Local News
Lewis County judge approves 72-hour hold for Mexican immigrant accused of trafficking drugs, unlawful possession of firearms 
A Mexican immigrant accused of trafficking cocaine in Lewis County is being held in the Lewis County Jail on a 72-hour hold pending possible felony charges.  Federal agents and detectives …
Centralia High School powerlifting team takes home medals at Wolverine Classic Powerlifting Meet 
The Centralia High School powerlifting team competed at the Wolverine Classic Powerlifting Meet in Olympia on Saturday, Feb. 8, and brought home a handful of first-, second- and third-place …
Lewis County residents can recycle paint and related items at March 1 event
The Lewis County Department of Public Works Solid Waste Utility is partnering with GreenSheen, an eco-friendly paint recycling company, to host a free recycling event for paint and related items. …
Sirens: Defendants sentenced in Lewis County for assault, stalking, burglary, vehicle theft and more
CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Disorderly conduct • A 71-year-old Centralia man was arrested for disorderly conduct just after 12 p.m. on Feb. 12 after he laid down in the middle of the …
Death notices: Feb. 14, 2025
• CATHY J. COKER, 70, Randle, died Feb. 2 at her residence. Arrangements are under the care of Cattermole Funeral Home. • VATLE J. SPAIN, 90, Covington, died Feb. 9 at her residence. …
Republican state lawmaker targets telecommunications cable thieves, buyers in pair of bills
State Rep. Dan Griffey, R-Allyn, of the 35th Legislative District, is proposing stricter penalties for the crime of stealing and buying cables and wire. House Bill 1453 cracks down on scrap …
Brian Mittge: On a love day, invest in your marriage
As I drove home on this snowy Thursday, one of the memorable sights was of a booth off Rush Road, covered with snow, selling roses and beautiful bouquets for Valentine’s Day.  It was …
Lewis County commissioners appoint new members to county Salary Commission
The Lewis County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) on Tuesday, Feb. 11, passed two resolutions updating the Lewis County Citizens’ Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials. The two …
Lewis County commissioners award bids for upcoming Bunker Creek Road repairs
The Lewis County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, Feb. 11, passed three resolutions awarding contracts for the repair of Bunker Creek Road during its weekly business meeting at the Lewis County …
Pe Ell School Honor Roll
Following are members of Pe Ell School’s first semester honor roll. Students are listed from highest to lowest GPA. Students with the same GPA are listed in alphabetical order. This list …
Following are members of the Mossyrock Jr./Sr. High School first semester honor roll. Students are listed in alphabetical order. The list was provided by the Mossyrock School District.   …
New United Way website offers free tax assistance for Washington residents
Washington residents can now access free tax assistance through a new website offered by United Ways of the Pacific Northwest designed to help individuals and families file their taxes accurately and …
Man hospitalized after losing control on I-5 in crash involving Toledo driver
One man was hospitalized after a vehicle lost control on Interstate 5 in Cowlitz County and struck another vehicle early Thursday morning. Vernon W. Schletzbaum, 66, of Portland, was reportedly …
Local Sports
Bearcats roll to eighth straight district semifinal
Make it eight trips to the district semifinals in a row for the W.F. West Bearcats, who took care of business in a 70-33 win over Ridgefield in a 2A District 4 Quarterfinal at home on Friday. …
Prep girls basketball: Signature defensive performance lifts Wolves past Monarchs
TUMWATER — How did the Black Hills High School girls basketball team spend Valentine’s Day in 2024? Walking off the court for the final time in a winner-to-state loss to Mark Morris, …
Tumwater can’t slow Woodland in quarterfinal loss
The Tumwater girls basketball team couldn’t keep up with Woodland on Friday, falling 63-27 in a 2A District 4 Quarterfinal. Woodland was in complete control the entire way, building a …
Pe Ell’s Phelps named CVL MVP for second straight year
For the second year in a row, Pe Ell’s Karli Phelps was named the Columbia Valley MVP, as announced by league coaches on Friday. Phelps headlined a Pe Ell team that dominated, both on the …

Chronicle Podcast

  • Sports Dump: Ode To A Disappointed Chiefs Fan (Dylan)
  • News Dump Ep. 223: Mount St. Helens was an inside job (with a very high salary)
  • Sports Dump: Picking MVPs and Zach’s Trip to Pe Ell
Obituaries

