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St. Francis Xavier Mission Hosting Mother’s Day Boutique

Looking to get mom that perfect Mother’s Day gift? Stop by the St. Francis Xavier Mission next weekend for the Mother’s Day Boutique. The event is set for May 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/28/23

Rachel Hunt, center right, poses for a photo with Martha and Nelson Hunt while standing alongside Eric Post in Superior Court at the Lewis County Law and Justice Center after a swearing in ceremony hosted by the Lewis County Bar Association in Chehalis on Friday, April 28, 2023.

Lewis County Superior Court Judge Swears in New Attorney

The Lewis County Bar Association hosted a swearing-in ceremony for a new attorney, Rachel J. Hunt, in Lewis County Superior Court on Friday. Judge Joely Yeager had the honor of formally … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 4/28/23

Sirens: Vicious Dogs; Catalytic Converter Theft; Burglaries; Warning for Smoking Marijuana in Public; Drug Violation

CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Theft • A catalytic converter was reported stolen off of a vehicle in the 800 block of South Tower Avenue just after 9:55 a.m. on April … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/28/23

Death Notices: April 29, 2023

• SANDRA WESTON, Vancouver, died April 24 in Vancouver. Arrangements are under the care of Northwood Park Funeral Home. • VICTORIA L. HORNSBY, 69, Salkum, died April 22 at Providence St. … more

4/28/23

Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, takes part in a news conference Nov. 29, 2022.

Sen. Braun Commentary: Failure to Fix State’s Disastrous Drug-Possession Law Looms Over Session Successes

Republicans came into this year’s legislative session vowing to fix the state’s drug-possession law so offenders would have more incentive to enter and complete treatment. We remain … more

By Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 4/28/23

A rack of guns, on Friday, May 24, 2019, that were at one point seized by Lewis County deputies during either criminal or civil matters. The guns are stored in a secured property facility maintained by the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

Julie McDonald Commentary: Irresponsible Gun Users Should Be Prosecuted — Especially When Someone Dies

Back in the 1980s, home from college, I visited my sister’s new rental house in Vancouver one night and, as the evening progressed, I ran to the store for something. When I returned, I opened … more

4/28/23

Brian Mittge Commentary: A Tale of Twin Cities

It was the best of times in Chehalis, it was the worst of times in Centralia. With apologies to Charles Dickens, one could write a novel about Lewis County's largest school districts this … more

By Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 4/28/23

Daniel Dugas and Mason Young alongside Kaiden Wood and Zach Hubbard hold up a robot and drone respectively on Thursday after a rebuild process at Rochester High School.

Rochester High School Robotics Rebuilds After Program’s Equipment Stolen

The past two weeks have been a roller coaster of emotions for Rochester High School robotics program members. Competing in the SkillsUSA Washington robotics urban search and rescue … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 4/28/23

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

Two Lewis County Jail Inmates Charged After Fentanyl Found

Two Lewis County Jail inmates are facing felony charges for allegedly sharing fentanyl they reportedly found in the jail’s bathroom. Jail staff notified the Lewis County … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 4/28/23

Lewis County Property Tax Payments Due by May 1

The first half payments of 2023 property taxes are due by May 1, according to a news release from the Lewis County Treasurer’s Office. Taxpayers have four payment options including: … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/28/23

ToledoTel VP/COO Dale Merten presents an update on the Winlock broadband expansion project to Lewis County Commissioners April 25.

Winlock Internet Expansion Enters Engineering Phase

Earlier this week, ToledoTel Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Dale Merten updated the Lewis County commissioners on the company’s public-private partnership to expand high-speed … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/28/23

Lewis County officials take a look inside new county Community Development, Environmental Health and IT building.

Construction Continues on New Lewis County Central Campus

Lewis County’s new Central Campus construction is making progress. With April being National County Government Month, Lewis County officials got an early look at the campus where they will … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/28/23

A red-tailed hawk sits atop a brick silo along Scheuber Road in Centralia on Monday.

In Focus: Silo Provides Vantage Point for Red-Tailed Hawk in Centralia

4/28/23

Twin Cities Sertoma Hosting Cornhole Tournament to Raise Money for Special Education Students

Twin Cities Sertoma is hosting a cornhole tournament to raise money for deaf and hard of hearing youth on Saturday, May 13, at noon. The event will be held at Dick’s Brewing, located … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/28/23

These photos of the bank robbery suspect were released by the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office in 2021.

Rochester Man Arrested as the Suspect in 2021 Grand Mound Bank Robbery

The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a suspect connected to a robbery that occurred at a bank in the Grand Mound area in 2021. Deputies arrested the suspect, a 30-year-old … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/28/23

Five students from Chehalis Middle School were among the 20 finalists chosen to complete in the state qualifying competition for the National Civics Bee. From left: Brady "Bruz" Taylor, Oliver Stanton, Kendall Coiteux, Lily Bailey and Olivia Cherrington were among the 20 competitors. Cherrington, Taylor and Stanton were among the 10 winners who will now compete June 1 at the state Civics Bee finals in Seattle. The qualifying event was held April 22 at Providence Academy in Vancouver and was organized by the Greater Vancouver Chamber. Twenty middle-school students were selected from among nearly 100 who submitted essays as part of the first National Civics Bee to be held in Washington. A total of 10 finalists from that qualifying match will compete on June 1 at the Washington state finals of the National Civics Bee in an event held by the AWB Institute at the Museum of Flight.

Chehalis Middle Schoolers Among National Civics Bee Finalists

Five Chehalis Middle School students were among the 20 finalists chosen to compete in the state qualifying round of the National Civics Bee competition last Saturday. In an enthusiastic event at the … more

By Brian Mittge / Association of Washington Business | 4/28/23

Elk cross U.S. Highway 12 on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 in Packwood.

In Focus: Packwood’s Resident Elk Have the Right-of-Way

4/28/23

HISTORY PHOTO OF THE WEEK: Frances and Roberta Nugent, sisters, were working at the Boeing Plant in Chehalis when they learned that World War II had come to an end in 1945. Released early from their jobs, the women drove straight away to downtown Centralia and joined the many other revelers on Tower Avenue. They discovered plenty of confetti being thrown by revelers and lots of shouting and dancing in the streets from those there to celebrate the memorable day. Originally submitted by Frances Nugent for Our Hometowns.

A Look Back in Time: Chehalis High School Graduate Awarded Silver Star for Heroism During World War II

Jennings Bennet, the son of “Mr. and Mrs. Jennings Fred Bennett” of Chehalis, was awarded the Silver Star medal by the U.S. Navy, The Chronicle reported on Thursday, April 29, 1943. … more

Compiled by Matthew Zylstra / matthew@chronline.com | 4/28/23

Community Calendar: Deer Resistant Gardening; Green Thumb 101;, Friends and Family Fundraising Event at Olympic Club

To add upcoming events to the Community Calendar, email reporter Matthew Zylstra at matthew@chronline.com. Deer Resistant Gardening April 29 at Fort Borst Park Demonstration Garden near the … more

4/28/23

From left, Kenady Anderson, Owner Rebecca Williams and Dustie Hargrove smile for a photo inside Fern Ridge Floral & Design in Centralia on Friday.

‘Flowers Cheer Everybody Up:’ Fern Ridge Floral & Design Offers Colorful Blooms in Centralia

When faced with the prospect of shelling out hundreds of dollars to buy pre-arranged flowers for her wedding in 1999, Rebecca Williams decided to save money by arranging her flowers … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 4/28/23