Local News | The Daily Chronicle

Sylvester Stehr, a homeschool student in Centralia, poses for a photo with state Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview.

Centralia homeschool student serves as page for Sen. Jeff Wilson

Sylvester Stehr, a homeschool student in Centralia, recently spent a week working as a page for the Washington state Senate at the Capitol in Olympia. Stehr was one of 27 students as Senate … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/9/26

Boistfort Community Church to hold diorama depicting the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus

In celebration of Easter, travelers along Boistfort Road in Curtis will soon see a diorama depicting the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ on the front lawn at the Boistfort Community … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/9/26

Attorney General Nick Brown greets legislators in the House chambers at the Washington state Capitol in Olympia on Tuesday, Jan. 13.

Washington secures court order to enforce ruling that requires FEMA to restore billions in disaster mitigation funding

Washington state Attorney General Nick Brown and a multistate coalition recently secured a court order requiring the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to take concrete steps to reverse the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/9/26

Holly Phelps, owner of The Shady Lady antique and resale store and the founder of The Twirl Foundation, poses for a photo in The Twirl Foundation’s storefront in Centralia on Tuesday, July 16, 2024.

The Shady Lady to hold Vintage Flea in support of The Twirl Foundation

The Shady Lady Vintage Flea is coming to the Lewis & Clark Hotel in Historic Downtown Centralia for two days only, March 20 and 21. The Shady Lady is bringing over 50 vendors together for … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/9/26

Onalaska instructor Kevin Hoffman, left, and state Rep. Peter Abbarno, right, pose for a photo with Onalaska students Cian Mauer, Samantha Ellis, Autumn Smalley and Chloe Haag.

Onalaska High School students advocate for funding at state Capitol

The Onalaska High School Youth Engaged in Sustainable Systems (YESS) program joined the Pacific Education Institute at the state Capitol on March 5 to advocate for funding for the 2027-2029 fiscal … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/9/26

FILE PHOTO — The Chinook fry that Nisqually Indian Tribe’s Clear Creek Hatchery have donated to Gig Harbor’s Minter Creek Hatchery shoot out of a hose and into the truck that will transport them in 2020.

Strickland, Cantwell, Murray introduce bill restoring Nisqually Tribe ownership of Clear Creek Hatchery

Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland, a Democrat in the 10th Congressional District, recently introduced the Nisqually Clear Creek Hatchery Land Transfer Act of 2026, a news release from Strickland … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/9/26

Skier Jacob Jones' skis point towards the sky during a front flip on Saturday, March 7, in East Lewis County at the White Pass Ski Area Castle Jam freestyle trick competition.

Skiers and snowboarders throw down at White Pass Ski Area Castle Jam despite slushy conditions

Dozens of skiers and snowboarders took to the slopes of the White Pass Ski Area Saturday, March 7, for the East Lewis County ski resort’s annual Castle Jam freestyle trick competition, despite the … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 3/9/26

Washington gas prices hit $4.63, up more than 25 cents in a week

Washingtonians are paying $4.63 on average for a gallon of gas, about 33% more than the average American as prices surge more than a week into the U.S. and Israel’s war on Iran, according to AAA. … more

By Kai Uyehara / The Seattle Times | 3/9/26

Wahkiakum County Commissioner Dan Cothren unlocks an American Forest Management gate after patrolling lands owned by prince-affiliated companies on Aug. 21, 2025. The gate blocks off driving access to thousands of acres of prime longtime hunting grounds. The patrol is a routine part of his part-time job as a security contractor for timberland owners.

Investment companies block access to tens of thousands of acres in Wahkiakum, Pacific counties

ELOCHOMAN RIVER VALLEY — Investment companies have whittled away the land hunters can use in Wahkiakum and Pacific counties. Access to tens of thousands of acres of locally treasured, longtime … more

Henry Brannan / Murrow News | 3/9/26

Brent Mahitka gestures across the Skamokawa Valley on Aug. 21, 2025, towards prime hunting lands that have seen access curtailed by gates over the years.

German royalty controls 7% of Wahkiakum County; what does that mean for hunting access?

