The Daily Chronicle

Photos: W.F. West High School Class of 2021 Graduates

Graduates prepare to receive their diplomas during a ceremony in Bearcat Stadium at W.F. West in Chehalis on Saturday. W.F. West graduates sport masks, … more

6/5/21 | 1 comment

Community members pose for a photo during a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Mellen Street e-Transit Station in Centralia on Thursday.

Flanked by Electric Buses, Twin Transit Opens New Mellen Street e-Transit Station Thursday

With the ceremonial giant scissors set aside, one of Twin Transit’s new electric buses slowly drove through blue tape Thursday afternoon, marking the official ribbon cutting and completion … more

By Eric Rosane / ericr@chronline.com | 6/4/21 | 1 comment

Robert Zozaya and Rainy Karnes, owners of Raven's Wind Farm in Toledo, have been growing mushrooms for 12 years and said the COVID-19 pandemic was a blessing in disguise for them since it forced them to stay home and focus on growing their business..

Raven's Wind Farm: Toledo Couple Grows Mushrooms for Culinary, Health Benefits

Rainy Karnes and Robert Zozaya have been perfecting their mushroom growing techniques together for the last 12 years. But the inspiration for the co-owners of Raven’s Wind Farm to begin … more

By Carrina Stanton / For The Chronicle | 6/4/21

On Thursday morning, W.F. West seniors participated in the Senior Walk from W.F. West to Chehalis Middle School, James W. Lintott Elementary and Orin C Smith Elementary.

W.F. West Graduates Complete Rite of Passage With Senior Walk

Clad in their crimson caps and gowns, about 190 W.F. High School seniors took to the streets of Chehalis on Thursday morning for the annual senior walk to Chehalis Middle School, James Lintott … more

6/3/21

Northbound and southbound Interstate 5 are open again at mile marker 66 after a serious crash. Trooper Will Finn says a driver was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center. The vehicle was traveling southbound when it hit the barrier and rolled into the northbound lanes. Traffic was backed up a few miles in each direction.

Driver Airlifted to Hospital After Interstate 5 Crash Halts Traffic

All lanes of northbound and southbound Interstate 5 have reopened after LifeFlight airlifted a person injured in a crash near mile marker 66. The vehicle was traveling southbound when it hit … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/3/21

Tyrel Newkirk, 5, runs through streams of water to cool off at the Centralia splash park on Tuesday.

Photos: Centralia Splash Park Offers Cool Respite From Heat Wave

6/2/21

A Washington State Patrol trooper steps out of a Pe Ell School bus following a crash Wednesday afternoon.

Pe Ell Students Injured in Crash Involving School Bus on State Route 6

Four students and a bus driver were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries after a Pe Ell school bus carrying 30 students left the roadway near Katula Road on westbound State Route … more

6/2/21 | 1 comment

A lone visitor stands looking out over Mount St. Helens from outside the Johnston Ridge Observatory at sunset last month.

The Tourists Have Returned to Washington — But Some Areas Are Recovering More Quickly Than Others

Looking for late-stage pandemic deals on hotels? Consider sticking to the cities. Popular rural destinations west of the Cascades — near national parks, along the Pacific coast — are … more

Brendan Kiley / The Seattle Times | 6/2/21

Scouts place a wreath during a Memorial Day ceremony on Monday outside the Veterans Memorial Museum in Chehalis.

‘Never Let Them Be Forgotten’: Fallen Service Members Honored at Veterans Memorial Museum

The Veterans Memorial Museum in Chehalis drew a small crowd Monday afternoon under a half-mast flag to honor fallen soldiers. Last year, the event was canceled due to COVID-19, and this year, … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/31/21

Darren Wright, president of the Washington State Patrol Memorial Foundation, and JC Shah, founder of Beyond the Call of Duty, embrace loved ones of trooper Justin R. Schaffer during a memorial ride to the Chehalis State Patrol office in his honor on Sunday. Schaffer died in March 2020 while attempting to place spike strips on Interstate 5 in Chehalis during a police pursuit. The man who struck him, William David Thompson, is awaiting trial in Lewis County Superior Court. Beyond the Call of Duty is an organization that, through its “End of Watch Ride to Remember” event, recognizes police officers throughout the nation who have died while in the line of duty. Learn more at endofwatchride.com.

