The Daily Chronicle

Commentary: 'A Bad Idea': State Democrats Should Drop Assault on Natural Gas

Last year, Gov. Jay Inslee attempted an end run around the legislature by banning natural gas in new homes and commercial buildings via the state’s building codes. It was a bad idea. Now, some … more

By Don Brunell | 2/7/22

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

Richard Stride Commentary: Hitler, Good Choices and the Importance of the Butterfly Effect

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the butterfly effect is “a property of chaotic systems (such as the atmosphere) by which small changes can lead to large-scale and unpredictable … more

By Richard Stride / For The Chronicle | 2/7/22

Other Views: Kreidler Shouldn't Act Alone on Credit Ratings

As the letters to the editor section of The Columbian has detailed, many Washington residents have been surprised in recent months by sharp increases to premiums for their auto or home … more

The Columbian Editorial Board | 2/7/22

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: Hypocrisy on Display by Gov’t Leaders Who Ignore Their Own Edicts

We’ve surrendered way too much power over our lives to politicians, and it’s pretty clear they really don’t have our best interest most of the time. In the case of COVID-19, our … more

By John McCroskey / For The Chronicle | 2/4/22

Project architect Andy Rovelstad, left, and Joshua McNichols, both of whom worked for the architect responsible for designing Centralia College's Corbet Theater, watch as the curtains rise to reveal the "Twelve Labors of Hercules" in 2003.

Brian Mittge Commentary: Remembering the ‘Twelve Labors of Hercules’ Artist

Michael Spafford, the artist whose “Twelve Labors of Hercules” murals found a home at Centralia College after they were deemed too controversial for the state Capitol, has died. The … more

By Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 2/4/22

Commentary: Broaden Scope of Snake River Salmon Review

Washington Sen. Patty Murray and Gov. Jay Inslee announced in October they’ll listen to diverse viewpoints with open minds to recover salmon and potentially breach the four Lower Snake River … more

By Don Brunell | 2/2/22

Bill Moeller Commentary: Critique of a Critic and Other Things

All I can say about the start of this column is “Look out! Crochetyman is on the loose again!” First, though, a brief summary of why this is happening. I’ve been receiving … more

By Bill Moeller / For The Chronicle | 2/2/22

Commentary: Long-Term Care Program Needs More Than a Short-Term Delay

When the Legislature convened the 2022 session last month, lawmakers made long-term care their first order of business. It’s probably not a topic you thought about much until recently, but news … more

2/2/22

Columnist Julie McDonald, right, rides a horse in Ensenada.

Julie McDonald Commentary: COVID Testing and Cruising During a Pandemic

Somebody’s making money off COVID-19 testing for travelers. In the past, I’ve occasionally run away to a hotel or retreat to focus on writing a book, but last fall, I stumbled upon … more

By Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 1/31/22

Commentary: A UW Expert Just Called the End of the Pandemic. Why Is Nobody Celebrating?

When officials announced that the Spanish Flu pandemic was on the wane in Seattle back in 1918, people poured into the streets in celebration. It happened to coincide with the end of World War I, … more

Danny Westneat / The Seattle Times | 1/31/22

Washington State Parks owns 175 acres of forest in Packwood near the confluence of Skate Creek and the Cowlitz River.

Brian Mittge Commentary: Cooperation, Friendship Key to Preserving Packwood’s Park

It’s been many years since I’ve walked the trails of what folks in Packwood call “Skate Creek Park,” but I clearly remember the natural beauty in that hidden corner of east … more

By Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 1/28/22

Don Brunell Commentary: We Must Foster Environment Where Small Businesses Can Grow

We are only a couple of weeks into 2022 and it is already shaping up to be another challenging year for America’s 5.5 million family businesses dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. Rampant … more

By Don C. Brunell | 1/26/22

Bill Moeller Commentary: More Memories on Wheels

I recently wrote about some vehicles owned by the Moeller Family when — starting in 1960 — we lived on Curtis Hill Road. In 1969, we moved into town and the type of vehicles we needed … more

By Bill Moeller / For The Chronicle | 1/26/22

Chad Taylor is co-owner and publisher of The Chronicle.

Publisher's Note: State Would Benefit From Imagination Library as County Has

On June 26, 2020, The Chronicle Editorial Board shared its support of the newly launched Lewis County participation in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. The Chronicle also noted the success of … more

By Chad Taylor / For The Chronicle | 1/26/22

Lisa Blomdahl is pictured with her kids Anne Peterson and David Blomdahl.

Julie McDonald Commentary: Centenarian Recalls Five Decades of Life in the Mint City

Last week, I shared the story of Lisa Pettersson’s early life in Sweden before she married George Blomdahl of Seattle. As the late great Paul Harvey would say, here’s the rest of the … more

By Julie McDonald | 1/24/22

Salmon are pictured in a net pen in Onalaska in this file photo.

Being Frank: Salmon Recovery Will Take More Than Money

There’s no doubt about it. The Biden administration is working hard to pay the price for salmon recovery. The $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill is just an example. We have never seen … more

By Ed Johnstone | 1/21/22

Memories on Wheels: A Look Back at Moeller Means of Conveyance

Perhaps no one else is interested in this but I recently started trying to recall the number of cars I’ve owned in my lifetime. The list doesn’t contain the 1923 three-door sedan I … more

Commentary by Bill Moeller / For The Chronicle | 1/20/22

Jason Mercier Commentary: Should Citizen Ballot Measures Be Banned in Odd Year Elections?

A bill scheduled for a public hearing this week (HB 1727) would ban citizen ballot measures in odd years, but still allow local governments to call special elections to increase taxes. A similar bill … more

By Jason Mercier | 1/18/22

From left, David Blomdahl, Lisa Blomdahl, Anne Peterson and Suzi Vander Stoep

Julie McDonald Commentary: Sweden Native in Chehalis Celebrates a Century of Life

A century ago, on Jan. 11, 1922, Axel and Johanna Pettersson welcomed a baby girl into their home along the Baltic Sea on the southeast coast of Sweden, the fourth of what would grow to be a family … more

By Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 1/17/22

FILE PHOTO — A nutcracker stands guard illuminated by Christmas lights near the entrance of a lighted tunnel at Borst Park in Centralia last December.

Brian Mittge Commentary: National News Comes a-Knocking in Lewis County as ‘January Lights’ Go National

“Nothing is as powerful as an idea whose time has come.” - Victor Hugo Driving around as our communities dry out from the flood, I’ve noticed that more homes than … more

1/14/22