Robert Joseph Kabel, born July 14, 1922, in Fostoria, Ohio, passed away Jan. 26, 2025, in Port Orchard, Washington.  Bob was a loving father, civil engineer and World War II veteran. He is …

In loving memory of Kurt Asken: 1960-2025 

Kurt Timothy Asken, a lifelong resident of Winlock, Washington, passed away peacefully on Jan. 30, 2025.  Kurt was born on Jan. 11, 1960, to Barbara and Emil Asken. He lived on Shannon …

In loving memory of Gary Cadwell: Nov. 9, 1941 - Jan. 30, 2025

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Gary Lee Cadwell, a devoted father and cherished friend, who left us peacefully on Jan. 30, 2025, in Centralia, Washington.  Born in Laramie, …

In loving memory of Patricia Cleary: 1939-2025

Patricia Cleary went home to be with the Lord on Feb. 1, 2025. She was born Dec. 22, 1939. She was a loving wife, mom, grandma and great-grandma.  She graduated from Centralia High School …

Death notices: Feb. 10, 2024

• GERALDINE L. MCCLURE, 98, Centralia, died Feb. 5 at Providence Centralia Hospital. Arrangements are under the care of Cattermole Funeral Home.  • JOHN C. FLANAGAN, 73, Pe Ell, …

In remembrance of Peggy Sartain: 1945-2024

Peggy Jane Sartain, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend passed away peacefully at home on Dec. 24, 2024 in Henderson, Nevada. She is survived by her husband, six …
State & Regional News

Washington state road usage charge bill receives deluge of opposition

A Washington state bill that would create a voluntary road usage charge program as a substitute for the state gas tax has received a deluge of opposition despite support from public officials and …

Schools
Anonymous Centralia donor gives $100K to Lewis County tennis and wrestling facility
The Lewis County Tennis Association (LCTA) on Wednesday announced a $100,000 donation toward the proposed   Regional Lewis County Tennis and Wrestling Facility in Chehalis from a Centralia donor …
Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez asks House leaders to fund Secure Rural Schools program
Last month, U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, urged House leadership to prioritize the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program and extend access to vital funds for schools and infrastructure, …
Onalaska Middle School Honor Roll
Following are members of the Onalaska Middle School term one honor rolls. Students are listed in alphabetical order. This list was provided by the Onalaska School District. Perfect 4.0 …
Onalaska High School First Semester Honor Roll
Following are members of the Onalaska High School’s first semester honor roll. Students are listed from highest to lowest GPA. This list was provided by the Onalaska School District. …
Applications for 2025 Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce scholarships are open; deadline is April 18
Centralia, Chehalis and Adna students have until April 18 to apply for nine different scholarships through the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce. The scholarships range from $500 to $1,000 …
Commentary

John Braun: Democrats claim they want to reduce spending, Republicans are showing the way

As this year’s legislative session got underway, Democratic budget leaders were talking like they had already given up on the idea of overcoming state government’s multibillion-dollar …

Commentary: Lawmakers should have to feel pain of regulations, fees on small businesses

During the 1992 presidential campaign, then candidate Bill Clinton famously intoned, “I feel your pain,” reassuring voters he understood what they were going through. Since then, …

Commentary: Washington state is in a race to the bottom in health care

A bill that many of us believe will do exactly the opposite of its title was given a green light from the House Appropriations Committee Wednesday. House Bill 1123, titled “Ensuring access …

Julie McDonald: John Rogers James recounts the journey west in 1851

Before he died in 1929, South Thurston County pioneer John Rogers James wrote about crossing the Oregon Trail from Racine, Wisconsin, with his family in 1851 and, after a year in Oregon, settling on …

Peter Abbarno: Washington state families need relief from rising costs

As a husband, father and representative of Washington’s 20th Legislative District, I hear from families daily about how hard it is to make ends meet. Unfortunately, working families face the …
Outdoors
Outdoors
WDFW invites public participation in annual salmon season-setting process
Fishery managers with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) have scheduled opportunities for the public to provide input on state-managed salmon seasons. The first is a statewide …
WDFW proposes crab rule changes to address marine life entanglements
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is proposing rule changes to the commercial Dungeness crab fishery to address marine life entanglements, improve monitoring and clarify current …
Statewide bans on baiting, feeding wildlife proposed by WDFW to help fight chronic wasting disease
Statewide bans on feeding wildlife and using bait to hunt big game are among a suite of rules proposed to help Washington limit the spread of chronic wasting disease long into the future. …