Local News
Centralia police arrest suspect who eluded officers in pursuit that damaged patrol vehicles
A burglary suspect who fled from a traffic stop during which two police vehicles were disabled in Centralia on Oct. 8 was arrested in Lakewood on Wednesday.  Joshua Levi Upton, 29, of …
What we know about the Navy Growler crash near Mount Rainier
Thursday marks the third day of search efforts for two aviators whose Navy EA-18G Growler crashed on a routine training flight near Mount Rainier. Here's what we know so far. What happened? …
Latest poll shows Bob Ferguson with commanding lead in governor's race 
SEATTLE — Democrat Bob Ferguson holds a commanding lead over Republican Dave Reichert in the race for Washington governor, according to a new statewide poll. The WA Poll shows Ferguson …
News Dump Ep. 206: You’re telling me this bird can TALK?
On the 206th episode of The Chronicle News Dump, hosts Aaron VanTuyl and Chronicle Editor-in-Chief Eric Schwartz discuss all the new projects the county is showing off, all the deficits the county is …
After delays, Lewis County employee and Sudanese refugee set to bring family to America
After nearly five years of bureaucratic gridlock, setbacks and misdirections, Peter Angok Atem will spend the upcoming holidays with his family. As he began to describe what it means to be weeks …
Friends and family of missing Lewis County woman organize fundraiser to hire a private investigator
A fundraiser started by the friends and family of Joni Hutton — a 70-year-old Pe Ell-area woman who was last seen on Oct. 3 — aims to pay for a private investigator to examine the case. …
The super hunter’s moon: Largest full moon of the year to appear Thursday
With super moons already having occurred this year during a blue moon this past August and during the harvest moon in September, another one is on the horizon. The hunter’s moon will be …
In focus: Construction of new WinCo Foods progresses at Centralia Station
Here's a look from above at the ongoing construction of WinCo in the Port of Centralia's Centralia Station development off of the Mellen Street Interstate 5 exit in Centralia on Monday.   WinCo …
In Centralia, business owner petitions for more resources and attention on North Tower Avenue
Since holding The Cluttered Closet Boutique’s grand reopening on North Tower Avenue in Centralia last summer, co-owner Madison “Maddie” Horn has been able to keep her business …
New Panda Express in Chehalis could be completed in December
Fans of Panda Express won’t have to wait much longer to enjoy its menu in Lewis County, according to Chehalis-Centralia Airport Director Brandon Rakes. As construction continues on the new …
Fibre Federal Credit Union gives to Providence, Arbor Health and Centralia College
Fibre Federal Credit Union has announced this year’s Lewis County recipients from its Communities First Program, a multi-year sponsorship for hospitals and community colleges within the 11 …
Sirens: Woman says she can't be arrested, police disagree; driver crashes into home; drug violations at W.F. West; man in underwear runs through lawn — twice
CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Theft • Merchandise was reported stolen from a business in the 1300 block of Lum Road just after 12:45 p.m. on Oct. 14. • Mail was reported stolen …
Centralia family opening JJ’s Sports Bar on North Tower Avenue
After purchasing the building nearly five years ago and slowly tackling renovation projects, Lizeth Torrecillas and her husband, Juan Martinez Sr., are set to open their new business in downtown …
Bonneville Power Administration unveils plans for $3B in grid upgrades
The Bonneville Power Administration on Tuesday identified roughly $3 billion of transmission line and substation projects it said would be key for accommodating growing electricity demand and the …
Lewis County PUD adopts new rates; average monthly residential bill to increase by $7.81 in 2025
The Lewis County Public Utility District (PUD) has adopted a new rate schedule that will increase the average residential customer’s energy bill by about $8 a month beginning next year. …
Local Sports
CC Roundup: Trailblazers swept in soccer doubleheader
Both of the Centralia College soccer teams took the field on Wednesday at Bob Peters Field, but the road teams left Centralia with wins. Lower Columbia topped the women’s team 3-0 in the …
Prep girls soccer: Corner kick goals fuel Loggers past Pirates
ONALASKA — There was one training session where the Onalaska High School girls soccer team focused on corner kicks. More importantly, who was going to take them during matches. It was …
Vikings down Tigers in four for third consecutive league win
The Mossyrock volleyball team lost its league opener last week, but the Vikings have bounced back nicely with three straight wins.  Their latest victory came at home against Napavine on …
Balanced offense leads Toledo to blowout win over Ilwaco
Onica Chase, Xtyn Norberg, and Ava Good scored two goals each on Wednesday night, leading Toledo to a 9-0 win over Ilwaco. Peyton Holter, Kailea Lairson, and Braelyn Nyberg also got on the …
Mountaineer girls triumph again in meet at Castle Rock
The Rainier High School girls cross country team racked up one final victory before the postseason begins next week. Their victory at the 1B/2B/1A meet at Castle Rock High School marked their fifth …

