Local News
Two arrested, another suspect sought after police chase in Chehalis and Centralia on Monday
Centralia detectives are investigating an attempt-to-elude case after a man fled from both Centralia and Chehalis police, kept driving after spike strips deflated one of the car’s tires, and …
Three Centralia College students named to All-Washington Academic Team
Centralia College has named three students to the 2024 All-Washington Academic Team.  “The All-Washington Academic Team program recognizes and honors the state's finest higher …
Renowned Centralia jazz artist to celebrate Henry Mancini centennial with show at The Juice Box
Renowned jazz artist Dmitri Matheny and his all-star band will appear at The Juice Box Public House in downtown Centralia from 7 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, May 11.  “The performance, a …
Centralia-based massage therapist launches series teaching safety for health care practitioners
A Centralia-based, licensed massage therapist has launched a new lecture series that aims to safeguard practitioners against inappropriate behavior.  Kaci Jones, a lifelong Chehalis …
Winlock man faces possible vehicular assault charge after Monday motorcycle crash in Pierce County 
A Winlock man is facing a possible vehicular assault charge after he crashed a motorcycle into another vehicle while carrying a passenger on southbound Interstate 5 in Pierce County on Monday. …
Lewis County coroner determines shooting death of man in Chehalis was a homicide
The death of an 84-year-old Chehalis man found last week in the 300 block of Market Boulevard has been ruled a homicide by the Lewis County Coroner’s Office.  Royland E. Barnett, of …
Washington state GOP chair defends handling of state convention
Hurt feelings may be lingering for some Republicans following the GOP party convention in Spokane last weekend, but the state party chair tells The Center Square that the media coverage of the event …
Family seeks support for Thurston County woman seriously injured after horse ‘takes off running’
A fundraiser has been announced for a Thurston County woman seriously injured in a horse-related mishap last week, according to GoFundMe.  Cristi Vanderhoof was about to mount her horse on …
Grays Harbor County gas plant property value drops by $52M; agreement says costs of climate bill pushed down the value of largest taxpayer
In December 2023, a historic property tax adjustment delivered a blow to the value of a natural gas power plant near Elma, raising taxes of remaining property owners in the area and across the …
Centralia Police Chief Stacy Denham selected as city manager of Chehalis 
Centralia Police Department Chief Stacy Denham has been selected as the next city manager of Chehalis, according to a Monday news release. “The Chehalis City Council is excited to announce …
Man accused of kidnapping woman, trying to drive her to California arrested in Lewis County 
A man accused of kidnapping his estranged wife in Kent and attempting to drive her to California while he was intoxicated was arrested in Lewis County early Sunday morning.  The man, …
Man accused of fracturing another man’s jaw in a fight outside of a Salkum bar
Bail is set at $5,000 for a man accused of punching a man repeatedly and fracturing his jaw outside of a bar in Salkum on Friday.  The defendant, identified as Cody Benjermin Edward Rider, …
Man, 58, pronounced dead at Maytown Rest Area after a medical emergency on Monday 
A 58-year-old Vancouver man was pronounced dead at the southbound Interstate 5 Maytown Rest Area in Thurston County on Monday after he suffered a medical emergency.  Richard J. Fulton was …
MGP votes in support of House passed foreign aid package
Following months of debate, the United States House of Representatives voted Saturday to provide $95 billion in foreign aid to Ukraine and Israel in a package that now heads to the Senate for …
Reader’s lens: A stunning Saturday sunrise over Mount Rainier
Shelly Ford captured these stunning photos of the sun rising over Mount Rainier from Pleasant Valley Road in Chehalis on Saturday, April 20. To submit photos to The Chronicle for possible …
Local Sports
W.F. West secures outright EvCo title with thriller over Black Hills
It was a dance party for the Bearcats on Tuesday night as they clipped the Wolves 3-2 in Tumwater to clinch the outright Evergreen Conference title with a couple regular season matches left. It …
Beavers rebound from two straight losses to run-rule Grizzlies
Tenino’s baseball team planted its foot on the gas pedal from the opening inning and never looked back in a 10-0, five-inning win over Hoquiam on Tuesday night in an Evergreen League contest …
Seven Bearcats sign NLIs at W.F. West signing day
More than half a dozen W.F. West student-athletes made the next step in their athletic careers on Tuesday, signing National Letters of Intent at a signing event in the W.F. West commons. Natalie …
Bearcats wallop Bobcats behind eight-run explosion
Twenty-four hours after clipping Aberdeen in a pitcher’s duel, W.F. West broke out the bats on the road to dismantle its Evergreen Conference foe 13-3 on the road Tuesday night. With just …
Gramelspacher no-hits Centralia, puts Rochester on brink of postseason
ROCHESTER — It was about the end of the third inning when the Rochester dugout began thinking about it. Henry Gramelspacher had worked around a couple of baserunners in the second, but he …

