Local News | The Daily Chronicle

Centralia College graduates and their families gather on Littel Commencement Field during the Centralia College class of 2025 commencement ceremony on Wednesday, June 18.

Centralia College to host one-day registration events on Aug. 12, Aug. 14, and Sept. 8

Ready to get started at Centralia College, but not sure where to start? Get on the fast track with your registration, admission and financial aid at one of three one-day registration events in the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/6/25

From left to right, Linda Haskill, Jan Leth and Missy Young pose with the nearly 1,200 pairs of socks raised by Stillwaters Estates for Kids’ Kloset on Monday, Aug. 4.

Stillwaters Estates in Centralia collects nearly 1,200 pairs of socks for Kids' Kloset ‘Sock it to ‘em’ drive

An annual event to make sure children in need can start school with the proper attire has resulted in the collection of nearly 1,200 pairs of socks — doubling the number from last year. … more

By Tyrus VanTuyl / ty@chronline.com | 8/6/25

Author Sandy Crowell smiles for a photo with her book “The Ravaged Forest” during an authors book signing event at Book n Brush in Chehalis on Saturday, Dec. 21.

Borst Home Museum to present awards to Helen Sanders and Sandra A. Crowell

Helen Sanders and Sandra A. Crowell will both receive awards at the Historic Borst Home and Museum in Centralia at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9. An open house will also be held from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/6/25

Women charged with trafficking stolen property after theft from Centralia Outlets

Two Tacoma women were arrested Friday, Aug. 1, and charged Monday in Lewis County Superior Court with first-degree trafficking in stolen property after a theft of $600 worth of items from the Polo … more

By Dylan Reubenking / dylanr@chronline.com | 8/6/25

Sirens: Two arrested for robbery in Centralia; brass knuckles, drug paraphernalia lead to citation; several contacted for illegal camping

CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Arrests • Craig D. Ballard, 38, Bradley W. Hart, 40, and Natalie J. Hieronymus, 61, all of Centralia, were each arrested and issued criminal citations at … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/6/25

Students receive school supplies during a “Back To School” resource fair hosted by the Lewis County Youth Mentorship Program in the TransAlta Commons on Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023, at Centralia College.

Lewis County Youth Mentorship Program prepares for annual upcoming Back to School Supply Give-Away and Resource Fair on Aug. 21

With summer vacation ending soon for many students throughout Lewis County, the Lewis County Youth Mentorship Program is gearing up to hold its annual Back to School Supply Give-Away and Resource … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/6/25

Marcus Storvick, right, receives the Thurston County Road Administration Board's Project Manager of the Year award from Steve Johnson during the Thurston County Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 5.

Thurston County Road Administration Board names project manager of the year

The Thurston County Road Administration Board (CRAB) named Marcus Storvick its 2025 project manager of the year with an award presentation during the Thurston County Board of Commissioners meeting … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/6/25

Chehalis man accused of assaulting woman, damaging her vehicle

A 20-year-old Chehalis man is accused of assaulting his girlfriend and damaging her vehicle while intoxicated, according to court documents. Tristan Nicholaus Baker made his initial appearance … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/6/25

U.S. News & World Report names Providence Swedish among nation’s best hospitals

Providence Swedish hospitals throughout the Puget Sound region have again been recognized for their overall excellence, as well as excellence in specialty areas, in U.S. News & World … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/6/25

Toxic algae health advisory in effect for McIntosh Lake near Tenino

Thurston County Public Health and Social Services is reporting a toxic algae bloom for McIntosh Lake near Tenino. Lab results from a sample collected from McIntosh Lake on July 30 detected … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/6/25

Rochester’s senior valedictorian Grace Morgan speaks during a commencement ceremony at Saint Martin’s University in Lacey on Sunday, June 8.

Rochester graduate to travel to South Korea for U.S. Department of State language initiative program

Grace Morgan of Tenino will study the Korean language for eight to 10 months in South Korea on a National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI‑Y) scholarship, according to a recent news … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/6/25

Cascade Community Healthcare and Columbia Wellness receive state endorsement for Mobile Rapid Response Crisis Teams

Cascade Community Healthcare and Columbia Wellness have officially received endorsement letters from the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) for its Mobile Rapid Response Crisis Teams. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/6/25

