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
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.
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.
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.
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.
'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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
'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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
'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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Cooks test skills in culinary contest
MOSES LAKE — Whoever said cooking contests were easy was wrong.
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.
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.
Salon Envy owner plans to reopen
MOSES LAKE — The owner and staff of a hairstyling salon destroyed in a spectacular fire last Saturday will be setting up shop in temporary quarters Tuesday. Salon Envy owner Heather Kerekffy said she’s working on reopening in a new location.
Unexpected challenge leads to rewarding career
KENNEWICK — Susan Hoose had to deal with challenges she didn’t expect. So she did.
Ballots for Othello school bond mailed this week
OTHELLO — Ballots will be mailed this week for a special election to approve or reject a $61.4 million construction bond proposal from the Othello School District.
Fundraising page set up for destroyed Moses Lake salon
MOSES LAKE — A GoFundMe page was set up for a Moses Lake hairstyling salon destroyed by fire Saturday night. The “Save Salon Envy ML” page had raised $1,850 as of Tuesday morning, in less than 24 hours. The salon was one of two businesses destroyed in the spectacular fire; the second was Chico’s Pizza, the longtime Moses Lake landmark. Customers from the salon and friends of owner Heather Kerekffy set up the page. They asked regular salon customers to donate the cost of their last haircut or product purchase from the salon, and for others interested in donating, to donate the cost of their last haircut. “The cost of one haircut is a small sacrifice to an individual, but pooled together with a community of caring individuals, this could really make an impact,” the page sponsors wrote. “My salon team/family is completely devastated by the fire,” Kerekffy wrote on social media. “Our lives are on hold until we find a new location.” “Heather has been an amazing hairstylist, friend and listener whenever my family has come in, and she has such a big heart, especially for those with special needs,” wrote Connie Suehero on the GoFundMe page. The page can be found at www.gofundme.com/save-salon-envy-ml.
'Cupcake Wars' at CB Tech
MOSES LAKE — The frosting was the crowning touch, strawberry cream cheese frosting for red velvet cupcakes. It had awesome strawberry flavor, had been whipped to maximum creaminess —
Grant PUD customers to see an average 1.5 percent rate increase
EPHRATA — Electrical rates will be going up for most Grant County PUD customers, effective April 1. The rate proposal was unveiled at the regular PUD commission meeting Tuesday.
'Patriot Nations' opens at Wanapum Heritage Center
WANAPUM DAM — The contributions made by Native Americans to the U.S. armed forces is the subject of a new exhibit at the Wanapum Heritage Center. “Patriot Nations: Native Americans in our Nation’s Armed Forces” is on display through May 8.
Flu filling emergency rooms
OLYMPIA — Winter is flu season, and flu season means crowded emergency rooms, and crowded doctor offices and medical facilities in general. Washington Department of Health officials are asking people to take some steps to keep the crowding to a minimum.
Big Bend enrollment down
MOSES LAKE — Enrollment dropped at Big Bend Community College at fall quarter, and enrollment also is down for winter quarter. What to do about that was a topic of discussion at the regular meeting of BBCC trustees Wednesday.
Plans for Big Bend CC building submitted to county
MOSES LAKE — Plans for the new workforce education center at Big Bend Community College will be submitted to Grant County building officials for review next week.