Commentary | The Daily Chronicle

Smoke rises from the site of the World Trade Center in New York City, September 11, 2001. (Photo by Paul Morse; National Archives Catalog ID 5997250)

Brian Mittge: Of fire and fury, courage and hope — reflections on Sept. 11, 25 years later

“Where were you when the world stopped turning, that September day...” - Alan Jackson Twenty-five years after 9/11, those of us who were alive that terrible day remember the images of … more

Commentary by Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 9/14/26

Maureen Harkcom provided this photo while on a tour of the Southwest Washington Food Hub to learn about its operations.

Commentary: Focus on Agriculture

I was in Raymond with my mentor helping cut up a pear tree for a friend and was able to score a few pieces for my help. Pear is really nice wood to work with, so I am excited to get it processed, … more

By Maureen Harkcom | 9/11/26

Wayne Fournier is a Thurston County commissioner, former Tenino mayor, firefighter and lifelong community advocate. He believes that small towns are the last frontier of big ideas. He shares stories of civic creativity, leadership and community-building in his regular newspaper column.

Wayne Fournier Commentary: Let’s get better at planning what comes next

Recently, I had the opportunity to tour the TransAlta facility in Centralia. For most people, it’s simply another power plant. For me, it is something more. Before it was TransAlta, it was WIDCO. … more

By Wayne Fournier | 9/9/26

Julie McDonald: John Tucker family settled Silver Creek, left name on Cowlitz Prairie road

Driving around Lewis County, I often wonder about the people behind the names of the roads I’m traveling, and thanks to my friend Maeve Mitchell, I’ve learned about the family behind the name of … more

By Julie McDonald | 9/7/26

Lawmakers, friends and families celebrate the final gavel on the last day of the legislative session on the House floor on Thursday, March 12, in Olympia. Democrat lawmakers pushed through a state income tax during the session.

Opinion: The real victims of Washington's income tax

Like me, about half of all workers in Washington are employed by small and medium businesses, either their own or someone else’s. That simple truth is exactly why the new 9.9% tax on income over a … more

By Mike Sotelo / Ethnic Chamber of Commerce Coalition | 9/4/26

State Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, greets an attendee during the Lewis County Republican Party’s Lincoln Day Dinner in Chehalis on Saturday, April 11.

Opinion: I worked with John Braun — the attack ads don’t tell the truth

I served in the Washington state Senate with John Braun for years. I was a Democrat, John was a Republican, and we didn’t agree on everything. But I worked closely enough with him to know … more

Commentary by Tim Sheldon | 9/4/26

John Martin, left, and Larry Zander worked together at The Chronicle in the 1970s. They are pictured together in 2019 in this photo provided by Chronicle columnist Julie McDonald.

Julie McDonald: Local history buff John Martin, a former postal carrier and newspaper editor, will be missed

Some knew him as a newspaper reporter and editor. Others as a postal carrier. Still others connected with him over their mutual admiration for Edgar Rice Burroughs, creator of Tarzan. … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 8/31/26

Thurston County Commissioner Wayne Fournier waves to attendees during the Oregon Trail Days parade in Tenino on Saturday, July 25.

Wayne Fournier: The power of saying “no” in leadership positions

Yes and no might be the two most important words in the English language. They're certainly two of the most powerful. Yes creates movement. It starts projects, approves agreements, makes … more

Commentary by Wayne Fournier | 8/31/26

John McCroskey was Lewis County sheriff from 1995 to 2005. He lives outside Chehalis and can be contacted at musingsonthemiddlefork@gmail.com.

John McCroskey commentary: Latest Green Hill episode highlights more incompetence

Honestly, the hits just keep coming for the Washington state Department of Children, Youth and Family Services (DCYF) when it comes to the Green Hill School juvenile detention center in … more

Commentary by John McCroskey / For The Chronicle | 8/28/26

Brian Mittge: A fun-loving farewell is an invitation to consideration

In The Chronicle obituaries this week, I was struck by a unique goodbye from a gentleman I never met. The obituary feels as though it was written in Michael De Simone's own voice, and after reading … more

Commentary by Brian Mittge for The Chronicle | 8/28/26

Dr. Richard J. Stride is a CEO of a local behavioral health agency. He can be reached at docrs53@gmail.com.

