Local News
Most workers to return to Longview mill months after fatal spill
Most of the employees at a Longview paper mill shuttered by a fatal chemical spill this spring will return to work later this month, as efforts to restart the damaged facility move forward, union and …
Barred owl killings begin in Oregon under controversial federal conservation effort
The Oregon Department of State Lands says it will shoot and kill barred owls in the Coast Range starting on Thursday, becoming the first agency in the state to take part in a controversial federal …
Woman accused of assaulting Centralia officer who drove her home
Centralia police arrested a woman early Thursday after she allegedly kicked the officer who had driven her home. After arriving at the Lewis County Jail, the woman allegedly kicked a corrections …
Cats rescued from Rochester structure fire available for adoption
Two cats who were recently rescued from a structure fire in Rochester are now up for adoption.  Cinder, a 3-year-old male tabby and Hot Stuff, a 2-year-old male tabby, were among 14 cats …
In Focus: Rutledge Family Farm opens for the season
Rutledge Family Farms is celebrating Fall on the Farm from Sept. 19 through Oct. 31, offering families a variety of seasonal activities highlighting all fall has to offer.  Attractions …
Washington state’s nation-high minimum wage rising to nearly $18 an hour in 2027
Washington’s minimum wage workers will get a 3.5% pay bump in 2027. The state’s minimum wage will climb to $17.73 an hour starting Jan. 1, the state Department of Labor and Industries …
Chehalis man booked on 2024 warrant alleging failure to register as sex offender
A Chehalis man has been booked into the Lewis County Jail on two warrants both outstanding for over two years — one for allegedly failing to register as a sex offender. Julian Velazquez, 25, …
News Dump Ep. 295: Introducing the Thurston Chronicle crew
On the 295th episode (we mean it this time), host Aaron VanTuyl and Chronicle editor Eric Schwartz welcome on Emily Fitzgerald and Dylan Reubenking from the Thurston Chronicle to talk about their new …
Woman accused of assaulting three staff members at Centralia behavioral health facility 
A voluntary patient at the Cascade Evaluation and Treatment Center in Centralia has been charged with three felonies after allegedly swinging a computer monitor at two staff members.  A …
Man accused of violent robbery at Centralia dog park
Police arrested a man late Tuesday after he allegedly attacked and robbed a person of $100 at the South Gold Street dog park in Centralia.  According to court documents, the suspect …
Centralia home a “complete loss” after fire
A doublewide home and its contents are considered a “complete loss” after fire burned through the building on Saturday, Sept. 26, according to the Riverside Fire Authority. Firefighters were …
Annual fall Lewis County Model Railroad Club Train Show and Swap Meet set for Oct. 18
Whether you’ve got hundreds of feet of model railroad track already laid out in a display and are looking for upgrades, or someone new to the hobby just curious as to what it’s all about, the …
Chehalis extends deadline for Lodging Tax Advisory Committee grant applications
Tax-exempt organizations in Chehalis will be able to pursue the city’s lodging tax revenue for a couple more weeks, as the Chehalis Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) is still accepting …
Skamania County man charged with possession of child sex abuse material
A 23-year-old Skamania County man appeared in U.S. District Court in Tacoma Monday, Sept. 28, on a federal indictment for possession of child sexual abuse materual after he used a computer program to …
Thurston County Medic One hosting town halls and listening sessions for Community Needs Assessment
Thurston County Medic One is hosting a series of public town hall meetings and targeted listening sessions over the next six weeks as part of its ongoing Community Needs Assessment. Identified …
Local Sports
Rainier keeps theme of sweeps alive versus Mossyrock
If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. And that’s how the Mountaineers have operated for the last two weeks by sweeping every team they’ve faced, which included Thursday’s 25-13, 25-15, 25-13 …
Toledo, Rochester battle to non-league draw
In a matchup between two teams vying to be state tournament contenders, the Riverhawks and Warriors left Thursday’s match with a 1-1 draw in Toledo. Aspen Cooper struck first for Toledo …
W.F. West holds off Shelton to earn first EvCo win
After taking the first two sets against Shelton at home on Thursday, W.F. West was in danger of being reverse swept. The Highclimbers had all the momentum entering the fifth and final set after …
Huskies sweep Cardinals for seventh straight win
The Morton volleyball team rolled to a sweep in Winlock on Thursday, when the Huskies beat the Cardinals 25-6, 25-7, 25-5 to notch their seventh victory in a row. The Huskies were excellent from …
Adna upends rival Napavine
Spurred by a stuffed stat line from Alyssa Carroll and plenty of defense, the Pirates posted a 25-17, 25-17, 25-22 victory over the Tigers on Thursday night in a non-league C2BL contest. Carroll …
Chronicle Podcasts

