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
Residential customers surveyed every two years
Residential customers surveyed every two years
Grant PUD to have meetings on Royal power line
Meeting dates, times to be announced
Miracle on Main Street
Annual Ephrata town celebration set for Saturday
EPHRATA — Santa will be stopping by Ephrata for breakfast Saturday, and he’ll be back for the evening parade. The annual town Christmas celebration, “Miracle on Main Street,” also includes stories at the Ephrata Public Library and not one but two food drives.
Festive trees at Festival of Trees
25th annual fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity
Fog to linger – until it snows
But hey, that’s winter
Donations needed for ‘Operation Friendship’
Moses Lake Food Bank toy distribution set for Dec. 14
Othello School Board to discuss levy options
Special meeting date, time will be announced
‘Tracking Santa’ opens Saturday
Masquers production runs two weekends
Festival of Trees set for Saturday
Benefits Habitat for Humanity
Folk music subject of museum concert
Hank Cramer focuses on Pacific Northwest
Moses Lake woman killed in Tuesday night accident
MOSES LAKE - A Moses Lake woman was killed when the car she was riding in was hit on the passenger side Tuesday night.
Moses Lake man arrested for alleged hit and run
GEORGE — A Moses Lake man was arrested for DUI after he allegedly left the scene of an accident near George Saturday evening. Additional charges may be coming.
Omak man arrested for threatening sheriffs
OMAK — A 23-year-old Omak man was arrested for making threats against a number of Washington county sheriffs in conjunction with a ballot initiative approved in November.
Grant PUD race generates large donations, controversy
EPHRATA — A hard-fought — and expensive, for a public utility district — campaign resulted in two new commissioners on the Grant County PUD commission.
Grant Transit Authority to trim routes
MOSES LAKE — The Grant Transit Authority is projecting a budget surplus in 2019, following a projected operating loss in 2018. The GTA made changes to its routes, including eliminating some, in response to the anticipated loss.
Food bank still needs donations after holiday season
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Food Bank was open on the day after Christmas – and that’s what the food bank is about. Charitable projects, donation drives, efforts to help people in need go into overdrive during Christmas, but eventually Christmas ends, and the food bank is still open and still serving people in need.
Samaritan to purchase new MRI equipment
MOSES LAKE — Samaritan Healthcare commissioners approved spending about $2.1 million to purchase new MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) equipment, and build a place to house it. Construction is projected to be completed by May.
Healthy financial picture at Samaritan Healthcare
MOSES LAKE — From a financial standpoint 2018 has been a banner year for Samaritan Healthcare.
New year, new home
MOSES LAKE — Madison Jennings and her kids should be moving into their new home next month.
Court ruling, court incident start safety debate
EPHRATA — Court decisions on the rights of prisoners and a Dec. 11 incident at a Grant County Superior Court hearing have prompted a debate on keeping control during pretrial hearings of defendants coming to the hearing from the Grant County Jail.
Samaritan exploratory project continues
MOSES LAKE — Samaritan Healthcare officials are continuing negotiations with the Seattle architectural firm of ZGF (Zimmer, Gunsel and Frasca) to work on exploring the idea of building a new hospital facility. Hospital district commissioners voted to continue negotiations to buy land at the prospective site.
Othello school facility committee makes recommendation
OTHELLO — Gyms, classrooms, a separate spot for preschool and additional food storage were among the recommendations of a committee tasked with looking for ways to address space needs in the Othello School District. The committee made its recommendation to the Othello School Board at the regular meeting Wednesday.
Bike rack built from the ground up
MOSES LAKE — A commissioned project follows a certain sequence, and the first step is for the builder to consult the client.
Samaritan commissioners approve clinic remodel
MOSES LAKE — Samaritan Healthcare commissioners approved spending about $6.9 million in 2019 to remodel Samaritan Clinic. Hospital officials said the remodeling is required to accommodate a number of new doctors, physician assistants and nurse practitioners who will be joining the clinic staff next year.
Book-It Theater to perform in Ephrata
EPHRATA — Four north central Washington libraries, including Ephrata, will be enlivened during the week of Christmas vacation by a performance of the Book-It Repertory Theater.
Night of 1,000 Stars honors traffic cops
MOSES LAKE — Law enforcement officers from around Grant and Adams counties recognized their colleagues who work the traffic details Friday night at the annual “Night of 1,000 Stars” dinner at the Grant County Fairgrounds.
Tons of toys for Basin kids
MOSES LAKE — The crew at the Moses Lake Food Bank has it down by now. And to be honest, it really takes a system to get the mountain of toys donated by the community to less-fortunate families.
Opportunities still available for toy donations
MOSES LAKE — With Christmas less than two weeks away, people still have opportunities to donate toys to underprivileged families.
PUD scam making the rounds again
EPHRATA — A classic scam is making its way around again, targeting Grant County PUD customers.
