Local News
Lewis County commissioners adopt 2024 budget over objection from Pollock
Much like a rising tide raises all boats, inflation and uncertain budget outlooks leave no one, including governments, unscathed. Higher costs, including at the Lewis County Jail, have led Lewis …
Anniversary: William ‘Bill’ L. and Mary Ann Hassler celebrate 70 years of marriage on Dec. 5
William “Bill” L. and Mary Ann Hassler celebrated 70 years of marriage on Dec. 5. They have lived most of their lives in Washington state. They were married on Dec. 5, 1953.   …
Lisa Spahr retires from Army Reserves as colonel
Following a nearly 30-year career in the U.S. Army Reserves, Lisa Spahr, daughter of Bob and Jackie Spahr, Chehalis, officially retired from her military career as a colonel at the end of last month. …
Centralia and Chehalis police face off in Salvation Army bell-ringing competition
From 2 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, the Chehalis and Centralia police departments faced off in competitive bell-ringing for the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign. In the end, the …
Sirens: Woman bites officer during DUI arrest; Three caught stealing from outlets; Scammer threatens to post photos of victim
CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT   Criminal trespass   • A trespass complaint was reported in the 2400 block of Borst Avenue at 8:55 a.m. on Dec. 4. Homeless people have …
Death Notices: Dec. 6, 2023
• FRANK WERNER, 88, Centralia, died Dec. 4. Arrangements are under the care of Sticklin Funeral Chapel. • BILLIE BARR, 88, Chehalis, died Dec. 1. Arrangements are under the care of …
City of Chehalis hosting farewell reception for City Councilor Isaac Pope
Having served the City of Chehalis for more than 36 years after originally being elected a city councilor in 1987, Isaac Pope will attend his final city council meeting on Monday, Dec. 11, after …
Locally written holiday play ‘Christmas at Rattlesnake Gulch’ set for Mountain View Baptist Church in Centralia
While most church Christmas plays follow the traditional Nativity story, Mountain View Baptist Church in Centralia will host a very different kind of Christmas story Dec. 15-17.   …
Lewis County PUD workers donate $3,000 to Lewis County Food Bank Coalition
Employees of the Lewis County Public Utility District (PUD) have donated $3,000 to the Lewis County Food Bank Coalition, according to a news release.   PUD workers collaborated to raise the …
Twin Cities Christmas Chorale performing free concert later this month 
’Tis the season for caroling, and those wishing to hear festive Christmas songs now have a new free concert they will be able to attend.   Beginning at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 17, all …
Breakfast with Santa, Christmas tree lighting ceremony set for Mossyrock Saturday
For the simple cost of a donation in any amount, all can attend a Breakfast with Santa event Saturday, Dec. 9, at the Mossyrock Grange, according to grange member Marilyn Armit.   From 9 to …
U.S. Highway 12 closes as Cowlitz River crests just below ‘major’ flood stage
Midday on Monday, the surface of the Cowlitz River at Randle sat at 6 feet of elevation. Just after 9:30 p.m. Tuesday night, it had reached 20 feet.  The National Weather Service …
Feds propose shooting one owl to save another in Pacific Northwest
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to enlist shooters to kill more than 500,000 barred owls over the next 30 years in the Pacific Northwest to preserve habitat for northern spotted owls, …
Chronicle News Dump 167: JNET would like to talk to you about the Avengers Initiative
On the 167th episode of The Chronicle News Dump, hosts Aaron VanTuyl, Editor-in-Chief Eric Schwartz, Assistant Editor Isabel Vander Stoep and Photo Editor Jared Wenzelburger discuss Smart Ax in …
Local Sports
Balanced Wolves handle Bobcats with ease
The Black Hills’ girls basketball team stayed unbeaten Wednesday, opening league play with a 59-35 win over Aberdeen. Black Hills (4-0, 1-0 2A EvCo) jumped out to a 21-2 lead after the …
Bearcats start fast, never look back in win over Warriors
Though the W.F. West Bearcats won their first three games of the season, coach Kyle Karnofski felt they in each of those games, the Bearcats had gotten off to sluggish starts. In Game 4 against …
Thunderbirds throttle Shelton
The Tumwater girls basketball team stormed out to an early lead and only kept growing it as the night went on in Shelton, dominating the Highclimbers 58-25 in its 2A EvCo debut. “I feel …
Tigers lose at Montesano
The Centralia boys basketball team fell behind in a tough second quarter and couldn’t come back late in a 69-43 non-league loss to 1A Montesano. Cohen Ballard led a balanced scoring output …
Loggers take nail-biter over Vikings
The Onalaska girls basketball team won a tight game over Mossyrock on Tuesday, overcoming a late deficit to win 34-33. The Loggers (2-1) came out of the gate strong, taking a 12-5 lead after the …
Holiday Highlights
Experience Chehalis offering downtown business owners holiday facade improvement grants
Downtown Chehalis business owners can now apply for grants to conduct small-scale improvements to their businesses’ facades for the winter holiday season thanks to a new program from Experience …
Shop local for Christmas: Centralia Downtown Association hosting downtown events in December
While downtown Centralia’s Lighted Tractor Parade, scheduled for 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9, is the downtown area’s biggest draw during the holiday season, Centralia Downtown Association …
Fort Borst Park drive-thru light display opens Friday in Centralia
The Fort Borst Park drive-thru light display will open for the Christmas season on Friday, Dec. 1.  “All are invited to Borst Park to view the many colorful animated and stationary …
Napavine Funtime Festival’s Christmas Parade will take to the streets Saturday evening
The Napavine Funtime Festival will sponsor the annual Christmas Parade in Napavine on Saturday, Dec. 2, at 4 p.m., according to an email from event organizers.   This is the parade’s …
Centralia College hosting Voetberg Family Christmas concert 
Get ready for festive music and classic Christmas songs as the Voetberg Family Christmas concert comes to Centralia College from Thursday, Dec. 21, to Saturday, Dec. 23. Thursday and …

