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
Port of Quincy Commissioner Patric Connelly retires after 30-year career
QUINCY — Patric Connelly said working on economic development sounded interesting, and he thought diversification would be good for Quincy. He decided to apply for a vacancy on the Port of Quincy commission as a result. "I've been involved with a lot of things community-wise. I've been a chamber president. …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 0 MINUTES AGO
Comment period still open for 2027 Grant PUD budget
EPHRATA — Grant County Public Utility District customers can still submit their opinions on the proposed 2027 budget in writing on the PUD website until the budget is adopted. Utility district commissioners are scheduled to vote on the final budget Nov. 24. The PUD is projected to spend $738.1 million …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 10 HOURS, 6 MINUTES AGO
Two hospitalized after collision near Othello
OTHELLO — Two people were injured and hospitalized when a car collided with a semitruck about 12 miles west of Othello Wednesday morning. According to a press memo from the Washington State Patrol, Leslie Villalobos, 23, was driving south on Road D Southeast at about 8:15 a.m. when she failed …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 10 HOURS, 27 MINUTES AGO
State Route 26 closed due to collision
UPDATE: As of 12:30 p.m. SR 26 has been reopened. OTHELLO — State Route 26 is closed about 12 miles west of Othello due to a serious two-vehicle collision, according to a media alert from the Grant County Sheriff's Office. The highway is closed in both directions, according to a …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 16 HOURS, 32 MINUTES AGO
Othello city officials warn residents to beware of invoice scam
OTHELLO — Othello city officials are warning residents to pay careful attention if they receive what looks like an invoice from the city after a resident reported an attempted scam using information from city records. Community Development Director Anne Henning said the scammer was thorough. "They used our seal, our …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 DAY, 8 HOURS AGO
Othello School Board to consider capital levy next week
OTHELLO — Othello School Board members will decide Nov. 9 whether or not to ask Othello School District patrons for a capital levy in a special election in February 2027. If school board members approve the proposal, voters would be asked to consider a six-year levy. If the levy were …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 DAY, 8 HOURS AGO
GC Public Utility District proposed rates subject of Nov. 10 hearing
EPHRATA — Grant County Public Utility District customers are being invited to submit their reactions to proposed 2027 electrical rates at a hearing at 2 p.m. Nov. 10 in the PUD commission meeting room, 30 C St. SW, Ephrata. There's also a virtual option for people who can't attend the …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 DAYS AGO
Samaritan hospital use up from 2025, but below 2026 budget expectations
MOSES LAKE — While Samaritan Hospital is a little busier in 2026 than 2025, patient utilization is less than projected in 2026 budget through the first three quarters of the year. Chief Financial Officer Darryl Wolfe said inpatient revenue was about 6% below the budget projection for the year to …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 2 DAYS, 23 HOURS AGO
Lodging tax money to be used to upgrade Larson, Lauzier playfields and other projects
MOSES LAKE — Fields in Lauzier Park and some at the Larson Playfields will get upgrades with money generated by the city's lodging tax. Those were at the top of a list of projects recommended by the city's lodging tax committee and approved by the Moses Lake City Council Oct. …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 3 DAYS AGO
Conservation district receives $9.23 million grant for OGWRP project
MOSES LAKE — Construction will start sometime this winter on a project to convert additional acreage from groundwater irrigation to surface water in a section of Grant County.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 6 DAYS, 1 HOUR AGO
Bigger wheat crop in 2026, but challenges with quality
PULLMAN — There being no perfect harvest, there was both good news and bad news for farmers in the 2026 wheat crop. “It’s been mixed,” said Jessica Pupo, market development specialist for the Washington Grain Commission. “Farmers get paid by the bushel; for example, the average bushel (yield) this year …
BASINBUSINESSJOURNAL | UPDATED 1 WEEK AGO
Moses Lake men arrested after chase through neighborhood
MOSES LAKE — Two Moses Lake men were arrested following a chase Tuesday that included driving through the yard of a residence in an attempt to get away.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 WEEK AGO
Options detailed for Othello Community Pool repairs, upgrades
OTHELLO — Othello residents may be asked to approve or reject a construction bond for a new Othello Community Pool, but when, and for how much, is still to be determined.
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 WEEK AGO
Othello animal shelter still in progress
OTHELLO — The fence has been installed for a new animal shelter in Othello, but a date for final completion is still to be determined. Othello city officials allocated money for a new shelter in 2024, but city officials are still working on it, said Mayor Ken Johnson. "The project …
COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD | UPDATED 1 WEEK, 1 DAY AGO
