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
Two new but small parks under development in Ephrata
Council members discuss changes to nuisance ordinance
EPHRATA — Two new but small parks are being developed by Ephrata city officials.
Candidate for Governor Bill Bryant visits Wanapum Dam
WANAPUM — Bill Bryant said he thinks he can win the race for governor as a Republican in a predominantly Democratic state – if the voters, especially in eastern and central Washington, participate in the process.
Complex challenges in Moses Lake Fire Department training
‘As real as we can do it’ Fire Dept. training
MOSES LAKE — The task facing the Moses Lake Fire Department was complicated. The MLFD was summoned to an apartment complex where all the exits ended up in interior hallways. The fire could – and did – spread to the garbage container and the car in the apartment parking lot. And as crews battled the blaze a firefighter was disabled inside.
Crescent Bar changes prompt conversation
New commercial building under discussion
WANAPUM DAM — The design of a new building for businesses on Crescent Bar Island brought an overflow crowd to the regular meeting of the Grant County commissioners April 26.
Learn the Fandango, dance at Royal library
ROYAL CITY — The North Central Regional Library is sponsoring a series of lectures in the Columbia Basin in May.
Peninsula students learn rules of the road
Bike rodeo
MOSES LAKE — Peninsula Elementary students rassled their bikes through the bike rodeo and rode off to school – following the rules of the road, of course – on National Bike to School Day Wednesday.
Heroin use may be on the rise in Grant County
Meth, marijuana, alcohol still affect more people
MOSES LAKE — Substance abuse problems in Grant County are more likely to involve alcohol, methamphetamine and marijuana than heroin, but the county has not escaped the growing trend of opioid addiction, according to local health and social service agencies.
New exhibit opens Friday at Moses Lake Museum
Photography, collaboration in wood featured in new show Moses Lake Museum
MOSES LAKE — The opening reception for a new exhibit featuring Seattle photographer M.R. McDonald and Yakima artist John Barany is scheduled for 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center.
'Bird Friendly Day' Saturday at museum, library
MOSES LAKE — Birds, bird habitat and birdwatching will be among the subjects of “Bird Friendly Day,” sponsored by the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center as their Free Family Saturday program for May.
Chief Moses subject of museum lecture
MOSES LAKE — Chief Moses, his beliefs and how they shaped his leadership will be the subject of a lecture at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center.
Gubernatorial candidate visits Wanapum Dam
Bill Bryant, Republican candidate for governor, gets inside look Wanapum Dam visit
WANAPUM DAM — Bill Bryant said he thinks he can win the race for governor as a Republican in a predominantly Democratic state – if the voters, especially in eastern and central Washington, participate in the process.
Pals Club shows off talents
The Pals Club
MOSES LAKE — A few Moses Lake High School students walked up to the door of the MLHS theater and tried to get in, but they couldn’t. The theater was already packed.
Grant PUD claims Sunland homeowner agreement null and void
EPHRATA — The Grant County PUD is contending that violations by other landowners have nullified the covenant agreed to by homeowners in Sunland Estates near Quincy. The PUD says that means a lawsuit filed by the homeowners association against the PUD should be dismissed.
Moses Lake HS FFA plant sale Friday, Saturday
Money pays for FFA activities FFA plant sale
MOSES LAKE — McKenna Holman put her hands over her eyes and got out of the Moses Lake High School greenhouse. McKenna, an MLHS junior, just couldn’t be in the same greenhouse with the colorful array of petunias, geraniums and various flowers.
Back to your roots
Library lectures
MOSES LAKE — Discovering local history and getting it down will be the subject of two lectures, one Tuesday and one Wednesday, at local public libraries.
Never too late
Senior prom
EPHRATA — It’s prom. Pretty girls in pretty dresses, handsome guys in tuxedos and suits, corsages, pictures and a special dinner. The ladies at Garden Oasis Assisted Living in Ephrata got out their pretty dresses, the guys got out their suits and the kitchen staff fixed a special dinner Friday night. It was prom.
Potato farmers support charities
Money donated to cancer research, potatoes to food banks Charitable potatoes
MOSES LAKE — Food banks, cancer research and cooking classes are among the charitable activities supported by potato farmers in 2016.
