Commentary | The Daily Chronicle

Sally Sweeney and her grandson, Adam, co-wrote a country song that he is turning into a short film. Adam, who now lives in Portland, grew up next to his grandma on the prairie west of Tenino.

Brian Mittge: Tenino grandma’s co-written country song inspires film

“To look at me you’d think I didn’t have a care / But if tears were gold, I’d be a millionaire...” — Sally Sweeney When Adam Sweeney first heard his … more

Commentary by Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 8/2/24

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

John Braun: The more Bob Ferguson says, the more his credibility gap widens

Back in 2007, our state Supreme Court struck down a section of state law regarding false statements made in political advertising. The case stemmed from a complaint about the accuracy of a … more

Commentary by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 8/2/24

Julie McDonald: Science fiction innovations populate our world today

Last month, I parked at the Silver Reef Casino near Ferndale, Washington, climbed out from behind the wheel and did a double-take when I saw an R2D2-like robot rolling through the lot with a blue … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 7/29/24

John Braun: Remember Democrats’ gerrymandering when casting primary ballots

The primary voting period in our state began July 19 and runs through Aug. 6. Tens of thousands of voters across more than a quarter of Washington's legislative districts are being forced to … more

Commentary by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 7/26/24

Cooks Hill Community Church leaders, from left, Pastor Emily Faley, Debra Steele and Vicki Judd, are among those guiding the Lewis County Maternity House, which has just opened in Centralia.

Brian Mittge: New home for homeless mothers opens in Centralia

Expectant mothers with no place to turn now have a place they can call home. This month, the new Lewis County Maternity House opened its doors to their first resident, a 20-year-old … more

Commentary by Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 7/26/24

Visitors to the Forks Visitors Center use pins to mark their hometowns on this map showcased by a volunteer.

Julie McDonald: Could tourists flock to Lewis County to learn of Washington’s history?

Like more than 2 million tourists each year, my husband and I traveled last weekend northeast to Leavenworth, a once-dying town that reinvented itself in the 1960s as a Bavarian-style village. … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 7/22/24

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

Publisher's note: Biden should step down now that his candidacy has ended

After President Joe Biden announced his decision to withdraw from the 2024 race citing the need to focus on his responsibilities, there is increasing worry about his ability to effectively lead the … more

Commentary by Chad Taylor / chad@chronline.com | 7/22/24

Cathedral Falls is pictured in this Chronicle file photo.

Brian Mittge: Berry sweetness and obscure additions to Lewis County’s Top 10 spots

Happy Berryuary! It’s my favorite time of year: the midsummer season when Washington’s woods are at their bountiful best. The native trailing blackberries are delicious, the … more

Commentary by Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 7/19/24

State Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia

John Braun: When Democrats say they want to lower costs, ask them about the cost-saving initiatives

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. But Senate Republicans aren’t feeling particularly flattered that state Attorney General Bob Ferguson is claiming to support a majority of … more

Commentary by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 7/19/24

Lonnie Goble, friends, family and volunteers pose for a photo outside the Packwood Fire Department before a firework show in July 2022.

Commentary: Packwood Fire Department nears the end of an era

I am writing this commentary to urge Lewis County Fire District 10 voters to approve the levy increase for the Packwood Fire Department (PFD) on their Aug. 6 primary ballot. In preparation for … more

By Bill Serrahn | 7/17/24

Maureen Harkcom is president of the Lewis County Farm Bureau. She can be reached at maureen.harkcom@gmail.com.

Maureen Harkcom: Lewis County agriculture statistics show importance of local farmers

If you hung in there with me on the last commentary about the agricultural landscape of Washington state, let’s now try Lewis County agriculture on for size. Remember, this information … more

Commentary by Maureen Harkcom / For The Chronicle | 7/17/24

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump pumps his fist as he is rushed offstage by U.S. Secret Service agents after being grazed by a bullet during a rally on July 13, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Julie McDonald: Nation needs people to respect political opponents

I jumped up from an afternoon nap and rushed to the television Saturday upon reading the subject line on an emailed news release on my phone: “Gluesenkamp Perez statement on shooting at Trump … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 7/15/24

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

Richard Stride commentary: Malcolm Muggeridge, Grandma Red and timeless truisms, buster

Have you ever heard of Malcolm Muggeridge? Neither had I until a book I just finished mentioned his name. Malcolm was born in Sanderstead, Surry, England, in March 1903. He … more

By Richard Stride | 7/15/24

John Braun: Ferguson double-speak illustrates Democrats’ public-safety problem

When Jay Inslee first ran for governor, he made a no-new-taxes promise. We know how that turned out. The many tax bills Inslee has supported and signed have taken billions of dollars from … more

Commentary by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 7/12/24

Commentary: All Americans should be concerned about trends in agriculture

Every five years, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) does a “Census of Agriculture” to look at agriculture in the United States. They gather a lot of statistics from … more

By Maureen Harkcom / For The Chronicle | 7/12/24

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

John McCroskey: ‘We’ll figure it out’ isn’t an adequate answer to the big issues of our time

Just a few days ago, I received a text message from what appeared to be a legit government agency representative from the Washington State Department of Transportation’s “good to … more

Commentary by John McCroskey / For The Chronicle | 7/10/24

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

Commentary: Proposal to shut down public working forests threatens critical Washington state services and jobs

Washington faces significant social and economic risks if anti-forestry groups succeed in persuading the Board of Natural Resources and candidates for commissioner of public lands to close an … more

By Nick Smith | 7/9/24

The original Zanders who settled in Whatcom County are pictured in the back row of this family photo provided by Chronicle columnist Julie McDonald.

Julie McDonald: Although death changes holidays, we forge new traditions

When my husband and I married 33 years ago, we knew we’d celebrate the Fourth of July and Thanksgiving near Bellingham with his family because those were the holidays he had his two children … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 7/8/24

State Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, talks about his focuses in the upcoming legislative session during a visit to The Chronicle in Centralia on Thursday, Dec 14, 2023.

John Braun: Washington voters rise up again, this time with I-2066

A 1789 letter from Thomas Jefferson to Richard Price, a Welsh minister who had been very supportive of the American revolution, included this line: "Whenever the people are well informed, they … more

Commentary by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 7/5/24

Swimmers smile from the newly reopened quarry pool during Tenino Family Fun Day held at Tenino City Park on Saturday, June 22.

Brian Mittge: A summer checklist of our area’s top spots

OK, folks. Summer is underway, the heat is on, and if you’re looking to get outside and have a good time, Southwest Washington has plenty of great places to enjoy our little slice of … more

Commentary by Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 7/5/24