Life | The Daily Chronicle

"The Yard Birds shopping center has added another big bird to its flock to keep watch over the north parking lot. This unflinching mama fowl has a more dutiful task, however, than her 60-foot colleague who welcomes customers to the south parking lot. Her job is to make a nest for the Yard Bird helicopter. When the little bird lands, the big bird spreads its wings. The little bird is then wheeled into the nest on a steel track and loaded securely inside." — published by The Daily Chronicle on May 20, 1976

History Pub: Museum director to deliver Yard Birds history talk at McMenamins Olympic Club

While it has been closed since August 2022, renovations to the old Yard Birds shopping mall in Chehalis continue under the direction of its new owners PISTON LLC, a partnership between Douglas LeMay … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/13/25

Nine Thurston County parks and conservation projects get $7.1 million from state

Washington state has awarded more than $7.1 million for park improvements and conservation efforts in Thurston County. The money will go toward nine projects located in Thurston County, the … more

Martín Bilbao / The Olympian (TNS) | 7/13/25

Adna seniors smile for a photo with a check for $29,165 raised by the Adna Car Show for the Adna Scholarship Fund. The check was presented by Jim Smith, far right, and Cindy Smith, in red, at Adna High School on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024.

Adna Car Show has raised more than $100K for students; next rendition is July 18-19

Get ready to rev up your engines and marvel at the sixth annual Adna Car Show, taking place on July 18 and 19. From classic models to muscle cars, there’s something for every car … more

By Tyrus VanTuyl / ty@chronline.com | 7/11/25

Ethan Hernandez rides his dirt bike down the track.

Winlock teen finding joy in dirt bike racing through leukemia recovery

When the Christmas season rolls around, most children create an overwhelming wish list with all the latest toys and gadgets, circling all their desires in the store catalogs. For Ethan … more

By Dylan Reubenking / dylanr@chronline.com | 7/11/25

Mount Rainier towers on the horizon behind A Curtis Hill Estate Adult Family Home in rural Chehalis in this photo provided by the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce.

A Curtis Hill Estate Adult Family Home to hold ribbon-cutting ceremony July 15

A new addition is coming to the Chehalis community. A Curtis Hill Estate Adult Family Home is holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new adult family home. The location is described as … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/11/25

Attendees play Celtic jams, led by Steve Buckner, during the 2024 Pickersfest at the Oakview Grange in Centralia on Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.

Pickersfest Music Festival to be held in Centralia the first weekend in August

The Washington Acoustic Music Association’s (WAMA) annual Pickersfest Music Festival will take place the first weekend in August at the Oakview Grange in Centralia. The festival officially … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/11/25

Onalaska High School Principal Wade Pilloud speaks during the Onalaska High School class of 2025 graduation in the Onalaska High School gym on Friday, June 6.

Onalaska High School Second Semester Honor Roll

Following are members of the Onalaska High School’s second semester honor roll. This list was provided by the Onalaska School District. Honor Roll GPA 3.0-3.49: Seniors: Aidan A. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/11/25

The Funtime Festival royalty waves during the Funtime Festival parade in Napavine on Saturday, July 20, 2024.

Napavine Funtime Festival set for July 19

The Napavine Funtime Festival is returning this year on Saturday, July 19. New this year is a 5K run, which will meet up at 8 a.m. at the Newaukum Valley Fire Station, 105 Second Ave. NE, … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/11/25

Patrons browse the shelves at the Centralia Timberland Library on Tuesday, March 25.

Little Free Seed Library to open at Centralia Timberland Library

The Little Free Seed Library, a new community resource designed to inspire local gardening, support food sustainability and honor the agricultural roots of the Centralia community, will celebrate its … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/11/25

Volunteers take an oath during the Riverside Fire Authority’s Badge Pinning Ceremony at Centralia High School on Thursday, July 10.

In focus: Riverside Fire Authority volunteers take oaths at badge-pinning ceremony

7/11/25

Steve Hubbard stands in front of his new mobile business, Beatbox Donuts, in Centralia on Thursday, July 10.

