Life | The Daily Chronicle

United Way of Lewis County Interim Executive Director Debbie Campbell discusses her agreement to return to her former role for a short period at The Chronicle on Friday afternoon.

Debbie Campbell to again lead United Way of Lewis County as interim executive director

United Way of Lewis County Executive Director Annie Oien will move into a new position with another impactful nonprofit with the support of her current employer. In the meantime, the local … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 3/16/26

Crisis Clinic of Thurston and Mason Counties Executive Director Holly Wetzel.

Crisis Clinic of Thurston and Mason Counties reintroduces itself to the community

For more than five decades, the Crisis Clinic of Thurston and Mason Counties has been there for the community — answering phones in the middle of the night, listening without judgment, and helping … more

By Thurston Chronicle staff | 3/16/26

In Focus: Twin Cities Lacrosse’s season off to a great start

Twin Cities Lacrosse got its season started on Saturday, according to an email from the local club. “The inaugural games for our K-2 teams were great,” reported Matt Elsner of Twin Cities … more

3/16/26

Winlock Middle and High School Honors and Principal’s Lists

The Winlock Middle and High School principal’s lists and honors lists for the first semester of the 2025-2026 school year have been announced. Students named to the principal’s list received … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/16/26

Deputy Sheriff’s Association of Grays Harbor president Jeremy Holmes accepts the ceremonial donation check at the 100+ Harbor Women Who Care March 2026 giving event. Read more at: https://www.thedailyworld.com/2026/03/13/deputy-sheriffs-association-of-grays-harbor-awarded-more-than-15k-from-100-harbor-women-who-care/

Deputy Sheriff’s Association of Grays Harbor awarded more than $15K from 100+ Harbor Women Who Care

The Deputy Sheriff’s Association of Grays Harbor walked away with more than $17,000 in donations at the 100+ Harbor Women Who Care March giving event at the Hoquiam Elks Lodge Tuesday … more

By Jerry Knaak / The Daily World | 3/14/26

John Sweeny, left, founded the Napavine Ace Hardware store in 1997. Last year he sold it to a former employee James Cook, center. Greg Moore, right, has built up the live-goods greenhouses with flowers, shrubs, trees, grasses and floral baskets. The new management of the store will have a grand opening on March 21. (Photo: Brian Mittge)

Brian Mittge: Napavine Ace Hardware flowering under new ownership

James Cook was 16 years old when his shop teacher at Napavine High School told him that the local hardware store was looking for help. Cook applied, was hired by owner John Sweeny, and … more

Commentary by Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 3/13/26

Onalaska students listen to owner and lead instructor Belle McCormack during a firearms safety class at the Firearms Academy of Seattle in Onalaska on Tuesday, Feb. 10.

Lewis County school districts honored with new state superintendent’s award

Three Lewis County school districts were recently honored by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) with awards recognizing academic excellence and progress. The Adna School … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/13/26

Attendees listen to NW Sports Hub operator Dale Pullin discuss the facility’s multi-purpose capacities during the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce’s Sports and Tourism forum at the NW Sports Hub in Centralia on Thursday, March 12.

Northwest Sports Hub aiming for ‘blowout year’ in sports tourism in 2026

The Northwest Sports Hub in Centralia is reeling in sports tourism like never before in 2026. During a Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce “sports and tourism” forum at the sports complex … more

By Dylan Reubenking / dylanr@chronline.com | 3/13/26

FROM THE ARCHIVES: "This Lewis County log reload yard reflects exactly the basis of one of the most serious and complex problems facing Lewis County’s future today. The above logs were cut near Pe Ell, in western Lewis County, and near Randle, in eastern Lewis County. They were trucked to the reload yard and are being placed on railroad cars. They will be dumped near Olympia and rafted to Puget Sound lumber milling centers. From the reload yard, about 16 cars, each carrying an average of 10,000 board feet, leave daily. For every man in Lewis County's logging industry, which produced the above logs, there are more than a dozen mill employees processing the same logs, but not in Lewis County. Seeking to give Lewis County more benefit from its own natural resources is a newly organized county wide timber resource study committee." — published by The Daily Chronicle on Feb. 4, 1954

A Look Back in Time: Pe Ell prepares for celebration with governor; Guns stolen from Centralia National Guard armory found in Denver; Stanley Ozbolt wins Bucoda mayoral election

In this installment of A Look Back in Time, the Saturday, March 14, 1936, edition of The Chronicle featured a story about Pe Ell town officials preparing for a dedication ceremony opening a new … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 3/13/26

The Orbys for the second annual Northwest Flying Saucer Film Fest stand waiting for the winners inside The Chehalis Theater on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024.