Workforce education building coming along
MOSES LAKE — The new workforce education building on the Big Bend Community College campus should be open for classes by winter and spring quarter 2020.
PUD commissioners delay vote on new CEO contract
EPHRATA — Grant County PUD commissioners voted to table a proposed contract with general manager Kevin Nordt Tuesday, after proposing a new contract at the Nov. 29 meeting. The vote was 3-2, with commissioners Terry Brewer and Bob Bernd voting against postponing the vote.
December, and snow, are here
MOSES LAKE — Why yes, it’s December. That snow out there is one way Mother Nature makes that clear.
Samaritan CEO wins national award
MOSES LAKE — Samaritan Healthcare chief executive officer Theresa Sullivan was one of 50 hospital executives nationwide to be recognized by an award from the American Hospital Association. Sullivan received the “Grassroots Champion Award” for her work in highlighting the hospital’s role and its impact.
Grant County unemployment creeps up in October
YAKIMA — October unemployment in Grant County crept up slightly between 2017 and 2018, and increased one-half of one percent between September and October 2018.
Tip a Cop event draws big crowd Wednesday
MOSES LAKE — Yes, as a matter of fact that was Moses Lake Police Chief Kevin Fuhr opening the door for patrons at the Rock Top restaurant Wednesday night. And yes, that was Grant County Sheriff Tom Jones serving sandwiches and burgers and fries.
'The Nutcracker' opens Saturday
MOSES LAKE — The Ballet Academy of Moses Lake will continue a holiday tradition with the 2019 production of “The Nutcracker.” Performances are scheduled for 1 and 6 p.m. Saturday and 1 and 6 p.m. Dec. 15.
Toy donations sought at ML Food Bank
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Food Bank is continuing its tradition of distributing toys as well as food during the Christmas season, and food bank operators are accepting donations of toys and food, along with money to buy toys and food.
Toy donations fill the Explorer
Sponsored by Bud Clary Ford
MOSES LAKE — The crowd at Business After Hours filled a Ford Explorer with toys Tuesday night, part of the effort by employees at Bud Clary Ford to ensure every child locally has a present for Christmas.
Miracle on Main Street coming to Ephrata Saturday
EPHRATA — From a food drive to scavenger hunt to the annual parade, there will be a lot of holiday activity in Ephrata Saturday. Events are scheduled all day long in the annual Miracle on Main Street, culminating in the annual parade.
Musician Geoffrey Castle performs Saturday
MOSES LAKE — Musician Geoffrey Castle will bring a mix of Christmas music and Irish dance to the Wallenstien Theater this weekend. The curtain goes up on “A Celtic Christmas” at 7 p.m. Saturday. The concert is sponsored by Columbia Basin Allied Arts.
Samaritan Healthcare turns profit in October
MOSES LAKE — Samaritan Healthcare has enjoyed a good financial year in 2018, and that continued in October.
PUD to offer general manager new contract
EPHRATA — Grant County PUD commissioners will vote on proposal to offer general manager Kevin Nordt a five-year contract at the Dec. 11 commission meeting.
Lecture on children's books Wednesday
MOSES LAKE — The potential of children’s literature to tell fun and interesting stories to – and maybe change perspectives of – all ages will be the subject of a lecture at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center.
'The Rented Christmas' opens Friday
SOAP LAKE — A tale of Christmas transformation comes to the Masquers stage for two weekends, starting Friday. The curtain goes up on “The Rented Christmas” at 7 p.m. for Friday performances and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Samaritan authorizes land purchase for possible new hospital
MOSES LAKE — Samaritan Healthcare commissioners approved the purchase of a parcel of land at a special meeting Monday, the first step toward a possible new hospital. Commissioners also agreed to allow Samaritan’s administrative team to continue negotiations for other parcels of land at the same site.
PUD fiber buildout set for 2019
EPHRATA — Where Grant County PUD’s fiber optic buildout goes from here was the subject of discussion at the regular commission meeting Tuesday.
Festival of Trees set for Saturday
MOSES LAKE — Elaborately decorated Christmas trees and a good cause will be featured at the annual fundraisers sponsored by the Habitat for Humanity of Greater Moses Lake Saturday. The 24th annual Festival of Trees will be from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the Grant County Fairgrounds.
Holiday ornaments on Free Family Saturday
MOSES LAKE — Children can get a picture with Santa from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center. Pictures are jointly sponsored by the museum and the Moses Lake Business Association. There’s a fee, with the proceeds shared by the two organizations.
Moses Lake 8-year-old helps feed the homeless
MOSES LAKE — Eight-year-old Nevaeh Reeves doesn't like to see people go hungry.
Grant PUD reviews power sales contract
EPHRATA — How to get the biggest economic benefit for the electricity generated by the Grant County PUD – and how much that clean energy is worth – was a topic of discussion at the Nov. 13 meeting of the Grant County PUD commissioners.