Commentary | The Daily Chronicle

A rally participant stands with a sign about parents’ rights during a rally on the steps of the Capitol in Olympia on Saturday, Feb. 15.

Commentary: A century later, Washington state fails parental rights

Children are not creatures of the state. That's the unanimous conclusion reached by the U.S. Supreme Court a century ago this June in its precedent-setting case Pierce v. Society of Sisters. … more

By Vicki Murray | 6/4/25

In October 1927 in Yakima, bakers used 400 gallons of apples to make the world's largest apple pie to celebrate National Apple Week. The pie was 10 feet across, and it took five cords of wood to heat the oven to bake it.

Julie McDonald: How Washington became the Apple State

Growing up overseas as the child of missionaries, Amanda L. Van Lanen recalled hearing people in Saipan north of Guam speak nostalgically about the joy of biting into a crispy, juicy fresh apple, but … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 6/2/25

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: What exactly does a county commissioner do?

Ask a random room full of people what a county commissioner does, and you’ll get a mix of answers: “Uh … something with roads?” “Are you like the … more

Commentary by Wayne Fournier / For The Chronicle | 6/2/25

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

John McCroskey: The more power we give government, the worse outcomes we have

Years ago, when my children were young, our government made what I described then as a mistake. I know what you’re thinking: That can’t be. That doesn’t sound like the … more

Commentary by John McCroskey / For The Chronicle | 6/2/25

Brian Mittge: Let’s make this a month of faith, hope and love

An ancient idea has new form in June: a fresh movement to re-devote ourselves to faithfulness. It’s called Fidelity Month. I first encountered this idea halfway through last … more

Commentary by Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 5/30/25

Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, speaks with other senators during the legislative session at the Washington state Capitol in Olympia on Friday, April 25.

John Braun: The value of ‘killing’ bad legislation in state Legislature

The use of “kill” for efforts to stop legislation goes back to at least 1910. That’s when future President Calvin Coolidge, then a Republican state representative in Massachusetts, … more

Commentary by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 5/30/25

The outside of Chehalis United Methodist Church is pictured after a meeting on safe parking on Thursday, May 22.

Commentary: Why we are trying to create Safe Parking for families with children in the Twin Cities

For more than 18 months, a sub-committee formed by the Hope Housing Collaborative of Lewis County has been working to create a Safe Parking program to be implemented at churches in Centralia and … more

5/28/25

Maureen Harkcom grew up on a Lewis County dairy and operated a beef and native hay operation and developed an equine competition facility. She is a past president of Lewis County Farm Bureau and a current member of Washington Farm Bureau Board of Directors. She can be reached by email at maureen.harkcom@gmail.com.

Maureen Harkcom: A beginner’s guide to protecting your right to farm

I have no clue as to who, or how many people, read my opinion piece. I do occasionally get an email from someone asking a question or commenting on something I have written, so I know somebody does … more

Commentary by Maureen Harkcom / For The Chronicle | 5/28/25

John McCroskey: The truth about recycling and more taxation from Democrats in Olympia

Ever since I received my recycling container, which, as I recall, I never asked for, I’ve wondered about this whole recycling business. Is it really of value? Years later, I … more

Commentary bu John McCroskey / For The Chronicle | 5/28/25

Julie McDonald, a personal historian from Toledo, may be reached at memoirs@chapteroflife.com.

Julie McDonald: Recent events show Lewis County justice questionable at times

Decades ago, when my son was a toddler, his grandfather from Whatcom County visited our home for three weeks at a time. As they sat at the kitchen table for breakfast, my son shouted for me. … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 5/26/25

Rep. Peter Abbarno represents the 20th Legislative District in Southwest Washington and serves as the House Republican Caucus chair.

Peter Abbarno: New taxes and fees pricing families out of nature in Washington state

As summer nears and schools wind down for break, families across Washington state are preparing for what has traditionally been the most affordable kind of vacation: time spent in the great outdoors. … more

Commentary by state Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia | 5/26/25

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

Letter to the editor: Word of caution — don’t fall for the same scam that got me

I would like to spare anyone else the trouble I’ve gone through with a passport scam. In an effort to expedite the Real ID driver’s license (DMV isn’t taking appointments until … more

5/26/25

American Flags line the Sticklin Funeral Chapel’s driveway in Centralia on Friday, May 23.

Richard Stride: Contemplating the quiet flags in the yard on Memorial Day

Every year around this time, I find myself pausing. Not just because the calendar says it's a three-day weekend, or because the grill needs to be cleaned because of mold, a Pacific Northwest thing, … more

Commentary by Richard J. Stride / For The Chronicle | 5/26/25

Commentary: Washington state enacts massive tax increases to pay for government pay raises

There was a lot of intrigue in Washington state as citizens and businesses waited to see what Gov. Bob Ferguson would do with the record tax increases lawmakers sent to his desk this year. Despite … more

By Jason Mercier / Mountain States Policy Center | 5/24/25

Chad Taylor is the publisher and co-owner of The Chronicle. He can be reached at chad@chronline.com.

Publisher's Note: On safe parking, let’s be willing to try — even if it’s hard

I’ll be honest. When I first heard about the proposal by Hope Housing Collaborative to let families sleep in cars parked overnight in church parking lots, I had doubts. And I wasn’t … more

Commentary by Chad Taylor / For The Chronicle | 5/23/25

Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, stands in the wings of the Senate floor at the Washington state Capitol in Olympia on Friday, April 25.

John Braun: The $16 billion lie behind the largest tax increase in state history

When someone makes a statement that simply is not true, I tend to call it that, rather than say it’s a lie. If the state budget shortfall is nowhere near $16 billion, yet someone claims it … more

Commentary by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 5/23/25

The American flag flies at half mast during a Memorial Day ceremony at Claquato Cemetery in Chehalis on Monday, May 27.

Brian Mittge: A Memorial Day duty — ‘Earn this’

It’s been many years since I watched the movie “Saving Private Ryan,” but the last scene still sticks with me. The title character leans down to hear the raspy final words of … more

Commentary by Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 5/23/25

Commentary: Higher total taxes make Washington unaffordable

Too often, elected officials overlook the cumulative costs of regulations, taxes, and fees on taxpayers. However, those added costs come back to bite them hard when people pack up and move, … more

By Don Brunell | 5/21/25

Julie McDonald: Mourning the loss of a dedicated volunteer — Jan Sylvester-Jamerson

I read with sadness late last week about the passing of Jan Sylvester-Jamerson, a 70-year-old Lewis County native and a longtime volunteer for the Lewis County Historical Museum who died of cancer on … more

5/19/25

John McCroskey: Lock criminals up and stop making excuses for them

This week, in continuing with my theme of delusions, I ran across a story published by Axios Seattle from April 23 on new gun control legislation, House Bill 1163. In the article, state … more

Commentary by John McCroskey / For The Chronicle | 5/19/25