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Local News
 Thurston County Elected Officials May Get a Combined $46,000 in Raises in 2022
Most Thurston County elected officials may get at least a 4.2% raise for their six figure salaries in 2022 if proposed increases are approved. The county's Citizen's Commission on Salaries for …
News Dump Ep. 75: Part Man, Part Machine, All Christmas Cheer
On the 75th episode of News Dump, Aaron VanTuyl, Franklin Taylor and Eric Schwartz discuss Christmas caroling, Santa Claus, Christmas lights and parades, as well as Old Man TransAlta’s big …
Jury Convicts Centralia Man on Charges Related to Sexual Abuse of 13-Year-Old Girl 
A jury has convicted Brian A. Westbrook, 40, of Centralia, on charges related to the repeated sexual abuse of a 13-year-old between December 2020 and June 2021.  Westbrook's four-day jury …
Security Officer, Deputies Commended After Man Tries to Take Deputy’s Gun in Lewis County Courtroom
Two Lewis County corrections deputies and a court security officer were recognized this week for their “quick and efficient” response to a man who attempted to take an officer’s gun …
Thurston County Adds Four More COVID-19 Deaths as First Omicron Variant Detected
Thurston County confirmed Monday four residents died and 507 contracted COVID-19 in the past week as the state detected the first Omicron cases. Two women died due to COVID-19: one in her 50s and …
Sen. Jeff Wilson Introduces Bill Intended to Reduce Catalytic Converter Thefts in Washington 
District 19 Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview, has introduced a bill in the state Legislature intended to target the growing wave of catalytic converter thefts in Washington state.  If passed, …
Lewis County Launching Project to Plan for Future Growth in Packwood
Lewis County Community Development plans to engage community members on ways to manage and guide future growth in Packwood as part of a new subarea planning process announced Friday. …
Lewis County Commissioners Adopt $164 Million 2022 Budget at Monday Meeting
Lewis County commissioners on Monday voted unanimously to adopt the 2022 county budget, marking the end of a seven-month process and allocating more than $164 million in expenditures across all …
Althauser Rayan Abbarno Announces Newest Associate Attorney
Centralia-based law firm Althauser Rayan Abbarno has announced the arrival of new associate attorney. Henry Coates joined the firm, which was formerly Olson Althauser Samuelson & Rayan, …
Photos: Breakfast With Santa in Centralia Raises Money for Children’s Hospital
The Moose Family Center in Centralia Saturday hosted a “Breakfast With Santa” event for families and people of all ages. Proceeds went to Mary Bridge Children's Hospital in Tacoma, …
Photos: With Flight Canceled, Santa Claus Still Makes Stop in Adna
Cascade Community Healthcare to Host Eighth Annual Legislative Roundtable Wednesday
Centralia-based Cascade Community Healthcare on Wednesday will host its eighth annual legislative and governmental forum. The event will take place virtually between 3 and 5 p.m. and will be …
Lewis County Accepting Applicants for Veterinary Services at Animal Shelter
Lewis County Public Health & Social Services is looking for a qualified veterinarian to provide clinical consultation and services for the Lewis County Animal Shelter. The shelter is located …
Centralia Community Foundation Hires First Executive Director
The Centralia Community Foundation (CCF) is dreaming big. Its mission is to create a better future for all Centralians through a focus on education, better schools and career opportunities. To do …
Need a Job? This Thurston County Employer Is Hiring Wednesday
Convenience store distributor Harbor Wholesale is set to have a hiring event this week for its warehouse order selection team. Prospective applicants are asked to register and apply online prior …
Sirens: 'Completely Naked' Man Arrested; Marijuana Violation at W.F. West; Children Left in Car
CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Hit-and-Run • A hit-and-run reported in the 1200 block of Centralia Avenue just after 10:10 a.m. on Dec. 3 is under investigation. • A hit-and-run …
19th District Legislators Expect ‘Damage Control’ in Upcoming Session
Local politicians expect that the upcoming 2022 legislative session will be dominated more by last session’s controversies than new bills. District 19 Sen. Jeff Wilson and Rep. Jim Walsh …
Photo: Reindeer Among Attractions in Downtown Centralia on Saturday
Local Sports
 Bearcats Suffocate Highclimbers to Open League
W.F. West’s unbeaten league streak, which dates back to February of 2020, is still alive after opening its current league season against Shelton with a 66-10 victory Tuesday.  The …
Loggers Fall to Ducks in Season Opener
Onalaska was in early-season form after a long football season, taking a 77-37 loss to Toutle Lake on the road Tuesday in non-league play. The Ducks had four players score in double figures, led …
Cardinals Pound Class 1A Rockets, 70-33
Three Winlock players scored in double digits and the Cardinals hammered Class 1A Castle Rock for a 70-33 road victory on Tuesday. Senior Addison Hall pumped in a game-high 22 points, while junior …
T-Birds Beat Warriors in League Opener
Leading from start to finish, Tumwater won its league opener over Rochester, 69-9, Tuesday night.  The Thunderbirds (3-0) got 20 points from Natalie Sumrok, 17 from Aubrey Amendala, 12 from …
Mountaineers Topple Beavers for Road Victory
Rainier double-teamed Tenino star Ashley Schow and the Mountaineers’ defense did enough to come away with a 45-34 non-league victory over the Beavers on the road Tuesday. Bryn Beckman scored …

