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

Letter to the Editor: Employer-Provided Health Care the Best Possible Benefit for Workers

We are in odd times when it comes to the job market. We are simultaneously living through rapid inflation as there is a labor shortage. Because of these inconsistent and confusing times, now more … more

9/21/22

Letter to the Editor: A Mega Airport in Thurston or Lewis County? WSDOT and Governor’s Expansion Work Untruthful, Misleading

Once again, this is the case with the current effort to decide on a location recommendation for a new mega airport in the Puget Sound region. It is done very skillfully and intentionally through … more

9/21/22

Letter to the Editor: Lewis County Needs Tom Crowson for Assessor

There are two candidates in the race this November for Lewis County assessor. Tom Crowson currently chairs the Lewis County Board of Equalization (BOE), where citizens come when they are having … more

9/21/22

Letter to the Editor: Letter Takes Unfair Line of Attack on Joe Kent

With regard to Mary Jean Dowell’s letter on Sept. 14 titled “Kent Isn’t Familiar With Issues That Matter in 3rd District,” the entire letter is about what Kent doesn’t … more

9/21/22

Letter to the Editor: Vote Experience for District 3 — Vote Harry Bhagwandin

Harry Bhagwandin is: • A 37-year resident of Lewis County living in the heart of rural District 3. • A timber owner, farmer and steward of 65 acres in Onalaska. • A … more

9/21/22

Mount Rainier and Spirit Lake are seen from the summit of Mount St. Helens in this May 2019 Chronicle file photo.

How to Climb Mount St. Helens During Peak Season

So you want to climb a mountain. Scratch that — a volcano. For many, especially those living in the Pacific Northwest, climbing Mount St. Helens is a great way to dip your toes into … more

By Vickie Connor / The Oregonian (TNS) | 9/21/22

An elk grazes in Packwood near U.S. Highway 12 earlier this month.

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Partners Give $1M to Restore State Wildlife Habitat Damaged by Wildfires

As part of an effort to protect wildlife habitat, including the restoration of land burned by wildfires, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) and its partners recently allocated $1,064,039 for … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/21/22

Lewis County Sees Increase in Unemployment Rate, Though It Remains Below June Levels

Lewis County’s unemployment rate rose in August, rising 0.7% from July’s 4.7% to 5.4%, according to new data released by the Washington state Employment Security Department. Despite the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/21/22

Thurston County Board of Commissioners Encouraging More Public Involvement by Moving Meeting Times

In an effort to encourage more citizen engagement in local government, the Thurston County Board of Commissioners is trying out moving its regularly weekly meeting on the fourth Tuesday of each month … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/21/22

Lights are out as shops remain closed in the Yard Birds Mall on Monday.

Yard Birds Remains Without Power for Second Week

For the second week in a row, the power has been turned off at the Yard Birds Shopping Center in Chehalis. In a Monday morning meeting, Mall Manager Chris Young told The Chronicle that he, along … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 9/21/22

In this 2016 Chronicle file photo, Centralia's Darci Frankovich solders in an Expanding Your Horizons workshop.

Registration Deadline for Expanding Your Horizons STEAM Conference Is Oct. 5

Centralia College will host a half-day science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) conference for young women sixth through ninth grades on Saturday, Oct. 15, the college recently … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/21/22

No Injuries in ‘Isolated Incident’ Involving Improvised Explosives in Grays Harbor County

A man was arrested and several hotel rooms in the 600 block of West Wishkah Street in Aberdeen were evacuated around 4:30 p.m. on Friday after officers found improvised explosive devices “in … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/21/22

FILE PHOTO — A sign sits on display outside the Lewis County Mall as cars drive up and passengers meet with medical professionals for COVID-19. the site later moved further north on Gold Street. It will be closed within two weeks.

Weekly COVID Update: Reported Hospitalizations, Outbreaks in Lewis County Down From Previous Week

There were six new hospitalizations in Lewis County due to COVID-19 between Sept. 9 and Sept. 15, according to the most recent weekly update by Lewis County Public Health & Social Services. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/21/22

Alice Shinn and Dan Duffy smile and pose for a photo with their art at the Centralia Train Station on Tuesday.

Last Call for ARTrails Studio Tour This Weekend Showcasing Lewis County Artists

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And in the Centralia Train Depot. Not just for its historic architecture, but for the ARTrails of Southwest Washington’s showcase that’s been on … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronline.com | 9/21/22

Patty and Joe Dolezal talk about fall prevention Tuesday morning at the Twin Cities Senior Center in Chehalis.

Senior Safety: Lewis County Has Highest Fall Rate Leading to Injury or Death in the State

Autumn is around the bend, but local health care providers encourage senior citizens to take whatever safety measures they can to prevent a fall. “As much as possible, you want to avoid … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 9/21/22

Napavine receiver Karsen Denault tiptoes along the sideline looking to stay in bounds after a catch Sept. 9 against Onalaska.

Napavine Now Unanimous 2B No. 1 in AP Poll

The latest AP Poll dropped Wednesday morning, with local sides popping up frequently once again. Napavine now sits as a unanimous No. 1 in the 2B rankings, Tenino and Adna both rose in … more

9/21/22

At right, Lewis County Sheriff’s Office Field Operations Chief Dusty Green walks to his patrol vehicle on U.S. Highway 12 Sept. 10 as Sheriff Rob Snaza stands in the closed road to observe smoke from the Goat Rocks Fire.

Eight Large Fires Continue to Burn in Washington

There are eight large fires in Washington according to the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center as of Sept. 20. The site defines a large fire as any wildland fire in timber 100 acres or greater, … more

Rebecca Pettingill / Columbia Basin Herald | 9/21/22

Washington Woman Charged With Nearly Killing 1-Year-Old After She Became Frustrated With His Crying, Court Documents Say

A 24-year-old woman is accused of shaking, squeezing and restricting the airway of a 1-year-old, leading to the near death of the child. Samara F. Bearley was charged with first-degree assault … more

Garrett Cabeza / The Spokesman-Review | 9/21/22

Some advocates of student loan forgiveness argue that the overall economy would get a boost by enabling debtors to become bigger consumers. (Dreamstime/TNS)

Nearly 700,000 Washington Residents Eligible for Student Loan Forgiveness

Nearly 700,000 Washingtonians are eligible for President Joe Biden's student debt relief program, with the majority of them Pell Grant recipients, according to an estimate the White House released … more

Alison Saldanha / The Seattle Times | 9/21/22

Washington Makes Undocumented Immigrants Eligible for COVID-19 Relief Funds

Undocumented immigrants in Washington affected by COVID-19 can now apply for a new round of financial relief, as part of an unprecedented $340 million fund approved last year by the state … more

Alexandra Yoon-Hendricks / The Seattle Times | 9/21/22