Commentary | The Daily Chronicle

Speakers Olivia Hawker, Garth Stein and Matt Young are pictured on stage in this photo provided by Sandy Crowell.

Julie McDonald: Evening with Authors raises more than $4,000 for Hope Alliance

Nearly a dozen fiction and nonfiction authors chatted in the TransAlta Commons on Sept. 6 with people who enjoy reading and signed books during an Evening with Authors, sponsored by the Lewis County … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 9/16/24

Bill Moeller wields his clippers as he attacks fresh blackberry canes during a work party at the Seminary Hill Natural Area on April 23, 2016.

Brian Mittge: As curtain drops, one more ovation for Bill Moeller

“Death ... a great Leveler — a king before whose tremendous majesty shades and differences in littleness cannot be discerned — an Alp from whose summit all small things are the same … more

Commentary by Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 9/13/24

Sen. John Braun of Centralia serves the 20th Legislative District, which spans parts of four counties from Yelm to Vancouver. He became Senate Republican leader in 2020.

John Braun: Need more reasons to support I-2117 and end the hidden gas tax? Try these

Well, there they go again. Opponents of Initiative 2117, which would repeal Washington's costly cap-and-tax law, are repeating the lie that passing the initiative would put our state's roads and … more

Commentary by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 9/13/24

Commentary: Facts on I-2109, the possible repeal of income tax on capital gains

Washington voters will soon have an opportunity to have their say on an unusual and corrosive tax the Legislature passed in 2021. The controversial tax imposes a levy of 7% on capital gains income … more

By Paul Guppy | 9/11/24

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

Publisher's Note: History of federal income tax and why it’s important to know

The history of federal income tax in the United States is a telling example of how temporary government measures, often introduced during times of crisis, can evolve into permanent and far-reaching … more

Commentary by Chad Taylor | 9/11/24

Richard Stride is the current CEO of Cascade Community Healthcare. He can be reached at docrs53@gmail.com.

Richard Stride: Folk wisdom, right or wrong, is intended to help us navigate life

Have you ever thought about those things that were told to you by your parents or grandparents? Those gems of wisdom they made sure to share not knowing if we were listening or not? These … more

Commentary by Richard Stride | 9/11/24

Ashlee Shirer speaks during a meeting of the Lewis County Association of American University Women chapter’s meeting on Thursday.

Julie McDonald: Ashlee Shirer lives her dream as a wife, mother and bakery owner

Although I had nibbled on her scrumptious cookies and read about her store in the newspaper, I’d never heard the story of nationally award-winning baker Ashlee (Christman) Shirer’s … more

By Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 9/9/24

Guest commentary: Lewis County Public Utility District rate increase necessary

The Lewis County Public Utility District (PUD) is a public entity and its expenditures are ratepayer funded. Unlike other government entities, the PUD does not tax nor have government income to cover … more

By David Plotz, Lewis County PUD general manager | 9/9/24

Tiger alumni players celebrate a point during Centralia’s non-league game versus a Centralia High School alumni team at Centralia High School on Thursday, Sep. 5.

Brian Mittge: Beautiful bridging of the generations

When old and young mix, both sides win. That’s true even if the “old folks” officially defeat the kids, as happened Thursday during the Centralia High School alumni vs. … more

9/9/24

The Capitol building in Olympia, home to the Senate and House chambers, is lit up on the evening of Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023.

Commentary: There’s a lot at stake for employers in this year’s election

We often hear that an upcoming election is the most important one in years, maybe even decades — possibly ever. It’s easy to dismiss this as election hype, but there are good reasons why … more

By Kris Johnson | 9/9/24

Downtown Centralia is pictured in this Chronicle file photo.

Commentary: Building Centralia’s future together

Last weekend at an end-of-summer barbecue, I was asked an interesting question: “How do you revitalize a city like Centralia?” It made me think about the work we’ve done so … more

By Centralia Mayor Kelly Smith Johnston | 9/6/24

Sen. John Braun in Olympia on Friday, Feb. 15, 2024.

John Braun: Say no to lies and economic injustice by voting yes on Initiative 2117

There’s a school of thought that says people don’t start paying close attention to election campaigns until after Labor Day, when summer family activities are brought to an end by the … more

Commentary by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 9/6/24

A helicopter flies to a drop point during the DNR aviation exercise in the Capitol State Forest on Wednesday, April 17.

Commentary: Record national debt harms forest restoration efforts

Our national debt is spreading out of control like a raging wildfire. Among other things, that added liability impacts our ability to fight those fires and reforest those scorched woods and range … more

By Don Brunell | 9/4/24

Esther Borte is pictured with Cy Meyer at the Toledo Senior Center in July 2014.

Julie McDonald: A Walk in the Park scheduled and a local Christian fiction writing chapter forms

Next Sunday, if I’m still able to stand after the Lewis County chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Evening with Authors and the Southwest Washington Writers … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald | 9/2/24

Richard Stride commentary: Paralympics offer a truly unique opportunity to see disabilities in another way

The United States recently competed in the Summer Olympic Games in Paris. Team U.S., for the eighth consecutive Olympic Games, won more medals than any other country. In Paris, the overall … more

By Richard Stride | 9/2/24

John Braun: Survey says people feel no ‘joy’ for state Democrats’ tax ideas

A nationally published conservative columnist recently drew a contrast between the Democratic nominees for president and vice president, who are busy being joyous, and the 65% of Americans who … more

Commentary by Sen John Braun, R-Centralia | 8/30/24

Centralia School Board Member Deb Parnham and Centralia High School Principal Scott Embrey join ASB Treasurer Brianna Hernandez Perez and Centralia students at the Centralia Back-to-School Supply Drive at Walmart in Chehalis earlier this month.

Peter Abbarno: Bridging the gap — why supporting local back-to-school drives is crucial

As the back-to-school season approaches, families with school-age children across Washington are bracing themselves for the inevitable financial strain. For many, the cost of school supplies adds an … more

Commentary by Peter Abbarno | 8/26/24

Frank and Barbara Mason pose for a photo with Lisa Blomdahl in 2022.

Julie McDonald: Thank you, Frank Mason, for preserving Chehalis history

As an avid fan of history, I love seeing old photos, buildings and artifacts preserved for future generations to enjoy and appreciate, so I read with regret the news that Frank Mason had died Aug. … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 8/26/24

Walupt Creek Falls is pictured in this 2020 photo by photographer Jesse Smith.

Brian Mittge: Another hidden gem of Lewis County — Walupt Falls

Over the past week, we’ve seen a ping-pong between summer sun and good old-fashioned Western Washington rain and gray. While the heat might be returning, I’m always happy to see the … more

8/26/24

Maureen Harkcom, president of the Lewis County Farm Bureau, hands a gift to Raintree Nursery co-owner James Owen on a Lewis County Farm Bureau Tour on Wednesday, Aug. 14.

Maureen Harkcom Commentary: Lewis County Farm Bureau’s Tour of Agriculture always worthwhile

I think I have almost recovered from (and survived) Aug. 14 — a few loose ends to tie up yet — thank you letters, report to the board for its critique and then … start planning for … more

8/23/24