News | The Daily Chronicle

Fox Theatre on South Tower Avenue in Centralia is pictured here on Thursday, Feb. 26.

Latest Fox Theatre report reveals difficult funding outlook

Any route to continuing work on the Fox Theatre in downtown Centralia without interruption will require the city to borrow money or raise the funds through additional local taxes. Supporters of … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 6/26/26

Robert E. Brunn, 47, Chehalis, makes a video appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Thursday, June 25.

Chehalis man accused of selling somebody else’s boat

A Chehalis man was arrested Wednesday after he allegedly sold a boat and trailer belonging to somebody else. According to the victim, the items were valued at a combined $4,000. Robert E. Brunn … more

By Jacob Farmer / jfarmer@chronline.com | 6/26/26

Perfectly Pinup Boutique is open on Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Perfectly Pinup Boutique to celebrate grand opening in Centralia on July 2

A new women's clothing boutique inspired by the 1950s is opening its doors in Centralia. Perfectly Pinup Boutique will celebrate its grand opening at noon on Thursday, July 2, with a … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/26/26

Sirens: “Asian-style sword” brandished during bar dispute; driver forced off the road by vehicle; sexual assault reported

CHEHALIS POLICE DEPARTMENT Arrests and citations • Michael C. Novion was issued criminal citations for alleged second-degree criminal trespass and urination and/or defecating in public in … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/26/26

Onalaska High School Second Semester Honor Roll

Following are members of the Onalaska High School’s second semester honor roll. This list was provided by the Onalaska School District. Seniors: Archey, Kiley A.; Auman, Jaelyn J.; … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/26/26

Winlock Middle and High School Honor Rolls

The Winlock Middle and High School principal’s and honors lists for the second semester of the 2025-2026 school year has been announced. Students named to the Principal’s List received … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/26/26

The Lacey Timberland Library, located at 500 College St. SE in Lacey.

Timberland Regional Library enacts furloughs, administrative salary cuts

The Timberland Regional Library (TRL) on Wednesday unveiled administrative salary cuts and staff furloughs that are estimated to save the five-county library system roughly $220,000 over the next six months … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@thurstonchronicle.com | 6/26/26

Volunteers work to make repairs at the recently vandalized High Rock Lookout.

Volunteers get to work, donations arrive after vandalism at High Rock Lookout

While investigators still have no suspects when it comes to who committed the vandalism, volunteers began the cleanup work this past week on the damage done at High Rock Lookout, according to members … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 6/26/26

Colvin Ranch and Colvin Provisions owner Jennifer Colvin accepts the 2026 New Business of the Year Award in a photo with Thurston EDC Board President Malcolm Miller, left, and Executive Director Michael Cade during the EDC Business Awards at Hangar 51 Event Center in Olympia on Wednesday, June 24.

Thurston EDC celebrates local business leaders with annual award ceremony

The Thurston Economic Development Council (EDC) celebrated the success of local businesses Wednesday with its annual Business Awards. The nominees and award winners represent innovation, … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@thurstonchronicle.com | 6/26/26

On Tuesday, June 23, Tara Chestnut visited the first responders from Pierce County Fire District 23 in Ashford to thank and honor them for their lifesaving efforts. She marked the fifth anniversary of her rescue by giving them a U.S. flag flown over the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C.

Conservationist crushed by boulder in 2021 thanks responders with flag from U.S. Capitol

Five years ago, Tara Chestnut was working as the Mount Rainier National Park wildlife program manager, collaborating with the nonprofit Cascade Carnivores Project to monitor the Cascade red fox … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 6/26/26

The proposed flow-through dam on the Chehalis River near Pe Ell is pictured in this rendering from the Chehalis River Flood Control District.

