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Sheriff’s office: Randle man who went missing last month while picking mushrooms has still not been found

The 49-year-old Randle man who was reported missing after he and two others went to pick mushrooms in the Burley Mountain area near Randle in late September has not been located, the Lewis County … more

By The Chronicle staff | 10/9/23

The Southwest Washington Mycological Society will host author and ecologist Alison Pouliot, who has spent 23 years exploring the tension between regulators and hunters, from 6 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 16 at the Lewis Fire District 6, Station 61, located at 2123 Jackson Highway in Chehalis.

Southwest Washington fungi association to host author for discussion on regulations

Identifying poisonous or dangerous mushrooms is only half of the battle. The next comes when a government tries to regulate the fungi. The Southwest Washington Mycological Society will host … more

By The Chronicle staff | 10/9/23

Mount Rainier is pictured above the clouds as fog rolls in on the Willapa Hills Sunday at sunset. This photo was captured by local resident Spencer Burdick from a hill just outside of Pe Ell. To submit photos to The Chronicle, email them to news@chronline.com. Be sure to include the name of the photographer, where the photo was captured and other helpful details.

Photo: Fog blankets the Willapa Hills at Sunrise Sunday

10/9/23

The former OYO Hotel, located on Harrison Avenue, falls within the same zoning district as the former Motel 6.

Centralia City Council set to discuss housing code changes, rezoning request in hotel district

Among the discussion items during this Tuesday’s Centralia City Council meeting will be the first reading of an ordinance amending the city’s municipal code based on recommendations from … more

By The Chronicle staff | 10/9/23

Disability-inclusive hiring practices, employers to be celebrated in Chehalis

To mark National Disability Employment Awareness Month, local and statewide organizations are celebrating employers in Lewis County that have inclusive hiring practices. The Washington … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 10/9/23

Former Littlerock fire chief, 94, tours West Thurston Regional Fire Authority

The West Thurston Regional Fire Authority welcomed one of Littlerock Fire Rescue’s earliest fire chiefs, Marion Smith, for a tour of its Littlerock station on Friday, Oct. 6. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 10/9/23

UW, Centralia College, Economic Alliance to host Bioeconomy Conference Oct. 26

Centralia College, the University of Washington and the Economic Alliance of Lewis County are partnering to host a Bioeconomy Conference in the college’s TransAlta Commons from 9 a.m. to noon … more

By The Chronicle staff | 10/9/23

A ballot box is seen locked up after August primary voting came to a close on Tuesday, August 1.

Lewis County Auditor’s Office: Ballots set to be mailed for November election

The Lewis County Auditor’s Office will send out more than 54,000 ballots to registered voters this week. In a Monday news release, the auditor’s office said staff will mail 54,615 … more

By The Chronicle staff | 10/9/23

Cameron McGee, executive director of the Washington Association of Culture and Arts, a Lewis and South Thurston County-based nonprofit that was founded last month.

Nonprofit aims to support arts in Lewis County schools, community and beyond

After the district’s levy failed in April, the Centralia School Board’s first workshops toyed with the idea of decreasing budgets for athletics and band, according to previous reporting … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronline.com | 10/9/23

Death Notices: Oct. 9, 2023

• ELIZABETH A. THOMPSON, 66, Winlock, died Sept. 28 at Providence St. Peter Hospital. Arrangements are under the care of Cattermole Funeral Home. • EVELYN M. MARTIN, 95, Centralia, … more

10/9/23

Sirens: Purple Hearts, other medals stolen; Windows shot out; Child won't go to school, grandmother reports; Man with gun threatens to kill

CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Criminal trespass • A homeless man from Winlock found asleep on private property in the 200 block of South Pearl Street just after 7:25 a.m. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 10/9/23

At left, Clarence Piper, 98, talks about his experiences in World War II during an interview with columnist Julie McDonald. In the photo at the right, Clarence Piper, far right, described Tinian as a muddy mess.

Julie McDonald: Navy Seabee recalls work on island of Tinian during WWII

When Japanese bombers attacked U.S. Navy ships at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, Clarence Piper was a high school sophomore visiting his uncle in the hills of Oregon and read about the attack in the … more

By Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 10/9/23

Richard Stride is the current CEO of Cascade Community Healthcare. He can be reached at drstride@icloud.com.

Richard Stride: Hispanic Heritage Month reminds us of the wonder that is America

Hispanic Heritage month is Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. During this time, we celebrate histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors come from Spain, … more

By Richard Stride | 10/9/23

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

Letter to the editor: Lewis County does not need a commissioner assuming the role of a Big Brother

When does "no" not mean "no?" When Lewis County Commissioner Sean Swope embarks on a mission to reform the Timberland Regional Library system's book selection in our local libraries. As a … more

10/9/23

FILE PHOTO — Maureen Markom, of the Lewis County Farm Bureau, describes challenges farmers face with water rights during a chamber forum in Centralia in 2022.

Focus on Agriculture: America needs to get back to knowing and supporting its farmers

My family moved to Lewis County the summer of 1965, so I am not a true native Washingtonian, but close to it — I do feel like one. Other than four years away at college (two years in Pullman … more

By Maureen Harkcom | 10/9/23

Lewis County Commissioner Lindsey Pollock listens to constituents during a business meeting in Chehalis last August.

Lindsey Pollock: Questions, concerns regarding proposed hydrogen power facility

About 18 months ago, Economic Alliance of Lewis County Executive Director Richard DeBolt wrote a commentary for The Chronicle questioning my intelligence for asking critical questions about a … more

By Lindsey Pollock, Lewis County commissioner | 10/9/23

Lewis County’s property tax household income thresholds increase by $8,000

Higher thresholds for property tax exemptions in Lewis County may ensure residents’ abilities to stay in their households and pay the bills, said Lewis County Assessor Ross Nielson. … more

10/9/23

The driver of a pickup truck escaped with minor injuries after being pinned against the Interstate 5 barrier in Chehalis by a logging truck on Friday morning. These photos were provided by Lewis County Fire District 6.

Driver avoids major injuries after logging truck pins vehicle against barrier in Chehalis

A pickup truck was crushed by a log truck on northbound Interstate 5 in Chehalis at 11:50 a.m. on Friday. “Thankfully, the driver of the pickup truck escaped with minor … more

By The Chronicle staff | 10/9/23

The Fort Borst Blockhouse is seen in this Chronicle file photograph.

Volunteers offer to help repair Fort Borst Blockhouse

The Fort Borst Blockhouse was originally built from 1855 to 1856 near the confluence of the Skookumchuck and Chehalis rivers. It was moved to its current location in Fort Borst Park in 1922. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 10/9/23

Centralia woman arrested for allegedly breaking into home, stealing car after slew of lesser offenses over the weekend

Centralia police booked a woman into the Lewis County Jail Sunday morning after having six separate interactions with her over the weekend, with alleged offenses ranging from indecent exposure to … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 10/9/23