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
Unicorns, glitter and fun at unicorn party
MOSES LAKE — Aspen Jewell was visibly dissatisfied.
Youth Outdoors Unlimited holds fundraising banquet
MOSES LAKE — Alex Reister spent all day in the boat, but it was worth it.
Decision April 30 on Samaritan trauma treatment change
MOSES LAKE — Samaritan Healthcare officials will learn April 30 whether or not the hospital will earn designation as a Level 3 trauma center.
Hearings set for possible natural gas rate increase
KENNEWICK — Customers of Cascade Natural Gas are being invited to submit comments on a proposed rate increase. If approved, the rate increase would go into effect on or before Aug. 1.
Big Bend Job and Career Fair fills ATEC building to overflowing
MOSES LAKE — There were so many prospective employers and prospective employees at the Big Bend Community College Job and Career Fair that they spilled out of the main exhibit space and down the hall.
Samaritan projected to finish 2017 with a profit
MOSES LAKE — The year-end financial review is pending, but preliminary numbers from December show Samaritan Healthcare turned a profit for the month and had a profitable 2017.
Samaritan in the black in January
MOSES LAKE — Samaritan Healthcare got off to a good financial start in 2018, with net income more than double the budget projection.
Board discusses next step for Othello school bond
OTHELLO — The next step for the Othello School District after the rejection of its construction bond was the subject of lengthy discussion at the Othello School Board meeting Monday.
Othello community meeting for school security set for March 12
OTHELLO — Othello School District patrons are being invited to a community meeting to discuss school security within the district. The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. March 12, at a location to be announced.
Big Bend Job and Career Fair slated for Thursday
MOSES LAKE — People can learn about available jobs and some of their options for college, among other possibilities, at the Big Bend Community College 2018 Job and Career Fair Thursday. It’s scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the ATEC building on the BBCC campus.
Adams County unemployment drops in December
RITZVILLE — Adams County unemployment went down by almost two percentage points between December 2016 and December 2017. Unemployment went up more than 2 percent between November and December 2017, following traditional county trends.
Spotlight on eastern Washington artists at museum
MOSES LAKE — An exhibit of the works of eastern Washington artists from a Tri-Cities art cooperative will open this weekend at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center. The opening reception for the “Cyber Art 509” show is scheduled for 5 p.m. Friday at the museum, 401 S. Balsam St.
Rumors of possible threats to schools leave parents unsettled
MOSES LAKE — Rumors of possible threats toward schools in the Moses Lake School District prompted a letter from district superintendent Josh Meek and concern from parents.
Low electrical rates generate flood of inquiries
MOSES LAKE — It’s not a gold rush – gold rushes are kind of 19th Century – but there are a lot of people interested in possibly opening businesses in Grant County. Growth has its upside, but this growth spurt is causing complications for the Grant County PUD.
Warmer weather forecast, but not much warmer
MOSES LAKE — Comparatively speaking, it’s been pretty warm in Moses Lake and the Columbia Basin this week.
'Raspberry Jam' at Big Bend CC
MOSES LAKE — A chance to learn more about the small, economical computers known as Raspberry Pi, and for people to show off their computer projects – Raspberry Pi and otherwise – is scheduled for Big Bend Community College March 3. The “Raspberry Jam” is one of two scheduled in Washington.
Construction projects underway all around town
MOSES LAKE — From a new motel to remodeling of existing buildings, construction projects are proceeding apace in Moses Lake.
PUD 2017 budget results reviewed
EPHRATA — The books aren’t closed on 2017, but preliminary results show the Grant County PUD spent about 25 percent less than it had budgeted for capital projects last year. The preliminary review was part of a report on the budget at the PUD commission meeting Feb. 13.
'My Fair Lady'
MOSES LAKE — Tickets go on sale Thursday for the Basin Community Theatre production of the tale of a girl, a guy, and language lessons. “My Fair Lady” opens March 18 at the Moses Lake High School theater, 803 E. Sharon Ave.
Benefit concert planned for Feb. 25
MOSES LAKE — Violinist Jaime Jorge will perform in a benefit concert at 3 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Wallenstien Theater on the Big Bend Community College campus. The “Healing Music” concert is a benefit for Jorge’s international ministry and the Moses Lake Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Othello School Board discusses teacher staffing
OTHELLO — Art and foreign language instruction, and getting and keeping teachers for subjects that aren’t considered core subjects, was a topic of conversation at the Othello School Board meeting Feb. 12.
Distinguished Young Woman orientation moved to Frontier Middle School
MOSES LAKE — The orientation sessions for junior high school girls interested in participating in the Distinguished Young Women program have been moved to Frontier Middle School cafeteria.
Cold weather headed Grant County's direction
MOSES LAKE — It’s that time of year. The gray clouds that hang around every winter are going away, the days are getting a little longer, spring has to be close, right?
Honor society inducts new members at Big Bend CC
MOSES LAKE — The Big Bend Community College inducted 19 students into its Phi Theta Kappa chapter Tuesday evening. Phi Theta Kappa is the community college honor society.
Rate study focus of Grant County PUD discussion
EPHRATA — An onion storage facility and how old and new customers – especially new energy-hungry customers – will fit into the future was a topic of discussion at the regular meeting of the Grant County PUD commission Tuesday.
PUD discusses carbon tax
EPHRATA — Momentum seems to be on the side of a bill that would impose carbon-emission taxes in Washington, and the discussion at Tuesday’s Grant County PUD meeting centered on ways to alleviate its impact on the utility.
