Local News
Atmospheric rivers set to dump rain across Western WA
Much of Western Washington was under a flood watch Sunday as a series of atmospheric rivers took aim at the area. "The big show" will begin Monday, when the largest of the atmospheric rivers …
Thurston County candidate who didn't vote loses election by one vote
Damion Green ran for Rainier City Council hoping to address the strain the 2,400-person town has felt from growth. But when Election Day came around in November, he didn't vote. He didn't feel …
Bodies found at JBLM believed to be missing Thurston County couple, sheriff says
The remains of two people found Saturday at Joint Base Lewis-McChord are believed to be a Thurston County couple who went missing nearly a month ago, according to the Sheriff's Office. Davido …
Vader man charged for allegedly raping a woman in May 
A Vader man was arrested Thursday for allegedly raping a woman in May.  Bail is set at $20,000. A no-contact order protecting the victim is in place.  The man, identified as …
Bail set at $250,000 for Centralia man accused of assaulting woman twice on Nov. 30 
Bail is set at $250,000 for a Centralia man accused of assaulting a woman on Thursday while he was out of custody on bail for a separate case where he is accused of assaulting a different woman in …
Grays Harbor County man killed by log truck on U.S. 101 Friday morning has been identified
A 76-year-old driver who was hit and killed by a log truck Friday morning on U.S. Highway 101 has been identified by the Washington State Patrol. About 9:50 a.m. Friday, Richard W. Dowse of …
Downtown Chehalis community tree lighting event to be held Saturday; attendees invited to bring their own ornaments
Among the many Christmas events this month is the annual community tree lighting event in downtown Chehalis, scheduled from 3 to 4 p.m. this Saturday, Dec. 2, in front of the Lewis County Historical …
Centralia School Board seeks applicants for vacant position following resignation
The Centralia School District is accepting applications for director position 3 on the school board after Andrea Ware, who ran unopposed in the November general election, announced her resignation …
No increases: Lewis County PUD fulfills two-year budget plan, will maintain customer rates in 2024
The Lewis County Public Utility District (PUD) will not increase customer rates next year, officially carrying out a two-year budget plan adopted by the Board of Commissioners that a former …
Sirens: Officer revives man who overdosed; Woman with no food, money requests help for child; 'A bunch of the kids' fight at Green Hill School
CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT   Theft   • A 39-year-old Centralia man was cited for third-degree theft at 10 a.m. on Nov. 29 after he allegedly stole gas from a vehicle parked …
Flood Watch issued for Chehalis, Newaukum, Cowlitz Rivers will last into week
Residents in Lewis County should be prepared for significant incoming rainfall and heavy winds over the weekend and into next week. Beginning the evening of Saturday, Dec. 2, a Flood Watch …
Chehalis Water Department moves to surplus land near airport, transfer it to airport fund for future development
The Chehalis City Council held a public hearing during its Monday meeting to discuss surplusing a section of land on the northeast corner of the Chehalis-Centralia Airport with the intent of …
Centralia City Council amends city’s biennium budget; over $4.7 million in new appropriations added
Along with setting the 2024 property tax within the city during Tuesday’s Centralia City Council meeting, the council also unanimously approved an amendment to the city’s 2023-2024 …
Strategy in review: Chehalis Basin Flood Warning System wins National Operational Excellence Award
More than 140 local fish and flood projects have been completed across the Chehalis River Basin, coordinated and funded through the Office of Chehalis Basin (OCB).   The OCB board is …
JNET makes three additional arrests in Lewis County meth operation investigation
The Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team (JNET) made three additional arrests this week related to an investigation into a Lewis County meth operation.   “JNET detectives anticipate more …
Local Sports
Kelly sets MWP scoring record in win over Vikings
The Morton-White Pass boys basketball team earned its first win of the season on Friday with an 83-56 win over Willapa Valley. Judah Kelly was unstoppable, as he set a new MWP singe-game record …
Pirates dominate, win big against Fisherman
The Adna girl’s basketball team improved to 3-0 on Saturday with a 74-70 win over Ilwaco. Gaby Guard and Karsyn Freeman were the offensive catalysts for the Pirates, as they scored 21 …
Early scoring spree leads Mountaineers past Spartans
The Rainier boy’s basketball team improved to 2-1 on Saturday, as the Mountaineers topped Forks 52-37. The Mountaineers scored 23 points in the first quarter to open up a 16-point lead, …
Warriors hold off late Olympic charge
The Rochester girls basketball team won its third straight game to open the 2023-24 season Saturday, beating Olympic 54-45 in a non-league matchup in Bremerton. Delany Winter led all scorers …
Cardinals win non-league matchup with Trojans
The Winlock boys basketball team got itself into the win column Saturday in a non-league game, beating Pe Ell 56-48 at home. The Cardinals (1-1) jumped out to an early 23-11 lead, and while the …

