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
Boats will be able to fuel up at Crescent Bar
EPHRATA — There will be a fuel station to pump gas for boats at Crescent Bar when recreation improvements to the island and riverbank are completed. Grant County PUD commissioners discussed the district’s possible liability if a tank was installed at their last meeting.
Grant PUD fiber workshop scheduled for January
EPHRATA — Grant County PUD officials will sponsor a workshop during the week of Jan. 23 to discuss the status of its fiber optic buildout, the wireless project, and where it all goes from here.
Othello Christmas Baskets deliver holiday cheer
OTHELLO — The first cars leave the Othello Fire Hall about 8 a.m., delivering food, toys and Christmas cheer to needy families in Othello, a tradition that’s 40 years old. The Othello Community Christmas Basket program started with a few guys talking at the Eagles Lodge, and has expanded to include most of Othello.
School construction underway in Quincy
QUINCY — They’ve started excavating at George Elementary, the first step in a two-year construction project that will mean huge changes for Quincy schools.
Ephrata High School teachers clash at karaoke
EPHRATA — In the end it could be said that Ephrata High School teachers Don Hendrixson and Dave Temple tied in the Great Karaoke Battle of 2016. The teacher sing-down was the payoff for EHS students at the end of the annual Toys for Teens drive.
Design for Big Bend building still under discussion
MOSES LAKE — Architects are still working on design options for the new professional-technical program building at Big Bend Community College.
Bid awarded for Othello football field repairs
OTHELLO — Othello School Board members have awarded a $129,007 contract to Desert Sun Landscaping of Moses Lake to rehabilitate the Othello High School football field.
Big Bend's education program growing
MOSES LAKE — The number of students in the Adult Education Program at Big Bend Community College has increased 25 percent from the same period last year. Program director Tyler Wallace reported on the program during the regular meeting of BBCC trustees Monday.
Othello School Board approves levy proposal
OTHELLO — Othello School District voters will be asked to approve or reject a three-year maintenance and operations levy in a special election Feb. 14. The Othello School Board approved the levy resolution at its regular meeting Monday.
Cold weather lands on Columbia Basin
MOSES LAKE — It’s not unexpected – it is winter, after all – but it’s cold outside. And it’s going to stay cold for a while, according to the National Weather Service.
Santa is coming to school Family Holiday Festival at Moses Lake High School Friday
MOSES LAKE — Families are invited to decorate cookies, watch a classic holiday movie or two, get pictures with Santa and – actually, that’s just the beginning of the activities at the second Family Holiday Festival, from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Moses Lake High School, 803 East Sharon Ave.
'Hope for Haiti' raises money for stricken island nation
MOSES LAKE — About halfway through a dinner organized by a group of teens to raise money for relief efforts in Haiti, Scott Lang had an announcement. The teens set a goal of raising $5,500, and after ticket sales but before the silent auction and live dessert auction, they had raised $4,439. But they did even better than that – as of Sunday afternoon they had raised $7,705 after expenses, with the promise of an extra $75.
Miracle on Main Street
EPHRATA — The candy cane walk was very popular. The little girl in the pink dress asked if she could go back just one more time.
Prime time for charitable giving
MOSES LAKE — With the Christmas season shifting into high gear, it’s also prime time for charitable projects.
'Transforming Lives'
MOSES LAKE — People who want to go to college often face obstacles, and it's not just the expense.
How to help: Opportunities for charitable giving around the Basin
MOSES LAKE — Along with many other things, Christmas is the season of charity, and there are a number of charitable opportunities around the Columbia Basin.
'Snow Queen'
MOSES LAKE — The tale of the icy Snow Queen, her cruel magic and an innocent, brave girl searching for her foster brother will come to the stage Jan. 6 and 7, courtesy of Today’s Generation Dance Company.
