Local News | The Daily Chronicle

Devastation from a fire is seen from above along 195th Avenue Southwest in Rochester on Sunday.

Neighbor Makes Life-Saving Call as Rochester Fire Burns Two Structures, Threatens 35 More

Aluminum melts at 1,221 degrees Fahrenheit. Judging by the melted remains of vehicles on the outer edges of the burn path of a fire in Rochester Saturday, West Thurston Fire Chief Robert … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronline.com | 7/31/22

West Thurston Fire: After 35 Structures Threatened, Two Are Lost in Rochester Blaze

The West Thurston Fire Authority reported Saturday night that a blaze that once threatened to consume 35 structures and 30 vehicles in Rochester ended up burning one primary residence, an outbuilding … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/30/22

Smoke rises from the fires in south Thurston County in this photograph taken from Interstate 5.

West Thurston Fire: After 35 Structures Threatened, Two Are Lost in Rochester Blaze

Firefighters are responding to a barn fire and a brush fire in the area of 195th Avenue Southwest and Pecan Street Southwest in Rochester this afternoon. The blazes were first reported by … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/30/22

The Chehalis River is seen Friday afternoon at the trestle along the Willapa Hills Trail off Highway 603 following a drowning.

Toledo Man, 20, Drowns in Chehalis River on Friday Evening

A 20-year-old Toledo man has died after drowning in the Chehalis River on Friday afternoon near the railroad trestle on the Willapa Hills Trail off Highway 603. According to the Lewis County … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/29/22

Lewis County Fire District 6 Chief Ken Cardinale carries bags to a paramedic vehicle parked along the Willapa Hills Trail off Highway 603 on Friday.

Toledo Man, 20, Drowns in Chehalis River on Friday Evening

A boy was transported to a hospital this afternoon after going under the surface while swimming in the Chehalis River at the trestle along the Willapa Hills Trail off of Highway 603 Friday afternoon. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/29/22

Ken and Julie Wiseman smile for a photo with their cat Raven on Wednesday after he was rescued from a utility pole by Lewis County Public Utility District employees outside their residence along Frogner Road.

Lewis County PUD Saves a Cat, Prevents Power Outage

Raven is a lovely, fluffy black cat. Unlike actual ravens, when he found himself atop a power pole in Adna, Raven the cat could not fly down. Plus, his climbing abilities align with the … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronline.com | 7/29/22

The 911 Dispatch Center is seen inside the Lewis County Courthouse in this file photo.

County Looks Into 911 Call From Morton That Was Reportedly Not Answered

A Morton resident said a brush fire started 200 feet from her house on U.S. Highway 12 on Thursday evening, but when she dialed 911 about the fire, nobody answered her call. Shannon Craig posted … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronline.com | 7/29/22

Packwood Man Accused of Failing to Register as Sex Offender

Christopher James Partsch, 34, of Packwood, has been charged with failing to register as a sex offender in Lewis County after having been convicted of a felony sex offense. According to court … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/29/22

Mushroom Club to Host First Meeting of Fall, Plan for Fair Information Booth

The Southwest Washington Mycological Society will host its first meeting of the fall season at 6 p.m. Aug. 2 in the Washington State University Extension office in Chehalis. The meeting will … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/29/22

Inmate at Lewis County Jail Allegedly Punches Three Deputies in Their Heads

An inmate at the Lewis County Jail is facing three third-degree assault charges for allegedly punching three deputies. On July 6, the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office dispatched officers to … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/29/22

Windows are seen boarded up at the Country Market located in the 200 block of Downing Road in Centralia after a car drove through barricades into the building.

Driver Arrested for DUI After Crashing Into Centralia Market

Chance D. Blankenship, 22, of Chehalis, was arrested by Centralia police and booked for driving under the influence after he reportedly crashed his car through the Country Market’s outer wall … more

Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com | 7/29/22

Callie Thomas and Clara Price, of Chehalis, smile for a photo with goats Lani and Charlie at the Thurston County Fair on Thursday.

