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
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.
Warden Food Pantry in need of donations
WARDEN — The Warden Food Pantry will change its day and hour of operation beginning in February. But whatever its hours, the food pantry is looking for some support.
East Columbia Irrigation District election set for Feb. 8
OTHELLO — East Columbia Basin Irrigation District landowners will vote on a proposal to reconfigure the board of directors from five seats to seven seats.
Tax overhaul will have real-world impact
Moses Lake business owner provides raise for employees
MOSES LAKE — Federal tax legislation passed in December will make a difference to businesses and individuals – but business owners in particular should consult their accountants to determine the exact impact. The news was good enough for one local business owner that he gave his employees a raise.
Lots of choices for apple consumers
QUINCY — Growers have reason to be satisfied, at least so far, with the 2017 apple season. Consumers also have reason to be satisfied with the choices available to them in the stores, according to apple industry experts.
Workshop for Alzheimer's caregivers, families Jan. 22
MOSES LAKE — The local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association will sponsor a workshop to help caregivers and families understand dementia-related behavior from 2 to 4 p.m. Jan. 22 at Samaritan Hospital, 801 E. Wheeler Rd.
Construction at Crescent Bar to be completed this year
EPHRATA — The final phase of improvements to recreation facilities at Crescent Bar is scheduled for 2018, and when it’s done, the Grant County PUD is done with major recreation improvements, at least for the time being.
Grant PUD 2018 rates to be unveiled at Jan. 23 meeting
EPHRATA — A public meeting to get a first look at the proposed Grant County PUD rates is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Jan. 23 at the PUD headquarters building, 30 Southwest C St., Ephrata.
Grant County unemployment drops in November
MOSES LAKE — Unemployment in Grant County rose between October and November 2017, but is still almost two percentage points below the November 2016 employment rate.
November unemployment down in Adams County
RITZVILLE — Unemployment in Adams County dropped more than two percent between November 2016 and November 2017. Unemployment went up between October and November 2017, however.
Bond talk at Othello meeting
OTHELLO — School overcrowding, school construction funding and what happens if Othello keeps growing were among the subjects discussed at a community forum sponsored by the Othello School Board Monday night.
Moses Lake Museum celebrates 60th anniversary
MOSES LAKE — Sasquatch – or what people thought they saw when they thought they saw Sasquatch – and a new take on a legendary exhibit will be among the major exhibits as the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2018.
Wedding photography, dresses focus of museum exhibit
MOSES LAKE — Tying the knot in style, and how couples commemorated their day, is the subject of a new exhibit opening Friday at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center.
(Kind of) warmer weather on the way
MOSES LAKE — So – the East Coast is coping with an epic storm, heavy snow, hurricane-force winds, possible flooding along the coast, airports closed, roads impassable. Snow in South Carolina and Florida.
Grant Transit Authority opens new transit center
MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Transit Authority opened its brand-new bus garage with a ribbon cutting July 31. With the new transit center came an expanded bus schedule.
Technical training grant to benefit central Washington
WENATCHEE — North central Washington, including Grant and Adams counties, will receive a grant to improve science and technology education and training. The $855,000 grant is part of the statewide “Career Connect Washington” initiative.
Food banks still in need
MOSES LAKE — With the arrival of Thanksgiving and Christmas, charitable projects, donation drives, efforts to help the less fortunate go into overdrive. But eventually Christmas is in the rear view mirror, and attention turns to other things.
Grant PUD to continue fiber project
EPHRATA — After a year of studies, meetings and discussions, Grant County PUD commissioners decided to continue expanding the utility's fiber network – but with conditions.
Long cold winter left a mark on the Basin
MOSES LAKE — It will be a topic of discussion for years – oh, yeah, remember that really bad winter? The winter of 2016-17?
Basin railroad history subject of museum lecture
MOSES LAKE — The expansion of the railroad in the Columbia Basin, and the traces – and problems – from those pioneer days that are still visible today will be the subject of a lecture at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center.
New phone scam targets Grant County residents
EPHRATA — Grant County residents are being warned about a new telephone fraud scam using a real company and real Grant County District Court case numbers.
Grant County counselor's practice credential reinstated
OLYMPIA — A Grant County counselor has had his practice credential reinstated with conditions. Aaron Glenn’s permission to practice had been suspended in 2013.
Snow, freezing rain forecast for next few days
MOSES LAKE — So far, the winter of 2017-18 hasn’t been that bad in Grant County. The little tiniest trace of snow, cold but not deep-freeze cold. Unfortunately, that’s not going to last.
Elections planned for cherry committee
YAKIMA — Representatives will be selected for the Washington Cherry Marketing Committee at annual grower meetings in Yakima and Wenatchee in January.
Horticulture information meetings set for Wenatchee, Yakima
WENATCHEE — Advance registration is open for an annual program of continuing education classes for cherry growers in Yakima. Four days of presentations for cherry, apple, pear and stone fruit growers is scheduled for Wenatchee. Both events are in January.
Apricot committee elections set for January
Elections during meetings in Yakima, Wenatchee
YAKIMA — Apricot growers and processors will vote for members of the state's apricot marketing committee in meetings in Yakima and Wenatchee next month.
Samaritan projected to finish 2017 in the black
MOSES LAKE — Revenues dropped during October at Samaritan Hospital, but appear to have rebounded in November. At the end of October Samaritan Healthcare was still ahead of its budget target for net revenue. Chief financial officer Alex Town reviewed the financial report at the regular meeting of hospital district commissioners Dec. 19.
