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CHERYL SCHWEIZER

Staff Writer

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

Wanapum Village declared surplus PUD can move forward with sale
January 26, 2016 5 a.m.

Wanapum Village declared surplus PUD can move forward with sale

EPHRATA — The Grant County PUD will have a village for sale soon.

Wireless extended to Priest Rapids area
January 21, 2016 5 a.m.

Wireless extended to Priest Rapids area

PRIEST RAPIDS — The Grant County PUD has expanded its wireless broadband network with new towers at Priest Rapids Dam and the McConihe Flats area north of Moses Lake.

New chapter for PUD general manager
January 21, 2016 5 a.m.

New chapter for PUD general manager

Tony Webb

EPHRATA — Tony Webb said one of his goals, when he took the job as Grant County PUD general manager, was to plan for leadership succession. “Build a deep bench,” he said, develop the leadership that could take on new roles in the future.

Long-term goals key to fitness success
January 19, 2016 12:45 p.m.

Long-term goals key to fitness success

Fitness buddies, welcoming atmosphere help too Fitness

MOSES LAKE — It’s so common it’s become a January cliche, the New Year resolution that this is going to be the year when everything changes. This will be the year to establish a regular exercise regimen and develop healthier eating habits.

12th Annual WinterFest Art Show winners announced
January 15, 2016 12:45 p.m.

12th Annual WinterFest Art Show winners announced

Show draws more than 120 entries

SOAP LAKE — Chris Palmen, Moses Lake, took home the Best in Show award from the 2015 WinterFest art show, held in December. This is the show’s 12th year; it’s sponsored by the Art Guild of the Soap Lake Area.

Opening reception Friday for new museum exhibit
January 15, 2016 5 a.m.

Opening reception Friday for new museum exhibit

Spokane sculptor, Seattle painter featured MAC exhibits

MOSES LAKE — The opening reception for an exhibit of the works of painter Erika Mueller and sculptor Ginger Oakes is scheduled for 5 p.m. Friday at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center, 401 South Balsam St.

PUD commissioners declare Wanapum Village surplus
January 15, 2016 5 a.m.

PUD commissioners declare Wanapum Village surplus

First step in eventual sale

EPHRATA — The Grant County PUD will have a village for sale soon.

Recreation improvement plan presented to PUD board
January 14, 2016 5 a.m.

Recreation improvement plan presented to PUD board

Start of construction dependent on federal approval

EPHRATA — After more than four years of off-and-on work, Grant County PUD commissioners received a draft plan for recreation improvements at Crescent Bar at the regular meeting Tuesday.

When the circus comes to town
January 7, 2016 12:45 p.m.

When the circus comes to town

Guest editorial

So how far out in the sticks is Burns, Oregon?

Painting, fabric arts subjects of winter museum classes
January 7, 2016 5 a.m.

Painting, fabric arts subjects of winter museum classes

Paint self-portrait with pet in museum class Museum classes

MOSES LAKE — Creating batik fabric art and painting selfies with pets will be among the classes offered at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center in January and February.

Meeting scheduled for Masquers fall musical
January 6, 2016 12:45 p.m.

Meeting scheduled for Masquers fall musical

'The Little Mermaid' scheduled for November 2016 Masquers

SOAP LAKE — People who want to work on the Masquers Theater 2016 musical, “The Little Mermaid,” are invited to a meeting at 7:30 p.m. Monday in the theater lobby, 322 East Main, Soap Lake.

Sewing, exercise classes to be offered through Parks and Rec
January 6, 2016 5 a.m.

Sewing, exercise classes to be offered through Parks and Rec

MOSES LAKE — Sewing and quilting lessons, exercise classes for children and tai chi instruction for adults are among the classes scheduled for January and sponsored by Moses Lake Parks and Recreation.

Holding solid position the goal of Grant County potato growers
December 7, 2015 5 a.m.

Holding solid position the goal of Grant County potato growers

MOSES LAKE — Grant County potato growers are in a pretty sweet spot. The job for the future is finding ways to stay there, according to Chris Voigt, executive director of the Washington State Potato Commission.