Independent filmmakers welcome to submit work for fourth annual Northwest Flying Saucer Film Fest

Whether someone is an independent filmmaker trying to make a name for themselves or just making cheesy, low-budget movies with friends and family for fun, the submission period for the fourth annual … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 3/13/26

Fox Theatre on South Tower Avenue in Centralia is pictured here on Thursday, Feb. 26.

Centralia city manager advises against issuing another bond to Fox Theatre for restoration project

According to Centralia officials, the city does not have enough money to satisfy the Historic Centralia Fox Theatre Board of Directors’ desire to continue the restoration of the historic theater in … more

By Dylan Reubenking / dylanr@chronline.com | 3/13/26

Bill Collins of the Olymipa Highlanders plays the bagpipes on St. Patrick’s Day, Monday, March 17, 2025, at O’Blarney’s Irish Pub in Centralia.

St. Patrick’s Day: Friends of Winlock to host ‘Luck of the Irish’ treasure hunt; American Legion plans ‘Rolly Way’ dinner of beef and cabbage

As St. Patrick’s Day approaches Tuesday, March 17, a number of events marking the holiday honoring the death of the Patron Saint of Ireland are scheduled this weekend throughout Lewis County. … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 3/13/26

Pacific Northwest Chamber Orchestra to present free concert featuring music 'Up,' 'Star Wars' and Tchaikovsky

The Pacific Northwest Chamber Orchestra will present a concert featuring music from the movies “Up” and “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” as well as Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5. The … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/13/26

White Pass Ski Area Castle Jam freestyle trick competition open snowboard division winners, from the right, third place Jamin White, second place Luke Sprunger and first place Oliver Belland along with his dog Emmy on Saturday, March 17, following the end of the East Lewis County ski resort's competition.

White Pass Ski Area Castle Jam: Trick competition winners pose with prizes and medals following last weekend’s contest

While the weather was not the best for the competition, with intermittent drizzles making the snow slow and sticky for snowboarders and skiers, dozens of them still turned out last Saturday for the … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 3/13/26

Elk graze off of U.S. Highway 12 in Packwood on Monday, March 9.

In Focus: Packwood elk make usual appearance along U.S. Highway 12

3/13/26

The Lewis County Advent Homeschoolers group takes a photo with Lewis County Commissioner Sean Swope while taking a tour at the Capitol on Tuesday, March 10, in Olympia.

In Focus: Lewis County Advent Homeschoolers groups visits state Capitol

3/13/26

Old Toby, located at 1600 N. National Ave. in Chehalis, is pictured on Tuesday, March 10.

Old Toby on the move: Lewis County’s first dispensary relocates in Chehalis

Originally opened by co-owners Jerrie and Dash Paine on April 20, 2015, and tucked away on Northwest State Avenue west of the train tracks in downtown Chehalis, Lewis County’s first retail cannabis … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 3/11/26

The Swift Water Rescue Team poses for a photo with Lewis County Commissioners Lindsey Pollock, Sean Swope and Scott Brummer during a special meeting to recognize county residents who responded to the recent flood in December at the Packwood Community Hall on Monday, March 9.

Lewis County honors community response to December floods at Packwood ceremony

An unusual number of people packed themselves into the Packwood Community Hall this week as the Lewis County Board of Commissioners convened a special meeting to honor county residents that responded … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 3/11/26

From left, Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview, Gary Johnson, Tony “Naschio” Johnson, Mary Johnson and Sam Robinson pose for a photo in the Washington state Senate on Monday.

Senate honors Chinook Indian Nation with resolution in final days of session

Washington state Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview, led the Washington state Legislature in honoring the Chinook Indian Nation in the final days of the state's 2026 legislative session this week. On … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/11/26

Irene Miller Tripp poses for photo during a celebration for her 90 years of membership with the National Grange at South Creek Post Acute in Centralia on Tuesday, March 10.

Grange members celebrate in Centralia for 90th anniversary for state's oldest member

Lifelong Lewis County resident Irene Tripp celebrated 90 years as a grange member this week, making her the longest serving grange member in the state and possibly the only 90-year grange member in … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 3/11/26