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
Othello School District will pull from reserves to cover shortfall
OTHELLO — Overestimating the number of students for the 2017-18 school year means the Othello School District will have to use some of its reserves for operations in June.
Letter leads to discussion at Othello School Board meeting
OTHELLO — The move to a kindergarten through eighth-grade configuration at Othello elementary schools, and a letter of support for the direction the district is going, was the subject of an extensive conversation at the Othello School Board meeting Tuesday.
Priest Rapids Dam spillway leak cause identified
EPHRATA — The leaks in spillway supports at Priest Rapids Dam are due to separation between concrete blocks poured at different times during construction. Grant County PUD officials said at least four of the 22 spillway supports are affected.
Water use, conservation topic of museum lecture
MOSES LAKE — Water, water use, water conservation and water availability will be the subject of a lecture at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center, 401 South Balsam, Moses Lake.
PUD researching dam leak
EPHRATA — Grant County PUD officials expect to spend about another four weeks on exploratory drilling at Priest Rapids Dam, looking for the source of a possible leak in a spillway support (also called a monolith). The results will be analyzed to determine what repairs are needed, if any, said Rich Wallen of the PUD’s power supply department.
Summer hydropower camp offered for high school students
WENATCHEE — Applications are open for a summer science program, focused on hydropower, sponsored by the Foundation for Water Energy and Education. Applications will be accepted for the Hydropower and STEM Center Academy through May 4. The program is scheduled for June 18 through 22 at Rocky Reach Dam north of Wenatchee.
Walmart sponsors first car show despite weather
MOSES LAKE — A visitor to the first annual Walmart car show drove up to the automotive department, where the exhibitors were taking shelter. “Mother Nature isn’t working with you guys, is she?” he said.
Rachel Law named Moses Lake Distinguished Young Miss
MOSES LAKE — Rachel Law was selected as the Moses Lake Distinguished Young Woman 2018 in the annual program Saturday night at Moses Lake High School. Renee Ohs was the first runner-up and Lexi Gaither the second runner-up.
Ephrata council awards Basin Street contract
EPHRATA — Granite Construction of Moses Lake was awarded the contract for a project to replace water lines on Basin Street in Ephrata. Ephrata City Council members accepted the $2,622,932.28 bid at the regular council meeting Wednesday.
New Ag Supply Ace Hardware store opens in Moses Lake
MOSES LAKE — They’re still filling shelves and putting together merchandise, but the doors are open at the new Ag Supply Ace Hardware store in Moses Lake. The doors opened for business Thursday, with the grand opening scheduled for May 4 through 6.
Christian named new Samaritan Healthcare commissioner
MOSES LAKE — Katherine Christian has been appointed to fill the vacant seat on the Samaritan Healthcare board of commissioners. Christian was appointed after commissioners interviewed two candidates at a special meeting Tuesday night.
'Wait Until Dark' Thriller opens April 13 at Masquers Theater
SOAP LAKE — The suspenseful tale of a murder, a toy and a disabled woman fighting for her life will come to Masquers Theater stage next week. The curtain rises on “Wait Until Dark” April 13 at the theater, 322 East Main Street in Soap Lake.
Plans for new Samaritan MRI under review
MOSES LAKE — Construction plans for the new MRI suite at Samaritan Hospital will have to be revised. Samaritan chief executive officer Teresa Sullivan said the location and cost are under final review.
'To end all wars'
MOSES LAKE — The Great War and its impact on Grant County is the subject of a new “Be the Curator” exhibit at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center.
Volga German settlers subject of museum lecture
MOSES LAKE — The fate and contributions of an unusual immigrant group in central Washington will be the subject of a lecture at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center, 401 South Balsam.
Distinguished Young Woman pageant Saturday
MOSES LAKE — Three high school juniors will vie for the title of Moses Lake Distinguished Young Woman in the annual pageant at 7 p.m. Saturday at Moses Lake High School, 803 E. Sharon Ave.
Microsoft contributes to George fiber project
EPHRATA — Microsoft executives have announced the company will contribute $200,000 to the cost of extending the Grant County PUD fiber backbone to George.
Samaritan offering 'employment incentive' for nurses
MOSES LAKE — Nurses hired by Samaritan Healthcare will be eligible for “signing incentive” of $10,000, part of an effort by hospital officials to fill existing nursing jobs. Nurses that receive the payment must work full time and must commit to two years employment.
Distinguished Young Women co-chairs announce retirement
MOSES LAKE — Three girls will compete for the title of Moses Lake Distinguished Young Woman in the annual program April 7 at Moses Lake High School. And 2018 will be the last program for two of its longtime organizers.
