Life | The Daily Chronicle

Centralia College graduates and their families gather on Littel Commencement Field during the Centralia College class of 2025 commencement ceremony on Wednesday, June 18.

Centralia College to host one-day registration events on Aug. 12, Aug. 14, and Sept. 8

Ready to get started at Centralia College, but not sure where to start? Get on the fast track with your registration, admission and financial aid at one of three one-day registration events in the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/6/25

From left to right, Linda Haskill, Jan Leth and Missy Young pose with the nearly 1,200 pairs of socks raised by Stillwaters Estates for Kids’ Kloset on Monday, Aug. 4.

Stillwaters Estates in Centralia collects nearly 1,200 pairs of socks for Kids' Kloset ‘Sock it to ‘em’ drive

An annual event to make sure children in need can start school with the proper attire has resulted in the collection of nearly 1,200 pairs of socks — doubling the number from last year. … more

By Tyrus VanTuyl / ty@chronline.com | 8/6/25

Author Sandy Crowell smiles for a photo with her book “The Ravaged Forest” during an authors book signing event at Book n Brush in Chehalis on Saturday, Dec. 21.

Borst Home Museum to present awards to Helen Sanders and Sandra A. Crowell

Helen Sanders and Sandra A. Crowell will both receive awards at the Historic Borst Home and Museum in Centralia at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9. An open house will also be held from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/6/25

Students receive school supplies during a “Back To School” resource fair hosted by the Lewis County Youth Mentorship Program in the TransAlta Commons on Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023, at Centralia College.

Lewis County Youth Mentorship Program prepares for annual upcoming Back to School Supply Give-Away and Resource Fair on Aug. 21

With summer vacation ending soon for many students throughout Lewis County, the Lewis County Youth Mentorship Program is gearing up to hold its annual Back to School Supply Give-Away and Resource … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/6/25

U.S. News & World Report names Providence Swedish among nation’s best hospitals

Providence Swedish hospitals throughout the Puget Sound region have again been recognized for their overall excellence, as well as excellence in specialty areas, in U.S. News & World … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/6/25

Rochester’s senior valedictorian Grace Morgan speaks during a commencement ceremony at Saint Martin’s University in Lacey on Sunday, June 8.

Rochester graduate to travel to South Korea for U.S. Department of State language initiative program

Grace Morgan of Tenino will study the Korean language for eight to 10 months in South Korea on a National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI‑Y) scholarship, according to a recent news … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/6/25

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

Olequa Senior Center to hold a community dinner fundraiser

The Olequa Senior Center has announced it will hold a community stir fry dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 22. Dinners are $10 and come with rice and a drink, along with veggies or chicken … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/6/25

Ridley Hudson / ridley@chronline.com Washington State University Master Recycler Composters (MRC) of Lewis County Tool Bucket Library volunteers pose for a photo with Lewis County Commissioners Lindsey Pollock, Sean Swope and Scott Brummer during a Lewis County Board of Commissioners business meeting at the Lewis County Courthouse in Chehalis on Tuesday, Aug. 5. “The Lewis County Board of County Commissioners extends sincere thanks to the dedicated Lewis County Master Recycler Composter volunteers who helped bring the Tool Library to life at the Chehalis Timberland Regional Library,” the commissioners stated on Facebook Wednesday. At the Aug. 5 meeting, WSU Extension Program Educator Jason Abrams and Lewis County Public Works Recycling Coordinator Melanie Case presented certificates of appreciation to the volunteers. Special plaques were awarded to Brad and Lynn Ford in recognition of their outstanding contributions. Volunteers honored were Brad Ford, Lynn Ford, Steve Hakkola, Bob Majoros, Brooke Richardson, Noel Beckford, Mary Jean Marsh, Jerry Durr, Dick Morrison, Paul and Val Rasku, Windermere Centralia and Catherine (Cat) Varner. The tool library was recently opened to help residents borrow tools for projects around their homes and gardens. The tool library catalog, which features a diverse collection of tools for home and yard maintenance, sewing, cooking, hobbies and games, can be viewed at www.mrctoolbucketlibrary.org. The site also has instructions on becoming a member to check out tools. Membership options are flexible with pay-what-you-can, monthly or annual donations to support the shared resources. Members can reserve tools Saturday through Thursday for pickup at the Floral Park Sustainability Project, 104 E. Floral St. in Centralia on Friday between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Borrowed tools will be due the following Friday. Tool library hours will expand as more volunteers become involved, according to a news release.

