Local News
The WET Science Center’s fall lineup brings the outdoors inside
With rain in the forecast and cooler temperatures, it’s time to find affordable ways to have fun inside.  The WET Science Center is ready to help!  Most middle schoolers in …
Candidates for Congress address issue of biological males participating in girls’ sports
During Tuesday’s live televised debate between Third Congressional District candidates Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and John Braun, the issue of biological males participating in girls’ and women’s …
Sirens: Felony retail theft under investigation; DUI arrest in Chehalis; sexual assault reported; several arrested for shoplifting
CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Stolen license plate found • A stolen license plate was recovered at about 10:14 a.m. Oct. 12 in the 100 block of West Maple Street. There is no information on …
Minimum-security inmate in custody after escape from work crew
The Washington state Department of Corrections (DOC) and local law enforcement apprehended minimum-security inmate Zaquai McCray at roughly 2:30 p.m. in Auburn on Oct. 13. He had walked away …
Overnight ramp closures on U.S. 101 and I-5 in Tumwater Oct. 15
Nighttime and early morning travelers who use the U.S. Highway 101 and Interstate 5 ramps in Tumwater will want to plan additional travel time, a news release from the Washington State Department of …
UNFI Centralia announces Trunk-or-Treat event this Halloween
Get ready for an afternoon of costumes, candy and community fun as UNFI Centralia hosts a Trunk-or-Treat event from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31, in the parking lot at 4002 Galvin Road, …
Chehalis Farmers Market to host Harvest Dinner Fundraiser
Tickets are officially on sale for the Harvest Dinner Fundraiser, an annual event supporting the Chehalis Farmers Market. The dinner will be held from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Nov. 7 at The Juice Box in …
Cider Press and Tree Sale to raise money for Tool Bucket Library and other programs
A Community Cider Press and Tree Sale will raise funds to support the WSU Lewis County Master Recycler Composter (MRC) Volunteers’ MRC Tool Bucket Library and other community outreach programs from …
Death notices: Oct. 14, 2026
• JANICE KAY MILLER, 74, Centralia, died Oct. 11 at her residence. Arrangements are under the care of Funeral Alternatives of Washington. • GEORGE A. MINKS, 84, Olympia, died Oct. 8 at South …
Indigenous Peoples' Day at Squaxin Park brings together music, storytelling and community unity
Beneath towering Douglas firs and along the saltwater shorelines of Squaxin Park, members of the Squaxin Island Tribe and the Olympia community gathered Monday, Oct. 12, to celebrate Indigenous …
Winlock council approves deal with Vader for city clerk assistance, resolution for city employee overpayment policy and CPA assistance contract
Members of the Winlock City Council convened for a regular meeting on Monday, Oct. 12, and approved their side of an interlocal agreement (ILA) with the City of Vader for assistance with city clerk …
Centralia College to dedicate diversity plaque to Helen Sanders
Centralia College will unveil a new plaque in its Diversity Plaza on Oct. 22. It will honor Helen Sanders of the Chehalis Tribe, the college announced. A dedication ceremony will be held at …
Emergency Closure Orders Reduced for Skyo and Backbone Fires in East Lewis County
The Cowlitz Valley Ranger District in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest has downsized the emergency closure orders for the Skyo and Backbone Fires. The closures, which previously encompassed …
$50K bail for suspect accused of using bad check to steal Winlock man’s Mini Cooper
A Tacoma man is being held in the Lewis County Jail after he allegedly wrote a bad check to steal a Winlock man’s vehicle. Tacoma resident Charley Joe Culbertson, 30, has been charged with one …
Hoquiam woman arrested in Lewis County with stolen laptop, possible meth
A Grays Harbor County woman is facing charges in Lewis County Superior Court after allegedly being found in possession of a stolen laptop and methamphetamines. Hoquiam resident Caroline Diane …
Local Sports
CC Roundup: Volleyball sweeps South Puget Sound
The Centralia College volleyball team picked up its second straight sweep on Wednesday, sweeping South Puget Sound 25-20, 25-21, 25-23 in Olympia. Jada Whitmore led the offensive effort with 11 …
Toledo nets eight in mercy-rule win over Ilwaco
The Toledo girls soccer team made the trip to Ilwaco on Wednesday, and the Riverhawks dominated in an 8-0 mercy-rule victory. Onica Chase opened the scoring in just the fourth minute of the …
Napavine defeats RSB to remain unbeaten in league play
Four different Napavine Tigers found the back of the net on Wednesday and more than two dozen players got on the pitch, as the Tigers topped Raymond/South Bend 5-0 to remain perfect in Central 2B …
Yelm seniors Taylor, Andujar dominate in final home meet at Yelm Tornado 5K
YELM — Marcos Andujar and Deejay Taylor are shining examples of how the Yelm cross country program’s culture is working. Yelm’s two top senior runners are barreling toward postseason …
Adna pulls away in second half to top Toutle Lake
The Adna girls soccer team snapped a two-game league losing streak on Wednesday, pulling away in the second half to top Toutle Lake 4-0. Charlotte Deguise opened the scoring off an assist from …
Chronicle Podcasts

