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
Royal irrigation dealer wins award
Reinke Manufacturing recognizes Desert Rain Irrigation
ROYAL CITY - Desert Rain Irrigation was recognized for a successful marketing year by its manufacturing company at its annual convention in October.
Workshop for BBCC CDL class Thursday
Class will cover course offerings, financial aid
MOSES LAKE - People interested in training for a commercial driver's license at Big Bend Community College are being invited to a workshop at 12:30 p.m. Thursday in the Masto Conference Center at the college's ATEC Building, 2600 Bolling St. NE.
Basketball league registration deadline Thursday
Wrestling, girls basketball among other activities offered
MOSES LAKE - Wrestling, basketball and soccer for kids and yoga and basketball for adults are among the activities sponsored through Moses Lake Parks and Recreation beginning this week.
Salvation Army seeking Christmas time volunteers
Bell ringers, gift givers, package wrappers needed
MOSES LAKE - Christmas season is, among many other things, a season of charity, and the Salvation Army is looking for people to help with its charitable efforts during December.
PUD rates increase 2.5 percent for many customers
Residential customers, small businesses, some large businesses will see increase
EPHRATA - Grant County PUD residential customers will see a 2.5 percent rate increase on their electrical bills in 2014. Small businesses, and some large businesses, also will see their rates go up by 2.5 percent in 2014. The PUD's commissioners approved a 2014 rate schedule during a recent board meeting.
Food drive nets more than $9K, over 200 turkeys
Samaritan Healthcare food drive also brings in more than 500 bags of canned food
MOSES LAKE - Residents donated more than $9,000 and more than 200 turkeys to the Moses Lake Food Bank through Samaritan Healthcare's Canned Food and Turkey Drive.
CBSS team takes robot competition
Top two places to CBSS in Wenatchee competition
MOSES LAKE - Robotics teams from Columbia Basin Secondary School took first and second place in competition in Wenatchee recently.
Patient, community perception of hospital discussed
Samaritan revenues, expenses above budget projections
MOSES LAKE - How to find out what people think of Samaritan Healthcare, why they think it and changing negative opinions of the hospital was the topic of conversation at the hospital board's last meeting.
Chief Moses sixth graders STEM contest state finalist
State winner will be announced in December
MOSES LAKE - Sixth graders in Kelly Frederick's class at Chief Moses Middle School took up a challenge laid down by the Samsung corporation - identify a problem in their community, then figure out how science and technology can help fix it. Their solution so impressed the judges that they will compete for the state prize in Samsung's Solve for Tomorrow contest.
'Nutcracker' takes to local stage Dec. 13-14
Today's Generation Dance studio stages Christmas classic
MOSES LAKE - Today's Generation Dance studio will present the classic story of a little girl named Clara and her Christmas evening dreams in the "Nutcracker" at 7 p.m. Dec. 13 and 14 in the Moses Lake High School theater. A matinee performance is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. Dec. 14.
October health exchange enrollment released
About 500 people in Grant County, 170 in Adams County sign up through health exchange
OLYMPIA - Just over 500 Grant County residents signed up for health insurance through the state of Washington in October, according to data released by Washington Health Plan Finder on Nov. 15.
Year round school topic at community meeting
Report to board on high school schedule sometime in December
MOSES LAKE - Moses Lake School Board members and district officials fielded questions about year-round school and the high school schedule at a community forum recently.
BBCC Foundation scholarships available
MOSES LAKE - Applications are now being accepted for scholarships from the Big Bend Community College Foundation for the 2014-15 academic year. Application deadline is March 14; only complete applications will be considered, college officials said.
Intermodal terminal moves the freight down the line
Big interesting machines move the load
QUINCY - Making money in the potato, apple, cherry or onion business is a matter of getting the produce to the customer at a price that doesn't force that customer to hock his (or her) house to pay for it. For Washington growers and farmers it's easy when the customer is in Seattle, or even Los Angeles, but a little tougher when she (or he) is in New York or Pittsburgh.
ML school board won't pursue tax collection
MOSES LAKE - The Moses Lake School District will not collect taxes to recoup money the district lost in property value reassessments for REC Silicon.
Mental health services to expand July 1
Money targeted for people needing intensive treatment
OLYMPIA - Mental health patients, especially those in need of intensive treatment, will have more options beginning July 1. The 2013 Washington Legislature approved $23 million in funding for intensive mental health services statewide.
