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The sun sets behind clouds over Chehalis on Tuesday.

Photo: A Cloudy Sunset in Chehalis on Tuesday

12/14/22

Women United Holds Third Annual ‘Coats For Kids’ Drive to Benefit Lewis County Children

Women United is holding its third annual Coats For Kids drive and is accepting donations through Dec. 21. “When winter arrives and temperatures drop, not everyone has the resources … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/14/22

No Injuries Reported From Rochester House Fire Started by Heat Lamp Wednesday

No injuries were reported from a house fire in Rochester started by a heat lamp early Wednesday morning. Crews with the West Thurston Regional Fire Authority were dispatched to the fire … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/14/22

Assistant Superintendent Trisha Smith presents an update on the Chehalis School District’s music program during a school board meeting on Tuesday.

W.F. West’s Music Programs Survive Outside Zero Hour

In previous years, those who happened to be at W.F. West High School between 6:45 a.m. and 7:35 a.m. on any given weekday would have heard music from the school’s jazz band and choir sounding … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 12/14/22

Centralia City Attorney Shannon Murphy-Olson and City Clerk Deena Bilodeau embrace after being honored and given awards by Mayor Kelly Smith Johnston for their nearly 60 years of service combined to the City of Centralia at the end of Tuesday night’s regular city council meeting.

Centralia, Chehalis City Councils Honor Departing Staff Members for Service

With 2022 coming to a close, Centralia and Chehalis city governments are seeing the departures of longtime staff members. At the council meetings for both cities at the beginning of the … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 12/14/22

FILE PHOTO — The sun sets through clouds over Chehalis.

Death Notices: Dec. 15, 2022

• KAREN L. FULCHER, 80, Chehalis, died Dec. 5 at her residence. Arrangements are under the care of Cattermole Funeral Home. • DEBRA L. LEONARD, 69, Union, died on Dec. 7 at Providence … more

12/14/22

Sirens: Vehicle vs. Pedestrian; DUI Arrest; Drug Arrests; Extortion; Theft

CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Malicious Mischief • At approximately 10:20 a.m. on Dec. 12, a victim reported a rock was thrown through their window in the 900 block of West … more

12/14/22

Thurston County Commissioners Sign Resolution to Join Stepping Up Initiative to Address Mental Health in Correctional Facilities

On Tuesday, the Thurston County Board of Commissioners signed a resolution to join the Stepping Up Initiative. The resolution formalizes the county’s commitment to reducing the number … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/14/22

The cartoon above was drawn by letter writer Michael Forney, of Rochester, in response to an article in the Tuesday edition of The Chronicle titled “Hawk Attack or Hard Molt? If the Latter, Here’s How to Help the Hen.” His full letter is below.

Letter to the Editor: In Response to ‘Hawk Attack or Hard Molt’

After 13 years of keeping chickens I’m still gobsmacked when I see feathers everywhere and the birds invariably choose the coldest months to get going. I keep in mind they’ll be … more

12/14/22

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

Letter to the Editor: Time to Get the Legislators Legislating on Abandoned Vehicles

Both sides of the aisle cannot dispute that abandoned vehicle removal on private property is unfair and unjust to owners and renters. Find the last owners of the trash cans on wheels and … more

12/14/22

Letter to the Editor: Cities, Counties Should Step Up for Citizens on Abandoned RV Issue

I can’t help feeling empathy for Cathy Linsey and her husband for being unwittingly thrust into a problem they didn’t cause with the abandoned RV on her property. The county … more

12/14/22

Letter to the Editor: Another Month Without Answers in Aron Christensen Death

Well here we are starting another month, and still no release from the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office regarding the truth of their extremely botched investigation into the death of Aron … more

12/14/22

Letter to the Editor: Limit One Constitutional Amendment and the Rest Are Fair Game

Letter writer Katherine Ford has missed the point of my letter concerning gun ownership. Her suggestion to tighten gun laws is ludicrous. We already have all of the laws she suggests. … more

12/14/22

A group of nurses from Providence Centralia Hospital pose outside Chehalis City Hall after some of them spoke during the public comment period of the Chehalis City Council’s regular meeting on Monday night. The nurses asked the council for support for better staffing and addressing safety concerns.

Providence Centralia Nurses Ask City Councils for Support in Fighting for Better Staffing, Pay and More

Nurses from Providence Centralia Hospital packed both the Chehalis and Centralia city council chambers Monday and Tuesday nights during the councils’ regular meetings to ask for support … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 12/14/22

Ugly Sweater Contest Will Be Held at Awesome Chevrolet Buick in Chehalis

Awesome Chevrolet Buick is hosting an ugly sweater contest on Dec. 15 at 5 p.m. Awesome Chevrolet Buick is located at 2580 N. National Ave. in Chehalis. The event is part of … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/14/22

Centralia’s City Council chambers were packed on Tuesday night as more than 20 nurses from Providence Centralia Hospital came to ask for support in fighting for better staffing and working conditions.

Centralia Volunteer Award Nominees Announced

Nominees for the 2022 City of Centralia Volunteer Award were announced at the Centralia City Council meeting Tuesday night. The winner will be announced and awarded on Jan. 24. The nominees are: … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/14/22

At 12:56 p.m., the National Weather Service reported seismic activity in East Lewis County, amounting to a 2.9 magnitude earthquake at a depth of 7.9 miles. The quake was reportedly 4 miles west of Packwood and 15 miles southeast of Ashford.

Small Earthquake Felt in Randle Area Wednesday Afternoon

As a reporter called Lewis County Emergency Management Deputy Director on Wednesday afternoon, he answered, “What’s shaking?” At 12:56 p.m., the National Weather Service … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronline.com | 12/14/22

Alexander and Nicholas VanDuren, 32, have been charged with second-degree murder in Thurston County Superior Court. They have been accused of intentionally killing Sean Shea, a 36-year-old Kenmore man, without premeditation, on Aug. 30 at a Lacey hotel. Courtesy of Lacey Police Department.

Police Arrest One of Two Accused of Killing Man at Thurston County Motel

Lacey police have arrested one of two men who they suspect killed a 36-year-old Kenmore man outside a motel in August. Arrest warrants were issued for Nicholas VanDuren, 32, and his fraternal twin, … more

By Martín Bilbao / The Olympian | 12/14/22

Watershed boundaries and urban growth areas are outlined on a map provided by AMP Insights during a Tuesday morning meeting with county commissioners in Chehalis.

Cowlitz, Skookumchuck Rights Eyed for Lewis County Water Bank

If Lewis County Commissioner Lindsey Pollock wanted to laugh all the way to the water bank, she’d have to laugh for well over a year. In November 2021, Pollock first expressed her … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronline.com | 12/14/22

One of the burned Jehovah’s Witness halls in Thurston County is pictured in this photo provided by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Thurston County Man Charged for Arsons at Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Halls in 2018

A 50-year-old Olympia man was indicted Tuesday by a federal grand jury for three arsons that damaged or destroyed Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Halls in 2018, U.S. Attorney Nick Brown announced … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/14/22