Local News
News Dump Ep. 296: THAT IS AN ORG CHART
On the 296th episode, local man Aaron VanTuyl and Chronicle editor Eric Schwartz discuss Friday’s story on Sheriff Rob Snaza addressing the allegations by Sheriff candidate Tracy Murphy about the …
Chehalis woman accused of hitting man in head with rifle during domestic dispute
Deputies booked a Chehalis woman into the Lewis County Jail Friday morning after she allegedly hit her boyfriend in the back of the head with a rifle during a domestic dispute. Alyssa L. …
Bail set at $500K for Centralia man accused of trying to grab deputy’s firearm
Police booked a Centralia man into the Lewis County Jail Thursday after he allegedly resisted arrest and tried to grab a deputy’s firearm.  Jason L. Anderson, 52, is charged with two …
Community invited to share travel experiences on U.S. Highway 12 in Packwood
People who live, work, visit and travel through Packwood in East Lewis County are invited to share their experiences and help identify future transportation needs along U.S. Highway 12, a news …
Spooky stories galore in the Twin Cities with ghost walks, ghost tours and more planned for Halloween this month
With Halloween just a few weeks away on Oct. 31, residents from throughout the region are invited to get up close and personal with possible paranormal phenomena during upcoming ghost walks and ghost …
Sirens: DUI driver stuck on railroad tracks; drugs found by hotel cleaning staff; child abuse reported
CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Arrests • Kenneth M. Daniel, 41, West Virginia, was arrested and booked into the Chehalis Tribal Jail for alleged possession of a controlled substance and …
Death notices: Oct. 9, 2026
• TONYA DARLENE ALEXANDER, 46, Toledo, died Oct. 7 at Centralia Providence Hospital. Arrangements are under the care of Fir Lawn Funeral Chapel in Toledo. • SUE E. NELSON, 83, Onalaska, died …
Centralia Public Works to begin flushing fire hydrants
The Centralia Public Works’ Water Department employees will begin flushing fire hydrants on Monday, Oct. 12, the city announced in a news release. The hydrant-flushing process is …
Vehicle strikes pedestrian walking on state Route 507 in Thurston County
A vehicle struck a pedestrian walking on the highway in Thurston County between Yelm and McKenna on Thursday, Oct. 8. The pedestrian, identified by the Washington State Patrol as Jonathan M. …
Thurston County documents influenza-related death
Thurston County marked the official end of the 2025-26 flu season with one more death to add to the count. Thurston County Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) initially announced the death …
Ryan Barrett to resign as Lewis County manager
Lewis County Manager Ryan Barrett will leave the post just before the holiday season after accepting a new job “in the private sector.” Barrett submitted a letter of resignation to the Lewis …
Huntting’s Pumpkin Patch and Haunted Forest offers Halloween fun throughout the month in Cinebar
Residents from throughout the region are invited to The Huntting’s Pumpkin Patch and Haunted Forest to enjoy their corn maze, pick up a pumpkin and maybe get spooked throughout the rest of …
A Look Back in Time: Mercury mining continues in Morton; Convicted killer tries to claim self defense; Centralia City Council bills U.S. president for visit
In this installment of A Look Back in Time, the Saturday, Oct. 9, 1926, edition of The Chronicle featured a story about ongoing mercury mining operations in the Morton area. John Albert Proll, …
‘Opportunity Zones’: Port of Centralia chosen to participate for second time in federal tax incentive program
The Port of Centralia will be one of 99 economic “Opportunity Zones” in the state selected to benefit from the second edition of a federal program meant to spur development. The port …
Lewis County commissioners unlikely to receive pay raise in 2027
The Board of Lewis County Commissioners will likely not receive a pay increase in the next budget cycle, according to a draft letter from the three-member Lewis County Salary Commission. During …
Local Sports
Hoffman goes off to lift Bearcats past Hawks
It was another banner day for Wyatt Hoffman with four passing touchdowns and over 200 yards through the air, but he added an 80-yard pick-six to give the W.F. West High School football team a 42-7 …
Mossyrock unable to stop White Salmon early, drops fourth straight game
The Vikings never got off on the right foot and allowed 50 first half points to the Bruins and fell 58-16 on Friday night for homecoming. It’s now four consecutive setbacks since a Week 2 victory. …
Adna stunned by Forks in crucial C2BL West contest
Down 31-8 after the first half, things looked bleak for the Pirates. Not only with a trip to Forks – a longer one due to road construction – and an early kick, seemingly nothing went right. Then …
Loggers open league play with dominant victory versus Mountaineers
Ignited by allowing minus-19 rushing yards and three different players snaring interceptions, the Onalaska High School football team posted a 52-0 win against Rainier to begin their C2BL East …
Centralia drops home matchup against Montesano
The Centralia football team lost its second straight game on Friday, losing at home against Montesano 32-7. Stats were not available at the time of writing, but they will be added to this …
Chronicle Podcasts

