Local News
Centralia man accused of molesting two girls during hike after giving them alcohol and marijuana 
Prosecutors charged a Centralia man with five felonies Monday after he allegedly gave two teenage girls alcohol and marijuana and then molested them during a hike on Oct. 29.  Carcione C. …
Sirens: Centralia man jailed for child molestation; intoxicated driver found in running vehicle; juvenile steals cash, flees
CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Arrests • Carcione Rabang, 26, Centralia, was arrested in the 1000 block of South Pearl Street at about 1:59 p.m. Oct. 31 for allegedly violating a domestic …
Trinity Rebekah Lodge celebrates the season with Turkey Bingo
The Trinity Rebekah Lodge in Napavine will host a potato dinner and Turkey Bingo on Saturday, Nov. 7. Doors open at 4:30 p.m., and bingo begins at 5:30. Three bingo cards are $10, with …
Rochester man, 19, could face DUI after crash on I-5 in Chehalis
A 19-year-old Rochester man is expected to face a DUI charge after crashing his vehicle in Chehalis on Sunday, Nov. 1. Jose F. Ochoa Ambriz was traveling north on Interstate 5 near mile marker …
Lewis County to share plans to construct covered horse arena at fairgrounds
More than a year after concept designs for a covered horse arena at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds were presented to the public, the county is hosting an information session on plans to make …
Winlock church to hold Veterans Day Bluegrass Gospel Concert
A bluegrass gospel concert will be held at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church on Veterans Day, Nov. 11. It will feature Nathan Stanley & Constant Sorrow. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the concert …
Tumwater City Council tables home energy score ordinance for work session after lengthy discussion
Members of the Tumwater City Council ended up tabling an ordinance that would establish a residential energy performance rating and disclosure ordinance — also known as a Home Energy Score (HES) …
The Tooth Fairy helps Toledo Elementary kids build healthier smiles
The Tooth Fairy presented an interactive lesson on taking care of teeth to about 80 kindergarten, first- and second-grade students at Toledo Elementary School last week. The visit was part of …
Washington State Fallen Heroes Project and Gold Star families honor those lost since 9/11 with Trees of Heroes installations
The Washington State Fallen Heroes Project, in partnership with Gold Star Families of Washington, has announced the placement of several “Trees of Heroes” installations throughout Washington. …
Residents asked to keep an eye out for salmon in the Chehalis Watershed
The Chehalis Basin Collaborative for Salmon Habitat and the Coast Salmon Partnership have developed the Salmon Spotting Tool to record information on where and when residents see salmon in the …
Volunteers needed for Lewis County Business Academy
With the annual Lewis County Business Academy on the horizon, event organizers Kiddin’ Around have announced the need for community volunteers. The Business Academy will be held at Centralia …
No issues reported after Centralia police, school district announce increased presence for football game
The Centralia Police Department (CPD) and the Centralia School District (CSD) on Friday issued a joint statement to update the community regarding Oct. 30’s Centralia High School varsity football …
Tuesday’s election in Washington is packed with big decisions for voters
Washington’s massive midterm election on Tuesday is nearly here. Voters are weighing in on initiatives to repeal a statewide income tax on high earners and bar transgender girls from competing …
Veterans Day events scheduled in Lewis County for upcoming holiday
With Veterans Day around the corner on Wednesday, Nov. 11, events are being planned by various organizations throughout Lewis County to honor those who served in the U.S. armed forces. In …
Local Sports
Morton breezes past Firm Foundation, advances to district semifinals
MORTON — Before Morton took the court against Firm Foundation in a district quarterfinal on Monday, the Huskies hadn’t played in six games. The gap — Morton’s longest of the season — …
Robles, Myers fuel Mountaineers to another district championship
The 1-2 punch of Komaire Robles and Alexis Myers proved to be exactly what the Rainier High School girls cross country team needed on Saturday afternoon. On their home course and in a dogfight …
Black Hills falters versus Woodland in district opener
The Wolves never found an offensive rhythm on Saturday afternoon and ended up on the wrong end of the scoreboard, falling to the Beavers 3-0 in a Class 2A District 4 quarterfinal contest on their …
Prep volleyball: Onalaska gets ‘bad game’ out of way, survives Adna upset bid
ONALASKA — No nonsense and straight to the point. In a year with aspirations as high as the Onalaska High School volleyball program has seen in over a decade, it’s trickled down from the …
Prep girls soccer: Burger’s late PK sends Bearcats back to district semis
Find a way. In some ways, those three words have served as a rallying cry for the W.F. West High School girls soccer team. And it’s popped up on a semi-weekly basis. On Sept. 24 in a …
Chronicle Podcasts