Beatbox Donuts opens in Centralia, offering hot, made-to-order pastries in a fresh donut desert

For Lewis County donut lovers, getting the fluffy, fried pastries hot and fresh used to mean taking a trip up to Seattle’s Donut Factory or Dough Joy, or down to the world-famous Voodoo … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 7/11/25

July's full moon, also known as the buck moon, glows above the nose of the derelict 1946 Beechcraft "Twin Beech" Model D18S parked just off the South Lewis County Airport's runway in this long exposure photo taken on Thursday, July 10. Beechcraft Model 18s were originally produced in 1937 and used by the U.S. Army Air Force and U.S. Navy as trainer, transport and utility aircraft. Following World War II, production of Model 18s continued until 1969 and over 9,000 were built in nearly 100 different model variations — including the D18S — and used for everything from cargo and passenger transports to planes for business executives.

In focus: July’s full moon shines over South Lewis County

Although overcast skies dominated the forecast for most of the week, the clouds cleared up just in time for the full moon late in the evening on Thursday, July 10. According to The Old … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/11/25

Denver boy goes missing in Chehalis; Boeing plant receives national award during WWII; children get gift certificates during ‘saucer drop’

In this installment of A Look Back in Time, the Friday, July 12, 1935, edition of The Chronicle featured a story about Richard Carr, a 12-year-old from Denver, Colorado, who went missing after his … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 7/11/25

Mike Raschke poses for a photo in front of his propane truck at Baydo’s RV Center in Chehalis on Thursday, July 10. Raschke’s career has taken him across a wide range of avenues, including 26 years as a propane truck driver, 22 years in the dairy industry and 28 years coaching sports..

Ferrellgas truck driver Mike Raschke retiring after 26 years of service

Mike Raschke’s career has taken him across a wide range of avenues, including 26 years as a propane truck driver, 22 years in the dairy industry and 28 years coaching sports, with nine years … more

By Dylan Reubenking / dylanr@chronline.com | 7/10/25

WSU Extension Lewis County Master Gardeners to host class on growing and caring for hydrangeas

The WSU Extension Lewis County Master Gardeners have announced a new class titled “Growing & Caring for Hydrangeas,” scheduled for 10 a.m. on July 19 at the Providence Place … more

WSU Extension Lewis County Master Gardeners to host class on growing and caring for hydrangeas By The Chronicle staff | 7/9/25

Cyclists talk in a group as they stop to rest at Centralia College, the halfway point of the 2024 Seattle to Portland Bike Ride, on Saturday, July 13, 2024.

STP to bring 6,000 bicyclists through Lewis, Thurston counties this weekend

The annual Seattle-to-Portland Bicycle Classic (STP) will ride into town Saturday, July 12, bringing thousands of bicyclists through Thurston and Lewis counties as they make their journey to … more

By Tyrus VanTuyl / ty@chronline.com | 7/9/25

People walk along the different vendors of the Chehalis Farmers Market on the first day of the 20th season in downtown Chehalis on Tuesday, June 3.

Chehalis Farmers Market holds seven July markets

The Chehalis Farmers Market is offering seven markets in July, according to a recent news release. Tuesday markets were already held on July 1 and 8. Tuesday markets are also set for July … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/9/25

Attendees chat during Nature Nurture Farmacy’s Enchanted Herbal Evening in 2023.

Nature Nurture Farmacy in Chehalis to present annual fundraiser, Enchanted Herbal Evening

Nature Nurture Farmacy has announced the date of its upcoming annual fundraiser, Enchanted Herbal Evening, slated for Sept. 6 at The Loft in Chehalis, according to a news release from Nature Nurture … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/9/25

Festivities kick off with the Blueberry Pancake Breakfast at the Lewis County Historical Museum from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Attendees can then head down to the Kids Zone at Prindle Street and Chehalis Avenue for games, face painting, balloon creations and more. Just down the road on Chehalis Avenue, attendees can visit the City of Chehalis’ touch-a-truck display featuring the hook and ladder firetruck and many others.

ChehalisFest returns July 26 with summer fun for all ages

ChehalisFest is set to return Saturday, July 26, with a full day of shopping, live music, classic cars and family fun. Festivities kick off with the Blueberry Pancake Breakfast at the Lewis … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/9/25

The Cheese Days float with the slogan #saycheese in the Toledo Cheese Days Parade on Saturday, July 13, 2024.

‘All-American Cheese’: Toledo Cheese Days kicks off weekend’s worth of events starting on Thursday

Toledo Lions Club members are finishing final preparations for the upcoming 104th annual Toledo Cheese Days festival, with the theme for this year’s cheesy celebration being “All-American … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/9/25