The Daily Chronicle

FILE PHOTO — Members of the Thurston County Sheriff Dive and Rescue crew stand on the bank of the Chehalis River during a search for missing teen Zach Hines-Rager in Adna. The Centralia teen died after jumping into the cold water.

Michael Wagar Commentary: Don’t Be Fooled By Hot Temps; ‘Water Shock’ a Killer

“Man Drowns Near Bellevue After Trying to Rescue a Child Who Had Fallen Off a Sailboat” was the headline posted on Chronline.com on Friday. On Wednesday, the man was trying to rescue … more

By Michael Wagar / For The Chronicle | 6/18/21

Governor Jay Inslee talks during a press conference at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds in Chehalis in 2019.

Other Views: Inslee's Double-Signing Stunt a Wasteful Abdication of Duty

Gov. Jay Inslee needs to consult a primer on proper governance when it comes to signing bills. Repeatedly, he has exceeded his authority in line-item vetoes and been hauled into court by legislators … more

The Seattle Times Editorial Board | 6/17/21 | 2 comments

John McCroskey Commentary: The Cost of Free College and the Loss of Common Sense in Public Education

I feel pretty fortunate that the education I got in Chehalis and at Centralia College was actually pretty good. While I was in the Navy, I took some community college classes as a 19-year-old in … more

By John McCroskey | 6/16/21 | 2 comments

Bill Moeller Commentary: Some Father’s Day Reflections About Dad

I’d be surprised if our memories of our fathers would be much alike. Take mine, for example. In his youth, my father lived a life of near wealth, and life may have been one large … more

By Bill Moeller / For The Chronicle | 6/16/21

Peter Abbarno is pictured with his wife, Holly, and children, Antonio and Sophia, during a trip to Mount St. Helens.

Peter Abbarno Commentary: Children Don’t Need a Perfect Dad — They Just Need You

Regardless of the “how to” books available to read, parenting is hard and regularly leaves you questioning yourself. I laugh when thinking about the wide variety of fatherhood movies … more

By Peter Abbarno / For The Chronicle | 6/16/21

Kenneth Arnold, seen in a 1947 file photo, holds a movie camera in front of his Callair, shortly after his sighting of nine alleged UFOs near Mount Rainier, Wash. "He vowed that if he saw any more of these things he'd get it on camera," Kim Arnold said of her father. In honor of the 50th anniversary of the sighting, Kim is writing a book, "June 24, 1947: Kenneth Arnold and the Birth of UFOs." (AP Photo/Idaho Statesman)

Other Views: Congressional Report on UFOs Landing Soon; Why It Matters to Washington State

With an unclassified military report covering two decades of UFO sightings set to be presented to Congress this month, a quote from one of Hollywood's earliest (and corniest) space-invader movies … more

The News Tribune Editorial Board | 6/15/21

Crowds gathered at the Community Farmers Market of Chehalis on opening day.

Julie McDonald Commentary: Downtown Chehalis Popping With Paintings, Improvements and Party Plans

If you want fresh local strawberries, but you’re unable to stop at the Chehalis Community Farmers Market downtown early Tuesday mornings, you can reserve the luscious fruit and other produce by … more

By Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 6/14/21

Guest Commentary: Finding Solutions for Restoring Cowlitz River Fisheries

Editor’s Note: This is part three in a series on rebuilding Cowlitz River recreational fisheries. Over the past few months, the Western Washington recreational fishing community has looked … more

By Tyler Comeau / CCA Washington | 6/11/21

A room is seen at the Lakeview Inn similar to where some are currently quarantining in the facility.

Michael Wagar Commentary: NIMBY Opposition to Centralia Quarantine Motel Is Misguided

I’m fortunate to live near Mossyrock up on a hill with views of Mayfield Lake, the foothill mountains of East Lewis County and Mount Rainier. When friends and family stop by, they take in … more

By Michael Wagar / For The Chronicle | 6/11/21

Bill Moeller Commentary: The Desktop is Too Crowded Again

I’ve lost track of the number of times in the past 12 years I’ve tried to clean my desk by using some of the assorted notes and clippings that accumulate in various nooks and crannies on … more

By Bill Moeller / For The Chronicle | 6/9/21

John McCroskey Commentary: If We’re ‘Reimagining’ Police, What Else Needs a Closer Look?

Over the past year, we’ve been treated with a new buzzword: “reimagine.” Specifically, much of the talk is about reimagining policing in America. I got to thinking about … more

By John McCroskey / For The Chronicle | 6/9/21 | 1 comment

Brunell Commentary: Land is the Wild Card In Biden’s Green Gamble

By Don Brunell Shortly after President Biden took office, he issued the sweeping executive order to transition America to total 100 percent renewable electricity by 2035, just 15 short … more

By Don C. Brunell | 6/8/21

From left, Beverly Ramsey, Vicki Pogorelc and Linda Ropka

Julie McDonald Commentary: St. Helens Club Fosters Friendships But Saying Goodbye Is Tough

Last weekend we said goodbye to yet another member of the St. Helens Club: Linda Ropka, a talented artist and gracious woman who passed away in Seattle May 28 at the age of 76. At least 10 of the … more

By Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 6/7/21

Richard Stride Commentary: Reflections on Judge Michael Roewe and a Life Well Lived

When I received the news of Judge Michael Roewe’s passing, I was shocked to say the least. I thought to myself, “I just saw and spoke to him not even a week … more

By Richard Stride / For The Chronicle | 6/4/21

Centralia High School — Top 10 Graduates

Michael Wagar Commentary: Worst Generation Ever? Hardly. Top 10 High School Graduates Profiled

Is the world unraveling? Our political leaders seem to be floundering. We have the pandemic, looming inflation — we can’t even agree on whether to wear masks or not. Where are our … more

By Michael Wagar / For The Chronicle | 6/4/21

On the left is a police mug shot of a woman with a hollow and diseased face. Her baggy, half-closed eyes droop with addiction and exhaustion. Her dark hair is cropped nearly to the skin save for a lock of dyed-pink bangs hanging over sunken brows. Virginia Burton, eight years clean of drugs, will graduate this week from the University of Washington at age 48.

Brian Mittge Commentary: From Child Drug Addict to Inspiring College Grad

“Stop selling yourself short. You don't know what tomorrow might bring so you might consider starting today.” - Virginia Burton, eight years clean of drugs, who will graduate this week … more

By Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 6/4/21

Moderna COVID-19 vaccine dosages sit on a table as medical professionals work to distribute them earlier this year.

Commentary: COVID-19 Vaccines Are a Shot in the Arm for Small Business

Early in the pandemic, signs of encouragement started appearing on theater marquees, church message boards, front lawns and living room windows. “We’re in this together.” … more

By Kris Johnson / AWB | 6/2/21

Bill Moeller Commentary: Memories Surfacing From Memorial Day

The patriotic remembrances shared early this week brought to mind — as it does to any old serviceman — my own memories of military service in peacetime and in wartime. I hope … more

6/2/21

Other Views: Legal or Not, Remember Shady Road to Capital-Gains Tax

So, the capital-gains tax rushed into law this spring is facing a second day in court. No surprise. Perhaps that's to be expected when Democratic lawmakers jam a new tax into the code, on largely … more

The Seattle Times Editorial Board | 6/1/21

Commentary: Ignoring China’s Grip on Critical Metals Production Is Not an Option

China’s growing dominance of critical metals production and its vast stockpiles is setting off global alarms as economies emerge from the punishing COVID-19 pandemic. It is not only fear of the … more

By Don Brunell | 5/31/21