Local News
Earthquakes continue to rattle Mount Rainier, now biggest seismic event in recent history
A swarm of small earthquakes is still shaking Mount Rainier , marking the most significant seismic activity at the Cascade volcano in decades. The U.S. Geological Survey’s Cascades Volcano …
One brother arrested for eluding, another for attempting to help him escape in East Lewis County 
The Lewis County Sheriff's Office arrested two brothers who are East Lewis County residents on Tuesday after a 26-mile car chase that ended near Glenoma. One brother is accused of leading the …
Missing autistic juvenile returned to parents after being found on train in Centralia 
A runaway juvenile was returned to his parents after being found aboard a train in Centralia on Wednesday morning, according to the Centralia Police Department.  Officers received several …
More crisis care beds coming to Thurston County thanks to Department of Commerce partnership
A new 16-bed crisis triage and stabilization facility is coming to Thurston County, thanks in part to a $4.95 million grant from the Washington state Department of Commerce, a recent news release …
WSU Extension Lewis County Master Gardeners to host class on growing and caring for hydrangeas
The WSU Extension Lewis County Master Gardeners have announced a new class titled “Growing & Caring for Hydrangeas,” scheduled for 10 a.m. on July 19 at the Providence Place …
STP to bring 6,000 bicyclists through Lewis, Thurston counties this weekend
The annual  Seattle-to-Portland Bicycle Classic (STP) will ride into town Saturday, July 12, bringing thousands of bicyclists through Thurston and Lewis counties as they make their journey to …
Bail set at $50K for Winlock man accused of throwing objects at deputy during arrest
A Winlock man was arrested Saturday in Lewis County and charged Monday in Lewis County Superior Court with third-degree assault and resisting arrest after an arrest on outstanding warrants led to the …
Sirens: Disorderly person removed from business; arrests for malicious mischief, trespassing; Lewis County Jail statistics
CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Trespass • A transient was trespassed from a local business in the 400 block of East Summa Street for being disorderly at around 4:42 p.m., July 7. …
In focus: Poplar Tree Farm harvesting continues along state Route 6 in Chehalis
Harvesting operations at the Poplar Tree Farm on state Route 6 in Chehalis continued on Tuesday, July 8. Two of the three units total, which amounts to 6,500 trees and about 40 acres, are …
Bail set at $50K for Centralia man arrested, charged with three domestic violence crimes
A Centralia man was arrested Friday and charged Monday in Lewis County Superior Court with three domestic violence crimes, including first-degree theft, unlawful imprisonment and fourth-degree …
Chehalis Farmers Market holds seven July markets
The Chehalis Farmers Market is offering seven markets in July, according to a recent news release. Tuesday markets were already held on July 1 and 8.   Tuesday markets are also set for July …
Nature Nurture Farmacy in Chehalis to present annual fundraiser, Enchanted Herbal Evening
Nature Nurture Farmacy has announced the date of its upcoming annual fundraiser, Enchanted Herbal Evening, slated for Sept. 6 at The Loft in Chehalis, according to a news release from Nature Nurture …
WDFW accepting master hunter applications
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is inviting new applicants to join the ranks of over 1,200 certified master hunters across the state, a news release from the WDFW stated. …
Thurston County issues burn ban on yard waste and land clearing
Thurston County commissioners recently approved a temporary ban on residential yard waste burning and all land clearing burns in unincorporated areas of Thurston County, a news release from the …
Local Sports
Summer Baseball: Awesome Chevy riding into summer ball tournament unbeaten
Jesse Elam kept it blunt when discussing the upcoming GSL High School Grand Slam Tournament. “This was a weekend we needed a tournament,” the Awesome Chevy 16U coach said. …
Napavine's Hayden Kaut commits to Montana to continue basketball career
Hayden Kaut never wanted to be a basketball player. As a child, she dreamed of standing on the sidelines as a cheerleader, but she started playing basketball as a first grader with the help of …
Third annual Sally Strong event set for Saturday
For the third straight summer, members of the Tumwater community will come together for the Sally Strong event in dedication to Sally Otton. It is once again put on by the 4 the Love Foundation and …
Adna trap shooter records perfect round, finishes 13th at national rodeo
Adna High School trap shooter Leslie Gonia accomplished her goal of her first perfect round en route to a 13th-place finish at the Silver State International Rodeo in Winnemucca, Nevada. Gonia, …
Former W.F. West star Dakota Hawkins gets third call-up to Triple-A
Former W.F. West star Dakota Hawkins has been going up-and-down in the New York Mets farm system since May and is once again a step away from the big leagues. The right-hander was sent back up …
Chronicle Podcasts

  • News Dump Ep. 239: No Kings, except for the two in the studio 
  • News Dump Ep. 238: Park drinking and taking a poll on F Street

Obituaries

Death notice: July 9, 2025

• TANYA LOUISE HERZBERG, 51, Onalaska, died July 3 at her residence. Arrangements are under the care of Funeral Alternatives of Washington.

