Life | The Daily Chronicle

Co-owner Peter Charbonnier and head brewer Luke Marks work on the new canning machine at Longmire Springs Brewing in Packwood on Tuesday, Dec. 16.

Longmire Springs Brewing acquires new canning machine to begin distributing brews throughout Lewis County

For many business owners in East Lewis County, the “shoulder season” between summer when visitors flock to the area to camp, hike, hunt and fish, and winter when White Pass Ski Area opens drawing … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 12/17/25

Winlock Dance Center students spread holiday joy to local seniors with performances at senior living communities in Centralia, Chehalis and Castle Rock.

Winlock Dance Center students keep holiday traditions alive by spreading joy to local seniors

Students from Winlock Dance Center continued a beloved holiday tradition by visiting local senior living communities to share the joy of dance and celebrate the season. Young dancers performed … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/17/25

Wilcox Family Farms donates nearly 1 million eggs to regional food banks this holiday season

Wilcox Family Farms is continuing its holiday tradition of donating nearly one million eggs to food banks across the region, according to a news release from the company. Starting with a … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/16/25

Providence St. Peter first in Washington state to be awarded ‘TeamBirth Recognized’ designation

In October 2023, Providence St. Peter and Providence Centralia were among the first hospitals in Washington state to implement a program called TeamBirth with support from the Washington State … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/15/25

Attendees pose for a group photo during the plaque dedication for the historic Proffitt Building in Centralia on Saturday, Dec. 13. Proffitt’s Department Store once occupied the space now held by O’Blarney’s at the Gibson House. The building was commissioned by Samuel “Lee” Proffitt, and some his great-grandchildren were in attendance, along with former employees of the business. “Today feels like the perfect day to pause and commemorate an incredible family and an iconic downtown landmark — the Proffitt Building,” the Centralia Downtown Association wrote. “With its newly installed plaque, this historic building now takes its place as one of our official Historic Walking Tour sites, helping tell the story of the people, businesses, and families that shaped Centralia. Moments like this remind us why preserving and sharing our history matters. Each plaque is more than a marker — it’s a connection to the past and a foundation for the future. Stay tuned as we continue to add more sites, stories and layers to our Historic Walking Tour. There’s so much more history to discover right here downtown.”

In Focus: Plaque dedicated at historic Proffitt Building in downtown Centralia

Attendees for a plaque dedication for the historic Proffitt Building in Centralia on Saturday, Dec. 13. Proffitt’s Department Store once occupied the space now held by … more

12/15/25

Beau Hess poses for a photo with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 13, inside Mineral's former American Legion Post 171 Stormking headquarters.

In Focus: Mineral lights Christmas tree as residents stop by to meet Santa

With the weather thankfully less wet than the previous weekend, dozens of residents from Mineral and the surrounding communities attended the East Lewis County community’s Christmas … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/15/25

From left, Centralia Police Department Commander David Clary, Chief Andy Caldwell and Commander Buddy Croy pose at the Salvation Army's giant donation kettle at Safeway in Centralia on Friday, Dec. 12.

Centralia police best Chehalis counterparts in annual friendly Salvation Army competition

The Centralia Police Department was once again victorious in a local law enforcement donation competition thanks to a large last-minute donation from a generous and anonymous giver. The … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/15/25

Battle Ground resident Shane Black’s cross necklace and Navajo tattoo reading “Diné” is visible while he practices a cold water plunge in the East Fork Lewis River on Monday, Dec. 8, at Daybreak Regional Park.

For religion and tradition, man takes to flooded Southwest Washington river seeking benefits of cold water immersion

While the East Fork Lewis River was noticeably rising on Monday, Dec. 8, at Daybreak Regional Park, a Battle Ground resident opted to take a plunge into the flooding waters for reasons of religion … more

By Cade Barker / For The Chronicle | 12/15/25

The Lewis County Chapter’s A.B.A.T.E. of Washington decorated semi drives through downtown Centralia during the Lighted Tractor Parade on Saturday, Dec. 13.

In Focus: Lighted Tractor Parade thrills in downtown Centralia

The annual Lighted Tractor Parade coursed through the streets of downtown Centralia on Saturday night, delighting thousands of attendees. The Centralia Downtown Association held the … more

12/14/25

This block of wood was 12 feet 9 inches the narrow way and 14 feet the big way (at its widest). The log was felled by Davis & Maras of Packwood in late 1945. Shown in the parking area, the block of wood was sent out for display to the Northwest Door Co. of Tacoma. Because of the shortages of the war, all the cars shown in the background were made prior to 1942. On top of the log is A.A. Spike Maras. Looking up at the log are Maras; partners in the Davis & Maras Co. of Packwood — Fred Davis and P.J. Maras. Photo and information originally submitted by A.A. Spike Maras for The Chronicle's Our Hometowns books.

