Local News | The Daily Chronicle

Chehalis Parks Department seeks community feedback with Stan Hedwall Park survey

The City of Chehalis Parks Department has released a survey looking for feedback on how to best reinvigorate Stan Hedwall Park. The survey first asks biographical information, including if the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/14/25

A contestant makes a frog jump during the Toledo Cheese Days frog jumping contest at Toledo High School on Friday, July 11. It’s a tradition that dates back to 1981. Each jumper gets 30 seconds and can do anything but touch the frog to get it to move. The frog’s total jump distance in that time limit is added together, resulting in their total distance. At the end of the competition, the top three jumpers get cash prizes. Toledo’s annual Cheese Days festival began Thursday and ended on Sunday.

In focus: A hopping good time at Cheese Days frog jumping contest

7/14/25

Bikers take a break at Centralia College during the Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic in Centralia on Saturday, July 12. An estimated 6,000 bicyclists rode through Lewis County and the rest of Western Washington on Saturday for the Seattle to Portland Classic, better known as the STP. Centralia College is the official halfway point of the ride, with the college and others partnering to offer food, services and camping space. It was the 46th edition of the ride, which takes participants on the 206-mile journey from Seattle to Portland. “Begun in 1979, STP is sold out for 2025 with the biggest number of registrants since prior to the pandemic,” said Lee Lambert, Cascade Bicycle Club’s executive director. He attributes the increased ridership to new marketing, outreach and community partnership initiatives Cascade has implemented. “We have worked hard to spread the message that STP is an inclusive, welcoming and fully supported ride that is open to everyone no matter their race, background, gender identity, body type, or biking ability,” Lambert said.

In focus: About 6,000 bicyclists ride through Lewis County for 46th STP

7/14/25

Lea Elder, left, and her mother Linda smell their bundles of lavender at the Toledo Lavender Festival on Saturday, July 12, at 161 Templeton Road, Toledo. The event began on Friday and continued through Sunday. “Your favorite local vendors are back, bringing handcrafted goods, art and delicious treats,” organizers stated. “They’ve been working hard to bring you something special!” Learn more here: https://tinyurl.com/ycymy3ht

In focus: Lavender Festival held over three days in Toledo

7/14/25

People walk in to buy ice cream during a celebration for the one-year anniversary of The Creamery in Centralia on Friday, July 11. The business, a Lewis County Coffee Co. venture, held a party to mark the occasion, complete with free mini cones, face painting a balloon artist and more.

In focus: The Creamery celebrates one year in Centralia

7/14/25

Mount Rainier is pictured from Adna on Thursday, Dec. 5.

‘Larger swarm than anything we’ve seen’: Mount Rainier quakes reach historic levels

“It’s now a larger swarm than anything we’ve seen since we’ve been (seismic) monitoring anything at Mount Rainier,” Alex Iezzi, a research geophysicist, said in an … more

By Shea Johnson / The News Tribune | 7/14/25

Dustin Klatush connects on a swing during the Seattle All-Star Classic Home Run Derby at Cheney Stadium on Saturday, July 12.

Chehalis tribal chairman dazzles in celebrity softball game at Cheney Stadium

It was only right that Dustin Klatush, chairman of the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation, made the game-ending double play several feet from the tribe’s sponsorship sign in center … more

By Dylan Reubenking / dylanr@chronline.com | 7/14/25

Members of the Northwest Futures Fastpitch League high five Sis Bates as she is introduced at an Athletes Unlimited Softball League game at Husky Softball Stadium in Seattle on Sunday, July 13.

Northwest Futures Fastpitch League athletes meet AUSL stars at Husky Stadium

Parker and Rylleigh Zbaraschuk, co-owners of The Yard PNW in Lewis County, continue to deliver on their promise to provide opportunities for fastpitch athletes of all ages. Nine members of their … more

By Dylan Reubenking / dylanr@chronline.com | 7/14/25

Centralia's Eva Reinitz wrestles Washington High's Nina Sakumoto in the second round of the Class 2A 115-pound bracket at Mat Classic XXXVI on Friday, Feb. 21 inside the Tacoma Dome.