Othello school bond failing
OTHELLO — Othello School District voters are rejecting a $61.4 million construction bond proposal in a special election Tuesday.
New director at CBAA
MOSES LAKE — Shawn Cardwell has been one of the volunteers who helped get the word out about Columbia Basin Allied Arts events – one of the orchestra, she said.
December unemployment down from December 2016
YAKIMA — Unemployment rose between November and December 2017, but December unemployment was 1.5 percentage points below December 2016. Grant County’s unemployment rate in December 2017 was 8.1 percent, down from 9.6 percent in December 2016.
Heart attack survivors share stories
MOSES LAKE — The four heart attack survivors who recounted their stories were in different places, ages and circumstances when they got sick. But they all had one thing in common.
Dad-daughter dance set for Feb. 24
MOSES LAKE — Dads and daughters will dance the evening away, and mom and sons will play games in the gym. The annual Daddy-Daughter Dance and Mother-Son Fun Night are scheduled for 6:30 to 9 p.m. Feb. 24 at Moses Lake High School, 803 East Sharon Ave.
Auditions for Missoula Children's Theater Monday
MOSES LAKE — The tale of a young man, a princess, a genie and a magic lamp will come to the stage at the Wallenstien Theater next week, courtesy of Columbia Basin Allied Arts and the Missoula Children’s Theater. Auditions for the MCT production of “Aladdin” are scheduled for 4 p.m. Monday at the theater on the Big Bend Community College campus. Children must be kindergarten age and older to audition.
Allied Arts fundraiser set for Friday
MOSES LAKE — Columbia Basin Allied Arts will present its annual fundraising soiree Friday at 6:30 p.m. at the ATEC Building at Big Bend Community College.
'Barefoot in the Park' New Masquers production opens next week
SOAP LAKE — A classic play about a very young marriage comes to the Masquers stage next week. The curtain goes up on “Barefoot in the Park” at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 16.
Memory loss support program to meet in Ephrata
EPHRATA — A monthly meeting for people suffering from memory loss and their families is scheduled for Tuesday in Ephrata. The “Community Memory Cafe” meets at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in the fellowship hall at the United Methodist Church of Ephrata, 117 Northwest C St.
Nieves Gomez named new CBHA head
OTHELLO — Othello native Nieves Gomez was named as the new president and chief executive officer of the Columbia Basin Health Association. Gomez will succeed Greg Brandenberg.
Heart health subject of Samaritan program
MOSES LAKE — Heart health and how to maintain it will be the subject of a program Thursday – and the answers might not be as obvious as people imagine. “The Unexpected Faces of a Heart Attack” will begin at 6 p.m. at the Pillar Rock Grill.
Falconry lecture at museum Wednesday
MOSES LAKE — The partnership between humans and birds in the hunt for wild game will be the subject of a lecture at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center. Ron Updegrave will talk about “Falconry” at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the museum, 401 S. Balsam St.
'Alice in Wonderland' opens Wednesday
MOSES LAKE — The tale of the adventures of a girl in wonderland opens at the Moses Lake High School theater Wednesday. The MLHS production of “Alice in Wonderland” will run Wednesday through Saturday starting at 7 p.m. each night.
One Red Door closing, another to open
MOSES LAKE — The original Red Door curio and antique shop is closing. The Red Door Cafe will remain open, and even expand.
Samaritan Healthcare beating budget targets
MOSES LAKE — Samaritan Healthcare was running ahead of its budget targets at the end of November 2017, and the prospects for 2017 as a whole are looking positive. That was the conclusion of the monthly financial report given to Samaritan healthcare commissioners Tuesday.
Inspire Cafe opens at Samaritan Clinic
MOSES LAKE — The new coffee and sandwich stand in the lobby at Samaritan Clinic is the culmination of a 2017 project of the Samaritan Foundation.
'Country Sweethearts' fundraising banquet Saturday
MOSES LAKE — The Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation will sponsor its biggest fundraiser of the year Saturday with the ninth annual “Country Sweethearts” dinner, dance and auction.
Grant County PUD talks growth
EPHRATA — An unusual – even unprecedented – level of requests for electrical hookups has prompted the Grant County PUD to start reassessing its approach to adding new customers and expanding the existing system. Utility district officials are also looking at rates for all customer classes.
Customers with bill questions encouraged to call Grant PUD
EPHRATA — In an attempt to ensure customers know what's on their statements, Grant County PUD officials are encouraging customers to contact the PUD if they have questions about winter electric bills.
DYW orientation Feb. 21, 22
MOSES LAKE — High school junior girls interested in participating in the Moses Lake Distinguished Young Women pageant are invited to one of two orientation sessions in February. Orientation meetings are at 7 p.m. Feb. 21 and 22 in the cafeteria at Chief Moses Middle School. Girls can attend either session – the information is the same at both – and should bring a parent or guardian with them.
Tickets for YOU banquet on sale
MOSES LAKE — Tickets are now available for the 2018 Youth Outdoors Unlimited fundraising banquet, scheduled for March 3 at the Best Western Lake Front Inn, 3000 West Marina Dr., Moses Lake.
Down the aisle in style
MOSES LAKE — Brides could find ideas for the dress, a cake, a hairstyle, a photographer, a decorating scheme – even a honeymoon wardrobe at the 2018 Bride Style Wedding Expo Saturday.
Realtor Association holds annual banquet
MOSES LAKE — Jeff Foster was named 2017 Realtor of the Year at the Moses Lake-Othello Association of Realtors banquet Saturday night.
Cooks test skills in culinary contest
MOSES LAKE — Whoever said cooking contests were easy was wrong.