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
Mennonite auction draws substantial crowd
Handmade items, homemade food among attractions
RITZVILLE - The bidding was lively at the annual Menno Mennonite Country Auction Saturday.
ML Parks and Recreation offers more to do this winter
Kickboxing, hula hoops, Zumba among class offerings
MOSES LAKE - Winter classes in a number of activities, from yoga to photography, begin this week around the community. The classes are sponsored through Moses Lake Parks and Recreation.
State poet laureate shares poetry writing with Park Orchard students
Kathleen Flenniken, Park Orchard students brainstrom poetry subjects, techniques
MOSES LAKE - What is a poem about?
Land donated for ML Food Bank new home
Will be relocated to intersection at Grape Drive, Hwy. 17
MOSES LAKE - Community Services of Moses Lake will have a new and much larger location in a few years, with the help of the donation of about six acres of land on Grape Drive. The land was donated by Moses Lake resident Chris Hanson, and was part of a charitable trust established by her father, the late C.A. (Marc) Marchand.
In-person help for health insurance sign-up offered
Local clinics can help people navigate health insurance exchanges
MOSES LAKE - People signing up for health insurance on the state's new exchange can get help locally. Hospitals or clinics in Moses Lake, Ephrata, Quincy and Othello have "in-person assisters" on staff to answer questions for customers, and help them with the sign-up process.
Clothing bank open at Moses Lake church
Lakeview Missionary Church 'clothes closet' open for one-day distribution Saturday
MOSES LAKE - The Lakeview Missionary Church will be opening its clothes closet to anyone who needs clothes from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the church, 810 South Evergreen Dr. The church also distributes clothes from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. each Wednesday.
Health insurance exchange
Enrollment opens today
OLYMPIA - Washington residents without health insurance will be able to sign up for a health plan, beginning today. People have the option of using the Washington Health Plan Finder website, contacting a toll-free number and talking to people at local organizations trained to assist them in signing up.
Storm costly to Moses Lake School District
MOSES LAKE - Repairs to buildings, property and equipment damaged in a Sept. 15 storm have cost the Moses Lake School District $23,000 to $24,000 to date. Mark Johnson, the district's executive director of business and operations, said the cost will increase as more bills come in.
The recycle hunt pays off for Melody Jenson
MOSES LAKE - Here's the recipe.
Museum provides look at Grant County's past
Pioneer Day puts museum exhibits in spotlight
EPHRATA - Grant County residents had a chance to get a look at the county's past at the annual Pioneer Day sponsored by the Grant County Museum Sept. 28.
CB Hospital shows off new wing
Next step to remodel nursing home, front entry
EPHRATA - Columbia Basin Hospital patrons got their first look at the new acute care wing at an open house Saturday.
'Savor the Basin' raises money for cancer foundation
Wine, beer tasting benefits Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation
MOSES LAKE - Wine and beer combined with a good cause at the first Savor the Basin fundraiser for the Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation.
New flag goes up at Columbia Crest
American Legion volunteers lower the old flag, raise the new one
MOSES LAKE - The crowd gave three cheers and sang the national anthem as a new American flag went up at Columbia Crest extended care facility.
Remodeling discussed at Samaritan Clinic
MOSES LAKE - It's in the very early stages, but Samaritan Healthcare officials are working on a plan to remodel Samaritan Clinic's first floor.
New blood draw room at Confluence Health
Old pharmacy gets remodel
MOSES LAKE - Construction is expected to be completed by mid-October on a bigger blood-drawing area at Confluence Health, Moses Lake Clinic.
Proclamation encourages health and wellness
Health and Wellness Week culminates in Health and Wellness Expo
MOSES LAKE - A few more vegetables, parking a little further out in the parking lot - see, this healthier lifestyle stuff isn't so hard. Promoting healthier living is the focus of Health and Wellness Week, the week of Sept. 23, and the Health and Wellness Expo, scheduled for Saturday.
Ephrata, Soap Lake receive enrichment grant
Grant designed to help kids with reading and math
SOAP LAKE - The Soap Lake and Ephrata school districts will receive a $500,000 grant to start a tutoring program when school isn't in session. The 21st Century Community Learning Centers will be open weekends, during holiday breaks and summer vacation.