A Look Back in Time: National Guard captain clashes with Centralia officials; East County residents convicted on moonshining charges; Cowlitz River hatcheries damaged by flood

In this installment of A Look Back in Time, the Friday, Dec. 13, 1935, edition of The Chronicle featured a story about Washington National Guard 41st Tank Company commander Captain A.S. Kresky … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 12/12/25

Centralia resident opens new chiropractic clinic in Toledo

Nicholaus Martin, a 2014 Centralia High School graduate and longtime resident of the Hub City, is accomplishing a lifelong dream of opening a chiropractic clinic in Lewis County. He founded … more

By Dylan Reubenking / dylanr@chronline.com | 12/12/25

Bucoda Mayor Callie Carpenter speaks with open house attendees about the future capability of the Bucoda Gym as a mixed-use space on Wednesday, Dec. 10.

Seeking assistance with renovations, Bucoda city officials give tour of historic gym to state lawmakers

A gym was constructed in 1939 at 403 N. Nenant St. in Bucoda. For years now, the historic building has been home to the Boo-Coda Spook-Tacular Haunted House during the South Thurston County … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 12/12/25

Millions of future Christmas trees get their start at Weyerhaeuser’s Forest Regeneration Center in Rochester. Of the 25 to 30 million seedlings grown there annually, most go to support future regeneration efforts on Weyerhaeuser’s timberlands.

In Focus: Weyerhaeuser’s Rochester Nursery ships up to 6 million seedlings to Christmas tree growers every year

Weyerhaeuser’s Rochester Nursery ships about five to six million seedlings to Christmas tree growers across the U.S. and Canada every year, Weyerhaeuser Senior Communications Manager Matt … more

Photos and captions courtesy of Weyerhaeuser Senior Communications Manager Matt Peterson | 12/12/25

A float saying “Happy Birthday Jesus” drives down North Tower Avenue during the 15th annual Lighted Tractor Parade through downtown Centralia on Saturday, Dec. 14.

Show must go on: Centralia’s Lighted Tractor Parade to be held Saturday despite recent flooding

The Centralia Lighted Tractor Parade is still set to roll through downtown Centralia at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, despite the recent stretch of inclement weather and localized flooding. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/11/25

Lewis County Footsteps of Hope Board President Paula Burrows, right, showcases one of the new refrigerators purchased at a discounted rate from Market Street Ace Hardware as Ace employees William Johnson, left, and Eric Lampkin stand alongside Washington Elementary School principal Danielle Vekich inside the elementary school on Friday, Aug. 22, where the fridge will store food for children facing food insecurity in the upcoming school year.

Gesa partners with Lewis County Footsteps of Hope to support meals for Centralia High School students

Gesa, a leading credit union in the Pacific Northwest, has partnered with Lewis County Footsteps of Hope to support its “Backpack Buddies” program at Centralia High School, a recent news … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/10/25

Tiger-themed banners are hung inside Centralia Middle School on Thursday, Jan. 9.

Centralia Middle School receives statewide 2025 AWSL ‘Culture Kick-Off Award’

The Centralia School District is proud to announce that Centralia Middle School has been selected as the 2025 Association of Washington Student Leaders (AWSL) “Culture Kick-Off Award” … more

Submitted to The Chronicle | 12/10/25

Touched By One, Touched By All community and family resource center to open in Onalaska Dec. 19

Onalaska is now home to a new rural community and family resource center: Touched By One, Touched By All. The Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce will celebrate the center’s grand … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/10/25

The Christmas Bird Count arrives in Lewis County on Dec. 20

Every year, through December and January, people come together for many reasons: to celebrate Christmas, watch fun parades, attend exciting recitals and plays, chat about the future at New … more

By Rachel Holland / For The Chronicle | 12/10/25

Wendy White Mitchell to perform holiday concert at Centralia United Methodist Church

Wendy White Mitchell, a classically-trained vocalist, will perform a holiday concert at Centralia United Methodist Church at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20. There is no charge for admission, but a … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/10/25

The fully restored 1923 Great Northern Railway caboose now stands proudly in front of the Tenino Depot Museum. Photo by Owen Sexton.

Tenino Depot Museum to host Santa at Christmas event on Saturday

With Christmas approaching, Santa Claus is set to make another appearance in the area this Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Tenino Depot Museum to hear what the children in South Thurston County hope to get … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/10/25