Local News
Salmon recovery proponents say several bills got away this legislative session
Supporters of salmon recovery efforts in Washington state were optimistic going into this year's short 60-day legislative session. There was bipartisan support for habitat restoration, with …
Hash: Centralia to be featured on America’s Best Restaurants
Centralia restaurant Hash will host a visit from America’s Best Restaurants (ABR) in early April 2024, according to a news release from the show. America’s Best Restaurants, a …
Three puppies inside vehicle that went off cliff near White Pass last week have been recovered
Three puppies that were inside a vehicle that crashed about 200 feet down an embankment near White Pass last week have all been rescued and returned to the victim’s family. The puppies are …
With funding back on track, Lewis County traffic projects will have ‘dramatic impact on us’
Considered a “Hail Mary,” Lewis County officials believe scheduling $52 million in transportation funding for local projects is on track to be among the biggest successes in the state …
Sirens: Animal negligence reported, but car was in 'dog mode'; Burglary at Centralia business; 'Hoodlums' back out in Chehalis
CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Theft • At 12:20 p.m. on March 15, a caller reported someone was stealing gas from a car in the 1100 block of Harrison Avenue. The suspect fled the scene in …
Death Notice: March 18, 2024
• DOUGLAS C. STEVENSON, 67, Raymond, died March 13 at Providence Centralia Hospital. Arrangements are under the care of Cattermole Funeral Home.
Julie McDonald: Irish citizenship offers new take on St. Patrick’s Day celebration
Despite my rich Irish ancestry, with 96 percent of my DNA tracing back to Ireland, I mark most St. Patrick’s Days simply by wearing green to avoid being pinched. This year, though, I …
Pyramid on Front St. venue set to open in Winlock
Pyramid on Front St., a new business in Winlock, has scheduled a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for March 22, according to the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce. The former …
Chehalis VISIONS program students visit state Capitol
Twentieth Legislative District state Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia, welcomed a group of students from the Chehalis School District’s VISIONS program to the state Capitol last week, explaining …
Tenino band director Andrew Bowerly wins Music Educator of the Year, Dr. William P. Foster awards
The Tenino High School band is a favorite at Beaver sporting events and school concerts. Now, the energy and fun brought to its music program by Andrew Bowerly is getting some pretty hefty …
10 drivers, including 7 motorcyclists, involved in wreck; Lewis County man taken to Harborview
Ten drivers, including seven motorcyclists, were involved in a Saturday afternoon wreck that blocked an area highway for four hours, according to the Washington State Patrol. Some of those …
J.T. Wilcox knows chicken farming, but the state Republican lawmaker's heart is with salmon
YELM — Watching the Nisqually River run past the family farm, J.T. Wilcox said he can tell when the fish are running: The eagles lay off the farm's chickens and get back to feasting on salmon. …
Man found dead in Grays Harbor County was killed by fraudsters, prosecutors say
A couple were charged Thursday in connection with a 74-year-old Mercer Island man's killing, and King County prosecutors say the homicide followed a fraud scheme to move into the man's home and take …
Net Nanny bust: Thurston County man pleads guilty to attempted child molestation
An Olympia man has pleaded guilty to crimes connected to the Net Nanny sting operation that arrested 15 men who were seeking sexual relationships with minors. Aaron Michael Henderson, 32, of …
New legislative maps, necessitated by federal lawsuit, shift 20th Legislative District amid Republican fury
Voters in South Thurston County currently represented in the 20th Legislative District will be absorbed into the Second Legislative District after a federal judge approved a new legislative map …
Local Sports
Tenino girls secure home meet triumph
Fueled by a 1-2-3 finish in the 100-meter dash, a sweep of the three distance events and Paisley Garcia claiming both hurdle races, the Beavers accumulated 135 points to win the team race at their …
Bearcats top Tigers in first meet of season
The W.F. West girls golf team topped Centralia at Newaukum Golf Course on Monday, as the Bearcats defeated Centralia 95-57. The two teams used the Stableford scoring system, which awards golfers …
Bearcats blank Thunderbirds to stay unbeaten
The game-plan was talked about before the opening kick. W.F. West High School’s boys soccer team wanted to get junior Adrian Jaimes in space within the first minute of Monday’s match …
Titans top Warriors in pitchers duel
The Pe-Ell Willapa Valley softball team came out on top of a defensive battle on Monday against Rochester, topping the Warriors 3-2. Rochester’s Layna Demers and PWV’s Lauren Emery …
Vikings dominate Ducks twice to sweep doubleheader
The Mossyrock softball team came away with two blowout wins on Monday, as the Vikings topped Toutle Lake 20-4 and 15-0. In Game 1, Toutle Lake took a 3-0 lead in the first, but Mossyrock (4-1) …

Chronicle Podcast

  • News Dump Ep. 179: Wide roads and wider defensive stances
  • News Dump Ep. 178: A podcast written entirely by AI
  • News Dump Ep. 176: And a podcast … that I LOST
Obituaries

In loving memory of Michael “Mike” Joseph Nale: 1946-2024

Michael “Mike” Joseph Nale, of Everett, Washington, went to be with the Lord on March 11, 2024, at the age of 77.  Mike was born Sept. 30, 1946, in Huntsville, Alabama, to James …

In loving memory of Walter Gene Middleton: 1934-2024

Walter Gene Middleton, a resident of Lewis County, Washington, since 1945, passed away at home in the early hours of March 2, 2024, after a brief illness. Walt was surrounded by “Walter’s …

