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.
Recent Stories
Othello Community Museum to open April 25
OTHELLO — With a couple of new exhibits, a new heating-cooling system, rearranged displays and a thorough cleaning, the Othello Community Museum will open for the summer April 25. The goal, said Molly Popchock, museum board secretary, is to operate for a full season.
Design of Othello’s water storage project begins this summer
OTHELLO — The city of Othello has received about $1.5 million in grants for its continuing project to pump and treat water from an irrigation canal for municipal use.
Grant Co., Moses Lake to cooperate on 2nd lake crossing
EPHRATA — Grant County and Moses Lake city officials will be working together to study the possibility of a second bridge across Moses Lake. Grant County Commissioners and the Moses Lake City Council reviewed a potential interlocal agreement at a meeting Monday.
Travel delays anticipated on Blewett Pass due to guardrail replacement
BLEWETT PASS — Slow traffic and backups across the Vantage Bridge have drivers looking for alternate cross-state routes, including Blewett Pass. But it’s construction season, there’s a project underway on Blewett Pass, so drivers should be prepared for delays until it’s completed in early June.
Work on SR 26 near Othello to cause traffic delays
OTHELLO — Drivers along State Route 26 should plan for delays in the area of South Lucy Road about 10 miles east of Othello from now through Wednesday.
REC Silicon reports operating loss in 2025
MOSES LAKE — REC Silicon operating revenue dropped substantially in 2025 when compared with 2024, according to the company’s annual report released March 25. The company reported $78.2 million in operating revenue in 2025, compared with $140.8 million in 2024.
Community health physician wants to make a difference
MOSES LAKE — Family Medicine physician Morgan Fife said practicing medicine has been a very satisfying career. “I feel like I'm the best version of myself when I'm working hard to help other people,” Fife said. “I feel like the things that I do make a difference, not just in each individual's life, but in the community itself.”
Open house for Moses Lake comprehensive plan Monday
MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake residents are being invited to learn more about and give their opinions on proposed updates to sections of the city’s comprehensive plan at an open house Monday at the Moses Lake Civic Center, 411 S. Balsam St.
Samaritan posts operating loss for first two months of 2026
MOSES LAKE — Samaritan Healthcare posted net revenue losses in January and February, and while hospital officials anticipated some red ink, the losses were larger than the budget projections. Samaritan posted an operating loss of about $1.4 million in February and about $486,500 in January.
Last bill sponsored by Warnick signed into law
Legislation will aid Port of Moses Lake in expanding transportation capabilities
YAKIMA — The final bill sponsored by longtime 13th District Senator Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, was signed into law by Gov. Bob Ferguson Friday. The legislation increases the Port of Moses Lake’s ability to borrow money to pay for its project to reconnect port property to outside rail lines.