Local News
News Dump Ep. 298: A Mossyrocktober Surprise
On the 298th episode, local man Aaron VanTuyl and Chronicle Editor Eric Schwartz discuss the latest goings-on with the Mossyrock school district, yet another letter to Andy Caldwell about Tracy …
Downtown Centralia used LEGO store moves to larger location on one-year anniversary
After opening Brick in the Wall on Halloween weekend in 2025, Centralia residents Rudy Carrillo and Joe Smith, co-owners of the business, are celebrating their one-year anniversary with a …
Bee digestive issues once again discussed during Morton City Council meeting
Bees, or specifically bee excrement, was once again the topic of discussion during the regular Morton City Council meeting held on Monday, Oct. 26, inside the Bob Lyle Community Center. During …
Sirens: Vehicle vs. e-bike collision; arrest after grocery store disturbance; man cited after crash in Centralia
CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Broken windows • Officers are investigating the report of windows being broken out on a vehicle in the 900 block of Long Road. The damage was reported at about …
Death notices: Oct. 28, 2026
• WALTER L. MARTIN, 60, Winlock, died Oct. 21 at Providence Centralia Hospital. Arrangements are under the care of Cattermole Funeral Home. • WILLIAM D. WOLFF, 71, Centralia, died Oct. 25 at …
Gluesenkamp Perez helps introduce legislation to ban import of Russian oil
Last week, U.S. Reps. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pennsylvania, and Don Bacon, R-Nebraska, introduced the Ronald Reagan Peace Through Strength Act to block President …
W.F. West, Centralia receive Gesa scholarship funding
Just a few months after launching its W.F. West Affinity Debit Card, Gesa Credit Union has donated $5,000 to W.F. West High School for student scholarships, thanks to community members who chose the …
Two Lewis County rescue kittens earn international honors
Triple AAA and Tortuga, two kittens rescued from bushes in Lewis County by Kay Hanvey, went on to earn the top two international Household Pet Kitten honors in The International Cat Association …
Centralia author earns Gold Medal for disaster preparedness book
Centralia resident Steven J. Craig has received an award from the Military Writers Society for his book titled “Disaster and Emergency Preparedness Checklist.” Craig is a retired U.S. Coast …
Mount Rainier National Park voted Washington’s No.1 ‘Spiritual Home’
“Where is your natural spiritual home? Some places have a way of putting a bad week in perspective. A mountain makes the office politics seem smaller. A familiar stretch of water brings back …
Washington suicide rate rises in 2025, with increases among youth, older adults and rural communities
At least 1,352 Washington residents died by suicide in 2025, at a rate of 15.5 deaths per 100,000 people, according to new data from the Washington state Department of Health (DOH). Adults 65 …
Centralia College’s one-day registration event is Nov. 10
Centralia College is taking the stress out of new student registration with a fast-track registration event ahead of winter quarter classes, according to a news release from the college. The …
Lewis County Assessor’s Office sends property owners new revaluation information
The Lewis County Assessor’s Office has mailed approximately 48,000 property change-of- value notices for taxes to be paid in 2027, a news release from the county announced on Tuesday. The …
Lewis County Auditor’s Office reminds residents of voting information prior to election
The Lewis County Auditor’s Office this week released information reminding residents of important information prior to the Nov. 3 general election. No stamps are needed to mail ballots, but …
Lewis County Master Recyclers to hold leaf exchange events in Centralia
The WSU Lewis County Master Recycler Composter (MRC) volunteers will host two Leaf Exchange events this fall — one on Saturday, Nov. 7, and one on Nov. 21, at the Floral Park Sustainability …
Local Sports
Morton sweeps Columbia Advenstist to extend winning streak
The Morton volleyball team posted its 13th win in a row on Tuesday night, when the Huskies swept Columbia Adventist 25-23, 25-20, 25-21. “It was a great team effort tonight,” Morton coach …
W.F. West tops Aberdeen to cap unbeaten regular season
The W.F. West girls soccer team extended its unbeaten streak on Tuesday night, ending its regular season with a 1-0 victory over Aberdeen. It’s the first time in program history that the …
Tumwater tops Shelton to notch 10th straight win
TUMWATER — Early in the season, Tumwater coach Kennedy Croft put her team through an early-season gauntlet. The Thunderbirds lost their first six games, including four against 4A teams, but …
Wolves beat Tigers for Senior Night victory
The Black Hills volleyball team picked up a victory on its Senior Night on Tuesday, topping Centralia in four 25-20, 26-24, 21-25, 25-19. “Tonight was a fun win for our team and a great way to …
Loggers hold off Riverhawks, clinch C2BL title
ONALASKA — Early in the fifth set on Monday night, Onalaska looked like it was out of gas. The Loggers raced out to a two-set lead against Toledo, but they dropped the following two sets and now …
Chronicle Podcasts

