The Daily Chronicle

A newly renovated Penny Playground opened in Chehalis Friday, and children and their families made full use of it all weekend. Here's a look at the new park from above. more

5/17/21

Remote Learning Returns in Pe Ell as Students Quarantine

Middle school and high school students in Pe Ell are returning to remote learning after 20% of its campus population quarantined due to COVID-19 exposure, Superintendent Kyle MacDonald wrote Monday … more

By Eric Rosane / ericr@chronline.com | 5/17/21

Election Supervisor Terry Jouper talks about virtual candidate filing inside the Lewis County Auditor’s office Monday in Chehalis.

Filing Week Begins With Flurry of Local Candidates

Election filing week began in earnest Monday, with candidates turning out to either maintain seats or break into government. This year’s ballot will be loaded with city council, school … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/17/21

Yelm resident Bronwen Dickinson, middle right with red vest, shouts with glee at honking cars on Union Avenue during a gathering in Olympia on Monday, May 17, at the Secretary of State’s Office to file a petition for recall against Washington Gov. Jay Inslee. Dickinson was among about 100 people to attend the rally.

Photos: Rally Held as Petition to Recall Gov. Jay Inslee Is Filed

5/17/21

Jack State smiles as he talks about his years as a coach at W.F. West while standing on one of the school tennis courts.

Coach Jack State Approaches 50 Years With Bearcat Tennis

The Twin Cities have had two legendary coaches with exceptionally long-term careers. Ron Brown coached for 58 years in Centralia, and they named the high school basketball court after him. Next … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / The Chronicle | 5/17/21

Stephen and Kathleen Kvavle smile while holding a “Thin Blue Line” flag in Adna on Saturday. The “Back the Blue” event was held at Adna Grocery and featured food, live music, merchandise and more. It was held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and coincided with the opening of a new burger bar by Adna Grocery owner Jim Smith.

Photos: ‘Back the Blue’ Rally Held at Adna Grocery Saturday

5/17/21

FILE -- In a May 8, 2003, file photo, a northern spotted owl named Obsidian by U.S. Forest Service employees flies after an elusive mouse jumping off the end of a stick in the Deschutes National Forest near Camp Sherman, Ore.

Lewis County, Neighbors Awarded Attorneys Fees for 2012 Northern Spotted Owl Litigation

Years after its joint lawsuit over Northern Spotted Owl habitat, Lewis County has accepted a settlement of $140,000 in attorneys fees, split between itself, Skamania County and Klickitat County. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/17/21

Ryan Buda holds up an RPG7 while showcasing his collection of military items during Armed Forces Day. Armed Forces Day was marked Saturday at America’s Team Museum at 622 N. Tower Ave., Centralia. Museum owner Peter Lahmann wrote on Facebook that there was a “great turnout.” “Had about 12 vehicles and 15 living historians, sharing with the public on military history topics,” Lahmann wrote. “It was a nice day and we got to meet a lot of nice people. There was emphasis for this event on the 30th Anniversary of Desert Storm. Thanks for all that were able to help out with this event.”

Photos: Armed Forces Day Marked at America’s Team Museum in Centralia

5/17/21

The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office responded to a harassment complaint on April 23 after John A. Threlfall reportedly called his mother, who lives at the housing complex in the 100 block of Spencer Road, “and said he was going to kill everybody and burn down the apartments,” according to court documents.

Man With Pending Arson Charges Accused of Threatening to Burn Down Tribal Housing Complex in Toledo

A Kelso man has been charged for breaking into a Cowlitz Indian Tribe housing complex in Toledo on Wednesday after having previously threatened to burn down the building and kill everyone inside. … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 5/17/21

Braun Says Inslee’s Veto of COVID-Related Provision in Racial Equity Analysis Bill Shows ‘Lack of Understanding’

State Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, spoke out last week after Gov. Jay Inslee vetoed an amendment the Centralia lawmaker added to a bill that mandates a racial equity analysis in schools by the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/17/21

Chehalis Man Charged for Allegedly Threatening to Cut Off Child’s Hand With a Knife

A Chehalis man has been charged for allegedly threatening to cut off a 7-year-old’s hand on Thursday. The man, whose name has been withheld to protect the identity of the victim, allegedly … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/17/21

Curtis Jay Farrier makes a video appearance in Lewis County Superior Court.