Museum party draws big crowd
November 24, 2015 5 a.m.

Museum party draws big crowd

Kickoff for annual membership drive Museum party

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Museum & Art Center was filled with art lovers and kids consulting Santa during the museum’s annual holiday party Friday evening.

Wanapum Village being sold by Grant Co. PUD
November 19, 2015 5 a.m.

Wanapum Village being sold by Grant Co. PUD

For Sale

WANAPUM DAM — The houses and office building owned by the Grant County PUD and known as Wanapum Village could go on sale, although there’s no time frame for a possible sale.

Wanapum Dam museum just months from opening
November 16, 2015 5 a.m.

Wanapum Dam museum just months from opening

Museum

WANAPUM DAM — The sign on the door says the new hydro museum at Wanapum Dam is almost finished – but not quite.

Arc flash declared cause of Priest Rapids Dam explosion
November 8, 2015 5 a.m.

Arc flash declared cause of Priest Rapids Dam explosion

DESERT AIRE — An arc flash triggered by the failure of a circuit breaker caused the explosion that injured six workers at Priest Rapids Dam, just south of here, on Oct. 8.

Priest Rapids Dam Explosion PUD employee in critical condition improves
November 2, 2015 5 a.m.

Priest Rapids Dam Explosion PUD employee in critical condition improves

Priest Rapids

EPHRATA — The last Grant County PUD employee who was listed in critical condition at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle has improved to serious condition. Both patients in Harborview are now listed in serious condition, said Susan Gregg, hospital spokesperson.

Quincy donations help horse riding therapy
November 2, 2015 5 a.m.

Quincy donations help horse riding therapy

QUINCY — A donation from the Microsoft data center in Quincy and donations from other Quincy businesses will help a Wenatchee-area nonprofit group continue to provide horse riding therapy to people with special needs in Grant, Chelan and Douglas counties.

Medical Lake company hired for improvements at Crescent Bar
November 1, 2015 5 a.m.

Medical Lake company hired for improvements at Crescent Bar

EPHRATA — Grant County PUD commissioners awarded a $6.9 million contract on Oct.13 to the West Company of Medical Lake for recreation improvements along the Columbia River shoreline at Crescent Bar.

Adult ice hockey team returns to Moses Lake
October 22, 2015 6 a.m.

Adult ice hockey team returns to Moses Lake

Ice hockey

MOSES LAKE — Ice hockey for adults, kickboxing for kids and adults, and music for small children are among the classes offered the next two weeks by the Moses Lake Parks and Recreation department.

'Triple Nickel' paratroopers subject of museum lecture
October 21, 2015 6 a.m.

'Triple Nickel' paratroopers subject of museum lecture

Unit selected for top-secret mission in closing days of World War II Triple Nickel

MOSES LAKE — The story of a top-secret operation in the closing days of World War II, featuring an elite – and all-black – paratrooper unit will be the subject of a lecture at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Civic Center Auditorium.

Downtown Art and Wine Walk Saturday
October 9, 2015 1:45 p.m.

Downtown Art and Wine Walk Saturday

Downtown businesses host wine tasting, art exhibits Art and Wine Walk

MOSES LAKE — Participants get the chance to check out local wines, brews, the work of local artists and writers, and downtown businesses during the annual Art and Wine Walk, from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday. The event is hosted by the Moses Lake Business Association with support from BBSI, Inland Cellular, Venue, and Washington Trust Bank.

Tractor pull gives enthusiasts fun outlet
October 5, 2015 1:45 p.m.

Tractor pull gives enthusiasts fun outlet

Basin life

MOSES LAKE — Three days of competition to see whose tractor can pull the most weight is scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the Ardell Pavilion at the Grant County Fairgrounds. The Northwest Fall National Antique and Classic Tractor and Truck Pull is sponsored by the Columbia Basin Antique Power Club.

Art classes in October at museum
October 1, 2015 1:45 p.m.

