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Strong Gusts Move Through Western Washington Tuesday

A high wind warning is in effect for West Lewis County Tuesday afternoon as southwest winds are forecast to blow at 30 to 40 miles per hour with gusts of up to 55 miles per hour expected. Some … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/27/22

In Loving Memory of Verna Lee Buchanan

Verna Lee Buchanan, 69, passed away peacefully at Providence Centralia Hospital on Dec. 19, 2022. Verna was born on Nov. 22, 1953, in Denver, Colorado to Richard (Dick) Richards and Louella … more

12/26/22

Lewis County Sheriff Rob Snaza speaks about the sheriff office's goals in the coming year during the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office Annual meeting in February 2017.

Conflict Leaves Lewis County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Program ‘Completely Gutted,’ Former Officer Says

After spending 13 years in the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office reserve program, Kevin Lee, 54, of Napavine, resigned after the November election. Lee wasn’t alone. After beginning 2021 … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronline.com | 12/26/22

Shawna Viggers Sicilia smiles for a photo inside the Luxe Wine Bar in Centralia.

New Wine Bar Opens in Downtown Centralia

While there are several options for downtown Centralia visitors looking to grab a drink, Shawna Viggers Sicilia wanted to provide a more calm, low-key alternative from exisiting bars and … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 12/26/22

The Cowlitz River at Skate Creek Park is pictured in March.

Flood Watch in Place for Chehalis, Cowlitz Rivers

While Lewis County Emergency Management’s Ross McDowell said the week was unlikely to see any “major disaster,” residents should still be wary of effects from heavy rain and rising … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronline.com | 12/26/22

A 1930 Ford Model A visits the locally famous gingerbread house on Market Boulevard after traveling from Toledo to Chehalis on Christmas Day.

A Parting Christmas Photo From the Chehalis ‘Gingerbread House’

12/26/22

The moon rises above Mount St. Helens at sunset last March. Sediment control downriver of Mount St. Helens is among the projects funding by recently-passed federal legislation.

Federal Legislation Includes Over $14 Million for Southwest Washington

A news release from the office of U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Washington, announced last week that the passage of a 2023 omnibus spending bill has “secured” a total of $14,978,000 for … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/26/22

Lewis County Public Works Director Josh Metcalf, right, explains the details of the West Connector Project to Port of Centralia Commissioners who voted to pass a resolution supporting the project at the Port's regular meeting last Wednesday.

Port of Centralia Supports Project That Eventually Seeks to Link State Route 6 to Harrison Avenue

The last regular meeting of the year for the Port of Centralia was a crowded one. On Dec. 21, 17 people packed into the port’s conference room, including a handful of city and … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 12/26/22

Sirens: Stolen Mail, Packages Left Behind After Car Prowl; Car Stolen While Warming Up; Interrupted Vehicle Prowl

Centralia Police Department Christmas Burglary • Two people wearing motorcycle helmets and backpacks broke into a residence in the 1500 block of Lum Road and stole items. The burglary … more

12/26/22

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

Letter to the Editor: On YMCA Issue, County Doesn’t Have a Leg to Stand On

I just read the most recent article about the YMCA suing the Lewis County Board of County Commissioners for denying the zoning change to allow for the camp. It doesn’t sound like the … more

12/26/22

Letter to the Editor: Putin’s Invasion Among History’s Most Disastrous Military Offensives

Soon, an entire year will have passed since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a campaign that was intended to end in bloodless triumph within a week or so. But despite the slaughter of at least … more

12/26/22

Letter to the Editor: Every Glass of Milk We Drink Perpetuates Cruel Cycle of Abuse

A “WhereIsMyMother.com” billboard on Interstate 5 south between Seattle and Tacoma illustrates the heartbreaking reality of the dairy industry and what mother cows and their calves endure … more

12/26/22

Letter to the Editor: We Need to Take a Hard Look at the Direction of Our Country

Marty Ansley in his letter misses the entire point of the Second Amendment argument of having arms to protect us from the government. The problem lies with our current government, including the … more

12/26/22

Violet and Paul Justice pose in this photo from 2007 provided by Julie McDonald.

Julie McDonald Commentary: Greetings From Violet Justice Herald Start of Christmas Season

Although we sell Christmas trees, the holiday season never begins for me until I receive my first card, which is always from Violet Justice, a precious woman of God. I met Violet more than a dozen … more

By Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 12/26/22

Centralia College to Host Southwest Washington Chess Championships; Students Encouraged to Sign Up

The Southwest Washington high school and middle school chess championships are set to be held on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023 at Centralia College. Middle and high school students of all skill levels are … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/26/22

Proposed improvements to the Toledo High School stadium are detailed in these renderings provided by the school district.

Toledo School District Seeks Voters’ Approval for Levy to Pay for New Track and Grandstands

In a Dec. 21 news release, the Toledo School District formally announced it is seeking voter approval for a new tax levy that will be used to fund a $3.1 million stadium at Toledo High … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/26/22

Quinn, a 2-year-old golden Labrador retriever, sits in front of seized drugs and cash at the Burien police headquarters on Thursday. Quinn worked his first drug bust the day before.

Former Purina Puppy Chow Model Shines as Major Washington Drug Bust Nets $10M Worth of Meth, Fentanyl, Heroin

BURIEN — Quinn, a 2-year-old golden Labrador retriever, worked his first drug bust Wednesday, helping a team of veteran Burien police and King County sheriff's detectives score an estimated … more

By Sara Jean Green / The Seattle Times | 12/26/22

Report: 34.5% Decline in Northwest Cherry Crop From Previous Year

A small statewide cherry crop had been predicted ever since snow and cold interfered with the April blooming season, and final harvest numbers show just how small it was. Northwest cherry … more

Joel Donofrio / Yakima Herald-Republic | 12/26/22

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: Bill and Dan Logan are pictured with an early Christmas present — an erector set. They’re shown in this 1947 photo with their dog, Blackie. The early gift was a result of the fact that James W. Logan, their father, was shipped out to Korea. The boys and their dog are in front of the fireplace at their home at 1004 S. Tower Ave. in Centralia.

A Look Back in Time: Lewis County Has ‘Quiet’ Christmas in 1952

Lewis County had a “quiet” Christmas in 1952, The Chronicle reported on Friday, Dec. 26, 1952. “Christmas Day — as it should be — was a peaceful one for the … more

Compiled by Matthew Zylstra / matthew@chronline.com | 12/26/22

In Focus: Firefighters Rescue Truck Driver After Crash Into Icy Water in Cowlitz County Along Interstate 5 on Friday

Firefighters with Cowlitz 2 Fire and Rescue rescued a male truck driver from a waterway after his semi-truck slid off the road near mile marker 36 on southbound Interstate 5 Friday … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/26/22