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
Pacific Science Center comes to Larson Heights
Van helps kids learn science of physics
MOSES LAKE - The physics of gravity, the physics of light, the physics of sound, the science of physics in general can be, well, downright boring. But it's not boring to sneak a peek around the room with a periscope.
Quincy hospital profit concerns state auditor
Hospital owes county about $3.5 million in outstanding warrants
QUINCY - Officials with the Washington Auditor's Office expressed concern over the financial situation of Quincy Valley Medical Center. The hospital received a warning on its financial condition in its annual audit, released Thursday.
Insurance signup deadline extended for some applicants
People who had trouble signing up for insurance could get extension to April 15
OLYMPIA - People who experienced trouble applying for health insurance at Washington Health Plan Finder, the state health insurance exchange, may have until April 15 to sign up.
Othello Sandhill Crane Festival starts Friday
Three days of bird watching, Saturday classes and baked potato bar
OTHELLO - Bird watching, animals and plants of the Columbia Basin, the region's geological history, a pancake breakfast and baked potato lunch are among the attractions at the Othello Sandhill Crane Festival this weekend.
State 'Student Achievement Council' forms
Officials want all adults in Washington to have high school diploma or equivalent by 2023
OLYMPIA - Washington education officials want every adult in the state to have a high school diploma or the equivalent by 2023. That's one of two goals established by the Washington Legislature through the state Student Achievement Council.
Less than a week to ACA deadline
Residents who want to sign up urged to use website
OLYMPIA - As of March 1, 14,618 Grant County residents had signed up for health insurance through the state's health care exchange, Washington Health Plan Finder. In Adams County, 4,773 residents had signed up, according to data released by Health Plan Finder officials.
Local effort brings film to Moses Lake
Church leads effort to bring Christian theme movie to local theater
MOSES LAKE - There's this movie. An interesting idea, potential for a big audience, but not Hollywood's usual fare.
Endeavor middle school boundary proposal unveiled
All of Patton Boulevard will attend new Endeavor Middle School
MOSES LAKE - The service area for the new Endeavor Middle School will include all of the area adjacent to Patton Boulevard, and about 100 students will move from Frontier Middle School to Chief Moses Middle School. That will be the proposal submitted to the Moses Lake School Board at its March 27 meeting.
'Project management' workshop at BBCC
Two-day workshop set for April 18-19
MOSES LAKE - A new two-day workshop teaching project management skills is scheduled for April 18 and 19 at Big Bend Community College.
Boundaries, possible bond covered at Moses Lake School District meeting
Next meeting scheduled for April 24
MOSES LAKE - Neighborhood schools, plans for possible new schools, playground equipment and all-day kindergarten were among the topics covered at a recent community meeting for district patrons of the Moses Lake School District.
Menu announced for BBCC 'Cellarbration'
MOSES LAKE - The dinner menu and wine pairings have been announced for Cellarbration for Education, the annual fundraising dinner and auction for Big Bend Community College.
MLSD employees recognized at PSE banquet
Employees receive certificates for length of service
MOSES LAKE - Classroom aides, bus drivers, office staff and all the employees who keep the wheels turning at school were recognized at the annual dessert banquet sponsored by the Public School Employees chapter Tuesday.
Senior donates food, firewood for project
Chris Burns conducts one-man food drive as part of senior project
MOSES LAKE - A Moses Lake High School senior's project generated enough donated food to help 20 families over the Christmas season, and enough firewood to help two more families stay warm.
Alzheimer's walk scheduled for September
Money raised will help eastern Washington families dealing with disease
MOSES LAKE - Volunteers will be walking to bring attention to Alzheimer's Sept. 20, and organizers are seeking walkers and donations.
Team Depot helps Soap Lake couple
House remodeled to improve accessibility
SOAP LAKE - It started with a new, more accessible bathtub and a volunteer project that changed in midair. It ended with a new bathroom and refurbished living room and kitchen for a Soap Lake couple fighting illness.
Ken Ballard leaves the tower
Worked 26 years as air traffic controller at Grant County Airport
MOSES LAKE — Ken Ballard’s job was rarely a chore.
Salary philosophy discussed by BBCC board
MOSES LAKE — Faculty salaries, and making sure existing faculty salaries keep pace, was the subject of an extensive discussion at Board of Trustees’ last meeting for Big Bend Community College.
