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
Grant PUD recreation plan completed
EPHRATA — Conditions have changed, so changes have been made to the recreation plan proposed by the Grant County PUD. The draft plan was reviewed by PUD commissioners Tuesday. It will be submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in April.
Family support program being considered in Othello
OTHELLO — An effort is underway in Othello to start a new non-profit organization that would help kids and families prepare for school, and what comes after graduation.
Customers to be asked about PUD fiber system
EPHRATA — The Grant County PUD will be conducting surveys and sponsoring a couple of community meetings to get the opinion of customers on the fiber network, and what customers think should happen next.
Home show coming next week
MOSES LAKE — All things home improvement, from candles to mortgage information, will be on display at the Grant County Fairgrounds March 24 and 25. The Central Washington Home Expo will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 24, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 25. Admission is free.
Friends of the Library book sale Thursday
MOSES LAKE — The bad news for book lovers is that icy nasty weather in January canceled the first Moses Lake Friends of the Library book sale for 2017. The good news is that as a result, the March book sale will be huge.
BBCC program provides manufacturing skills training
MOSES LAKE — Eduardo Valencia said he looked around at work and saw things were changing.
Youth Dynamics banquet set for Saturday
MOSES LAKE — The Youth Dynamics youth outreach program will sponsor its annual fundraising banquet and silent auction from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center, 900 E. Yonezawa Blvd.
Foundation plans upgrades to Moses Lake library
MOSES LAKE — A fundraiser to pay for new and improved shelving at the Moses Lake Public Library on Saturday is part of an ongoing project to upgrade the facility.
Snowpack near normal for 2017
MOSES LAKE — Rain and warmer temperatures will mean some melting snow at lower elevations this weekend. That could translate to water – maybe a lot of it – making an appearance in creek-beds and culverts that are usually dry this time of year. Meteorologists with the National Weather Service office in Spokane say eastern and central Washington residents should look out for water in unexpected places.
Report on PUD accident cause expected by April
EPHRATA — A yet-to-be-determined failure on a line near Columbia Basin Hospital Feb. 17 triggered the failure of and an arcing explosion in a transfer station in Ephrata. Grant County PUD commissioners were updated on the investigation into the incident at their meeting Monday.
Rates driven by expenses, PUD analysts say
EPHRATA — An updated study on the cost of providing service to Grant County PUD customers was the subject of discussion at the rescheduled commission meeting Monday.
Peninsula students celebrate reading
MOSES LAKE — Adults came to read to Peninsula Elementary students; children in the higher grades read to (and with) kids in the lower grades. Parents and kids made crafts and posed for pictures with the Cat in the Hat. It was all part of the school’s Read Across America celebration Thursday.
Big Bend honor society inducts new members
MOSES LAKE — The Big Bend Community College chapter of Phi Theta Kappa recently inducted 23 new members in the college’s winter induction ceremony.
Samaritan financial outlook promising
MOSES LAKE — The year-end picture of Samaritan Healthcare operation is pretty good, according to a report given to commissioners at the board’s last meeting.
The Cat in the Hat visits Immanuel preschool
MOSES LAKE — The kids in the 3- and 4-year-old class at Immanuel Lutheran Preschool were a little puzzled by the special guest who was coming. It’s that time of year for Read Across America, a reading promotion scheduled for the week of Dr. Seuss’s birthday.
Samaritan Healthcare finishes 2016 in the black
MOSES LAKE — Samaritan Healthcare finished 2016 in the black, but will have to pay some money back to the federal government, the result of cost reviews from previous years. Hospital district commissioners received a report on the final 2016 numbers during the monthly commission meeting Tuesday.
McKay Healthcare working way to fiscal stability
SOAP LAKE — Close attention to detail, right down to the smallest purchases, and looking for ways to attract more patients is helping McKay Healthcare & Rehab reduce the amount of money it owes Grant County. Those are among the keys to success in cutting McKay's dependence on interest-bearing warrants, according to administrators.
Big Bend Job and Career Fair draws big crowd
MOSES LAKE — Prospective employers, prospective employees, college recruiters, social service agencies, and people looking for career inspiration filled the ATEC building at Big Bend Community College Wednesday. The Job and Career Fair drew so many exhibitors and visitors it overflowed all available parking lots.
