Life | The Daily Chronicle

Two Brewnettes Espresso and Tap Trailer co-owner Kayleen Klamn talks with customers during The Birthday Bash celebration for her business's first full year being open along with two other businesses, Mobile Mermaid Espresso and Lewis County Axe Throwing, at the Moose Lodge on Grand Avenue in Centralia on Saturday, June. 7, 2025.

Local mobile businesses prepare for Birthday Bash 2026 event at Moose Lodge in Centralia

Multiple local mobile businesses are preparing for Birthday Bash 2026, the second annual event celebrating anniversaries — Mobile Mermaid Espresso, Two Brewnettes Espresso & Tap Trailer and … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/29/26

Onalaska High School senior Hope Slaven, left, and Napavine High School senior Kaitlyn Aschenbrenner, right, pose together for a photo holding their certificates of completion for Evergreen Rural Water of Washington's apprenticeship program on Wednesday, May 27, inside the Napavine High School library.

Napavine and Onalaska seniors complete apprenticeships as another student begins

Back in August 2025, Napavine High School senior Kaitlyn Aschenbrenner and Onalaska High School senior Hope Slaven both began their water operator apprenticeships with the help of Evergreen Rural … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 5/29/26

A beaver kit looks up from the water after being released in a wetland area near Mount St. Helens on Thursday, May 28, as part of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe’s efforts to relocate the mammal species across Southwest Washington.

Dam good work: Cowlitz Indian Tribe’s beaver relocation near Mount St. Helens to boost southern slope’s ecosystems

Beavers will now roam wetlands on the south side of Mount St. Helens for the first time in decades thanks to the Cowlitz Indian Tribe’s efforts to relocate the semi-aquatic mammal across Southwest … more

By Cade Barker / For The Chronicle | 5/29/26

A Look Back in Time: 6-month-old survives house fire; Trio of children accidentally crash car; UFOs spotted in Ocean Beach

In this installment of A Look Back in Time, the Wednesday, May 30, 1956, edition of The Chronicle featured a story about Susan Wright, a 6-month-old baby who was miraculously saved by a neighbor from … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 5/29/26

Community leaders and project partners recently welcomed U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Washington, and state Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Chehalis, to tour the newly completed first phase of the United Learning Center (ULC) in downtown Centralia, highlighting the transformative investment in early learning, youth development and family support services in Lewis County.

U.S. Sen. Patty Murray tours United Learning Center in Centralia

Editor’s note: The Chronicle was invited to join the tour detailed in the following news release but, citing the tragedy in Longview, Sen. Patty Murray’s office canceled press access to the … more

Submitted to The Chronicle | 5/28/26

Gary Odegaard, fifth from the left in front, stands outside a Bell UH-1 Iroquois — commonly known as a “Huey” — on May 24, 1980. The others aboard the helicopter from Fort Lewis with Odegaard included state Secretary of the Senate Sid Snyder, and state Sens. Albert L. “Slim” Rasmussen, Peter Von Reichbauer, Don Talley and Del Bausch. Also present was former Lewis County Sheriff Bill Logan.

Former local lawmaker recalls helicopter trip around Mount St. Helens just hours before secondary eruption

With the recent 46th anniversary of the initial eruption of Mount St. Helens on May 18, 1980, many recalled where they were when it happened, sharing photos of the towering volcanic plume, which rose … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 5/27/26

Washington Old Time Fiddlers Association to hold music jam in Chehalis

The Washington Old Time Fiddlers Association will host an acoustic music jam on Friday, June 5, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Lewis County Historical Museum, located at 599 NW Front Way in downtown … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/27/26

Support sought for Lewis County’s Mohoric family amid son’s medically-induced coma

While a mystery infection seems to be finally fading, Landen Mohoric of Boistfort remains in a medically-induced coma at Seattle’s Virginia Mason Medical Center, according to his parents, Sina and … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/27/26

From the left, newly-pinned Chehalis Police Department officers Justin Kangas, Tyrese Dangerfield, Beck Davis and Tim Bullus pose for a photo at City Hall in Chehalis on Tuesday, May 26.

