Local News
Washington, credited as origin of flying saucer sightings, is still a top state for UAP reports
Did you know a UFO sighting in Washington state is credited with kicking off decades of reported sightings across the country? In 1947, private pilot Kenneth Arnold reported seeing nine shiny …
Washington’s flood season right around the corner
The second week of October marked this year's Flood Awareness Week in Washington. Flooding is relatively common in the state, with each of Washington's 39 counties having received at least one …
Thurston County man, 86, killed in collision with car after turning left into private driveway
An 86-year-old Tumwater man died in a car crash Friday on state Route 706 in Pierce County. Arvil Crase was riding in a vehicle that was traveling westbound at 226th Avenue at 10:45 a.m., …
'Building a prison for children': Overcrowded youth detention centers in Washington draw concern
Only a handful of spots for new offenders are left at the state's medium- and maximum-security juvenile facilities in the wake of site overcrowding problems and staffing shortages. Criminal …
Centralia police arrest domestic violence suspect after standoff 
Centralia police arrested a 27-year-old Centralia man after a report of domestic assault led to a standoff at the King Oscar Motel on Eckerson Road on Friday night.  Antwuan James was …
Bail set at $250,000 for man accused of robbing a Chehalis business
Bail has been set at $250,000 for the man accused of robbing a Chehalis business while carrying an “AR-style BB gun” early Wednesday morning.  Samuel Ponce Ruiz, 36, of …
Reader's Lens: Area residents turn their cameras to the sky to capture dazzling Northern Lights appearance
The Chronicle asked readers and followers on social media to share their photos from Thursday night's dazzling Northern Lights show, and they delivered.  This gallery includes just some of …
White River Road, Mowich Lake Road close for the winter on Oct. 14 at Mount Rainier National Park
The White River Road to the White River Campground area and Mowich Lake Road will close for the winter on Monday, Oct. 14 — several days earlier than the previously-announced Oct. 20 closure …
New trio of Centralia city manager candidates to appear at open house next week
Next Wednesday, three new candidates vying to become the next Centralia city manager will be at an open house and reception to introduce themselves and meet with residents, according to a news …
Death of 91-year-old Lewis County woman who was attacked by dogs still under investigation, sheriff’s office says
The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office’s investigation into the death of a 91-year-old woman who was attacked by two German shepherds at her residence in the Doty area on Oct. 2 is still …
In focus: Dirty Thumb Nursery provides pumpkin patch option along state Route 6
The “U-Pick Pumpkins” pumpkin patch at Dirty Thumb Nursery in Adna is pictured on Thursday, Oct. 10. The nursery is open Wednesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is open from …
Sirens: Woman not drunk, she just 'parked poorly,' police confirm; Green Hill School assaults, contraband; pleas, sentencing and trial in Lewis County Superior Court
CHEHALIS POLICE DEPARTMENT Harassment • A woman reported she was being harassed by multiple suspects who were “trying to take her Social Security money and take her cats” …
Centralia doctor responds after license is suspended for prescribing ivermectin for COVID-19 in 2021
The primary care provider and internal medical specialist whose license was suspended by the Washington Medical Commission after he was accused of improperly prescribing ivermectin to five COVID-19 …
Southern border, federal spending focus for Joe Kent during forum
Editor’s Note: Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is also scheduled to speak to the Woodland Chamber of Commerce. Look for an article on her appearance in an upcoming …
Local Sports
Saturday's XC report: Brackett fuels MWP boys to third place team placement
Pack running has been the strength of the Morton-White Pass boys cross country team this fall, but Hunter Brackett separated and turned in a third place finish in 17 minutes, 4.10 seconds at …
Weekend soccer report: Tobin’s stellar season continues in Pirates rout
A week after finding the back of the net seven times in three victories, Adna’s Lydia Tobin continued her offensive prowess with two more goals in Friday’s 4-1 non-league victory against …
Titans pull away in fourth quarter, secure third straight victory
Fueled by two rushing scores from sophomore Lucas Lusk, the Pe Ell/Willapa Valley football team coasted by Ilwaco 36-6 on Saturday afternoon on the road. Since interim head coach Josh Seymour …
Special teams ignite Pirates in blowout win over Spartans
A clear tide of momentum shifted towards the Adna High School football team on Friday night thanks to two kickoff returns that aided it to a 43-14 victory over Forks in a C2BL West contest in Forks. …
Tigers shutout at home by Bobcats
The Centralia football team never found its groove on Saturday at Tiger Stadium, as the Tigers were shutout in a 40-0 loss to Aberdeen. Centralia managed just 100 total yards of offense, while …

Chronicle Podcast

  • Sports Dump: Everyone’s Waiting on Week 8, Baby
  • Sports Dump: It’s Corn Maze Season
Obituaries

Death notice: Oct. 11, 2024

• ROBERT KRIS GILBERT JR., 43, Chehalis, died Oct. 5 at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia. Arrangements are under the care of eCare Mortuary in Chehalis.

