Local News | The Daily Chronicle

Wilson bill would permit voluntary contributions for sea lion control

A proposal from Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview, would expand Washington state’s efforts to control sea lions by asking boaters for voluntary contributions when they renew vessel licenses. … more

By The Daily World | 12/12/25

The Chehalis River flows past Cosmopolis and to the harbor.

Judge rules feds cut FEMA’s BRIC program unlawfully

On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Richard Stearns in Boston ruled that the Trump administration unlawfully terminated the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Building Resilient … more

By Jerry Knaak / The Daily World | 12/12/25

The Skagit River in Mount Vernon hits a record high at 9 p.m. on Thursday night. One Mount Vernon police officer said the water level had climbed almost a foot in an hour. (Photo by Eli Voorhies for Washington State Standard)

Trump administration OKs Washington state emergency declaration for record flooding

As rivers began to recede, the federal government on Friday approved Washington’s request for aid to respond to ongoing record flooding. Gov. Bob Ferguson said he received a call from U.S. … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 12/12/25

A Swift Water Rescue Team rescues Barbara Bennett from an inundated fifth wheel near the Cowlitz River in Randle on Tuesday, Dec. 9.

United Ways of the Pacific Northwest activates Disaster Recovery Fund

As rivers begin to recede, Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson announced on Friday the federal government approved the state’s request for aid to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency … more

Submitted by United Way | 12/12/25

An Elk runs across Cannon Road in Packwood on Thursday, Dec. 11.

In Focus: Elk unbothered by flooding in Packwood

12/12/25

The Cowlitz River runs under a washed out area of the foundation of a home in Packwood on Thursday, Dec. 11.

Limited damage, no deaths reported as East Lewis County flooding subsides

Some Packwood residents returned to their homes Thursday afternoon, Dec. 11, to find them soaked, their yards littered with debris and two neighboring houses close to slipping into the river. … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 12/12/25

Liam Gilmore, left, and Elijah McHenery kayak through flood water over Peters Road to bring supplies to McHenery’s mom in Randle on Thursday, Dec. 11.

In Focus: Supplies delivered via kayak amid Cowlitz River flooding in Randle

12/12/25

Sirens: Two arrested for lewd conduct in public; eight pairs of shoes stolen from store; Nintendo Switch taken by porch pirate

CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Harassment • A case of harassment, occurring via cell phone, was reported in the 100 block of North Gold Street just before 11:50 a.m. on Dec. 10. This case … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/12/25

Nicholas Denham was originally convicted by a jury in 2022 for the aggravated first-degree murder of his former girlfriend, Charlene Van Auken, and her 4-year-old daughter, Zoey Peetz. His conviction was overturned on appeal. He has now been found guilty once again.

Thurston County man convicted again for 2020 murder of woman and child

Nicholas Denham has again been found guilty for the aggravated first-degree murder of his former girlfriend, Charlene Van Auken, and her 4-year-old daughter, Zoey Peetz, in 2020. A sentencing … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/12/25

This block of wood was 12 feet 9 inches the narrow way and 14 feet the big way (at its widest). The log was felled by Davis & Maras of Packwood in late 1945. Shown in the parking area, the block of wood was sent out for display to the Northwest Door Co. of Tacoma. Because of the shortages of the war, all the cars shown in the background were made prior to 1942. On top of the log is A.A. Spike Maras. Looking up at the log are Maras; partners in the Davis & Maras Co. of Packwood — Fred Davis and P.J. Maras. Photo and information originally submitted by A.A. Spike Maras for The Chronicle's Our Hometowns books.

A Look Back in Time: National Guard captain clashes with Centralia officials; East County residents convicted on moonshining charges; Cowlitz River hatcheries damaged by flood

In this installment of A Look Back in Time, the Friday, Dec. 13, 1935, edition of The Chronicle featured a story about Washington National Guard 41st Tank Company commander Captain A.S. Kresky … more

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

Metal debris is pictured wrapped around a metal post after the Cowlitz River flooded into the area off of Slalom Way in Packwood on Thursday, Dec. 11.

