Local News | The Daily Chronicle

Firearms and buckets of meth and fentanyl were seized during the investigation, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, which provided these photos.

Drug distributor caught with massive amounts of fentanyl and meth as well as firearms, body armor and silencer sentenced to 13 years in prison

A 32-year-old Renton resident was sentenced Thursday in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to 13 years in prison for his role in a drug trafficking ring connected to Aryan prison gangs. Shawn Ellis … more

By The Chronicle staff | 2/24/25

Protesters hold signs on the sidewalk of Centralia College Boulevard as vehicles pass by during a “Support Our Democracy” protest on Monday, Feb. 24. Event organizer Monique Farland, far right, said, “We are protesting Trump’s immigration policies, Elon Musk, all the firings happening in federal offices, and the cuts to Medicaid and Medicare. We just feel that this administration is not listening to the people.”

In focus: ‘Support Our Democracy’ protest at Centralia College hits at actions of Trump, Musk

2/24/25

Department of Natural Resources fire crews work to put out a brush fire in the Scatter Creek area near Case Road in Maytown in July 2021.

South Thurston County residents invited to weigh in on Community Wildfire Protection Plan

South Thurston County residents are invited to share their ideas, concerns and hopes for the South Thurston Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) at a pair of upcoming meetings. The first of … more

By The Chronicle staff | 2/24/25

Ribbon-cutting ceremony set for The Hub Bar and Restaurant

The Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate newly completed renovations at The Hub Bar and Restaurant in downtown Centralia. The ceremony will … more

By The Chronicle staff | 2/24/25

Injured snowmobiler rescued after avalanche, leg injury on Mount St. Helens

A snowmobiler with a serious leg injury was rescued Monday, Feb. 17, after an avalanche on Mount St. Helens, according to the Volcano Rescue Team (VRT). At about 2 p.m., three … more

By The Chronicle staff | 2/24/25

People paddle board in Snow Lake at Mount Rainier National Park on Monday, July 8.

Amid uncertainty at national parks, will Mount Rainier have timed entry for 2025?

Last year, Mount Rainier National Park turned to a timed-entry reservation system for visitors who wished to enter the park during peak hours during its busiest months. The pilot program, which … more

Genevieve Belmaker and Daniel Schrager / The News Tribune (TNS) | 2/22/25

Thurston County sheriff details 'bizarre' DUI arrests of the same suspect on back-to-back days at the same time and place

Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders posted on his social media Feb. 19 about a DUI arrest he said was one of the most bizarre cases he'd seen. Sanders said TCSO deputies arrested the same man … more

Ty Vinson / The Olympian (TNS) | 2/22/25

Flood Watch issued for parts of Lewis, Thurston and Grays Harbor counties

The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for much of Western Washington , including areas of Lewis, Thurston and Grays Harbor counties. The Flood Watch is in effect from … more

By The Chronicle staff | 2/22/25

Rick Goble talks to attendees during a Student Achievement Initiative presentation at W.F. West High School in Chehalis on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023.

Updated: Chehalis School Board extends Superintendent Rick Goble’s contract

Chehalis School District Superintendent Rick Goble’s contract has been extended to three years, the Chehalis School District announced Wednesday. At its Tuesday night meeting, the Chehalis … more

By The Chronicle staff | 2/21/25

Family of road worker killed on U.S. Highway 12 in 2000 renews calls for safe driving

On Feb. 22, 2000, Washington state Department of Transportation (WSDOT) flagger Sam Williams Jr., of Morton, was struck and killed by a vehicle while assisting with roadwork on U.S. Highway 12 near … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 2/21/25

A salmon launches itself out of the water at the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery's adult collection facility on Sunday, Sept. 29 in Salkum.

Center for Biological Diversity sues over salmon protections in Pacific Northwest

The Center for Biological Diversity and its allies have sued the National Marine Fisheries Service over what they say is a delayed Endangered Species Act protection decision for spring-run Chinook … more

By The Chronicle staff | 2/21/25

Bob Guenther talks about a slab of wood pulled from Iron Creek Campground during a Pinchot Partners celebration at Longmire Springs Brewing in Packwood on Wednesday, Sept. 2023.