In loving memory of Margaret Symons Gregory: 1960-2025

Margaret (Meg) Symons Gregory passed away on June 8, 2025. She was born Sept. 23, 1960, to Arthur and Glenna Symons. She is survived by her husband, Brad, and sons Peter, Andrew and John, along …

In loving memory of Betty Ann Teitzel: 1943-2025

Elizabeth (Betty) Ann (Estep) Teitzel passed away peacefully in her home June 19, 2025, in the company of her husband, Fred.  She was born Dec. 7, 1943, in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, to …

Death notice: July 7, 2025

• CAROL LOUISE UTRIAINEN, 83, Chehalis, died June 30 at her residence. Arrangements are under the care of Funeral Alternatives of Washington.

In loving memory of Michael Byrnes: 1948-2025

Michael Byrnes, born May 3, 1948, in Seattle, Washington, passed away at University of Washington Medical Center on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. Mike was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather …

Death notices: July 3, 2025

• ANN HARRISON-RILEY, 87, Rochester, died June 11 at Providence Centralia Hospital. Arrangements are under the care of Cattermole Funeral Home. • MICHAEL F. COUCH, 68, Portland, died …
State & Regional News

​​Young children, 1 and 4, survive crash that killed mother in Oregon

A 24-year-old Happy Valley woman died in a single-vehicle crash early Wednesday morning while her two young children survived with non-life-threatening injuries, according to the Clackamas County …

Schools
Mossyrock school levy and Morton Fire Station bond are back on the ballot
The Mossyrock School District and the Morton Fire District will appear on the Aug. 5 ballot after proposals for funding failed by slim margins in the May special election. The White Pass School …
Chehalis Foundation launches fundraising campaign for W.F. West field expansion
The Chehalis Foundation is spearheading a fundraising campaign to install turf, resurface the track and expand the facility to include a regulation-size soccer field at W.F. West High School’s …
Centralia School Board seeks new member after resignation
The Centralia School District Board of Directors called a special meeting on June 18 to address the sudden resignation of a board member and begin the process of finding a replacement. Tim …
Adna Middle and High School Second Semester Honor Rolls
Following are members of the Adna Middle/High School’s second semester academic lists. Students are listed in alphabetical order. The list was provided by the Adna School District. …
Napavine High and Middle School Second Semester Honor Roll
Following are members of Napavine Middle and High School second semester honor rolls. Students are listed in alphabetical order. The lists were provided by Napavine Schools. Honorable Mention: …
Commentary

Richard Stride: Baseball, hot dogs and American dreams — a Seattle Mariners story

There’s something about the smell of grilled onions and sizzling hot dogs wafting through a ballpark that feels like pure summer. It’s July, the sun hangs stubbornly in the sky long …

Commentary: Washington state Supreme Court hides the ball on state employee compensation offers

In a shocking 8-1 ruling , the Washington Supreme Court has given its official blessing to a secretive process that allows the offers and counteroffers leading to more than a billion dollars in …

Julie McDonald: Romance author, W.F. West alum to keynote writers conference, Evening with Authors

“Falling in love makes us feel alive in a way we rarely get to feel,” Jane Porter says. “I couldn’t imagine not writing love stories.” In September, we’ll …

John Braun: No one likes gas tax, but it isn’t the main driver of our high fuel prices

Many people are unhappy about the recent hike in the state fuel tax, especially since the average prices for gas and diesel were already much higher here than in every state except California and …

Brian Mittge: An example for the future from Centralia’s founder

As Centralia marks its 150th birthday and the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th, I’ve been thinking about the past and what it could mean for us in the future.  Living in …
Outdoors
Outdoors
High Rock Lookout closed to public for construction
The High Rock Lookout and surrounding area have been closed to the public for the construction and renovation of the High Rock Lookout on the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District. This closure order will …
Washington State Parks says budget cuts won’t undermine visitor access or services this summer
Though Washington State Parks, like other parts of state government, did not make it through this year’s legislative session with its budget unscathed, park visitors shouldn’t notice any …
Lewis County boy competing in international ranger competition
Archer Nededog, a 5-year-old boy from Lewis County, is participating in the international Ranger Rick Junior Ranger competition, hosted by the National Wildlife Federation. He was in second …