Chronicle Podcast

  • Sports Dump: The Vibe King welcomes you to the Endgame
  • Chronicle News Dump 166: “Podcast stuck in the tub again?”
  • Sports Dump: The amicable end to the relationship betwixt Onalaska and Kalama
Obituaries

 In loving memory of John Fasano: 1935-2023

John Milo Fasano was born a logger.  He displayed this passion on fia trip five years ago when he was in Yellowstone National Park and saw wildfire-scorched trees. His immediate response …

In loving memory of Vaneta Malone: 1936-2023

Vaneta Elaine Malone died at the age of 87 on Nov. 27, 2023. She was born April 29, 1936, and grew up in Rufus, Oregon.  After marriage, they settled in Adna, Washington, on the family …

Death Notices: Dec. 1, 2023

• RICHARD JOSWICK, 78, Chehalis, died Nov. 24. Arrangements are under the care of Sticklin Funeral Chapel. • TINA RANDALL, 61, Pe Ell, died Nov. 25. Arrangements are under the care of …

In loving memory of Richard David Rice: 1939-2023

Richard David Rice, 84, passed away on Nov. 11, 2023, at home following a prolonged illness. Richard was born Aug. 6, 1939, in Seattle to Albert and Marsha Rice and was the eldest of 14 …

In loving memory of James Beard Jr.: 1971-2023

James (Jim) Ronald Beard Jr. 52, of Williston, North Dakota, formerly of Toledo, Washington passed away on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023 at his residence in Williston, North Dakota.  James (Jim) …

In loving memory of Patricia Koplin: March 13, 1937 - Nov. 19, 2023

Patricia Ann Simonds Koplin, a woman of strength and unwavering love, left this world on Nov. 19, 2023, surrounded by her beloved family members.  Born in Rochester, Minnesota, to Walter …
State & Regional News

Huskies earn Sugar Bowl rematch with Texas in College Football Playoff semifinals

Washington traveled south to beat Texas last December. The sequel has higher stakes. The Pac-12 champion Huskies have been awarded the No. 2 seed in the College Football Playoff and will …

Schools
‘It’s a K-14, K-16 Effort’: The Chehalis School District’s Unique Effort to Support Its Alumni After Graduation
Editor’s Note: This is the final installment in a series focused on the Chehalis School District and the success of its Student Achievement Initiative, which was launched in 2013. The full …
The Math Problem Part 2: Chehalis School District Aims to Conquer Its Biggest Hurdle With Innovative Teaching
Editor’s Note: This is the latest installment in an ongoing series focused on the Chehalis School District and the success of its Student Achievement Initiative, which was launched in 2013. The …
Achieving Success: The Math Problem: Chehalis — And America’s — Biggest Academic Hurdle
Editor’s Note: This is the latest installment in an ongoing series focused on the Chehalis School District and the success of its Student Achievement Initiative, which was launched in 2013. The …
‘The New Buzzword’: How the Chehalis School District Prioritized STEM and Technical Education to Give Students a Brighter Future
Editor’s note: This is the latest installment in an ongoing series focused on the Chehalis School District and the success of its Student Achievement Initiative, which was launched in 2013. The …
Chehalis School District Awarded $1.05M Grant for Student Achievement Initiative
The Chehalis School District will receive $1,050,000 from the Washington Student Achievement Council over the next 18 months to benefit the district’s Student Achievement Initiative. …
Commentary

Brian Mittge: Celebrate the holidays by giving back

You know what makes the most wonderful time of the year even better? Getting out and getting together as you give back to our community.  There are a lot of ways to do that in the weeks …

Commentary: The unhinged among us

Oct. 7 should have been an open-and-shut case of moral condemnation. During peace and holiday, invading Hamas gunmen murdered, tortured, mass raped, decapitated and mutilated some 1,200 …

Being Frank: Successful co-management requires renewed commitment

As the 50th anniversary of the Boldt decision nears, the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission has room to improve as co-managers with treaty tribes. Judge Boldt’s 1974 ruling in U.S. v. …

Julie McDonald: Book signings and Christmas trees launch holiday season

Despite Thanksgiving falling early this year, we’ve launched quickly in the Christmas tree selling season, which is always a busy but fun time for our family. In many cases, we see friends and …

Brian Mittge Commentary: A thankful serving of light verse

Happy Thanksgiving weekend from Hills & Valleys! In honor of this most American of holidays, and with an eye to a great Christmas season ahead, my gift to you is a smattering of light verse …
Outdoors
Outdoors
Outdoor recreation's economic impact continues to grow
The impact of outdoor recreation on the national economy expanded  again last year, showing that the industry is big business. The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis released a report this …
After the turkey: WDFW approves six days of coastal razor clam digs starting Nov. 24 
Post-Thanksgiving razor clams will be ready to dig beginning Nov. 24, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) coastal shellfish managers confirmed Tuesday.  Not all beaches are …
Washington State Parks announces 12 fee-free days for 2024
Washington State Parks has announced the 12 days in 2024 when recreationalists won’t need to obtain a Discover Pass. The free days mean adventure seekers can visit any of …