Local News | The Daily Chronicle

Anti-ICE protesters march on Fourth Avenue in Olympia on Monday, Jan. 26.

Downtown Olympia anti-ICE protest was ‘relatively peaceful,’ police say

A couple of store displays were the only casualties of a Monday evening protest in downtown Olympia that ended with a march from Fourth Avenue to Capital Mall, according to the Olympia Police Department … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@thurstonchronicle.com | 1/27/26

Staff members of Sticklin-Brown Funeral Chapel pose for a photo with the 2025 Business of the Year Award during the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce annual banquet at Centralia College on Friday, Jan. 23.

Sticklin-Brown Funeral Chapel, Paula Burrows and Cory Moses honored at chamber banquet

Leaders of the Twin Cities business community gathered in Centralia on Friday to celebrate a year of growth, service and community. The Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce held its annual … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 1/26/26

The colors of the Seattle Seahawks adorn one of Winlock's famous 400-pound, cast-iron rooster statues on Fir Street in Winlock on Sunday, Jan. 25, ahead of the Seahawks matchup against the Los Angeles Rams to be crowned the NFL's NFC Champions with the George Halas Trophy.

In Focus: Winlock rooster statue gets decked out as Seahawks punch ticket to the Super Bowl

1/26/26

Lewis County Rodeo Court Queen Kylee Smith speaks to the crowd during the Lewis County Rodeo Court Coronation at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds Community Events Building in Centralia on Saturday, Jan. 24.

In Focus: Lewis County Rodeo Royalty Court Coronation

1/26/26

Participants take their first step into the water during the Special Olympics Washington Lewis County Polar Plunge at Mayfield Lake Park in Mossyrock on Saturday, Jan. 24. Dozens of folks took a cold plunge into Mayfield Lake in freezing temperatures on Saturday morning — all to support Lewis County Special Olympics athletes. The Lewis County Icicle Brigade Polar Plunge has become an annual tradition. Each of the participants help raise funds to support local athletes ahead of the plunge. The event is championed by a long list of supporters, including the Centralia Police Department, the Chehalis Police Department, the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office and the Chehalis Tribal Police Department. The plunge has been organized and supported by state Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Chehalis, since its inception.

In Focus: Taking the plunge for Special Olympics at Mayfield Lake

1/26/26

Sirens: Arrests for drug possession; man accused of starting fire on private property; Centralia K9 assists Chehalis police

CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Arrests • Phoenix Varley, 22, Chehalis, was arrested in the 1200 block of Lum Road at about 7:50 a.m. Jan. 23 and booked into the Lewis County Jail for alleged … more

1/26/26

Centralia, Chehalis police team with local firefighters and volunteers to locate missing woman

Several law enforcement and public safety agencies teamed up last Friday to locate a missing elderly woman with dementia who had disappeared on foot as night fell amid freezing temperatures in … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/26/26

Lewis County Assessor Ross Nielson sits in the courthouse in Chehalis in June 2023 for hearings with the Board of Equalization.

Lewis County begins property appraisals for 2027 tax year

The Lewis County Assessor’s Office is set to begin in-person assessments of local properties for property taxes to be paid in 2027 . The assessor’s office assesses a sixth of the properties … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/26/26

Independent candidate considers campaign for Washington's Third Congressional District

Another candidate is considering a campaign for Washington’s Third Congressional District, possibly adding another level to an already closely watched race. Former Washington state … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 1/26/26

Shari Watt talks to Red Cross employee Brianna Buchanan while donating blood at an American Red Cross blood drive in the Lewis County Courthouse in Chehalis on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024.

Code Red declared as dangerously low blood supply affects hospitals and emergency centers in Washington state

Two of the three regional blood banks serving Washington state are facing a severe blood shortage due to the lingering effects from heavy rains and floods in December, combined with a slowdown in … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/26/26

Justice Department’s Western District of Washington observes National Human Trafficking Prevention month

Last week, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Western District of Washington observed National Human Trafficking Prevention Month and joined the U.S. Departments of Justice (DOJ) and Homeland … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/26/26

Centralia College professor emeritus featured in New York Times article on Mount Rainier lahars

Pat Pringle, geologist and professor emeritus at Centralia College, is featured in a recent New York Times article exploring how dendrochronology — that is, the dating of tree rings — helped … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/26/26

Reps. Walsh and Keaton to Gov. Ferguson: Don’t leave $732M for Washington’s kids from feds on the table

Washington state Reps. Michael Keaton and Jim Walsh are urging Gov. Bob Ferguson to opt Washington into a new federal K-12 scholarship tax-credit program that could bring an estimated $732 million a … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/26/26

City of Chehalis seeks applicants for planning, historic preservation commissions

The City of Chehalis is currently accepting applications to fill vacancies on the planning commission and the historic preservation commission. The planning commission plays a vital role in … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/26/26

Centralia man transported to hospital following motorhome fire

A Centralia man was transported to Providence Centralia Hospital following a reported motorhome fire in the 300 block of Latona Street at about 7:30 a.m. Jan. 22, according to the Riverside Fire … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/26/26

This map provided by the Centralia Downtown Association shows where the City of Centralia will plant trees.

City of Centralia to plant eight new trees downtown

The City of Centralia is planting eight new trees in the downtown area as part of an ongoing effort to enhance safety, shade, walkability and long-term vibrancy, according to a news release from the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/26/26

The Centralia High School band performs in this photo provided by the Centralia Community Foundation.

Anonymous donor provides $25K for Centralia School District Music Department

The Centralia Community Foundation announced Jan. 18 that it has received a $25,000 anonymous donation designated specifically for the Centralia School District Music Department. For some time, … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/26/26

Various cannabis products hang on display at The Evergreen Egg on Sunday, Jan. 25, in Winlock.

Lewis County’s fifth retail cannabis store now open for business in Winlock

Fresh off the heels of U.S. President Donald Trump reclassifying marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III controlled substance last month, a newly licensed retail cannabis dispensary is now open … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 1/26/26

Beatbox Donuts owner Steve Hubbard hands an order of “Chocolate Rocks” mini-donuts to a customer at Beatbox Donuts’ new storefront in downtown Centralia on Thursday, Oct. 9.

Beatbox Donut to host ribbon-cutting event at new downtown Centralia location

While National Donut Day may still be months away on June 5, donut lovers are still invited to Beatbox Donuts in downtown Centralia on Tuesday, Feb. 3, for the business’ official ribbon-cutting … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/26/26

A passenger in a Charger that crashed into a cement barrier in the Olympia area at speeds well over 100 mph on Saturday is in critical condition, according to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office.

Man arrested for vehicular assault after crashing into concrete barrier at 100 mph in Thurston County, paralyzing passenger

A passenger in a Dodge Charger that crashed into a cement barrier in the Olympia area at speeds well over 100 mph on Saturday is in critical condition, according to the Thurston County Sheriff’s … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@thurstonchronicle.com | 1/26/26