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Hunter Howell runs through an attempted tackle at Rainier's practice on Wednesday, Aug. 23.

Mountaineers hoping for revival year in new league

RAINIER — The 2022 season was not the bounceback year the Rainier football team was looking for. After a 2021 campaign derailed by COVID-19 cancellations — due to both outbreaks on … more

By Josh Kirshenbaum / josh@chronline.com | 8/23/23

Darrin Roy Noble 46, of Pe Ell, appears in Lewis County Superior Court on Wednesday, Aug. 23.

Pe Ell man charged for July overdose death in Centralia

Bail has been set at $10,000 for the Pe Ell man charged Wednesday with controlled substance homicide following the fatal overdose of a woman in Centralia last July. The man, identified as … more

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

Lewis County Commissioner Scott Brummer tells fire commissioners from across the county why he and his seat mates voted to place a 911 tax initiative on the November ballot during a meeting at Lewis County Fire District 6’s station on Jackson Highway in Chehalis on Monday.

November ballot will propose sales tax to fund Lewis County 911 dispatch

Randy Pennington worked in Lewis County’s 911 communications center from 1983 to 1991 as a dispatcher and the center’s director. Even 40 years ago, Pennington told the Lewis County … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronline.com | 8/23/23

Trevor Graves, of Napavine, jumps his Ford Ranger at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds during the “Jump Your Junk” event on Sunday, Aug. 20. The event was stopped after this jump and Graves was taken to the hospital with unknown injuries after walking from his truck to a paramedic unit on the scene.

In focus: ‘Jump Your Junk’ event ends after one high-flying participant at fair

8/23/23

Centralia College to host one-stop registration events Aug. 30 and Sept. 6

Fall quarter starts Sept. 18, but there’s still time to get started at Centralia College. Students can get on the fast track with their registration, admission and financial aid at … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/23/23

Lewis County Fire District 5 Commissioner Mike Goodwillie explains a new peer support program for first responders in the county during a meeting with other fire district commissioners in Chehalis on Monday.

Lewis County first responders may soon have access to peer support group

From 2015 to 2017, according to the U.S. Fire Administration, first responders accounted for 1% of all suicides in the country. In a Monday meeting of the Lewis County Fire Commissioners … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronline.com | 8/23/23

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