Chronicle Podcast

  • Sports Dump: APB Out for the Oakville Pickle Bandit
  • Sports Dump: Everyone’s Waiting on Week 8, Baby
Obituaries

In loving memory of Joshua Winter: 1980-2024

Joshua Lee Winter, 44, of Centralia, Washington, passed away Sept. 18, 2024, at UW Medical Center. He was surrounded by family and friends. Josh was born on June 20, 1980, in Centralia, Washington. …

In loving memory of Martin “Lyle” Spears: 1934-2024

Martin “Lyle” Spears, 89, passed away on Sept. 24, 2024, surrounded by his family. He was born on Oct. 30, 1934, in Kosmos, Washington, near Randle. He is the oldest son of Raymond and …

In loving memory of Winston Edwin Griffith: Jan. 13, 1937 - Oct. 4, 2024

Winston Edwin Griffith, affectionately known as “Griff,” was born on Jan. 13, 1937, and passed away peacefully at his home in Chehalis, Washington, on Oct. 4, 2024, at 87. Originally from …

Death notices: Oct. 14, 2024

• CLARA M. LUSK, 75, Toledo, died Oct. 6 at home. Service details are pending at this time.   Arrangements are under the care of Newell Hoerling’s Mortuary. • JEROME …

Death notice: Oct. 11, 2024

• ROBERT KRIS GILBERT JR., 43, Chehalis, died Oct. 5 at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia. Arrangements are under the care of eCare Mortuary in Chehalis.

Death notices: Oct. 9, 2024

• CATHEY A. HADDEN, 76, Ryderwood, died on Oct. 6 at Providence Centralia Hospital. Arrangements are under the care of Cattermole Funeral Home. • DAVID C. STUCKY, 85, Toledo, died on …
State & Regional News

Washington woman steals vehicle with infant inside, then steals police vehicle while handcuffed

At around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, a vehicle was reportedly stolen by Moses Lake resident, Rita Gabriella Lozano, 21, on Main Street in Warden. The reporting party said her 2-month-old infant was still …

Schools
How much federal COVID-19 relief money have school districts in Lewis and South Thurston counties received and spent?
Data released by the state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction in September and compiled by The Washington State Standard shows how much federal COVID-19 relief money local districts …
Chehalis School District to host chamber’s Business After Hours, career and technical education kickoff night
The Chehalis School District will host its first Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event as well as its career and technical education (CTE) kickoff night on Thursday, Oct. …
Bestselling children’s book author John Schu visits Edison Elementary School in Centralia
Edison Elementary School in Centralia welcomed author John Schu for presentations to all grade levels throughout the day on Thursday, Oct. 10. The children’s librarian for Bookelicious LLC …
University of Washington study shows pandemic affected teen boys and girls differently
SEATTLE — Being a teen during the first part of the COVID pandemic meant experiencing many milestones — the first day of high school, birthdays, graduation — from behind a computer …
Commentary

Julie McDonald: Pioneer woman crowned Mother Queen of Oregon lived 120 years

At the beginning of this year, I wrote about Mary Kiona , an Upper Cowlitz native of the Tai’t-na-pam tribe who was born on Jan. 3 in either 1849, 1852, 1853 or 1855 and died in June 1970, …

Our Views: After 40 years of Democrat governors, it’s time for a change

For 40 straight years, Washington state governors have all been Democrats. Democrats have controlled the governor’s office, the administration and leadership of our state, uninterrupted. In …

John Braun: Protect energy choice, stop a natural gas ban by approving I-2066

When our state’s lieutenant governor, a Democrat, refers to a Democrat-sponsored bill as a “hot mess” — saying it for all to hear, while presiding in the Senate chamber …

Commentary: Manufacturing Week bus tour highlights reasons to support state’s makers

On the first day of the Association of Washington Business’s (AWB) annual bus tour celebrating manufacturers, we visited a family-owned company in the Vancouver area called TigerStop …

Commentary: Politicians need to emulate the late Washington state Governor Dan Evans

America needs a statesperson of the stature, capability and perspective of Daniel J. Evans as our next president. Dan Evans died on Sept. 20 at the age of 98 after serving as Washington …
Outdoors
Outdoors
Seven more days of coastal razor clam digs approved beginning Oct. 15, more planned through 2024
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) shellfish managers on Thursday confirmed razor clam digging opportunities on four coastal beaches from Oct. 15 to Oct. 21. “It was a great …
Despite Retreat Fire, elk hunters likely to benefit from mild winter
Yakima area elk herds remain in good shape this hunting season following another mild winter and low snowpack, according to the Washington Department of Wildlife. WDFW District 8 biologist Erin …
Massive, 164-pound bluefin tuna caught off Oregon coast
Wicked Tuna Oregon came to Garibaldi Sunday when a 164-pound bluefin was certified on the scales of Captain’s Corner. Barnes Cooper of Hillsboro has targeted the large tunas for years, …