The Daily Chronicle

Some of the heaviest civilian damage during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor occurred at King and McCully streets. An incendiary bomb set fire to a drug store on the corner and flames spread to level a wide area before the fire department brought it under control. The photo above, taken by the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, shows the drug store that Hatsue Hirata saw damaged.

Julie McDonald Commentary: Remember Pearl Harbor Eight Decades After the Attack

Eighty years ago today, on Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, damaging or destroying 19 Navy ships, killing 2,403 people and drawing the United States into World War II. … more

By Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 12/6/21

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

Richard Stride Commentary: Considering Mother’s Words — ‘If Wishes Were Horses, Beggars Would Ride’

My mom used to say, “If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.” I never really liked it when she would say that, because I knew she was telling me that the world didn’t work … more

By Richard Stride / For The Chronicle | 12/3/21

For more information on the Holiday Kids’ Tree Project, visit www.bit.ly/awbkidstree2021

Guest Commentary: Chambers of Commerce Step Up to Help Fire Departments Play Santa

Throughout Washington, the leaders of local chambers of commerce are busy delivering bags of toys to rural fire departments, enabling the firefighters to play Santa Claus for the children who live in … more

12/3/21

Image from the 2016 Centralia Lighted Tractor Parade on Saturday, Dec. 10 in downtown Centralia.

Brian Mittge Commentary: Christmas Carolers Organize to Share Holiday Music

Well, we need a little Christmas Right this very minute Candles in the window Carols at the spinet... “Mame,” 1966 A new Lewis County group aims to be a cheer … more

By Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 12/3/21

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

McCroskey Commentary: Sheriff Could Have Responded Better to Commissioner’s Budget Questions

Recently a story was published by The Chronicle about a dustup between Sheriff Rob Snaza and Commissioner Lindsey Pollock over an increase in the sheriff’s budget. It reminded me of my … more

By John McCroskey / For The Chronicle | 12/1/21

Bill Moeller Commentary: I’m Back

This is a column that nearly didn’t get written. You may have noticed that it has been several weeks since the last one, and there’s a reason for that. After writing a weekly column … more

12/1/21

Randy Mueller, CEO of the Port of Chehalis, speaks in this May 2019 file photo.

Guest Commentary: Parting Words to Friend and Colleague Randy Mueller

When I came on with the Port of Chehalis board a little over two years ago, it hadn’t been an opportunity that I had seen for myself. Now-former CEO Randy Mueller approached me about a position … more

By Lindsey Senter | 11/30/21

Our Views: Supreme Court Must Approve Bipartisan Redistricting Maps

It’s not every day that the editorial boards of The Seattle Times and The Chronicle are on the same page, but we find ourselves in full agreement with our journalistic neighbors to the north on … more

By The Chronicle Editorial Board | 11/29/21

Lorie Spogen looks at the details on Felix Koontz's gravestone on her rural Chehalis property. While it was known the grave was on the property, its location had become overgrown and lost when the Spogens purchased the property this year

Julie McDonald Commentary: Kudos to Spogens for Preserving Pioneer Cemetery

What a relief to read last week that Mark and Lorie Spogen of Chehalis, who logged land near Mary’s Corner, preserved the historic pioneer cemetery where Matilda (Koontz) Jackson buried two of … more

By Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 11/29/21

Commentary: State Is Painting Lipstick on Its One-of-a-Kind, Long-Term-Care Law

The more people hear about Washington’s coming long-term-care law and payroll tax, the less people like it — and for good reason.  A class-action lawsuit has been filed against it, an … more

By Elizabeth Hovde | 11/26/21

A family walks past lighted house on Cedar Street in Centralia in this 2016 Chronicle file photo.

Brian Mittge Commentary: Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Advent

As I write this on Friday morning of Thanksgiving week (some noir fans call it Black Friday), our house is awaft with delicious smells and our family is already five hours into preparing to host the … more

By Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 11/26/21

Other Views: Secretary of State Should Be Nonpartisan Position

With much attention on Washington's secretary of state in recent weeks, lawmakers should be pondering the future of the office and recognize that citizens would be well-served if the position were … more

The Columbian Editorial Board | 11/24/21

Commentary: Ignoring National Debt Is Not an Option

Remember the television ad where the auto mechanic looks viewers straight in the eye and says: “You can pay me now or pay me later!” The message: If you change your car’s … more

By Don Brunell | 11/23/21

Richard Stride Commentary: Do We Really Have Anything to Be Thankful For?

We see them all around us this time of year, reminders to “be thankful.” Do we really have anything to be thankful for? We can certainly find a lot to not be thankful … more

By Richard Stride | 11/23/21

Julie Shaffley is a Port of Centralia commissioner and Kelly Smith Johnston is a Centralia city councilor.

Guest Commentary: Social Media Attacks Put a Chill on Democracy, Discourage Candidates

During this last election cycle, we read the social media comments with concern. The level of vitriol and dehumanization was disturbing and upsetting. If democracy is intended to be the … more

By Julie Shaffley and Kelly Smith Johnston | 11/22/21

Julie McDonald, a personal historian from Toledo, may be reached at memoirs@chaptersoflife.com.

Julie McDonald Commentary: Capturing Family Stories Easier Using Artificial Intelligence

Wildfires. Floods. High prices. COVID-19. Deaths. Divisiveness. Angst. The year 2021 brought with it a lot of tension, but as we gather this week for Thanksgiving, it’s a time to reflect on … more

By Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 11/22/21

Other Views: Challenge Other Inslee Abuses of Veto Power

Washington's Supreme Court delivered Gov. Jay Inslee an overdue remedial lesson in the state Constitution Nov. 10. Inslee's abuse of line-item vetoes to tinker with the 2019 transportation budget … more

The Seattle Times Editorial Board | 11/21/21

FILE PHOTO — Trees brighten up the banks of Mayfield Lake at Ike Kinswa State Park.

Brian Mittge Commentary: Join Lincoln and Washington in Giving Thanks

It’s no surprise to longtime readers of this column that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It’s not because of the food, although I love turkey as much as the next guy. (White meat, … more

By Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 11/20/21

Other Views: Let Federal Infrastructure Funds Be a Lesson to Legislature and Gov. Inslee

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act President Joe Biden signed this week will bring much needed attention and funds to everything from roads and bridges to broadband and salmon recovery. … more

By The Seattle Times Editorial Board | 11/19/21

Other Views: Still Asking — Where Did You Go, D.B. Cooper?

On Nov. 25, 1972, a man who bought a plane ticket under the name Dan Cooper activated the rear air stairs on a Boeing 727 jetliner somewhere over Southwest Washington and disappeared into … more

The Columbian Editorial Board | 11/18/21