Local News | The Daily Chronicle

Mount St. Helens Institute co-Executive Directors Alyssa Hoyt, left, and Abigail Groskopf pose for a portrait.

Mount St. Helens Institute appoints two executive directors as Coldwater update plans continue

The Mount St. Helens Institute is experimenting with a new leadership structure by appointing two co-executive directors to replace former Executive Director Ray Yurkewycz , who stepped down in … more

Minka Atkinson / The Daily News | 1/9/25

Rep. Jim Walsh speaks during a rally hosted by Jim Smith at Sandrini Construction in Adna on Saturday, Aug. 3.

Republican Rep. Jim Walsh offers bill to amend Washington's 'mature minor doctrine'

In March 2024, the Washington state Legislature passed Initiative 2081 , the parents’ bill of rights, which took effect on June 6 of that same year. Under I-2081, parents have the right to … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 1/9/25

Legislators and others have been pushing to reduce racial disparities in WSP searches and seizures for more than 20 years. (Washington State Patrol)

‘A different standard’: Native Americans still searched at far higher rates by Washington State Patrol, new data shows

Ever since the Washington State Patrol began keeping a database on all its traffic stops, one troubling point has stood out: Troopers search the cars of Native American drivers much more often than … more

By Wilson Criscione and Melanie Henshaw / InvestigateWest | 1/9/25

Chehalis Critter Care is located at 561 U.S. Highway 12 near Mary’s Corner.

Chehalis Critter Care to hold ribbon-cutting for grand reopening

Chehalis Critter Care recently announced its plans for a grand reopening. To celebrate the occasion, a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce will be held … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/8/25

The new Panda Express in Chehalis is pictured from above during the franchise's first day in business on Tuesday, Jan. 7.

In focus: Panda Express holds soft opening at new Chehalis location

Panda Express held a soft opening for its new location in Chehalis on Tuesday. The business will celebrate the grand opening of the new location with a Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of … more

1/8/25

Dion Jose Rodriguez Lee, 24, of Chehalis, was arrested and booked into the Lewis County Jail at approximately 2:37 p.m. on Jan. 6, according to jail records.

Man charged for allegedly strangling girlfriend in Chehalis

A man accused of strangling his girlfriend in Chehalis during a dispute on Monday has been charged with second-degree assault, domestic violence. Dion Jose Rodriguez Lee, 24, of Chehalis, was … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 1/8/25

Sirens: Man tries to steal semi truck; assault reported at Green Hill; motorcyclists crashes while doing wheelie; local jail statistics

CHEHALIS POLICE DEPARTMENT Theft • A male subject was arrested for trying to steal a semi truck in the 600 block of Northwest West Street just before 8:55 a.m. on Jan. 3. He was … more

1/8/25

Death notices: Jan. 8, 2025

• RAYMOND E. HINES, 85, Centralia, died Dec. 28 at his residence. Arrangements are under the care of Cattermole Funeral Home. • ZACHARY S. STODDARD, 43, Tumwater, died on Dec. 25. … more

1/8/25

The fire was reported in the 200 block of St. Helens Way at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 7.

Winlock family loses home and three dogs in a fire on Tuesday

A family of six in Winlock lost their home and three dogs to a fire on Tuesday. The fire was reported in the 200 block of St. Helens Way at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 7, according to 911 … more

1/8/25

Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez listens to a Panamerican Berry Grower explain the operations in Mossyrock on a Lewis County Farm Bureau Tour on Wednesday, Aug. 14.

Gluesenkamp Perez Named to U.S. House Committee on Appropriations

On Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, announced that she has been selected to serve on the House Committee on Appropriations for the 119th Congress. The purpose of the House … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/8/25

Sara Kathryn Jackson, 18, of Castle Rock, appears in Lewis County Superior Court on Tuesday, Jan. 7.