Othello talks school bond
OTHELLO — Othello School District patrons are being invited to a series of community meetings to determine what might be in a possible construction bond proposal.
Food bank, company partner to distribute food in Moses Lake
MOSES LAKE — Volunteers from Moses Lake and around Grant County helped distribute about 7,900 pounds of food to needy families recently. The pop-up food bank was the second of the year for the partnership of 2nd Harvest of the Inland Northwest, Spokane, and Microsoft’s Quincy data facility.
Philosophy of Wonder Woman subject of lecture
MOSES LAKE — Wonder Woman, and how she reflects the impact of philosophy on pop culture, will be the subject of a lecture at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center, 401 South Balsam St.
Fun night for dads and daughters, moms and sons
MOSES LAKE — Dads were in their best outfits and daughters wore their sparkly dresses. And over in the gym moms and sons dressed up in superhero T-shirts and costumes.
'Charlotte's Web' scheduled for March 4
MOSES LAKE — Columbia Basin Allied Arts will sponsor the Theatreworks production of the children’s classic “Charlotte’s Web” at 7 p.m. March 4 at the Wallenstien Theater. The theater is located on the Big Bend Community College campus.
Potholes mean bumpy spring ahead
MOSES LAKE — It’s not warm yet, but it’s sunnier and the snow is slowly going away (yay!) and the ice is gone (double yay!) and at least it’s possible to get from point A to point B without a lot of drama —
Distinguished Young Woman orientation next week
MOSES LAKE — Organizers of the Moses Lake Distinguished Young Woman program will sponsor two meetings for high school juniors interested in participating. Meetings are at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 27 and March 1 in the cafeteria at Chief Moses Middle School, 1111 East Nelson Rd.
Quincy hospital looking at plans for future
QUINCY — A community committee is meeting this spring to come up with a plan for services that might be offered by Quincy Valley Medical Center – and maybe even a plan for an entirely new hospital.
Donation expands capacity of Viking Food Pantry
MOSES LAKE — The Big Bend Community College Foundation and its partners recently expanded the capacity of the on-campus food bank with the addition of two brand-new freezers. Other groups who contributed to the project included the BBCC Veterans Club, the college ASB and faculty members.
Job and Career Fair next week at Big Bend
MOSES LAKE — More than 60 exhibitors are scheduled to have booths at the annual Big Bend Community College Job and Career Fair, scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 1 at the ATEC building on the BBCC campus.
Youth Outdoors Unlimited banquet coming March 4
MOSES LAKE — Tickets are available now for the Youth Outdoors Unlimited banquet, scheduled for March 4 at the Best Western Lakefront Inn, 3000 West Marina Dr. Doors open at 4:30, with dinner, a silent and live auction.
Public PUD meetings on 2017 rates set for March 6
EPHRATA — Grant County PUD customers will have a chance to look at – and register their opinion about – the 2017 electric rates at two public meetings March 6. Customers are invited to meetings at 2 p.m. Monday in Ephrata and 6 p.m. in Moses Lake.
Animal outreach fundraiser draws overflow crowd
MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Animal Outreach annual fundraising dinner drew so many people it overflowed the room at the Moses Lake American Legion Post 209 Friday night. The annual “Spay-ghetti” dinner is one of three main fundraisers for the organization, said director Carmon Derting.
Ray Gunn remembers old friend Evel Knievel
MOSES LAKE — It was 1965. A fast-talking young guy who owned a motorcycle shop in Moses Lake was looking for a new, more spectacular – and hopefully more lucrative – career. His name was Robert Knievel; his nickname, earned during a brush with the law about a decade earlier, was Evel.
Construction work underway at Crescent Bar
EPHRATA — Some construction is already underway at Crescent Bar, but some will be delayed until after the end of the 2017 recreation season. Ongoing improvements at Crescent Bar were reviewed at the regular Grant County PUD commission meeting Tuesday.
Fiber options detailed at PUD workshop
WANAPUM DAM — Grant County PUD commissioners heard a list of options for the district’s fiber program during a workshop Monday.
