News | The Daily Chronicle

Centralia Chief of Police Andy Caldwell discusses emergency vehicle budgets during a meeting with the Lewis County 911 Communications Executive Board at the Lewis County Courthouse in Chehalis on Aug. 20, 2025.

Sales tax causes problems for Lewis County 911 center

Every once in a while, people are tripped up by the sales tax. They stand at the register trying to do the math and slowly realize they don't have the cash to cover what they hoped to purchase. … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 9/5/25

Thurston District 4 Commissioner Wayne Fournier is sworn-in during a ceremony at The Atrium in Olympia on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024.

Thurston County commissioner proposes ordinance in response to Bear Gulch fire immigration arrests

Thurston County commissioner and Aberdeen firefighter Wayne Fournier this week introduced the Emergency Responder Protection and Enforcement Coordination Act to the board, which approved sending the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/5/25

The aftermath of a structure fire is pictured near Grand Avenue in Centralia on Thursday, Sept. 4. No injuries were reported and no one was displaced from the vacant property, according to a news release.

No injuries reported after Centralia house fire

No injuries were reported after a house in the area of Gold Street and Grand Avenue in Centralia burned early Thursday morning, according to the Riverside Fire Authority. Firefighters responded … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/5/25

The Wildcat Fire from the eastern shore of Bumping Lake at 4:48 p.m. Sept. 4.

Wildcat Fire grows to 6,696 acres, spreads near Bumping Lake

The Wildcat Fire has reached the north shore of Bumping Lake, with active fire behavior on the southern flank. "Yesterday, the fire slowly backed downslope toward cabins along Bumping Lake and … more

By Alexander Banks / The Yakima Herald-Republic (TNS) | 9/5/25

Devil's Ridge firefighters haul in a pump on the Hungry Fire. Firefighters on that fire have an extensive water system set up to utilize Elk Creek. Two miles of hose has been deployed.

Forest Service releases update on Gifford Pinchot lightning fires

On Monday, Sept. 1, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) released an update on the rash of fires started after a “significant” lightning storm set pockets of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest … more

By Jacob Farmer / jfarmer@chronline.com | 9/5/25

Sirens: Drunken driver hits street light, trees, shrubs; Mineral man arrested for assault; shoplifting, theft and hit-and-run reported

CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Arrests • Roy E. Teem, 54, Chehalis, was arrested for allegedly driving with a suspended driver’s license at about 6:05 p.m. Sept. 2 at the corner of … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/5/25

Death notices: Sept. 5, 2025

• DUWAYNE G. RADER, 87, Chehalis, died Sept. 1 at South Creek Post Acute Care. Arrangements are under the care of Cattermole Funeral Home. • DARLENE C. ROWLEY, 77, Chehalis, died Sept. … more

9/5/25

“Earlier today, deputies responded to a single-vehicle collision in the 2900 block of Jackson Highway, Chehalis,” the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office wrote while posting this photo on Facebook Thursday. “Upon arrival, deputies discovered that the male driver had fled the scene on foot, leaving an injured female passenger inside the vehicle. A witness reported seeing the male suspect running through a nearby field. K9 Kimbo and his handler responded to search and quickly located the suspect hiding in a brush line, where he was taken into custody. The suspect, 38-year-old Seth T. Lloyd, of Centralia, was booked into the Lewis County Jail for one count of felony hit-and-run. We would like to thank Chehalis PD, Centralia PD and WSP for helping with containment that assisted us with the apprehension.”

Photo: Hit-and-run suspect arrested by Lewis County Sheriff's Office

9/5/25

Thomas Ralls clears out packed dirt from the steps leading into the Seminary Hill Natural Area during an Earth Day work party in Centralia on Saturday, April 20, 2024.

Seminary Hill Autumn Work Party set for Saturday; all are invited

The Friends of the Seminary Hill Natural Area will host their annual Autumn Work Party at Centralia’s hillside forest from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 6, rain or shine. All are invited … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/5/25

Visitors mingle around drinks and food at Longmire Springs Brewing in Packwood on Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023.

