Local News
Man charged for allegedly causing over $8,000 damage to stranger’s vehicle in Chehalis last May 
A man accused of repeatedly smashing a stranger’s vehicle with a concrete block, causing over $8,000 in damage, in Chehalis in May 2024 has been charged with first-degree malicious …
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, …
Thurston County names new assistant county manager, public works director
Thurston County has named Jennifer Walker to the recently vacated assistant county manager position and Karen Weiss to replace her as public works director, County Manager Leonard Hernandez announced …
Thurston County to commit to new courthouse complex, but plans a $5.5M remodel in the meantime
Thurston County may spend up to $5.5 million to remodel its aging courthouse campus as a stop-gap measure while it pursues building an entirely new courthouse complex. The Board of County …
2025 Washington state legislative session begins
There was plenty of pomp and politics for the opening day of the Washington Legislature’s 2025 session. It began at noon Monday for the state’s 98 representatives and 49 …
Man who crashed in Onalaska, severely injuring passenger, charged with DUI and vehicular assault 
A 21-year-old man who crashed his vehicle into a fence in Onalaska while allegedly driving while drunk on Friday, Jan. 10, severely injuring his passenger, is facing vehicular assault and DUI …
Secretary of State Steve Hobbs urges voters to rely on official election sources as Meta ends fact-checking moderation
Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs is urging voters to rely on official election sources after Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, recently announced it will no longer provide …
Sirens: Lewis County Superior Court sentencings; copper wire stolen; three arrested for organized retail theft' man reports crash to prove he wasn't intoxicated
CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Malicious mischief • At 9:45 a.m. on Jan. 10, officers were notified that copper wires had been dug up and stolen from a construction site at the …
Gluesenkamp Perez introduces resolution to allow for remote committee witnesses
Last week, U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, and Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, introduced the Bringing Real Ideas, Data and Genuine Experience (BRIDGE) resolution to Congress. The …
Schmidt House history talk to discuss Ambrose Asher
The date and time of the Schmidt House’s next upcoming history talk has been announced. It will be held on Thursday, Feb. 6, at 12 p.m, at 330 Schmidt Place SW, Tumwater. The topic of the …
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 …
Maureen Harkcom: Time to kick back and relax for farmers and ranchers? Hardly
A lot of people think that this time of year farmers are just kicking back and relaxing by the fire feeling all cozy and warm. Some farmers are in their “down time” of the year, but …
Level 3 sex offender living in Lewis County convicted for failure to register
A Level 3 sex offender who has been living in Lewis County off and on since 2013 has been convicted for failure to register as a sex offender. Zachariah G. Tooley, 44, was sentenced Wednesday, …
Rules for future UGA development by Port of Chehalis discussed as county considers changes
During the Port of Chehalis commissioners’ first regular meeting of 2025 on Thursday, Jan. 9, Lewis County Community Development Director Mindy Brooks was on hand to review the rules for …
Mossyrock High School senior severely injured in car accident
A Mossyrock High School student was severely injured in a car accident on Friday, Jan. 10. Bryson Eberle, a senior and boys varsity football player, “is on life support right now fighting …
Local Sports
Rainier jumps out quick again to top Mossyrock
When Rainier and Mossyrock met for the first time this season on Dec. 6, the Mountaineers stormed out of the gate to a 43-point lead in the first half. The Mountaineers got out to another quick …
Pe Ell’s win streak hits an even dozen
The Pe Ell girls basketball team is now 12-0 after its 54-26 win over Columbia Adventist on Tuesday. The Trojans were in control the entire way, and for the first time this season, every Trojan …
Napavine pulls away to beat Montesano
The Napavine girls basketball team was in a tight contest at halftime in Montesano on Tuesday, but the Tigers came out the locker room firing to pull away for a 65-46 victory. Coming into the …
Pirates maintain lead atop C2BL with win over Cardinals
Make it nine league wins in a row for the Adna boys basketball team, which defeated Winlock 66-44 on Tuesday to remain undefeated in league play and atop the C2BL standings. The Pirates slowly …
W.F. West beats Shelton in first match back from break
The W.F. West bowling team returned from a three-week layoff on Tuesday, and the Bearcats came away with a 2,082-1,805 win over Shelton, their ninth-straight league win. The Bearcats were led by …

Chronicle Podcast

  • Sports Dump: Back After a Long Winter’s Nap
  • News Dump Ep. 218: Trying to catch a falling (Morning)Star
  • News Dump Ep. 217: Reducing redundancies in regional rags
Obituaries

