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A dog inside a car driving on Chamber Way in Chehalis Friday morning reportedly jumped into the driver’s lap, causing the driver to swerve and crash into the sign and sitting area at about 10 a.m., according to Chamber of Commerce Director Cynthia Mudge.

Car Swerves Into Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce Sign on Friday

Drivers traveling on Chamber Way might notice the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce’s brick monument sign on the corner missing after a car crashed into them Friday morning. A … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/21/23

The summit of Mount Rainier is seen illuminated at sunset from West of Chehalis on Wednesday.

Photos: Mount Rainier Looms Over the Horizon

7/21/23

Former Chronicle reporter Claudia Yaw walks along fallen trees at the Trail of Two Forests.

Gifford Pinchot National Forest Seeks Input on ‘Sustainable’ Trail Plan

The Gifford Pinchot National Forest and contributing partners are seeking public input to inform the development of a “sustainable trail system plan” to help build a shared approach to … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/21/23

Chehalis School Board Approves District’s 2023-24 Budget

Following a public hearing Tuesday morning, the board of directors for the Chehalis School District unanimously approved its budget for the 2023-24 school year. The budget allocates … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 7/21/23

A DeGoede Bulb Farm employee picks tulips in the field in Mossyrock in April 2014.

DeGoede Bulb Farm in Mossyrock Shutting Down; Owners Hope to Sell But Have No Buyer

The DeGoede Bulb Farm, a Mossyrock staple for nearly 50 years, will be closing this summer as the current owners, brothers Jack and Bob DeGoede, are retiring, according to a report in the July … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/21/23

Construction equipment surrounds a dirt slope to the Mellen Street off-ramp over Interstate 5 in Centralia seen Friday, July 21.

WinCo Site Plans Submitted for Centralia Station Development Near Mellen Street

WinCo Foods has officially submitted site plans for the proposed supermarket at Centralia Station, according to Port of Centralia Executive Director Kyle Heaton, who shared the update at a port … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 7/21/23

U.S. Highway 12 Viewpoint at Riffe Lake Named ‘Gary Stamper Memorial Overlook’

The Washington State Transportation Commission has honored former Lewis County Commissioner Gary Stamper by placing his name on a highway viewpoint overlooking Riffe Lake. Stamper, a longtime … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/21/23

2023 Best of Lewis County Nominations

Nomination phase starting soon! more

7/21/23

Death Notices: July 21, 2023

• GAIL ROANE, 83, Chehalis, died July 16 in Chehalis. Arrangements are under the care of Newell-Hoerling’s Mortuary. • DOUGLAS “BUD” SCHERER, Renton, died July 16 in … more

7/21/23

Sirens: Reckless Burning Under Bridge; 'Bring the K9s'; Hacked Phone; Man Found Under Bed; Assault

CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Panhandling • At 7:40 a.m. on July 19, Centralia police were dispatched to the 200 block of Borst Avenue for a panhandling complaint. Officers contacted the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/21/23

Holly Abbarno smiles for a photo during the Centralia Back-to-School Supply Drive in August 2022.

Peter Abbarno Commentary: Upcoming Centralia School Supply Drive Is About Hope and Opportunity

It is about that time of year when students and teachers begin thinking about returning to the classroom. It is also the time when parents begin thinking about the cost of school supplies. While some … more

By Peter Abbarno | 7/21/23

Centralia City Councilor Max Vogt gives an interview in his Centralia real estate office to a documentary crew from KBTC television on July 19 in this photo by Chronicle columnist Brian Mittge.

Brian Mittge Commentary: Celebrating Centralia’s Founder

This week, a video crew from KBTC public television was rolling through Centralia. They were collecting interviews and B-roll for a short documentary they are producing about the town’s … more

By Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 7/21/23

The Capitol building in Olympia, home to the Senate and House chambers, is lit up on the evening of Thursday, Feb. 16.

Washington Airport-Siting Group Delivers Final Report to the State After Considering Sites in Thurston, Pierce Counties

The Commercial Aviation Coordinating Commission (CACC) delivered its final report to state lawmakers, solidifying its conclusion: A major airport should be built somewhere in Washington but not on … more

By Shea Johnson / The News Tribune | 7/21/23

Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez jumps into the Cathlamet Swimming Pool in this courtesy photo from her office.

U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez Marks Six Months in Office

Jumping into pools in formal attire, cursing on podcasts, voting to the beat of her own drum — Washington’s Third Congressional district Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Washougal, … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/21/23

The first five-week program will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 2 to Aug. 30 at Centralia High School.

Free ‘Parenting Pre-Teens Together’ Series for Parents and Caregivers Offered in Centralia

The Centralia Prevention Coalition is offering three no-cost “Parenting Pre-Teens Together” classes for parents and caregivers of youths ages 9 to 14. Each five-session series … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/21/23

Onalaska Middle School Term Four Honor Rolls

Following is the list of students who made honor roll for GPAs between 3.0 and 4.0 at Onalaska Middle School during term four of the 2022-2023 school year. Students are categorized by honor roll … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/21/23

Gov. Jay Inslee speaks outside of the state Capitol in this photo provided by the governor’s office.

Inslee Blames Oil Companies for High Gas Prices

Standing in front of four electric buses in the Highline School District, Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee called a press conference Thursday to address fuel prices in the Evergreen State. … more

By Timothy Schumann / The Center Square | 7/21/23

A cougar walks through its habitat at NW Trek in October 2022 as pumpkins dot the landscape.

Cougar Snatches Dog on Walk — Until Neighbor Steps in, Mason County Officials Say

A cougar got by a man walking his dog and tried to snatch it and run off into the woods, but a neighbor stepped in to save the day, officials said. It happened just after 11 a.m. on … more

By Brooke Baitinger / The Olympian | 7/21/23

Firefighters go room by room to search for patrons of the Thursday, April 6, 2023, at the West Peppertree Motor Inn in Centralia, Wash. Initially no injuries were reported in the blaze, however multiple fire agencies responded.

Peppertree West Motor Inn in Centralia Sold to New Owner

The Peppertree West Motor Inn off of Mellen Street in Centralia — which was the site of a fire on April 6 according to previous reporting by The Chronicle — has been sold as of June 28. … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 7/21/23

Michael Howard, 19, the new owner of Ony Hardware & General Mercantile, stands in front of his store on Thursday. The business is located at 112 Brim Road just south of U.S. Highway 12.

New Owner, 19, Takes Charge at Ony Hardware & General Mercantile

The Ony Hardware & General Mercantile store near Ethel has a new owner — 19-year-old Michael Howard. Born and raised in Onalaska, Howard originally got his start working retail … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 7/21/23