Spring Agribusiness Job Fair set for April 13
MOSES LAKE — Potential employees can meet potential employers at the annual “Spring Agribusiness Job Fair” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 13. The job fair will be at the WorkSource Central Basin office, 309 East Fifth Ave., Moses Lake.
PUD announces drawdown at Priest Rapids Dam
PRIEST RAPIDS DAM — Grant County PUD officials have lowered the reservoir behind Priest Rapids Dam and declared a non-failure emergency after test drilling revealed leaking in the spillway supports (also known as monoliths).
School security discussed at Othello School Board meeting
OTHELLO — School security and how to make Othello schools more secure was a topic of discussion at the Othello School Board meeting Monday.
Othello grade schools could go to K-8 format
OTHELLO — Othello School District patrons are being invited to a meeting April 16 to discuss a proposal to switch the district’s elementary schools to a kindergarten through eighth grade format. Othello School Board chair Rob Simmons said it would be the first of a number of meetings on the subject.
Brewer announces bid for reelection as PUD commissioner
EPHRATA — Incumbent Grant County PUD commissioner Terry Brewer has announced he will run for a fourth term.
2nd Harvest, Microsoft sponsor Soap Lake food distribution
SOAP LAKE — Soap Lake-area volunteers distributed more than 10,000 pounds of food to local families with the help of 2nd Harvest and Microsoft’s Columbia data center in Quincy.
Salon Envy bounces back
MOSES LAKE — Salon Envy owner Heather Kerekffy said her husband wasn’t sure she should enter the remains of her business, destroyed by fire Jan. 19. And it was pretty bad, she said – everything was gone except for some pieces of metal art on the walls.
March calls attention to school gun violence
MOSES LAKE — About 45 people marched through downtown Moses Lake to call attention to gun violence at schools Saturday afternoon. The local “March for Our Lives” was prompted by students at a Florida high school, the site of a shooting in February, and was one of a number held nationwide.
Sandhill Crane festival this weekend in Othello
OTHELLO — Birdwatching tours, bird and nature classes, and even some real birds are among the attractions at the 21st annual Othello Sandhill Crane Festival, beginning tonight and continuing Saturday and Sunday.
Bids open for new Big Bend workforce building April 3
MOSES LAKE — Construction bids for the new workforce education building at Big Bend Community College will be opened at 1:05 p.m. April 3 in the ATEC building.
'Principals for a Day'
MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake Christian Academy principal Mark Agrellas was going over the criteria for teacher evaluation with his assistant principals – principals for the day, at least.
Graffiti has impact on Moses Lake food bank's bottom line
MOSES LAKE — Graffiti might be one of those crimes that doesn’t hurt anybody. Well, maybe not so much – just ask the operators of the Moses Lake Food Bank.
MLCA feed sets fundraising record
MOSES LAKE — The 10th annual Crab and Prime Rib Feed benefiting the athletic programs and facilities at Moses Lake Christian Academy over the weekend broke all records.
New Samaritan emergency room has more flexibility
MOSES LAKE — The remodeled emergency room at Samaritan Hospital provides more flexibility for treatment, quicker treatment and more privacy for patients, and more security for patients and staff. And that was the goal, according to hospital officials.
Aviation students get look at C-17
MOSES LAKE — It is one of the truisms of aviation that there are no minor collisions at altitude.
Quincy High School drama production opens Thursday
QUINCY — Cutthroat competition (that’s c-u-t-t-h-r-o-a-t c-o-m-p-e-t-i-t-i-o-n), soaring hopes and shattered dreams are the stuff that songs and dances are made of in the annual musical at Quincy High School. “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” opens Thursday at the QHS theater, 16 Southeast Sixth Ave., with performances Friday and Saturday. The curtain rises at 7:30 p.m. each night.
PUD tackles pole replacement from above
QUINCY — Grant County PUD crews brought in a helicopter to help repair a pole damaged in last summer’s Monument Hill fire.
Moses Lake development moving at steady pace
MOSES LAKE — Just taking a look around Moses Lake, there’s a lot going on.
