Local News
Suspect wanted in connection to death of child arrested in Thurston County traffic stop 
Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders announced Monday, Oct. 19, that the suspect wanted in connection to the death of a 5-year-old child last year has been arrested in Yelm after a traffic stop for …
Man accused of DUI in Lewis County blew a .234 with two children in the vehicle
A Lewis County Superior Court judge on Monday set bail at $100,000 for an Oregon man arrested for DUI and a slew of additional charges after blowing a .234 on a portable breath test when he was …
$250K bail: Sex offender in Lewis County Jail accused of knocking out inmate’s tooth
A man being held in the Lewis County Jail for failing to register as a sex offender is now accused of assaulting a fellow inmate, knocking out one tooth and loosening another, in what the Lewis …
Hadaller recovering from heart attack with two weeks to election day
Candidate for Lewis County commissioner and current Lewis County Public Utility District Commissioner Michael Hadaller suffered a heart attack last week and appears to be on the mend, according to a …
CDA wins Outstanding Special Project Award at recent 2026 Excellence on Main Ceremony
At the Washington State Main Street Program’s recent annual Excellence on Main awards ceremony, the Centralia Downtown Association was honored with the Outstanding Special Project Award for its Hub …
Hunting Highlights: Opening weekend proves successful for local youth
Whether it’s hunting, fishing, hiking, clamming, foraging or something else, The Chronicle is happy to share photos and details from local folks in the great outdoors. To be considered, just email …
More than six months later, Centralia City Council denies additional funding for Fox Theatre renovations
The City of Centralia will not provide roughly $1.4 million requested by the Fox Theatre Board earlier this year and the makeup of the board directing the project appears to be in flux. The …
Sirens: Vicious dog in Chehalis; man arrested for two burglaries; arrests for indecent exposure, theft and more
CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Hit-and-run • A hit-and-run collision was reported at about 12:43 p.m. Oct. 18 in the 1000 block of South Yew Street. No arrests were made. Vicious Dog …
Death notices: Oct. 19, 2026
• CARRIE ANNE AMES, 70, Chehalis, died Oct.   9 in Centralia. There are no services scheduled at this time. Arrangements are under the care of Sticklin-Brown Funeral Chapel. • JAMES LEE …
Incumbent Joel McEntire is running against Democrat challenger Terry Carlson in the 19th Legislative District
The Daily World recently reached out to the candidates in the contested races in and affecting Grays Harbor County and asked the candidates to participate in a written Q&A via email. Each …
Ballot Drop March: fourth ‘No Kings’ protest in Thurston County focuses on early voting
Dozens of Thurston County residents returned their ballots to a county drop box Saturday morning as part of an organized effort to encourage early voting in the Nov. 3 midterm election. Olympia …
Napavine students lace up, raise $20,000 during fun run fundraiser
Napavine students in kindergarten through sixth grade came together on Saturday, Oct. 16, for the first Napavine Fun Run, organized by the Napavine Parent Teacher Association (PTA). The event …
"I Was Just Doing My Job": Lewis County emergency manager aided families during Longview tragedy
The call came early. It was just before 7:15 a.m. on a May morning when a 900,000-gallon tank of white liquor imploded at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging mill in Longview. White liquor is the caustic …
Flood Awareness Week: Thurston County Emergency Management encourages residents to prepare for flood season
As fall and winter approach, Thurston County Emergency Management is reminding residents that now is the time to prepare for flooding and understand their household's risk. Flooding is one of …
Man jailed after allegedly attempting theft at Home Depot in Chehalis
A Castle Rock man is facing one charge of second-degree burglary, a Class B felony, along with a Class C felony charge of first-degree attempted trafficking of stolen property after he allegedly took …
Local Sports
Rainier rolls to sweep of Raymond/South Bend
The Rainier volleyball team rolled to a victory on Monday night, sweeping Raymond/South Bend 25-22, 25-12, 25-12 on the road in Raymond. Allyson Ooms led the way with 18 kills and 16 digs, while …
Adna cruises to blowout win over Forks
The Adna girls soccer team had little issue finding the back of the net at home on Monday, as the Pirates blew out Forks 8-0 in a 60-minute victory. Haley Roundtree opened the scoring in the …
Riverhawks cruise to shutout win over Tigers
TOLEDO — When Toledo and Napavine met last season, goals were almost impossible to come by. The two sides met twice, once in the regular season and once in the district tournament, but neither …
John Elway in attendance as Hoquiam proclaims Olympic Stadium ‘birthplace of spread offense’
A historic Hoquiam football landmark received national recognition on Friday, Oct. 16, as the city proclaimed Olympic Stadium as the “birthplace of the football revolution and the spread …
Pac-12 matchup features plenty of Lewis, Thurston county talent
Tenino alum Takari Hickle is no stranger to getting after the quarterback. In his All-Area MVP campaign in 2021, the former Beaver shined as a two-way star, rushing for more than 2,000 yards, …
Chronicle Podcasts

  • News Dump Ep. 297: Of Forums and Fake News
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  • News Dump Ep. 296: THAT IS AN ORG CHART
Obituaries
Jackie Rayan: 1936-2026