BBCC fund raising events planned
Silent auction, craft bazaar will help college organizations
MOSES LAKE - Two fundraising events for two different student groups are planned at Big Bend Community College in the coming weeks.
Clinic recognized for supporting employees in military
Samaritan Clinic administrator, staff get thanks from Washington Air Reserve
MOSES LAKE - Samaritan Clinic administrator Kevin Dustin was recognized for the clinic's support of employees who are also in military service with an award from the Washington National Guard and Reserve.
Error scrambles health insurance premiums
About 8,000 state residents will get new tax credits
OLYMPIA - About 8,000 Washington Health Benefit Exchange applicants will get smaller federal tax credits for their health insurance than originally anticipated because of computer problems on the federal and state health insurance websites.
Nethercutt visit promotes citizenship contest
MOSES LAKE - One of the fourth graders at Lakeview Terrace Elementary asked former U.S. Representative George Nethercutt if it was true what he heard, that the government was shut down for a while. Nethercutt confirmed the government was shut down for a few days, that it had happened before, and that it happened because the Congress and President Barack Obama couldn't agree how to spend the government's money.
Food banks outline needs as holidays approach
Need turkeys and Thanksgiving trimmings
MOSES LAKE - One of the traditions of the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons is the food drive, gathering non-perishable foods for distribution at local food banks.
Balloons released in memory of hospice patients
Memorial for families, friends of patients who died in 2013
MOSES LAKE - It's a fact of human existence that the last ride is only one way. For the family and friends of the patient it's a new road, and it'll be bumpy.
Tree lighting announces arrival of the season
Lights in every tree downtown
MOSES LAKE - The lights went on downtown Saturday night as the Moses Lake Business Association held its annual tree lighting.
BBCC library to be renamed for former president
Ceremony to name library for Bill Bonaudi set for February
MOSES LAKE - Former Big Bend Community College president Bill Bonaudi will be the guest of honor at a ceremony naming the college library for him Feb. 17. College trustees voted to name the library for Bonaudi during its Sept. 12 board meeting.
Othello alternative school gets new name and location
Desert Oasis High School also gets new principal
OTHELLO - The alternative school opened for the 2013-14 school year with a new location, a new name and new principal.
New skills center 70 percent complete
Royal among participating schools
MOSES LAKE - All exterior walls and interior framing are up at the Columbia Basin Skills Center, and windows will be in and electricity on by mid-November. Moses Lake School Board members toured the site recently.
Opera singer performs at Wallenstein Friday
Sponsored by Central Basin Community Concert Association
MOSES LAKE - Mezzo-soprano Laurie Rubin will perform in concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Wallenstein Theater on the Big Bend Community College campus, 7662 Chanute St. It's the second concert in the annual Central Basin Community Concert Association season.
Preparedness, health expo in Royal City Wednesday
Emergency preparation, wellness information available
ROYAL CITY - Readiness in case of emergencies, anything from a lengthy electrical outage to a bad snowstorm, will be the featured topic at the Health Care Expo from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in the Red Rock Elementary School gym, 230 Wildflower St.
Veterans social Tuesday at BBCC
Includes presentation on navigating Veterans Administration
MOSES LAKE - A veterans appreciation social is scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Big Bend Community College Student Success Center, Building 1400.
'Annie' hits the MLHS stage Thursday
Music department production opens for three-day run
MOSES LAKE - The tale of a Depression-era orphan who makes it to the big time will come to the Moses Lake High School with the music department's production of "Annie" next Thursday through Saturday.
ML doctor's license to practice restricted
Osteopathic physician Allen Quinn placed on probation for five years
MOSES LAKE - A Moses Lake physician's license will be on probation for five years and he will be prohibited from treating chronic pain patients as part of an agreement with the state Department of Health.
Hospital should promote healthy living, CEO says
MOSES LAKE - While providing care will remain Samaritan Healthcare's first priority, hospital officials will discuss ways to get the hospital more involved in promoting healthy living in the hospital district.
2 vie for McKay Memorial seat
Jean Dillenburg, Judy Spencer in race for hospital board seat
SOAP LAKE - One candidate is conducting a write-in campaign, and one is listed on the ballot, for a seat on the board overseeing McKay Memorial extended care and rehabilitation facility in the general election Nov. 5.
