The Daily Chronicle

Lewis County Republican Party Chairman Brandon Svenson, who also serves as the Winlock mayor, presides over a meeting on March 1.

Lewis County Republicans Chairman Removed From State Young Republicans Organization

Lewis County Republicans Chair Brandon Svenson has been removed from the Washington State Young Republicans (WSYR) organization, according to a news release issued Friday. The statement also … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/7/22

K-9 units and officers search for a suspect outside of Chase Bank in Chehalis Friday afternoon.

Officers Still Seeking Suspect in Chehalis Bank Robbery

Police have so far been unable to locate a man suspected of robbing Chase Bank on South Market Boulevard in Chehalis Friday. The robbery was reported at approximately 1 p.m. None of the bank … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/6/22

Lee First, an environmental activist, and geomorphologist Paul Bakke paddle the Chehalis River during a trip with Chronicle journalists Isabel Vander Stoep and Jared Wenzelburger Tuesday.

From Headwaters to Harbor: Journalists to Chronicle Chehalis River Adventure From Pe Ell to Hoquiam

Shrouded by early May mist and Oregon ash, the Black River on Tuesday morning swallowed up our shadows as we paddled downstream. Honks of Canada geese and trills of red-winged blackbirds tuned out … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronline.com | 5/6/22

A visitor walks away from the WSECU building in Chehalis as rain falls Friday morning.

Lewis County Chooses Location for New 'Night-by-Night' Homeless Shelter

After a public forum was held on the topic in late March, Lewis County has released a planned location for a night-by-night shelter, or homeless shelter, across the street from the east side of Yard … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronline.com | 5/6/22

Thurston County Jail Inmate Pronounced Dead at Hospital After Suffering Apparent Medical Emergency

The Thurston County coroner and sheriff’s office detectives are investigating the death of a Thurston County Jail inmate who suffered a possible medical emergency in his cell on Thursday. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/6/22

Man Wanted for Fatal Shooting in Tacoma Arrested by Centralia Police, State Troopers

A man accused of shooting and killing a 30-year-old man last month in Tacoma’s South End neighborhood was arrested Thursday evening in Centralia, according to police. The 31-year-old man, … more

By The News Tribune | 5/6/22

State Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia, and state Rep. Dan Griffey, R-Allyn.

State Reps. Abbarno, Griffey Delivers Legislative Update to the Grand Mound-Rochester Chamber of Commerce

On Wednesday, state Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia, gave a legislative update to the Grand-Mound Rochester Chamber of Commerce. After introductions and some brief business, Abbarno spoke to the room … more

By Matthew Zylstra / matthew@chronline.com | 5/6/22

From left, Centralia Mayor Kelly Smith Johnston, City Councilor Sarah Althauser, Centralia Farmers Market President Bruce Yost and Manager Marie Shankle smile for a photo as crowds gather in Pine Street Plaza for a ribbon cutting ceremony Friday morning. The market has relocated to downtown Centralia this year. The market will be open on Fridays through Sept. 30. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Pine Street Plaza is located at 100 E Pine Street.

In Focus: Centralia Farmers Market Opens for Season in Downtown Centralia

5/6/22

Lewis County Republicans Chair Brandon Svenson, who is also the mayor of Winlock, has been enrolled in the Morton Police Department Reserve Academy since Jan. 10 and is training to be a reserve police officer for the Toledo Police Department. He's pictured here last month in Morton.

Several Lewis County Republicans Officers Call for Chair’s Resignation Following ‘Inappropriate Behavior’

Several precinct committee officers (PCOs) with the Lewis County Republicans have called for local party chair Brandon Svenson’s resignation, citing an ongoing pattern of “inappropriate … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 5/6/22

Sirens: DUI Arrest; Package Theft; Man Arrested on Murder Warrant

CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Retail Theft • A Pe Ell woman was cited for shoplifting in the 500 block of South Tower Avenue at approximately 4:35 p.m. on May 4. • An Oakville … more

5/6/22

Centralia Masonic Temple to Hold Centennial Cornerstone-Rededication Celebration

The Centralia Masonic Temple has reached the century mark. Since the Masonic Organization still owns the building and Freemasons continue to meet in the third-floor Lodge Room, Washington … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/6/22

Lucy Wilcox, 14, and Asher Adams, 13, were selected out of about a dozen eighth graders at Centralia Christian School who went on a trip to the Washington, D.C., area.

Centralia Christian School Students Place Wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

In late March, two Centralia Christian School students had the honor of placing a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a monument dedicated to U.S. service members whose remains have not been … more

By Matthew Zylstra / matthew@chronline.com | 5/6/22

FILE PHOTO — Lisa Hiam holds a Mazama pocket gopher after trapping it in the Mima Mounds of West Rocky Nature Preserve new Maytown.

Final Environmental Report on Thurston County Habitat Conservation Plan Releases

Builders may soon be able to develop with a mind to Mazama pocket gophers and other federally endangered species through channels provided by Thurston County directly, instead of needing to seek … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/6/22

Centralia-Chehalis Chamber Offers Eight Scholarships to Area High School Students

The Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce recently announced that May 27 is the deadline for eight different scholarships it’s making available to high school students from Centralia, Chehalis … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/6/22

Jeremi Dwayne Sanders, 34, of Centralia, appears virtually in Lewis County Superior Court on Thursday.

Two Men Charged for Allegedly Kicking Down Door to Centralia Shop and Attacking Man Inside

Bail has been set at $50,000 each for two Centralia men accused of kicking in the door of a Centralia shop during an altercation on Wednesday and attacking the man who lived there. Two women … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 5/6/22

A bald eagle swoops down onto Fort Borst Lake in Centralia Wednesday afternoon to snatch a fish. Eagles are a common sight at the popular spring fishing destination. More photographs from the afternoon can be found at chronline.com.

In Focus: The Birds of Fort Borst Park in Centralia

5/6/22

Former U. S. Sen. Slade Gorton, center, was the featured guest at a forum at the Vernetta Smith Chehalis Timberland Library when this photograph was captured in 2012. Gorton was speaking about his biography, “Slade Gorton: A Half Century in Politics.” Shown with Gorton are, from left, former Chronicle Editor-in-Chief Brian Mittge, historian and book author John Hughes, Gorton’s former chief of staff J. Vander Stoep and Chehalis library advocate Brian Zylstra.

State Senate Republicans Honor Former U.S. Sen. Slade Gorton Following Belated Memorial Service

The State Senate Republican Caucus released a statement Thursday honoring former U.S. Senator Slade Gorton. Gorton, who died on Aug. 19, 2020, at the age of 92, received a memorial service at St. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/6/22

Video Shows Centralia Officers Discontinue Pursuit of Catalytic Converter Theft Suspect

Video from the Centralia Police Department that was recently obtained by The Chronicle shows officers abort the pursuit of a suspect in a catalytic converter theft last week after the suspect’s … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 5/6/22

Pe Ell School graduates are pictured May 4 1982, in this photograph from The Chronicle’s archives.

A Look Back in Time: Expansion of the Pacific Highway Through Lewis County Planned for Over $1.5M

In 1952, the Pacific Highway was one of the state’s premier cross-regional thoroughfares, and it was set to expand further through Lewis County. “Two new contracts for work in … more

Compiled by Daniel Warn / dan@chronline.com | 5/6/22

As Pacific County Reports First Case of Bird Flu, Backyard Flocks at Highest Risk

Dr. Lindsey Pollock, a Winlock veterinarian and Lewis County Commissioner, said people often don’t realize that according to 2017 data, poultry and eggs are Lewis County’s top … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronlne.com | 5/6/22