Life | The Daily Chronicle

Jane Porter speaks about the importance of resiliency during the Southwest Washington Writers Conference at Centralia College on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.

Julie McDonald: Inspiring others while raising money for good causes

“You are an excellent speaker,” state Rep. Rob Chase, former Spokane County treasurer, told author Patrick Hutchison on Saturday morning at the Southwest Washington Writers Conference. … more

9/15/25

A herd of elk graze in a field along U.S. Highway 12 near Randle on Friday, March 14.

Chehalis Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation chapter prepares for annual ladies night event

The Chehalis chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) is calling on local women to “saddle up” and “leave the men folk at home” as it prepares to host its new … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 9/15/25

The “Hub City” mural commissioned by the Centralia Downtown Association and painted by muralist Matthew Anthony and a collection of community members is photographed on Thursday, Sept. 11. “From blank wall to community masterpiece!” the downtown association wrote online. “This mural is a true reflection of the heart of Centralia — created by our community, for our community. Thank you to every hand that helped bring this project to life. Together, we’ve added more color, creativity, and pride to our downtown! Mark your calendars: For everyone who painted, we’ll be gathering for a group photo in front of the mural on Sunday, Sept. 21, at 2 p.m. Stop by, snap a picture, and share your favorite detail of the mural with us.”

In focus: “Hub City” mural complete in downtown Centralia

9/15/25

Bob Mohrbacher, president of Centralia College, shows the crowd the first item to come out of a time capsule sealed in 1950, a copy of The Chronicle, at the Centralia College Centennial Picnic on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.

In focus: Centralia College celebrates centennial mark with community picnic, drone show

9/15/25

Watoto Children’s Choir to perform at Centralia Christian School Wednesday

The Watoto Children’s Choir, based out of Uganda, Africa, will perform at Centralia Christian School Wednesday, Sept. 17, at 12:45 p.m. The concert is free to attend. An offering will be … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/15/25

From the left, winners in the third annual Northwest Flying Saucer Film Fest Katie Wallen, Grant Marshall, Tarik Cruz, Jake Thiessen and Ellis Deister pose with their trophies following the film festival at McFiler's Chehalis Theater on Friday, Sept. 12.

A ‘Were-Alien,’ ‘One Giant Waddle’ and an ‘Unidentified Funky Occurrence’: 20 short films at Northwest Flying Saucer Film Fest

While aliens didn’t appear in the skies above downtown Chehalis last weekend, they did appear on the big screen at McFiler’s Chehalis Theater during the third annual Northwest Flying … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 9/15/25

From left, Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) Washington State Director Maurene Morgan, Universe University Podcast co-host Chris Grant, local historian and Pacific NorthWEIRD Podcast co-host Vince Ynzunza, and U.S. Army veteran turned history professor and author Bruce Solheim take questions from attendees on Saturday, Sept. 13, during the fifth annual Chehalis Flying Saucer Party at McFiler's Chehalis Theater.

Lewis County the cradle of modern contactees? Contactee, abductee accounts the subject of this year’s Chehalis Flying Saucer Party

Last weekend, believers and skeptics alike descended upon downtown Chehalis for the fifth annual Chehalis Flying Saucer Party. According to Lewis County Historical Museum Executive Director … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 9/15/25

Charlie Kirk is pictured here last January at the Capital One Arena following the inauguration of President Donald Trump.

Southwest Washington officials express grief and concern after Charlie Kirk shooting

Utah and federal government officials on Friday morning said they had apprehended the gunman suspected in the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk roughly a day after the shooting on … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/12/25

Madison Grove Farm Founder and Director Marla McNary Pfaff pets one of the horses at the farm in Winlock on Tuesday, Sept. 9.

In Winlock, a healing place for horses and humans alike

On a cool, overcast early September morning on her 37-acre farm in an unincorporated area west of Winlock, Marla McNary Pfaff heard multiple testimonies from a first-time visitor and a volunteer that … more

By Dylan Reubenking / dylanr@chronline.com | 9/12/25

Community event will allow Lewis County residents to recycle paint for free

A community recycling event will offer Lewis County residents and businesses an opportunity to recycle paint and related items from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, in the parking lot of the Blue … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/12/25

Mike and Martha Nichols compete in Ma and Pa bucking during the annual Saginaw Days Logging Show at the Brooklyn Tavern on Saturday, Sept. 21. Each team, made up of one male and female, sawed through the log with a timer going until the sawed-off end hit the ground.