Area wrestlers unable to go far at Fargo

Despite the in-state resumes of Sloane Kruger, Lucy Hornby and the Reinitz sisters of Ramona and Eva, the four local girls never found their footing to earn All-American status at the most … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/14/25

Sarah Williams, a professor at Evergreen State College, packages a harvest box at the Southwest Washington Food Hub warehouse in Chehalis on Wednesday, July 9.

Southwest Washington Food Hub sees success, looks to continue growth

Before industrialized shipping and food production, there was a time when people had to eat food that was grown nearby. Now, eating locally seems like a luxury to many. The Southwest … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 7/14/25

Casa Grande, Arizona resident Chuck Rucker Jr.'s resto-mod 1935 Ford pick up truck sits parked in the Toledo Middle School field on Saturday, July 12, during the 25th annual Toledo Cheese Days Car Show.

Over 250 vehicles officially enter 25th annual Toledo Cheese Days Car Show

With the sun gleaming off freshly waxed paint and polished chrome, 262 gearheads officially entered their prized rides to the 25th annual Toledo Cheese Days Car Show on Saturday, July 12, at the … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 7/14/25

Over $200,000 raised by supporters after Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad trestle bridge burns down

Back at the end of April, the Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad’s wooden trestle bridge located between Mineral and Morton burned down in a fire that was believed to have been deliberately started. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/14/25

Pedestrian killed after being hit by three vehicles in Cowlitz County

A 31-year-old Longview woman was fatally struck on Tennant Way, also known as State Route 432, Monday morning. The collision occurred at 4:27 a.m. at milepost nine, east of the Harry E. Morgan … more

By The Daily News | 7/14/25

Washington state government spending surges 116% since 2015

Washington state faces deficit spending by 2028 as lawmakers just hit taxpayers with the state's largest combined tax increase – all driven by massive state spending increases over the past … more

By TJ Martinell / The Center Square | 7/14/25

"The Yard Birds shopping center has added another big bird to its flock to keep watch over the north parking lot. This unflinching mama fowl has a more dutiful task, however, than her 60-foot colleague who welcomes customers to the south parking lot. Her job is to make a nest for the Yard Bird helicopter. When the little bird lands, the big bird spreads its wings. The little bird is then wheeled into the nest on a steel track and loaded securely inside." — published by The Daily Chronicle on May 20, 1976

History Pub: Museum director to deliver Yard Birds history talk at McMenamins Olympic Club

While it has been closed since August 2022, renovations to the old Yard Birds shopping mall in Chehalis continue under the direction of its new owners PISTON LLC, a partnership between Douglas LeMay … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/13/25

Two hurt in two-car wreck near Elma, Washington State Patrol says

Two drivers were hurt Saturday near Elma, according to Washington State Patrol. About 10:40 a.m., a 79-year-old Hoquiam woman was headed east on U.S. Highway 12 at state Route 8, and a … more

By Rolf Boone / The Olympian (TNS) | 7/13/25

A 16-year-old driver led deputies on a 100 mph chase in a stolen car Saturday night or Sunday morning. The passenger begged to stop before deputies used a PIT maneuver.

Driver, 16, eludes deputies at 100 miles per hour, Thurston County sheriff says

A 16-year-old driver accused of fleeing from law enforcement was arrested on suspicion of multiple crimes Saturday night or early Sunday morning, according to Thurston County Sheriff Derek … more

By Rolf Boone / The Olympian (TNS) | 7/13/25

Red flag warning says Washington’s Cascades ripe for wildfire

Elevated wildfire risk is in the forecast through Monday evening. The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for conditions conducive to extreme fire behavior from 2 to 9 p.m. Sunday … more

Isabella Breda / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/13/25

Nine Thurston County parks and conservation projects get $7.1 million from state

Washington state has awarded more than $7.1 million for park improvements and conservation efforts in Thurston County. The money will go toward nine projects located in Thurston County, the … more

Martín Bilbao / The Olympian (TNS) | 7/13/25

A plane flies over Mount Rainier as the sun sets on Thursday, April 18.

Mount Rainier earthquake swarms decline in activity even as strongest registered Friday

Volcano watchers said Saturday the Mount Rainier earthquake swarm rates continued to decrease. The Cascades Volcano Observatory and Pacific Northwest Seismic Network recorded 464 events since … more

The Oregonian / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 7/12/25