Packwood’s Longmire Springs Brewing to host Oktoberfest

Traditionally held from mid-September to the first Sunday every October in Munich, Germany, communities around the world hold their own Oktoberfest celebrations simultaneously. With Oktoberfest … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/5/25

Chris Guenther performs during the Independence Valley Chicken Races at Independence Valley Community Hall in Rochester on Sunday, June 29.

The Independence Valley Community Hall in Rochester to host Chris Guenther for benefit concert

The Independence Valley Community Hall in Rochester will host a benefit concert with Chris Guenther and the Honky Tonk Drifters Saturday, Sept. 13, according to a news release from the Independence … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/5/25

United Way Lewis County Director Annie Oien speaks during the annual Power of the Purse event at Centralia College on Tuesday, Aug. 5.

United Way’s fourth annual Pints with Purpose Brewfest to be held Oct. 4

United Way of Lewis County’s fourth annual Pints with Purpose Brewfest will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 4 at The Orchard, 2178 S. Scheuber Road, Chehalis. Lavon Blue will perform live … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/5/25

Walt Morgan, who grew up west of Napavine and now lives in Centralia, served as a radio operator during the Vietnam War.

Brian Mittge: A local veteran’s trip to Ground Zero at the Pentagon

When Walt Morgan was flown to Washington, D.C., this year on an honor flight for veterans, he visited all the big memorials — from Lincoln to World War II. He made sure he spent time … more

Commentary by Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 9/5/25

The outside of Green Hill School is pictured in Chehalis on Tuesday, Oct. 15.

Green Hill School receives three safety violations following L&I inspection

Green Hill School was hit with three safety violations Aug. 28 following an inspection from the state Department of Labor and Industries. The investigation began in response to an employee complaint … more

By Jacob Farmer / jfarmer@chronline.com | 9/5/25

A wildland firefighter truck sits at the Windy Ridge Viewpoint facing Mount St. Helens on Wednesday, Sept. 3.

In focus: Windy Ridge Viewpoint is still a great way to get close to Mount St. Helens

The Windy Ridge Viewpoint remains a viable alternative for viewing the northern side of Mount St. Helens after a debris slide in May 2023 took out Spirit Lake Memorial Highway and drivers’ … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/5/25

Man’s death near Centralia preceded by crash down embankment, collision with tree stump

Details have emerged regarding the single-vehicle traffic crash that resulted in the death of a 52-year-old Shelton man traveling outside Centralia on Aug. 21. According to the Lewis County … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/5/25

Seth Sorrow Blackwolf, 49, currently of Chehalis, makes a video appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Thursday, Sept. 4.

Chehalis man arrested after allegedly making threats to kill gas station clerk; bail set at $50,000

Seth Sorrow Blackwolf, 49, currently of Chehalis, was charged with second-degree burglary, felony harassment and third-degree malicious mischief Thursday after he allegedly trespassed into a Chehalis … more

By Jacob Farmer / jfarmer@chronline.com | 9/5/25

Julian Corrales Silva, 34, Federal Way, makes a video appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Wednesday, Sept. 3.

Man falls asleep along I-5 in Lewis County, allegedly speeds away from state trooper

Julian Corrales Silva, 34, of Federal Way, was charged Wednesday in Lewis County Superior Court for driving under the influence and attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle. The charge for … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/5/25

Vernetta Smith Chehalis Timberland Library

Friends of the Chehalis Library to hold meeting Wednesday

The Friends of the Chehalis Library (FOCL) will be holding a meeting at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10, according to a news release from the FOCL. “The Friends are an informal group of library … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/5/25

The Chehalis River overflows into Scatter Creek, inundating Independence Road Southwest and nearby properties in Rochester in 2022.

Thurston County seeks community input on Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan Update

The Thurston County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing Tuesday, Sept. 16 to receive and consider public testimony on the 2025 Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan Update. The proposed update … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/5/25