Local News
Rochester Tractor Supply to host Photos with Santa event
Rochester Tractor Supply will host a Photos with Santa event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. “Tractor Supply customers are invited to bring their children and pets to the store …
Sirens: Man tries to sleep under home's deck; student reports threat with knife; man seen 'lurking around the windows' of apartments
CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Theft • A speaker and headphones were reported stolen from a vehicle in the 800 block of West First Street at approximately 1 p.m. on Dec. 11.   …
Death notices: Dec. 13, 2024
• SANDRA LAURA BAUMEL, 88, Centralia, died Dec. 10 at home. Arrangements are under the care of Funeral Alternatives of Washington. • BRUCE D. KLATUSH, 63, Oakville, died Dec. 5 at his …
MGP issues new right to repair legislation aimed at U.S. military
Building on an area of focus during her first term in Congress, U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, has joined Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat from Massachusetts, to introduce new right …
Lee Coumbs: A bright light, shining through the years
One of the biggest memorials to anyone, anywhere, is currently alight each evening in Centralia.  The beautiful Christmas lights at Fort Borst Park are, to me, a perfect homage to the man …
From the Lewis County Health Officer: Whooping cough illness rates rising in Washington state, locally
Pertussis, or whooping cough, is being reported in Washington state at much higher levels this year since 2012.   They were quite low during COVID-19 but have jumped dramatically this …
Lewis County Transit board meeting is Dec. 17
The next board meeting for the Lewis Public Transportation Benefit Area, which does business as Lewis County Transit, will begin at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17. The meeting is open to the public. It …
‘Over 20’ nominations made for 2024 Centralia Volunteer Recognition Awards
Centralia City Councilor Max Vogt announced the nomination process for the 2024 Centralia Volunteer Recognition Awards is now closed at the Centralia City Council meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 10. …
Chehalis City Council accepts nearly $1.3 million in grant funding for 13th Street and Northwest Louisiana Avenue construction
During the Chehalis City Council’s Monday, Dec. 9, meeting, the council unanimously approved the acceptance of a pair of Washington state Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) grants for …
Thurston County Sheriff’s Office gets federal grant to purchase two more ‘Grappler Police Bumper’ systems
The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office will receive $19,809 in federal Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant funding to purchase two “Grappler Police Bumper” pursuit …
Abbarno renews efforts to modify Washington’s long-term care program ahead of session
Months after Washington voters rejected an initiative that would have amended the state’s long-term care program to allow additional employees to opt out, state Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia, …
Chehalis Tribal Fund receives nearly $100,000 state grant
The Chehalis Tribal Fund has received a nearly $100,000 grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce to provide assistance, training, loans and investments to help borrowers who may not …
Chehalis church’s ‘Heart of Christmas’ includes three nights of performances
Jesus Name Pentecostal Church in Chehalis will host three nights of performances as part of its “Heart of Christmas” production later this month. The performances include acting and …
Two local officials join board of One Voice Lewis County in support of basinwide flooding solution
Two local leaders have joined the volunteer citizens organization advocating for solutions to flooding in the Chehalis River Basin. On Thursday, One Voice Lewis County announced its board of …
Bail set at $20,000 for Onalaska man accused of assaulting girlfriend on Tuesday
Bail is set at $20,000 for a man accused of assaulting his girlfriend on Tuesday. Eric Reuben King, 40, of Onalaska, was charged Wednesday, Dec. 11, in Lewis County Superior Court with one count …
Local Sports
Vikings topple Riverhawks in double overtime
The Mossyrock girls basketball team let a second-half lead slip away against Toledo on Friday, but the Vikings came back and defeated the Riverhawks 46-41 in double overtime. “I’m …
Tumwater takes down Tenino for first win
The Tumwater boys basketball team began its season with a win on Friday, taking down Tenino 75-43.  Tumwater trailed after the first quarter, but scored 46 points over the next two frames …
Bearcats fall to Spudders in four overtimes
W.F. West and Ridgefield played a game for the ages on Friday night in Chehalis, as the Bearcats stormed back from a 15-point deficit before ultimately falling 79-75 in four overtimes. Grady …
CC Roundup: Trailblazers fall to Storm in NWAC Crossover opener
The Centralia College men's basketball team had its best offensive outing of the season on Friday night, but it wasn’t enough, as the Trailblazers were beaten by Chemeketa 92-82 in the first …
Four Acorns hit double-figures in win over Warriors
The Oakville boys basketball team went north Friday night, and the Acorns came home with a 66-37 win over Chief Leschi. Four Acorns scored at least 11 points, including Daniel Rodas, who scored …

Chronicle Podcast

  • News Dump Ep. 215: Remembering Daryl Lund
  • Sports Dump: So Long Football Season (Plus the Grid Picks Finale)
  • Sports Dump: It’s The Final Countdown
Obituaries

In loving memory of Gary Price: 1951-2024

A celebration of life for Gary Joseph Price, 73, of Chehalis, Washington, will be held at 11 a.m. Dec. 16 at the Newaukum Grange, Chehalis, with Pastor Andy Klumper officiating and a luncheon …

Death notice: Dec. 11. 2024

• RICHARD EUGENE ARY, 93, Lewis County, died Dec. 7 at home. Arrangements are under the care of Fir Lawn Funeral Chapel.

