Local News | The Daily Chronicle

The Centralia High School Homecoming royalty court smiles for a photo at Tiger Stadium on Friday, Sept. 25.

In Focus: Centralia celebrates Homecoming court and Alumni Night

9/28/26

Lewis County Historical Museum Executive Director Doug DeVany welcomes visitors to the downtown Chehalis museum on Friday, Sept. 25.

Doug DeVany named full-time director of Lewis County Historical Museum

After naming him interim executive director earlier this summer following the previous director’s departure, members of the Lewis County Historical Society have officially selected Doug DeVany as … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 9/28/26

Fresh snow from Friday's storm can be seen on the both the slopes and inside the crater of Mount St. Helens on Sunday, Sept. 27, as seen from Schoen Road near Silver Creek.

In Focus: Snow returns to adorn Mount St. Helens with arrival of fall

9/28/26

Thurston Chronicle launches as hyperlocal weekly newspaper

In January 2021, Lewis County-based CT Publishing entered the world of journalism, purchasing The Chronicle in Centralia, the Nisqually Valley News in Yelm, and The Reflector in Clark County. … more

By Thurston Chronicle staff | 9/28/26

Newly-appointed Centralia School Board member Leah Sisemore walks to the front of the room for her swearing-in ceremony at Centralia High School on Thursday, Sept. 24.

In Focus: New member sworn in, teachers and students celebrated at Centralia School Board meeting

9/28/26

A Columbian white-tailed buck reacts to a large amount of deer flies on its body at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge River S Unit on Saturday, Sept. 26.

Summer turns to fall at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge

Before you know it, orange leaves and rainy days will be encompassing everyday life in Southwest Washington. The Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge’s River "S" Unit is one of the best places … more

By Cade Barker / The Reflector | 9/28/26

Attendees walk past the Tumwater Falls Fest sign at Brewery Park in Tumwater during the annual event on Saturday, Sept. 26.

In Focus: Tumwater Falls Fest marks arrival of autumn

9/28/26

The Washington Federation of State Employees largest unit of government workers approved a new two-year contract containing no general pay increase for thousands of workers. In late August, union members across the state, including about 100 in Olympia, held a midday informational picket to spotlight their demand for higher wages.

Washington state worker union OKs new contract with no pay hike

In a closely watched decision, Washington’s largest union of state government workers has ratified a new two-year contract that provides no pay raises but avoids takeaways on health care and other … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 9/28/26

Roots to Rise lived experience panelists speak to the audience during the fundraising dinner on Sunday evening.

Lewis County therapeutic court grads share life-changing impacts of programs

Seeking to further dismiss the stigma surrounding addiction and mental health crises, eight current and former participants of Lewis County Therapeutic Courts shared their experiences entering, … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 9/28/26

The Onalaska Fire Department mascot walks through town during the Apple Harvest Festival Parade in Onalaska on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025.

Fire district to host Onalaska Apple Harvest Festival ‘duck races,’ a challenge course, demonstrations and more

With the annual Onalaska Apple Harvest Festival set to kick off this Thursday and continue through Sunday, the firefighters and paramedics at Lewis County Fire District (LCFD) 1 are preparing to host … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 9/28/26

League of Women Voters of Washington interviews Washington state Supreme Court candidates

With a majority of state Supreme Court seats in play on the Nov. 3 ballot and controversial issues likely to come before the justices, the League of Women Voters of Washington (LWV) has created an … more

By Thurston Chronicle staff | 9/28/26

Toys R Us coming back to three Western Washington locations

Feeling nostalgic for the old days when people shopped in person for holiday gifts? You may feel some fulfillment when Toys R Us stores return to South Hill Mall in Puyallup, the Outlet Collection … more

By Alexis Weisend / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 9/28/26

Fifth suspect arrested in Roy in connection to the deadly Chelan Hills fire

Detectives with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, working in collaboration with the U.S. Marshals Service Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force, have apprehended a fifth suspect wanted … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/25/26

Cars drive past Durrell Bell as he walks along Harrison Avenue in Centralia carrying a cross upon his shoulder on Friday, Sept. 25.

Man with cross walks to Olympia with a simple message: “Jesus loves ‘em”

Wind ripped through the air picking up any ungrounded objects in its path as a storm hit Lewis County on Friday, but Durrell Bell stayed anchored to the ground from the weight of the nearly 6-foot-5 … more

By Otto Rabe / otto@chronline.com | 9/25/26

City of Centralia workers look at a fallen tree outside of Timberland Regional Library in Centralia on Friday, Sept. 25. A powerful windstorm swept through Lewis County and surrounding regions overnight into Friday morning, knocking out power, causing trees to fall and closing roadways — among them Interstate 5 and state Route 507. The storm also disrupted schools and businesses throughout the morning. As of Friday afternoon, city and county officials were still taking stock of the damage and working to restore services. Look for an updated report in the Tuesday edition of The Chronicle.

In Focus: Wind wreaks havoc in Lewis County and beyond

9/25/26

Pheasants in their pen on the southwestern edge of the Bob Oke Game Farm in Centralia on August 26, 2025.

Centralia City Council tours Bob Oke Game Farm with WDFW for update on contamination mitigation

After a Friday Sept. 18, tour of the Bob Oke Game Farm with the Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), Centralia City Council members said they were satisfied with mitigation … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 9/25/26

William Benjamin Bernstein, 56, Centralia makes a video appearance in Lewis County Superior Court from the jail on Thursday, Sept. 24.

Man’s ploy to avoid arrest doesn’t fool Centralia police

A 56-year-old Centralia man is behind bars after calling in a fake crime to avoid arrest. William Benjamin Bernstein refused to make his initial appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/25/26

Jim and Cindy Smith, at the far right, pose for a photo with Adna seniors and their Adna Car Show scholarship check at Adna High School on Thursday, Sept. 24.

Adna Grocery owners have raised $189,808 for scholarships since 2020

On Thursday, the owners of Adna Grocery, Jim and Cindy Smith, presented Adna High School students with an oversized check made out for $48,926.48. That's the amount that was raised during the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/25/26

Rick Conklin, left, receives the “Lee Coumbs Opportunity Seized Award” during an unveiling ceremony of the newly named Lee Coumbs Exposition Hall at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds on Friday, May 2, 2025.

Prominent community volunteer sentenced to nearly three years in prison for child sex abuse material

Centralia resident and prominent community volunteer Richard Conklin will serve 34 months in prison after pleading guilty to two charges related to child sexual abuse material. Lewis County … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 9/25/26

Sirens: Arrests for drugs, DUI, theft in Chehalis; hit-and-run crash reported; warrant arrests in Centralia

CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Arrested for warrants • Joshua A. Loney, 33, of Centralia, was issued a summons for an outstanding Centralia Municipal Court warrant after he was located in … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/25/26