Local News
In focus: Chehalis Critter Care celebrates grand reopening
A ribbon-cutting ceremony for Chehalis Critter Care was hosted by the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce on Friday, Jan. 17.   The grooming service is located at 561 U.S. Highway …
Centralia Sharon Care Center dietary manager honored by national magazine
When it comes to cooking for those in assisted living facilities, it can be difficult, as many of the elderly have dietary restrictions and some have difficulty chewing. For residents at Sharon …
EPA fines Chehalis Darigold facility almost $250,000 for allegedly polluting stormwater
Darigold’s Chehalis facility was fined $249,500 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in September for allegedly violating the Clean Water Act multiple times between September 2018 …
Sirens: Shoplifter with device to remove security tags arrested; homeless man urinates on building; sexual assault of a juvenile reported
CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Theft • A vehicle was reported stolen from the 1000 block of Cobra Lane at 5:15 p.m. on Jan. 17. • A checkbook was reported stolen from the 2500 …
Centralia City Council passes resolution reaffirming support of Chehalis River Basin Flood Authority’s basinwide flooding solution
On Tuesday, Jan. 14, the Centralia City Council unanimously approved a resolution reaffirming the city’s support of the Chehalis River Basin Flood Authority’s basinwide flooding solution …
Julie McDonald: Bearcat alum’s memoir a pick by New York Times, Today Show and Washington Post
Patrick Hutchison did what many people only dream of doing: He bought a ramshackle cabin in the woods and quit his day job as a copywriter in Seattle to renovate it. “I was just sort of …
New biography by local historian details life and U.S. Supreme Court battle fought by Helen Sanders
The U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision on a case, United States v. Mitchell, in 1983 that set the foundation that the United States government could be liable for monetary damages for Native …
‘It’s unbelievable how good it is’: Recreational crabbers toss pots from Toke Point in pursuit of delectable crustaceans
Tokeland, a small fishing town on the north side of Willapa Bay, has been a local hot spot for commercial crabbing for decades. But you don't need a crab boat or any state-of-the-art equipment …
U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez speaks on priorities for 2025
U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, says getting the things worth having in life for this country’s residents is among her top priorities as she enters her second term. She also …
Permit denied for Tenino area event center as owner says he will appeal decision
Hillside Farms, a Tenino area event center that residents have opposed because of noise and other factors, has hit another roadblock after its special use permit was denied by the Thurston County …
‘We have more in common than divides us’: MGP releases statement following Trump’s inauguration
On Monday, Jan. 20, U.S. Rep. Marie Glusenkamp Perez attended the inauguration ceremony of President Donald Trump as he was officially sworn in as the 47th president of the U.S. inside the Capitol …
New vacation rental company Fairly launching in Packwood and Ashford
Fairly, a new vacation rental management company with a focus on empowering local real estate agents and housekeepers, is launching with properties in Packwood and Ashford, according to a news …
Thurston County to host interactive fan zone during live 2026 World Cup matches
Thurston County will host an interactive fan zone during the FIFA Men’s World Cup in 2026. The Seattle FIFA World CUP 16TM Local Organizing Committee (SeattleFWC26) announced nine fan zone …
Lewis County residents stole from one store, then resold those goods at their own store, police in Thurston County say
A man and woman were arrested last week on suspicion of organized retail theft after Lacey police say they stole from one store, then planned to resell those goods at their own store. Lacey …
Cowlitz County prosecutors add murder charge to man accused of killing restaurateur in 2023
Cowlitz County prosecutors have added a murder charge to the man accused of killing Longview restaurateur Grant Hadler in 2023. Ruperto Aguayo, 44, of Kelso, now faces a second-degree murder …
Local Sports
Saturday's boys wrestling report: Area contingent shine at Doug Makaiwi Memorial
Five local wrestlers left Raymond with titles and the three teams – Pe Ell, Adna and Toledo – finished top-10 in the team standings at the Doug Makaiwi Memorial tournament on Saturday …
Saturday's girls wrestling report: Bearcats, Tigers secure top-five finishes at River Ridge Rumble
Fueled by two victories apiece, the W.F. West and Centralia girls wrestling teams picked up top-five placements at Saturday’s River Ridge Rumble. The Bearcats finished with 131.5 points to …
CC Roundup: Trailblazers drop two at Highline
The Centralia College basketball teams headed north to Des Moines on Saturday, and both the men's and women’s fell to the Thunderbirds. The women lost 64-58 and the men lost 98-82. …
Adna tops Auburn Mountainview for another non-league win
After playing its first three league games of the year, the Adna girls basketball team played another tough non-league opponent on Saturday, defeating 3A Auburn Mountainview 58-42. The Pirates …
Mountaineers pull away to defeat Ducks
It was tight for a half between Rainier and Toutle Lake on Saturday in Toutle, but the Mountaineers pulled away in the second half for a 63-49 victory. Rainier trailed after one, but battled …

Chronicle Podcast

  • News Dump Ep. 219: Striving for potential estrangement
  • Sports Dump: Back After a Long Winter’s Nap
  • News Dump Ep. 218: Trying to catch a falling (Morning)Star
Obituaries

Death notice: Jan. 17, 2025

• KIMBERLY KAY BRESS, 62, Winlock, died Jan. 12 at home. Arrangements are under the care of Fir Lawn Funeral Chapel.