Chehalis welcomes four new police officers

“I will faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of a police officer as prescribed by law and to the best of my abilities,” four new Chehalis Police Department officers swore on Tuesday. … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 5/27/26

Centralia Detective Sergeant Chad Withrow receives the Centralia Police Department Employee of the Year Award from Centralia Police Chief Andy Caldwell during a Centralia City Council meeting on Tuesday evening.

Centralia Police Department awards officers for bravery, life-saving actions and more

“Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.” U.S. President John F. Kennedy is often remembered by these words, but he is less often remembered for … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 5/27/26

From the left, Kimber Serl as the Cowardly Lion, Brooklyn Wohld as Dorothy, Avery Garner as the Tinman, and Kaylynn Hill as the Scarecrow perform “The Wizard of Oz” with the Southwest Washington Dance Center at Fords Prairie Elementary School in Centralia on Tuesday, May 26.

In Focus: Southwest Washington Dance Center takes “Wizard of Oz” on the road to students

5/27/26

Members of the South Beach Regional Authority bow their heads during the ceremony

The Westport Blessing of the Fleet asks for abundant fishing, safe travels

The annual Westport Blessing of the Fleet took place under sunny skies on Sunday. The blessing is a community tradition honoring Westport’s maritime heritage, taking place at the Fishermen’s … more

By The Daily World | 5/26/26

Professor Jeff Birkenstein speaks about his English 102 assignment for students to write an essay that will be buried in a time capsule at Centralia College for the next 100 years on Thursday, May 21.

A ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ class: English professor ties Centralia College’s centennial to 100 years of ‘The Great Gatsby’

Jeff Birkenstein heard it for years. The current generation doesn’t read books. This spring, the second-year Centralia College professor thought he’d try something different for his English … more

By Jacob Farmer / jfarmer@chronline.com | 5/25/26

‘Feels like home’: Angela French takes helm at United Way of Lewis County

Angela French feels like she’s back home, even if she never really left. The Chehalis local, who most recently served as the director of marketing for United Ways of the Pacific Northwest and … more

By Jacob Farmer / jfarmer@chronline.com | 5/25/26

The W.F. West equestrian team drill deam and drill coach Denise Yearian hold their arms high in this photo provided to The Chronicle.

W.F. West equestrian team wins state championship

The W.F. West equestrian team returned from the Washington state equestrian championships in Moses Lake earlier this month as state champions for the first time since 2008 and the second time in the … more

Submitted to The Chronicle | 5/25/26

Forensic scientist Laura Dolezal speaks about her work at the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab in Vancouver.

Julie McDonald: Centralia grad helps solve crimes with DNA expertise

A sexual assault occurs every two minutes in the United States, and if it’s reported to a law enforcement officer in this state, it’s likely forensic scientist Laura Dolezal and her colleagues at … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 5/25/26

Members of Scout Troop 373 salute the American flag while Miss Lewis County Hannah Murphy sings the National Anthem during a Memorial Day ceremony at Claquato Cemetery in Chehalis on Monday, May 25.

In Focus: Claquato Memorial Day ceremony honors the fallen

5/25/26

Art Dolan, representing Sons of the American Revolution, will present a program on the history of the U.S. flag.

Schmidt House wraps up America250 celebration with history talk

The Schmidt House in Tumwater will be wrapping up its America250 celebration with a history talk scheduled for noon on Thursday, June 4. The talk is titled “The History of Our Flag.” … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/25/26

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5439 honor guard fires a 21-gun salute during a Memorial Day ceremony at Mossyrock Garden Club Memorial Park's Veteran Memorial on Monday, May 25.

In Focus: Memorial Day marked in Mossyrock

5/25/26

Centralia Mayor Chris Brewer takes a photo of a new plaque at the historic Elks Building now occupied by Centralia Square in Centralia as part of the Centralia Downtown Association’s Downtown Historic Centralia Walk project on Wednesday, May 20.

Centralia Downtown Association expands Historic Walk

In honor of National Historic Preservation Month, the Centralia Downtown Association celebrated new additions to the Downtown Centralia Historic Walk with a tour on Wednesday. The historic walk … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/22/26