Life | The Daily Chronicle

Young attendees race to pick up candy thrown from a float during the Pe Ell 4th of July parade on Friday, July 4.

In focus: Patriotism powers Pe Ell Fourth of July parade

7/7/25

Chehalis Tribal Royalty, including Miss Chehalis Madoleen Goddard in front, wave to the crowd at the Oakville Independence Day Parade on Saturday, July 5.

In focus: Oakville celebrates Independence Day with parade, rodeo and more

7/7/25

Attendees gaze up as fireworks burst on Friday, July 4, during the Red, White and Boom Fireworks Show at the Vader Pre-K property on D Street.

Thousands flock to Vader for Independence Day car show, fireworks display

Amid the many Fourth of July celebrations held throughout Lewis County this past Friday were the Hell on Wheels Independence Day Car Show and the Red, White and Boom Fireworks Show in the south … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 7/7/25

Populous Principal Charlie Kolarik gives a presentation during a Lewis County Commissioners meeting at the Lewis County Courthouse in Chehalis on Tuesday, July 1.

A first glimpse at vision for improved Southwest Washington Fairgrounds

The Lewis County Board of Commissioners hosted a meeting Tuesday afternoon to look at the first round of designs for a new equestrian center and other proposed changes at the Southwest Washington … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 7/3/25

From left, Lewis County Commissioner Lindsey Pollock, Lewis County Auditor’s Office Chief Accountant Grace Jimenez, Commissioner Scott Brummer and Commissioner Sean Swope pose for a photo at the Lewis County Courthouse on Tuesday.

Lewis County staff member receives national recognition for work

The Lewis County Board of Commissioners honored a county employee Tuesday afternoon for receiving a nationwide recognition for her performance in the Lewis County Auditor’s Office. The … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 7/3/25

In focus: Curious cows mooove closer to photographer

Cows graze in a field in Doty on Wednesday, July 2, in these photos from Chronicle photographer Ridley Hudson. Do you enjoy photography and have your own photos to share? Send them … more

7/3/25

From left to right, speakers Jonathan Dover, Scott Schaefer, Vince Ynzunza and Shanelle Arnold address audience questions at the Chehalis Flying Saucer Party on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.

‘Contactee Edition’: Speaker lineup announced for the fifth annual Chehalis Flying Saucer Party announced

With just over two months remaining until the beginning of the fifth annual Chehalis Flying Saucer Party, scheduled for Sept. 12 and 13 in downtown Chehalis, event organizers have announced the … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 7/3/25

Centralia Methodist Church to welcome new reverend Brad Beeman July 6

Reverend Brad Beeman has been appointed to serve Centralia United Methodist Church as interim pastor beginning July 1, according to a news release from the church. Beeman, an elder in the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/3/25

A Swiss wrestling match is photographed from above during the Lewis-Pacific Swiss Society’s 61st annual Schwingfest on Saturday, July 6, 2024.

62nd annual Schwingfest to be held July 4-6

The 62nd annual Schwingfest will be held from July 4 to 6 this year at the Lewis-Pacific Swiss Society, 19 Swiss Picnic Road, Frances Adult ticket prices are $40 for a three-day pass, $30 for a … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/3/25

Friends of Willapa National Wildlife Refuge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to host free trip to Long Island

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Friends of Willapa National Wildlife Refuge will host a free guided hike to Long Island on Saturday, July 26, according to a news release. Accessible … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/3/25

Vader resident Wanda Smith, 83, looks up at the sky on Tuesday, July 1, where she remembers seeing a bright light shine down on her, which she believes was a UFO, in the fall of 1957 at 15 years old.

Strange sightings in Lewis County: A stalking light in Vader and a silent oval-shaped object in Centralia

Editor’s Note: “Strange sightings in Lewis County” is an ongoing series by Chronicle reporter Owen Sexton focused on the unexplained. With World UFO Day having just passed on … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 7/3/25

Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce Microbyte Learning Center presents two sessions: delivering bad news and de-escalation tactics

The Community Mediation Center will address two common challenges — delivering bad news and managing tense situations — during two tightly-focused micro-sessions as part of the MicroByte … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/3/25

Stan Hedwall, other Chehalis parks to be featured at July chamber forum

Chehalis Parks and Recreation Director Lilly Wall is the featured speaker at the July forum hosted by the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce. The forum is scheduled for Thursday, July 10, … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/3/25

A Look Back in Time: Morton Mirror sold to new publisher; Thousands attend SWW Fairgrounds fireworks show; 71-year-old arrested for driving too slow

In this installment of A Look Back in Time, the Friday, July 5, 1935, edition of The Chronicle featured a story about the sale of Morton’s old newspaper, the Morton Mirror, to a new publisher … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 7/3/25

W.F. West’s Bearcat Football Stadium is pictured from above at W.F. West High School in Chehalis on Thursday, June 19.

Chehalis Foundation launches fundraising campaign for W.F. West field expansion

The Chehalis Foundation is spearheading a fundraising campaign to install turf, resurface the track and expand the facility to include a regulation-size soccer field at W.F. West High School’s … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/2/25

Fireworks light up the sky as spectators look on during a display at the Freedom Celebration at the Jesus Name Pentecostal Church in Chehalis on Wednesday, July 3, 2024.

Chehalis church’s Fourth of July fireworks show canceled this year, will return in 2026

Jesus Name Pentecostal Church (JNPC) in Chehalis puts on a massive fireworks show every Fourth of July known as the Freedom Celebration. Along with the fireworks show in the evening, church … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/2/25

‘Butter Sweet’ bakery gaining popularity in Thurston County town of Rainier

Local baker Grace Robinson needed something to do. The Michigan native was living at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in 2019 with her husband and firstborn when she got the idea to start making sugar … more

By Jacob Farmer / For The Chronicle | 7/2/25

Fourth annual Darian Paige Atkinson Memorial 5K scheduled for July 13 in Glenoma

By The Chronicle staff The fourth annual Darian Paige Atkinson Memorial 5K, named in honor of Atkinson, a White Pass High School graduate who died in 2021 at the age of 25, is scheduled for … more

7/2/25

Thurston County teen claims reserve world championship at national junior rodeo

8.99 seconds. Brooklynn Bell traveled over 1,800 miles and over 28 hours from Rainier to Des Moines, Iowa, for just that seemingly miniscule amount of time. But in the junior high breakaway … more

By Dylan Reubenking / dylanr@chronline.com | 7/2/25

Thurston County senior living facility celebrates third annual prom for senior residents

In what has become a budding tradition, Prestige Senior Living Rosemont held its third annual prom for senior residents on Saturday, June 21. Dubbed “A Night to Remember,” this … more

Jacob Farmer / For The Chronicle | 7/1/25