Commentary | The Daily Chronicle

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

Richard Stride Commentary: Remembering a Special Dog After Death of Washington K9

On the news yesterday, I listened to a story about a Seattle police dog who was fatally stabbed by a robbery suspect. An officer on scene was also injured. If you are a dog lover like me, and you too … more

By Richard Stride / For The Chronicle | 1/12/22

Interstate 5 traffic in Lewis County is seen stalled Friday in this photograph from the Washington State Patrol.

Julie McDonald Commentary: A Flooded Freeway? Not That I Could See

As rain pelted the roof Thursday night, I surfed the Internet for news about road closures due to flooding. Despite closure of the Rush Road interchange at Exit 72, I read assurances that closure of … more

1/10/22

West Thurston Fire crews evaluate a crash victim with a head injury at the Moon Road intersection to U.S. Highway 12 in Rochester before having them enter an aid unit on a gurney to be transported to Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia through road closures Saturday afternoon.

Commentary: In Wake of Severe Flooding, Appreciation for a Community That Came Together

Thankful is one of the first words to come out of my mouth while discussing the January 2022 flood. Thankful the flooding was not worse. Thankful to the countless volunteers and state, county and … more

By Peter Abbarno | 1/10/22

The Capital Building is seen Monday, January 8, 2018 in Olympia.

Commentary: Time to Replace State’s Ill-Thought Long Term Care Law

The first order of business as Washington’s Legislature convenes in Olympia is replacing the state’s new long-term care law. It is fatally flawed. Gov. Jay Inslee and Democrats who … more

By Don Brunell | 1/10/22

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

Commentary: ‘Seeking Balance’ on Emergency Powers

House Speaker Laurie Jinkins made an interesting comment recently about emergency powers during the Seattle CityClub legislative preview. When asked about emergency powers reform, the … more

By Jason Mercier | 1/9/22

Bicyclists ride along the Lewis County Historical Bike Ride route.

Guest Commentary: Trying to Get in Shape? Here’s Some Advice: Don’t Start With the Gym

First, a disclaimer: If you love going to the gym and it keeps you in shape, that’s great. Keep doing that. This column isn’t for you. Go read a listicle about the best protein powders … more

By Jonathan Haukaas | 1/5/22

Bill Moeller Commentary: A Rediscovered Treasure Helps Provide Hope for a Better Year

Have you ever seen, heard or watched something that you’re sure will either bore you to death or maybe even test your ability to hold back your last meal only to find that it’s nothing … more

By Bill Moeller / For The Chronicle | 1/5/22

John McCroskey Commentary: There’s a Whole Lot of Stupid to Choose From These Days

Sometimes you read something that sounds so silly, you’re certain it’s a hoax. In this case, I received an email from someone I trust, but even then, in the back of my mind I … more

By John McCroskey / For The Chronicle | 1/5/22

Dennis Hadaller stands next to the graves of his parents, Ed and Minnie Maurin, at the St. Francis Xavier Cemetery in Toledo in this 2013 Chronicle file photo. Hadaller, a former Lewis County commissioner, spent over 25 years searching for an answer to his parents’ deaths.

Julie McDonald Commentary: On Habits, Periods, a Former Commissioner and the Toledo Library

My education at the University of Washington proved as much of a learning experience outside the classroom as inside. During my first year, a conservative Catholic from Vancouver, I met my zany … more

By Julie McDonald | 1/3/22

Commentary: State Should Seize Opportunity to Champion the Economy

After two years of COVID-19, many Washington families and small businesses could use a break. Fortunately, the Washington Legislature has the means to help. State lawmakers have more than … more

By Kris Johnson | 1/3/22

Bob Mohrbacher is the president of Centralia College.

Commentary: Now’s the Time to Pursue Financial Aid for College

Washington state’s two-year colleges consistently rank as some of the best in the country for graduation rates, student success and affordability. Centralia College is certainly proud of … more

By Bob Mohrbacher | 1/3/22

District 19 Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview, has introduced a bill in the state Legislature intended to target the growing wave of catalytic converter thefts in Washington state.

Other Views: Put Catalytic Converter Thieves Out of Business

Catalytic converter theft is a statewide problem that deserves a statewide solution. A bill drafted by Sen. Jeff Wilson-R, Longview, for the upcoming legislative session in January is a good start. … more

By The Seattle Times Editorial Board | 1/2/22

The Fort Borst Christmas lights display in Centralia.

Brian Mittge Commentary: The Christmas Spirit — ‘Let’s Keep it Going’

Happy eighth day of Christmas! I know we’re all turning our thoughts to the new year, to heading back to work or school, to the business and busyness of 2022. And so I’d … more

1/1/22

Other Views: Fund Local Solutions to Nurturing a More Educated Washington Workforce

Washington consistently ranks as one of the most highly educated places in the country, but what those Top 10 lists commonly obscure is that the state imports a lot of that talent while failing to … more

By The Seattle Times Editorial Board | 12/30/21

Don Brunell Commentary: Not So Fast on the Push for Electric Vehicles

When Toyota speaks, car buyers listen. Hopefully, our elected officials will as well. It is one of the world’s two largest auto and truck manufacturers — twice the size of GM, … more

By Don C. Brunell | 12/29/21

Bill Moeller Commentary: So What Else Is New?

When you’ve seen as many birthdays as I have, it’s difficult to get excited about anything short of seeing Mount Rainier dry out enough to have a grass fire on its peak one of these … more

By Bill Moeller / For The Chronicle | 12/29/21

Richard Stride Commentary: Considering ‘All the Lonely People’ — and Ourselves

Two songs came to mind as I thought about the isolation we have all experienced in the last almost two years. One is the Beatles song “Eleanor Rigby” and the other is “Here” … more

By Richard Stride / For The Chronicle | 12/29/21

Letter From the Thurston County Health Officer: Omicron Poses Threat

Hello Thurston County. The omicron variant is spreading across the United States at a much more rapid pace than the delta variant, subsequently causing an exponential rise in COVID-19 cases in … more

12/27/21

Participants hold up their paintings in this photograph provided by Julie McDonald.

Julie McDonald: Paint and Sip Terrific Way to Make Memories While Creating Art

A few years ago, I joined dozens of others at Bethel Community Church for a group painting event, where an instructor guided us in painting two love birds perched on a swing in the sunset. … more

By Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 12/27/21

Chad Taylor is publisher of The Chronicle. He and CEO Coralee Taylor are the owners of CT Publishing.

Publisher's Note: Want Safer Communities? Uncuff the Police

The police officer who strangled George Floyd is in jail, convicted of third-degree murder, now serving the first of his 22 years. Other officers on the scene that night also face charges. The … more

Commentary by Chad Taylor / For The Chronicle | 12/23/21