Death notices: Oct. 9, 2024

• CATHEY A. HADDEN, 76, Ryderwood, died on Oct. 6 at Providence Centralia Hospital. Arrangements are under the care of Cattermole Funeral Home. • DAVID C. STUCKY, 85, Toledo, died on …

Death notices: Oct. 7, 2024

• STANLEY WAYNE BADGER, 79, Olympia, died Sept. 27 at home. Arrangements are under the care of Funeral Alternatives of Washington. • VICKI L. LORING, 71, Winlock, died on Oct. 2 at …

In loving memory of Carol Ramona Allender Thompson Ecklund: 1943-2024

Carol Ramona Allender Thompson Ecklund passed away unexpectedly due to a brain aneurysm on Sept. 23, 2024. Carol was born Jan. 28, 1943, in Ryderwood, Washington, to Ralph (Barney) and Jackie …

In loving memory of Susan Marie Richert: April 26, 1955 - Sept. 27, 2024

Susan Marie Richert died peacefully at age 69 during the early Friday morning hours in Shoreline, Washington, on Sept. 27. Susan is survived by her brother, Steve Richert (Margo), of Beaverton, …

In loving memory of Richard “Rich” Donald Givens: 1966-2024

Richard “Rich” Donald Givens, beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother, passed away peacefully on Sept. 29, 2024, in Seattle, Washington, after a courageous one-year battle …
State & Regional News

Endangered orca calf whose birth was celebrated last week appears to be weak, struggling

An orca calf born into the southern residents pod in the San Juan Islands appears to be struggling for life, whale researchers said Friday. The calf, called L128, was born to a 31-year-old …

Schools
Chehalis School District to host chamber’s Business After Hours, career and technical education kickoff night
The Chehalis School District will host its first Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event as well as its career and technical education (CTE) kickoff night on Thursday, Oct. …
Bestselling children’s book author John Schu visits Edison Elementary School in Centralia
Edison Elementary School in Centralia welcomed author John Schu for presentations to all grade levels throughout the day on Thursday, Oct. 10. The children’s librarian for Bookelicious LLC …
University of Washington study shows pandemic affected teen boys and girls differently
SEATTLE — Being a teen during the first part of the COVID pandemic meant experiencing many milestones — the first day of high school, birthdays, graduation — from behind a computer …
Top Washington universities decline in annual rankings of best U.S. schools
U.S. News and World Report released its annual college rankings on Sept. 24, with some Washington state schools seeing a slight drop from last year's list. UW among 20 best public colleges …
Registration is open for Oct. 19 ‘Expanding Your Horizons’ STEAM conference for young women
Registration is now open for this year’s “Expanding Your Horizons” event, a half-day science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) career exploration conference for young …
Commentary

Our Views: After 40 years of Democrat governors, it’s time for a change

For 40 straight years, Washington state governors have all been Democrats. Democrats have controlled the governor’s office, the administration and leadership of our state, uninterrupted. In …

John Braun: Protect energy choice, stop a natural gas ban by approving I-2066

When our state’s lieutenant governor, a Democrat, refers to a Democrat-sponsored bill as a “hot mess” — saying it for all to hear, while presiding in the Senate chamber …

Commentary: Manufacturing Week bus tour highlights reasons to support state’s makers

On the first day of the Association of Washington Business’s (AWB) annual bus tour celebrating manufacturers, we visited a family-owned company in the Vancouver area called TigerStop …

Commentary: Politicians need to emulate the late Washington state Governor Dan Evans

America needs a statesperson of the stature, capability and perspective of Daniel J. Evans as our next president. Dan Evans died on Sept. 20 at the age of 98 after serving as Washington …

Julie McDonald: Trade show proves independent bookstores are still thriving

Nearly 240 booksellers from throughout the Pacific Northwest gathered a week ago at the Holiday Inn on the Columbia River in Portland to meet authors, browse books and learn about the latest in …
Outdoors
Outdoors
Seven more days of coastal razor clam digs approved beginning Oct. 15, more planned through 2024
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) shellfish managers on Thursday confirmed razor clam digging opportunities on four coastal beaches from Oct. 15 to Oct. 21. “It was a great …
Despite Retreat Fire, elk hunters likely to benefit from mild winter
Yakima area elk herds remain in good shape this hunting season following another mild winter and low snowpack, according to the Washington Department of Wildlife. WDFW District 8 biologist Erin …
Massive, 164-pound bluefin tuna caught off Oregon coast
Wicked Tuna Oregon came to Garibaldi Sunday when a 164-pound bluefin was certified on the scales of Captain’s Corner. Barnes Cooper of Hillsboro has targeted the large tunas for years, …