Fundraising dinner for Haiti set for Saturday
MOSES LAKE — A fundraising banquet with the proceeds going to a mission facility in Haiti heavily damaged by Hurricane Matthew is scheduled for 5:30 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the First Baptist Church, 724 West Fourth Ave., Moses Lake.
'Miracle on Main Street' returns to Ephrata
EPHRATA — Activities are scheduled all afternoon Saturday as part of “Miracle on Main Street,” the annual community Christmas celebration in Ephrata. Activities begin at noon at the Ephrata Recreation Center, 112 Southwest Basin St.
First snow of the season this week
MOSES LAKE — It being December and all, it’s reasonable to expect it, and it’s here – snow season. A cold front at the surface and a wave of precipitation above it is expected to produce snow Thursday and maybe into the weekend.
Othello School Board approves property purchase
OTHELLO — The Othello School Board has approved an agreement to purchase 81.14 acres of land along 14th Street and Lee Road. The district will pay $2.4 million to the current owner, Terra Gold Farms. The draft agreement was approved during the regular board meeting Monday. The land is located at Lee Road between Seventh and 14th streets.
Celtic singers, dancers in concert Saturday
MOSES LAKE — A trio of sisters performing folk music with a Celtic vibe will take the stage at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Wallenstien Theatre. The performance by the Gothard Sisters is sponsored by the Central Basin Community Concert Association.
Realtors kick in over $5,000 for Boys and Girls Club
MOSES LAKE — A charitable project by the Moses Lake-Othello Board of Realtors resulted in a donation of more than $5,000 to the Moses Lake Boys and Girls Club.
Big Bend students donate to New Hope
MOSES LAKE — A local organization supporting victims of domestic violence and sexual assault received a donation of 70 handmade teddy bears, courtesy of the ASB council at Big Bend Community College.
Food, toy donations sought for Operation Friendship
MOSES LAKE — Donations of toys and money are being solicited for Operation Friendship, the annual toy drive for the Moses Lake Food Bank.
State poet laureate to visit Soap Lake, Ephrata
SOAP LAKE — Washington State Poet Laureate Tod Marshall will present readings of his works Thursday at the Soap Lake and Ephrata public libraries. Marshall will be reading his poems at 2 p.m. in Soap Lake and 7 p.m. in Ephrata.
East Irrigation District elections set for Dec. 13
OTHELLO — The election for the seat for Director District No. 5 of the East Columbia Irrigation District is scheduled for Dec. 13. Polls will be open from 1 to 8 p.m. for in-person voters.
Building conundrum focus of Big Bend CC meeting
MOSES LAKE — A conundrum over the design of the proposed professional-technical building on the Big Bend Community College campus prompted BBCC officials to convene a public meeting Monday night to look for a solution.
Black Friday requires planning, coordination
MOSES LAKE — People who study these things for a living, and write about them for major publications, are saying Black Friday doesn’t have the power it once did. Online shopping, longer hours, sales that extend for a week or longer – those things make Black Friday smaller than it used to be.
'Jingle Bells Jury' opens Saturday
SOAP LAKE — Masquers Theater will present a story of lost Christmas Spirit and how to find it the first two weekends in December. “Jingle Bells Jury” takes the stage at 2 p.m. Dec. 3 and 4 and 9 and 10.
Chief Moses class project provides Thanksgiving baskets
MOSES LAKE — Students in the leadership class at Chief Moses Middle School wanted a service project, something that would help other CMMS students whose families might be in need. And it so happened that Thanksgiving was coming up.
Grant PUD approves union contract
EPHRATA — The Grant County PUD and members of the union representing electrical workers have reached agreement on a three-year contract. Utility district commissioners approved the contract at the regular meeting Tuesday.
Safe travels
SPOKANE — A lot of Thanksgiving, of course, is about family and friends and getting together. But – well, it’s November, late November at that. And everybody else’s family and friends will be getting together too.
Boys basketball, adult dodgeball at Moses Lake Parks and Rec
MOSES LAKE — Dodgeball for grownups and basketball fundamentals for grade-school-age boys will be among the classes offered through Moses Lake Parks and Recreation after the Thanksgiving holiday.
