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
Mermaid school
MOSES LAKE — There’s just something about mermaids – little girls love them, like they love princesses.
Hot spell, heavy use led to ML water restrictions
MOSES LAKE — A sudden hot spell that caused Moses Lake residents to use more water than usual on lawns and gardens led to a temporary request from city officials to limit irrigation. City officials say the restrictions could be lifted soon, but there's no specific date.
Summer is construction season in the Basin
MOSES LAKE — It being summer, construction activity is at a fever pitch.
Othello Hospital District voters to decide fate of EMS levy
OTHELLO — Voters in Adams County Hospital District No. 3 will be asked to approve or reject a six-year levy to support the ambulance service in the primary election Aug. 1. If approved, the levy would replace an existing levy approved by district voters in 2011.
Donations sought for museum fundraiser
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Museum & Art Center is soliciting donations of quality art and collectibles for its “Rusty Mammoth” sale. The sale is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 11 and 12 at the museum, 401 South Balsam St.
Othello High School tennis court project to proceed
OTHELLO — Othello High School will have six new tennis courts sometime during the next school year. Othello School Board members voted to proceed with the project at its last meeting.
Small profits forecast for most growers in 2017
SPOKANE — Potato and onion farmers, apple and cherry growers, ranchers and hay growers may make money in 2017 – not a lot, but a little. That’s the conclusion of a quarterly market update issued by the Farm Credit Services office in Spokane.
Salmon success subject of TV series
EPHRATA — A Spokane production company has released a 13-episode television show detailing some of the successful efforts to improve salmon runs along the Columbia River and its tributaries. The Grant County PUD is among the sponsors of “The Way of the Columbia,” produced by Cutboard Studio. The series is being broadcast on PBS stations around the Pacific Northwest.
Cherry crop could set record
QUINCY — The good news is, cool spring weather has extended the cherry harvest season, removing some of the peaks that can make cherry marketing such a headache. The bad news is, there are a lot of cherries out there to market.
So far, 2017 producing good prices for timothy hay
MOSES LAKE — Farming anything is something of a gamble – sometimes it’s a good year, sometimes it’s just so-so, sometimes it’s an awesome year, sometimes it’s awful. For timothy hay growers 2017 is starting out as one of those awesome years. For alfalfa growers, so far 2017 is kind of so-so.
Hantavirus may have come from Adams County
RITZVILLE — Washington residents are being urged to take precautions while they are in closed spaces that could be infested with mice. The warning was issued after a Spokane County man died of complications from hantavirus; he likely came into contact with the disease while in a barn in Adams County.
Othello to proceed with school construction bond
OTHELLO — Othello School District patrons will be asked to approve or reject a construction bond, in one form or another, in February 2018. The actual projects in the bond, and as a result the bond amount, will be determined during the fall, after a series of community meetings.
Hot weather to boomerang back
MOSES LAKE — Just when people thought it was safe to climb out of the pool, hot weather – maybe freaky hot weather – is making a comeback next weekend.
Othello clinic construction in home stretch
OTHELLO — Construction crews are installing cabinets in some sections, painting and plastering the walls in others; in some sections the carpet has been installed. Columbia Basin Health Associates officials said the goal is to complete construction on the new Othello clinic by mid-October.
Latin music, dance in Othello July 29
OTHELLO — A concert featuring Mattawa native Jose Iniguez, a mariachi performer who features the classic form of mariachi bolero — as well as performing as an operatic tenor — is scheduled for 7 p.m. July 29 at Lions Park in Othello.
Keynote squeaker
MOSES LAKE — The ducks were dumped in the water of Moses Lake, and they were off. They raced toward shore – a slow-motion kind of racing, admittedly – with two or three ducks neck and neck as the field floated toward the finish line.
Construction bond decision could come Monday
The Othello School Board could decide Monday whether or not to offer a construction bond to district voters next February.
Othello school construction bond decision could come Monday
OTHELLO — The Othello School Board could decide Monday whether or not to offer a construction bond to district voters next February.
Moses Lake physician faces unprofessional conduct charges
OLYMPIA — A Moses Lake physician was charged with unprofessional conduct by the Washington Medical Quality Assurance Commission. David Earl has 20 days from June 22 to answer the charges, related to treatment given to 18 patients and the sale of property of another patient. Earl is also charged with failing to comply with a prior order issued by the commission.
The sounds of summer Basin Summer Sounds comes to Ephrata July 21, 22
EPHRATA — Some country – some original country, too – some rock, some new wave, some folk-western swing-jazz the band calls “gypsy jazz,” and even more are on the bill at the annual Basin Summer Sounds concert July 21 and 22 in Ephrata.
2nd Harvest mobile food bank visits Quincy
QUINCY — More than 30 volunteers sorted and repackaged 9,359 pounds of food for distribution at the 2nd Harvest mobile food bank in Quincy recently. The food was distributed to about 202 families in the Quincy and George areas.
Hot time ahead
MOSES LAKE — Sooner or later it had to happen – it’s going to get hot, that blast-furnace type of hot, with temperatures forecast to start climbing Wednesday.
Applications open for fairgrounds mural project
MOSES LAKE — Artists are being invited to submit applications to paint new murals at the Grant County Fairgrounds, to be installed during the Grant County Fair. This is the second year of the “Pieced Together” project, sponsored by fairgrounds administrators, Columbia Basin Allied Arts and the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center.
Samaritan quality indicators trending in right direction
MOSES LAKE — Some areas still need attention, but the yardsticks used by Samaritan Hospital to measure quality mostly are trending in the right direction, according to hospital officials. Director of nursing Becky DeMers updated the Samaritan board at its regular meeting in June.
