Commentary | The Daily Chronicle

Tim Wright is the Centralia College dean of instruction, arts and sciences.

Commentary: Beyond Earth Week — It’s Earth All Year at Centralia College

All week, Centralia College students have been celebrating Earth Week by attending lectures, participating in green crafts, and considering ways to incorporate sustainable habits into their routines. … more

By Tim Wright, Centralia College dean of instruction, arts and sciences | 4/21/23

From left, Hank Kirk, former president of Centralia College, Reverend Doctor Howard Matiya Nkhoma and wife of over 55 years, Mariya, Owen Singini, the chief of his village of 80 residents who has worked as a driver for over 35 years, and Jenny Kirk, who, with husband Hank, helped the Nkhomas to establish the University of Livingstonia in Malawi.

Brian Mittge Commentary: Neighbors Across the Globe

There is a theory called “seven degrees of separation” that suggests any one of us can be connected to anyone else on the planet by no more than seven personal … more

By Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 4/21/23

From left, organizer Peyton Smith a senior, Chloe-Marie Bonomi, a sophomore, Gracee Cline, a senior, Elizabeth Orellana Gutierrez, a junior, Payton Baumel, a sophomore, Makenzie Erickson, a freshman, and Madison Buchanan, a senior, pose for a photo at Centralia High School after discussing the levy and programs within the Centralia School District on Thursday, April 13.

Commentary: A Student's Perspective on the Centralia School Levy

On April 13, seven Centralia High School (CHS) students gathered in their school to present their reasoning as to why voters should vote “yes” on the school district’s levy in the … more

By Rebecca Thayer / Centralia High School student | 4/19/23

Bill Moeller smiles for a portrait outside The Chronicle in Centralia on Jan. 24, 2023.

Bill Moeller Commentary: Remembering How a Community Worked Together for Young Girl

It has been decades since Shannon Lewis died after a community bound itself together as it had never done before. And the community really hasn’t really done so since, certainly not … more

By Bill Moeller / For The Chronicle | 4/19/23

Elizabeth Goddard, left, poses for a photo with Sharon Blumenthal, of Centralia, in this photo provided by Julie McDonald.

Julie McDonald Commentary: Award-Winning Centralia Author Keynotes Writers Conference

Every year when January rolls around, our volunteer team looks for an inspirational author to keynote the Southwest Washington Writers Conference at Centralia College in September, and this year we … more

4/17/23

The Washington state Capitol Building is pictured in 2022.

Dear Legislature: Don’t Make Real Estate Even More Expensive

Only in Olympia would someone try to make something more affordable by making it more expensive. That’s exactly what House Bill 1628 would do. It would increase the real estate … more

Commentary by Mike Wallin | 4/17/23

Richard Stride is the current CEO of Cascade Community Healthcare. He can be reached at drstride@icloud.com.

Richard Stride Commentary: Lewis County Should Act Now to Prevent Mass Shootings

I recently attended a training put on by the U.S. Secret Service called “Mass Shootings in Public Places.” It includes new training and a report for 2023. Toward the end of the … more

By Richard Stride / For The Chronicle | 4/17/23

Marie Glusenkamp Perez smiles for a photo inside Dean's Car Care, INC. in Portland in 2022.

Commentary: A New Washington Voice Calls Out Democrats as the Party of the Rich, From Within

Washington's new Democratic congressional sensation Marie Gluesenkamp Perez sure doesn't dance around when she's talking about her own party's core ailment: its elitism. Asked in a recent … more

Danny Westneat / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 4/15/23

The “Lifting up Chehalis” mural by Emily von Flowtow in downtown Chehalis next to the new Experience Chehalis office location on NW Boistfort Street.

Brian Mittge Commentary: It’s Time for Some Community-Wide Spring Cleaning

This season’s sporadic sunshine and regular rain notwithstanding, the peek-a-boo daffodils and emerging apple buds clearly show that spring is upon us. That means it’s time for … more

4/14/23

Peter Abbarno Commentary: Emerging Theme in Legislature Ignores Voice of Washingtonians

A troubling theme has emerged this past legislative session that should concern all Washingtonians regardless of political affiliation. The majority party in the state House has continually voted … more

By Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia | 4/14/23

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

Braun Commentary: Watch Out — Democrats in Olympia Are Looking to Raise Property Taxes

A majority of the state Senate’s Democrats have launched a surprise attack on one of the best friends Washington taxpayers have: the voter-endorsed law that limits the growth of property taxes … more

By Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 4/14/23

Bill Moeller Commentary: Getting a Jump on Spring — Seminary Hill History 101

By the time you read this, if the weather hasn’t improved yet, it sure should have. It’s time to think of spring activities and, for many, that means it’s time to ignore … more

By Bill Moeller / For The Chronicle | 4/12/23

Aron Christensen is pictured in the outdoors in this photo provided to The Chronicle.

Guest Commentary: The Time Has Come for a Citizens’ Sheriff Commission

Other than maintaining the highways and collecting our trash, the main expectations of our county government are for police protection, law enforcement and justice. A huge percentage of our tax … more

By Bill Serrahn | 4/10/23

State Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, represents the 19th Legislative District in the Legislature.

Commentary: Breaking Down the Three State Budgets Under Consideration This Session

In Olympia, we’re in the last few weeks of the legislative session and attention is turning to the state’s budgets. I’m getting lots of questions about those budgets, so … more

By Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen | 4/10/23

Pictured from left are Deb Parnham holding her granddaughter, Natalie Jean Markstrom, her daughter Tana Rogerson and her mother Jean Bluhm

Julie McDonald Commentary: Four Generations Teach in Lewis County

Perhaps it’s in the blood or a God-given talent for nurturing the minds and hearts of children. But for Jean (Hilts) Bluhm and her family, teaching has been a career of choice for a … more

By Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 4/10/23

Mayor Kelly Smith Johnston speaks with members of the council in this file photo.

Kelly Smith Johnston Commentary: Efforts to Respond to Homelessness in Centralia are Nuanced

Last week, the publisher of The Chronicle called on the City of Centralia to take action in response to an increase in crime connected to homelessness. I’d like to respond to his concerns and … more

By Kelly Smith Johnston | 4/7/23

Sen. John Braun Commentary: Democrats’ Priorities Are Off-Target as Session Nears End

Drugs in our state are clearly more lethal than firearms. Just look at King County, where 83 people were fatally shot in 2022, but more than 1,000 people fatally overdosed. With that disparity … more

By John Braun | 4/7/23

Bill Moeller Commentary: Where Have All the Loved Ones Gone?

Did I just miss the frogs singing and calling to their potential mates this year? No, I don’t think so, at least not entirely. What has been happening in recent years, and what few … more

By Bill Moeller / For The Chronicle | 4/5/23

State Rep. Peter Abbarno meets with school district officials at Oakview Elementary School in Centralia earlier this year.

Peter Abbarno Commentary: Impact of New Payroll Tax Is Unpopular, Unfair and Inadequate

The Washington State Legislature is down to the final weeks. The House is considering legislation that passed the Senate, the Senate is considering legislation that passed the House, both … more

4/5/23

Ed Johnstone is the chairman of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission.

Being Frank: Hatchery Salmon Hold the Ecosystem Together

Salmon are a keystone species in the Pacific Northwest — a central part of the food chain and our way of life. Throughout the region, salmon runs are imperiled by the cumulative effects of … more

By Ed Johnstone | 4/4/23