Baskets of blessing Thanksgiving packages distributed Tuesday, Wednesday at food bank
MOSES LAKE — The volunteers and staff have it down to a science at the Moses Lake Food Bank when it comes to distributing Thanksgiving food baskets. Chickens and eggs, potatoes and onions, bread, canned goods – on Monday of Thanksgiving week, food bank customers don’t even have to get out of the car.
Tech talk
MOSES LAKE — Opportunities for engineers in Grant County, engineering education, training and career advancement were among the topics of discussion at Engineering Night at Big Bend Community College Thursday.
Travelers from all over donate to Quincy holiday light fund
QUINCY — A GoFundMe account to raise money to refurbish the holiday lights displayed each year along Interstate 90 near Quincy may generate enough money to finish, or almost finish, the project this year, rather than the two years originally expected.
Samaritan Turkey Drive Friday, Saturday
MOSES LAKE — It may look a little different this year, but the goal is the same – Samaritan Healthcare volunteers are collecting donations for Thanksgiving Friday and Saturday in the hospital’s annual Turkey Drive. Volunteers are set up at Safeway, 601 South Pioneer Way, and will be collecting donations from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
Adams County jobless rate dips in September
RITZVILLE — Unemployment in Adams County dropped by three-tenths of one percent between August and September, and it dropped one-tenth of one percent between September 2015 and September 2016.
Samaritan approves $4.725 million capital budget
MOSES LAKE — The first floor of Samaritan Clinic will be remodeled in 2017 and a project to remodel the emergency room at Samaritan Healthcare is already underway. Those are some of the projects included in the 2017 capital budget reviewed by the Samaritan Healthcare commissioners Nov. 10.
Williams, Marsh honored by Othello School Board
OTHELLO — Former Othello High School wrestling coach Mike Williams and district psychologist Jenny Marsh were recognized by the Othello School Board during the regular board meeting Monday.
'Feed the Mammoth' party Friday at museum
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Museum & Art Center kicks off its annual membership drive with the “Feed the Mammoth” party from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the museum, 401 South Balsam St. The campaign will continue through Jan. 6.
Columbia Basin Project, then and now
MOSES LAKE — An exhibit detailing the impact of the Columbia Basin Project on the landscape of the Columbia Basin will open Friday at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center. The opening reception for “Water at Work” is scheduled for 5 to 8 p.m. at the museum, 401 South Balsam.
Wall of fame
Wall will feature pictures of veterans
MOSES LAKE — The five Monroe House residents who are military veterans were the first recognized on the new wall honoring veterans at the facility.
Samaritan Healthcare sets 2017 budget
MOSES LAKE — Revenue at Samaritan Healthcare is expected to decrease in 2017, although hospital utilization is expected to increase. That was part of a discussion of the hospital budget at the regular commission meeting Thursday.
Delicate work
MOSES LAKE — The crucial thing when working with glass, said Kathleen Parr, is that the artist has to wait until the glass is ready to cooperate.
Opening delayed at Larson Ice Rink
MOSES LAKE — The warm sunny weather has pushed back the opening of the Larson Ice Rink one more time.
Art Garden Pottery to celebrate anniversary
MOSES LAKE — The guiding principle behind ArtGarden Pottery is that when people have the opportunity to make art – well, when people can make art, they do.
Grant PUD approves 2017 budget, but without rates
EPHRATA — Grant County PUD commissioners passed a 2017 budget at the regular meeting Tuesday, but did not include 2017 rates. Retail rates will be on the agenda beginning in January but a decision on rates probably won’t be made until spring.
Quincy hospital voters rejecting $1 million levy request
QUINCY — Grant County Hospital District No. 2 (Quincy Valley Medical Center) voters are rejecting a one-year, $1 million levy to help the hospital district cut back on debt owed to Grant County,