Morton Man Charged for Alleged Possession of Child Pornography

A Morton man has been charged for possession of up to 11,000 images containing child pornography. Curtis Jay Farrier was arrested after the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office received a tip from … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 5/17/21

Lewis County Commissioner Lindsey Pollock said she’s hesitant to designate the county as a “Second Amendment sanctuary,” since “sanctuary” has been linked to more liberal jurisdictions.

Lewis County Commissioners Offer Varied Responses to Sheriff’s ‘Second Amendment Sanctuary’ Proposal

County commissioners aren’t in agreement about making Lewis County a “Second Amendment sanctuary,” voicing concerns Monday as Sheriff Rob Snaza continued to push for the … more

By Claudia Yaw / cyaw@chronline.com | 5/17/21 | 2 comments

Sirens: DUI Arrest; Graffiti Reported in Centralia; Identity Theft; Harassment; Assault

CHEHALIS POLICE DEPARTMENT Vehicle Prowl • At 9:45 a.m. on May 14, a vehicle prowl was reported in the 600 block of Southeast Dobson Court that occurred sometime the night before. … more

5/17/21

The Carlisle Lake smokestack is pictured in Onalaska last week.

Onalaska Smokestack Unanimously Approved to State Historical Registry

Onalaska’s iconic smokestack at Carlisle Lake was approved last Thursday by the Washington State Advisory Council on Historic Preservation to be listed to the Washington Heritage Register. … more

By Eric Rosane / ericr@chronline.com | 5/17/21

Herrera Beutler Helps Pass 'Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) for Veterans Therapy Act'

Last week, the U.S. House passed the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) for Veterans Therapy Act, which was co-sponsored by Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler. “Our brave men … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/17/21

Centralia and W.F. West high schools last week presented their top-10 academic students during a virtual banquet that was published online Monday night, May 10. The video can be found on the Centralia High School’s Facebook page. W.F West’s top 10 includes Abigail Kay, Cody Matz, Jacob Blomdahl, Drew Reynolds, Lori Christian, Stephenie Drummond, Brian Lee, Jay Caird, Cade Haller and Allison Dickson. Look for stories on the Top 10 students from each school in a Chronicle special section dedicated to the Class of 2021 that will be published in June.

Education Briefly: Top Graduates in Chehalis, Centralia; More In-Person Learning in Chehalis; NW Pediatrics Doctor Hosting Vaccine Q&A for Toledo; Napavine K-5 Registration Open

Editor’s Note: Education Briefly is a new weekly feature of The Chronicle. Each Tuesday, Reporter Eric Rosane will round up news from the local education scene. He can be reached at … more

By Eric Rosane / ericr@chronline.com | 5/17/21

The sun sets behind a tree line near Mary’s Corner south of Chehalis on Saturday. After a string of days with clear skies and warm weather, the National Weather Service in Seattle reported Monday that rain could return to the forecast Tuesday and Wednesday along with cooler temperatures.

Photo: Sunset Beams Through Tree Line Near Mary’s Corner

5/17/21

Oak is cuddled by a young patient at Providence Centralia Hospital. The dog also worked at the Lewis County Law and Justice Center in Chehalis.

'An Incredible Boy:' Lewis County and Providence Hospital Therapy Dog Oak Remembered

Service dogs are typically raised and trained to help one person. Oak, the nearly 9-year-old black lab who worked as a therapy dog at both the Lewis County Law and Justice Center and Providence … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 5/17/21

City and Old Highway 99 Farmer Square Off Over Roosters and a $9,800 Fine for Crowing

It's been a difficult few months for the city of Tumwater and farmer Michael Johnson, who are at odds over two roosters who live on Johnson's farm on Old Highway 99. The roosters' crowing resulted … more

Rolf Boone / The Olympian | 5/17/21