Life | The Daily Chronicle

Fifth grader Lizzie Miller smiles with her first place medal and other winnings after winning the Sodexo Future Chefs Challenge at Orin Smith Elementary School in Chehalis on Wednesday, March 20.

Future Chefs cook up competition at Orin C. Smith Elementary in Chehalis

The talented young cooks of Orin C. Smith Elementary School on Wednesday participated in Future Chefs of America, a cooking competition hosted by the Chehalis School District’s food management … more

By Tyrus VanTuyl / ty@chronline.com | 3/20/25

From the left, President Paula Jean Burrows, Secretary Jessi Cox, Vice President McKenzie Kelly, Treasurer Kami Baine, and Adriana Garibay of Lewis County Footsteps of Hope pose for a photo in Chehalis on Tuesday, March 18.

Lewis County Footsteps of Hope seeks to ensure no students go hungry

After helping start a local food pantry program for students with families facing food insecurity in Toledo, Paula Burrows decided to expand her efforts across all 12 Lewis County school districts. … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 3/19/25

Toledo High School Honor Roll

Following are members of the Toledo High School second trimester honor rolls. Students are listed in alphabetical order. This list was provided by the school district. … more

3/19/25

Rocky the husky jumps to catch a treat at the Lewis County Animal Shelter on Tuesday, March 18.

Lewis County Animal Shelter holding dog adoption event

The Lewis County Animal Shelter has launched a dog adoption event offering prospective owners the opportunity to pick up a four-legged friend at a reduced cost. Residents can visit the Lewis … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/19/25

Bill Collins of the Olympia Highlanders plays the bagpipes on St. Patrick’s Day, Monday, March 17, at O’Blarney’s Irish Pub in Centralia.

In focus: O’Blarney’s Irish Pub brings the sound of bagpipes to downtown Centralia

3/19/25

The Olympia Chorus performs during a Thurston County Board of Commissioners meeting as part of its Women's History Month proclamation at The Atrium on Tuesday, March 18.

Board of Thurston County Commissioners proclaim March as Women’s History Month

As part of increased efforts for community engagement, the Thurston County Board of Commissioners proclaimed March as Women’s History Month during its Tuesday, March 18, meeting. … more

By Dylan Reubenking / dylanr@chronline.com | 3/19/25

Endless Mountains Contracting owner Richard Guzoto marks off the area for the Tenino Veterans Honor Roll Memorial Wall with caution tape on Tuesday, March 18, outside of the Tenino Quarry Pool at Tenino City Park.

Work begins on Tenino Veterans Honor Roll Memorial Wall as organizers continue to seek donations

Preparation to lay the foundation for the new Tenino Veterans Honor Roll Memorial Wall officially began on the morning of Tuesday, March 18, as those involved with the project took measurements and … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 3/19/25

Enchanted Wellness owner Alyssa Borges laughs during an interview in Chehalis on Tuesday, March 4.

Grand opening of Enchanted Wellness in Chehalis to be celebrated with a ribbon-cutting

The Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Enchanted Wellness, a women’s only gym in Chehalis. The ceremony will take place at 5 p.m. Friday, … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/18/25

Tylar Peters, Tyler Edkin and Tiffany Weaver pose for a selfie.

Thurston County residents to be featured on ‘House Hunters’

Local real estate agent Tiffany Weaver and her clients Tyler Edkin and Tylar Peters will be featured on an upcoming edition of the HGTV television series “House Hunters.” For the … more

By Jacob Farmer / jfarmer@yelmonline.com | 3/18/25

From left, Centralia Deputy City Manager and Parks Director Amy Buckler, state Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia, Lewis County Public Facilities District Board President Ron Averill and Centralia Superintendent Lisa Grant pose for a photo with the Tiger mascot during a Turf Project Community Celebration at the Fort Borst Park Sports Complex in Centralia on Friday, March 14.

Partners celebrate completion of Fort Borst Park turf project

Though Friday’s weather was overcast and rainy, with late winter storms blowing through the region during winter’s final weekend, Centralia and Rochester high schools’ baseball … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 3/17/25

Julie McDonald Zander smiles while holding a copy of her debut novel, "The Reluctant Pioneer," in Centralia on Oct. 1.

Local historian’s debut novel named as finalist in Western Writers of America’s 2025 Spur Awards

Local historian and Chronicle columnist Julie McDonald Zander’s debut novel, “The Reluctant Pioneer,” was named a finalist in the historical novel category of Western Writers of … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/17/25

Dennis Caines, of Olympia, places his “U-55 Lincoln Thrift” model remote-controlled hydroplane into the South County Park Wallace Pond to test it in Toledo on Saturday, March 15.

In focus: Rooster tails rise in Toledo during remote-controlled hydroplane boat testing

Mmdel remote-controlled hydroplane boats put on a show Saturday morning at South County Park Wallace Pond in Toledo. The event was hosted by ERCU (officially known as Electric Radio Controlled … more

3/17/25

Nikki Dzialowy, with Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, speaks to students during the Careers on Wheels event at Onalaska High School on Friday, March 14.

In focus: Careers on Wheels event shows options for Onalaska students

3/17/25

Elk graze in the grass along U.S. Highway 12 in front of the Cowlitz River Lodge in Packwood on Saturday, March 15.

In focus: Resident elk graze along roadway in Randle and Packwood

3/17/25

Luke Yapp competes in the annual Castle Jam at the White Pass Ski Area on Saturday, March 15.

Skiers, snowboarders compete in White Pass Ski Area’s 2025 Castle Jam trick competition

Though spring is officially set to begin on Thursday, March 20, another late-winter storm hit East Lewis County last weekend, putting fresh powder down for skiers and snowboarders competing in White … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 3/17/25

Mount Rainier is pictured from Stevens Canyon Road in Mount Rainier National Park on Monday, July 8.

New study finds 20 different Native names for Mount Rainier

The first sight Zalmai “Zeke” Zahir would see most mornings growing up in Seattle and on the Muckleshoot reservation was the white-capped grooves of Mount Rainier. A linguist, Zahir … more

Becca Most / The News Tribune (TNS) | 3/15/25

Jurassic World comes to OMSI with new Lego dinosaur exhibit

As you walk into OMSI’s new exhibit, you might find yourself humming the notes to the Jurassic Park theme song . It’s hard not to when the famous gates are the first thing visitors see. … more

Ryan Fernandez / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 3/15/25

Bucoda Improvement Club to host St. Patrick’s Day party on Monday, March 17

Looking for a family-friendly St. Patrick’s Day celebration? Head to the Bucoda Town Hall and Community Center on Monday, March 17, from 4 to 6 p.m. for the Bucoda Improvement Club’s … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/14/25

A total lunar eclipse begins late on Thursday, March 13, in the skies above Salkum.

In focus: March’s full moon — also known as the worm moon — glows over the skies of Salkum

3/14/25

Volunteers Patty Smith and Mary Beth smile alongside Zoey, a pointer-mix, next to a display of bicycles from the Hub City Bike Shop during a “Repair & Sustainability Fair” at Centralia College on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.

Lewis County Repair and Sustainability Fair returns to Morton

Volunteer fixers will be on hand at the Lewis County Repair and Sustainability Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 22, at Centralia College East, 701 Airport Way, Morton. Lewis County … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/12/25