Commentary | The Daily Chronicle

Family portrait about 1930 from left, father Willem Klijnsma holding Grietje (Grace), brother Gosse, and mother Atje Van Wyngaarden Klijnsma before the youngest girl was born

Highlighting Lewis County: Dutch Nonagenarian in Centralia Recalls Life During World War II

As a young teenager, Grietje Klijnsma stood on a Heerenveen street in the northern part of The Netherlands and watched an Allied pilot eject from his airplane, but as he was dangling from his … more

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

The Chehalis River is seen from above in this photograph taken by Chronicle photographer Jared Wenzelburger Friday.

Brian Mittge Commentary: Spring Days Paddling on the Chehalis River

Today, if all goes according to plan, two Chronicle journalists will begin an epic trip down the Chehalis River. Reporter Isabel Vander Stoep and photographer Jared Wenzelberger are beginning … more

5/20/22

Bill Moeller Commentary: Crotchety Man Unloads

It may be because I deal with words that I hate to see them misused. And since I spent so many years in radio, also words that are mispronounced. There’s no excuse for saying … more

By Bill Moeller / For The Chronicle | 5/18/22

Don Brunell Commentary: Inslee and Murray Are Targeting the Wrong Dams

Gov. Jay Inslee and Sen. Patty Murray have their priorities backward when it comes to rebuilding Snake River salmon and steelhead runs. Instead of focusing on ripping out dams with fish passages and … more

By Don C. Brunell | 5/17/22

Our Views: Kent’s Attack on Private Sector Provides Reason to Be Wary

Congressional aspirant Joe Kent appeared to side with Vladimir Putin on the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. He attracted a contingent of white nationalists from Idaho for a local town hall meeting … more

By The Chronicle Editorial Board | 5/16/22

Doris Wood poses for a photograph with Lucy Page, who plays the baker's wife in "Into the Woods."

Highlighting Lewis County: ‘Into the Woods’ Production Offers a Trip Down Memory Lane

As we waited inside Corbet Theatre Saturday evening for the Centralia College production of the musical “Into the Woods” to begin, I perused the program listing the cast members and their … more

By Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 5/16/22

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

Richard Stride Commentary: Benjamin Franklin and the Value of Giving Up Your Anger

PBS recently released a new documentary by Ken Burns focused on Benjamin Franklin. I hadn’t realized Benjamin Franklin and his son William were on opposite sides of the American Revolutionary … more

By Richard Stride / For The Chronicle | 5/13/22

Bill Moeller Commentary: And Life Goes On

There are two songs that have been running through my brain this past week. One of them was written in 1938 by Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson for a Broadway show called “Knickerbocker … more

By Bill Moeller / For The Chronicle | 5/11/22

Don Brunell Commentary: Milling Thinned Trees Can Foot Bill to Reduce Wildfire Risks

Thinning public woodlands to remove millions of dead trees is a way to generate much needed cash to reduce wildfire risks, improve forest health, and protect rural homeowners and farms. It is money … more

By Don C. Brunell | 5/10/22

Highlighting Lewis County: Railroad Telegrapher Recounts Life in Centralia

Editor’s Note: This is the second installation of a two-part series. Read part one here: … more

By Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 5/9/22

Paul McCartney performs at Climate Pledge Arena on May 2, 2022. The second stop on his “Got Back” tour ran nearly three hours, with songs from the Beatles, Wings and McCartney’s solo career.

Brian Mittge Commentary: Music, Memories and Magic With Sir Paul McCartney

When I told friends I was going to see Paul McCartney play in Seattle, I joked that it was a rare opportunity to see the Beatles perform in person. Turns out, there was actually a little truth to … more

By Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 5/6/22

Slade Gorton smiles during a visit to The Chronicle’s office in this 1980 archival photograph.

Our Views: Slade Gorton Was a Powerhouse for Our State, Community

Former attorney general and state and national lawmaker Slade Gorton passed away almost two years ago, but like many families who lost loved ones during the time of COVID-19, the Gorton family had to … more

By The Chronicle Editorial Board | 5/6/22

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

John McCroskey Commentary: Keep the Adult Material Out of the Classroom; Liberal Ideology Destroying Us

My wife and I just had the good fortune to spend a few days in some sunshine without cellphones or news. There was nothing about the border crisis, nothing about drag queens performing in some school … more

By John McCroskey / For The Chronicle | 5/4/22

Bill Moeller Commentary: A Bit Late, But What Isn’t Late These Days?

To begin my weekly confession, I recently did one of the most stupid things any old man can do. Before shopping for my groceries, to save time at check out, I made out a check to pay for them … more

5/4/22

State Rep. J.T. Wilcox, author of this commentary, talks during an interview inside his office at the state Capitol in 2019.

Commentary: 2022 Legislative Session Marred by Missed Opportunities

As someone who represents a largely rural district and leads a caucus of members who represent most of rural Washington, I have grown increasingly concerned about the Legislature’s inability to … more

By Rep. J.T. Wilcox, R-Yelm, House Republican Leader | 5/3/22

Robert McInnis stands on his porch in the Edison District next to a sign reading “Once a Marine, Always a Marine.”

Highlighting Lewis County: Centralia Marine Veteran Shares Early Recollections

A Centralia nonagenarian recently shared with me a thin book his childhood friend published last year about his Army years during the Korean War, “The Lost Two Years: an autobiography” by … more

By Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 5/2/22

Andrea Culletto speaks at the Twin Transit Mellen e-Transit Station grand opening.

Commentary: Saying ‘Goodbye for Now’ to Andrea Culletto, a Friend to Our Community

When those in leadership leave an organization or their community, there is often a feeling of uncertainty as to what lies ahead. But when strong leaders leave an organization, they leave behind a … more

By Twin Transit staff | 5/2/22

Richard Stride Commentary: Amid Stressful Times, Try Watching Cartoons

What cartoons do you remember? What Disney or animated movie did you watch over and over and over again? Are you thinking about it? I know I am. Of course, by the 100th time, you could recite every … more

5/2/22

Mariya Frost is the director of the Coles Center for Transportation at the Washington Policy Center.

Commentary: Washington Attorney General Fires Ukrainian Paralegal Over Vaccine Mandate

Washington’s Attorney General Bob Ferguson, like Secretary Millar at the Washington State Department of Transportation, claims to promote a diverse and inclusive workplace that values and … more

By Mariya Frost / Washington Police Center | 4/29/22

Kris Johnson is president of the Association of Washington Business, the state’s chamber of commerce and manufacturers association.

Guest Commentary: Survey Shows Inflation Tops a Long List of Employer Challenges

The soaring inflation rate has turned trips to the gas station, grocery store, shopping mall and restaurants into nerve-wracking experiences. Not to mention buying a used car or a sheet of plywood. … more

By Kris Johnson / Association of Washington Business | 4/29/22