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Lewis County Commissioner Sean Swope responds to concerns over an ordinance prohibiting RVs from parking on county roads and the county’s right of way during a public hearing at the courthouse on Tuesday morning.

Lewis County increases penalties for camping on county land and adopts no parking rule for RVs

The Lewis County Board of Commissioners has approved new restrictions on RV parking and camping on county-owned land for the second time in less than a year. The move could “very well result in … more

By Mitchell Roland / mitchell@chronline.com | 8/23/23

Death Notices: Aug. 23, 2023

• STEVEN K. RIDDLE, 74, Chehalis, died Aug. 18 at his residence. Arrangements are under the care of Cattermole Funeral Home. • SHARON E. FIRTH, 67, Chehalis, died Aug. 18 at Providence … more

8/23/23

Sirens: Two trucks burn; Brass knuckles and firearms involved in altercation between eight juveniles; Residential burglary; Missing child found

CHEHALIS POLICE DEPARTMENT Theft • Landscaping equipment was reported stolen from a business in the 400 block of Northwest Chehalis Avenue at approximately 8:30 a.m. on … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/23/23

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

Bill Moeller commentary: 1940 convention revisited through treasure trove of old magazines

This column came from the file cabinet and was printed on March 11, 2009. I think it's still good today, especially considering the upcoming political debates and 2024 elections. … more

By Bill Moeller / For The Chronicle | 8/23/23

Peter Abbarno commentary: Celebrating our state’s Dolly Parton Imagination Library origin story

“Working 9 to 5” is a Dolly Parton phrase not often uttered by volunteers, board members and employees of nonprofits in our community. That’s because, when you focus your efforts on … more

By Peter Abbarno | 8/23/23

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

Letter to the editor: Opposition to the Skookumchuck Commerce Center, part three

The fate of our homes, businesses, jobs and security of many families lay in the hands of a single, unknown, undisclosed person in the City of Centralia. Since the nearly 1 … more

8/23/23

Letter to the editor: Attempted seniors center policy on prayer, politics appalling

As I watch what’s happening in the world, in America and in Lewis County, I am becoming more and more concerned that we are entering an era of supreme suppression of our freedoms, our liberty … more

8/23/23

Letter to the editor: Congresswoman’s votes on veterans, military are hypocrisy at its most outrageous

U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez recently voted with every Democrat against a bill to fully fund the Veterans Administration, making it clear that she is comfortable with denying wounded U.S. … more

8/23/23

Letter to the editor: Publisher misses mark on senior center policy

By now, you would think that Chronicle Publisher Chad Taylor would have learned that when Commissioner Sean Swope or Republican Chair Brandon Svenson come to him in a dither about some dastardly … more

8/23/23

Letter to the editor: Hopefully senior center issue blows over to nice meals and conversation

I have no problem with the policy at Lewis County Senior Centers of no prayers from the podium or to the entire attendance in the room. Private prayers spoken to oneself or in the moment of … more

8/23/23

Letter to the editor: Where is the concern over birds and wind turbines?

Chronicle columnist Richard Stride’s recent commentary talks about the environmental damage of a single catastrophic event that happened several years ago. This magnitude of damage … more

8/23/23

Letter to the editor: Stop plans for hydrogen project giveaway of taxpayer dollars

A major part of my obligation as a Lewis County Public Utility District commissioner is to protect ratepayers from unnecessary electric rate increases. All our ratepayers need to be aware … more

8/23/23

Letter to the editor: There is no need, purpose or justification for vocal prayers, loud amens at senior centers

Please understand that the Twin Cities Senior Center (and all county senior centers) needs to be inclusive of all of the many varieties of American people who represent Lewis County. This … more

8/23/23

Letter to the editor: Chronicle columnist’s commentary was a hit piece on Joe Kent

Chronicle columnist Julie McDonald’s hit piece on Joe Kent — a three-part commentary published on the Opinion page — is a disgrace. She interjected her bias into the commentary when … more

8/23/23

Letter to the editor: I, too, will vote for Kent, Trump when the opportunity arises

Thank you, letter writer Cheryl Mattheisen, for expressing my opinion of Chronicle columnist Julie McDonald's three-page "interview" with Joe Kent. I, too, will be voting for Joe Kent and Donald … more

8/23/23

FILE PHOTO — Lewis County Seniors board members Ron Averill, Carol Brock and Judy Barr listen during public comments concerning the nonprofit's new prayer and politics ban during a board meeting at the Twin Cities Senior Center on Thursday, Aug. 10.

Lewis County commissioners ask about prayer policy at meeting with Lewis County Seniors board

The Lewis County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) convened Tuesday afternoon for a meeting with the Lewis County Seniors (LCS) Board of Directors to discuss a number of issues. Topics … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 8/23/23

High visibility enforcement patrols planned in Lewis County through Sept. 4

Lewis County law enforcement agencies will conduct high visibility enforcement (HVE) patrols, a highly effective national model to reduce fatalities and serious injuries on the roadways, between Aug. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/23/23

A light pole at Wheeler Field in Fort Borst Park on Wednesday is cracked and topped with an osprey nest.

City of Centralia to begin removing rotting wooden light poles from Fort Borst Park softball fields next week

While the Centralia City Council approved the use of $1.4 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to install artificial turf on field number three at the Fort Borst Park softball complex and … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 8/23/23

Onalaska woman charged for allegedly assaulting man after both call 911

An Onalaska woman is facing felony charges for allegedly attacking and choking a man on Saturday. A deputy with the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office responded to the incident at a Gish … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 8/23/23

Restoration work by museum director and Yard Birds enthusiast Jason Mattson continues on the Yard Bird statue outside the Lewis County Historical Museum in Chehalis on Monday, Aug. 21. The local icon was moved from Yard Birds Mall to the museum last December after the museum acquired it from a private owner. “We are very honored to be the new home of this wonderful and iconic piece of local history,” the museum wrote on Facebook at the time. “ We’ll be giving him a full restoration as soon as possible, so keep an eye out for updates.” Yard Birds faced upheaval last year as the City of Chehalis at one point ruled the building was not habitable. The city lifted condemnation notices, but the building has been vacated. Photographs from 1986 are being used in the restorative paint process to style the bird back to its original glory.

Photo: Yard Birds statue at Lewis County Historical Museum moves closer to final form

8/23/23