After flooding subsides, Lewis County officials work to waive fees for water testing, address waste disposal

Lewis County staff and the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) are transitioning their focus toward the recovery phase of this month’s flooding as the atmospheric river begins to die down. … more

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

Todd O’Mealy carries debris in the front yard of a home off of Slalom Way that was affected in Packwood on Thursday, Dec. 11.

Lewis County opens flood damage hotline as attention begins to focus on recovery

Lewis County has established a dedicated damage assessment hotline for residents whose homes or properties were affected by recent flooding. Flood-impacted community members are asked to call … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/12/25

Centralia resident opens new chiropractic clinic in Toledo

Nicholaus Martin, a 2014 Centralia High School graduate and longtime resident of the Hub City, is accomplishing a lifelong dream of opening a chiropractic clinic in Lewis County. He founded … more

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

Exhibitors hold their sheep for judges at the Thurston County Fair in Lacey on Thursday, Aug. 1.

Thurston County Fairgrounds secures over $1.25 million for new agricultural center

Thurston County has secured more than $1.25 million in combined federal and state funding to construct the Thurston County Fairgrounds Evacuation and Agricultural Center (TCF-EVAC), the county … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/12/25

Located at 130 N. 2nd St. in downtown Toledo, Toledo City Hall is pictured on Monday, May 19.

Toledo City Council approves city’s 2026 budget; city staff look for residents to fill council, planning commission and park board vacancies

With 2025 coming to a close, members of the Toledo City Council approved the South Lewis County community’s budget for 2026 during its first regular meeting of December following the … more

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

Bucoda Mayor Callie Carpenter speaks with open house attendees about the future capability of the Bucoda Gym as a mixed-use space on Wednesday, Dec. 10.

Seeking assistance with renovations, Bucoda city officials give tour of historic gym to state lawmakers

A gym was constructed in 1939 at 403 N. Nenant St. in Bucoda. For years now, the historic building has been home to the Boo-Coda Spook-Tacular Haunted House during the South Thurston County … more

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

Man arrested for allegedly breaking into vacant Centralia grocery store in October

A man accused of breaking into the vacant First Street Grocery Store in Centralia in October has been arrested. Bail is set at $20,000 for Jonathan Patrick Church, 32, of Centralia. He was … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 12/12/25

A Swift Water Rescue Team rescues Mel Romero from an inundated fifth wheel near the Cowlitz River in Randle on Tuesday, Dec. 9.

MGP joins state congressional delegation in calling for federal emergency declaration

Update: Gov. Bob Ferguson offered the following statement on Washington's request for federal emergency assistance on Friday morning after the publication of this article: "I just received a phone … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/12/25

Millions of future Christmas trees get their start at Weyerhaeuser’s Forest Regeneration Center in Rochester. Of the 25 to 30 million seedlings grown there annually, most go to support future regeneration efforts on Weyerhaeuser’s timberlands.

In Focus: Weyerhaeuser’s Rochester Nursery ships up to 6 million seedlings to Christmas tree growers every year

Weyerhaeuser’s Rochester Nursery ships about five to six million seedlings to Christmas tree growers across the U.S. and Canada every year, Weyerhaeuser Senior Communications Manager Matt … more

Photos and captions courtesy of Weyerhaeuser Senior Communications Manager Matt Peterson | 12/12/25

The Cowlitz River runs against the bank of homes off of Slalom Way in Packwood on Thursday, Dec. 11.

‘People just don’t listen’: Packwood fire chief says over 60 rescues were conducted as Cowlitz River flooded

As light rain continued to fall, Cascade Peaks Family Campground co-owner Fred Dills was just beginning to inspect the damage after the Cowlitz River bordering his campground swelled to major flood … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 12/11/25