News | The Daily Chronicle

Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal testifies at a committee hearing in January. Reykdal is facing questions from House Republicans on the state's student gender disclosure policies following a recent Supreme Court ruling. (Photo by Bill Lucia/Washington State Standard)

Washington GOP lawmakers press schools chief on gender identity disclosure policies

Following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling this week, Washington House Republicans are seeking answers from the state’s top public schools official on policies related to gender identity and parental … more

By Aspen Ford / The Washington State Standard | 3/6/26

Police say they didn’t know toddler was inside fleeing vehicle before crash on I-5 in Centralia

The Castle Rock Police Department issued a news release March 5 addressing its involvement in a multi-county chase that ended when the suspect’s vehicle — which contained a 14-month-old child — … more

By Jacob Farmer / jfarmer@chronline.com | 3/6/26

A resident cuts another resident’s hair in the barber shop as part of his vocational training at Green Hill School in Chehalis on Tuesday, Feb. 17.

Green Hill School focused on numbers, security, opportunity

Superintendent Harold Wright Jr. knows Green Hill School needs to keep its numbers down. According to the Washington state Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), the state juvenile … more

By Jacob Farmer / jfarmer@chronline.com | 3/6/26

Lewis County Commissioners from left, Lindsey Pollock, Scott Brummer and Sean Swope discuss new county revenue options presented to them by Lewis County staff during a county manager's update meeting on Monday, March 2.

Pot sales and a public safety tax? Lewis County considers options

As cost increases continue for Lewis County, the local government is considering new sources of revenue to prevent future cuts, including permitting cannabis businesses to set up shop in … more

By Jacob Moore / Jacob@chronline.com | 3/6/26

From the left, Vader Mayor Joe Schey listens as Vader City Councilor John Hurt talks alongside his fellow Councilors Nicole Hansen and John Dailey inside Vader City Hall on Wednesday, March 4.

Vader City Council seeks applicants for vacancy after councilor resignation

Members of the Vader City Council convened on Wednesday, March 4, for their first regular monthly meeting. During the meeting, Vader Mayor Joe Schey announced that city staff has received one … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 3/6/26

‘Our family’s Teacher of the Year’: Celebrating Mrs. Taylor Carroll of Adna

Mrs. Taylor Carroll was nominated by our family for Teacher of the Year through the Office of the Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction. She completely deserves to win; however, if she … more

By Abbey Wagner / For The Chronicle | 3/6/26

Sirens: Defendants sentenced for 89 pounds of meth, theft of 125 pairs of shoes; sexual assault reported; arrests for assault, drug possession

LEWIS COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT Sentencings • Salvador Ramirez, 29, Stockton, was sentenced Feb. 23 to three years in prison and one year of community custody after pleading guilty to two … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/6/26

Southbound I-5 blocked for four hours in Thurston County Wednesday night after semi crashes into stopped car

Southbound Interstate 5 was blocked for just over four hours Wednesday night in Thurston County after a semi crashed into a possible drunk driver who was stopped in the middle of the highway. … more

By Thurston Chronicle staff | 3/6/26

FROM THE ARCHIVES: "Little Sluggers Lineup: Probably one of the youngest organized baseball leagues in the area has been formed by a group of youngsters living along Borst Avenue in Centralia. The league organizers, Bob Wollan, 8; Neal Prater, 7; Mark Prater, 9; and Gary Schwiesow, 10, have gathered together bats, balls and caps for the neighborhood baseball lovers. Pictured from left to right are most of participants: Randy Wastradowski, Phillip Schwiesow (coach), Matt Prater, Reed Prater, Jimmey Dickason, Neal Prater (coach), Gary Schwiesow (coach) Mark Prater (batting instructor), Michael Wollan, Bob Wollan (coach), Mark Leth, Brian Davidson and Brian Schultz." — published by The Daily Chronicle on May 10, 1969

A Look Back in Time: WWII vets struggle to find housing in Twin Cities; Centralia College founder dies; Oakville band and Chehalis Tribal members prepare for Ireland trip

In this installment of A Look Back in Time, the Thursday, March 7, 1946, edition of The Chronicle featured a story about World War II veterans coming home and struggling to find housing, prompting … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 3/6/26

A Port Blakely volunteer selects the next bundle of trees for planting along Mill Creek.

