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Two deputies hurt, vehicle rammed, man in custody after wild pursuit across Thurston County

A 28-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of multiple crimes early Friday after leading deputies on a wild pursuit across Thurston County that at one point crossed an area golf course, according to … more

Rolf Boone / The Olympian | 1/29/24

Sirens: Camping violations, failure to register arrest, 911 caller reports people "were making fun of him"

CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Criminal trespass • A 48-year-old Centralia woman was cited for trespassing at Blakeslee Junction in the 1600 block of Reynolds Avenue at 2:45 p.m. on Jan. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/29/24

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

Lewis County law enforcement mired in problems

You have a policing problem throughout Lewis County. Here are some examples from recent memory and the news: An entire shift of Centralia’s police department decided to have their … more

1/29/24

Levies play important part in funding local schools

We are writing to give our strong support for our region’s upcoming school levy elections, including Boistfort, Centralia, Chehalis, Morton, Oakville, Rainer, Rochester, Tenino and Toledo. As … more

1/29/24

Getting Chehalis’ fiscal house in order: a call to freeze new spending

In these challenging times of rampant inflation, it’s imperative the Chehalis City Council take a hard look at our city’s finances. The responsible management of taxpayer dollars has … more

By Kevin Carns and Daryl Lund | 1/29/24

U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez speaks during an interview with Chronicle columnist Julie McDonald.

Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez on world conflicts and hopelessness at home

Editor’s Note: Columnist Julie McDonald previously wrote a three-part series based on an interview with Republican congressional candidate Joe Kent. That series, and the first two parts of her … more

Julie McDonald | 1/29/24

A Salkum ambulance responds to the scene of a fire along the 100 block of East Zola Drive in Cinebar in June 2023.

WA legislation would make hospitals foot bill for ambulances forced to wait for bed space

Crowded emergency rooms across the state are forcing ambulance crews to wait, sometimes hours, for the patient to be delivered so a bed is available. That’s the backdrop for a bill that … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 1/29/24

GOP reps ramp up fight on ‘hypocritical assault’ on Snake River dams in Eastern WA

Republicans representing Congressional districts that depend on the lower Snake River dams are digging in on their opposition to tearing them down. A bill that would prohibit using federal money … more

Annette Cary / Tri-City Herald (TNS) | 1/29/24

16-year old La Center boy loses legs at job site, Washington L&I investigating

After a safety and health investigation, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) has cited and fined Rotschy LLC after a 16-year old boy from La Center lost both legs … more

For the Chronicle | 1/29/24

Washington state Office of the Insurance Commissioner

New rule will require insurers in WA to be more transparent about premium increases

If your car insurance premium went up recently, you’ve probably called your insurance company to ask why. But you’ve also probably come across insurance agents who provide you little … more

Rosemary Montalvo / The News Tribune (TNS) | 1/29/24

A ballot box is seen locked up after August primary voting came to a close in August 2023.

Mandatory voting proposed by Democrats

A proposal to make voting mandatory drew criticisms from 2,000 people in a Washington state Legislative hearing Jan. 25. “We are already in a moment of extreme distrust in elections, so … more

By Mary Murphy / Washington State Journal | 1/29/24

Thurston County, cities announce plans for broadcast after parting ways with TCMedia

Thurston Community Media (TC Media)— which has been providing broadcast of local government meetings and public access programming for years — saw its contracts with Thurston County, … more

Ty Vinson / The Olympian (TNS) | 1/29/24

Nancy Evans, Washington’s former first lady, dies at 90

Nancy Bell Evans, former first lady of Washington and wife of Gov. Dan Evans, died Friday, Jan. 26. She was 90. Evans devoted much of her life to public service during and after her … more

Lauren Girgis / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 1/29/24

The Washington state Capitol in Olympia as seen on Jan. 14, 2024.

WA Senate passes bill to update process for dissolving rural library districts

The Washington State Senate unanimously approved a bill on Wednesday, Jan. 24, to update the process for dissolving rural library districts. State Sen. Sam Hunt, D- Olympia, who sponsored the … more

Kate Smith / Walla Walla Union-Bulletin (TNS) | 1/29/24

Pair of proposed bills would offer free community college to eligible Washington students

Per capita, Washington ranks among the lowest states in the country in terms of the number of residents who apply for federal student aid to fund a postsecondary education. And community … more

Ellen Dennis / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 1/29/24

Diaper changing stations for dads proposed

Diaper changing stations traditionally were placed only in women’s bathrooms, and Alexandra Johnson, a mother of two from Snoqualmie, thinks that should change. “What are the … more

By Aspen Anderson / Washington State Journal | 1/29/24

The Washington state Captiol in Olympia.

Children of WA farmworkers could receive greater academic support

The children of seasonal farmworkers often pull extra shifts outside of school. They work on farms with their parents, babysit, cook, clean and more to help their families. If their parents are … more

Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 1/29/24

State Republican Party Chair Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, here, is closely allied with wealthy businessman Brian Heywood, who began an initiative campaign, Let’s Go Washington. Walsh filed and officially sponsored six initiatives and appears alongside Heywood at publicity events.

6 initiatives head to WA ballot with $6M support of Brian Heywood

Brian Heywood pulled his hedge fund business out of California in 2010, fed up with that state’s high taxes and increasingly liberal politics. Hunting for a new home — preferably in … more

Jim Brunner / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 1/29/24

In his spare time, Charles "Buck" Hubbert, a Chronicle Person of the Year for 2023, enjoyed traveling, fishing and hunting with his family members. In his life, he visited more than 30 countries.

Person of the Year: Charles ‘Buck’ Hubbert remembered as businessman, philanthropist and family man

Charles Allen Hubbert embodied numerous identities in his 80 years of life. To most, he was “Buck,” a hard-working businessman who spent decades in the tire industry in Chehalis. To … more

By Dylan Reubenking / For The Chronicle | 1/29/24

Bill Moeller smiles for a portrait outside The Chronicle in Centralia on Jan. 24, 2023.

Person of the year: Bill Moeller

On a red recliner in a living room on Fords Prairie Avenue in Centralia, Bill Moeller enjoys watching TV as Sam, the 3-year-old black cat, keeps him company. The friendship makes sense: Both … more

Isabel Vander Stoep / For The Chronicle | 1/29/24