Chronicle Podcast

  • Sports Dump: Adios, football season
  • Sports Dump: The Vibe King welcomes you to the Endgame
  • Chronicle News Dump 166: “Podcast stuck in the tub again?”
Obituaries

In loving memory of Norma Binion: March 31, 1953 - Oct. 26, 2023

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Norma Donnette Binion.  Norma was a beloved wife, mother, sister and friend. She is remembered fondly as a caring and compassionate …

In loving memory of Devin Swecker: 1981-2023

Devin Christopher Swecker, 42, passed away Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023.  Devin was preceded in death by his father, Dan Swecker. He is survived by his daughter, Claire Rue. He also leaves …

In loving memory of Barbara Fry: 1941-2023 

Barbara Edith Fry passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, at her home on Lincoln Creek after a lingering battle with ovarian cancer.  Barbara was …

In loving memory of Joanne Dettmering: 1939-2023

Joanne Dettmering, of Centralia, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, at the age of 84. Joanne was born on July 2, 1939, to Ed and Anna Limbacher in Brooklyn, New York. She grew up in South Ozone …

Death Notice: Dec. 4, 2023

• SARAH ELLEN JOYCE, 93, Centralia, died Dec. 1 at her residence. Arrangements are under the care of Funeral Alternatives of Washington.  

 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 …
State & Regional News

Cowlitz County man gets 45 years for murdering man, blowing up body in 2022

A Kelso man was sentenced Monday to 45 years for his involvement in a 2022 murder of a transient man, whose dead body was later blown up with explosives in a failed attempt to cover up the crime. …

Schools
Smart Ax: Onalaska educators encourage Loggers to lead the way
Editor’s Note: This story is the first in a three-part series about Onalaska High School. ‘Smart Ax’ will examine the school’s unique approach to culture, community and …
‘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 …
Commentary

Commentary: Shopping small is a big way to help your hometown

After a long run of strong spending, there are signs that consumers are beginning to slow down the pace of purchasing just a bit.   U.S. retail sales fell 0.1% in October, the first decline …

Julie McDonald: Navy veteran, career forester recalls early days of World War II

Thirteen-year-old Bill Murdock’s district sales manager called on a Sunday in early December. The Oregon Journal printed a special edition for him to sell on the streets of Astoria that blared …

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. …
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 …