New Othello mayor, council members sworn into office
CHERYL SCHWEIZER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 months, 2 weeks AGO
From left, new Othello City Council members Kelli Camp and Alma Carmona and new Mayor Ken Johnson are sworn in at the Othello City Council meeting Monday.
CHERYL SCHWEIZER/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
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. | December 23, 2025 5:01 PM
OTHELLO — New Othello Mayor Ken Johnson and two of three new Othello City Council members were sworn in Monday during the last council meeting of 2025. Alma Carmona and Kelli Camp joined Johnson on Monday for the swearing-in.
"I’m very excited,” Johnson said. “We have four new council members that are seated. I think we’ve already got a good foundation planted by the current council, and lots of good and exciting things to come in the future.”
Johnson, Carmona, Camp and Marc Spohr officially take office Jan. 1. Johnson defeated incumbent Shawn Logan for the job, while Camp defeated incumbent Genna Dorow. Spohr ran unopposed. Carmona defeated Oscar Lopez for an open position.
Carmona and Camp said they were grateful to Othello residents for their trust.
“I’m an open book, so please stop me in the store, let’s have a conversation,” Carmona said. “I really am truly here to serve Othello.”
Camp said she’s ready for the job.
“I am looking forward to this new challenge, and I am ready to put in the work,” Camp said.
ARTICLES BY CHERYL SCHWEIZER
Road projects on hold for Labor Day weekend
MOSES LAKE — With Labor Day weekend dead ahead, drivers will be able to move freely about the state. Most road projects are on hold for the holiday weekend. Nobody will be working on the Hansen Road overpass on Interstate 90, but the lane restrictions that are in effect will continue through the end of the project.
Cost estimates for water source alternatives given to Moses Lake City Council
Protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, efforts are ongoing to keep it self-sufficient
MOSES LAKE — It’s going to cost a lot of money to provide alternative water sources for the city of Moses Lake, but some of the possible alternatives will cost more than others. City officials provided the Moses Lake City Council with costs for various alternatives Tuesday.
Dryer vent cleaning is important -- but often overlooked
MOSES LAKE — Not all the maintenance a house needs is visible. Sometimes a potential problem just goes unnoticed until it causes trouble, sometimes serious trouble. But a lot of potential problems give off warning signs. Clothes dryers often do when they need a good cleaning.