Board to interview Quincy superintendent candidates
Three finalists to be selected from seven candidates
QUINCY - Seven people will be invited to participate in the first round of interviews for position of Quincy School District superintendent. The interviews will be March 12 and 13, board chair Tricia Lubach said.
Rosalinda Kibby new CBH administrator
Was acting administrator since December 2012
EPHRATA - Commitment to the community, all the way up to the administrator, is one of the keys to success for Columbia Basin Hospital. That's one of the lessons learned during the search for a new administrator, Rosalinda Kibby said, who accepted the job last week.
Irrigation systems class at BBCC
Classroom and hands-on instruction included
MOSES LAKE - Registration is now open for a class in operating mechanized irrigation systems at Big Bend Community College.
Communications classes offered at BBCC
Registration open now; classes start March 31
MOSES LAKE - Registration is open for two Big Bend Community College classes that cover the basics of high-speed data communication.
ML neighborhoods move to new grade schools
Attempts to reduce crowding at Sage Point, Park Orchard
MOSES LAKE - Elementary school children in some neighborhoods will be reassigned to new schools for the 2014-15 school year in an effort to reduce crowding at Park Orchard and Sage Point.
Samaritan Healthcare turns profit in January
Hospital made more than $800K for the month
MOSES LAKE - Samaritan Healthcare turned a profit in January, not just a profit but one that was almost double the budget projection.
Crack in Wanapum Dam closing
BEVERLY — A crack discovered in a spillway at Wanapum Dam has closed by almost an inch, the result of lowering the level of the Columbia River behind the dam, according to Grant County PUD officials.
Medical students get real-world experience
Program designed to encourage students to practice medicine in rural areas
MOSES LAKE - The math does not add up, at least in the forecast. More patients who will need more treatment, plus a shortage of hospitals where doctors can get the required post-graduate experience. Add to that the doctors who will opt to practice in urban areas, rather than going to medium-size cities or rural areas.
Middle school boundary options presented
Moses Lake School District patrons can comment online until March 17
MOSES LAKE - Moses Lake School District patrons will have about two weeks to scrutinize four options for the boundaries of a new middle school. District patrons got their first look at the proposals at a community meeting Tuesday.
BBCC 'Career Coach' aids career research
Job seekers can find career data
MOSES LAKE - A new computer application will help people learn more about potential careers and rates of pay in central Washington. The "Career Coach" application can be found on the Big Bend Community College website, www.bigbend.edu.
New test center opens at BBCC
Quieter and more secure, college officials say
MOSES LAKE - Students taking placement tests for Big Bend Community College now have a new, more secure location, and a new schedule starting March 1.
Allied Arts annual soiree Friday
Original art from local artists among auction items
MOSES LAKE - Art lovers will have the chance to bid on original works from local artists, and support live performance in the area, at the Columbia Basin Allied Arts Art Soiree Friday. The festivities begin at 6 p.m. at the ATEC Building at Big Bend Community College.
Lawmakers OK financial aid for undocument immigrants' children
OLYMPIA - The Washington House of Representatives passed the REAL Hope Act recently, sending it on its way to Gov. Jay Inslee's desk.
No new building for BBCC yet, officials say
Proposal for new Professional/Technical Education Center submitted this month
MOSES LAKE - Any rumors that Big Bend Community College might be starting construction on a new Professional/Technical Education Center soon are exaggerated, according to college officials.
Bridal Expo 2014 draws big crowd
MOSES LAKE - Brides and their moms, brides and their friends and occasionally brides and grooms sampled cakes and reception menus, discussed options for wedding venues and generally got a look at their wedding options at the 2014 Bridal Expo Saturday.
'Brigadoon' to be presented by Quincy Allied Arts
Time-traveling musical opens Feb. 28
QUINCY - Scottish time travel and timeless true love, and some pretty good music and dance, will be highlighted when the curtain goes up on the Quincy Valley Allied Arts production of "Brigadoon," beginning next week.
ML school board awards $2.6 million pool bid
MOSES LAKE - The Moses Lake School Board provisionally awarded a $2.6 million contract to replace the swimming pool building at Moses Lake High School. The 4-0 vote came at the board's last meeting.
