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
Outgoing Othello council members recognized for their work
OTHELLO — Outgoing Othello City Council members were recognized at the last meeting of the year Monday. “It’s been a huge honor in my life, the biggest honor I could ever think of, serving with every single person up here on this council, with past council members and with the …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 0 MINUTES AGO
Othello approves $29M budget for 2026
OTHELLO — The city of Othello is projected to spend about $10.1 million from its general fund in 2026, the biggest part of a $29 million overall budget. Council members approved the 2026 budget earlier this month, and city Finance Director Spencer Williams said budget planning started in late summer.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 8 HOURS, 14 MINUTES AGO
New Othello mayor, council members sworn into office.
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 Monday for the swearing-in.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 9 HOURS, 27 MINUTES AGO
Audit findings follow sentencing of former GCFD 4 chief
WARDEN — Grant County Fire District 4 is instituting new policies for credit card use and use of its petty cash accounts. Fire district officials also have written new policies governing the purchase of equipment following the two audits by the Washington State Auditor’s Office, released Monday.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 11 HOURS, 30 MINUTES AGO
Port of Moses Lake to build electrical generation, transmission lines
MOSES LAKE — The Port of Moses Lake will start construction of electrical transmission lines between port property and Rocky Ford to the north and the port and Connell to the south. Port officials also are working to build electrical generation facilities on port property.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 DAY, 8 HOURS AGO
Mattawa to work on sewer, water projects in 2026
MATTAWA — The city of Mattawa has budgeted to spend about $200,000 more in its current expense (general) fund in 2026 than it is projected to receive in revenue. Expenses for all departments are projected to be slightly higher than revenues, and as a result Mattawa is projected to have …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 DAY, 23 HOURS AGO
Three arrested in Royal City area thefts case
ROYAL CITY — Three men were arrested and booked into the Grant County Jail on suspicion of possessing stolen property after a search was served on a home near Beverly Thursday.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 DAYS, 13 HOURS AGO
More park improvements planned for Royal City in ‘26
ROYAL CITY — Lions Park in Royal City now has a soccer field, so city officials will be working on the next phase of improvements in 2026. The first phase of upgrades to Apple Avenue also is scheduled for 2026, and both are among the projects reflected in the city’s …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 DAYS, 23 HOURS AGO
Sleep Diagnostic Center physician pleads guilty to Medicaid fraud
BREWSTER — A Brewster physician who operates a sleep diagnostic clinic in Moses Lake and Wenatchee will be sentenced March 24 as part of a Wednesday plea deal on Medicaid fraud charges.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 DAYS, 8 HOURS AGO
Qualifying irrigation-only wells approved by Moses Lake council
MOSES LAKE — Public agencies and semi-public organizations will be allowed to drill individual wells to water fields and other publicly accessible green spaces under the terms of an ordinance approved by the Moses Lake City Council at the last meeting of 2025. Council members have been discussing the ordinance …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 DAYS, 8 HOURS AGO
Quincy man killed in early-morning crash
QUINCY — A Quincy man was killed when the car he was driving was hit by another car about five miles west of Quincy early Thursday morning.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 DAYS, 13 HOURS AGO
Newhouse to retire from Congress
WASHINGTON D.C. — Fourth District Representative Dan Newhouse has announced he will not seek reelection to the US Congress in 2026. The announcement was made Wednesday. “This decision comes with no reservations or remorse, only gratitude for the tremendous opportunity to have represented my home state in Congress,” the statement …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 DAYS, 23 HOURS AGO
Local legislators discuss 2026 session
MOSES LAKE — Washington 13th District legislators previewed what they see as the challenges of the upcoming 2026 session at a meeting with Moses Lake city officials and residents Tuesday. State Senator Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, and Representative Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake along with Rep. Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy, outlined some …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 DAYS, 22 HOURS AGO
Dorow appointed to Othello City Council
OTHELLO — Chris Dorow has been appointed to a vacant position on the Othello City Council. Dorow was appointed by unanimous vote after candidates for the seat were interviewed at the Dec. 8 council meeting. There was no discussion. Dorow replaces Denae Valdez, who resigned from the council in November. …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 DAYS, 23 HOURS AGO
