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
Moses Lake business loses 3 RVs in late-night fire
MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake recreational vehicle business lost three RVs in a late night fire Thursday night. It was the second fire that day in the same location. Michelle Perdue, vice president of I-90 RV, said the company did not have an estimate of damage as of Friday afternoon. All three RVs lost were used vehicles, she said. The fire at I-90 RV was reported about 11:16 p.m., said Derek Beach, fire marshal for the city of Moses Lake. The first fire was reported about 1:35 p.m., in a grass field just off the shoulder of SR 17. “It’s under investigation,” Beach said of the cause of the late-night fire. Fire investigators are still looking at the cause of the afternoon fire as well, he said. The afternoon fire apparently started at SR 17, burning across a field of dry cheatgrass and damaging a building, Beach said. Firefighters were battling wind as well as the dry conditions. “We probably dumped close to 30,000 to 40,000 gallons of water on it.” Firefighters were on the scene about two hours. The fire moved fast, Perdue said. She first spotted it when it was close to the road, went inside to call 911, she said, and by the time the call was complete the fire had almost reached the building. Perdue credited Alan Mathier, owner of Moses Lake Towing, with help at a critical moment in the firefight. “He came over with a big tractor and pretty much saved our building,” she said. Mathier plowed a fire line around the building, which helped keep the fire from spreading. Mathier said small business owners need to help each other. “Just a neighbor thing,” he said. The late-night fire originally was reported as a structure fire, but turned out to be the three RVs, Beach said. The Moses Lake Fire Department was assisted by Grant County Fire District No. 5 when responding to both fires. August arrived with an extended dry and hot spell, and while temperatures have cooled it’s still dry. “We’re in a tinderbox,” Beach said. There are, of course, rules for extremely dry conditions, starting with a countywide ban on open fires. Smokers should dispose of cigarettes with caution. But it’s not just the obvious possibilities for starting a fire. In very dry conditions an overheated exhaust system on a car or a spark from a lawn mower blade hitting a rock can start a fire. “People just need to be aware,” Beach said.
Grant PUD fiber program subject of discussion
EPHRATA — How to proceed with the Grant County PUD’s fiber program was the subject of a discussion, but no decision, at Tuesday’s regular commission meeting.
School bells start ringing next week
OTHELLO — Ah, summer — sunny weather, no homework, kids can do whatever they want — and then school starts, and summer is over.
Registered nurse placed on probation
OLYMPIA — A Moses Lake registered nurse must join a monitoring program and will have her license placed on probation for at least six months after she completes it. Amanda Rishky was charged by the Washington Department of Health with taking controlled substances from the hospital where she worked.
'Baby Box' pilot program at Community Health
MOSES LAKE — Helping moms and dads of newborns, and educating them in ways to reduce the chance of SIDS or suffocation in newborn babies, is the goal of a new project sponsored by Community Health Plan of Washington. Moses Lake Community Health is one of the participants in the pilot project trying out the “Baby Box.”
Moses Lake-based DOC counselor accused of inappropriate relationship with client
MOSES LAKE — A mental health counselor whose practice credential has expired will have until Aug. 31 to answer charges of unprofessional conduct from the Washington Department of Health. The charges stem from an alleged relationship with a client.
Boat violators at Crescent Bar to be fined
EPHRATA — Boat owners who leave their boats overnight in the day-use marina at Crescent Bar will have the boat impounded and will have to pay a fine, beginning next week.
Eclipse draws many amateur astronomists outside
MOSES LAKE — Okay, Moses Lake was too far north for a really big eclipse show, but the sun still went dim, at least a little. And those who had special eclipse glasses got to see the moon cover almost all of the sun Monday morning.
Othello fire cause still under investigation
OTHELLO — The cause of the Friday afternoon fire that destroyed a longtime Othello business is still under investigation.
Columbia Basin Allied Arts announces 2017-18 schedule
MOSES LAKE — Two visits from the Missoula Children’s Theater, ballet based on the classic short stories in “The Jungle Book,” Gilbert and Sullivan and a Michael Jackson tribute will be among the performances sponsored by Columbia Basin Allied Arts in its 2017-18 season.
Washington State Treasurer tours CB Tech
MOSES LAKE — Washington State Treasurer Duane Davidson said he sees part of his job as increasing financial knowledge, both at the state level and for Washington residents. Increasing financial literacy, and encouraging residents to think about all their options when choosing careers brought him to Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center Friday afternoon.
Fair food booths benefit civic organizations
MOSES LAKE — What do they serve at the Youth Dynamics food booth at the Grant County Fair?
Show ring rewards quick thinking, cool head
MOSES LAKE — The 16 competitors in the show ring had their work cut out for them.
Fairgrounds mural project in second year
MOSES LAKE — A project to add more movable art to the Grant County Fair will produce two murals for 2017.
All-girl competition – among dairy cows – at the fair
MOSES LAKE — Pixie just would not cooperate.
Othello School Board reviews 2017-18 budget
OTHELLO — The Othello School District is projected to spend $58.3 million for the 2017-18 school year. The proposed budget was presented to the Othello School Board at its last meeting.
Grant County Fair opens today
MOSES LAKE — The department managers were taking entries at the horticulture barn Monday morning, including the zucchini entered by 6-year-old Nevaeh Reeves.
