Local News
Three injured in four-vehicle rollover collision in Centralia on Thursday
Two drivers and a pedestrian sustained minor injuries in a four-vehicle rollover collision at the intersection of Johnson Road and Harrison Avenue in Centralia on Thursday. Several cars were …
Huckleberry Ridge Fire estimated at 301 acres and 52% contained
The Huckleberry Ridge Fire, burning on Weyerhaeuser land 20 miles south of Pe Ell, has burned 301 acres and was 52% contained as of Thursday evening. “The cooler and wetter weather …
Turf installation underway at Fort Borst Park; school district raises concerns over increasing costs
The Centralia School District (CSD), in partnership with the Twin Cities Sports Commission (TCSC) and the Lewis County Public Facilities District (PFD), is working on turfing the four fields that …
Sirens: Man arrested after calling 911 more than 70 times; customer grabs employee, kisses her multiple times; arrests for eluding, DUI
CHEHALIS POLICE DEPARTMENT Juvenile problem • A juvenile was reportedly kicking the doors to a school building in the 100 block of Northeast Hampe Way at 9:20 a.m. on Sept. 10. …
Death notices: Sept. 13, 2024
• JOHN L. MCNELLY, 89, Winlock, died Sept. 3 at his residence. Arrangements are under the care of Cattermole Funeral Home. • ROBERT E. KESLER, 77, Toledo, died Sept. 6 at Providence …
Brian Mittge: As curtain drops, one more ovation for Bill Moeller
“Death ... a great Leveler — a king before whose tremendous majesty shades and differences in littleness cannot be discerned — an Alp from whose summit all small things are the same …
Thurston County Emergency Management Council to present free emergency preparedness expo
In light of September being National Preparedness Month, the Thurston County Emergency Management Council will host a free emergency preparedness expo on Saturday, Sept. 28. The expo will take …
Washington State Patrol to conduct statewide ‘One More Stop’ patrol in honor of fallen Trooper Christopher Gadd
On Friday, Sept. 27, the Washington State Patrol (WSP) will conduct a statewide “One More Stop” emphasis patrol in honor of fallen Trooper Christopher Gadd. The statewide emphasis …
Fall turkey season opens in Southwest Washington with increased bag limit
While turkey hunting is often associated with Eastern Washington, hunters might be surprised to discover the wealth of opportunities available in Southwest Washington this fall — including a …
Johnson Road in Centralia to be closed Wednesday for water main work
Johnson Road in Centralia will be closed on Wednesday, Sept. 18, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. in order to complete a new water main installation on Linda Lane just north of Harrison Avenue, according to a …
Onalaska Apple Harvest Festival: ‘Show Your Roots’ set for October
The Onalaska Alliance will host the 2024 Apple Harvest Festival with a theme of “Show Your Roots.” The weekend will be filled with family-friendly fun including bingo, a bake sale, a …
Solar Quote Check: Former Vader resident starts new solar consultant business
Solar power continues to grow as it has since 2000, with smaller scale solar capacity increasing by 20% and utility scale solar comprising 8% of total electrical capacity in the U.S. in 2023 alone, …
Memorial fund opened in honor of former Cascade Community Healthcare interventionist who died in 2023
Lann Olson came into the world on Aug. 3, 1980, and he left on Oct. 14, 2023. Despite Olson’s time being cut short, his impact as a friend, family member and local mental health care …
Centralia City Council holding special meeting to interview  council candidate 
The Centralia City Council will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 17, to interview a candidate for the vacant District 1 council position. The meeting is open to the public and will begin …
Department of Health to potentially suspend license of Winlock-based ‘Caregivers 4 Mom & Dad’ for failure to address patient care concerns
The state Department of Health (DOH) has issued a statement of charges to suspend the license of Caregivers 4 Mom & Dad, an in-home services agency based in Winlock, pending further legal action. …
Local Sports
Prep boys tennis: Bearcats outlast Tigers in Swamp Cup opener
Javyn Han was on his way towards a sweep. Without doubles partner Bryce Kuykendall, the W.F. West High School senior played at No. 1 singles on Friday afternoon. He trounced Centralia’s …
Prep football: Tigers drop OT heartbreaker for second straight year
Jon Rooklidge and the Centralia High School football team have seen this movie before. Home opener. Low-scoring, defensive slugfest. Overtime. Week 1 last fall versus Elam was deja vu to Friday …
Winlock can’t keep up against Ilwaco
The Winlock football team had an early lead against Ilwaco on Friday, but once the Fishermen kicked it into gear, there was no stopping them. Ilwaco ended the game with seven unanswered …
Mountaineers top Ravens to get in the win column
The Rainier football team earned its first win of the season on Friday, as the Mountaineers topped Raymond-South Bend 43-34. Rainier had big plays in all three phases, as Dorien Cano ran for two …
Tumwater rolls to another blowout win
The Tumwater football team had no problem dispatching its opponent again on Friday, as the Thunderbirds walked away with a 56-6 win over Bainbridge. It’s the T-Birds second straight win …

