Name change approved for Moses Lake department
CHERYL SCHWEIZER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years, 1 month AGO
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. | February 26, 2021 1:00 AM
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Parks and Recreation Department will be renamed the Moses Lake Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department.
Moses Lake City Council members approved an ordinance making the change in a 7-0 vote during the regular council meeting Tuesday. The ordinance passed without discussion.
Interim Parks and Recreation Director Susan Schwiesow said the name change would better reflect what the department actually does.
The department maintains the parks and oversees and operates the city’s recreation programs. The city also operates the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center, and has since 1990.
The city’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee endorsed the proposal at its meeting Jan. 13. Former parks and recreation director Spencer Grigg said at the advisory committee meeting that the “parks and recreation” name didn’t really represent all its services.
The name was never updated to reflect the addition of the museum, Schwiesow said.
The ordinance will take effect March 6.
ARTICLES BY CHERYL SCHWEIZER
Road closures, roundabout, mean construction season underway
EPHRATA — The grass is starting to turn green, the trees are starting to leaf out, construction crews are starting to build roundabouts – hey, it’s spring. At least one roundabout project is in its final phase, held over from fall 2025. The intersection of State Route 282 and Nat Washington Way will be closed the week of April 6 to allow crews to install permanent lights. “This really is the final (closure),” wrote Grant County Administrator Tom Gaines in a media release. “The roundabout will close at 6 a.m. Monday, and we plan to reopen by Friday, possibly sooner if the work finishes early.”
Ybarra announces run for Washington Senate
QUINCY — State Representative Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy, has announced his candidacy for the Washington Senate. If he’s elected, he would replace Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, who announced her retirement in March.
Othello Community Museum to open April 25
OTHELLO — With a couple of new exhibits, a new heating-cooling system, rearranged displays and a thorough cleaning, the Othello Community Museum will open for the summer April 25. The goal, said Molly Popchock, museum board secretary, is to operate for a full season.