Richard Stride: August is starting to look tired as summer winds to an end

By the end of August, summer starts looking like a houseguest who has stayed about three days too long. Back in June, we were delighted to see it. “Summer! Come on in! Stay as long as you … more

Commentary by Richard Stride | 8/28/26

Victor Garcia, a hunter, fisherman and retired teacher who was appointed to the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission in April 2025, has died . (Photo courtesy of Department of Fish and Wildlife)

A dying Fish and Wildlife commissioner’s parting letter to Washington governor

Editor’s note: Victor Garcia, who was appointed to the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission in April 2025, died over the weekend . Before he passed, the hunter, fisherman and retired educator … more

By Victor Garcia | 8/25/26

This Lewis County Historical Museum photo shows early Oakville, circa 1890s, at the corner of Pine and State streets. The Hotel Glover in the foreground was operated by Thomas G. Glover (1852-1935) and his wife Elizabeth M. (Swain) Glover (1855-1939) who came to Oakville about 1889. At left is Oakville State Bank. Across the street is the building previously known as Miller’s Store. The building on the left was the old post office. In the back is the Oakville Grange Hall.

Julie McDonald: Oakville bank robberies and stories of lore

When I read a tidbit about a robbery at Oakville State Bank in 1938 with bandits escaping on horseback, I thought I’d dig into the story to find out more. But the more I searched, the less I … more

8/24/26

Powerlines above the Columbia River move electricity from the Bonneville Dam to customers across the region in Hood River County, Oregon, on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Jordan Gale/Oregon Capital Chronicle)

Opinion: The future of the PNW power grid is at risk — where is the leadership?

The Pacific Northwest is drifting toward an energy crisis of its own making. The newly appointed leader of the Bonneville Power Administration, Travis Kavulla, with support from Secretary of Energy … more

By Jim Luce | 8/21/26

Richard Stride commentary: In the age of AI, press zero for your sanity

I have become convinced that one day robots will rule the world — not because they're smarter than we are, but because they've already mastered the art of refusing to let us speak to another human … more

By Dr. Richard Stride | 8/19/26

Opinion: Now a river stopped flowing: NW nature seems to be squealing

Something is going terribly wrong here." This is the uneasy feeling Jule Schultz walks around with. A marine biologist by training, he now works on river science in Spokane. Only the river … more

Danny Westneat / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 8/19/26

Julie McDonald: Family genealogist unearths criminal record of law officer grandfather

With regard to the past, I’ve always believed we might as well take our skeletons out of the closet and dance with them. But for Centralia’s Shawn Murphy, the bones could yank apart in the … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 8/17/26

Brian Mittge: The guys need a crown — a new vision for the Hay King

At Tuesday’s ceremony opening the Southwest Washington Fair, the radiance of Lewis County’s royalty sparkled on the stage . From Miss Lewis County to the Rodeo Queen candidates (whose tiaras were … more

Commentary by Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 8/14/26

Thurston County Commissioner Wayne Fournier makes a proclamation regarding the fair during a Thurston County Board of County Commissioners meeting at The Atrium in Olympia on Tuesday, July 21.

Wayne Fournier: The part Schoolhouse Rock never taught us

As a kid, I loved Schoolhouse Rock. Like many people my age, I can still hear "I'm Just a Bill" playing in my head. A bill sits on Capitol Hill, gets debated, gets voted on and (if it's lucky) … more

Commentary by Wayne Fournier | 8/12/26

Opinion: Wage growth and purchasing power — which states lead the way?

Newly released data shows that two out of the top three states for average hourly wage growth in the nation are in our region. This is good news for consumers when considering regional purchasing … more

By Sam Cardwell / Mountain States Policy Center | 8/12/26