Chronicle Podcast

  • News Dump Ep. 74: What If They Spent $15M on One Big Phone?
  • Sports Dump Ep. 13: We’re in the Endgame Now
  • News Dump Ep. 73: Taking Up Arms Against Flying Pervert Robots
E-Edition

The Chronicle - December 7, 2021

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Obituaries

In Loving Memory of Elaine Irene Waterman: 1950-2021

Elaine Irene Waterman passed away Nov. 8, 2021, in Tenino, Washington, her home of more than 30 years. She was born Oct. 12, 1950, to Opal and Melvin Waterman in Snohomish, Washington. She lived on …

Marvin Louis Johnson: 1940-2021

Marvin Louis Johnson passed away of COVID-19 on Nov. 24, 2021, in Centralia, Washington. He was born Oct. 2, 1940, to Louis and Virginia Johnson in Centralia. Marv graduated from high school in …

In Loving Memory of Lloyd C. Tryon: 1957-2021

Lloyd C. Tryon was born December 5, 1957 in Chehalis and passed November 20, 2021 in Toledo. He is survived by his wife Joy, mother JoAnn Clark (Jim McCoy), sisters Carol (Dennis) Wherry, Linda …

In Loving Memory of Milton (Mel) Raymond Studer: 1941-2021

Information that was inadvertently left out. Milton (Mel) Raymond Studer went to be with our Lord surrounded by his family at his home in Napavine on Nov. 11, 2021. He was born in Vancouver, …

In Loving Memory of Rikkey Janee Outumuro: 1982-2021

Rikkey Janee Outumuro, age 39, was born May 4, 1982 in Vancouver, Washington and passed away on Oct. 31, 2021. She was the oldest child of three. She is preceded in death by her father, Richard …

Death Notices: Dec. 4, 2021

• ROBERT MICHAEL GORMAN, Salkum, died Nov. 7 at home. Arrangements are under the care of Fir Lawn Funeral Chapel. • PAULINE PEDERSEN, Vancouver, died Nov. 12 at PeaceHealth Medical …

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State & Regional News
Effort to Recall Seattle Councilmember Kshama Sawant Leads With 53% in Tuesday Night Vote Count
An effort to recall Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant led in Tuesday night's vote count with about 53% supporting her removal from office, as voters in her district took part in a historic …
Illegal Pull-Tab Operations Run by Washington Residents Shut Down After Investigation
The Washington State Gambling Commission has shut down several illegal pull-tab games operated on Facebook by several people in Whatcom and Skagit counties, according to a Tuesday, Dec. 7, news …
Seattle Student Arrested, Accused of Threatening a Shooting at His Middle School
A 13-year-old Seattle Public Schools student was arrested Monday after allegedly threatening on social media to shoot students at his school, according to a police statement. Earlier this week, …
Email Promised Tacoma Schools Staff Amazon Holiday Discount; It Was Fake, Sent by District
At first glimpse, the email seemed like good news: all employees with Tacoma Public Schools are eligible for 20-50 percent discounts and free shipping with Amazon for the months of November and …
Driver Strikes and Kills Man in Tent Along Oregon Interstate
A 27-year-old man was killed early Sunday morning after a 20-year-old woman driving north along Interstate 205 left the roadway and struck his tent, the Portland Police Bureau said. Terrence Tombe …
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown Criticized Over Maskless Photos at D.C. Gala While Maintaining Indoor Mask Mandate at Home
Gov. Kate Brown is taking heat on social media after being spotted maskless at an event in Washington, D.C., while maintaining her controversial indoor mask mandate at home. Brown was in the …
'The Most Profound Moment of My Life': Oregon Resident Shares Eyewitness Account to Pearl Harbor Attack
Eighty years ago today, a 9-year-old boy looked through his window and met the eyes of a Japanese fighter pilot streaking through the sky over his home near Honolulu. It was one second, maybe even …
California Transplants Lose Everything in U-haul Theft Hours After Moving to Western Washington
Christa Beasley moved to Tacoma with three others about two weeks ago hoping to find more job opportunities and some respite from the sizzling heat of Palm Springs, California. The four young …
Biometrics Help Stop Woman Allegedly Attempting to Illegally Cross Border Into Washington
With the help of biometric technology, U.S. Customs and Border Protection stopped a woman reportedly attempting to cross the border from Canada to Whatcom County using a passport and COVID-19 vaccine …
State Employment Security Department Audit Finds Unmonitored Claims Allowed $315K in Fraud
Washington's Employment Security Department allowed more than $300,000 in public funds to be misappropriated during the COVID-19 pandemic due to weaknesses in its control of unemployment claims, the …
Nation/World News
Pfizer, BioNTech Say Third Dose Neutralizes Omicron Variant
Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE said initial lab studies show a third dose of their COVID-19 vaccine neutralizes the omicron variant, results that will accelerate booster shot drives around the …
'This Is Insanity': Alarming Week of Gun Violence Across KC Tied to Public Health Failures
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Over the last week, the Kansas City metro area has been plagued by a high pace of violence that has even caused the mayor to publicly criticize the city's current approach to …
Afghanistan Complicates New Push to Close Guantanamo Bay
WASHINGTON — A Senate Judiciary Committee hearing Tuesday made clear the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan this year has further complicated the political, legal and legislative quandary …
Ghislaine Maxwell Groped 14-Year-Old, Said Victim Had ‘a Great Body for Mr. Epstein,’ Accuser Testifies
NEW YORK — Ghislaine Maxwell groped a 14-year-old girl’s bare breast and declared the teen “had a great body for Mr. Epstein,” a Manhattan jury heard Tuesday. The third …
Facebook Facing Mounting Legal Fights Over Myanmar Genocide
Facebook parent Meta Platforms Inc. is facing mounting legal challenges by Rohingya refugees who blame the social media company for inciting genocidal violence in 2017 against the Muslim minority in …