'Bandstand Boogie' rounds out Concert Association season Saturday
Concert Association
Season tickets on sale for 2016-17
Distinguished Young Women set for Saturday
Seven girls to compete for title Saturday Distinguished Young Women
MOSES LAKE — Seven girls will compete for the title of Moses Lake Distinguished Young Woman at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Moses Lake High School theater, 803 East Sharon Ave.
Masquers' 'Our Town' opens Friday
Classic drama looks at big issues through small-town lens Our Town
SOAP LAKE — The life of a small American town a long time ago – and the lessons it holds for everyone, regardless of when and where they live – is the subject of the latest production from the Masquers Theater. “Our Town” opens at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the theater, 322 East Main St., Soap Lake, and continues for three weekends.
Snowball bloom pretty but challenging
Blossom season
EPHRATA — It’s a beautiful blossom season out there this year in Washington’s apple country. It’s also an illustration that farming is hard.
County shoreline plan will force removal of mooring buoys
Work on Crescent Bar upgrades could begin this fall PUD
EPHRATA — The Grant County PUD will be removing mooring buoys from the Columbia River during the spring, in an effort to bring the PUD’s lands into compliance with the new Grant County shoreline master plan.
Program details Washington agriculture and impact
Fine farm fare Washington Grown
MOSES LAKE — A weekly television program that highlights Washington agriculture was nominated for three Northwest Emmy awards.
2 new, 5 upgraded, substations on PUD construction schedule
Cost estimated at $23.9 million PUD construction
EPHRATA — Grant County PUD will be building two new substations and upgrading five more by the end of 2017. Construction will cost a maximum of $23.9 million.
New Hope, BBCC offer free showing of 'The Hunting Ground'
BBCC free movie
MOSES LAKE — In support of Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April, Grant County’s New Hope Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Crime Victim Services is co-sponsoring a showing of the award-winning film “The Hunting Ground” with Big Bend Community College (BBCC) Student Clubs.
Preview of summer is over
Normal spring temperatures to return Tuesday The heat is off
MOSES LAKE — The weather gods gave the Columbia Basin a warm sunny weekend, a real preview of summer, and this week will snatch it all away.
Arson fire at North Elementary School under investigation
Suspects caught on security video Arson suspects
MOSES LAKE — Three boys are being sought after security cameras at North Elementary School caught them setting a fire that burned playground equipment Thursday afternoon.
T-ball sign-up deadline Wednesday
MOSES LAKE — Parents must register by Wednesday for the T-ball league sponsored by Moses Lake Parks and Recreation.
Tried every restaurant in Moses Lake, and counting
Tour de Fork
MOSES LAKE — Ina Bush and Ella West said the routine got boring, and they decided to change it up. That led to a whole new culinary adventure.
Ephrata 2nd Harvest distribution serves more than 500 people
Volunteers distributed more than 9,000 pounds of food
PUD fined $35,000 for Priest Rapids explosion
Utility district fined over Oct. 8, 2015, explosion PUD fined
EPHRATA — The Grant County PUD is being fined $35,000 by the Washington Department of Labor and Industries over an explosion in October 2015 that injured six PUD employees, some of them seriously.
Planning starts with a few pins
Seed cropping
MOSES LAKE — While farmers take advantage of all the latest technology – automated irrigation systems, satellite data to analyze fields, labor-saving machinery for harvest – some procedures are still pretty low-tech. The Grant County map on the wall at the WSU Grant-Adams County Extension office, the one full of pins, is one of those old-school ways of doing business.
Performances over spring break at local libraries
Book-It Repertory Theater will dramatize life of artist Horace Pippin Library news
MOSES LAKE — The Book-It Repertory Theater company will perform a play detailing the life of American artist Horace Pippin in local public libraries during spring vacation. It’s part of a program of spring break activities throughout the library system.
Moses Lake Christian Academy dinner raises $40,000
Proceeds used to support academy's athletic program MLCA fundraiser
MOSES LAKE — A banquet to raise money for the Moses Lake Christian Academy athletic program filled the 4-H building at the Grant County Fairgrounds and raised about $40,000.
Ephrata to buy rescue rig
April 6 council meeting canceled
EPHRATA — Ephrata City Council members moved one step closer to buying a new rescue rig during the regular council meeting Wednesday.