In loving memory of Ann Marjorie Gates: 1940-2024

It is with heartfelt sorrow that we commemorate the life of Ann Marjorie Gates, who passed on Dec. 20, 2024, in Olympia, Washington. Born on Feb. 5, 1940, in Tacoma, Washington, Ann spent 84 full and …

In loving memory of Byron Frank Babka: 1950-2024

Byron Frank Babka, born Oct. 31, 1950, in Seattle, Washington, passed away on Dec. 26, 2024, in Pasco, Washington. He was 74 years old. Byron was the beloved husband of Patsy and a devoted …

In loving memory of Charles Lee Pollock: 1952-2024

Charles Lee Pollock, a beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, passed away peacefully at his home on Dec. 30, 2024. Born in Chehalis, Washington, on May 4, 1952, to Joseph A. Pollock and …

In loving memory of Colleen Atkins: 1939-2025

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Colleen Atkins, age 85, of Chehalis, Washington. She passed away peacefully on Jan. 6, 2025. She was fondly called Coke by friends and family …

In loving memory of Byron Amburgy: 1933-2024 

Byron Lee Amburgy, a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather passed away peacefully at his family home in Lacey, Washington, after a short battle with liver cancer. He was 91 years …
State & Regional News

Photos: Bald eagles are migrating to The Dalles Dam in Oregon

Birdwatchers and raptor fans are invited to The Dalles Dam on Saturday for the 15th annual Eagle Watch event. Throughout January and February, scores of migrating bald eagles congregate around …

Schools
Gluesenkamp Perez again urges House leadership to extend lifeline for rural schools
Recently, U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, sent another letter urging House leadership to immediately prioritize a three-year extension of the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program to …
Reykdal says Washington risks lawsuit if school funding isn’t hiked
Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal warned Thursday that Washington is not living up to its constitutional obligation to cover the cost of basic education and faces the “very …
Black Hills High School teacher honored with Presidential Award for math and science teaching
A math teacher at Black Hills High School in Tumwater is one of 336 teachers and mentors from around the country that President Biden has awarded the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics …
Chehalis preschool teacher charged for allegedly assaulting two students in October 
A James W. Lintott Elementary School teacher is facing misdemeanor assault charges in Chehalis Municipal Court for allegedly assaulting two preschool students in October 2024.  The teacher, …
Washington state bill would limit cellphone use in schools
SEATTLE — A group of state lawmakers want to crack down on cellphones in schools. Reps. Stephanie McClintock, Mari Leavitt and Liz Berry introduced a bill requiring school districts to …
Commentary

Commentary: Why Washington-grown food is facing a crisis (and how Olympia is making it worse)

Even though locally- and regionally-grown food is celebrated in Washington state, the reality is that fewer and fewer types of crops are being grown in the state, particularly west of the Cascades. …

Brian Mittge: Proposed Washington bills would continue eroding local control of schools

The Legislature opened the 2025 lawmaking session this week, and again, some proposed laws push divisive social policies into classrooms.  A number of bills, including some that will have …

John Braun: Rent control isn’t a real answer to the shortage of affordable rentals

Senate Republicans believe in lowering rental costs by increasing the supply of rentals. For all their talk about the need for affordable housing in our state, our Legislature’s majority …

Richard Stride: How to handle those unwanted holiday gifts without being rude and unkind

It’s 2025? Wow! How did that sneak up on us? We have made it through the holidays. Maybe you have even returned those gifts or quietly put them up for sale on eBay. It’s not because …

Julie McDonald: Laughter abounds as hundreds pay tribute to Bill Brumsickle

As the nation mourned the death of former Democratic President Jimmy Carter last week, closer to home, nearly 300 people gathered inside Corbet Theatre on the Centralia College campus on Friday to …
Outdoors
Outdoors
Mount Rainier National Park implements new wilderness permit fee structure
Mount Rainier National Park has changed its wilderness permit fee structure from a flat $20 per trip to $10 per person per night, the National Parks Service announced Friday. Youth ages 15 and …
WDFW announces tentative Cowlitz River smelt fishery dates 
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has announced a new tentative schedule approach for the Cowlitz River recreational smelt fishery.  “This approach is designed to …
In focus: A bluebird day on the slopes at the White Pass Ski Area
It was a bluebird day at the White Pass Ski Area when Chronicle photographer Ridley Hudson visited on Sunday. Skiers enjoyed the powder as Mount Rainier dominated the horizon against clear …