Year-round school hot topic at community forum
Common Core, elementary attendance discussed
MOSES LAKE - What Common Core means, elementary allocation and why, and the possibility of year-round school were among the topics at a lively Moses Lake School District community forum recently at the Moses Lake Senior Center.
ML schools receive new teacher support grant
Grant provides extra teacher training, mentor support
MOSES LAKE - The Moses Lake School District is one of seven statewide to receive a grant designed to help new teachers learn the education ropes.
BBCC finances in good shape, bad debt low
Most students paying back education loans, college officials say
MOSES LAKE - After a bumpy financial ride during the last few years, Big Bend Community College is in the black and is starting to recover from budget cuts suffered during the worst of the recession.
Skills center 70 percent complete
Slated to open for summer classes in June 2014
MOSES LAKE - All exterior walls and interior framing are up at the Columbia Basin Skills Center, and windows will be in and electricity on by mid-November. Moses Lake School Board members toured the site recently.
BBCC wins first-ever President's Cup
Awarded for academic achievement
MOSES LAKE - Big Bend Community College athletes are the recipients for the first-ever President's Cup, recognizing academic achievement in college athletics in the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges.
New helicopter program takes to the air at BBCC
Could start winter quarter class with enough interest
MOSES LAKE - Big Bend Community College and Inland Helicopters of Spokane are working together to offer a new program to train helicopter pilots. If there's enough interest, instructors are willing to start a class during winter quarter, Devin Gooch said, who's one of the two instructors.
Big planes park it temporarily in Moses Lake
Dreamlifter needs a large landing space
MOSES LAKE - Okay, so where do pilots land when the destination airport is closed and they're flying a plane that looks as big as a city block? They land where they can, and in this case it's Moses Lake.
Church robbed, seeking donations to restock
Ephrata Foursquare Church lost supplies for homeless to thief
EPHRATA - A church that provides clothing and food to homeless people is taking donations, trying to rebuild its inventory after an August burglary.
First-graders introduced to farming on Farm Day
Moses Lake High School agriculture students, FFA make presentations
MOSES LAKE - All the first-graders agreed the miniature horses were cute. And the ducks, although the duck that quacked and quacked was sort of scary. The goat was cute, and so was the baby calf, although it was kind of big and nobody quite dared to pet it.
Coyote sighting causes ML woman concern
People shouldn't approach coyotes, wildlife biologist says
MOSES LAKE - One of the signs that winter is coming is that animals come down from the hills, and the appearance of coyotes around Montlake Park caused concern for one Moses Lake woman.
Aviation maintenance course survey offered at BBCC
MOSES LAKE - Big Bend Community College will offer a free three-week class for potential aviation mechanics students. The class begins Nov. 5.
MLHS senior sponsoring clothing drive for North
Sage Smith's goal to give something to every North student
MOSES LAKE - A Moses Lake High School senior is soliciting donations of children's clothing, new clothes and used clothes in good condition, for donation in turn to North Elementary School. Sage Smith said she wants to collect enough clothes to give something to every kid at North.
BBCC math enrollment at record levels
Having effect on enrollment in other courses, college officials say
MOSES LAKE - It's been a record-setting year at Big Bend Community College for a subject that doesn't always get much love - mathematics. Enrollment in college-level math classes has doubled since 2009, and increased 25 percent from fall 2012, Doug Sly, the college's public information officer, said.
Involvement helps insure affordable health insurance
Patient should ask questions every step of the process
MOSES LAKE - Winston Churchill, British prime minister during World War II, once famously described something as a riddle wrapped inside a mystery in an enigma. He wasn't talking about the Affordable Care Act, but he could've been.
What's a good eating apple? It depends
Leaves turning color, pumpkins, mean fall is here
FRENCHMAN HILLS - Kole Tonnemaker said he gets the question all the time, from people who visit his fruit stand or stop by the farm's booth at farmers markets. What's a good eating apple?
Second Harvest to distribute food Wednesday
Distribution open to anyone who needs food
MOSES LAKE - The 2nd Harvest charitable organization will distribute food from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Moses Lake Senior Center, 608 East Third Ave.
Consumers should get informed about ACA
Patients can get expensive surprises unless they're informed
MOSES LAKE - Consumers should ask questions - a lot of questions - with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, and that could save them some unpleasant surprises when it comes time to pay the bill, according to local insurance agents.