Local News | The Daily Chronicle

Romulo Yanez Jr., 41, of Centralia, appears virtually in Lewis County Superior Court on Thursday.

Centralia Man Accused of Lighting Pe Ell Porch on Fire While Children Were Inside Home

A Centralia man has been arrested on arson charges after he allegedly lit the back porch of a Pe Ell home on fire Tuesday while three children were inside. The man, Romulo Yanez Jr., 41, … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 6/16/22

Annalee Tobey Appointed to Centralia College Board of Trustees

Experience Chehalis Director Annalee Tobey has been appointed to the Centralia College Board of Trustees, the college announced Wednesday. Tobey replaces Debbie Campbell, who resigned in … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/16/22

Joanne Schwartz, left, and Talia May Hansen.

Joanne Schwartz, Talia May Hansen to Receive Honorary Degrees From Centralia College

Centralia College has selected two people to receive honorary bachelor’s degrees at the college’s 2022 commencement ceremony: former trustee Joanne Schwartz and Talia May Hansen, a … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/15/22

West Lewis County residents gather around a map representing possible isolation zones that would occur from bridge collapses and landslides in the 9.0 magnitude Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake at the Baw Faw Grange on Monday.

Emergency Officials Work to Prepare Lewis County for 9.0 Cascadia Earthquake

If humans could see the future, the West Coast would likely be spending every moment from now until its arrival preparing for the impending 9.0 Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake. Off the … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronline.com | 6/15/22

Tansy ragwort is invasive and will establish itself readily in disturbed areas. It is toxic and can be lethal to livestock. The toxic properties remain when the plant is cut and dried in hay, where it is difficult for animals to avoid eating it. The toxins accumulate in an animal’s body, causing irreversible liver damage and poor health or death. The toxic properties may also be a threat to humans, because honey or milk can be contaminated if bees or goats utilize tansy ragwort plants. All parts of the plant are poisonous, but flowers have the highest concentration of toxins. Tansy ragwort is a Class B Noxious Weed. Control is required county-wide.

Free Tansy Disposals to Be Held Across Lewis County This Weekend

Lewis County’s Noxious Weed Control department will be hosting free tansy ragwort disposals on Friday and Saturday throughout the county. Loose tansy will not be accepted. The weed must be … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/15/22

Commissioners listen to speakers during a Board of Health meeting in Chehalis on Monday.

Lewis County Ends COVID-19 Mass Vaccinations

Mass vaccination clinics will no longer be hosted for Lewis County residents to receive COVID-19 vaccines. Lewis County Public Health & Social Services (LCPHSS) and Bird’s Eye Medical … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/15/22

Members of the Toledo School Board presents a $1.75 million check to Lewis County Treasurer Arny Davis during a community meeting at Toledo High School on Wednesday. The money will cover four years of payments on the bond that funded construction of the new Toledo High School.

$2M Savings on New Toledo High School Will Cover Four Years of Payments on Bond

With the old Toledo High School falling apart, a supermajority of Toledo voters in 2018 said they were willing to pay a $7 million bond to fund construction of a new high school at a rate of 76 cents … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 6/15/22

Class of 2022 graduates from Futurus High School pose for a photo in Centralia on Tuesday.

In Focus: Futurus High School Class of 2022 Celebrates Graduation

6/15/22

Chehalis Man Charged for Domestic Violence After Allegedly Breaking Into Residence, Strangling Man on Sunday

A Chehalis man is facing multiple domestic violence charges after he allegedly broke into a Chehalis residence, shoved a woman and a 16-year-old girl into a wall and picked up a man by the neck on … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/15/22

Jaime Herrera Beutler Says She Has Secured Over $3.6M for Southwest Washington Residents This Year

Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Battle Ground, announced Wednesday she has “returned” $3,620,681.12 to taxpayers in Southwest Washington from the federal government through her … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/15/22

Neil Marsh looks on as Auditor Larry Grove locks an official ballot drop box on Election Day at the Historic Lewis County Courthouse in Chehalis last year.

Military, Overseas Ballots for Lewis County Residents to Be Mailed June 17

The Lewis County Auditor’s Office will mail over 500 ballots on June 17 to all military and overseas voters ahead of the Aug. 2 primary election, 45 days prior to the election as required by … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/15/22

FILE PHOTO — Erik Dahl looks down at a crack which continues to form in the 2100 block of Little Hanaford Road in Centralia in January.

Emergency Declared for Little Hanaford, Garrard Creek Roads

There is big trouble on Little Hanaford and Garrard Creek roads: enough for Lewis County to declare the two roads in a state of emergency to expedite the public works process. Thanks to the … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronline.com | 6/15/22

Sirens: Morton and Mossyrock Reports; Tampering With Fire Alarm; Unlawful Possession of a Firearm

MORTON POLICE DEPARTMENT Morton Incidents • An officer was dispatched to the area of Adams Avenue and Seventh Street just before 1:45 a.m. on June 6 regarding a suspicious person. The … more

6/15/22

In Focus: Rochester Class of 2022 Celebrates Graduation

The Rochester High School class of 2022 held its graduation ceremony on Sunday, June 12, at the Marcus Pavilion at Saint Martin’s University in Lacey. more

Rochester School District / Courtesy Photos | 6/15/22

Democrat Davy Ray of Stevenson is pictured in this photograph from his campaign Facebook page.

3rd District Candidate Ray: Invest in Infrastructure for Livability

Lesser-known Democrat Davy Ray of Stevenson listened to his heart — not his colleagues — when he filed to represent Southwest Washington in the U.S. Congress. Ray, who ran for the same … more

By Lauren Ellenbecker / The Columbian | 6/15/22

State Rep. Jim Walsh talks to attendees of an ARPA and Infrastructure Initiatives Stakeholders Meeting last month at the Lewis County Courthouse in Chehalis.

‘It’s Just Lazy’: Walsh Decries Report on Far-Right Influence on State Politicians That Singled Him Out

State Rep. Jim Walsh was one of 10 politicians singled out in a recent report on how state legislators amplify the arguments of far-right groups, as measured in part by their Facebook activity. … more

By Brennen Kauffman / The Daily News | 6/15/22

Kids run with balloons outside the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds grandstand arena, Saturday, April 30, 2022 in Centralia during the Spring Youth Fair.

Barn Bash Dance to Raise Money for Youth Agriculture on Friday

The annual “Barn Bash” dance will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday, June 17, under the grandstands at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds. The Southwest Washington Fair Association is … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/15/22

FILE PHOTO — City council members listen to attendees speak at the podium during a meeting in Chehalis.

Chehalis City Council Moves Toward Moratorium on Cryptocurrency Mining

The Chehalis City Council voted unanimously to move to a final vote on a cryptocurrency mining moratorium during its regular meeting Monday. The moratorium would prohibit the establishment of new … more

By Matthew Zylstra / matthew@chronline.com | 6/15/22

From left to right, Toledo Neighbors Vice President Brooke Acosta, President Amber Buck and Co-Treasurer Heather Garman pose for a photo outside in Toledo as it rains.

Toledo Neighbors Helping Neighbors: Nonprofit Aims to Become Hub for Residents to Share Resources

Toledo is a community of neighbors who are willing to share what they have — be that an hour of free time or 15 heads of fresh lettuce — with their fellow neighbors. But without a hub to … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 6/15/22

JNET: 8 Pounds of Meth, 10,000 Fentanyl Pills Seized Following Traffic Stop in Centralia on Tuesday

Local law enforcement have arrested two people and seized 8 pounds of suspected methamphetamine and 10,000 pills suspected to contain fentanyl following a traffic stop on northbound Interstate 5 near … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/15/22