Unanticipated lessons in senior projects
Community service projects chance to pay it forward
MOSES LAKE - Every senior at every public high school in Washington has to complete a project. Among the options available to students is a project to benefit the community.
Students sing and sign a Valentine song
Chief Moses students visit Columbia Crest
MOSES LAKE - Valentine's Day seemed like the perfect occasion for Chief Moses Middle School students to sing a love song to residents at Columbia Crest extended care facility. And students in the school's sign language club got the chance to show off their newly acquired skills.
Hospital asking for help with concert patients
Concert audience accounts for about $340,000 in bad debt, Quincy hospital officials say
QUINCY - The bill is in and the cost sent officials from Quincy Valley Medical Center looking for a way to get people who attend concerts at the Gorge Amphitheater to pay up. Or if that doesn't work, to get the Gorge Amphitheater owners to pay something to help offset the costs.
MLSD online learning program expands
Online middle school, high school, has about 240 students, district officials say
MOSES LAKE - As long as there have been schools, there have been kids who didn't fit, or who needed to make up some ground. And as long as there have been schools, teachers have been looking for ways to help those kids. The rise of technology has given school districts a new tool in the fight to help kids, which is what MLSD Digital is all about.
Chief Moses MS hosts robotics state semis
About 50 teams expected to compete
MOSES LAKE - Teams from Moses Lake and Warden will be among the participants at the state semifinal robotics competition, scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m. Feb. 15 at Chief Moses Middle School, 1111 Nelson Road.
Warden roboteers advance to state competition
State competition Feb. 15 in Moses Lake
WARDEN - Eighth-graders from Warden Middle School will be among the teams when the robots of the First Lego League take to the table in state competition Feb. 15.
BBCC winter enrollment bucks state trend
Head count up, but full time equivalent enrollment down about 10 students
MOSES LAKE - Winter quarter 2014 enrollment at Big Bend Community College is higher but a little lower than winter quarter 2013, according to figures released by BBCC officials.
Icy morning means snow day in some districts
Nothing like a snow day
MOSES LAKE - Brothers Andrew and Cooper Kuntz started out by stockpiling their ammunition, but they just couldn't wait. Cooper abandoned his partially completed fort, and snowballs flew across the yard.
Soap Lake schools closed Tuesday
District officials say concerns over alleged threats prompted action
SOAP LAKE - Citing concerns over a student who allegedly made threats against Soap Lake schools, the Soap Lake School Board cancelled classes Tuesday.
MLHS registration schedule detailed
Process for eighth graders starts in April with parent information night
MOSES LAKE - Parents of eighth graders will be invited to a meeting to help them navigate the new high school schedule in April. The meetings and registration process begin for current students and their parents with an information night Feb. 18.
Meeting set to help MLHS parents
Schedule change effective for 2014-15 school year
MOSES LAKE - Parents of current Moses Lake High School freshmen, sophomores and juniors are being invited to a meeting Feb. 18 to help them navigate the new high school schedule. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the high school theater.
Board approves new MLHS schedule
Students have choice of four start times
MOSES LAKE - For the 2014-15 school year, the first class at Moses Lake High School will start at 7 a.m. and the last class will be dismissed at 5 p.m. That was the option approved by the Moses Lake School Board at its last meeting.
Class size rules could prompt elementary expansion
Report analyzes growth trends
MOSES LAKE - The Moses Lake School District has almost enough room in its elementary schools to accommodate growth through 2018, but that could change if rules governing class sizes change. That was one of the conclusions from a report commissioned by the Moses Lake School Board and delivered to the board recently.
MLSD middle school options reviewed
Converting CBSS means enough room for about five years, study says
MOSES LAKE - The decision to convert Columbia Basin Secondary School into a middle school won't solve the long term problem of middle school overcrowding, according to a report commissioned by the Moses Lake School Board.
Input sought on Quincy superintendent search
Burton Dickerson retires after seven years in Quincy, 35 years in education
QUINCY - The Quincy School Board is looking for district patrons who want to sit in on interviews of finalists for the district superintendent's job, although the community committee probably won't ask questions.
Roboteers show their stuff
Robot clubs will compete in regionals in February
MOSES LAKE - It should be simple. The robot is supposed to complete a series of tasks, in this case to pick up the figures that represented the dog, the cat and the person. It's just a matter of programming the robot to do the task unaided. Simple.