News | The Daily Chronicle

Anne Marie Baker, 57, of Centralia appears in-person in Lewis County Superior Court on Monday, Aug. 4 after posting a $100,000 bond.

Centralia woman charged with 25 counts of first-degree theft in $1.4M embezzlement case, posts $100K bond

A Centralia woman arrested Friday and accused of stealing $1.4 million from her former employer over the course of a decade has been charged with 25 counts of first-degree theft but is out of Lewis … more

By Dylan Reubenking / dylanr@chronline.com | 8/4/25

Kohl Hughes Morton, 18, Chehalis, makes a video appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Monday, Aug. 4.

Chehalis teen charged with felony for sending sexually explicit video of ex-girlfriend

An 18-year-old Chehalis man has been charged with a felony for allegedly sending a video of himself and an ex-girlfriend to someone while angry over the woman’s new relationship. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/4/25

Lewis County Commissioner Sean Swope speaks during the weekly board of directors update at the Lewis County Courthouse in Chehalis on Tuesday, July 8.

Lewis County commissioners close to a decision on homeless and housing funding

Roughly a month after the matter was first introduced, the Lewis County Board of Commissioners is expected to make a decision next week on a contract with the state that will fund local homelessness … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 8/4/25

Madelyn Lawson high fives a volunteer during the Capital Metro Girls Fire Camp at the Mark Noble Regional Fire Training Center in Olympia on Saturday, Aug. 2.

Fire camp inspires young women to explore careers in fire service

While two days isn’t nearly enough time to learn the full range of skills necessary to become a professional in the fire service, it’s more than enough time for young women to write the … more

By Dylan Reubenking / dylanr@chronline.com | 8/4/25

Protesters hold signs along West Main Street during a “Rights for all!” civic engagement event at George Washington Park in Centralia on Saturday, Aug. 2. Centralia Mobilize and Multiculturally Minded hosted the event. The event featured speakers and resources in support of Washington immigrant and migrant rights, according to organizers.

In focus: Immigrants rights rally held in downtown Centralia

8/4/25

People enter the Lewis County Courthouse on Election Day in Chehalis on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Aug. 5 primary election results to be available in the evening and certified later in the month

The Lewis County Auditor’s Office on Friday, Aug. 1, shared additional information on the upcoming Aug. 5 primary election. In a news release from the auditor’s office, Elections … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/4/25

Crews from Randle, Packwood and Glenoma responded to a structure fire on Kiona Road in the morning of Friday, Aug. 1. The structure is a complete loss, but four occupants were uninjured but displaced.

Fundraiser created to support Randle family displaced by house fire

An online GoFundMe fundraiser has been established to support a Randle family of four displaced from a fire that destroyed their residence, vehicles and belongings during the morning of Friday, Aug. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/4/25

Marketgoers browse the vendors at Antique Fest in Centralia on Friday, Aug. 1.

In focus: Antique Fest brings crowds to downtown Centralia

8/4/25

Sirens: Indecent exposure leads to arrest; juvenile accused of vehicle prowls; motorcyclist ditches motorcycle after crash

CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Arrests … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/4/25

Master Recycler Composters of Lewis County open first tool bucket library in Southwest Washington

The Washington State University Master Recycler Composters (MRC) of Lewis County have opened the MRC Tool Bucket Library to help residents borrow tools for projects around their homes and gardens. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/4/25

Frances Grove in front of plaques of appreciation from her coaching career

Julie McDonald: Teaching and coaching run in the Grove family

Editor’s note: This is the third and final installment of columnist Julie McDonald’s series on Toledo area resident Frances Grove. See previous installments at chronline.com/opinion … more

8/4/25

Chehalis man arrested in ‘countywide vehicle prowl case’

The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) last week arrested a suspect in a “countywide vehicle prowl case,” according to a Friday news release. “Earlier this evening, … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/4/25

Helen Roper impersonators to take over downtown Centralia for event benefiting Carly’s Closet

If the fashion of downtown Centralia looks a lot more 70s themed than usual Friday, Aug. 15, don’t panic. That’s just Helen Roper and her impersonators raising money for Carly’s … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/4/25

Thousands of trees uprooted by the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption remain floating in the northeast end of Spirit Lake in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest on Tuesday, July 9, 2024.

Forest Service seeks public comments on Spirit Lake Outflow Safety Improvement Project

The Gifford Pinchot National Forest is seeking public com ments on a draft environmental impact statement that includes amendments to the Gifford Pinchot National Forest Land and Resource Management … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/4/25

Lewis County accepting applications for 2026 lodging tax grants

The Lewis County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is accepting applications on behalf of the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) for use of 2026 hotel and motel lodging tax funding, a news … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/4/25

Protesters hold signs on the sidewalk of Second Street in Morton during an event organized by Democrats in East Lewis County to protest federal budget cuts to rural health care on Friday, Aug. 1.

In focus: East Lewis County Democrats protest federal cuts to rural health care

8/4/25

Marilyn Monroe lookalike Erika Smith will be the emcee for the event.

Marilyn Monroe lookalike to emcee Summer at the Schmidt in Tumwater on Aug. 9

By The Chronicle staff Summer at the Schmidt is set to bring vintage glam to the garden from 5 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9 at the historic Schmidt House, a news release from the Olympia … more

8/4/25

Suzy Bogguss speaks to the crowd attending the last of this summer’s Chehalis Music in the Park events held at Recreation Park in Chehalis on Friday, Aug. 1. It was the third free concert in the series following performances by Billy Gilman and the Chicago Tribute Authority. The free concerts are paid for by sponsors. Sponsors include Interstate Honda, the Veterans Memorial Museum, NAPA Auto Parts, Tyler Rentals, Point S Tires, John L. Scott Realty, Alderson’s Awards West, Grocery Outlet, Emerald Downs, Voie Hype, Eli Sports Network and Mohney FM.

In focus: Suzy Bogguss closes out summer Music in the Park concert series in Chehalis

8/4/25

Violinist Ranger Sciacca leads an improv workshop during Pickersfest at the Oakview Grange in Centralia on Saturday, Aug. 2.

In focus: Pickersfest brings three days of tunes to Centralia

Pickersfest was held at the Oakview Grange in Centralia on Friday, Aug. 1, through Sunday, Aug. 3. The three-day festival was hosted by the Washington Acoustic Music Association. Artists … more

8/4/25

Felicity McKitrick of Rainier FFA shows her hog during the Thurston County Youth Market Animal Sale at the Thurston County Fairgrounds in Lacey on Saturday, Aug. 2.

Thurston County FFA, 4-H students auction off animals during youth market sale at fair

In the heart of the Thurston County Fairgrounds in Lacey, 108 local students auctioned 135 animals during the Thurston County Youth Market Animal Sale Saturday on the third day of the four-day fair. … more

By Dylan Reubenking / dylanr@chronline.com | 8/4/25