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
Othello man pleads not guilty to vehicular homicide charges
RITZVILLE — An Othello man has pleaded not guilty to three counts of vehicular homicide in connection with a collision that killed three 15-year-old girls last week. Presiliano Perez-Pineda, 19, entered a not guilty plea at an Adams County Superior Court Monday morning. He is being held on $1 million …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 HOURS, 16 MINUTES AGO
Hermiston man sentenced in 2022 murder of Moses Lake woman
EPHRATA — A Hermiston, Oregon man has been sentenced to 20 years to life in prison following his guilty plea in the March 2022 murder of a Moses Lake woman.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 DAYS, 1 HOUR AGO
Delays anticipated at Othello intersection as roundabout construction begins
OTHELLO — Construction begins Monday on a new roundabout near Othello, which will mean the start of flagger-controlled traffic at the intersection of State Route 17 and West Cunningham Road.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 DAYS, 1 HOUR AGO
Retiring Samaritan CEO recognized at last board meeting
MOSES LAKE — The recognition of Samaritan Healthcare commissioners didn’t go as Chief Executive Officer Theresa Sullivan thought it would. What Sullivan thought would be recognition of the commissioners also was recognition for her.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 DAYS, 12 HOURS AGO
Road Report: Road construction starting to ramp up
MOSES LAKE — It turns out that building a more pedestrian-friendly crosswalk involves digging. A lot of digging.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 DAYS, 22 HOURS AGO
Moses Lake council approves fiscal sustainability plan
MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake City Council members approved a fiscal sustainability plan Tuesday, but City Manager Rob Karlinsey cautioned that the work is just beginning. “In short, as hard as this might have been to adopt the plan and get here, this is the easy part. Actually implementing it …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 DAYS, 12 HOURS AGO
Molahiettes bring home another state championship
MOSES LAKE — Win or lose, state championship or not, the goal of the Molahiettes dance team is always the same – do the best routine possible. The 2026 team believed they had achieved that goal with their state-winning military dance routine.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 4 DAYS, 23 HOURS AGO
Garza hired as Othello city administrator
OTHELLO — Aaron Garza, currently Othello Police Chief, has been hired as Othello’s new city administrator. Othello Mayor Ken Johnson said Garza, an Othello native, will help with continuity in city administration. “We’re going to have him for the long term,” Johnson said. Garza is committed to Othello, Johnson said, …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 DAYS, 12 HOURS AGO
Seven arrested in MLPD, Safeway undercover operation
MOSES LAKE — Eight people were arrested Monday during an undercover operation designed to catch shoplifters and thieves at the Moses Lake Safeway, according to a press release from the Moses Lake Police Department. “This was a special request,” said MLPD Captain Jeff Sursely in a separate interview. The investigation …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 DAYS, 21 HOURS AGO
Othello Museum opens for 2026 with new, refurbished exhibits
OTHELLO — One of the newest Greater Othello Chamber of Commerce members cut the ribbon at its upgraded facility Saturday. The Othello Museum opened its doors for the summer season. “It really has a new look and new feel,” said Molly Popchock, museum board secretary. The revived museum is open …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 5 DAYS, 22 HOURS AGO
Rocks close one lane of SR 17 over weekend
SOAP LAKE — One lane of state Route 17 was closed for most of the weekend while Washington State Department of Transportation crews removed rocks from the cliff. The road originally was closed Friday evening and stayed closed until Sunday afternoon. “Someone driving by noticed a rock leaning out of …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 DAYS, 22 HOURS AGO
Othello man booked on three counts of vehicular homicide
OTHELLO — An Othello man is being held on $1 million bail on suspicion of three counts of vehicular homicide following a crash that killed three teen girls Sunday afternoon near Othello. One of the charges will include a domestic violence enhancement, according to Adams County Sheriff Dale Wagner.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 WEEK AGO
Adams Road overpass will require replacement, remains closed
GEORGE — The Adams Road bridge over Interstate 90 is still closed to traffic and could be closed for some time.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 WEEK AGO
Parking part of discussion on new Moses Lake development standards
MOSES LAKE — A substantial discussion among Moses Lake City Council members about street widths in new residential developments also was a discussion about residential parking and stormwater collection.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 2 DAYS AGO
