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Sirens: Naked man reported in Centralia; 'suspicious man acting like a spider' reported; citizen scammed out of $9,000

CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Malicious mischief • Just before 8:20 a.m. on May 6, there was a report that a vehicle’s tires were slashed in the 400 block of North Tower Avenue … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/8/24

Chehalis police respond to the Law and Justice Center in Chehalis Tuesday afternoon after a suspicious item was left on a table. The Washington State Patrol Bomb Squad responded and determined the item was not an explosive.

‘Suspicious’ item left outside of Law and Justice Center in Chehalis draws bomb squad on Tuesday

The Chehalis Police Department blocked off the entrance to the Lewis County Law and Justice Center in the 300 block of West Main Street for several hours Tuesday afternoon after a suspicious package … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/8/24

Letters to the editor can be submitted to letters@chronline.com.

Letter to the editor: Semi Bird’s candidacy is a dead duck

As reported in The Chronicle, the recent Republican convention in Spokane, intended to burnish and unify the party, was discordant and futile. Washington state GOP Chairman Jim Walsh denied this … more

5/8/24

Letter to the editor: Columnist is wrong about Trump

Chronicle columnist Julie McDonald has swallowed every lie told about President Trump by the media. Many of us haven’t. As strongly as she believes Jan. 6 was an insurrection, I believe it … more

5/8/24

Letter to the editor: Marie Gluesenkamp Perez continues to speak out of both sides of her mouth

U.S. troops remain in peril in the Middle East, sitting ducks for the next attack The horror of war is something most of us cannot imagine. You can watch documentaries and read stories. But … more

5/8/24

Letter to the editor: What a journey it has been for Discover! Children’s Museum

Nothing pleased me more than this recent Chronicle headline: “United Learning Center Construction set in Centralia.” Why? Because I am asked weekly, “when will the museum … more

5/8/24

Letter to the editor: Defund the Port of Centralia

I have been closely following local disagreements surrounding the Port of Centralia, its citizen critics as well as the concerns of impersonators using the port’s name and image for their … more

5/8/24

Students pet Lizzie, a 2 month old Guernsey calf, during Kindergarten Dairy Days at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds in Chehalis on Tuesday, May 7.

Kindergarten Dairy Days returns to Southwest Washington Fairgrounds

Kindergarteners from across Lewis County visited the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds on Tuesday morning for Dairy Days. Eleven schools arrived at the fairgrounds eager to see the cows. Each … more

By Ridley Hudson / ridley@chronline.com | 5/8/24

Chehalis-Centralia Railroad and Museum: Cost to repair steam engines will near $1M, but passengers are flocking back for rides

The cost to repair two Chehalis-Centralia Railroad and Museum steam engines will be close to $1 million each, the railroad announced as part of an update on operations this week. The railroad … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/8/24

Christina Riley, left, is challenging incumbent Lindsey Pollock for a seat on the Board of Lewis County Commissioners. Both candidates are running at Republicans.

As expected, Pollock earns challenge from county party-backed candidate for Lewis County commissioner seat

Unsurprisingly, Lewis County Commissioner Lindsey Pollock has drawn at least one challenger vying to represent District 2 on the Board of Lewis County Commissioners. On Monday, the first day … more

By Mitchell Roland / mitchell@chronline.com | 5/8/24

Jay Ryan poses for a photo at Grist in downtown Centralia on Tuesday, May 7.

Grist Urban Stone Mill Flour Shoppe & Grainery opening in downtown Centralia

Whether you’re an artisan baker looking for a custom flour blend or just someone looking for healthier options and regionally grown grains, there’s a new store in downtown Centralia that … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 5/8/24

Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad embarks on restoration project for Porter No. 5 steam locomotive

The nonprofit Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad (MRSR) nonprofit on Wednesday announced its plans to restore the iconic Porter No. 5 steam locomotive to its former glory. Built by H.K. Porter … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/8/24

Toledo Police Chief Duane Garvais Lawrence, right, speaks while holding hands with his daughter, Unity Louie Garvais Lawrence and LoVina Louie Lawrence, far left, during the missing or murdered Indigenous persons solidarity event at Toledo Middle School on Sunday, May 5.

Toledo police become first department to formally recognize missing and murdered indigenous women

While they may be first, Toledo Police Chief Duane Garvais Lawrence hopes his department isn’t the last. “The blight of Missing and Murdered Indigenous women, men and children is a … more

By Mitchell Roland / mitchell@chronline.com | 5/8/24

Third District U.S. Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez listens to ToledoTel CEO Dale Merten discuss Winlock fiber internet popularity during a broadband roundtable discussion on Tuesday, April 2, in Chehalis.

Washington congressional members urge funding small business development centers

The former operator of a small auto repair shop in Portland, Third Congressional District Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Washougal, joined a bipartisan collection of more than 70 U.S. lawmakers in … more

By Mitchell Roland / mitchell@chronline.com | 5/8/24

American red wolf M2191, named Finch while in captivity, is pictured at Wolf Haven in Tenino.

Endangered American red wolf from Wolf Haven in Tenino released into the wild, produces pups

An endangered wolf born at the Wolf Haven International in Tenino has been released into the wild and produced a litter of pups, according to a news release from the sanctuary. In October 2023, … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/8/24

Blake McDrummond, owner of BnT’s American Treasures, looks through items to keep at Yard Birds in Chehalis on Tuesday, April 30. The stolen trailer is in the bottom right corner of the photo.

Former owners of business at Yard Birds have store area ransacked, trailer stolen

While the free giveaway and clearing out of the vacant Yard Birds shopping center is ongoing, former tenants are lamenting the loss of possessions stolen from a locked area over the weekend. The … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 5/8/24

Free recycling event between Napavine and Winlock to help residents clean up

A community recycle event will offer Lewis County residents an opportunity to recycle several materials and offer proper disposal for others on May 11 at the Lewis County Public Works Department Road … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/8/24

Members of the Tenino baseball team celebrate its 3-1 win over La Center in a Class 1A District 4 semifinal on Tuesday at Castle Rock High School.

Spring postseason tracker: What’s next for area schools

The baseball and soccer postseasons are already under way, and softball isn’t far behind. Several Chronicle teams are still alive, and a few have already even clinched state berths. As the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/8/24

The outside of the state Capitol on the last day of the 2024 Legislature in Olympia on Thursday, March 7.

Agencies preparing for flood of WA Cares opt outs if initiative passes

The Washington State Employment Security Department is making plans for a flood of opt-outs from WA Cares should voters decide this November to pass Initiative 2124 , making the state’s … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 5/8/24

Restoring grizzly bears to Washington's North Cascades is again under consideration. (Dreamstime/TNS)

Washington ranchers bearing brunt of grizzlies returning to North Cascades

After years of discussion and public meetings, the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have signed a final agreement to bring grizzly bears back to the North Cascades Mountain … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 5/8/24