Grant PUD commissioners approve rate increase
EPHRATA — Grant County PUD commissioners have approved electrical rates for 2018, effective April 1. The rates were approved at the regular commission Tuesday. The vote was 3-2, with commissioners Tom Flint and Dale Walker voting no. Residential rates will increase by 1.5 percent, an estimated $1.49 per month. The actual increase depends on use. General service (class 2) rates will go up by 2.1 percent, an estimated $6.43 per month. Irrigation customers (class 3) will receive a 3.4 percent increase, about $24.65 per month. Rates for large general customers (class 7) will go up one percent, an estimated $73.85 per month. Large industrial customers (class 15) will receive a rate increase of seven-tenths of 1 percent. Industrial customers, agriculture food processors and ag boiler customers all will receive a 5 percent increase. Commissioners approved a policy in 2014 that customers would pay at least 80 percent of the cost of providing them service, and not more than 15 percent over the cost of providing service. The actual cost of service is determined by a study, originally conducted in 2014 and updated periodically. The latest study is being conducted this year. Commissioners also have approved policies establishing a 2 percent overall increase each year for 10 years, beginning in 2014. Because rate classes have different costs of service, different rate classes will see different increases. Rates, rate structure and rate increases have been the subject of a lot of discussion at commission meetings the last few years. Commissioners have, over the years, outlined their positions on rates, and they reiterated those opinions at Tuesday’s meeting. “This is always a delicate subject, when you start talking about rate increases,” said commissioner Larry Schaapman. Schaapman and commissioner Terry Brewer said they thought the rate structure was a fair way to apportion costs. Schaapman said the cost analysis method inoculates the system against outside pressure, in his opinion. Commissioner Bob Bernd said analysis indicated a 2 percent increase across the board would make the disparities worse between rate classes. Bernd said he’s been on the commission long enough to remember situations with no rate increase one year and a 6 or 8 percent increase the next year. “Went through that, didn’t like if very well.” Flint said the current regular-but-small increases are “certainly more palatable” than periodic 6 or 10 percent increases. The commission has, in his opinion, set “a worthy goal, popular or unpopular,” Bernd said. Flint said he’s not necessarily opposed to a 2 percent increase, since the PUD has generated substantial debt to upgrade the turbines and generators at Wanapum and Priest Rapids dams. But he doesn’t like the way the increases are structured, he said, with rate increases for irrigators at more than 2 percent. Farmers and ranchers helped build Priest Rapids and Wanapum, he said, and deserve consideration. Walker said he has been consistent in his opposition to rate increases as long as the PUD has a substantial cash balance. Brewer said he’s in favor of a series of small increases as a more sound business practice, in his opinion, than small or no increases followed by large increases. Because the PUD is engaged in a multi-decade - and very expensive - upgrade project, the utility needs to keep money on hand to pay some of those costs, Brewer said.
Managing manners
MOSES LAKE — Applying for a job can lead down some strange pathways.
School security discussed at Othello community forum
OTHELLO — Prevention, parenting, community support, securing school buildings, arming teachers, parents knowing what their kids are doing were among the topics of discussion at a school security forum Monday night sponsored by the Othello School Board.
3 new aircraft for BBCC pilot program
MOSES LAKE — Two single-engine trainers stood outside the Big Bend Community College pilot training center Monday morning, gleaming in the sun.
Highway repair season begins this week in Grant County
MOSES LAKE — Drivers can expect delays up to about 20 minutes on SR-17 and SR-282 between Moses Lake and Ephrata this week. Road work is scheduled for SR 28 between I-90 at George and Ephrata. It’s spring, which means it’s time for road construction.
Active shooter training held at CB Tech
MOSES LAKE — It’s not something that school officials want to think about, but it is something they have to think about. That’s why, said CB Tech director Christine Armstrong, the school’s teachers and aides got training in what to do in the case of an active shooter.
'My Fair Lady' opens tonight
MOSES LAKE — The Basin Community Theatre production of “My Fair Lady” opens tonight for six performances over two weekends. Performances are at the Moses Lake High School theater, 803 E. Sharon Ave.
'Pete the Cat' comes to town Saturday
MOSES LAKE — Columbia Basin Allied Arts will sponsor the Theatreworks USA production of “Pete the Cat” at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Wallenstien Theater on the Big Bend Community College campus.
Fuel for the fight
MOSES LAKE — Culinary students at Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center (CB Tech) and the Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation are teaming up to do some of the cooking for cancer patients and their families. The “Meals to Heal” program is open to people currently undergoing cancer treatment.
Book-It Theater comes to town in April
MOSES LAKE — The Book-It Repertory Theater will be performing live in Moses Lake, Soap Lake and George during the first week of April. The performances are sponsored by the North Central Regional Library. Admission is free.
Crescent Bar boat launch to open in May
CRESCENT BAR — Construction work on recreation and infrastructure facilities on Crescent Bar should be finished before the end of 2018. The new on-island boat launch should be completed by Memorial Day, according to a press release from the Grant County PUD.
Regional read to feature Pulitzer Prize-winning author
WENATCHEE — The winner of the 2015 Pulitzer Prize for fiction will be speaking in Wenatchee in April as part of the North Central Regional Library’s regional reading program. The presentation by Anthony Doerr, the author of “All the Light We Cannot See,” is free, but reservations are required.
Youth Outdoors Unlimited holds fundraising banquet
MOSES LAKE — Alex Reister spent all day in the boat, but it was worth it.