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
Mark Poth hired as Big Bend's interim athletic director
MOSES LAKE — Big Bend Community College men’s basketball coach Mark Poth has been hired as the college's interim athletic director. He took the job after the “sudden and unanticipated resignation” of former AD Preston Wilkes, said Bryce Humphreys, vice-president for learning and student success.
Revenue, expenses up at Samaritan Healthcare
MOSES LAKE — An increase in inpatients contributed to total operating income at Samaritan Healthcare being above the budget target for the first three months of 2017. And an increase in inpatients contributed to expenses being above the budget target for the first three months of 2017. A review of the hospital’s finances was part of the monthly commission meeting Tuesday.
Costs go up about $3 million on Priest Rapids refurbishment
EPHRATA — The need for more parts and keeping the project on track will bump up the cost of refurbishing turbines and generators at Priest Rapids Dam to about $96.116 million.
Grant PUD discusses fiber options
EPHRATA — Grant County PUD commissioners will have to decide how – or if – to continue the expansion of the PUD’s fiber network. Utility district officials laid out the options under consideration during a public meeting Tuesday that attracted a full crowd to the commission meeting room in Ephrata.
Othello School Board talks tennis courts
OTHELLO — Portable classrooms, tennis courts and a survey where district patrons can give their opinions of the Othello School Board and the job its members are doing were the topics of discussion at the regular board meeting Monday.
Sasquatch lecture Thursday at museum
MOSES LAKE — A lecture about the possibility of missing links in the evolutionary chain, and that one of those possible links might live around the Pacific Northwest, is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center.
Spring is here, more or less
MOSES LAKE — If it seems like it’s been raining more than usual this spring – well, it has, at least in April.
Grant PUD meetings on fiber scheduled
EPHRATA — Grant County PUD customers will have a chance to tell commissioners their opinions and ideas for the PUD’s fiber network at two community meetings, one Tuesday in Ephrata and the second on Thursday in George.
'Principals for a Day' at Christian Academy
MOSES LAKE — Brandon Swinger said he didn’t really know all the tasks required of a school principal.
Opening day
MOSES LAKE — Despite all the rain clouds still hanging around, spring really is here. And that means it’s time to play ball.
Grant County unemployment drops in February
YAKIMA — Unemployment in Grant County dropped eight-tenths of 1 percent between January and February 2017, and was lower than in February 2016. Unemployment was 9.7 percent in February, down from 10.5 percent in January 2017, and down from 10.7 percent in February 2016.
Science, philosophy of humanity subject of museum lecture
MOSES LAKE — Scientific discovery and its impact on the philosophical questions of humanity will be the subject of a lecture at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center.
Kris Neff says job has changed her perspective
MOSES LAKE — Kris Neff said her career allows her to help people, and that’s crucial to her.
Warden singer to compete for 'Next Diva Tejana' title
WARDEN — A Warden woman will be among the finalists singing for the title of the “Next Diva Tejana” in San Antonio Thursday night.
Hankies out for 'Steel Magnolias'
SOAP LAKE — The story of the lives of six friends through good times and bad comes to the Masquers Theater stage beginning April 21. “Steel Magnolias” will run for three weekends, at 7 p.m. April 21 and 22, 28 and 29 and May 5 and 6. Three Sunday matinées are scheduled as well, at 2 p.m. April 23 and 30 and May 7.
Public meetings set on PUD fiber options
EPHRATA — The Grant County PUD will hold two public meetings to discuss the future of its fiber optic network in late April. The first is scheduled for 2 p.m. April 25 at the PUD commission meeting room, 30 Southwest C St. in Ephrata. The second will be at 6 p.m. April 27 at the George Community Hall, 403 West Montmorency Blvd., George.
Goodies in the grass Easter egg hunts offered throughout the Basin
COLUMBIA BASIN — Although the weather has been less than ideal over the last couple of days, forecasts are predicting favorable conditions for several area Easter egg hunts over the weekend.
Grant PUD to consider contract for advanced electric meters
EPHRATA — Installation of new, advanced electric meters is projected to begin in September. Grant County PUD commissioners reviewed the proposed plan to buy and start installing the meters at the regular commission meeting Tuesday.
Moses Lake Distinguished Young Women pageant Saturday
MOSES LAKE — Eight high school juniors will compete for the title of Moses Lake Distinguished Young Woman at 7 p.m. Saturday at Moses Lake High School, 803 East Sharon Ave.
Work and music subject of museum lecture
MOSES LAKE — Work, and how work affected (and still affects) the music people sang and played, will be the subject of a lecture, with musical accompaniment, at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center.
Uncommon code
MOSES LAKE — The challenge absorbed students in the Digipen class at Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center.
Tickets on sale for benefit motorcycle raffle
MOSES LAKE — Tickets are on sale for a fundraising raffle for the Big Bend Community College Foundation. The winner of the “Wheels for Education” raffle will take home a 2013 Harley Davidson Softail Blackline motorcycle.
FSA loan program taking applications
EPHRATA — Applications are being accepted for a U.S. Department of Agriculture program that provides loans to beginning farmers and ranchers, as well as farmers in “underserved” groups.
Adams County unemployment drops in February
RITZVILLE — More nonfarm jobs came to Adams County in the second half of 2016, and contributed to a slight drop in unemployment in February 2017.
Washington poet laureate in Moses Lake Thursday
MOSES LAKE — Washington poet laureate Tod Marshall will discuss poetry and read a selection of his works in a presentation at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center.
BBCC trustee receives national award
MOSES LAKE — Big Bend Community College trustee Jon Lane will be one of six people honored with a national award for community college alumni. The Outstanding Alumni Award will be presented by the American Association of Community Colleges April 24 in New Orleans.