Chronicle Podcast

  • News Dump Ep. 183: Trying to scare off clandestine fornicators
  • News Dump Ep. 182: Hats off for the Director of Fluff
  • News Dump Ep. 181: It was that damn sasquatch
Obituaries

Death Notices: April 19, 2024

• CARISSA L. BREMGARTNER-GARDIPEE, 36, Adna, died on April 8 at her residence. A graveside service was held on Friday, April 19, at St. Urban Cemetery in Winlock followed by a celebration of …

In loving memory of Harriet Rajala: 1937-2024 

Harriet Sinclair Rajala, of Chehalis, Washington, passed away on March 8, 2024, peacefully with family by her side.  Harriet was born on Sept. 13, 1937, in Indianapolis, Indiana, and …

Death Notices: April 17, 2024

• MARSHALL JOHN SCOTT, 82, Centralia, died April 11 at his home at Assured Hospice in Centralia. There are no services scheduled at this time. Arrangements are under the care of Sticklin Funeral …

In loving memory of Ted D. Kohler: Oct. 10, 1942 - March 23, 2024

Ted Kohler, of Napavine, Washington, passed away at home with his family by his side. Ted was married to Jeanne in 1961 and she survives him at home. He worked for the Napavine School District for 30 …

In loving memory of Alta ‘June’ Wachter-Busse: 1927-2024

Alta “June” Wachter-Busse, Evaline, died on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at St. Peter’s Hospital in Olympia, Washington. Born in Centralia on June 3, 1927, June was a lifetime resident …

In loving memory of Johnnie Lee Workman: 1944-2024 

John Workman, 79, passed away Easter Sunday peacefully at his home in Mossyrock, Washington, surrounded by his wife Penny; daughter Cassie; and grandson Colby Johnson.  John was born in …
State & Regional News

U.S. Supreme Court justices seem split on how far to go to allow cities to regulate homelessness

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday dove into the high-stakes case on homelessness that originated in Oregon’s Grants Pass with justices struggling to figure out where to draw the line on how far …

Schools
Evaline School to host 140th anniversary celebration on May 18; Hope Grange’s 120th anniversary celebration to follow
Evaline School is celebrating its 140th anniversary with an open house on Saturday, May 18. The Winlock-based public elementary school serves students in kindergarten through sixth grade, with …
Lewis County donates $35,000 to project to house homeless Centralia students
The Board of Lewis County Commissioners unanimously voted Tuesday to provide $35,000 to a project to house homeless students in the Centralia School District. The move comes after the Centralia …
Napavine SkillsUSA student to compete in national competition
Napavine High School sophomore Lyla Kirkpatrick will travel to Atlanta, Georgia, in June to compete at the national level after she placed first in the prepared speaking category at the Washington …
Centralia and Chehalis Catholic parishes bring back Stations of the Cross enactment
With the early spring showers clearing up just in time for this past weekend, close to 200 local Catholics began their Easter weekend by watching as Centralia’s St. Mary’s and …
Napavine High School third quarter honor roll
Following are members of Napavine High School’s third quarter honor roll, as provided by the school district. Students are listed in alphabetical order.   12th grade …
Commentary

Julie McDonald: Medical care grew locally from doctor’s offices to large hospitals

Mother Joseph of the Sacred Heart, the French-Canadian Sister of Providence who started nearly 30 schools, orphanages and hospitals in the Pacific Northwest during the 19th century, never started a …

Gluesenkamp Perez: Our veterans served our country. It’s time we served them.

Editor’s note: Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez was offered an opportunity to write an op-ed on a topic of her choosing after the previous publication of a commentary by her Republican …

John Braun: When it comes to dodging constitution, Democrats are habitual offenders

Republicans see absolutely no need for an income tax in Washington. Thanks to unanimous support from Republican legislators, Initiative 2111 was passed on March 4. It outlaws any income tax at any …

Richard Stride commentary: Beginning to understand the meaning of understanding

I love watching documentaries, usually those that are about history or historical figures. My wife likes sitcoms. If you saw us at home sitting on the couch together, you would see that she …

Julie McDonald: Mother Joseph and Sisters of Providence opened schools, hospitals, orphanages

Today marks the 201st birthday of a Canadian woman whose loving selfless acts of service saved many lives throughout the Pacific Northwest. Esther Pariseau was born April 16, 1823, on a farm …
Outdoors
Outdoors
The digs roll on: WDFW announces seven days of coastal clam digging to round out April 
Razor clam diggers can look forward to more digging opportunities on coastal beaches beginning April 23, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) coastal shellfish managers confirmed …
WDFW: Latest big game hunting regulations and special hunt applications now available
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has released the latest big game hunting season and regulation information, including a decision from the WDFW director about 2024-2026 hunting …
Hundreds of lowland lakes around Washington open for fishing on April 27
Anglers can look forward to trout fishing in hundreds of lowland lakes throughout the state beginning April 27— and perhaps winning one of more than 800 trout derby prizes along with their …