Peninsula Elementary principal gets silly-stringed
MOSES LAKE — The fifth-graders in Lory Benavidez’ class at Peninsula Elementary came armed with silly string. Lots of silly string.
Raffle results in donation to warming center
MOSES LAKE — A charitable raffle resulted in a $630 donation to the Grant County Homeless Task Force for its warming center.
Samaritan to apply to upgrade trauma treatment designation
MOSES LAKE — Samaritan Healthcare officials are submitting an application to the Washington Department of Health that would, if approved, allow the hospital to treat more complicated trauma cases. If the application is approved the hospital would become the second Level 3 trauma center in north central Washington.
Teachers tackle obstacle course in Toys for Teens challenge
EPHRATA — It sounded kind of easy, really. It looked easy, even. Just a little obstacle course around the Ephrata High School gym. Considering other situations teachers have faced when nominated as the “winners” in the culminating Toys for Teens challenge, it looked simple.
Big Bend CC employee turnover subject of discussion
MOSES LAKE — Keeping employees at Big Bend Community College was a subject of discussion at the regular meeting of the BBCC trustees Thursday.
White Christmas unlikely in Columbia Basin
MOSES LAKE — Look, maybe all that stuff about snow on Christmas is overrated. Sleighbells ringing and one-horse open sleighs and lanes glistening with snow – hey, who even owns a sleigh any more?
New BBCC program proving popular
MOSES LAKE — A new program at Big Bend Community College that provides students training they need to work at data centers is proving so popular BBCC is adding a second class.
Activities planned at local libraries over vacation
MOSES LAKE — There’s usually plenty of excitement in the first few days of Christmas vacation, but then there comes that moment, the time when kids start complaining about being bored. Local public libraries have started a winter reading program to help with that.
Grant PUD releases customer survey data
EPHRATA — Electrical rates are the chief concern of Grant County PUD customers, but residential and commercial customer satisfaction is very high. Those were some of the conclusions of a customer satisfaction survey conducted this fall and presented to PUD commissioners Tuesday.
Grant County PUD approves 2018 budget
EPHRATA — The budget for the Grant County PUD was set at $274.27 million for 2018, an increase of about $10.5 million from the preliminary budget presented in October. Utility district commissioners approved the budget at the regular commission meeting Tuesday.
Moses Lake High School conducting food drive
MOSES LAKE — Students at Moses Lake High School are locked in competition – to collect the greatest number of cans, boxes or bags of non-perishable food. The annual food drive at MLHS will continue through the end of this week.
Othello School Board makes plans for community forum
OTHELLO — Othello School District patrons will have a chance to ask questions about the upcoming construction bond proposal at the January 8 Othello School Board meeting. The board will meet in special session at 6 p.m. Jan. 8 in the cafeteria at Desert Oasis High School.
City, students talk traffic at Moses Lake High School
MOSES LAKE — Some of the students in her civics class at Moses Lake High School didn’t really see the point of studying civics, said MLHS teacher Gaynor Edwards. They argued their vote doesn’t mean much, if anything, so Edwards said she challenged them to see what would happen if they put the principle behind civics to the test.
Othello Christmas Baskets
OTHELLO — Donations are still being accepted for the annual Othello Christmas Basket project, a town tradition that dates back more than four decades.
'Tip A Cop' draws a crowd at Rock Top
MOSES LAKE — Why yes, those were law enforcement officers cleaning tables and filling water glasses at the Rock Top restaurant Thursday night. The restaurant teamed up with the Moses Lake Police Department and Grant County Sheriff’s Office for “Tip A Cop” night, with proceeds going to the “Shop With a Cop” program sponsored by those agencies.
Moses Lake HS 'Family Holiday Festival' tonight
MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake High School students will sponsor a holiday party for the community, complete with Santa and a baked potato bar, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the high school.
Ephrata HS 'Toys for Teens' drive next week
EPHRATA — The competition is on next week at Ephrata High School; the annual Toys for Teens drive is scheduled to start Monday and will last all week.
'Miracle on Main Street' Celebration in Ephrata Saturday
EPHRATA — Christmas season will be greeted with a parade and fireworks, and kids have the chance to have breakfast with Santa in Ephrata Saturday. Events in the annual “Miracle on Main Street” town celebration last all day.
Toy, food donations sought by Moses Lake, Ephrata food banks
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake and Ephrata food banks will be distributing food and toys this Christmas season. Both organizations are accepting donations of food, toys and money.
BBCC takes off
MOSES LAKE — Big Bend Community College has been offering unmanned aerial systems classes since fall 2016, but starting in January students can receive an Associate of Applied Science degree in the program.
East Columbia Basin Irrigation District to select two directors
OTHELLO — It turns out there are two seats on the East Columbia Basin Irrigation District board of directors up for election Dec. 12.
STEM careers focus of Engineering Night
MOSES LAKE — What students need to know to pursue a career in STEM fields was the topic of discussion during Engineering Night, sponsored by Big Bend Community College Thursday.
Irrigation district election set for Dec. 12
OTHELLO — Landowners in District 4 of the East Columbia Irrigation District will vote Dec. 12 on a representative to the district’s board of directors. The winner will be elected to a three-year term, beginning January 2018.