ELOCHOMAN RIVER VALLEY — An investment company co-founded by a 21st -century German prince is joining other timber industry goliaths in gobbling up and shutting down access to hunting land in … more

Henry Brannan / Murrow News | 3/9/26

Police say they didn’t know toddler was inside fleeing vehicle before crash on I-5 in Centralia

The Castle Rock Police Department issued a news release March 5 addressing its involvement in a multi-county chase that ended when the suspect’s vehicle — which contained a 14-month-old child — … more

By Jacob Farmer / jfarmer@chronline.com | 3/6/26

A resident cuts another resident’s hair in the barber shop as part of his vocational training at Green Hill School in Chehalis on Tuesday, Feb. 17.

Green Hill School focused on numbers, security, opportunity

Superintendent Harold Wright Jr. knows Green Hill School needs to keep its numbers down. According to the Washington state Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), the state juvenile … more

By Jacob Farmer / jfarmer@chronline.com | 3/6/26

Lewis County Commissioners from left, Lindsey Pollock, Scott Brummer and Sean Swope discuss new county revenue options presented to them by Lewis County staff during a county manager's update meeting on Monday, March 2.

Pot sales and a public safety tax? Lewis County considers options

As cost increases continue for Lewis County, the local government is considering new sources of revenue to prevent future cuts, including permitting cannabis businesses to set up shop in … more

By Jacob Moore / Jacob@chronline.com | 3/6/26

From the left, Vader Mayor Joe Schey listens as Vader City Councilor John Hurt talks alongside his fellow Councilors Nicole Hansen and John Dailey inside Vader City Hall on Wednesday, March 4.

Vader City Council seeks applicants for vacancy after councilor resignation

Members of the Vader City Council convened on Wednesday, March 4, for their first regular monthly meeting. During the meeting, Vader Mayor Joe Schey announced that city staff has received one … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 3/6/26

‘Our family’s Teacher of the Year’: Celebrating Mrs. Taylor Carroll of Adna

Mrs. Taylor Carroll was nominated by our family for Teacher of the Year through the Office of the Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction. She completely deserves to win; however, if she … more

By Abbey Wagner / For The Chronicle | 3/6/26

Sirens: Defendants sentenced for 89 pounds of meth, theft of 125 pairs of shoes; sexual assault reported; arrests for assault, drug possession

LEWIS COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT Sentencings • Salvador Ramirez, 29, Stockton, was sentenced Feb. 23 to three years in prison and one year of community custody after pleading guilty to two … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/6/26

Southbound I-5 blocked for four hours in Thurston County Wednesday night after semi crashes into stopped car

Southbound Interstate 5 was blocked for just over four hours Wednesday night in Thurston County after a semi crashed into a possible drunk driver who was stopped in the middle of the highway. … more

By Thurston Chronicle staff | 3/6/26

FROM THE ARCHIVES: "Little Sluggers Lineup: Probably one of the youngest organized baseball leagues in the area has been formed by a group of youngsters living along Borst Avenue in Centralia. The league organizers, Bob Wollan, 8; Neal Prater, 7; Mark Prater, 9; and Gary Schwiesow, 10, have gathered together bats, balls and caps for the neighborhood baseball lovers. Pictured from left to right are most of participants: Randy Wastradowski, Phillip Schwiesow (coach), Matt Prater, Reed Prater, Jimmey Dickason, Neal Prater (coach), Gary Schwiesow (coach) Mark Prater (batting instructor), Michael Wollan, Bob Wollan (coach), Mark Leth, Brian Davidson and Brian Schultz." — published by The Daily Chronicle on May 10, 1969

A Look Back in Time: WWII vets struggle to find housing in Twin Cities; Centralia College founder dies; Oakville band and Chehalis Tribal members prepare for Ireland trip

In this installment of A Look Back in Time, the Thursday, March 7, 1946, edition of The Chronicle featured a story about World War II veterans coming home and struggling to find housing, prompting … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 3/6/26

A Port Blakely volunteer selects the next bundle of trees for planting along Mill Creek.

Project along Mill Creek near Adna seeks to restore wildlife habitat by planting trees to help native salmon

Volunteers trekked to a remote portion of Mill Creek near Adna this week to help plant thousands of young trees for a project led by the Lewis Conservation District. Kelly Verd, senior projects … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 3/6/26

Podcaster Brandi Kruse leads a Let’s Go Washington rally supporting initiatives concerning parental rights and barring transgender athletes from participating in girls’ athletics at the Washington state Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 3.

Lewis County Republicans to feature Brandi Kruse at Lincoln Day Dinner

The Lewis County Republican Party is preparing to host its annual Lincoln Day Dinner with a special visit from podcast host Brandi Kruse. Local Republicans announced their annual Lincoln Day … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/6/26