Whitworth to offer bachelor's degree option at BBCC
Classes designed for people with a job who want a degree
MOSES LAKE - Whitworth University will offer a bachelor's degree program in organizational management at the Big Bend Community College campus, beginning in January. Registration is open now, Terry Ratcliff, dean of continuing studies at Whitworth, said.
Getting the word out was different in 1938
Television, cellphones stuff of fantasy in 1938
MOSES LAKE - September 19 was not the worst day of the crisis - far from it, actually - but it was a bad day. They were all bad days, that September 1938, as the Munich crisis pushed the world to the brink of war. So it's likely that the city fathers of Moses Lake, even as they signed the papers to incorporate the city that day, were checking their phones.
Storm downs trees at Big Bend's campus
MOSES LAKE - The thunderstorm that rolled through town Sunday night discombobulated some construction work underway on the Big Bend Community College campus, and knocked down eight trees, according to college officials.
No decision on making up missed school day
Making up lost day will come in spring at Moses Lake, Othello
MOSES LAKE - District officials in Othello and Moses Lake haven't decided yet how to make up the day of school lost to a severe thunderstorm Sunday.
Workshop for new supervisors offered
MOSES LAKE - Registration is open for a workshop designed for people in management positions, especially recently promoted managers.
Basin Community Concert Association opens season
MOSES LAKE - Violinist Yang Liu and pianist Olivia Liu will perform in concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Wallenstein Theater at Big Bend Community College, 7662 Chanute St. It's the first concert of the season for the Central Basin Community Concert Association.
Barn duty big part of Adams County Fair week
OTHELLO - It's just true that farm animals, pigs, cattle and sheep, are messy. They leave things behind, which is OK on the farm. But when they're in the pens at the Adams County Fair - well, there it's not so OK.
Moses Lake School Board, employees OK labor contracts
Teachers, staff receive pay increase
MOSES LAKE - Moses Lake School Board members approved labor agreements with the unions representing teachers and aides at the last school board meeting.
Show ring success requires good attitude, keeping cool
Success means catching the judge's eye
OTHELLO - So - everybody who has an animal in the show ring at the Adams County Fair has worked pretty hard to produce the best animal they can. How does a competitor make sure his or her animal stands out from all the others in the ring?
Preventative checkups theme of teddy bear clinic
MOSES LAKE - Now, the teddy bear isn't sick, but it's important to ensure the bear stays well, just like the child who receives it. And demonstrating the principles of preventative medicine in a way kids can understand is the idea behind the teddy bear clinic.
Quincy hospital receives PT clinic donation
Donation will purchase new exercise, diagnostic equipment
QUINCY - A $10,000 donation from a local charitable trust will allow the physical therapy clinic operated by Quincy Valley Medical Center to upgrade services.
Program, staff cuts to take place at CB Job Corps
Moses Lake site will continue to offer 10 training programs
MOSES LAKE - The welding program and some staff positions are being eliminated at Columbia Basin Job Corps, with staff cuts starting this month.
Survivor, family raise money for cancer research
Rachael Olson beats the odds, promotes brain cancer awareness and research
OTHELLO - Rachael Olson said there was no forewarning at all, not even a headache, until she was getting ready for a party.
Kids moved to new schools due to crowding
Some kids being shifted to schools with more room
MOSES LAKE - Shifting school populations will require some kids in the Moses Lake School District to be shifted from one elementary school to another. It's generated some rumors in 2013, but district superintendent Michelle Price said it's a process that happens every fall.
Old Ritzville High School demolished
Weather damage means the end of century-old building
RITZVILLE - The old Ritzville High School came down last week, more than a century after its first section was built. The end came after damage, especially the loss of sections of the roof, made the building unsalvageable.
Reward offered for wandering frog
Frog statue taken from property of new resident
MOSES LAKE - He was just a frog, sitting alone in a field; he may have looked abandoned, but he has a family that wants him back.
Bus service cut for Grant Co. Head Start program
Budget cuts lead to closure of Grand Coulee facility as well
MOSES LAKE - The Head Start program operated by Grant County Family Services will eliminate its transportation service because of funding cuts. The Head Start classroom operated by the agency in Grand Coulee also will be closed.