New power transmission line under construction
MOSES LAKE — Construction has started on a $7.95 million project to upgrade electrical transmission lines between the Rocky Ford substation and Moses Lake.
PUD fiber alternatives to be aired
EPHRATA — Grant County PUD customers support the idea of expanding the PUD fiber network, but don't support a surcharge on electric rates to pay for it. That was the conclusion of a survey conducted among PUD customers and reviewed with utility district commissioners Tuesday.
Othello district extends superintendent's contract
OTHELLO — Othello School Board members voted 5-0 to extend the contract of district superintendent Chris Hurst.
Big Bend CC receives continuing Trio grant
MOSES LAKE — Big Bend Community College will receive a $2.4 million, five-year grant to continue its Upward Bound services for students.
Health district issues air quality advisory
MOSES LAKE — Smoke from wildfires to the north and south have prompted the Grant County Health District to issue an air quality advisory.
Wanapum spillway gates could need repair
EPHRATA — Two spillway gates at Wanapum Dam have been taken out of use while engineers investigate possible damage that could have occurred while they were being raised and lowered.
Othello School Board discusses possible construction bond
OTHELLO — Othello School Board members will decide sometime in July whether or not to submit a construction bond and – if the answer is yes – what would be in a bond proposal. District officials presented the conclusions from a series of community meetings at the regular board meeting Monday.
Report details Othello hospital profit, loss for 2014, 2015
OTHELLO — Non-operating revenues helped Othello Community Hospital turn a profit in 2015. Patient revenues increased but so did expenses, according to information attached to the Washington Auditor’s Office report released Monday.
Aging preparation subject of presentation
MOSES LAKE — No question, wrote attorney Bruce Pinkerton, “Dementia-Alzheimer’s is a life-changing event. However, it does not have to be the end of the world for the family or the caregiving loved ones.”
At last, summer is here
MOSES LAKE — An overheard remark sums it up perfectly –
Museum skeptics target of training workshop
MOSES LAKE — The company known as Museum Hack is designed to encourage people who normally wouldn’t go to a museum to engage – no, wait. Ethan Angelica of Museum Hack said the best way to demonstrate would be to play a game. A museum mystery game where the victim is a tour guide named Ethan.
Expenses higher, profit lower than expected at Samaritan
MOSES LAKE — Samaritan Healthcare is making money, but higher than expected expenses mean the hospital is not meeting its income budget targets.
Transit center opens July 31
MOSES LAKE — The grand opening of the new Grant Transit Authority transit center is scheduled for July 31, with operation beginning the next day.
Samaritan Clinic lobby remodel to begin in August
MOSES LAKE — The bid came in higher than projected, but a project to remodel parts of the first floor of Samaritan Clinic will start in August.
Moses Lake museum to host state conference
MOSES LAKE — Museum directors, staff and volunteers from around the state will be in Moses Lake Wednesday through Friday for the annual Washington Museum Association conference. Pre-conference events are scheduled for Wednesday, with workshops and discussion groups Thursday and Friday.
Diabetes prevention class at Columbia Basin Hospital
EPHRATA — People who might be at risk for diabetes are being invited to join a program that may help them avoid the disease. Columbia Basin Hospital is partnering with WSU-Grant/Adams County Extension to present the “Diabetes Prevention Program,” with the first meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. June 28 in the hospital’s main conference room. The hospital is located at 200 Nat Washington Way in Ephrata.
Carbon attributes discussed at Grant County PUD meeting
EPHRATA — Grant County PUD will add to the options for customers who want to certify their energy use as renewable, or as carbon-neutral.
Samaritan to work on Level 3 trauma designation
MOSES LAKE — Samaritan Healthcare officials will work to attain Level 3 trauma care status as part of its growth strategy. The organization’s strategic plan was presented to the hospital district commissioners May 30.
'Aging Isn't for Sissies' Medical, legal options for seniors, families focus of Samaritan event
MOSES LAKE — The medical and legal options open to individuals and families as they age, especially when there's a diagnosis of dementia, will be the subject of an information night from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday in the Grant County International Airport terminal. “Aging Isn’t for Sissies” is sponsored by the Samaritan Healthcare Foundation.
Finding what works
OTHELLO — The team was working on the second phase of its project, trying to get the little electric engine that would propel a self-driving vehicle to respond to commands. Othello High School principal Alejandro Vergara typed in a command.
Registration open for CB Tech summer program
MOSES LAKE — Classes start Monday, but registration is still open for the Summer Academy at the Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center.
Library summer reading program starts next week
MOSES LAKE — Robots and making musical instruments, poetry, a visit from the Pacific Science Center, puppets, live theater, science experiments – wow. There’s a lot going on during the summer reading program sponsored by the North Central Regional Library.
McFarland football field may be on the move
OTHELLO — At the request of the Othello School Board, Othello School District officials will research the possibility of permanently moving the football field at McFarland Middle School.
PUD commissioners discuss dam refurbishment
EPHRATA — Repairing and refurbishing the rotors at Priest Rapids Dam could require the purchase of a spare part, and that particular spare part would cost about $1.9 million to design and build.
The magic of storytelling
MOSES LAKE — Books about dinosaurs, books about wizards, books about princesses, books about cartoon characters and superheroes – each student at North Elementary School got their very own book, with the help of student-athletes from Big Bend Community College.
Music students perform band concert for seniors
MOSES LAKE — Members of the Moses Lake High School band and Chief Moses Middle School bands played a concert – and even threw in some dance moves – for the residents of Pioneer Village Saturday morning.