Railroad mainline subject of museum lecture
MOSES LAKE — The days when the railroad was the way in and out of central Washington – and an economic lifeline – will be the subject of a lecture at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center.
Building up Big Bend Construction on new workforce education building could start by 2018
MOSES LAKE — The construction schedule will depend on funding, but as of now the plan is to open the workforce education building at Big Bend Community College in 2020. Preliminary plans for the new building were delivered last week.
Ephrata Middle School students show off their talents
EPHRATA — About 20 Ephrata Middle School students shared their musical and comedy skills with the whole school at the annual all-school talent show Friday.
DYW program set for April 15
MOSES LAKE — “Commotion at the Ocean” will the theme of the 2017 Distinguished Young Women of Moses Lake program. The program is scheduled for 7 p.m. April 15 at the Moses Lake High School theater, 803 East Sharon Ave.
Molahiettes reap 3 state titles
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake High School Molahiettes came home with not one, not two, but three state championships from competition last weekend. The previous week the team won a title in national competition.
Work proceeding on Priest Rapids refurbishment
WANAPUM DAM — Just like remodeling a house, upgrading components of a hydroelectric project brings with it some good surprises, some bad surprises and some adjustments to the budget and time schedule. Project managers Molly Hill and Jeff Niehenke updated Grant County PUD commissioners on upgrades to the turbine-generator units at Priest Rapids Dam at the commission meeting Tuesday.
Grant County unemployment drops in January
MOSES LAKE — Unemployment in Grant County dropped four-tenths of 1 percent between January 2016 and January 2017. Unemployment did jump almost a full percentage point between December 2016 and January 2017, following a similar trend in 2015-16.
Othello hires 3 new principals
OTHELLO — Othello School Board members approved the hiring of three new principals for the 2017-18 school year at the regular meeting Monday.
Grant PUD commissioners approve rate increase
WANAPUM DAM — Grant County electrical rates will go up by an average of 2 percent, although the actual rate will be different for different customer classes, beginning April 1. Grant County PUD commissioners voted 3-2 to approve the proposed increases at the regular meeting Tuesday.
Awesome rides
MOSES LAKE — The threat of rainy weather may have kept a few cars at home at the annual Moses Lake High School car show, but there were still some sweet rides on display.
Samaritan quality of care efforts reviewed
MOSES LAKE — Talking to patients and families helped Samaritan Hospital cut the number of patients who fall and get hurt in the hospital. That was part of a detailed review of the hospital’s ongoing plan to improve care of patients at the last commission meeting.
Sandhill Crane Festival draws crowds
OTHELLO — Birdwatchers and people interested in nature and the outdoors took advantage of a sunny Saturday to fill the Othello High School gym and fan out through the region as part of the 20th annual Sandhill Crane Festival.
'Art of the Undertaker' exhibit opens
MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake Museum & Art Center director Freya Liggett said the exhibit that opened Friday had been generating curiosity the entire time the collection’s owners and museum staff were installing it.
No place like home (expo)
MOSES LAKE — All things home, outside and inside, were on display Friday and Saturday at the annual Central Washington Home Expo at the Grant County Fairgrounds.
Good things in store New boutique at CB Tech to open Tuesday
MOSES LAKE — The brand-new Pallets and Pipes boutique at CB Tech is a hands-on way for the students to learn the principles of opening and running a business — hey, wait. Is that an upscale fake fur jacket in leopard print? And are those a couple of prom dresses? And name-brand jeans for men and women?
Flu shots still a good thing, even after season
MOSES LAKE — The recent death of a 15-year-old that may have been flu-related has prompted the Grant County Health District to urge parents to make sure their kids have flu shots.
Samaritan finances dip into negative territory
MOSES LAKE — An unexpected jump in expenses pushed Samaritan Healthcare’s bottom line into the red at the end of February.
Remodel planned for Samaritan Clinic first floor
MOSES LAKE — The first floor of Samaritan Clinic will get a whole new look by the end of the year. Samaritan Healthcare commissioners approved a remodeling plan at the regular board meeting Tuesday.
The play (in a play)'s the thing
QUINCY — A musical about a completely improvised musical takes to the Quincy High School stage this Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The curtain goes up for “Just Another High School Musical” at 7:30 p.m. each night at the high school, 16 SE Sixth Ave.
'Art of the Undertaker' opens at museum Friday
MOSES LAKE — The history of the undertaker’s profession and the tools of the trade will be on display beginning Friday at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center. The opening reception for “The Art of the Undertaker: The Kayser Collection” will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the museum, 401 South Balsam St.
Chili experts to vie for bragging rights in cookoff Saturday
MOSES LAKE — Cooks will be putting their best chili forward Saturday, and the public can get a taste, at the first Chili Cookoff sponsored by the Grant County chapter of ABATE of Washington. Cooks fire up their stoves at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Central Washington Home Expo at the Grant County Fairgrounds. The public can start tasting chili at 1 p.m. The tasting fee is $5 and includes optional chili toppings, onions, cheese and others. There will be an award for the people’s choice.
Tradition!
MOSES LAKE — The tale of a beleaguered dad, his daughters and times a-changin’ will come to the stage early next month in the Basin Community Theatre production of “Fiddler on the Roof.” The curtain goes up at 7:10 p.m. April 5 at the Moses Lake High School theater, 803 E. Sharon Ave.
Work continues on transit center
MOSES LAKE — The new Grant County Transit Authority transportation center in Moses Lake is on track to open in July.
City: Funding street work expensive but necessary
MOSES LAKE — Streets and roads, and how they’re paid for, has become a topic of discussion in Moses Lake since city officials voted to start a transportation benefit district. At least initially it will be funded with a $20 charge when Moses Lake residents register their vehicles. Moses Lake City Council members have discussed replacing that charge with a two-tenths of 1 percent increase in the sales tax.