Local News | The Daily Chronicle

The entrance of Green Hill School in Chehalis on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024.

Prison riot, cannabis possession and weapon charges filed against Green Hill School inmates

The Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office filed charges against several Green Hill School inmates this month for alleged offenses that took place at the Chehalis juvenile detention facility. … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 7/10/24

Northwest Salmon Smokehouse owners Frank and Danielle Pfannes pose in this photo provided by the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce.

Northwest Salmon Smokehouse to celebrate six months of business in Chehalis

The Northwest Salmon Smokehouse, located at 486 N. Market Blvd. in downtown Chehalis, will celebrate six months in business with a ribbon-cutting ceremony provided by the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/10/24

100th birthday celebration planned in Morton

Ellen Forrest’s 100th birthday will be celebrated from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 27, at the Morton Senior Center, 104 Westlake Ave., Morton. To submit birthday, anniversary or … more

7/10/24

The Millett Field basketball court pictured on Wednesday, July 10.

Chehalis City Council authorizes application for $350,000 state grant to fund Millett Field renovations

The Chehalis Parks and Facilities Department is moving forward with a no-match grant application to fund renovations to the Millett Field athletic courts after receiving unanimous approval to apply … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 7/10/24

Two Green Hill School staff members taken to the ER after exposure to ‘an unknown smoke and strange smell’

Two staff members at Green Hill School, a juvenile detention center in Chehalis, were transported to the emergency room via ambulance Tuesday after they were exposed to “an unknown smoke and a … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/10/24

Mount Adams glows pink in the alpenglow at sunset on Saturday, July 6, as seen from Peters Road in Randle.

Photo: Mount Adams painted in pink at sunset

7/10/24

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources and Lewis County Fire District 5 Respond to a wildfire off of Nando Lane in Napavine on Wednesday, April 17.

Lewis County enacts burn ban on all unincorporated county land

Residents of unincorporated Lewis County are prohibited from outdoor burning as part of a ban that began at midnight Wednesday as much of Western Washington sweltered in unseasonably warm weather. … more

By Mitchell Roland / mitchell@chronline.com | 7/10/24

Initially intended to be a temporary fix, for more than two years the Salvation Army of Lewis County has operated a night-by-night shelter just south of their headquarters located at 303 N Gold St. in Centralia. The county hopes to have a new night-by-night shelter open by the end of the year.

Lewis County commissioners approve contracts for bathrooms and kitchen at new night-by-night shelter

Lewis County is targeting the opening of a new night-by-night shelter by the end of the year following a monthslong permitting dispute with the City of Chehalis, according to County Manager Ryan … more

By Mitchell Roland / mitchell@chronline.com | 7/10/24

Great Wolf Lodge completes $40 million renovation of Grand Mound resort

Great Wolf Lodge, the popular indoor water park resort in Grand Mound, completed a sweeping $40 million renovation, the largest in the Centralia-area resort's 16-year history. General Manager John … more

Xavier Martinez / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/10/24

People look through free stuff during a closeout at Yard Birds in Chehalis on Tuesday, April 30.

‘I’m just happy to be done with it’: Yard Birds property sold to ‘investor,’ longtime owner says

After attempting to sell the property where the now-vacant Yard Birds shopping mall stands at 2100 N. National Ave. in Chehalis, a sale has finally been closed, according to longtime owner Darris … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 7/8/24

A bridge spans the Cowlitz River in Randle in this March 2024 file photo.

Boy 11, drowns in Cowlitz River in Randle

An 11-year-old Tacoma boy drowned in the Cowlitz River in Randle Saturday, July 6, after falling off a paddleboard and being swept under a logjam, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/8/24

Eduardo Reynoso-Herrera, 60, of Centralia, appears in Lewis County Superior Court on Monday, July 8.

Bail set at $250,000 for Centralia stabbing suspect

Bail is set at $250,000 for the 60-year-old Centralia man accused of stabbing another man in George Washington Park on Saturday. “This hearing is not a trial, it is a probable cause … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 7/8/24

A Swiss wrestling match is photographed from above during the Lewis-Pacific Swiss Society’s 61st annual Schwingfest on Saturday, July 6.

In focus: Sawdust flies during Swiss wrestling at 61st Schwingfest

The Lewis-Pacific Swiss Society hosted the 61st annual Schwingfest in Frances Friday through Sunday. The three-day event featured Swiss wrestling, or schwingen, a stein-holding competition, a … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/8/24

State suspends entries at Green Hill School; move ‘wholly unacceptable,’ according to Association of Police Chiefs

The Green Hill School juvenile detention center in Chehalis will temporarily suspend entries until the facility reaches “sustainable levels” of population, the state Department of … more

By Mitchell Roland / mitchell@chronline.com | 7/8/24

An East Lewis County resident sits next to a patriotically decorated truck on Saturday, July 6, during Packwood's Independence Day fireworks show.

Packwood’s fireworks show lights up the skies in East Lewis County

With cars parked along both sides of U.S. Highway 12 in Packwood, hundreds of East Lewis County residents watched as fireworks burst in the sky during the town’s annual Independence Day … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/8/24

Interim Fire Chief Gregg Peterson points to map of Fire District 5's coverage area following an open house on Tuesday, July 2.

‘It’s a ‘have to’’: Napavine fire district looks to pass levy during August election

To hear Interim Chief Gregg Peterson tell it, fire departments are often their own worst enemies. Whatever their constraints — financial, personnel or equipment — fire crews feel … more

By Mitchell Roland / mitchell@chronline.com | 7/8/24

Attendees dressed as wizards walk during the Centralia Fantasy Festival held at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds on Saturday, July 6. The festival, which began Friday and lasted through Sunday, is in its second year. The event offered activities for all ages, vendors with a diverse range of wares, performances happening at almost every hour and multiple places to dine. Performances included singers, magicians, acrobats, dancers, sword swallowers and jugglers. Learn more at https://centraliafantasyfestival.carrd.co.

In focus: A walk on the whimsical side at Centralia Fantasy Festival

7/8/24

Sirens: Man strikes victim with crowbar; child's backpack stolen; 'unruly patient' at hospital; hit-and-run reported

CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Hit-and-run • A hit-and-run involving a gold Kia that sideswiped a vehicle in the 900 block of Harrison Avenue and fled the scene was reported just before … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/8/24

Woman injured after striking car, spinning out while changing lanes on northbound I-5 near Chehalis on Saturday

A 21-year-old Centralia woman was injured after she struck another vehicle while changing lanes on northbound Interstate 5 near Chehalis on Saturday. After striking the other vehicle at milepost … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/8/24

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

August primary to include three Lewis County fire district propositions

In addition to a host of candidates for federal, state and local offices looking to qualify for the November general election, the August primary ballot will include three propositions from local … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/8/24