Chronicle Podcast

  • News Dump Ep. 201: Get off my lawn emergency responders, demands local man
  • News Dump Ep. 200: Wait, we’ve done how many of these things? 
  • News Dump Ep. 199: Everyone was a winner at the fair
Obituaries

In loving memory of William Clark Ayers: 1948-2024

William Clark Ayers (Bill) 76, of Chehalis, Washington, went on to experience a joyous return to heaven Friday evening, Sept. 6, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.  Bill was born Jan. …

In loving memory of Gordon Grover Fleming: 1932-2024

On Sept. 7, 2024, Gordon Grover Fleming passed away at the age of 92. He is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Harriett; son, Andy, of Coeur d' Alene, Idaho; and daughter, Katie, of Woodland, …

In loving memory of Carla Seaquist: 1944-2024

Writer-playwright Carla Seaquist died of complications of thyroid cancer Aug. 31. A 22-year Gig Harbor resident with her husband, Larry, Carla located her writing “at the intersection of …

In loving memory of Alice Mae Aboen: Sept. 11, 1926 - Sept. 6, 2024 

Alice Mae (Costello) Aboen was born in Winesap, Washington, to Harry and Hortense Costello. She and her two brothers grew up in Redmond, Washington, on a small farm. She attended school in Redmond, …

In loving memory of John Keesee: 1939-2024

John A. Keesee, a longtime Lewis County resident, passed away Sept. 7, 2024, after a period of declining health.  John was born Dec. 1, 1939, to William and Helen Oliver Keesee in Buchanan, …

In loving memory of Jacqueline Conary: Dec. 29, 1951 - Sept. 2, 2024

Jacqueline "Jackie" Conary, the fifth of seven siblings, passed away with her husband, Dennis E. Conary, by her side in the home they shared in Toledo.  She was preceded in death by Floyed …
State & Regional News

Second human skull found in Gifford Pinchot National Forest in past month

Less than a month after a hiker found a human skull in Gifford Pinchot National Forest in eastern Washington, a bear hunter has discovered a second human skull in the federal preserve. The …

Schools
Twirl Foundation formally opens doors with ribbon-cutting ceremony
At noon on Friday, Sept. 13, The Twirl Foundation in Centralia officially opened its doors with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce. While the …
Nearly 30 local high school students participated in Centralia College’s 2024 Upward Bound summer program
Centralia College’s Upward Bound summer program was filled with classes, guest speakers, campus tours and educational field trips for nearly 30 local high schoolers culminating in a banquet …
Centralia College’s 2024 nursing program achieves 100 percent pass rate on national exam
Centralia College has confirmed that 100 percent of its 2024 nursing program graduates passed their National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) on their first attempt. All 24 program graduates are …
Centralia College student earns prestigious Military Leaders of Promise scholarship
Centralia College student Vibe Turner was selected as a 2024 Coca-Cola Military Leaders of Promise Scholar and will receive a $1,000 scholarship, according to an August news release from the college. …
Centralia School District is accepting applications for vacant school board position through Sept. 13
The Centralia School District is accepting applications for a vacant position on the Centralia School Board. The application period closes at 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 13. To apply, applicants …
Commentary

John Braun: Need more reasons to support I-2117 and end the hidden gas tax? Try these

Well, there they go again. Opponents of Initiative 2117, which would repeal Washington's costly cap-and-tax law, are repeating the lie that passing the initiative would put our state's roads and …

Commentary: Facts on I-2109, the possible repeal of income tax on capital gains

Washington voters will soon have an opportunity to have their say on an unusual and corrosive tax the Legislature passed in 2021. The controversial tax imposes a levy of 7% on capital gains income …

Publisher's Note: History of federal income tax and why it’s important to know

The history of federal income tax in the United States is a telling example of how temporary government measures, often introduced during times of crisis, can evolve into permanent and far-reaching …

Richard Stride: Folk wisdom, right or wrong, is intended to help us navigate life

Have you ever thought about those things that were told to you by your parents or grandparents? Those gems of wisdom they made sure to share not knowing if we were listening or not? These …

Guest commentary: Lewis County Public Utility District rate increase necessary

The Lewis County Public Utility District (PUD) is a public entity and its expenditures are ratepayer funded. Unlike other government entities, the PUD does not tax nor have government income to cover …
Outdoors
Outdoors
Salmon seasons expanded along Columbia River
Bolstered by encouraging fall chinook salmon numbers at Bonneville Dam and a robust coho return down low, Oregon and Washington biologists met Tuesday and approved extensions of salmon fishing from …
Clam digging returns: WDFW announces 42 tentative days of coastal digging opportunities 
Shellfish managers with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) on Thursday announced 42 tentative days of razor clam digs at four coastal beaches from Oct. 3 through Dec. 31. …
WDFW: Bobcat hunters must now submit lower jaw of animals
Washington small game hunters and trappers are now required to submit the lower jaw of any bobcat they harvest as part of the mandatory pelt sealing process following a rule update finalized through …