In focus: Lewis County Tool Bucket volunteers honored by commissioners

Washington State University Master Recycler Composters (MRC) of Lewis County Tool Bucket Library volunteers were acknowledged and honored by Lewis County Commissioners Lindsey Pollock, Sean … more

Ridley Hudson / ridley@chronline.com | 8/6/25

Gretchen Moore, treasurer of United Way Lewis County, smiles after she won the 2025 “Woman of Distinction” award during the annual Power of the Purse event at Centralia College on Tuesday, Aug. 5.

In focus: ‘Woman of Distinction’ honored at United Way’s Power of the Purse event

8/6/25

Lewis County Commissioners pose for a photo with Alternate Dairy Ambassador Addie Hodel, Little Miss Friendly finalists and Miss Lewis County Madeline Scalici during the Board of Commissioners business meeting at the Lewis County Courthouse in Chehalis on Tuesday, Aug. 5.

Southwest Washington Fair officials visit Lewis County commissioners ahead of annual showcase

During the Board of Lewis County Commissioners business meeting on Tuesday, the three elected county leaders took a short break for a hula hoop contest. The odd exercise came at the request of … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 8/6/25

Pastor Darcy Fast poses for a photo in the new location of his church, Heritage Community Church, at the Veterans Memorial Museum in Chehalis on Tuesday, Aug. 5. Fast will hold Launch Sunday at Heritage Community Church at 10 a.m. Sept. 7 at the museum in Chehalis.

Former Centralia pastor and Major League Baseball player Darcy Fast set to open new ministry in Chehalis

A homecoming is set to take place in early September when longtime Centralia Community Church pastor and former Major League Baseball player Darcy Fast will hold his first service as the lead pastor … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 8/6/25

The iconic circular brake and tail lights of Silver Creek resident Jared Swetz's 1989 Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R are displayed during the Mossyrock Road Rebels Car Show at the Mossyrock Middle School on Saturday, Aug. 2.

From an Oldsmobile to a Skyline, 130 cars register in Mossyrock Road Rebels Car Show

While blueberries abounded in Mossyrock last weekend during the 19th annual Mossyrock Blueberry Festival, gear heads from throughout the region also came to the Mossyrock Road Rebels Car Show … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 8/6/25

Kameron Reyes climbs a police rescue vehicle during a “National Night Out” event held by local law enforcement agencies at George Washington Park in Centralia on Tuesday, Aug. 5.

In focus: Law enforcement meets community at National Night Out in Centralia

8/6/25

Madelyn Lawson high fives a volunteer during the Capital Metro Girls Fire Camp at the Mark Noble Regional Fire Training Center in Olympia on Saturday, Aug. 2.

Fire camp inspires young women to explore careers in fire service

While two days isn’t nearly enough time to learn the full range of skills necessary to become a professional in the fire service, it’s more than enough time for young women to write the … more

By Dylan Reubenking / dylanr@chronline.com | 8/4/25

Marketgoers browse the vendors at Antique Fest in Centralia on Friday, Aug. 1.

In focus: Antique Fest brings crowds to downtown Centralia

8/4/25

Master Recycler Composters of Lewis County open first tool bucket library in Southwest Washington

The Washington State University Master Recycler Composters (MRC) of Lewis County have opened the MRC Tool Bucket Library to help residents borrow tools for projects around their homes and gardens. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/4/25

Frances Grove in front of plaques of appreciation from her coaching career

Julie McDonald: Teaching and coaching run in the Grove family

Editor’s note: This is the third and final installment of columnist Julie McDonald’s series on Toledo area resident Frances Grove. See previous installments at chronline.com/opinion … more

8/4/25

Helen Roper impersonators to take over downtown Centralia for event benefiting Carly’s Closet

If the fashion of downtown Centralia looks a lot more 70s themed than usual Friday, Aug. 15, don’t panic. That’s just Helen Roper and her impersonators raising money for Carly’s … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/4/25

Marilyn Monroe lookalike Erika Smith will be the emcee for the event.

Marilyn Monroe lookalike to emcee Summer at the Schmidt in Tumwater on Aug. 9

By The Chronicle staff Summer at the Schmidt is set to bring vintage glam to the garden from 5 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9 at the historic Schmidt House, a news release from the Olympia … more

8/4/25

Suzy Bogguss speaks to the crowd attending the last of this summer’s Chehalis Music in the Park events held at Recreation Park in Chehalis on Friday, Aug. 1. It was the third free concert in the series following performances by Billy Gilman and the Chicago Tribute Authority. The free concerts are paid for by sponsors. Sponsors include Interstate Honda, the Veterans Memorial Museum, NAPA Auto Parts, Tyler Rentals, Point S Tires, John L. Scott Realty, Alderson’s Awards West, Grocery Outlet, Emerald Downs, Voie Hype, Eli Sports Network and Mohney FM.

In focus: Suzy Bogguss closes out summer Music in the Park concert series in Chehalis

8/4/25