Staff Writer
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.
ARTICLES BY CHERYL SCHWEIZER
Applications sought for GCFD 8 commissioner
MATTAWA — Applications are being accepted through Dec. 6 for an open seat on the Grant County Fire District 8 commission. The goal is to appoint a new commissioner at the Dec. 9 meeting.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 0 MINUTES AGO
Quincy hospital commission approves 2025 budget
QUINCY — Both revenue and expenses are projected to increase for the Quincy Valley Medical Center in 2025. Medical center commissioners approved the 2025 budget at a special meeting Wednesday.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 0 MINUTES AGO
Wide-ranging discussion on taxes, revenue by Moses Lake council
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake City Council approved a 1% increase in its property tax assessment Tuesday, but not without a wide-ranging conversation about taxes, revenue and city projects. The vote was 5-2 with council members Deanna Martinez and Don Myers voting no. City Finance Director Madeline Prentice estimated …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 21 HOURS, 19 MINUTES AGO
Moses Lake 2025 budget projected at $119 million
MOSES LAKE — The city of Moses Lake is projected to spend about $119.62 million in 2025, an increase of about $13 million from 2024. That includes an increase of about $8 million in capital projects. The preliminary budget was presented to the Moses Lake City Council at its regular …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 21 HOURS, 29 MINUTES AGO
Trash rates to be part of larger Mattawa finance discussion
MATTAWA — A discussion about garbage rates in Mattawa turned into one about city finances and resources at the regular Mattawa City Council meeting Nov. 7.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 DAY, 19 HOURS AGO
Adams Co. turnout down from 2020 general election
RITZVILLE — About 62.5% of eligible Adams County voters cast ballots in the 2024 general election. That’s a lower percentage of voters that cast ballots in either 2020 or 2016. About 72.6% of eligible voters voted in 2016, and about 76% in 2020.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 DAY, 20 HOURS AGO
Mattawa council holds budget workshop
MATTAWA — The city of Mattawa tentatively is projected to spend about $12.1 million in 2025, an increase of about $1.5 million over projected expenditures in 2024.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 DAYS, 19 HOURS AGO
‘The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical” on stage at MLHS
MOSES LAKE — The curtain rises Friday on the tale of a teenager who discovers his life is way more complicated than he knew comes to the Moses Lake High School theater Friday. “The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical” runs for two weekends.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 DAYS, 19 HOURS AGO
Weise leads Rivard in Adams commission race
RITZVILLE — Incumbent Jay Weise is leading challenger Hank Rivard in the race for Adams County Commissioner, District 2. In unofficial results updated Friday, Weise is leading Rivard with 3,099 votes (66.19%) to 1,498 (31.99%) for Rivard. As of Friday, there are 85 write-in votes.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 DAYS, 19 HOURS AGO
Mattawa council wrestles with planning regulations
MATTAWA — Mattawa City Council members will discuss reviewing the city’s parking regulations Nov 21. It’s the continuation of a discussion started about regulation and the regulatory process after a property owner requested a variance to parking regulations.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 DAYS, 21 HOURS AGO
Othello schools trims budget
OTHELLO — Parents and Othello School District patrons will be invited to informational meetings as OSD implements a downsizing plan for the 2025-26 school year.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 DAYS, 19 HOURS AGO
Fish and Wildlife to use drones to monitor pygmy rabbits
QUINCY — The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will add drones to its list of tools to monitor pygmy rabbit populations in Central Washington. Drone flights will start in December and continue through October 2026, according to a WDFW press release.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 WEEK AGO
Baumgartner leads Conroy in Fifth District race
SPOKANE — Republican Michael Baumgartner has a substantial lead over Democrat Carmela Conroy in the race for the Fifth Congressional District, which includes most of Adams County.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 WEEK AGO
Incumbent Reykdal leading challenger in OSPI race
OLYMPIA — Incumbent Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal is leading opponent David Olson in the race to retain his job.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 1 DAY AGO