Motorcycle ride nets school supply donations
Donations will be distributed to local schools
MOSES LAKE — Bikers gathered school supplies, raised money for additional supplies and got a 100-mile ride out of it Saturday. The ride was sponsored by the Unchained Brotherhood.
Big Bend admissions workshop scheduled
MOSES LAKE - Students who want to apply for winter quarter at Big Bend Community College, but are new to the process, are being invited to a workshop from noon to 1:30 p.m. Sept. 10 at the college library, 7662 Chanute St.
Sage Point students treated to new experiences on first day of school
Summer comes to an end
MOSES LAKE - There are certain procedures and traditions on the first day of school.
Samaritan shows profit
Higher operating revenue, but also higher expenses through end of July
MOSES LAKE - Samaritan Healthcare is turning a profit after the first seven months of 2013. The financial statement presented at the Aug. 22 board meeting showed the hospital has a net income of $3.1 million through the end of July.
GC Fair attendance up 58 percent
Fair visits top 60,000 in 2013; food booth revenue up
MOSES LAKE - Attendance apparently was up by 58 percent, or 25,144 people, and revenue was also increased at the 2013 Grant County Fair. Planning already is underway for 2014, and may include moving some longtime nonprofit food vendors to new locations.
Students urged to finish GED test by December
Students who don't finish will start over, pay fee again
MOSES LAKE - With a new GED test coming in January, students who are taking the test must be done by Dec. 31, or they will have to start over and pay the fee a second time, according to Big Bend Community College officials.
Crews moving to new school transportation center
Move could begin as early as this weekend, but date still undetermined
MOSES LAKE - Buses could be moving to the Moses Lake School District's new transportation center as early as this weekend. District Transportation Director John Eschenbacher said that's not a guarantee, but either way, parents shouldn't notice any difference.
Volunteers swim to raise money for research
First local Swim Across America attracts a number of swimmers, volunteers
MOSES LAKE - Swimmers took to Moses Lake to raise money to fight cancer in the first local Swim Across America fundraiser Saturday.
Back 2 School fills Larson gym
Haircuts, school clothes for kids in need
MOSES LAKE - Haircuts, school clothes, books, live music, games, a bouncy house and hamburgers were among the attractions at the Back 2 School event sponsored by Serve Moses Lake Saturday.
School bells start ringing Tuesday
Classes begin for most schools Wednesday
WILSON CREEK - Technically, summer doesn't end until Sept. 22, but every child knows summer ends when school opens. By that definition, summer ends for most Columbia Basin kids Wednesday or Thursday.
Ken Murray is new Ephrata Middle School principal
Ephrata grad, teacher comes back as EMS principal
EPHRATA - There wasn't any hesitation when Ken Murray heard they were looking for a new principal at Ephrata Middle School.
Serve Moses Lake 'Back-2-School' Saturday
School clothes, school supplies, available during charitable event
MOSES LAKE - Volunteers and donations are still being sought for the second annual "Back-2-School" outreach Saturday, sponsored by Serve Moses Lake.
Motorcycle fundraiser for Quincy hospital
"Crusin' 4 Care" to raise money for new ultrasound equipment at QVMC
QUINCY - Registration is open for the first "Crusin' 4 Care" fundraising motorcycle ride, scheduled for Sept. 14. Riders will be raising money for a new ulstrasound machine and upgrades to the radiology department at Quincy Valley Medical Center.
West Nile virus found in Grant County
Infected mosquito found southwest of Moses Lake
MOSES LAKE — Grant County residents are being advised to take precautions when outside in mosquito-infected areas. Tests have found mosquitoes with West Nile virus in an area about seven miles southwest of Moses Lake.
Officials refine Gorge concert response
EPHRATA - Emergency response to concerts at the Gorge amphitheater, treating patients from the concerts and how to deal with the impact was the topic of a meeting between operators of the facility, Grant County commissioners, and commissioners and staff from Quincy Valley Hospital and Grant County Fire District No. 3 Tuesday.
Program, staff cuts at Job Corps
Moses Lake site will continue to offer 10 training programs
MOSES LAKE - The welding program and some staff positions are being eliminated at Columbia Basin Job Corps, with staff cuts starting this month.