24th Annual Saginaw Day Logging Show set for Sept. 20 at the Brooklyn Tavern

The 24th Annual Saginaw Day Logging Show is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 20, next to the Brooklyn Tavern, 2611 North River Road, Cosmopolis. Participant registration opens at 9 a.m. and … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/12/25

Jim Buzzard, owner of Buzzard Law Group in Centralia, is pictured in a photo from his law office and from his playing days at Eastern Washington University.

Local attorney and Centralia grad named to 2025 EWU Athletics Hall of Fame class

Jim Buzzard, a 1993 Centralia High School graduate, will be one of the seven individuals inducted into the 2025 Eastern Washington University (EWU) Athletics Hall of Fame class. Buzzard earned … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/12/25

Julie Shaffley, owner of Good Health Nutrition Center, cuts the ceremonial ribbon with her employees and Kelly Smith Johnston (right), mayor of Centralia, during a ribbon cutting ceremony put on by the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce in Centralia on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025.

In focus: Good Health Nutrition Center celebrates 35 years in Centralia

Julie Shaffley, owner of Good Health Nutrition Center, cut the ceremonial ribbon with her employees and Kelly Smith Johnston, mayor of Centralia, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony put on by the … more

9/12/25

Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens (between the string), Mount Adams and Mount Hood are pictured in this photo captured from the earth’s stratosphere by a weather balloon that landed in Vader.

Reader submission: Weather balloon lands in Lewis County after reaching stratosphere

On Aug. 9, Matt Hunter and Kyle Bastien had their long-awaited weather balloon launch day. After months of preparation and testing, they were ready to go. The goal was to collect weather data, … more

Submitted to The Chronicle | 9/12/25

Donor Dean Phillips, left, and scholarship recipient Susan Mwikali, pose for a photo at the Centralia College Foundation's Scholarship Night at the Corbet Theatre on Wednesday, Sept. 10.

$620,000 awarded to 510 students at Centralia College Foundation's Scholarship Night

Awarding a single academic scholarship is easy. Simply determine how much money is given and when it's doled out. Awarding 510 scholarships, however, requires a much greater effort. Not to … more

By Jacob Farmer / jfarmer@chronline.com | 9/12/25

FILE PHOTO — The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners run through the agenda for the Jan. 7 meeting.

Thurston County to see boost in lodging tax funds in 2026, will utilize $84K for FIFA Fan Zone

Thanks to a board-approved jump in distributable lodging tax funds in 2026, the Thurston County Board of Commissioners is planning to spend $84,000 toward its involvement as a FIFA Fan Zone during … more

By Dylan Reubenking / dylanr@chronline.com | 9/12/25

The inside of the Borst Home is now on display as a museum.

Historic Borst Home Museum to hold an open house in Centralia Saturday

The Historic Borst Home Museum will hold an open house from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13, with a historical discussion taking place at 2 p.m., a news release from the museum stated. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/12/25

George Sharp, a recipient of a donated kidney last year, poses with his donor Diane Weaver Simms on Tuesday, Sept. 9, outside of Papa's Diner in Rochester where the pair now meets weekly for breakfast.

‘It was a calling’: Kidney transplant recipient George Sharp and donor now meet weekly at Rochester diner

For many organ transplant recipients, meeting their donor often doesn’t happen, as some donors are no longer living, or the agency organizing the organ transplant has policies to maintain … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 9/12/25

Standing with their string of fish in front of Centralia's Naismith & Davis store in the 1950s are, left to right, Ivan Osborne, Gus Duckett and future Centralia Mayor Don Naismith. This photo was originally submitted by David Lee for The Chronicle's Our Hometowns books.

A Look Back in Time: Chehalis anglers swear monster trout jumped in boat; Borst Park ‘athletic plant’ plans unveiled; President Kennedy’s assassination

In this installment of A Look Back in Time, the Friday, Sept. 13, 1935, edition of The Chronicle featured a story about Chehalis anglers Earl Betts and Walter Galusha, who were adamant a 15-inch … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 9/12/25

TwinStar: Up to $80,000 in teacher grants now available for local schools in Washington, Oregon

TwinStar Credit Union has started giving away Classroom Cash grants to teachers from kindergarten through fifth grade, with $80,000 available to 400 applicants across Washington and Oregon. The … more

By Tyrus VanTuyl /Ty@chronline.com | 9/10/25