Art classes in October at museum

Pumpkins, polymer clay among classes for children and adults at Moses Lake Museum & Art Center Art classes

MOSES LAKE — Painting pumpkin pictures, tie-dying, and polymer clay for adults and children are among the classes offered during October at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center.

Washington photographer subject of museum lecture
September 24, 2015 6 a.m.

Washington photographer subject of museum lecture

Asahel Curtis was well-known for his photography, but he did a lot more, biographer says Asahel Curtis

MOSES LAKE — Pioneering Washington photographer Asahel Curtis, and his role in developing Washington, will be the subject of a lecture at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Moses Lake Civic Auditorium, 401 S. Balsam St.

September 20, 2015 6 a.m.

Friends will raise money for Cody DeTrolio memorial with his steers

WARDEN – Friends of Cody DeTrolio, along with Cody's fellow FFA members, are looking to raise as much money as they can for a memorial scholarship.

PUD doing better than expected with fiber
September 14, 2015 6 a.m.

PUD doing better than expected with fiber

EPHRATA — The Grant County PUD is making more money from its fiber optic network than projected. But fewer people have signed up for its wireless service than anticipated.

Work of Moses Lake native featured in museum exhibit
September 11, 2015 1:45 p.m.

Work of Moses Lake native featured in museum exhibit

Architect, artist Bob Hull subject of show Bob Hull

MOSES LAKE - An exhibit focusing on the works and life of the late Bob Hull, Seattle architect and Moses Lake native, opens Sept. 18 at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center. The opening reception for "Investigation, Innovation and Influence: The Life and Work of Bob Hull" is scheduled for 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 18 the museum, 401 South Balsam St.

'People are your greatest resource' - PUD's retiring hydro manager
September 11, 2015 6:05 a.m.

'People are your greatest resource' - PUD's retiring hydro manager

WANAPUM DAM — There were signs something was not quite right at Wanapum Dam on Feb. 27, 2014. An investigation was underway, but the hydro division employees were going about their regular business.

First Central Basin Community Concert is Sept. 20
September 3, 2015 1:45 p.m.

First Central Basin Community Concert is Sept. 20

For first time, tickets available for individual concerts Concert

MOSES LAKE — Tickets are on sale for the 2015-16 Central Basin Community Concert Association season, with the first concert scheduled for Sept. 20 at the Wallenstien Theater on the Big Bend Community College campus. This will be the concert association's 62nd season.

Make paper apples for Free Family Saturday
September 2, 2015 1:45 p.m.

Make paper apples for Free Family Saturday

Monthly museum program makes turn to fall Free Family Saturday

MOSES LAKE — Stuffed apples - paper apples stuffed with paper, that is - are on the menu for Free Family Saturday this weekend.

Costs going up at Priest Rapid Dam
August 29, 2015 6:05 a.m.

Costs going up at Priest Rapid Dam

WANAPUM DAM - Upgrading the turbines at Priest Rapids Dam will cost an additional $22,698,254. The new contract price for the entire turbine project will be $87,062,072.

'Pop-up museum' comes to fair
August 11, 2015 1:45 p.m.

'Pop-up museum' comes to fair

Moses Lake Museum & Art Center provides the space, participants provide the exhibits Pop-up

MOSES LAKE - A museum exhibit created by the participants will be sponsored by the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center during the Grant County Fair.

Library summer program ends with party Aug. 13
August 7, 2015 1:45 p.m.

Library summer program ends with party Aug. 13

Games, contests, movie among activities scheduled Library

MOSES LAKE - The Moses Lake Public Library will wrap up the summer reading program with an "end of summer bash" from 2 to 4 p.m. Aug. 13.

Glass sculpture, yarn dyeing among museum classes
August 4, 2015 6 a.m.

Glass sculpture, yarn dyeing among museum classes

Museum classes

MOSES LAKE - Glass sculpture, string art, beading and yarn dyeing will be among the classes sponsored by the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center in August.

Heat causes issues with local cherry crops
July 29, 2015 6:05 a.m.

Heat causes issues with local cherry crops

QUINCY - Every industry has its good news and bad news, and the good news for cherry growers is that fruit coming off the trees is of good quality.

Sheriff seeks help finding David Santos
July 25, 2015 6 a.m.

Sheriff seeks help finding David Santos

EPHRATA - The Grant County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help in finding a fugitive who allegedly eluded a police chase with Moses Lake officers on July 4.

'Bird Friendly Community Day' set for Saturday
June 18, 2015 6 a.m.

'Bird Friendly Community Day' set for Saturday

Designed to promote interest in wildlife and conservation Birds

MOSES LAKE - The first "Bird Friendly Community Day" is scheduled for Saturday at the Moses Lake Public Library and the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center.

Registration open for SpringFest 10k, 5k runs
May 13, 2015 1:45 p.m.

Registration open for SpringFest 10k, 5k runs

Sign-ups also open for triathlon, duathlon

MOSES LAKE - Registration is open for the annual 5-kilometer and 10-kilometer Spring Festival fun runs, and the festival's triathlon and duathlon. The 5K and 10K runs take off at 8 a.m. May 23 from McCosh Park. The triathlon and duathlon are scheduled for 8 a.m. May 25, and the races begin and end in Montlake Park.

New exhibit opens at Moses Lake Museum Friday
May 7, 2015 1:45 p.m.

New exhibit opens at Moses Lake Museum Friday

Landscape artists Gregg Caudell, Aaron Cordell Johnson to display works Exhibit

MOSES LAKE - The opening reception for an exhibit of eastern Washington landscapes is scheduled for 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center.

Wanapum Reservoir full
April 13, 2015 6:05 a.m.

Wanapum Reservoir full

BEVERLY - More than a year after a crack was discovered in a spillway pillar, Wanapum Dam is back at normal operating levels, and the reservoir behind the dam is full.

2 teens from Royal shot
April 11, 2015 6 a.m.

2 teens from Royal shot

EPHRATA - The Ephrata Police Department Thursday was asking for the public's help in finding assailants who shot three people at a mini-mart in Ephrata the night of March 31.

Boeing donates plane to BBCC
April 2, 2015 6 a.m.

Boeing donates plane to BBCC

MOSES LAKE - A single-engine aircraft popular with bush pilots around the world has been donated to the Big Bend Community College aviation maintenance technology program.

PUD, Crescent Bar may settle lawsuit
April 1, 2015 6 a.m.

PUD, Crescent Bar may settle lawsuit

EPHRATA - After almost five years of litigation, Grant County PUD officials and representatives of three organizations representing leaseholders on Crescent Bar Island have reached a tentative settlement.

Royal's Villafana speaker at banquet
March 24, 2015 6 a.m.

Royal's Villafana speaker at banquet

MOSES LAKE - Seven people who beat the challenges they faced on the road to college were recently honored by the Big Bend Community College trustees at the "Transforming Lives" banquet.

Added security costs Grant Co. PUD big bucks
March 11, 2015 6 a.m.

Added security costs Grant Co. PUD big bucks

EPHRATA - Patrolling the shoreline behind Wanapum Dam is costing the Grant County PUD about $411,210 per month in 2015. That's about $225,000 less than the PUD was paying for shoreline security last summer.

Flight program is designed for student success
March 1, 2015 5:05 a.m.

Flight program is designed for student success

MOSES LAKE - Joseph MacDougall said his interest in aviation began on a long trip, when he got bored and started teasing his little sister.

Quincy voters to decide fate of school M&O levy
January 22, 2015 5 a.m.

Quincy voters to decide fate of school M&O levy

Four year levy on Feb. 10 ballot

QUINCY - Quincy School District voters will receive ballots this week for a special election that will decide the fate of a four-year maintenance and operations levy.

Bird removal helps fish in Wanapum pool
January 16, 2015 5 a.m.

Bird removal helps fish in Wanapum pool

EPHRATA - A project to move Caspian terns off an island at the Potholes is paying dividends in steelhead survival around Wanapum and Priest Rapids dams.