Photos: ‘Ride to Remember’ Honors Fallen Trooper Justin Schaffer

5/31/21

Vehicles line a grassy area Saturday night outside the Veterans Memorial Museum in Chehalis while the movie “Two-Lane Blacktop” is projected on a screen. Saturday marked the first “Movies By the Dashboard Light,” an event that will tentatively be held the final Saturday of each month. “Seating space will be available as well as parking for a drive-in movie style experience,” the museum announced on its website. “We’ve purchased a 10-by-20 foot screen, we’ll use our sound system for outdoor seating and audio, while viewing in your car can be accessed via a FM radio station.” Space at the events is limited. Visit www.veteransmuseum.org for more information.

Photos: Movie Night at the Veterans Memorial Museum in Chehalis

5/31/21

Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com Crowds gather at the Packwood Flea Market on Friday. The popular East Lewis County event resumed this week after being largely canceled due to COVID-19 last year, though some vendors set up shop anyways. The Memorial Day Packwood Flea Market will last through Monday, with sellers providing unique items and antiques along with new products and, of course, food. Also at the market will be Lewis County Public Health, which will be helping administer free COVID-19 vaccines for those who qualify.

Photos: Packwood Flea Market in Full Swing

The Packwood Flea Market returned this week after being largely canceled due to COVID-19 last year, though some vendors set up shop anyways. The Memorial Day Packwood Flea Market will last through … more

5/28/21 | 1 comment

Brooke Reder smiles as she talks about the work Gather does to provide boxed meals for the community.

‘Trailblazer’: A New Clinic in Centralia Hopes to Inform a More Effective Approach to the Opioid Crisis

Brooke Reder’s path to recovery was a difficult one. After more than a decade in active addiction — using meth and heroin and living unsheltered in the Twin Cities for nearly five years … more

By Claudia Yaw / cyaw@chronline.com | 5/28/21

The Region 3 Critical Incident Investigation Team is on the scene of an officer involved shooting in the southbound lane of Interstate 5 near milepost 69 in Lewis County in this 2020 Chronicle file photo.

Judge Won’t Dismiss Attempted Murder Charge for Woman Accused of Shooting at Trooper in Lewis County

A motion to dismiss attempted murder charges against a Tacoma woman who allegedly fired a gun at a Washington State Patrol trooper in the Napavine area in May 2020 was struck down in Lewis County … more

By Emily Fitzgerald/emily@chronline.com | 5/27/21

Dennis Dawes talks about his time as mayor of Chehalis Tuesday afternoon at city hall.

After Four Decades of Service, Mayor Dennis Dawes to Step Away From City Council

Chehalis Mayor Dennis Dawes is all about public service — just look at the last 40 or so years as proof. He’s been a police chief, a city councilor, a school board member and even a … more

By Eric Rosane / ericr@chronline.com | 5/26/21

Tony Robinson and Bernie Madison pose for a photo in front of their 17-foot Sasquatch carved with chainsaws into a sequoia 7-feet in diamete in downtown Oakville.

Sasquatch Emerges From Sequoia in Oakville

One piece of advice heard among successful advertisers, artists and authors alike is “know your audience.” Tony and Shanna Hawes, the married co-founders of Chehalis Valley Slabhaus in … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / The Chronicle | 5/24/21

Charlie is one of several cows living out their lives at Misspits Rescue in Oakville.

Founded to Save Pit Bulls, Misspits Rescue in Oakville Now Protects Many Animals

When Melissa Nolan started Misspits Rescue in 2013, it was focused on saving pit bulls. Eight years later, in addition to pit bulls, Nolan’s farm near Oakville is home to cows, goats, … more

By Carrina Stanton / For The Chronicle | 5/24/21

Chronicle reporter Claudia Yaw and photographer Jared Wenzelburger visit the Ape Cave Thursday, May 20, 2021.

The Ape Cave Has Reopened: Take a Trip to St. Helens for Some Bigfoot Lore and Hidden Gems

If you’re looking for some climbing, some slime and some Bigfoot lore, the recently-reopened Ape Cave at Mount St. Helens may be the sweet spot. The pitch-black cave provides a trek into where … more

By Claudia Yaw / cyaw@chronline.com | 5/21/21

Jim and Cindy Smith smile and pose for a photo in front of the Adna Burger Bar Friday morning in Chehalis.

Adna Burger Bar Opens With a Bang

The establishment of the brand new Adna Burger Bar was a sight to behold, according to owners Cindy and Jim Smith. Selling four kinds of burgers and baskets of fries to a line of 30 to 40 … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / The Chronicle | 5/21/21

The Chronicle History Project: Pioneer Days Marked in 1951

Beginning today, The Chronicle will begin publishing historical photos from the archives in every edition. The Chronicle is working to digitize thousands of images currently stored on film in … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/21/21 | 1 comment