Local News | The Daily Chronicle

Three new grain silos stand next to the rail spur at the construction site of the Southwest Washington Grain Project, located on Maurin Road in Chehalis, on Thursday, Sept. 25.

Construction ongoing at Southwest Washington Grain Project as three storage silos now installed

Three new grain silos are now standing at the Southwest Washington Grain Project construction site as building continues, according to Port of Chehalis Operations Manager William “Bill” … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 10/1/25

Two-time breast cancer survivor and Lewis County Breast Cancer Support Group founder, Candy Koons, and the first member of her group, Debbie Graham, pose for a photo together at the Vernetta Smith Chehalis Timberland Library on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025.

Members of Lewis County support group reflect on nearly two decades of fighting breast cancer

As October begins, get ready to see pink. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, pink becomes a popular color this time of year. Athletes wear pink under their uniforms, and runners and … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 10/1/25

Co-owners Tina and Tim Berquist pose for a photo in Quiznos at the Centralia Factory Outlets on Monday, Sept. 29.

Centralia Quiznos wins sandwich chain’s Restaurant of the Year and food safety awards

Having owned the Centralia Quiznos franchise for almost two decades — starting back in March 2007 — franchise owner Tina Berquist has again been recognized nationally, earning the … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 10/1/25

A new home under construction in Federal Way on Sept 3.

Washington residential construction permits down to 2013 levels

The number of residential construction permits issued in Washington state has fallen to 2013 levels, according to a new revenue forecast put out by the state Economic and Revenue Forecast Council. … more

By TJ Martinell / The Center Square | 10/1/25

Protesters hold signs during the “No Kings” rally along Pearl Street in Centralia on Saturday, June 14.

Second ‘No Kings’ demonstration to be held Oct.18 at George Washington Park in Centralia

A sequel to the June 14 “No Kings” non-violent protest is coming to Centralia’s George Washington Park on Saturday, Oct. 18, from noon to 3 p.m. for a peaceful demonstration. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 10/1/25

The podcasting room is pictured at The Chronicle’s new location in Centralia on Monday, Sept. 1.

News Dump Ep. 250: Reports of our demise have been mildly exaggerated

On the 250th episode of The Chronicle News Dump, hosts Aaron VanTuyl and Eric Schwartz discuss conducting an exhaustive search for a 911 director, candidate forums that didn’t happen on Monday, … more

9/30/25

Rafael Fernandez-Hernandez, 51, appears virtually in Lewis County Superior Court on Monday, July 14.

Chehalis man sentenced to 13 years to life in prison after pleading guilty to child molestation

Chehalis man Rafael Fernandez-Hernandez, 51, was sentenced to 13 years to life in prison Sept. 24 after pleading guilty to four counts of first-degree child molestation in August. A fifth count … more

By Jacob Farmer / jfarmer@chronline.com | 9/30/25

A line of clams are placed on a tailgate after being cleaned during a razor clam dig at the Grayland Beach on March 8, 2024.

The digs are on: WDFW approves seven days of coastal razor clam digs beginning Oct. 6

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) shellfish managers confirmed on Tuesday the first round of razor clam digging opportunities at Long Beach , Twin Harbors , Copalis and Mocrocks … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/30/25

Washington state’s minimum wage to top $17 in 2026

Washington state’s minimum wage will surpass $17 per hour in 2026. It will rise 2.8% to $17.13 per hour, starting Jan. 1, the state Department of Labor and Industries announced … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 9/30/25

The Walmart Supercenter at 540 Seventh Ave., Longview, seen on Tuesday, Sept. 30. Police say a man shot himself inside the store the day before.

Police: Suicide reported inside Walmart in Longview

Longview police say a man died after shooting himself inside the Seventh Avenue Walmart on Monday. Longview Capt. Braden McNew said the incident occurred around 10:30 a.m. He did not … more

By Matt Esnayra / The Daily News | 9/30/25

Rochester woman transported to hospital after collision on I-5 near Toutle River rest stop

Rochester woman Josefina O. Gonzalez-Knoerr, 50, was transported to PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center in Longview after her Honda CR-V was struck by another vehicle while driving south on … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/30/25

FILE PHOTO — The Lewis County Coroner’s Office held an interment ceremony in 2022 at the Pioneer Cemetery in Chehalis for the unclaimed remains of 12 people, including two babies.

Lewis County coroner: Unclaimed remains to be interred at cemetery in Chehalis

The public is invited to attend a ceremony to inter unclaimed remains held by the Lewis County Coroner’s Office. The ceremony will begin at noon Tuesday, Oct. 7, at Pioneer Cemetery … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/30/25

Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders waves during the Tenino Oregon Trail Days parade on Saturday, July 26.

Sheriff Sanders announces five town halls across Thurston County

Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders announced on Facebook that his annual town hall series will return across Thurston County next month with five events. Sanders will provide an update on the … more

By the Nisqually Valley News staff | 9/30/25

Salvador Ramirez, 28, Stockton, California, makes a video appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Monday, Sept. 29.

Man found with 89 pounds of meth-containing substance at Napavine truck stop

A 28-year-old California man faces felony charges in Lewis County after he was allegedly found with 89 pounds of a meth-containing substance at Love’s Travel Stop in Napavine on Sept. 26. … more

By Jacob Farmer / jfarmer@chronline.com | 9/29/25

Federal law enforcement agents, including with the U.S. Border Patrol, arrived at a site last month to demand identification from private contracting crews fighting the Bear Gulch Fire near Lake Cushman.

Congresswoman seeks protections for emergency responders nationwide after arrests of firefighters

After recent outrage over the arrests of two wildland firefighters by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) last month, one of Washington's congressional representatives says it should never … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 9/29/25

The detectives reportedly seized about 58 grams of suspected methamphetamine and $62,000 in cash.

Agencies team up to bust ‘major’ Winlock drug dealer

The Grays Harbor Drug Task Force (DTF) arrested and charged a “major drug dealer” from Winlock as part of an ongoing narcotics investigation, according to a Sept. 27 news release from the … more

By Jacob Farmer / jfarmer@chronline.com | 9/29/25

Maia Morales, left, and her sister, Thaleia Morales, operate their stand in the Kids Market section of the Country Chicks Fall Market at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds on Saturday, Sept. 27. The sale began Friday and stretched through Saturday afternoon. The cost of admission was reduced by $1 for those who brought a non-perishable food item. The food was donated to Lewis County Footsteps of Hope.

In focus: Country Chicks Fall Market brings deal seekers to fairgrounds

9/29/25

U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez speaks with Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey in the lobby of the Clark County Elections Office on Wednesday, Sept. 24. The congresswoman toured the facility and vowed to defend Washington’s vote-by-mail system against efforts made by the Trump administration to restrict it.

Gluesenkamp Perez vows to defend voting by mail

U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, visited the Clark County Auditor’s Office on Wednesday, Sept. 24, to tour the elections department and reaffirm her support for vote-by-mail amid … more

By Norman Helgason / For The Chronicle | 9/29/25

Randy Pennington pitchforks yard waste from the back of his pickup truck during a community recycle event in 2024.

Community recycling event to help western Lewis County residents clean up

A community recycling event will offer Lewis County residents an opportunity to recycle several materials and provide proper disposal for others on Saturday, Oct. 11, at the old Meskill Drop Box … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/29/25

Sirens: Defendants sentenced in superior court; woman accused of doing 'whippets' behind the wheel; man jailed for strangling family member

LEWIS COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT Sentencings • Donald W. Hogan, 52, Auburn, was sentenced to 15 months in prison and 12 months of community custody Sept. 26 after pleading guilty to … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/29/25