Project along Mill Creek near Adna seeks to restore wildlife habitat by planting trees to help native salmon

Volunteers trekked to a remote portion of Mill Creek near Adna this week to help plant thousands of young trees for a project led by the Lewis Conservation District. Kelly Verd, senior projects … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 3/6/26

Podcaster Brandi Kruse leads a Let’s Go Washington rally supporting initiatives concerning parental rights and barring transgender athletes from participating in girls’ athletics at the Washington state Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 3.

Lewis County Republicans to feature Brandi Kruse at Lincoln Day Dinner

The Lewis County Republican Party is preparing to host its annual Lincoln Day Dinner with a special visit from podcast host Brandi Kruse. Local Republicans announced their annual Lincoln Day … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/6/26

The U.S. Small Business Administration sets up shop in the basement of the Lewis County Courthouse to help residents apply for disaster loans for damage caused by late 2025 flooding and storms.

Small Business Administration opening disaster loan outreach center in Packwood

After opening a disaster loan outreach center in the Lewis County Courthouse in Chehalis last week, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is bringing its resources to Packwood, which was among … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/6/26

The book was originally compiled by Mossyrock Grange members in 1976 as part of the nation’s bicentennial celebration.

Mossyrock Area Historical Society partners with grange to republish 1976 ‘Red Book’

While it may not have been official city business, during public comment at last month’s Mossyrock City Council meeting, Mossyrock Area Historical Society member Buddy Rose announced the society is … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 3/6/26

Representatives of the Thurston County Food Bank, JustServe and the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints pose for a photo in front of a semi truck during a delivery of 40,000 pounds of self stable food to the food bank's warehouse in Tumwater on Thursday, March 5.

Thurston County Food Bank receives 40,000 pounds of food as part of America250 initiative

The Thurston County Food Bank accepted a full semi-truck load of food from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Humanitarian Aid & Welfare Program on Thursday, March 5. The … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@thurstonchronicle.com | 3/6/26

Measles remains a growing concern in Washington as U.S. surpasses 1,100 cases

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed 26 measles cases across four counties this year, marking an increase from the three cases reported in a single county Jan. 16, a news … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/6/26

Podcaster Brandi Kruse speaks during a “listening session” with Republican state lawmakers concerning Initiative IL26-638 that would bar transgender athletes from competing in girls’ athletics at the Washington state Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 3.

Restraining order filed in federal court following Legislature’s press credentialing controversy

The Citizen Action Defense Fund (CADF) has filed an emergency temporary restraining order on behalf of plaintiffs Ari Hoffman, Brandi Kruse and Jonathan Choe in their lawsuit against the Washington … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/6/26

Ayn Mann, 16, was a page in the Washington state House of Representatives Feb. 23-27. She’s pictured here with her sponsors, 20th Legislative District state Reps. Ed Orcutt, R-Kalama, and Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Chehalis.

Napavine student pages in Washington state House of Representatives

Ayn Mann, 16, was a page in the Washington state House of Representatives Feb. 23-27, according to a news release from her sponsors, 20th Legislative District state Reps. Ed Orcutt, R-Kalama, and … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/6/26

The Bezos Academy section of the United Learning Center in downtown Centralia is pictured on Thursday night, March 5, as construction continues.

Tuition-free Bezos Academy Centralia accepting applications for 2026-27 school year

Bezos Academy Centralia — the soon-to-launch, tuition-free preschool located in the United Learning Center of Lewis County — is now accepting applications for the 2026-27 school year. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/6/26

Centralia Prevention Coalition to host town hall to inform about substance use risks

The Centralia Prevention Coalition will hold a town hall meeting for area families of older students on March 19 at Centralia High School. The night is intended for families of teenagers, but … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/6/26

Dmitri Matheny, an American flugelhornist based in Centralia since 2014, has been lauded as “one of the most emotionally expressive improvisers of his generation,” according to International Review of Music.

Jazz artist Dmitri Matheny and his band to play at The Juice Box in Centralia

By The Chronicle staff Jazz artist Dmitri Matheny and his band will appear at The Juice Box Public House in downtown Centralia from 8 to 10 p.m. on Friday, March 27. The performance, part … more

3/6/26