Local News | The Daily Chronicle

Chehalis Basin Board members watch a new presentation prepared by the board to introduce others to the Chehalis Basin Strategy during a Chehalis Basin Board meeting in Grand Mound on Thursday, April 3.

Senate Capital Budget shows bipartisan support for the Chehalis Basin Strategy

The Washington state Senate on Saturday, April 5, approved a capital budget proposal with $7.3 billion in planned spending The bill was passed unanimously by the Senate, showing a level of … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/9/25

The Grand Mound Wastewater Treatment Facility is shown in this aerial view provided by Thurston County.

Thurston County to consider contract for Grand Mound wastewater treatment improvements

The Thurston County Board of Commissioners is considering a contract for architect-engineering services for phase one of the Grand Mound Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvement Project. The … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/9/25

Braun bill to address crowded Green Hill School one step closer to becoming law

The Washington state House of Representatives on Saturday, April 5, held a public hearing for more than 30 bills, including one that would have major impacts on the state’s juvenile … more

By Jacob Moore jacob@chronline.com | 4/9/25

Nursing assistant convicted for assault of a child in Lewis County can petition to regain her credentials after a two-year suspension

The Washington state Secretary of Health has entered an agreement with a Lewis County nursing assistant convicted of third-degree assault of a child in November 2024 that allows her to regain her … more

By Emily Fitzgerald emily@chronline.com | 4/9/25

Molina Healthcare representatives present a $5,500 check to Centralia College for student support on Monday, April 7.

Molina Healthcare partners with Centralia College to provide scholarships, support student hygiene closet and food pantry

Molina Healthcare of Washington is providing support for current Centralia College students who aspire to be future health care professionals with an ongoing partnership and donations, the company … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/9/25

The Chehalis Basin Board talks about the timeline on upcoming projects during a Chehalis Basin Board meeting in Grand Mound on Thursday, April 3.

Studies on a non-dam alternative to reduce flooding in the Chehalis Basin near completion

The Chehalis Basin Board heard a presentation on Thursday, April 3, in Grand Mound, focused on plans to reduce catastrophic flooding to the Centralia and Chehalis area without the construction of a … more

By Jacob Moore jacob@chronline.com | 4/9/25

Agency on Aging announces application opening for Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program

The Lewis-Mason-Thurston Area Agency on Aging has announced that it will begin accepting applications for its 2025 Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program on April 15. The 2025 Senior Farmers … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/9/25

The U.S. Forest Service manages more than 24 million acres of land in the Pacific Northwest.

Bridge repair and summer work planned on Forest Road 25

Beginning May 5, the Huffaker Bridge located on U.S. Forest Road 25 at mile 7.66 within the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District will be closed to all traffic to facilitate a full bridge replacement, … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/9/25

The inside of the Borst Home is on display as a museum in Centralia.

Borst Home Museum open house to be held April 12

The Historic Borst Home Museum will host an open house from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 12. The guest speaker is M'Lee Barlow, a retired Washington State Parks ranger and descendant of … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/9/25

Express Employment Professionals owner Sam McCrady stands in front of the business in this photo provided by the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce.

Express Employment Professionals to host Business After Hours, ribbon-cutting

Express Employment Professionals will host April’s Business After Hours event and a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate their new location in downtown Centralia, according to a news release … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/9/25

Volcano Rescue Team responds to injured skier on Mount St. Helens

The Volcano Rescue Team responded late last week after a skier suffered a leg injury on Mount St. Helens. Just after 11 a.m. on Friday, April 4, the Volcano Rescue Team was notified about … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/8/25

Handyman identified as person of interest in disappearance of 82-year-old Tenino area woman

The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office has identified a handyman who was working for 82-year-old Marcia Norman at the time she went missing as a person of interest in her disappearance. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/8/25

Crews work on the Interstate 5 bridge over the Columbia River in 2019. (Oregon Department of Transportation)

Inflation worries drive Washington state lawmakers to jack up I-5 bridge borrowing plan by $900M

Washington state lawmakers on Monday backed a huge increase in the amount of toll revenues they’ll count on to help pay for construction of a replacement bridge on Interstate 5 across the … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 4/8/25

Jess Clevenger picks up a razor clam he dug up at Grayland Beach on Friday, March 8, 2024.

WDFW approves seven more days of coastal razor clam digs starting April 12

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) shellfish managers have confirmed seven days of razor clam digs on coastal beaches beginning Saturday, April 12. “We’ve had a great … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/8/25

Shoppers enter the newly built store for the first time during opening day of the Centralia WinCo Foods on Monday, April 7.

Hundreds show up as WinCo Foods opens new location in Centralia

Shoppers in Lewis County and the surrounding area now have a new grocery option as the WinCo Foods in the new Centralia Station shopping center officially opened for business on the morning of … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 4/7/25

Christopher Reese holds his nephew Killian while they look at the Moose Creek Logging Company's On30-scale modular diorama alongside his Reese' nieces Kyleigh, center, and Tatum, left, during the Lewis County Model Railroad Club's annual spring train show and swap meet at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds on Saturday, Apr. 5.

In focus: Model train lovers descend on Southwest Washington Fairgrounds for show and swap meet

Hundreds of model train enthusiasts young and old descended upon the Blue Pavilion at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds over the weekend for the Lewis County Model Railroad Club’s annual … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 4/7/25

From left, state Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, and state Reps. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia, and Ed Orcutt, R-Kalama.

20th District lawmakers demand immediate mitigation for game farm contamination in letter to WDFW director

State Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, and Reps. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia, and Ed Orcutt, R-Kalama, called for the immediate relocation of pheasants off the Bob Oke Game Farm in Centralia to help … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/7/25

Signs are held in the air by protesters at the Washington state Capitol Campus on Saturday, April 5. Security staff estimated that a crowd of about 5,000 people were in attendance at the protest, which was aimed at recent moves by the Trump Administration. The protest was part of the nationwide “Hands Off!” protests on Saturday.

In focus: Thousands fill Capitol Campus to rally against Trump

Thousands of people streamed onto the Capitol Campus in Olympia on Saturday afternoon to protest a plethora of actions President Donald Trump and special government employee Elon Musk have taken … more

By The Olympian staff | 4/7/25

Sirens: Narcotics located after woman passes out in vehicle; counterfeit $100 bills reported; arrest made after officers kicked; children left alone in vehicle

CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Drug violations • A 43-year-old Centralia resident was cited for possession of a controlled substance in the 1100 block of Harrison Avenue just before 7:35 … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/7/25

Spencer Schwiesow, left, and Jesse Berry are pictured in this photo provided by the Riverside Fire Authority.

Riverside Fire Authority promotes a new captain and lieutenant

The Riverside Fire Authority announced Friday that two of its members recently received promotions. Jesse Berry, a lieutenant since 2016, was recently promoted to captain; and Spencer Schwiesow … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/7/25