Commentary | The Daily Chronicle

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

Bill Moeller Commentary: Remembering a Time When Local Radio Was About Community

I knew there was something in the air, something lacking to which I should have been responding. Deep thoughts into the matter brought out the fact that, this year, my mailbox hasn't … more

By Bill Moeller / For The Chronicle | 6/7/23

The Washington Capitol building is lit up against the night sky in Olympia on Thursday, Feb. 16.

Commentary: Washington’s Long-Term Care Program Still Flawed as New Tax Looms

Brace yourself. Your paycheck in July will probably be a little smaller. That’s when the state will begin collecting premium payments for its long-term care insurance program, … more

By Kris Johnson / Association of Washington Business | 6/7/23

McCroskey Commentary: Schools, Companies Can Support What They Want; So Can Residents and Consumers

The past few years have seen changes at a rate that statistically makes many of our heads spin, and in my opinion, rightly so. First, it was boys and men in the girls’ bathroom. … more

By John McCroskey / For The Chronicle | 6/7/23

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

Julie McDonald Commentary: County Likely to Pay for Botching Christensen Death Investigation

Although I’m not a fan of our sue-happy culture, I don’t blame the family of Aron Christensen for filing a $20 million claim against Lewis County after the August shooting of the … more

By Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 6/5/23

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

Richard Stride Commentary: A Look Back on the Mafia and How One Mobster Helped the War Effort

Americans have always had a fascination with the mafia. Just recall the popularity of the movie “The Godfather” and the television series, “The Sopranos.” … more

6/5/23

Attorney General Bob Ferguson talks to members of the press during a legislative meeting inside the John A. Cherberg building in Olympia last February.

Commentary: How Donald Trump, of All People, Might Determine Washington's Next Governor

Democratic Party politics around here, which is to say all politics of late, has been a bit like the old Soviet Politburo. You wait your turn for this post or that, and then the whole party gets in … more

Danny Westneat / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 6/3/23

Chris Brewer gives a thumbs up during a recent bike ride on the Willapa Hills Trail.

Brian Mittge Commentary: Making History on the Willapa Hills Trail

It’s been a noteworthy week on the Willapa Hills Trail, Lewis County’s increasingly impressive pathway from Chehalis to all points west. It began when my friend Chris Brewer, … more

By Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 6/2/23

Commentary: McCarthy-Biden Agreement Only a Start for Tackling Nation’s Debt

The deal reached between President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to increase our nation’s debt limit was a welcome compromise. It appears to avert our nation’s … more

By Don Brunell | 5/31/23

Bill Moeller Commentary: As the World Turns — a Politician Who Actually Followed His Beliefs

I was just thinking that I had promised more of an in-depth look at one of the more famous losers in politics, Wendell Willkie. He lost to President Roosevelt by five million votes in the … more

By Bill Moeller / For The Chronicle | 5/31/23

Don Buswell is pictured with his four sons. From left in this courtesy photo are Donnie, Alan, Don Buswell, Guy and Carl

Julie McDonald: Toledo’s Don Buswell, His Brother and Four Sons Built Roads and Then Relaxed in the Sauna

Editor’s Note: This is the final installment of a series of columns focused on Don Buswell and his family’s history. Find previous installments at chronline.com. After the … more

By Julie McDonad / For The Chronicle | 5/29/23

Representatives of the Chehalis School District and Bethel Church meet at Olympic Elementary School on Friday morning after touring a part of the school that is being leased to be used as community classroom space for students during early release on Wednesdays in upcoming school years.

Brian Mittge Commentary: When the Community Becomes the School

Starting in September, students will be released 90 minutes early from the public schools in Chehalis every Wednesday so teachers have new dedicated collaboration time. This will match an … more

By Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 5/26/23

Bill Moeller Commentary: Contemplating Our Memories — While We Still Have Them

Are you surprised that my recent birthday celebration brought to mind some of the places, events and other features that no longer exist in the area? On top of that, in writing last week's … more

By Bill Moeller / For The Chronicle | 5/24/23

The Mossyrock Dam casts a shadow on the Tacoma City Light powerhouse.

Commentary: We Should Build Our Future Electricity Supply Around Hydropower

Although New Zealand and Washington are located a half a world apart, they have lots in common — beautiful seashores, majestic mountains, crystal clear streams and lakes and vibrant salmon and … more

By Don Brunell | 5/22/23

Don Buswell, center, is pictured during his time in the Air Force in this photo he provided to The Chronicle.

Highlighting Lewis County: Buswells Flew Airplanes During WWII, Then Logged Forests and Built Roads

In the spring of 1940, a year after Don Buswell graduated, the old wooden Toledo High School building on the hill burned down, and not long after a principal had been fired, perhaps for fooling … more

By Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 5/22/23

State Rep. Peter Abbarno is a Centralia-based attorney who represents the 20th Legislative District as a Republican in the Washington Legislature.

Rep. Peter Abbarno Commentary: Accountability and Compassion at the Heart of the Blake ‘Fix’ Bill

At the heart of any good criminal justice policy involving substance abuse and addiction should be accountability and compassion. Although this policy will evolve and improve over time, I believe the … more

By Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia | 5/19/23

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

Sen. John Braun Commentary: Republican Resolve Leads to Better Drug Possession Law

Last year, our Democratic colleagues felt compelled to brag that the Legislature had adjourned on schedule five sessions in a row, with no need to go into overtime. It was presumably an attempt to … more

By Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 5/19/23

Bill Moeller Commentary: Hispanic Representation Arrives at Last for Centralia Council

My routine procedure on a Thursday afternoon is generally along the lines of, first, making sure that The Chronicle has been delivered into my rural mailbox and then — after settling … more

5/17/23

Don Buswell, a centenarian from Toledo, is pictured at 100 in this photo by Julie McDonald.

Julie McDonald Commentary: Buswells Settle South of Toledo in the Early 1920s

Don Buswell, a centenarian from Toledo, years ago visited the East Coast Civil War battlefields and stood in awe at one near Richmond, Virginia, where his grandfather Brigham Buswell was shot in the … more

By Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 5/15/23

A Washington State Patrol vehicle is parked in front of W.F. West High School on Thursday during a lockdown.

Brian Mittge Commentary: ‘Swatting’ Is the Latest Threat to Our Schools

As if America’s plague of school shootings wasn’t terrible enough, the destroyers of public safety and security are now adding insult to injury. Modern technology and lax … more

By Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 5/12/23

Richard Stride Commentary: What Is Artificial Intelligence? Is It Scary or a Positive Development?

I recall the debate in the 1980s and 90s concerning robots taking over our lives and the world. Movies like “Terminator” and “The Matrix” didn’t help much. … more

By Richard Stride / For The Chronicle | 5/12/23