Former labor council president joins board for One Voice Lewis County

One Voice Lewis County has announced that Bob Guenther, a longtime advocate for labor and responsible environmental practices in Southwest Washington, as the newest member of its board of directors. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 2/21/25

From left, Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Christine Brower, Tim Hess, Bark N’ Bath owners Colleen and Ryan Johnson, Donna Heaton with her dog, Moses, Mandy Wagner and Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Cory Moses with her dog, Rylee, at Bark N’ Bath in Winlock on Thursday, Feb. 20. Bark N’ Bath is located at 301 NE First St.

In focus: Ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrates opening of Bark N’ Bath in Winlock

The Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Bark N' Bath in Winlock on Thursday afternoon. The business located is at 301 NE First St. Bark … more

2/21/25

Sirens: Victim in Centralia scammed out of $8,000; sentencings, change of plea in Lewis County Superior Court; custodial assault at Green Hill

CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Theft • Wire was reported stolen from city property in the 800 block of Johnson Road just before 11:05 a.m. on Feb. 19. • A 31-year-old Centralia … more

By The Chronicle staff | 2/21/25

Sunlight illuminates the tree line as the sun sets behind mountains in Toledo on Tuesday, Jan. 21.

Death notices: Feb. 22, 2025

• LARRY SPRAGUE, 78, Morton, died Feb. 9 at Family Choice Family Home. A funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, at Gardner’s Funeral Home, 156 NE Church Ave., White Salmon. … more

2/21/25

Roy I. Rochon Wilson poses for a portrait at the peak above McFadden and Dobson parks in Chehalis on June 1, 2012.

Brian Mittge: Farewell to a loving carrier of heritage, language and faith

Klahowya ! I can still hear the booming voice and broad smile of Roy I. Rochon Wilson as he’d stride toward me, offering that traditional statement of greeting or farewell, followed by a … more

Commentary by Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 2/21/25

Kassey Butler swabs her cheek as W.F. West High School seniors Will Cummings and Allie Anderson help her enroll in the National Bone Marrow Donor Program at St. John's Lutheran Church in Chehalis on Thursday, Feb. 20.

W.F. West students host enrollment events in honor of classmate battling rare disorder, Chehalis woman who fought leukemia

In honor of a W.F. West High School student who is battling a rare bone marrow disorder and a Chehalis woman who fought leukemia several years ago, three W.F. West High School students are hosting … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 2/21/25

The Thurston County Sheriff's Office found chickens believed to be used in illegal cock fighting and many other animals on Feb. 13 while executing a search warrant on a property on the 15700 block of 153rd Avenue Southeast, northwest of Lake Lawrence, according to court records.

Over 500 chickens bred for animal fighting found in Thurston County; four people face charges

Four people are facing animal-fighting related charges after local authorities discovered more than 500 chickens and other animals on a property near Yelm. The Thurston County Sheriff's Office … more

By Martín Bilbao / The Olympian (TNS) | 2/21/25

With the Columbia River Gorge surrounding the Mount Pleasant School in western Skamania County, Rep. U.S. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, urged reauthorizing the Secure Rural Schools funding program during a news conference on Thursday, Feb. 20.

MGP pushes for reauthorization of Secure Rural Schools program

“Failing to reauthorize SRS (Secure Rural Schools) funding would devastate our schools, our jobs,” U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, said during a news conference in front of … more

By Cade Barker / For The Chronicle | 2/21/25

State-bound W.F. West High School wrestlers Tucker Land, Kage Homan, Andrew Snyder, Graysen Serl and Race Scalici, standing at center, pose for a photo with members of the Twin City Wrestling Club after working with them earlier this week.

Reader’s Lens: W.F. West wrestlers teach next generation of grapplers

Editor’s note: The Chronicle is happy to publish announcements and community news items from readers. To be considered, email news@chronline.com. Monday started the week countdown to state … more

By Jessica Hanson | 2/21/25