  • Sports Dump: Week 4 Wrap (And A BERTH Announcement)
  • Sports Dump: Week 3 Wrap (and Congratulations to a Kalama Alum)
  • News Dump Ep. 294 or 295: Sheriff arrested! (For Volstead Act violations)
Obituaries

In loving memory of Reverend Edwin Schimelpfenig: 1924-2026

Reverend Edwin Schimelpfenig, 72, went home to be with his Lord on Friday, Sept. 11, after a long battle with cancer. Edwin was born to Alfred and Harriett Schimelpfenig in Cottage Grove, Oregon, but …

In loving memory of Nancy Bay: 1944-2026

Nancy Bay, a longtime resident of Rochester, Washington, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026. Nancy was born in Oakland, California, in 1944. She lived a full and meaningful life …

Death notice: Sept. 30, 2026

• TRACY TORGERSON, 67, Winlock, died Sept. 27 at home. Arrangements are under the care of Funeral Alternatives of Washington.

In loving memory of Frank Paulin: 1946-2026

Frank Randel Paulin, son of Louie and Betty Paulin, was born July 30, 1946, in Centralia, Washington, and passed away Sept. 14, 2026, at the age of 80. An outdoorsman and adventurer, Frank …

In loving memory of Reverend William Hassler: 1933-2026

Reverend William L. “Bill” Hassler, 93, of Napavine, Washington, passed away on Sept. 18, 2026, at Chehalis West Assisted Living Center, with his wife, Mary Ann, by his side. He was born in …

Death notices: Sept. 28, 2026

• LLOYD J. MORGAN, 86, Centralia, died Sept. 10 at Three Rivers Care. Arrangements are under the care of Cattermole Funeral Home. • QUENTIN R. DYER, 92, Winlock, died Aug. 25 at his …
State & Regional News

How Rob Curley lost the Spokesman-Review newsroom

Editor's note: This report was produced in a collaboration between InvestigateWest and RANGE. When the Spokesman-Review announced plans to transfer Spokane’s 143-year-old, family-owned …

Schools
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 …
In Focus: Drew North Foundation 5K raises support for local youths in Chehalis
The annual Drew North Foundation Mental Health & Suicide Awareness 5K was held in Chehalis on Saturday, Sept. 26. Proceeds from the event will go to providing resources for the youth of the …
Adna Grocery owners have raised $189,808 for scholarships since 2020
On Thursday, the owners of Adna Grocery, Jim and Cindy Smith, presented Adna High School students with an oversized check made out for $48,926.48. That's the amount that was raised during the …
Commentary

Opinion: Support our rural libraries by voting for Timberland levy lid lift

As former trustees for Timberland Regional Library (TRL), we urge voters to approve TRL’s levy lid lift measure that is on this fall’s ballot. The Timberland district covers five counties …

Opinion: Washington’s I-645 — repealing the new 9.9% income tax 

This November, Washington voters will decide whether to enact I-645. This proposal would repeal a new 9.9% income tax , with a current statutory exemption of one million dollars, that is scheduled to …

Julie McDonald: Lewis County Maternity House offers help to young mothers

As a teenager who was strongly pro-life, I always thought communities needed a home for unwed mothers where their baby could grow inside their womb in safety and they could give birth without doing …

John McCroskey: MGP maims the facts in her attack on Braun's company safety record

I spent 28 years in law enforcement, including 10 as Lewis County sheriff. One thing that experience taught me is that serious accusations deserve more than a sound bite. You look at the …

Letter: This is your museum 

Hello, Lewis County, and hello to the many visitors from around the world who find their way to our beautiful county. Now that I'm the permanent executive director of the Lewis County Historical …
Outdoors
Outdoors
Summer turns to fall at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge
Before you know it, orange leaves and rainy days will be encompassing everyday life in Southwest Washington. The Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge’s River "S" Unit is one of the best places …
WDFW launches new kindergarten curriculum to introduce students to wildlife
The Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) this week announced a new kindergarten curriculum centered around “Many Places, Many Lives,” an illustrated poetry collection that …
‘Tis the season: 2026 Washington state hunting prospects now available
September marks the beginning of new hunting seasons across Washington, including early archery opening for deer and elk. As hunters across the state gear up for big game, waterfowl, and upland bird …