Bond too close to call now
MOSES LAKE — The fate of a $135.3 million bond proposal to build a new, second high school and a new elementary school in Moses Lake is losing by the slimmest of margins.
Public meetings scheduled to review 2017 PUD rates
EPHRATA — Grant County PUD customers will be able to have their say on proposed 2017 electric rates at two public meetings March 6.
Othello School Board discusses capital levy
OTHELLO — Participants on a community committee recommended the Othello School District go ahead with a study of a possible capital levy. A capital levy would be offered to voters at a date to be determined if the Othello School Board decides to proceed.
Too close to call Moses Lake construction bond up in the air
MOSES LAKE — With ballots still left to count, a $135.3 million proposal to build a second high school in Moses Lake and a new elementary school is within a whisker of passage, but falling just the slightest bit short.
A walk into Narnia 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' comes to MLHS stage
MOSES LAKE — A classic tale of sacrifice and love, adventure, magical creatures, a very wicked queen and a majestic lion comes to the Moses Lake High School stage this weekend. The MLHS Drama Club production of “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” opens at 7 p.m. Thursday.
'Noises Off' premieres Friday at Masquers
SOAP LAKE — A play within a play about a play that’s careening disastrously out of control opens this weekend at the Masquers Theater. The curtain goes up for “Noises Off” at 7:30 p.m. Friday; the theater is located at 322 East Main Ave., Soap Lake.
'Willy Wonka' opens next Friday in Quincy
QUINCY — The tale of a special chocolate factory and its magical owner comes to the stage in Quincy next weekend. The Quincy Valley Allied Arts production of “Willy Wonka” opens Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Chuck McConnell Performing Arts Center at Quincy High School, 16 Southeast Sixth Ave.
Freezing rain stops traffic, school Warmer temperatures on the way by the weekend
MOSES LAKE — Hey, Mother Nature.
Hay conference set for Feb. 15
MOSES LAKE — The annual meeting of the Mid-Columbia Basin Hay Growers Association is scheduled for Feb. 15 at Big Bend Community College. Registration opens at 8 a.m. in the college’s ATEC building.
Grant PUD customers target for continuing scam
EPHRATA — Grant County PUD is warning customers that scammers are once again targeting the PUD, and that it’s becoming a periodic occurrence.
Truck run amok
PRIEST RAPIDS DAM — A trailer full of apples that went for a swim upstream from Priest Rapids Dam left the Washington State Patrol, the Grant County PUD and the truck’s owners with a dilemma. The trailer amok was still stuck Tuesday afternoon.
Frontier students taste-test the smoothies
MOSES LAKE — Frontier Middle School students had a decision to make – the Tropical Berry smoothie, or the Dreamsicle? The Mystery smoothie, the Berry Blast, or the Strawberry Banana?
Unemployment up in Grant County in 2016
MOSES LAKE — Unemployment went up in Grant County in 2016, but it dropped a little between December 2015 and December 2016. The Washington Department of Employment Security reported the county’s unemployment rate was 7.5 percent for the entire year 2016, compared to 7.1 percent for all of 2015, according to preliminary figures. The unemployment rate for December 2016 was 9.6 percent, compared with 9.7 percent in December 2015.
One more snowstorm headed to Basin this week
MOSES LAKE — On Groundhog Day one of those pictures was bouncing around the internet, a picture of a cranky-looking wolf. “The groundhog predicted six more weeks of winter,” it said. “So I ate him.”
'Doughnuts with Dad'
MOSES LAKE — Peninsula Elementary students showed their appreciation to the dads, grandpas, uncles, older brothers and stepfathers who participate in the school’s Watch Dogs program at Doughnuts with Dad Thursday morning. School officials also use Doughnuts with Dad as a way to recruit new dads (and grandpas and uncles) to the program.
Moses Lake High School cheer squad wins state title
MOSES LAKE — It’s a lot of work, being on the cheer squad at Moses Lake High School. Whether it’s a game or practice, the cheer squad has something going on five days a week during the fall and winter sports seasons, said coach Mikey Carlile.