In loving memory of Jackie Rayan: 1936-2026

It is with great sadness that we announce that our beloved mother and grandmother, Jaqueline “Jackie” Marie Rayan, 90, passed away peacefully on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, under hospice care at her …

In loving memory of Martin Towner: 1942-2026

Martin Paul Towner was born Nov. 7, 1942, in Centralia, Washington. His parents were Clarence E. Towner and Eleanor M. Kulien McMillion. He fought a long, hard battle with cancer and passed away …

Death notices: Oct. 16, 2026

• JEROLD DEAN JACKA, 90, Napavine, died Oct. 8 in Centralia. A private burial will be held at Napavine Cemetery. A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later time. Arrangements are under the …
Ray Landes: 1935-2026

In loving memory of Ray Landes: 1935-2026

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Ray Allen Landes, who left us on Oct. 8, 2026, at the age of 90. Ray was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, …

In loving memory of Jack Braun: 1942-2026

John (Jack) Russell Braun, 84, of Chehalis, Washington, passed away on Sept. 24, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of family, hard work, entrepreneurship and service to his community. Jack was …

Death notices: Oct. 14, 2026

• JANICE KAY MILLER, 74, Centralia, died Oct. 11 at her residence. Arrangements are under the care of Funeral Alternatives of Washington. • GEORGE A. MINKS, 84, Olympia, died Oct. 8 at South …
State & Regional News

Washington school district to pay $275,000 settlement over Bible club

The Everett School District has agreed to pay $275,000 in attorney fees to settle a suit brought in a case over an elementary school Bible club. First Liberty Institute and Bryan Cave Leighton …

Schools
Centralia High School theater program returns to stage after nearly a decade
After nearly a decade without a regular presence, the curtain has lifted on the Centralia High School theater program thanks in part to a donor. “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William …
Parents raising concerns after two Mossyrock school employees placed on administrative leave
Two employees of the Mossyrock School District have been placed on “standard non-disciplinary paid administrative leave,” according to a Thursday, Oct. 15, post on the school district’s …
Lions Clubs provide vision screenings for 400 Morton and White Pass students
Approximately 400 students in the Morton and White Pass school districts received annual vision screenings Oct. 8 through an effort led by the Aberdeen Lions Club and Cosmopolis Lions Club, with …
Centralia College to dedicate diversity plaque to Helen Sanders
Centralia College will unveil a new plaque in its Diversity Plaza on Oct. 22. It will honor Helen Sanders of the Chehalis Tribe, the college announced. A dedication ceremony will be held at …
In Focus: Donors celebrate new statue dedicated to students of James Lintott, Orin Smith elementary schools
A dedication ceremony was held for a newly-donated statue in Chehalis on Tuesday, Oct. 13. The donors of the statue were Mike and Susan Austin, Ben and Kristy LaCrosse, and Steve and Carol …
Business Stories
Moonstruck Studio to celebrate anniversary in downtown Centralia

A downtown Centralia jewelry studio is preparing to celebrate its one-year anniversary. Moonstruck Studio, located at 320 N. Tower Ave. Suite 101, will mark its first birthday with specials and …

Letters to the Editor
Letter to the editor: Vote no on I-645 so that the ultra-rich in Washington pay their fair share

American history proves making the ultra wealthy pay their fair share improves our economy. The history of taxation in America proves that the ultra-wealthy will always attempt to use their …

Commentary

Opinion: Washington Superintendent Reykdal advocates for politics over students

Will Washington state leave federal tax dollars on the table? It will if Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal gets his way. Governor Ferguson is currently just one of 16 Governors …

Julie McDonald: Bend school shooting weighs heavy on the heart

Perching on metal bleachers beneath a blue late October sky, watching girls play fast-pitch games at Fort Borst Park over the weekend, my mind drifted repeatedly to the horrific events that unfolded …

Letter: Braun stands and delivers for Southwest Washington

Public service should be measured by more than speeches, press releases and promises. Residents of Southwest Washington deserve to know what their elected representatives have accomplished, which …

Letter: As PUD commissioner, I will bring experience, accountability and commitment

Lewis County has always been my home. I grew up here, raised my family here and watched my children attend our local schools. Like many of you, I care deeply about the future of our communities and …

JHB and Jennie Wagner: Initiative 645, an income tax that will reach every corner of Washington state

This November, Washington voters will decide whether to repeal the state’s new income tax through Initiative 645. Supporters of the tax claim it will only affect Washington’s wealthiest …
Outdoors
Outdoors
Public comment period open about proposed changes to WDFW’s listing and recovery planning processes for at-risk species
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is now accepting public comments on proposed rule changes to update or clarify the department’s process for listing and developing recovery …
Hunting Highlights: Bull elk, buck harvested during muzzleloader season
Whether it’s hunting, fishing, hiking, clamming, foraging or something else, The Chronicle is happy to share photos and details from local folks in the great outdoors. To be considered, just email …
PNW's tiny pygmy owls are adorable little murder machines
A northern pygmy owl weighs about as much as a chicken egg. They’re adorable, with big yellow eyes. They’re also ruthless predators known to kill chickens far heavier than themselves. …