Community Calendar: Morton Lighted Christmas Parade; Breakfast With Santa; Lighted Tractor Parade

Business Stories
Centralia Barber Roger Gonzales Set to Retire After 50 Years in Lewis and Clark Hotel Shop

Real trust is required to let someone hold a razor to your face. It’s no wonder barbers are confidants and friends. For longtime Centralia barber and fastpitch coach Roger Gonzales, the shop …

In Focus: Chehalis CBD American Shaman Hosts Ribbon Cutting After Recent Move
Centralia Sports Simulator ‘Par 4 Sports’ Celebrates Opening Day

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Commentary
Julie McDonald Commentary: Remember Pearl Harbor Eight Decades After the Attack

Eighty years ago today, on Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, damaging or destroying 19 Navy ships, killing 2,403 people and drawing the United States into World War II. …

Richard Stride Commentary: Considering Mother’s Words — ‘If Wishes Were Horses, Beggars Would Ride’
Guest Commentary: Chambers of Commerce Step Up to Help Fire Departments Play Santa

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Letters to the Editor
Letter to the Editor: Rise in Property Values Concerning for Longtime Lewis County Residents

I wanted to comment on the recent story about Lewis County property value increases averaging about 19 percent in the Nov. 20 edition of The Chronicle. Lewis County was first known as the Mother …

Letter to the Editor: Food for Thought Regarding Moral Strength
Letter to the Editor: Getting Vaccinated an Act Kindness to Those We Love
Letter to the Editor: Sometimes Children Need to Learn More Than Parents

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Outdoors
Outdoors
 Hunters' Pushback Against Cancellation of Washington Spring Bear Hunt Unlikely to Make a Difference in 2022
An online petition urging Washington State wildlife commissioners to reinstate the spring black bear hunt is gaining traction online, but it's unlikely to affect any change. "I wonder if it is too …
In Tied Vote, Washington Commissioners Suspend Controversial Spring Bear Hunt
A controversial spring bear hunt in Washington was suspended, Friday. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife commission voted 4-4 on the proposed 2022 spring bear hunt. The 9-person …
Forest Service Camera Stations Spot Hungry Bears and Fishers in Gifford Pinchot
Remote camera stations in Gifford Pinchot National Forest caught the attention of these hungry black bears and Pacific fishers. Fishers, sometimes called fisher cats, are not cats at all. They are …
History
 Photo: Chehalis From Above in October of 1950 — Before Construction of Interstate 5
The Chronicle History Project: Mossyrock Pioneer Days in 1956
Chronicle History Project: Eisenhower Stops in Centralia in 1952
Editor’s Note: The following news item was published Oct. 7, 1952, as Dwight Eisenhower pursued the presidency. It likely reflects an earlier stop than the one depicted in the photos included …
The Chronicle History Project: 1955-56 Bearcat Basketball
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