Chehalis River Flood Control Zone pushes for delayed flood project to include updated designs

A delay to the environmental impact study on the proposed flow-through dam near Pe Ell is also delaying a decision on whether to endorse the project, or some other large-scale flood project, for the … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 6/26/26

This 1926 to 1928 photo shows a logging train near Anderson Lake, which is located roughly 1 mile northwest of the tracks shown in this photo. That train would gather the cars from logging sites and transport them to the incline where the cars were let down the hill one at a time. There, another engine would pick them up at the bottom and transport them to the National Mill or the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific railroad. Norman and Marie Christen Johnson lived in the logging camp from 1924 to 1930 where Norman was a timber cruiser. Hi job was to estimate the volume of timber before it was cut. To Johnson daughters, Gladys and Norma, were reared on the mountain until the family moved to Tacoma. A chicken wire fence kept the girls from wandering around the camp or getting on the railroad tracks. Two other children, Richard and Julia, were born to the Johnsons after they left the mountain. Richard followed in his father's footsteps and became a timber cruiser with the Randle District of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

A Look Back in Time: Centralia teen arrested for breaking curfew; Australian senator opens rabbit farm; Chehalis Kraft Foods earns award

In this installment of A Look Back in Time, the Wednesday, June 27, 1956, edition of The Chronicle featured a story about a 14-year-old getting arrested for breaking a curfew, which was in effect for … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 6/26/26

Morton City Councilor Jason Sawyer, on the left, explains why he supports a censure attempt against fellow Councilor Jeff Johnson during the council's Monday, June 22, meeting inside the Bob Lyle Community Center.

Tension remains as censure attempt against one Morton city councilor fails during Monday meeting

An attempt to censure Morton City Councilor Jeff Johnson failed by a vote of 3-1 during the council’s meeting on Monday, June 22, after nearly 15 minutes of back-and-forth discussion between … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 6/26/26

Abbarno recognized as ‘Champion for Children’ by Family Education and Support Services

State Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Chehalis, was recently honored as a Champion for Children by the Family Education and Support Services (FESS) organization during a special recognition ceremony at the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/26/26

Mount St. Helens begins to turn pink in the alpenglow at sunset on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, as seen from Jackson Highway northeast of Toledo near the South Lewis County Airport.

Mount St. Helens Institute offers series of stewardship events

The Mount St. Helens Institute is providing opportunities this summer for community members to support a healthy ecosystem at the National Volcanic Monument, the institute announced in a news … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/26/26

People browse the firework stands off of Anderson Road Southwest on Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation on Saturday, June 28, 2025.

Fireworks stands opening in Lewis County as sales already underway in Oakville

While a plethora of fireworks shows are planned throughout the region for the upcoming Independence Day holiday, fireworks stands are also opening this weekend in Lewis County for those looking to … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/26/26

Washington State Department of Transportation crews work on the Koontz Road overpass after it was struck by northbound traffic along Interstate 5 in 2021.

Plan for nighttime lane closures on northbound I-5 near Napavine for bridge work

Travelers who use northbound Interstate 5 near the Koontz Road overpass in Lewis County should plan for overnight delays, the Washington state Department of Transportation (WSDOT) warned in a news … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/26/26

Will Finn is pictured in this photo previously provided by the City of Woodland.

State trooper, former mayor Will Finn charged with 16 criminal counts

Editor’s note: This article first appeared in Lower Columbia Currents, which reports news and opinion about Southwest Washington. It is published, reported and written by award-winning journalist … more

By Andre Stepankowsky / Lower Columbia Currents | 6/26/26

Lewis County Board of Commissioners District 3 candidate Zac Eckstein speaks during candidate forum and meet-and-greet at Jester Auto Museum in Chehalis on Tuesday, April 28.

Thurston–Lewis–Mason Central Labor Council announces 2026 election endorsements

After careful consideration and a vote by delegates to the Thurston-Lewis-Mason Central Labor Council (CLC), the CLC has announced in a news release it is endorsing the following candidates for the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/26/26

Oregon drought emergencies declared in over half of the state’s counties

Over half of Oregon’s counties are now under drought emergency declarations as state officials warn of increased stress on the state’s environment and agricultural industry due to water … more

Sophia Cossette / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 6/26/26