  • Sports Dump: Week 5 Roundup (and Centralia finally loses)
  • News Dump Ep. 295: Introducing the Thurston Chronicle crew
  • Sports Dump: Week 4 Wrap (And A BERTH Announcement)
Obituaries

In loving memory of Maureen Nolen: 1944-2026

Maureen Florence Nolen, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and faithful servant of Jesus Christ, went home to Heaven on Oct. 3, 2026. Maureen was born on Oct. 11, 1944, in Leigh-on-Sea, …

In loving memory of Jay Ensrud: 1939-2026

Jay Levi Ensrud, 87, of Chehalis, Washington, passed away at Sheridan Memorial Nursing Home in Plentywood, Montana, on Sept. 22, 2026. Jay was born on March 18, 1939, in McVille, North Dakota, …

In loving memory of Paul Neeley Sr.: 1947-2026

Paul Aaron Neeley Sr. “Pilot” passed away peacefully at home with wife Fawn by his side on Sept. 11, 2026, having battled heart issues for many years. He was born Aug. 18, 1947, in Morton, …

In loving memory of Sue Nelson: 1943-2026

Sue Elizabeth Aldrich Nelson, 83, passed away peacefully at her home in Onalaska, Washington, with her husband, daughter and her loyal Basset Hound, Rosie, by her side. Born Jan. 3, 1943, in Seattle …

Death notices: Oct. 7, 2026

• KIRK MARWOOD THOMPSON, 80, Centralia, died Oct. 1 at Wellspring Centralia. Arrangements are under the care of Funeral Alternatives of Washington. • JEANNE MARIE PLEIER, 67, Onalaska, died …

Celebration of life for Bette Fried: 1964-2026

A celebration of Bette Fried’s life will be held on Friday, Oct. 16, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Centralia, Washington, at Borst Park Kitchen 1. Previously published obituary:  Bette …
State & Regional News

Suspected drunk driver crashed into Washington State Patrol trooper

A suspected drunk driver hit a trooper’s patrol car while he was blocking traffic on Interstate 82 near the Oregon border Wednesday, Trooper Matthew Parham, 38, of Kennewick, was blocking the …

Schools
Tenino High School unveils new sign made by its students
Five years ago, Tenino High School took down its historic wooden sign for refurbishment, and discovered it was damaged beyond repair. Instead of simply ordering a replacement, the school decided …
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 …
Business Stories
Food inspection scores: From the Lewis County Public Health Department

Editor’s Note: These are reports from health inspections in Lewis County between July and August of this year. Lewis County Public Health’s inspections happen at various intervals, so …

Letters to the Editor
Letter to the editor: “Renewables” are not renewable

Contrary to what the environmental mafia has been preaching for the last several decades, “renewables” are not renewable. Solar panel manufacturers typically provide standard performance and …

Commentary

Brian Mittge: A small-town love letter to Dayton

I’ve been traveling a lot recently, and a few months ago we had the chance to spend the evening in the town of Dayton. It’s a delightful community in the Palouse, about 50 miles as the crow flies …

Commentary: During manufacturing tour, a celebration of Washington’s hidden makers

How do you choose which businesses to visit? That’s one of the questions I frequently hear as the Association of Washington Business team climbs onto a bus every October and circles the state, …

Storms across the Columbia River: The Washington congressional race blanketing Oregon airwaves

When I sat down for a recent supper in a restaurant in Yamhill, the TV set on the side wall was showing Portland-area news. Campaign ads dominated the commercial breaks, as is normal for October of …

Opinion: A line is being drawn on the Chehalis, and it shouldn’t be between the tribe and fishermen

There is a line being drawn on the Chehalis River. But I don’t believe that line should be drawn between the Chehalis Tribe and recreational fishermen. The current dispute over …

Our Views: Dishonesty takes center stage in MGP’s pursuit of new term in Congress

Nobody can rightly say that The Chronicle hasn’t given Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez full or fair news coverage during her years in office. If you believe differently, go back and read the …
Outdoors
Outdoors
Hunting Highlights: Reader-submitted photos from recent harvests
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 …
Clam digs on coastal beaches postponed until further notice due to spike in marine toxins, WDFW reports
The recreational razor clam season — originally scheduled to begin Oct. 9 through 14 on four coastal beaches — has been postponed until further notice, the Washington Department of Fish and …
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 …