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Ryah Stanley shoots a 3-pointer from the corner during the first half of Toledo's loss to Napavine on Dec. 14.

Riverhawks Win Second Straight Against Tenino

In its second straight win to close out the calendar year, the Toledo girls basketball team handled 1A Tenino Friday night, 44-11, at home. The Riverhawks got two standout scoring … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/30/22

Morton-White Pass post Josh Salguero goes up for two points against Willapa Valley at the Jack Q. Pearson Holiday Classic in Menlo on Dec. 29.

‘We Needed to Be Humbled’: MWP Upset by Ilwaco in Menlo

The upset bug picked up on the Morton-White Pass boys basketball team’s scent Thursday at the T-Wolves’ first game in Menlo at the Jack Q. Pearson Holiday Classic. Friday, it was ready … more

By Josh Kirshenbaum / josh@chronline.com | 12/30/22

Emily Wilkerson corrals a rebound under the basket during the second half of of Centralia's 54-37 loss to Lakes on Dec. 30.

Second-Half Runs Sink Centralia Against Lakes

Wrapping up its short run at the Centralia Tigers Classic — and the 2022 portion of its season — the Centralia girls basketball team came up short against 3A Lakes, fading off in the … more

By Josh Kirshenbaum / josh@chronline.com | 12/30/22

Pioneering Journalist Barbara Walters Dead at 93

Barbara Walters, the groundbreaking political journalist who interviewed presidents from Richard Nixon to Barack Obama, died Friday. She was 93. Walters’ death was announced by her … more

Joseph Wilkinson / New York Daily News (TNS) | 12/30/22

In Loving Memory of James ‘Jim’ Austin: 1944-2022

The best man we knew, James (Jim) Theodore Austin, died on Christmas Day at the age of 78. Jim was born Feb. 12, 1944 in Chehalis, Washington to Paul Theodore “Ted” and Retha (Lindholm) … more

12/30/22

Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Battle Ground, speaks on federal support for local governments in this photo provided by her office.

Jaime Herrera Beutler Reflects on Service, Wins for Lewis County as Term Ends

Calling Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Battle Ground, who has served in the U.S. House of Representatives for over a decade, one might expect the background droll of congressional staff or the muttering of … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronline.com | 12/30/22

Chronicle headlines in the 1980s and 1990s alluded to trouble at the Kiwanis Vocational Home, but nothing as explosive as claims included in a number of lawsuits filed in relation to alleged abuse, negligence and fraud at the facility, which closed in 1994.

$65.3M Settlement Reached for Victims of Alleged Abuse at Centralia Kiwanis Boys Home

The former administrator and the estate of the former director of the Centralia Kiwanis Vocational Home, which was reportedly fraught with abuse, negligence and fraud between 1971 and its closure in … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 12/30/22

Washington Traffic Safety Commission Says Impaired Driving Causes Over Half of Traffic Fatalities Annually

The holiday season is notorious for excess traffic and excess celebration, which prompted the Washington Traffic Safety Commission to publish in December bleak traffic fatality numbers: a 20-year … more

By The Wenatchee World (TNS) | 12/30/22

Lewis County Seeks Volunteers for Lodging Tax Advisory Committee

Lewis County is accepting applications to fill a volunteer position on its Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC). Applicants must represent an entity that would be eligible to receive lodging tax … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/30/22

A great egret glides above Hayes Lake near where the Skookumchuck River flows under Interstate 5 on Thursday afternoon in Centralia.

In Focus: A Great Egret at Hayes Lake in Centralia

12/30/22

Artist Richard Tracy, also known as RichArt, stands in the yard at his home along Harrison Avenue in Centralia in 2011.

Richard ‘RichArt’ Tracy, Eccentric Centralia Artist Who Gained Regional Fame, Dies at 89

The eccentric and regionally known artist known as RichArt, real name Richard Tracy, died Dec. 22 at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia at the age of 89. Locally, Tracy was known for … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 12/30/22

Centralia police officer Angie Krause smiles after giving Nico Ambrisio, 2, an officer's sticker as her sister, Taylor Joyce, 8, looks on in this April 2, 2014, Chronicle file photo.

‘I Just Like to Help People’: ‘Officer Humphrey’ Reflects on 21-Year Career With Centralia Police Department

It’s been nearly a month since Angie Krause, formerly known as Angie Humphrey, gave her final radio signoff as an officer with the Centralia Police Department, but settling into retirement is a … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 12/30/22

The sun sets through clouds over Chehalis.

Death Notices: Dec. 31, 2022

• CAROL N. HUESTIS, 85, Ryderwood, died Dec. 22 in Longview. Arrangements are under the care of Newell-Hoerling’s Mortuary. • DEBRA L. KRAUSE, 67, Centralia, died Dec. 24 at … more

12/30/22

Sirens: Dine and Dash; Counterfeit Cash; Graffiti; Very Disorderly Conduct; Assaults

CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Malicious Mischief • Just before 8:05 a.m. on Dec. 28, there was a report of graffiti that was spray painted on a building in the 300 block of … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/30/22

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

Letter to the Editor: In Response to ‘Horrors of Dairy Farming’

After reading Karyn Malone's letter in Tuesday's Chronicle letters to the editor (“every glass of milk”) I felt compelled to respond. Malone, a Seattle resident, was telling me … more

12/30/22

Letter to the Editor: Yes, We Do Need to Take a Hard Look at Direction of Country, But ...

I agree with the writer who recently submitted a letter to the editor titled “We Need to Take a Hard Look at the Direction of Our Country,” but for different reasons than those posed by … more

12/30/22

These photo of Aron Christensen and Buzzo were provided by friends of Aron Christensen.

Letter to the Editor: To Those Responsible for Aron Christensen’s Death

Dear Ethan Michael Asbach and your unnamed girlfriend, Dec. 19 or Dec. 20 marked the four-month anniversary of Aron Christensen’s murder. Four months was also the age of his heeler … more

12/30/22

Richard Tracy stands in his basement studio at his home in Centralia in this 2014 Chronicle file photo.

Brian Mittge Commentary: We’re a Richer City for RichArt’s Wild Eye and Untamed Vision

The news of Richard Tracy’s death at age 89 has gotten me thinking about the life and legacy of this public artist and Lewis County original, a creator of what might be called “feral … more

12/30/22

Capital Gains Tax Now ‘in Effect’ Unless Washington Supreme Court Strikes It Down

It’s official: the Washington State Department of Revenue plans to collect the new capital gains income tax that was ruled unconstitutional earlier this year by a lower court … more

By Brett Davis / The Center Square | 12/30/22

An owl flies from a barn west of Chehalis in this photo captured earlier this year.

Though Rare, Owl Attacks in Washington May Be on the Rise

Attacks by owls on humans are extremely rare but may be increasing in frequency in Washington according to one expert on the winged creatures. Jonathan C. Slaught, a biologist specializing on … more

By Lawrence Wilson / The Center Square | 12/30/22