In loving memory of David Osby: 1959-2024

David Osby, 64, of Centralia, Washington (formerly of Puyallup, Washington) got his wings on Saturday, March 2, 2024.    David was born on Oct. 3, 1959, in Kentwood, Louisiana. He …

 In loving memory of Janet Bluhm: Aug. 27, 1936 - March 4, 2024

Janet Ann Bluhm, 87, of Chehalis, Washington, passed away peacefully on March 4, 2024, with family by her side.  She was preceded in death by her husband of over 60 years, Virgil; her …

In loving memory of Joy Lynne Rose 

It is with great sadness that the family of Joy Lynne Rose (nee Swenson) announces her passing after a courageous 15-year battle with brain cancer on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, at the age of 53.  …

In loving memory of Richard Hakala: 1938-2024

Richard Allen Hakala was born Sept. 20, 1938, in Spokane, Washington, to Risto and Lois Hakala and moved to Heaven on Jan. 17, 2024.  The family moved to Winlock, Washington, shortly after …
State & Regional News

From Bellingham to Hoquiam, temps hit record highs this weekend

Yes, it’s true. St. Patrick’s Day weekend broke temperature records throughout Western Washington. But you could feel all that. Blue skies, sunshine, hanging out, taking it …

Good News
Green Beret’s Medal of Honor now on display at Veterans Memorial Museum in Chehalis
Fifty-four years to the day after a brutal battle unfolded in the Kon Tum province in Vietnam and nearly took the life of U.S. Army Green Beret Franklin Douglas Miller, his children, friends and …
Oregon Zoo’s baby rhino turns one month old
The newest member of the Oregon Zoo’s rhinoceros family crossed a milestone this week, turning one month old on Thursday, Jan. 4. The yet-to-be-named calf, born to parents Jozi and King on …
Centralia High School grad joins UW Marching Band on trip to National Championship 
The University of Washington Marching Band, which includes Centralia High School Class of 2022 graduate Lucy Nowicki, will fly out to Houston, Texas, on Saturday, Jan. 6, ahead of Monday’s …
Puget Sound Energy donates $15,000 to Toledo Neighbors Program
The Toledo Neighbors Program, a nonprofit that helps people share food and other resources with their neighbors without restrictions, has received a $15,000 donation from Puget Sound Energy, the …
Schools
Washington’s 2023 Healthy Youth Survey results show improved health behaviors among students in grades 6 through 12
The results of the 2023 Healthy Youth Survey indicated that Washington students reported improved health behaviors and mental health as well as increased social support compared to previous years. …
With grants, Lewis County Transit, schools develop renewable energy vehicle and infrastructure technician curriculum
Lewis County Transit and the Centralia and Chehalis school districts are piloting a new curriculum called the Renewable Energy Vehicle and Infrastructure Technician (REVIT) training program. …
Tenino School District announces new elementary school principal
Jennifer Van De Wege is the new principal at Tenino Elementary School (TES), the school district announced in a news release on Monday. Van De Wege formerly served as an elementary assistant …
Tenino High School teacher named Washington State VFW Teacher of the Year
Tenino High School agriculture teacher Geraldine Maxfield has been named Teacher of the Year by Washington State Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). Maxfield has spent her entire teaching career in …
Gary Loomis receives Centralia Distinguished Alumni Award
The Centralia Alumni Association awarded Gary Loomis, 1960 Centralia graduate with a legacy in the fishing industry and environmental advocacy, with the inaugural Distinguished Alumni Award on …
Letters to the Editor
Letter to the editor: Government use of AI should be transparent

The March 4, 2024, Chronicle article “Washington Secretary of State’s misinformation program flags factual stories on noncitizens voting” piqued my interest. I read the article with …

Commentary

Brian Mittge: Being God’s hands and heart in our hurting world

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ — Jesus, Matthew 25:40 People …

Sean Swope commentary: The need for a needle exchange ordinance in Lewis County

As our community grapples with the complexities of substance abuse, it's imperative to address the operation of the needle exchange program in Lewis County. Ordinance 1354 proposes the addition …

John Braun: Governor needs to feel public heat if Green Hill School situation is to improve

During the news conference he held minutes after the Legislature adjourned for the year, Gov. Jay Inslee praised his Democrat allies in the Senate and House because they didn’t …

Guest commentary: ‘It will take a hundred years to tell whether you have helped us or hurt us’

American humorist Will Rogers quipped, “So good luck Mr. Ford. It will take a hundred years to tell whether you have helped us or hurt us, but you certainly didn’t leave us like you found …

Commentary: Big changes come to Washington state’s DUI law

Rarely does a year go by in which the Washington state Legislature does not change the laws on how driving under the influence (DUI) is charged and prosecuted. The 2024 legislative session was …
Outdoors
Outdoors
In focus: More clam digging dates on tap as Ocean Shores Razor Clam and Seafood Festival approaches
Those forever in pursuit of the tasty delicacy that is the Pacific Razor clam will have several chances to dig for them this week. Digs have been approved Tuesday, March 12, through Sunday, …
‘Like rooting for the Yankees’: Lawmaker’s move to study sea lion predation removed from state’s final budget
Funding for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to combat sea lion predation on the lower Columbia River and its tributaries was removed from the state’s operating budget during …
2023 was another busy year for national parks; Washington sites drew 8.3 million visits
Last year was another busy one for our national parks. The National Park Service announced in a news release last month that its 400 parks saw a total of 325.5 million recreation visits in 2023, …