The Daily Chronicle

FILE PHOTO — A worker sorts out canisters of various strains of marijuana at The Herbal Center in Tenino in April 2015.

Michael Wagar Commentary: The State Should Use Pot Tax to Fund More Drug Treatment

The state Supreme Court ruling on Feb. 25 that simple drug possession is no longer a felony had Lewis County scrambling for answers, but for now, there is a pause in local deliberations over the … more

By Michael Wagar / For The Chronicle | 4/2/21

Damage in Adna from the 2007 Chehalis River flood.

Guest Commentary: Memories of 2007 Flood Fuel Hopes for Future in Adna

Adna is a small, rural town, 126 years old, located just 6 miles west of Interstate 5. It lies in the valley and hills along the Chehalis River. Our community shows a fierce dedication to … more

By Shanda Veatch | 4/2/21

FILE PHOTO — Bill Moeller walks along the fence line in Centralia.

Bill Moeller Commentary: A Poem Remembering Love Caught My Eye

You may recall I made a pledge around the beginning of winter that for the duration of its nasty days and evenings, I would concentrate on re-reading books that I had saved because I enjoyed them so … more

By Bill Moeller / For The Chronicle | 3/31/21

FILE PHOTO — Prairie Creek flows under a new culvert on Bunker Creek Road. The concrete structure replaced a metal pipe that had been obstructing the passage of salmon. The newly planted tree is part of revegetation efforts to improve habitat in the creek.

Other Views: Washington’s Culvert Challenge Deserves Federal Funding

A federal court order to open up hundreds of fish passages beneath roads by 2030 has been Washington’s burden for years. This $3.7 billion undertaking deserves federal funding so it does not … more

By The Seattle Times Editorial Board | 3/31/21

A checkpoint is seen at the Capitol in Olympia.

Julie McDonald Commentary: Per-Mile Vehicle Tax Will Hurt Rural Residents

If you live in a rural area, state and federal lawmakers plan to pick your pocket. Washington state lawmakers and U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg have proposed state and federal taxes … more

By Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 3/29/21

Gov. Jay Inslee speaks during a tour of often-flooded areas in Lewis County on Thursday, June 1, 2017, at the Adna Grange.

Our Views: Inslee Deserves Credit for Focus on Flooding, Fish in the Chehalis Basin

This editorial board does not praise Gov. Jay Inslee every day. We often disagree with his politics and his policies, including his positions on new taxes and government … more

By The Chronicle Editorial Board | 3/29/21

The Washington State Capitol building is seen in Olympia.

Other Views: Keep Washington’s Mom-and-Pop Landlords in Business

State leaders are right to prevent pandemic-related residential evictions. Droves of Washingtonians shouldn’t be turned out into the street when eviction moratoriums eventually expire. But … more

By The Seattle Times Editorial Board | 3/29/21

Letter: Herrera Beutler Requests Release of Report on U.S. Capitol Complex Breach

Note: House Legislative Branch Subcommittee Chairman Tim Ryan, of Ohio, and Ranking Member Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Battle Ground, on Monday called on the United States Capitol Police Board to … more

3/29/21

Brian Mittge Commentary: Remember to Retain Simplicity as Life’s Dance Resumes

This morning, my family swirled and sidestepped through our little house in a highly choreographed but always improvisational get-ready-for-the-day routine. There were dogs to greet, beds to … more

By Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 3/26/21

Rep. Vicki Kraft introduces a student athlete to speak at the podium during a protest at the Washington State Capitol earlier this year.

Commentary: Governor’s Powers Must Be Reined in Before Legislature Finishes Session

It was March 23, 2020, that Gov. Jay Inslee first issued his “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order. For one year, Washington's governor has single-handedly ruled the citizens of the state under … more

By Rep. Vicki Kraft | 3/26/21

Shoppers are evacuated from a King Soopers grocery store after a gunman opened fire on Monday, March 22, 2021, in Boulder, Colorado. (Chet Strange/Getty Images/TNS)

Dr. Richard Stride Commentary: From Columbine to Aurora to Boulder — Why?

“Attackers were as likely to be rich as poor. They are from all ethnic and racial backgrounds (though three-fourths were white). They had intact and broken families, good and bad report … more

By Dr. Richard Stride / For The Chronicle | 3/24/21 | 1 comment

Bill Moeller Commentary: It’s a Tricky World Out There

I’m sure that if you’ve watched television in the last month or so you may be prone to ask, “What in the world has happened with television cameras?” I thought it was … more

By Bill Moeller / For The Chronicle | 3/24/21

Moderna COVID-19 vaccine vials are kept inside a cooler inside the Community Event Building at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds during a vaccine distribution in late January.

Julie McDonald Commentary: An End in Sight to Pandemic?

It’s heartening to see the numbers of new coronavirus cases in Lewis County plummet and the organization of mass drive-through vaccination clinics at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds. … more

By Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 3/22/21

Brian Mittge Commentary: ‘We Are the Someone’ to Bring Back Beloved Park

Norma Szabo has fond memories of a small park tucked away in a historic neighborhood between the freeway and downtown Chehalis. West Side Park isn’t the kind of glorious civic amenity that … more

By Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 3/19/21

FILE PHOTO — Oxycodone pills, top, tar heroin, bottom left, and liquid heroin, is seen in the evidence department of the Centralia Police Department in this file photo.

Michael Wagar Commentary: Liberal? My ReTrumplican Inner Self Wins Out Over Drug Possession Controversy

I’m battling an internal struggle between my Liberal vs. ReTrumplican leanings over a recent state Supreme Court case where the justices ruled simple drug possession is no longer a felony in … more

By Michael Wagar / For The Chronicle | 3/19/21

The reservoir at the Skookumchuck Dam is seen far below maximum pool height in this Chronicle file photo.

Our Views: Skookumchuck Dam Has Attention of the Chehalis Basin Board

The Skookumchuck Dam was built in 1970 to create a reservoir of water for one purpose: supplying water to the Centralia Steam Plant. With the plant scheduled to close in 2025, the … more

By The Chronicle Editorial Board | 3/19/21

The Washington State Capitol building is seen on Saturday in Olympia.

Other Views: State's Windfall Another Strike Against Capital-Gains Tax

Wednesday's good-news state revenue forecast says Washington has enough money to provide necessary government services critical to the pandemic recovery. The Legislature should accept this evidence … more

The Seattle Times Editorial Board | 3/18/21

FILE PHOTO — U.S. Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler addresses Lewis County citizens in this file photo.

Herrera Beutler: More Transparency Needed on State’s COVID-19 Distribution

Editor’s Note: Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Battle Ground, last week sent a letter to the Washington State Secretary of Health Dr. Umair Shah pressing for transparency in COVID-19 … more

By U.S. Rep. Jamie Herrera Beutler | 3/17/21

Bill Moeller Commentary: The Years Sneak up on Us, Don’t They?

I get the feeling that many — if not most — of us can share that same thought. What I’m referring to is that, with this column, I complete 13 years of writing it without … more

By Bill Moeller / For The Chronicle | 3/17/21

Being Frank Commentary: Billy Frank Jr. Statue Gaining Momentum in Olympia

Treaty Indian tribes in Western Washington strongly support proposed state legislation to place a statue of the late natural resources and civil rights champion Billy Frank Jr. to replace Marcus … more

3/17/21