Life | The Daily Chronicle

Couple celebrates 65 years of marriage in Centralia

Two residents at Centralia Point Assisted Living and Memory Care recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. Dennis and Judy Wendt met at Meadow Glade Adventist Academy in 1950. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/19/26

Megan Coates, second from the right, and her third grade class poses for a photo with Principal Danielle Vekich, right, Richard Galmon, left, representatives from Ryerson and J.B. Hunt at Washington Elementary School in Centralia on Tuesday, Jan. 13.

Centralia class gets $1K for supplies after parent writes winning essay

Richard Galmon beamed as he showed off his truck to the dozens of third-grade students outside Washington Elementary School in Centralia Tuesday afternoon. Galmon had cleaned and shined the … more

By Jacob Farmer / jfarmer@chronline.com | 1/16/26

Valentine’s Sweetheart Dinner Train Ride to take place Feb. 14

The Chehalis-Centralia Railroad and Museum will hold the Valentine’s Sweetheart Dinner Train Ride on Feb. 14. The two-hour round-trip excursion in a vintage 1920s dining car will travel … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/16/26

The Olequa Senior Center is located at 119 SW Kerron Street in Winlock.

Winlock Senior Center to hold Grandparents Dance

The Winlock-Olequa Senior Center has announced it will host a Grandparents Dance from 2 to 4 p.m. on Feb. 28. Attendees will enjoy live music, a cake walk, games with small prizes, snacks … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/16/26

Mount Rainier towers in the distance as seen from Leonard Road south of Onalaska on Wednesday, Jan. 14.

In Focus: Mount Rainier towers over horizon from viewpoint in Onalaska

To submit photos to The Chronicle for potential publication, email news@chronline.com . more

1/16/26

Thurston County Chamber President David Schaffert, middle, asks a question for the Thurston County’s mayors during a State of the Community forum at Saint Martin’s Norman Worthington Center on Wednesday, Jan. 14.

Thurston County leaders give updates on budgets, growth during State of the Community address

Shortly after Gov. Bob Ferguson gave his State of the State address to mark the start of the year and a new legislative session, Thurston County leaders gave a localized State of the Community … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@thurstonchronicle.com | 1/16/26

A Look Back in Time: Chehalis runaways caught after stealing tractor for joyride; Retirement party planned for Packwood postmaster; Demolition of old Doty bridge debated

In this installment of A Look Back in Time, the Tuesday, Jan. 17, 1956, edition of The Chronicle featured a story about a pair of runaways from Chehalis who had been caught after stealing a tractor … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 1/16/26

Joyce Kindschuh, Christine Fossett and Jeannette Lawson pose with the food and hygiene supplies donated to the Centralia College Trailblazer Food Pantry by the Lewis County Master Gardener Foundation.

Lewis County Master Gardeners honor members, donate over 150 pounds of food and supplies to Centralia College Trailblazer Pantry

The Lewis County Master Gardener Foundation selected the Centralia College Trailblazer Food Pantry as its 2025 holiday donation partner, continuing an annual tradition of giving back to the … more

Submitted to The Chronicle | 1/16/26

Most lumber manufactured by Hampton’s U.S. sawmills features wrap designed by high school students from the communities where Hampton operates, so it’s often easy to pinpoint where the wood was grown and processed. Hampton Lumber

Hampton Lumber launches second high school lumber wrap design competition

Hampton Lumber is inviting high school students to help shape the look of its products once again with the return of the Lumber Wrap Design Competition, according to a recent news release from the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/16/26

Olympia Police Department staff pose for a photo in fronnt of the Oly on Ice rink during the Olympia Police Department’s Cocoa with a Cop event in Olympia on Tuesday, Jan. 13.

Olympia Police Department hosts ‘Cocoa with a Cop’ at Oly on Ice

The Olympia Police Department held a “Cocoa with a Cop” event at Oly on Ice in downtown Olympia on Tuesday, Jan. 13. Olympia residents were invited to join Olympia Police Department staff … more

By Thurston Chronicle staff | 1/16/26

Lewis County Rodeo Queen Kylee Smith, left, and Princess Addison McDougal pose for a photo during the Lewis County Rodeo at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds on Thursday, Aug. 14.

Lewis County Rodeo Court Coronation set for Jan. 24

The coronation of the Lewis County Rodeo Court will be held on Jan. 24 in the Community Events Building at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds. A barbecue pork buffet dinner will be … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/15/26

Fort Borst Park drive-thru light display brought lower attendance but extra donations in 2025

The annual Christmas lights drive-thru display at Fort Borst Park in Centralia brought a total of 6,451 cars in 2025, down from 7,150 cars in 2024. While the total amount of money collected at … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/15/26

Harpist Cynthia Zechmann to perform free community concert in Centralia

Immanuel Lutheran Church will host a special performance by distinguished harpist Cynthia Zechmann on Saturday, Jan. 31. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the concert beginning at 6:30 p.m. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/14/26

Rep. Peter Abbarno highlights role of family support services in strengthening child welfare outcomes

Washington state Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Chehalis, recently toured the Family Education and Support Services (FESS) office in Centralia to learn more about how community-based family support programs … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/14/26

The Centralia branch of Gesa Credit Union is pictured from outside on Wednesday, July 30. The building is located at 1930 S. Gold St.

Gesa Credit Union’s holiday campaign gives gifts to nearly 200 people across Washington and North Idaho

Gesa, a leading credit union in the Pacific Northwest, recently wrapped up its annual Holiday Giving Campaign, which brought holiday cheer to families across the region through the efforts of members … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/14/26

Sariah Flock poses for a photo at her store, Good Fortune, in Centralia on Tuesday, Jan. 13.

Good Fortune: Centralia artist’s business venture aims to allow customers to express themselves

In May 2025, antiquers frequenting downtown Centralia’s many vintage second-hand item stores saw a new option open up among Tower Avenue’s offerings — Good Fortune. Located at 120A S. … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 1/14/26

Mount Rainier is visible through the trees and snow from this vantage point in Toutle in this photo submitted to The Chronicle by Cindy Morris on Saturday, Jan. 10. To submit photos to The Chronicle for potential publication, email images and details to news@chronline.com. Be sure to include details about the photo, including where and when it was captured, along with the name of the photographer and other pertinent details.

Reader’s Lens: A winter wonderland in Toutle

1/12/26

Tumwater Fire Department staff pose for a photo in front of a Thurston County Medic One ambulance after a push-in ceremony at the Tumwater Fire Department North End Station on Friday, Jan. 9. The new eigth medic unit was funded by a 2021 Medic One Levy, according to a Facebook post from Thurston County.

In Focus: Thurston County thanks voters after push-in ceremony for Medic One's eighth medic unit

The Tumwater Fire Department celebrated a new Thurston County Medic One ambulance with a push-in ceremony at the Tumwater Fire Department North End Station on Friday, Jan. 9. “The newest … more

1/12/26

Timberland Regional Library welcomes 'Reading Rainbow' host and 3-year-old TikTok star

Timberland Regional Library (TRL) recently welcomed nationally recognized librarian and social media creator Mychal Threets to the Lacey Timberland Library for a special collaboration with the viral … more

By The Thurston Chronicle staff | 1/12/26

Skiers and snowboarders file onto the Great White Express chair lift at White Pass Ski Area on Sunday, Jan. 12.

In Focus: Hitting the slopes at the White Pass Ski Area

1/12/26