Ridley Hudson / ridley@chronline.com Washington State University Master Recycler Composters (MRC) of Lewis County Tool Bucket Library volunteers pose for a photo with Lewis County Commissioners Lindsey Pollock, Sean Swope and Scott Brummer during a Lewis County Board of Commissioners business meeting at the Lewis County Courthouse in Chehalis on Tuesday, Aug. 5. “The Lewis County Board of County Commissioners extends sincere thanks to the dedicated Lewis County Master Recycler Composter volunteers who helped bring the Tool Library to life at the Chehalis Timberland Regional Library,” the commissioners stated on Facebook Wednesday. At the Aug. 5 meeting, WSU Extension Program Educator Jason Abrams and Lewis County Public Works Recycling Coordinator Melanie Case presented certificates of appreciation to the volunteers. Special plaques were awarded to Brad and Lynn Ford in recognition of their outstanding contributions. Volunteers honored were Brad Ford, Lynn Ford, Steve Hakkola, Bob Majoros, Brooke Richardson, Noel Beckford, Mary Jean Marsh, Jerry Durr, Dick Morrison, Paul and Val Rasku, Windermere Centralia and Catherine (Cat) Varner. The tool library was recently opened to help residents borrow tools for projects around their homes and gardens. The tool library catalog, which features a diverse collection of tools for home and yard maintenance, sewing, cooking, hobbies and games, can be viewed at www.mrctoolbucketlibrary.org. The site also has instructions on becoming a member to check out tools. Membership options are flexible with pay-what-you-can, monthly or annual donations to support the shared resources. Members can reserve tools Saturday through Thursday for pickup at the Floral Park Sustainability Project, 104 E. Floral St. in Centralia on Friday between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Borrowed tools will be due the following Friday. Tool library hours will expand as more volunteers become involved, according to a news release.

In focus: Lewis County Tool Bucket volunteers honored by commissioners

Washington State University Master Recycler Composters (MRC) of Lewis County Tool Bucket Library volunteers were acknowledged and honored by Lewis County Commissioners Lindsey Pollock, Sean … more

Ridley Hudson / ridley@chronline.com | 8/6/25

Edward Guenther, 34, Chehalis, makes an initial appearance in Lewis County Superior Court via video on Monday, Aug. 4.

Chehalis man faces felony charges after arrest in countywide vehicle prowling case

A Chehalis man made an initial appearance in Lewis County Superior Court Monday, Aug. 4, after being arrested on Friday by the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office in connection to a series of vehicle … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 8/6/25

Stephen Roy Lee, 65, of Woodland, makes a video appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Monday, Aug. 4.

Man accused of brandishing gun during road rage incident on Interstate 5 in Lewis County

A 65-year-old Woodland man is accused of brandishing a handgun during a road rage incident on Interstate 5 in Lewis County on Saturday, Aug. 2. Stephen Roy Lee made his preliminary appearance in … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 8/6/25

Gretchen Moore, treasurer of United Way Lewis County, smiles after she won the 2025 “Woman of Distinction” award during the annual Power of the Purse event at Centralia College on Tuesday, Aug. 5.

In focus: ‘Woman of Distinction’ honored at United Way’s Power of the Purse event

8/6/25

Local baseball: Centralia’s Van Der Hoeff gets early exposure at showcase

No matter the responsibility, Wyatt Van Der Hoeff will do it with his best foot forward. He could be asked to do a bullpen then turn around and catch a game. Mark Mounts, the assistant coach for … more

By Zach Martin / zach@chronline.com | 8/6/25

Lewis County Commissioners pose for a photo with Alternate Dairy Ambassador Addie Hodel, Little Miss Friendly finalists and Miss Lewis County Madeline Scalici during the Board of Commissioners business meeting at the Lewis County Courthouse in Chehalis on Tuesday, Aug. 5.

Southwest Washington Fair officials visit Lewis County commissioners ahead of annual showcase

During the Board of Lewis County Commissioners business meeting on Tuesday, the three elected county leaders took a short break for a hula hoop contest. The odd exercise came at the request of … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 8/6/25

An AI-made video portrayal of Toledo settler Simon Plomondon talks during a Greater Toledo Heritage and Horizons presentation made at the Monday, Aug. 4, Toledo City Council meeting inside Toledo City Hall.

Greater Toledo Heritage and Horizons unveils long-term revitalization project focused on historical preservation, asks for council’s help

Over a dozen attendees filled the council chambers inside Toledo City Hall on Monday, Aug. 4, for the Toledo City Council meeting. Among the items discussed on the agenda included the … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 8/6/25

Pastor Darcy Fast poses for a photo in the new location of his church, Heritage Community Church, at the Veterans Memorial Museum in Chehalis on Tuesday, Aug. 5. Fast will hold Launch Sunday at Heritage Community Church at 10 a.m. Sept. 7 at the museum in Chehalis.

Former Centralia pastor and Major League Baseball player Darcy Fast set to open new ministry in Chehalis

A homecoming is set to take place in early September when longtime Centralia Community Church pastor and former Major League Baseball player Darcy Fast will hold his first service as the lead pastor … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 8/6/25