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Obituaries

In loving memory of Randy Dee Coady: 1949-2026

Randy Coady passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family. He was a residence of Pe Ell for his entire life.   Randy was a logger, carpenter, merchant seaman, butcher, meat …

Death notices: Oct. 30, 2026

• GENE EDWARD HOFFERBER, 94, Toledo, died Oct. 28 at home. Arrangements are under the care of Fir Lawn Funeral Chapel in Toledo. • BARBARA ANN FOOTE, 86, Centralia, died Oct. 23 at Sharon …

In loving memory of William "Bill" Bruce Marshall: 1940-2026

William "Bill" Bruce Marshall passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 86 on Oct. 17, 2026, at Chehalis West Assisted Living in Chehalis, Washington. Born on March 2, 1940, Bill grew up …

Death notices: Oct. 28, 2026

• WALTER L. MARTIN, 60, Winlock, died Oct. 21 at Providence Centralia Hospital. Arrangements are under the care of Cattermole Funeral Home. • WILLIAM D. WOLFF, 71, Centralia, died Oct. 25 at …

In loving memory of Bert (Dick) DeMaris: 1946-2026

With deep sorrow, we announce that Bert Richard (Dick) DeMaris left this world on Oct. 18, 2026. He was born in Raymond, Washington, on Nov. 6, 1946, to Bert and Josephine DeMaris. Dick attended …

In loving memory of Richard Zandecki: 1938-2026

Richard James Zandecki, 88, of Mossyrock, Washington, passed away on Oct. 13, 2026. Richard was born on April 17, 1938, in Salkum, Washington. After marrying his wife, Glenda, he made his …
State & Regional News

Victims’ families in deadly Tacoma crash win multimillion jury award

Pierce County jurors have awarded $10.7 million to the relatives of five people from Arizona who died in a Highway 509 crash in Tacoma three years ago, according to The News Tribune. Notably, …

Schools
25 Napavine High School culinary students earn personalized Tiger Chef jackets
Hard work in the kitchen has earned 25 third-semester Napavine Jr./Sr. High School culinary students a special milestone: their own personalized Tiger Chef jackets. Students across four class …
Frustration grows as Centralia teachers union negotiates new contract with district
Twice last week, members of the Centralia Education Association teachers union picketed on school property as they continue to negotiate for a new contract. On Tuesday,   union members …
W.F. West, Centralia receive Gesa scholarship funding
Just a few months after launching its W.F. West Affinity Debit Card, Gesa Credit Union has donated $5,000 to W.F. West High School for student scholarships, thanks to community members who chose the …
Centralia College’s one-day registration event is Nov. 10
Centralia College is taking the stress out of new student registration with a fast-track registration event ahead of winter quarter classes, according to a news release from the college. The …
Commentary

Julie McDonald: Elected county, state officials — do your jobs

For nearly four decades, my husband has grown Christmas trees, both in Centralia and outside Toledo. He works hard all year on planting, fertilizing, shearing, trimming tops, controlling weeds and …

Wayne Fournier: After election season, a question — who would sign up for this?

Well, another election season is behind us, more or less. Thankfully. I'm still getting political text messages from candidates as far away as Maine and Texas, so apparently somebody hasn't …

Brian Mittge: Help for the beautiful, baffling, terrific and tough job of parenting

Among the many blessings of life, perhaps none is greater than being a parent. And perhaps none can feel as challenging at times. As our two eldest children head into adulthood and our youngest …

Richard Stride: The history my mother left me

Sometimes history comes to us in unexpected ways. Not through a textbook, a museum or a documentary, but through an old box of newspapers, yellowed pages and things someone we loved thought important …

Letter: Running for sheriff while focused on what matters

As we approach election day, I want to thank the people of Lewis County for the opportunity to earn your trust and your vote. From the beginning of my campaign, I made a commitment to stay …
Outdoors
Outdoors
Hunting Highlight: A father-son bond and a boy’s first buck
“As a local Onalaska resident, our 8-year-old son Jack committed to putting in all of the work, dedication and hours required to obtain his hunting license this summer. Once he successfully earned …
Fishing closures begin Oct. 24 in many Western Washington rivers, including the Chehalis
Fishing for salmon and all game fish is closing Oct. 24 in many rivers and tributary streams across Washington’s Coastal Region due to low water conditions from the ongoing drought as well as …
Hunting Highlights: Young hunters find success in early deer 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 …