 outbreak
MOSES LAKE — Samaritan Healthcare officials have some idea of the financial impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the hospital, but the long-term financial effects are uncertain.
Freedom Festival canceled, but fireworks go on
MOSES LAKE — The Fourth of July still will be celebrated with fireworks in Moses Lake, though the Freedom Festival has been canceled, organizers have announced.
Grant PUD commissioners decline to pursue rate cut
EPHRATA — Grant County PUD commissioners have declined to pursue a proposal to cut rates for some PUD customers for six months. The decision came after an hour-long discussion at the regular commission meeting Tuesday.
Organization looking for owners of possible lost dog
MOSES LAKE — Gracie the puppy may have a home out there, and organizers of a Grant County organization are trying to find it.
Boys and Girls Clubs of the Columbia Basin still open for kids
MOSES LAKE — There are boys and girls at the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Columbia Basin, but not nearly as many as usual.
Othello parents, students to be surveyed about school opening options
OTHELLO — Othello School District officials will send out a survey by the end of this week asking parents and students their opinion of various options for opening school for the 2020-21 school year.
Grant County unemployment rises sharply in April
MOSES LAKE — The restrictions placed on movement and business in April due to the COVID-19 outbreak are being seen in the local employment picture.
Parade sends fifth-graders off in style
Parade sends fifth-graders off in style
MOSES LAKE — Fifth-graders at Park Orchard Elementary School went off to sixth grade in style with a car parade through the parking lot Monday night, with their teachers leading a cheer.
Long-term impact of coronavirus on PUD finances uncertain
EPHRATA — Grant County PUD projects it will finish 2020 with about $206.3 million in revenue, which is less than the projection in the 2020 budget. But the utility’s financial analysts aren’t sure yet how the COVID-19 outbreak will affect the PUD’s finances in the long term.
Helen Turner celebrates 100th birthday
MOSES LAKE — Helen Turner was a little girl in the Roaring ’20s, a teenager in the Great Depression, and a World War II bride. Her family and friends were determined to celebrate her 100th birthday.
Unique graduation for Moses Lake High School Class of 2020
MOSES LAKE — In a lot of ways, there was no precedent for the Moses Lake High School graduation of 2020.
Water line replacement continues on Loop Drive
MOSES LAKE — Work on new water pipe along Valley Road and Loop Drive is expected to continue through July. The project was tentatively scheduled for completion in early July, but the date has been pushed back to mid- to late July.
Police in region address rumors of agitators
MOSES LAKE — Rumors have been swirling on social media, but local authorities say they have not seen evidence of out-of-town agitators coming to Grant or Adams counties.
Commissioners discuss reimbursement for GCHD
EPHRATA — Grant County is eligible for about $5.4 million in federal aid to reimburse the county for expenses directly related to the COVID-19 outbreak. County commissioners and other elected officials conducted a discussion Monday on possible qualifying uses of the aid, with one focus being Grant County Health District.
Grant PUD refinances some debt
EPHRATA — Grant County PUD will save an estimated $3.1 million in interest payments on its debt in 2020 and about $52 million in interest payments through 2044, according to Bonnie Overfield, PUD treasurer.
2020 Grant County Fair canceled
MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Fair has been canceled for this year. The cancellation was recommended by fair manager Jim McKiernan and approved by the Grant County commissioners last week.