Local News
Centralia City Council, staff discuss possible future annexation options and needs during work session
With Centralia city staff entering the final year of the city's comprehensive plan update process, the Centralia City Council met prior to its Tuesday, Feb. 11, meeting for a work session to discuss …
Sirens: Oil spill in downtown Centralia; vehicle strikes fence, flees from scene; man cited for possession of drugs; vehicle prowls reported
CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Theft • A third-degree theft reported in the 200 block of North Tower Avenue just after 11:25 a.m. on Feb. 14 is under investigation. • At …
Updated counts don’t change results of Feb. 11 special election for Lewis County schools
The additional 666 ballots counted by the Lewis County Auditor’s Office between Feb. 11 and Feb. 12 did not change the results of the February special election. The final ballot count …
Abbarno bill promoting city-tribal partnerships passed by state House
A bill sponsored by state Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia, passed out of the Washington state House of Representatives on Thursday, Feb. 13, with unanimous support. HB 1039 would allow some …
Historic Tumwater tree could stay, report says; final decision coming in March
The newest assessment of the historic 400-year-old Davis Meeker Garry Oak tree that partially hangs over Old Highway 99 south of Tumwater was released on Feb. 7. It turns out, the tree is …
‘A cornerstone of our organization’: Mineral Lake Lions Club honoring longtime member Dick Suter for 60 years of service
The Mineral Lake Lions Club is honoring one of the original founders of the Mineral Lake Lions Den Campground — Dick Suter — for 60 years of service to the local Lions Club chapter in the …
Rochester landscaping company earns statewide recognition at Washington Association of Landscape Professionals awards
The Buds & Blades Landscape Company of Rochester has won a pair of Washington Association of Landscape Professionals (WALP) awards, according to a news release. Buds & Blades was awarded …
Community Farmers Market of Chehalis holding 2025 poster design contest
The Community Farmers Market of Chehalis is holding its annual poster design contest for the 2025 farmers market season. Prizes of $200 in farmers market tokens are up for grabs for the winning …
Centralia’s Reliable Enterprises welcomes new executive director
Reliable Enterprises — a Centralia-based social services organization offering assistance and housing to low-income families and disadvantaged citizens — now has a new executive director. …
Gluesenkamp Perez helps introduce legislation to shield Southwest Washington ratepayers from PFAS cleanup costs
U.S. Reps. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, and Celeste Maloy, R-Utah, recently introduced the bipartisan Water Systems PFAS Liability Protection Act. The legislation is aimed at ensuring …
State moves to ban known carcinogen in cosmetics
Washington’s Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act regulates many toxic chemicals in cosmetics, including formaldehyde, which is known to cause cancer. Formaldehyde and chemicals that release …
Lewis County Public Health and Social Services Advisory Board seeks applicants
The Lewis County Board of Health is seeking applicants to serve on the Lewis County Public Health and Social Services Advisory Board. Only Lewis County residents are eligible for the positions. …
Gluesenkamp Perez introduces bill to limit  use of capital gains tax loophole
U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, introduced a bill Thursday, Feb. 6, that, if signed into law, would put an end to what she calls a “loophole” that allows wealthy money …
Nature Nurture Farmacy to hold ‘Preservation Dinner’ in Chehalis
Nature Nurture Farmacy in Chehalis will host a “Yes We CAN! Preservation Dinner” potluck celebrating food that is grown and preserved locally. This community event will take place …
Local Sports
Pe Ell and Oakville eliminated from district tournament
The Pe Ell and Oakville boys basketball teams were eliminated from the 1B District 4 Tournament on Monday, as both the Trojans and Acorns lost elimination games in Raymond. The Trojans lost …
Sumrok, T-Birds rally back, but fall short to Spudders
With just over four minutes remaining in the second quarter in a 2A District 4 Tournament Elimination Game, Tumwater trailed Ridgefield by 15 points and Sydney Sumrok hadn’t scored a point. …
Twin City Wrestling placed seventh at Battle in the Woods
The Twin City Wresting Club had 72 members travel north to Eatonville for the Washington State Wrestling Association Battle in the Woods on Sunday, and the team finished in seventh place. TCWC …
CC Roundup: Women’s basketball team gets massive win over Highline
The Centralia College women’s basketball team gave itself some cushion in terms of playoff positioning on Saturday, defeating Highline 72-66 to extend its lead on the West’s No. 4 seed. …
Black Hills, W.F. West, and Centralia place in top four at District 4 Tournament
Local girls wrestling teams had plenty of success at Hudson’s Bay on Saturday, as Black Hills, W.F. West, and Centralia placed second, third, and fourth at the 2A District 4 Girls Wrestling …

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

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. …

In loving memory of Robert Joseph Kabel: 1922-2025

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, …
State & Regional News

Educators and parents call on Washington state lawmakers to up school funding

Hundreds of Washington students, parents, teachers and other educators demonstrated at the state Capitol on Monday, calling for increased funding for the state’s public school system. …

Schools
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 …
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 …
Mossyrock Jr./Sr. High School Honor Roll
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.   …
The Evergreen State College, Saint Martin's University announce major anonymous donations
The Evergreen State College in Olympia and Saint Martin's University in Lacey have received anonymous donations of at least $1 million, both schools announced. Evergreen announced its $1 million …
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 …
Commentary

Commentary: Celebrating 25 years of federal recognition for the Cowlitz Tribe

Editor’s note: Last week, Cowlitz Tribe General Council Chairman Bill Iyall issued the following statement in celebration of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe’s 25th anniversary of federal …

Commentary: Pragmatic policy and common sense action needed in Congress

Editor’s note: U.S. House Blue Dog Democrats Coalition members Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Rep. Jared Golden, Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, Rep. Lou Correa, and Rep. Adam Gray wrote the following …

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 …

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, …
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. …