In loving memory of Erica Engle: Aug. 6, 1970 - Dec. 1, 2024

Erica Kirsten Engle was born in Mekinock Township, North Dakota, to C. Tracy and Carol O'Brien and passed peacefully at home in Adna.  She spent her childhood moving around the United …

In loving memory of Laurie R. Callas: 1954-2024

Laurie R. Callas was born on Aug. 9, 1954, in Sidney, Montana, to Al and Carlyle Redfield. She had two older sisters, Terry and Jamie.  At some point in her very young life, Laurie and her …

In loving memory of Sandra L. Gripp Pace: 1940-2024

It is with sadness that Sandy's family relates her unexpected death in Olympia, Washington, on Nov. 29, 2024. On Aug. 24, 1940, Sandy joined the family started by Elmira Ray Craft and Louelmer Craft …

Death notice: Dec. 9, 2024

• VICKIE L. SMITH, 75, Centralia, died Dec. 3 at Providence Centralia Hospital. Arrangements are under the care of Cattermole Funeral Home. 
State & Regional News

Washington faces ‘key decisions’ for future transportation revenue as road usage charge discussion again surfaces

For years, Washington state officials have contemplated a road usage charge (RUC) or per mile fee to replace the state gas tax, which is the primary transportation funding source and forecasted to …

Schools
Adna High School to host blood drive in honor of Roman Wagner
Adna High School is teaming up with the American Red Cross to host a blood drive in honor of Roman Wagner from noon to 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 27. “We are encouraging donors to sign up for …
W.F West High School theater to perform ‘Mamma Mia!’
Chehalis-area theatergoers have an opportunity to escape the Pacific Northwest’s chilly winter weather this weekend and spend a couple hours on an island in Greece, as W.F. West High School …
‘The Bigfoot Who Stole Christmas’: Children’s group to perform free show at McFiler’s Chehalis Theater
The story of “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” is well known, as more than 10 million copies of the original Dr. Seuss book have been sold in North America alone, on top of multiple movie …
MGP-backed bill to increase funding for community college nursing programs receives endorsement from bipartisan group
A bill backed by U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, to increase grant funding for nursing programs at community colleges has received the endorsement of the bipartisan Problem Solvers …
In focus: Sparkle & Shine event raises support for the Twirl Foundation
The Twirl Foundation’s Sparkle & Shine event was hosted at The Station LC Coffee Co. in Centralia on Thursday, Dec. 5. The event raised money for the Twirl Foundation, which has been …
Commentary

John Braun: To make K-12 system better, stop electing a state school superintendent

Senate Republicans will go into the 2025 legislative session next month with three priorities: Work toward a safer Washington, an affordable Washington and a better future for our children. Most of …

Commentary: Federal forest managers are too tangled in their own bureaucracy to mitigate wildfires

Working for the Bureau of Land Management as an initial attack firefighter during my summers in college, you would learn pretty fast how to properly move the hose to quickly fight the flame. During …

Commentary: Washington state needs to broaden its energy strategy to meet the future

One of the most significant shifts from our recent elections is America is headed back to an “all of the above” strategy that expands our energy options rather than further restricting …

Commentary: It’s time for state lawmakers to push ‘pause’ on spending

It wasn’t long ago that Washington state lawmakers were awash in a multi-billion-dollar budget surplus thanks to a surprisingly strong rebound from the pandemic lockdown and a flood of federal …

Brian Mittge: May Daryl Lund’s spirit live on in new generations of enthusiastic service

When I think of Daryl Lund, I’ll always remember his grin.  That was how he greeted everyone and nearly everything that came at him in life, I think.  Something about that …
Outdoors
Outdoors
WDFW approves seven days of coastal razor clam digs; diggers asked to avoid crushing buried Dungeness crabs
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) shellfish managers on Friday confirmed seven days of razor clam digs on coastal beaches beginning Dec. 12, with tentative dates scheduled from Jan. 1 …
Maintaining small mountain feel crucial amidst growth at White Pass Ski Area 
Significant November snowfall and a La Niña forecast offer potential for continued growth at ski areas throughout the Cascades this season. White Pass marketing director Andy Mahre said …
State land agencies announce 2025 Discover Pass free days
The Washington state Discover Pass Program has designated 12 Discover Pass free days for 2025.  On these days, visitors will not need a Discover Pass to park a vehicle at a Washington state …