Bail set at $100,000 for woman, 18, accused of repeatedly stalking victim of alleged Vader steel mallet attack

An 18-year-old woman charged in December for allegedly hitting a woman on the head with a steel mallet during an argument in Vader and for allegedly stalking the same victim after she posted bail on … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 1/8/25

The future site of the Centralia Woods housing development is pictured from above in Centralia on Tuesday, Jan. 7. The project is a new single-family home community by Century Communities. The proposed development will consist of 78 single-family homes and four duplex-style homes, according to previous reporting by The Chronicle. Each single-family home will sit on its own lot of at least 4,000 square feet. Twin homes will be on lots as large as 9,904 square feet. The homes will have two stories and three bedrooms, totaling nearly 2,600 square feet internally. Each house will have a two-car garage, a front porch and a backyard. While no price-point on the homes was given when the city council approved initial plans in 2023, the homes are meant to fill the higher area-median income gaps in housing identified by Centralia Housing Assessment and Action Plan.

In focus: Work proceeds on Centralia Woods housing development along Kresky Avenue

1/8/25

Attorney General Bob Ferguson talks to members of the press during a legislative meeting inside the John A. Cherberg building in Olympia in February 2023.

Washington Attorney General's Office files consumer protection lawsuit against T-Mobile

Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson has filed a consumer protection lawsuit against T-Mobile for failing to secure the sensitive personal information of over 2 million Washingtonians, his … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/8/25

A ballot drop box in Chehalis on Thursday, June 27.

Lewis County Auditor’s Office: Military and overseas ballots to be mailed

On Jan. 12, 202 ballots will be mailed to all military and overseas voters registered in Lewis County for the Feb. 11 special election. The ballots are mailed 30 days in advance, as required by … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/8/25

100th birthday party planned for Lebam man

A 100th birthday party for Dale Rutherford will be held from noon to 3 p.m. Jan. 18 at Swiss Hall in Frances. Rutherford was born in South Bend, Washington, on Jan. 17, 1925. He is a … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/8/25

A log truck crosses the Hoffstadt Creek Bridge along Spirit Lake Highway on Thursday, May 11, 2023.

Coroner identifies 26-year-old woman who jumped to her death from bridge near Mount St. Helens

A 26-year-old Kirkland woman who died Sunday after jumping from a bridge on the Spirit Lake Memorial Highway near Mount St. Helens has been identified, according to the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/8/25

U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez speaks in support of her bipartisan Treating Tribes and Counties as Good Neighbors Act in the House Agriculture Committee.

Gluesenkamp Perez’s provisions signed into law to manage forests, reduce wildfire risk

Last week, the EXPLORE Act was signed into law by the president, including provisions of the bipartisan Treating Tribes and Counties as Good Neighbors Act supported by U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/8/25

A display set up during a vigil held in January 2021 marking the 15th anniversary of the day Karen Bodine’s body was found on the side of Littlerock Road Southwest near Rochester.

Vigil set to mark 18 years since unsolved murder of Thurston County woman

The family of Karen Bodine, a 37-year-old mother of three from Thurston County who was found dead near a gravel pit in Rochester on Jan. 22, 2007, will host a candlelight vigil to honor her memory … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 1/8/25

From left, Jim and Cindy Smith smile for a photo along with son, Mark, and Kellie Raschke at Uncle Jim’s Smokehouse in Adna on Wednesday, Jan. 8.

Founder of Uncle Jim’s Smokehouse ‘slowly retiring,’ passing ownership to son whose goal is to grow business

In 2000, Adna resident Jim Smith began smoking and processing wild game meat for himself and his hunting buddies inside what was originally his home’s garage. By 2005, he had officially … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 1/8/25

Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez gives her final remarks during a debate at Lower Columbia College in Longview on Wednesday, Oct. 2.

House passes Laken Riley Act, requiring deportation of undocumented immigrants for minor crimes; MGP votes in favor

The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed legislation that would require deportations of undocumented immigrants charged with minor crimes. The 264-159 vote to pass the Laken Riley Act … more

Monica Carrillo-Casas / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 1/8/25