Cowboy Breakfast draws big crowd
MOSES LAKE — Katherine Roberson reigned as queen of the Pee Wee Rodeo and attendance apparently came close to 2016 levels at the annual Cowboy Breakfast Friday.
Rusty Mammoth sale
MOSES LAKE — The “Rusty Mammoth” sale drew a number of interested shoppers to the tables in the hallway outside the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center Friday and Saturday.
Grant County Fair opens Tuesday
MOSES LAKE — The FFA and 4-H competitors, the Boy and Girl Scouts and Camp Fire participants are putting the finishing touches on their projects. The carnival rides are going up. The rodeo stock is being trucked in. The gates open for the Grant County Fair Tuesday morning, and the fair continues through Saturday.
Commissioners consider Quincy hospital request
QUINCY — The Grant County Board of Commissioners are considering a request from Quincy Valley Medical Center to temporarily raise the amount of money they can borrow to pay expenses. Quincy hospital officials have asked the commissioners to raise their interest-bearing warrant capacity to $5 million.
Auditions for 'A Christmas Story' this weekend
SOAP LAKE — Auditions are scheduled for Friday and Saturday for the Masquers production of “A Christmas Story: The Musical.” Auditions are at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the theater, 322 East Main St., Soap Lake.
Soap Lake Conservancy annual meeting Saturday
SOAP LAKE — The Soap Lake Conservancy will hold its annual meeting at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the Soap Lake Senior Center, 121 Southeast Second Ave.
Apple harvest should be big but not record
QUINCY — With harvest approaching – although it'll be a little later than 2016 – the Washington State Tree Fruit Association is forecasting a big but not record-breaking crop for 2017.
Cowboy Breakfast set for Friday
MOSES LAKE — Keeping with the Old West tradition, the Grant County Fair and Moses Lake Roundup kick off with a good breakfast. The annual Cowboy Breakfast will be served from 7 to 10 a.m. Friday at Sinkiuse Square, next to the Moses Lake Post Office.
PUD preliminary budget smaller than 2017
EPHRATA — The Grant County PUD’s preliminary budget projects $263.8 million in expenditures in 2018. That’s about $43 million less than the 2017 budget.
Beauty, brains and talent
PULLMAN — Moses Lake’s Jana Osborne was selected as Washington Distinguished Young Woman 2018 at the annual program over the weekend in Pullman.
Summer keeps it hot and smoky
MOSES LAKE — Summer, you’ve made your point. Late July, early August, it can get hot, blast-furnace hot in fact. It’s summer, forest and range fires happen, it gets smoky.
Applications open for farm internship program
OLYMPIA — Applications are being accepted for an internship program that introduces potential farmers to the hands-on work of running a farm.
Samaritan staffing subject of discussion
MOSES LAKE — Staffing, services and keeping patients in town was the subject of a discussion at the Samaritan Hospital commission’s last meeting.
Grant PUD disconnect, reconnect policy explained
EPHRATA — Grant County PUD customers who need emergency disconnection to fix equipment will be required to prove or obtain Labor and Industries inspection and certification of the work before the electricity will be turned back on. Utility district employees detailed the procedure for PUD commissioners recently.
Othello School District to hire business manager
OTHELLO — Othello School District officials plan to recommend a candidate, or candidates, to replace assistant superintendent Gina Bullis by the Aug. 14 meeting of the Othello School Board. Bullis’ resignation, effective Aug. 31, was accepted recently.
Washington Distinguished Young Women program Saturday
PULLMAN — High school seniors from Moses Lake, Othello, Warden, Ritzville-Lind and Mattawa will be among the competitors at the annual Washington Distinguished Young Women program Saturday.
Triple-digit temperatures forecast for the week
MOSES LAKE — So it’s summer and all that, it’s supposed to be hot and all that, but to be honest Mother Nature is getting a little extreme. Temperatures are forecast to break 100 degrees in Grant County and stay there the entire week.
Ready to roll
MOSES LAKE — Grant Transit Authority’s new Multimodal Transit Center opened Monday with a ribbon cutting and the announcement of new and expanded bus service.
A summer day at the lake
POTHOLES — Getting the maximum enjoyment out of a day at the lake requires a plan. And at least one opportunity a day to tell stories.
Masquers kickoff gala set for Aug. 26
SOAP LAKE — The Masquers Theater company kicks off its 2017-18 season with murder, mayhem – and snacks – during its annual Membership Gala scheduled for Aug. 26 at the theater, 322 E. Main St The company also announced its 2017-18 lineup.
Samaritan Healthcare stays in the black
MOSES LAKE — More patients meant good and bad financial news for Samaritan Healthcare, according to a financial report presented to commissioners at their last meeting.
Othello residents asked for opinion on school bond
OTHELLO — Othello School Board members reviewed a survey this week that will ask district residents their opinions on possible construction bond proposals. The survey will be accessible through the district’s website and its Facebook page from July 26 through Aug. 3.
Columbia River levels discussed at PUD meetings
EPHRATA — The ups and downs of Columbia River flow and power generation, and its impact on recreation along the river, was the subject of a short discussion at the Grant County PUD meeting Tuesday.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.