'Curious George' comes to Moses Lake Friday
Sponsored by Columbia Basin Allied Arts Curious George
MOSES LAKE — The most famous curious monkey in the world will take the Wallenstien Theater stage at 7 p.m. Friday. The presentation of “Curious George” is sponsored by the Columbia Basin Allied Arts Association.
Estimates change for Priest Rapids upgrades
Some parts will need to be replaced Priest Rapids
EPHRATA — Grant County PUD commissioners voted to approve $1.64 million in changes to the contracts for upgrading the turbines at Priest Rapids Dam. Commissioners approved the change order at the regular commission meeting Tuesday.
Metal art, gardening among Parks and Rec adult classes
MOSES LAKE — Metal art, growing native plants and cooking classic dishes of southern Europe will be among the classes for adults offered by Moses Lake Park and Recreation this spring.
Basin Community Theatre presents 'Shrek: The Musical'
Play adapted from popular animated feature Shrek: The Musical
MOSES LAKE — The curtain rises Tuesday on the Basin Community Theatre production of “Shrek, The Musical” at the Moses Lake High School theater, 803 East Sharon Ave. Performances are scheduled for 7:10 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and March 14 and 15.
Distinguished Young Woman program Saturday
Eight girls compete for title Distinguished Young Woman
OTHELLO — Eight girls will compete for the title of Othello Distinguished Young Woman at the annual pageant at 7 p.m. Saturday at McFarland Middle School, 790 South 10th Ave.
Adams County posts modest employment gains in 2015
Adams County
RITZVILLE — Unemployment in Adams County in December 2015 dropped 1.2 percent when compared with December 2014, according to data released by the Washington Employment Security Department.
Two new programs added to CB Tech schedule
Registration is open
MOSES LAKE — Two programs will be added to the curriculum at Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center for the 2016-17 school year. Registration for the next school year is now open, and will be open until all classes are filled.
Ephrata citizens honored by city council
Bystanders came to aid of police officer attacked by suspect Citizens honored
EPHRATA — Five citizens were recognized by the Ephrata City Council for coming to the aid of Ephrata Police officers attempting to subdue a suspect Dec. 8. The five received plaques and a handshake from police Chief Mike Warren during the regular meeting Wednesday.
Wildfire presentation coming to Moses Lake, Ephrata libraries
Lessons learned
MOSES LAKE — Nature photographer John Marshall will talk wildfire and what he’s learned through his documentation in lectures at two local libraries next week.
Jeff Ames writes, directs first play
Part of trio of one-act plays presented by Masquers ‘A Window Ajar’
SOAP LAKE — Jeff Ames said his first play, which had its world premiere last Friday, started with the set.
Deane reflects on dozen years on council
Communication, respect, teamwork crucial, former councilmember says Dick Deane
MOSES LAKE — Dick Deane said his time on the Moses Lake City Council convinced him councilmembers do their jobs best when they listen.
Ephrata Middle School students receive awards
'Rising Stars’ and 'Shining Stars' recognized, Crazy Sock Club gets crazy socks Recognizing excellence
EPHRATA — Rising Stars and Shining Stars received recognition, and Ephrata Middle School Principal Ken Murray inducted the first students into the Crazy Sock Club during an assembly Friday.
December 2015 employment numbers better than 2014
But Grant County job growth lags behind state average in 2015 Unemployment
MOSES LAKE — Unemployment dropped more that a full percentage point between December 2014 and December 2015. But unemployment traditionally drops in the summer and increases in the fall, and it followed that trend in 2015 with unemployment in December 2015 higher than in November 2015.
New MRI machine delivered
Moses Lake Clinic receives 'top of the line' equipment Through the roof
MOSES LAKE — Gregg Fletcher made sure to take a selfie with the new arrival – after all, it’s not every day the director of Moses Lake Clinic gets to take a picture with a million-dollar MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) machine being lowered through the roof.
Women's Expo provides wide array of vendors
Good way to spread the word about their services, business owners say Ladies’ day
MOSES LAKE — Dale Haven, owner of Fantasy in Ice, said consumer shows like the annual Women’s Expo and Bridal Showcase, held Saturday, are valuable regardless of whether he gets a lot of bookings that day.