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From the right, Rochester High School robotics program advisor Paul Kuss, junior Mason Young, sophomore Zach Hubbard and senior Gaiden Wood hold up their silver medals they won at the SkillsUSA 2023 National Leadership & Skills Conference in Atlanta last month in the robotics urban search-and-rescue and drone competitions.

Following Theft of Robots and Drones, Rochester High School Teams Place Second at Nationals

Rochester’s robotics and drone teams have overcome adversity with the support of their community, both finishing in second place during a national competition after their equipment was stolen … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 7/5/23

DJ Sound Dragon blasts music through the streets of Centralia during the Summerfest parade on Tuesday.

In Focus: Independence on Parade in Downtown Centralia for Summerfest

Photos of the Summerfest parade in downtown Centralia Tuesday were captured by Chronicle Photo Editor Jared Wenzelburger. Videos of the Summerfest parade, fireworks and demolition derby … more

7/5/23

Derby contestant 41 kicks up dirt during a race held as part of the Summerfest Demolition Derby at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds on Tuesday, July 4. The car was the winner of the demolition derby.

In Focus: Summerfest Comes to Close With Crashing Cars and Exploding Fireworks

7/5/23

Flags are carried through downtown Toledo during the Cheese Days parade in July 2023.

Community Calendar: Toledo Cheese Days; Randle Lavender Festivities; Northwest C10s’ South Sound Get Down Car Show

To add upcoming events to the Community Calendar, email news@chronline.com Toledo Cheese Days July 6-9 throughout Toledo The Cheese Days theme this year is … more

7/5/23

An array of colors light up the sky in Curtis for Independence Day on Tuesday, July 4.

In Focus: Fireworks Orchestrated by Boistfort Family to Celebrate Independence Day

Rene and Sue Remund, sons R.J. and Frank Remund and daughter Lindsey Pollock, for more than a decade, have orchestrated a fireworks show in the Boistfort Valley for all to see. People line the … more

Photos by Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com | 7/5/23

Luis Magana Reyna Takes Reins of Centralia Girls Soccer Program

Finalized a few weeks ago, but months in the making, longtime local assistant soccer coach Luis Magana Reyna will lead the Centralia girls soccer team into the 2023-24 season. Magana Reyna … more

By Alec Dietz / alec@chronline.com | 7/5/23

In Loving Memory of Edward Allen Jordan

On June 28, 2023, the world lost a fiercely loyal husband, father, grandfather, sheet metal union journeyman and friend. Edward Allen Jordan is survived by his wife, Peggy; son, Eddie; grandchildren, … more

7/5/23

In Loving Memory of Stanley Taloff: 1924-2023

Stanley Taloff, a longtime resident of Winlock, passed away peacefully on June 23, 2023, in Battle Ground, Washington. He was 99 years old. He had been visited by many friends and family before his … more

7/5/23

Firefighters Contain 1,300-Acre Fire That Jumped Yakima River in Benton County

Firefighters contained a 1,300-acre fire in Benton County on Tuesday after it jumped the Yakima River within hours of starting the day before. The Old Inland Empire Fire stopped growing … more

Elena Perry / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 7/5/23

Thurston County Bans Yard Waste, Land-Clearing Burns as Wildfire Danger Rises

The Thurston County Fire Marshal has determined that weather conditions meet the fire danger level necessary to restrict outdoor burning in Thurston County. The burn ban applies to residential … more

By The Olympian (TNS) | 7/5/23

Centralia College Names Ceanna Larson New Volleyball Coach

Making its fourth hire for an open head coaching position in the past year, the Centralia College athletic department officially named Ceanna Larson its new volleyball coach for the 2023 season this … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/4/23

Scenes from the Fourth of July in Mossyrock.

Mossyrock Mayor Pulls Plug on City’s Fourth of July Fireworks Show Due to Wildfire Risk

Though it may not be the decision he wanted to make, or the popular one, Mossyrock Mayor Randall Sasser made the decision to cancel the city’s Fourth of July fireworks show and ban all … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 7/4/23

The Larch Mountain Little League 11-year-old baseball team poses for a photo after winning the District 3 championship on June 30.

Larch Mountain Little League Shooting for Sweep at Districts

Larch Mountain Little League has already made history, but has more in its sights. The organization, combining Rochester and Tenino, has the chance to make a clean sweep of District 3 this week, … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/4/23

Visitors gather on the Benson Bridge at Multnomah Falls in the Columbia River Gorge.

Alcohol Likely a Factor in Fatal Tumble of Father of Five Near Multnomah Falls, Officials Say

The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office identified 41-year-old Gerardo Hernandez-Rodriguez as the Beaverton father of five who died after falling 200 feet down an embankment while hiking at … more

Catalina Gaitán / oregonlive.com / (TNS) | 7/4/23

Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Wash., arrives for a House Republican Conference meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, July 28, 2017. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Former Republican U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert Files Paperwork to Run for Washington Governor

Former U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert has filed campaign paperwork to run for Washington governor in 2024. If Reichert follows through and runs for the open seat, he would instantly become the most … more

David Gutman / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/4/23

The Lewis County Jail is located at 28 SW Chehalis Ave. in Chehalis.

Washington Felony Prison and Jail Sentences Fell by 47% in Five Years

With the number of Washington residents headed to jail or prison at a modern low, one might expect Christie Hedman to be declaring victory. As executive director of the Washington Defender … more

Alison Saldanha / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/4/23

Farmers in Washington See Fuel Costs Rise Despite Cap-and-Trade Exemption

Farmers in Washington are supposed to be exempt from the new cap-and-trade program but, six months in, some say they are still getting hit with added fuel costs. The state Department of Ecology … more

Laurel Demkovich / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 7/4/23

Red Flag Weather Warning Issued for Holiday for Much of Southwest Washington

Dry, hot and unstable conditions have led the National Weather Service in Seattle to issue red flag warnings for much of southwest Washington, including Thurston and Lewis counties and parts of … more

Joanna Hou / The Olympian (TNS) | 7/4/23

Man Accused of Throwing Rock Through Glass Door of Randle Business

A man is facing felony burglary and malicious mischief charges for allegedly throwing a rock through the glass door of a convenience store near Randle before breaking into the business and stealing … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 7/4/23

I-5 Toyota Mountain Dew Finishes Runner-Up in Idaho

I-5 Toyota Mountain Dew settled for second place for the second straight weekend, falling in the championship game of the Wood Bat Classic 6-3 to RC Premier at Thorco Field in Coeur D’Alene, … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/3/23