Death notices: Jan. 13, 2025

• CAROL A. DOUGLAS, 67, Winlock, died Jan. 6 at her residence. Arrangements are under the care of Cattermole Funeral Home. • KARLENE K. RAINES, 73, Salkum, died Jan. 8 at her …

Death notices: Jan. 10, 2025

• PEGGY A. RUDDICK, 70, Centralia, died Jan. 2 at her home. Service details are pending at this time. Arrangements are under the care of Newell-Hoerling’s Mortuary. • ERMA J. …

In loving memory of Dory Landis: 1955-2021

Dory (Clemens) Landis, 66, passed away in Chehalis, Washington, on Nov. 7, 2021, after a stroke. She grew up in Eureka, California, and traveled the world with her first husband, who was in the …

Death notices: Jan. 8, 2025

• RAYMOND E. HINES, 85, Centralia, died Dec. 28 at his residence. Arrangements are under the care of Cattermole Funeral Home. • ZACHARY S. STODDARD, 43, Tumwater, died on Dec. 25. …

In loving memory of Dolores May Larson: Sept. 11, 1928 - Dec. 25, 2024

Dolores May Larson passed away peacefully at her home on Christmas morning, Dec. 25, 2024, at the age of 96. Dolores was born and raised in California. During World War II, her father moved the …

In loving memory of Patricia Lindeman: Feb. 12, 1949 - Dec. 18, 2024

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Patricia Marie (Lewis) Lindeman.  Pat will be remembered for her boundless love for her family, her inspiring work as an educator, …
State & Regional News

Boyfriend arrested after girlfriend found dead in abandoned lot, Oregon police say

A man has been arrested after his missing girlfriend’s body was found in an abandoned lot, Oregon police say. Erik Mauricio Meza was booked into jail Thursday, Jan. 9, in relation to the …

Schools
In focus: Old-timers ball at Toledo High School alumni games
Toledo Indian Basketball Alumni held the 19th annual alumni games on Saturday at Toledo High School.  The fundraiser included four games, including an “Old Guys” game, a girls …
Centralia Middle School begins transition from Yellow Jackets to Tigers 
Centralia Middle School is getting an orange and black makeover after the school’s Associated Student Body (ASB) voted to officially change the school’s mascot from the Yellow Jackets to …
Pe Ell School Board to hear public comment on renewing the four-day school week for next three years
The Pe Ell School Board will hear public comment Monday, Jan. 13, on the possibility of renewing its state waiver for a four-day school week. The Pe Ell School District has been on a four-day …
Centralia College fall honor rolls
Following are members of Centralia College’s fall quarter honor rolls. Students are listed in alphabetical order. The lists were provided by Centralia College. President’s list: 3.9 …
Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund awards $3,000 grant for Grand Mound Elementary School’s Read-A-Thon
The Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund awarded a $3,000 grant to the Grand Mound Elementary School Boosters, who are organizing Grand Mound Elementary School’s second annual Read-A-Thon, according to a …
Commentary

Commentary: Washington state needs a pro-growth agenda

Washington lawmakers begin the 2025 legislative session facing something many of them have not experienced during their time in office — a sizable budget gap. The last time the state was …

Publisher's Note: Washington state’s climate policy is a case study in failure

Washington state’s so-called leadership on climate policy has been a disaster: it has backfired. Although the investments have been made and the words from Olympia have been said, CO2 …

Brian Mittge: News of the weird and wonderful in the new year

As we kick off the new year, here are a few news items from around the nation and world that I hope bring a smile to your face, from an escaped monkey in a tutu to a big honor for a beloved …

Sen. John Braun: As session begins, here’s what to expect from Senate Republicans

Those of us who take to heart President Lincoln’s words that government is “of the people” appreciate being asked to offer a forecast of an upcoming session. Our constituents …

Mayor Kelly Smith Johnston: 150 reasons to celebrate Centralia after 150 years

Editor’s Note: In honor of the 150th anniversary of George and Mary Jane Washington filing a plat that would later become the city of Centralia , Mayor Kelly Smith Johnston has compiled this …
Outdoors
Outdoors
New study planned to reveal more about Southwest Washington black-tailed deer populations
Starting this month, biologists from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will begin conducting a study in southwest Washington that will help the department develop a new method for …
These 10 days will be fee-free holidays for national parks, forests in 2025
If you want to get out to a national park or federal forest for free this year, circle these 10 dates on your calendar. Federal public lands agencies will once again waive entrance, parking and …
In focus: Walking into a new year at the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
Chronicle photographer Ridley Hudson captured these photos during a visit to the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge on Thursday afternoon. “Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually …