Local News
Four decades after Mount St. Helens blast, sediment continues to cause problems downstream 
Nearly 45 years after Mount St. Helens’ eruption sent almost 90 billion cubic feet of debris into the upper Toutle Valley, millions of tons of sediment still pour down into the Cowlitz River …
Thurston County man killed in Friday wreck has been identified, coroner says
A 47-year-old man died early Friday morning after he crashed his vehicle into a power pole, according to the Thurston County coroner and sheriff's office. About 4:20 a.m., Victor Rutt, of …
New study finds 20 different Native names for Mount Rainier
The first sight Zalmai “Zeke” Zahir would see most mornings growing up in Seattle and on the Muckleshoot reservation was the white-capped grooves of Mount Rainier. A linguist, Zahir …
Tumwater board defends its controversial trans girls vote as one member says he was threatened
The Tumwater School District board of directors defended its position supporting amendments to the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association policy that ultimately would keep trans kids from …
Gluesenkamp Perez introduces bipartisan bill to support veteran families
This week, U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, and Rep. John James, R-Michigan, introduced the bipartisan Helping Heroes Act, which seeks to support veteran families’ access to …
Sen. John Braun, Reps. Peter Abbarno and Ed Orcutt to host virtual town hall for 20th District constituents
Republican state legislators Sen. John Braun, Rep. Peter Abbarno and Rep. Ed Orcutt, who represent the 20th Legislative District, will host a virtual town hall at 6:30 p.m. March 25 via Zoom to …
Centralia Police Department: Woman nearly scammed out of $25,000
The Centralia Police Department is investigating fraud that occurred in Centralia on March 10 involving a woman who was nearly scammed out of $25,000. The victim was reportedly contacted via …
Three school levies, one fire district bond request slated for April 22 special election in Lewis County
Three school districts in Lewis County, including two that had measures fail on the February ballot, will have levy renewal proposals on the upcoming April 22 special election ballot. …
Centralia City Council votes to create Borst Park turf maintenance and replacement fund
With the Fort Borst Park joint artificial turf project now completed, the Centralia City Council on Tuesday, March 11, voted unanimously to create a turf maintenance and replacement fund to pay for …
Sirens: Woman with children in car arrested for DUI; scam nearly causes $1,000 loss; man arrested for stealing $781 in merchandise: Lewis County Superior Court proceedings
CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Drug violation • A 58-year-old Winlock man and a 39-year-old Castle Rock woman were cited for possession of fentanyl in the 2000 block of Borst Avenue just …
Brian Mittge: Generosity grows with historic Makah Ozette potatoes
For more than 200 years, the Makah people have grown a unique variety of potato in the rain-soaked far northwestern corner of the continent. This week, I was given two boxes of these special spuds. …
Superintendents for two juvenile detention centers hired; search for Green Hill superintendent continues
The Washington state Department of Children, Youth and Families announced on Wednesday, March 12, that it has hired superintendents for two juvenile rehabilitation facilities and is still looking for …
Bucoda Improvement Club to host St. Patrick’s Day party on Monday, March 17
Looking for a family-friendly St. Patrick’s Day celebration? Head to the Bucoda Town Hall and Community Center on Monday, March 17, from 4 to 6 p.m. for the Bucoda Improvement Club’s …
Apprenticeship Night for all Lewis County high school students to be held in Napavine
Apprenticeship Night will be held at the Napavine High School library at 6 p.m. on March 25. The high school is located at 404 Fourth Ave. NE, Napavine. This event is open to all Lewis …
Project Access Northwest expands to Lewis, Mason and Thurston Counties
Project Access Northwest has announced its expansion into Lewis, Mason and Thurston Counties. Project Access Northwest is a nonprofit formed in 2006 to improve access to specialty health care …
Local Sports
T-Wolves rally late to top Cardinals
The Morton-White Pass softball team came alive in the final two innings against Winlock, scoring eight runs in the final two frames to overcome a three-run deficit and knock off the Cardinals 11-10 …
Wolves walk off Hawks in Lacey
The Black Hills softball team headed north to take on River Ridge in Lacey on Friday, but the Wolves were the designated home team, and they walked off the Hawks for a 6-5 win. Black Hills …
Ruiz’s career day lifts Centralia over Mark Morris
The pouring rain was no match for Centralia Tigers sophomore forward Johnny Ruiz, who earned his first two varsity goals in a 2-0 victory against Mark Morris Saturday afternoon. Ruiz’s …
Bearcats thumped by Papermakers at home
An 11-run outburst in the top of the second fueled Class 4A Camas to a statement 16-0 win over the Bearcats on Friday night at Recreation Park. In two games so far this season, they have allowed a …
Mossyrock upends Rainier behind arm, bat of Kolb
It took just one game for Vikings senior Easton Kolb to make a statement back in Class 2B, striking out 10 and launching his first home run of the season in an 8-2 triumph over Rainier on Friday …

Chronicle Podcast

  • News Dump Ep. 226: Looking for love in owl the wrong places
  • News Dump Ep. 225:  The building is for sale, not the podcast. But make us an offer!
  • Sports Dump: Don’t Be An A****** Get Some Soup
Obituaries

Death notice: March 14, 2025

• GLENN ALDRICH, 88, Mossyrock, died March 8 at his home. A Masonic graveside service will be held for family at Klickitat Cemetery and a community-wide celebration of life will be held at a …

In loving memory of Ryan Graham: 1981-2025

Ryan E. Graham, a beloved son, father, brother and friend, passed away on Feb. 20, 2025, in Biloxi, Mississippi, at the age of 43. Born on Dec. 26, 1981, in Oakville, Washington, Ryan spent the early …

In loving memory of Darlene Marie Wheeler: 1938-2025

Darlene passed away peacefully on Feb. 27, 2025, at the age of 86. She was born on Oct. 20, 1938, in Elma, Washington, to Louis and Melissa Macomber and was raised in Oakville, Washington. After she …

In loving memory of Robin Griggs

Robin Lynn Griggs passed away on Wednesday, March 5th, leaving behind a lifetime of laughter, sharp wit, and unforgettable memories. Robin was one of a kind, with her snarky sense of humor and "tell …

In loving memory of Shirley Schmidt: 1926-2025

Shirley Schmidt, born on Jan. 28, 1926, in Kewanee, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Feb. 2, 2025, just days after celebrating her 99th birthday. The daughter of Annalee and Ernest Pardue, …

Death notices: March 12, 2025

• JAMES D. SCOTT, 77, Oakville, died March 6 at his residence. Arrangements are under the care of Cattermole Funeral Home. • PHYLLIS J. BRUNER, 91, Vancouver, died March 6 at Legacy …
State & Regional News

Woman airlifted to area hospital after Saturday evening crash in Mason County, WSP says

A 52-year-old Elma woman wound up at a Tacoma hospital Saturday evening after she rolled her pick-up truck in south Mason County, according to the Washington State Patrol. Troopers say she was …

Schools
Centralia High School student EmbryAnna Schluter serves as page for Sen. John Braun
EmbryAnna Schluter, a sophomore at Centralia High School, recently spent a week working as a page for the Washington state Senate at the Capitol in Olympia. EmbryAnna was one of 19 students who …
Chehalis sisters Joy and Drees Cushman serve as pages for state Senate
Sisters Joy and Drees Cushman, of Chehalis, recently spent a week working as pages for the Washington state Senate at the Capitol in Olympia. The sisters were among 17 students who served as …
Summit Homeschool students get a Capitol experience with Rep. Peter Abbarno
Late last month, 40 ninth grade students from Summit Homeschool in Centralia visited the Washington state Capitol for an immersive learning experience with Rep. Peter Abbarno, House Republican Caucus …
Centralia City Council, Centralia School Board discuss possible parking options for Borst Park sports complex during joint meeting
With the Fort Borst Park field artificial turf project complete, the Centralia City Council and Centralia School Board held a joint meeting on Tuesday, March 4, inside the Centralia High School …
Commentary

Peter Abbarno: Late nights, high stakes and the battle to protect Washington’s future

The most important issues I hear about daily from constituents in Southwest Washington and across our state are affordability and crime. Families are struggling with the rising cost of living — …

John Braun: Republicans disrupt budget conversation with no-new-taxes, no-cuts plan

Being on the minority side in the state Senate means playing defense against a lot of bad pieces of legislation, but there are times when we can still take satisfaction in a job well done. One …

Commentary: Democrats might be having some second thoughts about Washington's new governor

When Washington's new Democratic governor, Bob Ferguson, gave his inaugural speech two months ago, I drove down to the Statehouse in Olympia to check it out. In a time of maximal partisanship, …

Peter Abbarno: Honoring Special Olympics Washington — a step toward greater inclusion

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, a month to raise awareness and attention to the accomplishments and continued needs of our community members with developmental …

Julie McDonald: Churches tackle homelessness with Shalom Village, Safe Parking Pilot Project

Many complain about vagrants living on the streets, but members of four local churches are tackling homelessness by creating a community building and six little duplexes to serve as transitional …
Outdoors
Outdoors
High Rock Trail closure planned for this summer in Gifford Pinchot National Forest
The Gifford Pinchot National Forest has announced plans for a temporary closure of the High Rock Trail No. 266 during the upcoming summer season.  The closure is necessary to ensure public …
Halibut fishing starts May 1 in coastal Westport-Ocean Shores
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has announced plans for the 2025 halibut fishing season, which will kick off April 3 in some Puget Sound marine areas and May 1 in coastal marine …
Cowlitz River smelt dippers skunked on opening day
Anglers from across the Pacific Northwest took to the banks of the Cowlitz River on Wednesday, March 12, for the opening of the state's brief smelt dipping season. All it took was a few empty …