  • News Dump Ep. 296: THAT IS AN ORG CHART
  • Sports Dump: Week 5 Roundup (and Centralia finally loses)
  • News Dump Ep. 295: Introducing the Thurston Chronicle crew
Obituaries

In loving memory of Robert Harper: Jan. 31, 1938-Oct. 8, 2026

Bob was the third of five children born to Clara Moore Stidham. He was placed in foster care at age four when Clara and her husband, Roy Stidham, divorced.  Bob was eventually adopted by J. …

In loving memory of Kyle Seymour: Aug. 17, 1971-Oct. 7, 2026

Funeral services for Kyle Seymour will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, at Summit Wesleyan Church in Buffalo, Wyoming. Donations in Kyle’s memory may be made to The Path Behavioral Health …

Death notices: Oct. 9, 2026

• TONYA DARLENE ALEXANDER, 46, Toledo, died Oct. 7 at Centralia Providence Hospital. Arrangements are under the care of Fir Lawn Funeral Chapel in Toledo. • SUE E. NELSON, 83, Onalaska, died …

In loving memory of Maureen Nolen: 1944-2026

Maureen Florence Nolen, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and faithful servant of Jesus Christ, went home to Heaven on Oct. 3, 2026. Maureen was born on Oct. 11, 1944, in Leigh-on-Sea, …

In loving memory of Jay Ensrud: 1939-2026

Jay Levi Ensrud, 87, of Chehalis, Washington, passed away at Sheridan Memorial Nursing Home in Plentywood, Montana, on Sept. 22, 2026. Jay was born on March 18, 1939, in McVille, North Dakota, …

In loving memory of Paul Neeley Sr.: 1947-2026

Paul Aaron Neeley Sr. “Pilot” passed away peacefully at home with wife Fawn by his side on Sept. 11, 2026, having battled heart issues for many years. He was born Aug. 18, 1947, in Morton, …
State & Regional News

15-member Portland burglary crew facing ‘hundreds’ of felony charges after months-long crime spree, officials say

Millions of dollars of stolen and damaged property, hundreds of charges, 15 suspects and a monthslong spree of “organized criminal operations”: that’s the bald outlines of a sprawling series of …

Schools
In Focus: Donors celebrate new statue dedicated to students of James Lintott, Orin Smith elementary schools
A dedication ceremony was held for a newly-donated statue in Chehalis on Tuesday, Oct. 13. The donors of the statue were Mike and Susan Austin, Ben and Kristy LaCrosse, and Steve and Carol …
Tenino High School unveils new sign made by its students
Five years ago, Tenino High School took down its historic wooden sign for refurbishment, and discovered it was damaged beyond repair. Instead of simply ordering a replacement, the school decided …
Centralia College to host World Dyslexia Day community discussion
Centralia College is inviting the community to participate in a dyslexia awareness event on Oct. 8, World Dyslexia Day. The purpose of the event is to raise awareness and celebrate the strengths …
Commentary

Opinion: Hey Ken Jennings, I'll take misinformation for $1,000

Perhaps the host of Jeopardy! should stick to game shows. Ken Jennings, who became famous after winning 74 consecutive episodes of Jeopardy and then took over show hosting duties for the beloved …

Sean Swope commentary: Lewis County, let’s send John Braun to Congress

I’ve called John Braun when something was stuck and he answered. When we needed to get the shelter out of a barn that had problems and into a place where people could actually sleep safely, the …

Opinion: Yes, the ‘millionaires tax’ is a ‘Trojan horse’ — except it’s no secret

The big debate raging about our state’s new millionaires income tax is whether it’s a “Trojan horse” for something else. The answer is pretty simple: Yes. It is. The caveat to this …

Julie McDonald: Expanding Your Horizons on indefinite hiatus

For the first fall in more than three decades, middle school girls won’t be traveling to Centralia College on a Saturday for an introduction to careers in science, technology, engineering, art and …

Wayne Fournier: Campaign signs occupy a strange place in our democracy

Every political campaign workshop I've ever attended has taught me the same thing: campaign signs don't win elections. Knocking on doors wins elections. Talking to voters wins elections. …
Outdoors
Outdoors
Public comment period open about proposed changes to WDFW’s listing and recovery planning processes for at-risk species
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is now accepting public comments on proposed rule changes to update or clarify the department’s process for listing and developing recovery …
Hunting Highlights: Bull elk, buck harvested during muzzleloader 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 …
PNW's tiny pygmy owls are adorable little murder machines
A northern pygmy owl weighs about as much as a chicken egg. They’re adorable, with big yellow eyes. They’re also ruthless predators known to kill chickens far heavier than themselves. …