  • News Dump Ep. 297: Of Forums and Fake News
  • Sports Dump: Ain’t No Internet in Iowa
  • News Dump Ep. 296: THAT IS AN ORG CHART
Obituaries

In loving memory of Bert (Dick) DeMaris: 1946-2026

With deep sorrow, we announce that Bert Richard (Dick) DeMaris left this world on Oct. 18, 2026. He was born in Raymond, Washington, on Nov. 6, 1946, to Bert and Josephine DeMaris. Dick attended …

In loving memory of Richard Zandecki: 1938-2026

Richard James Zandecki, 88, of Mossyrock, Washington, passed away on Oct. 13, 2026. Richard was born on April 17, 1938, in Salkum, Washington. After marrying his wife, Glenda, he made his …

Death notice: Oct. 23, 2026

• CAROL JEAN REISE, 84, Chehalis, died Oct. 21 at Harmony Living House. Arrangements are under the care of Fir Lawn Funeral Chapel in Toledo.

In loving memory of Marilee Wilber: 1950-2026

Marilee A. Wilber, 76, of Edgerton, passed away unexpectedly at her home on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. She was born in Danville, Illinois, on May 20, 1950, the daughter of the late Gene and Paulette …

In loving memory of Marlene Barrett: 1956-2026

Marlene Lorraine Barrett (Gallagher) passed away on Sept. 23, 2026, at the age of 69, surrounded by love. If you knew Marlene, you knew there was rarely a dull moment. She was funny, goofy, and …

Death notices: Oct. 21, 2026

• WILLIAM B. MARSHALL, 86, Onalaska, died Oct. 17 at Chehalis West Assisted Living. Arrangements are under the care of Cattermole Funeral Home. • BERT R. DEMARIS, 79, Winlock, died Oct. 18 …
State & Regional News

Washington’s election chief says federal noncitizen voting list includes citizens

Washington’s top election official is calling on federal authorities to provide more evidence that the state’s voter rolls include hundreds of noncitizens, as a preliminary investigation reveals …

Schools
2027 Distinguished Alumnus Chris Thomas “keeps showing up for Centralia”
Chris Thomas didn’t even wait to graduate before becoming a leader in the Centralia School District. As a senior at Centralia High School, he served as vice president of his class, lettered in …
Legacy of legendary tribal rights activist Helen Sanders now enshrined at Centralia College’s Diversity Plaza
In the 1930s, a little tomboy and the youngest of seven children born on the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation received, as her birthright, a portion of land on the Quinault Indian …
‘The Safer Road Initiative’ class debuts at St. Joseph School in Chehalis
Kindergarten and first grade students at St. Joseph Catholic School in Chehalis are the first to take part in a new nationwide traffic safety campaign aiming to educate youngsters on how to safely …
Mossyrock School Board meeting ends early amid tensions between superintendent and staff, parents
Approximately 100 attendees, including school district staff and parents, filled the Mossyrock School District office on Monday, Oct. 19, for the district’s regular monthly board of directors …
Second annual Raise the Axe dinner to benefit the Onalaska Sports Foundation Oct. 24
The Onalaska Sports Foundation is preparing to host its second annual Raise the Axe dinner and auction on Oct. 24 at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds Community Building. The evening promises …
Commentary

Greg Rohr: As prices rise out of control in Washington, vote Republican

For families across Lewis County, affordability is not an abstract political debate. It is the reality of filling up the gas tank, buying groceries, paying the electric bill, keeping a small …

Our Views: Experience, integrity and public trust matter — vote Frase for sheriff

The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office is one of the most important institutions in our community. Its deputies respond to emergencies, investigate serious crimes, protect victims and serve residents …

Opinion: How to get Washington’s business climate back on track

The check engine light for Washington’s business climate is flashing. In July, the Association of Washington Businesses (AWB) held a summit with small businesses, policymakers, and …

Julie McDonald: Bat mitzvah brings forth similarities and differences in faith

My husband and I flew to Colorado last week to visit his twin sister and her husband and celebrate their 13-year-old granddaughter’s bat mitzvah. We cherished the invitation to attend her …

Tucker Voetberg: There’s more to the story with Centralia’s $2M budget deficit

During the last budget cycle, the City of Centralia took in record amounts of revenue. The city utilized its banked property tax capacity, adding $2.47 million to its regular budgeted property …
Outdoors
Outdoors
Fishing closures begin Oct. 24 in many Western Washington rivers, including the Chehalis
Fishing for salmon and all game fish is closing Oct. 24 in many rivers and tributary streams across Washington’s Coastal Region due to low water conditions from the ongoing drought as well as …
Hunting Highlights: Young hunters find success in early deer season
Whether it’s hunting, fishing, hiking, clamming, foraging or something else, The Chronicle is happy to share photos and details from local folks in the great outdoors. To be considered, just email …
Digging into the health reasons for the recent coastal razor clam dig closures
The scheduled start of recreational clam season was Oct. 9, but on Oct. 6, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced a postponing of the season until further notice due to the …