‘Ambassadors for Agriculture’: Thurston County Fair Draws Exhibitors From Lewis County and Beyond

When the Thurston County Fair draws to a close on Sunday, exhibitors will pack up and head home for Adna, Chehalis, Tenino, Rainier, Yelm and Olympia alike. On Thursday, FFA, 4-H and Open Class … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronline.com | 7/29/22

Man Charged With Robbery After Taking Items at Chehalis Outfitters

A Centralia man is facing robbery and assault charges after allegedly attempting to steal merchandise from Chehalis Outfitters, formerly the Sunbird Shopping Center, on Friday morning. The … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/29/22

Sirens: Truck With Dogs Inside Stolen From Hotel; Animal Negligence; Wanted Person; Jail Statistics

CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Burglary • Camping gear and lawn equipment were stolen out of a shed in the 800 block of North Pearl Street shortly before 9:50 a.m. on July 27. No arrests … more

7/29/22

This 1910 photo was taken at Centralia's Twin City Sand & Gravel. Sidney Plummer, company owner, is shown standing in the center in the white shirt, vest and dark hat. The photo was taken at the start of excavation that created what is known today as Plummer Lake in Centralia. Sidney and Ellen Plummer bought the land that became their namesake lake — the land was part of the original claim by Centralia found George Washington. Arthur Plummer, Sidney's son, took over the operation of the company and in the late 1940s brought in a mechanized plant with conveyors that were the first of their kind west of the Mississippi River. On the east side of Plummer Lake was a bath house and swimming beach. When I-5 went through the area in the early 1950s, the plant was closed. Arthur and Virginia Plummer (Plummer offspring) divided the property. Arthur and his wife, Marjorie, built the Lakeshore Motel in 1959 on the shores of Plummer Lake. Virginia married Charles Vogel, whose father, Art Vogel, owned the Olympia Club and the couple built a home at Plummer Lake in the 1950s. Borth Virginia and Art sold lots to private owners upon which other homes were built.

A Look Back in Time: Centralians Petition for Change in Government in 1932

Petitions were being circulated in Centralia to change the city’s form of government, The Chronicle reported on July 30, 1932. The petition asked for the Centralia Commission to meet to call a … more

Compiled by Matthew Zylstra / matthew@chronline.com | 7/29/22

A frog is pictured along the banks of Mayfield Lake in this photograph captured Tuesday evening at Ike Kinswa State Park.

In Focus: Getting Froggy at Ike Kinswa State Park

7/29/22

A cat and deer hold what appears to be a morning meeting on Sixth Street in Chehalis Friday morning.

In Focus: A Morning Meeting in Chehalis

7/29/22

From left, challengers Cara Cusack and Jon-Erik Hegstad and incumbent state Rep. Joel McEntire, R-Cathlamet.

Two Democrats Stake Out Different Paths to Challenge State Rep. Joel McEntire in the 19th Legislative District

State Rep. Joel McEntire, R-Cathlamet, said he was surprised when he found out he would be challenged by two Democrats in his race for re-election to the state House of Representatives. When filing … more

By Matthew Zylstra / matthew@chronline.com | 7/29/22

Johnson Peak is seen beyond Packwood Lake in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in this file photo captured earlier this summer.

Public Invited to Weigh in on Forest Service Fee Increases During Meeting in Packwood

The U.S. Forest Service is looking to raise fees for parking, camping, access and more in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Before the agency increases prices, it is offering two public … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/29/22

FILE PHOTO — Master stonecutter Keith Phillips demonstrates how he carves intricate designs into sandstone in 2016.

City of Tenino Enters Lease Agreement With Tenino Stone Carvers for Workshop, Commercial Operations

The Stone City is building on its rocky foundation. The City of Tenino announced Thursday it has entered into a lease agreement with the Tenino Stone Carvers to occupy a portion of a city-owned … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/29/22