News | The Daily Chronicle

Head of Washington drug-trafficking operation sentenced to 19 years in federal prison

A federal judge sentenced a 45-year-old Mexican native to 19 years in prison Friday after a jury found him guilty of multiple drug-trafficking and firearm charges. U.S. District … more

Caroline Saint James / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 7/19/25

A fuel tanker truck crashed west of Port Angeles on Friday and leaked fuel into Indian Creek. (Courtesy of Washington State Patrol)

Tanker crashes, spills fuel into Elwha tributary, fragile salmon habitat

A fuel tanker truck crashed off Highway 101 and into Indian Creek, a tributary of the Elwha River, Friday morning west of Port Angeles — a gut punch" for an area that has, for decades, been the … more

Conrad Swanson and Isabella Breda / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/19/25

$20 an hour: Olympia council to vote on minimum wage increase proposal

The proposal to adopt a Workers’ Bill of Rights and raise the minimum wage in Olympia to $20 per hour might show up on residents’ election ballots this November. But not before Olympia … more

Ty Vinson / The Olympian (TNS) | 7/19/25

Missing Oregon mountain biker fell from ‘steep incline,’ struggled to find his way back to trail

The Gresham mountain biker who was missing for six days after heading off on a trip to Mount Hood lost his footing and fell from a “steep incline,” causing him to be stranded for days in … more

Kimberly Cortez / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 7/19/25

Herb Doumitt of the Oregon Bass and Panfish Club prefers to catch taco-sized walleye such as this one from a 2018 trip to The Dalles Dam's reservoir.

Where’s walleye? Piscatorial predators expanding range in Columbia

Nearly a decade after Oregon and Washington ended bag and size limits on walleye and bass in the jointly shared (and Washington waters) of the Columbia and Snake rivers to help save salmon and … more

Bill Monroe / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 7/19/25

Burdoin fire prompts evacuations in the Columbia River Gorge

A wildfire burning on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge has prompted evacuations in Klickitat County. The Burdoin fire started at about 2 p.m. Friday near Courtney Road and Highway … more

The Oregonian / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 7/19/25

One dead, two injured after plane crash northeast of Lake Quinault

At least one person is dead and two others have been injured in a small plane crash in a remote area of Olympic National Park in Washington, authorities said. The incident occurred on Tuesday … more

By The Daily World | 7/19/25

Washington’s new rent cap set just below 10% for 2026

Washington’s statewide cap on annual residential rent increases will be just shy of 10% next year, down slightly from its current level. The limit, which takes effect Jan. 1, will be set … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 7/18/25

First responders at Horseshoe Lake, where a body was recovered on Monday, June 30 in Woodland.

Coroner IDs two people who died recently at Cowlitz County lake

The Cowlitz County Coroner’s Office has identified the remains of two men who died on different days in the past month at Woodland’s Horseshoe Lake. The Cowlitz County Coroner office … more

Matt Esnayra / The Daily News | 7/18/25

Report: 140 Californians a day flee to the land of no income tax — Washington state

Californians are trading wildfires and income tax for rain and $154,000 tech salaries, according to a new report. StorageCafe’s report found that approximately 140 Californians move to … more

By Spencer Pauley / The Center Square | 7/18/25

Washington lawmaker plans legislation to require OSPI to retain complaint records

The ranking Republican on the Washington state Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee calls it “crazy and stupid” that the state Office of Superintendent of Public … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 7/18/25

U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said 250,000 people from her home state could lose Medicaid coverage under new work and eligibility requirements in the "Big Beautiful Bill;" though much of those people would still qualify under certain exemptions. A representative from Murray's office told The Center Square that individuals included in that number with disabilities or other challenges may have a hard time navigating the system to verify their exemption and eligibility status. Without verification, they risk noncompliance and losing healthcare coverage.

250,000 Washingtonians may lose Medicaid coverage despite meeting new requirements

U.S. Sen. Patty Murray warned Friday that 14 hospitals in her home state of Washington may close due to Medicaid cuts in the Trump administration’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act. President … more

Tim Clouser / The Center Square | 7/18/25

From the left, Nick Henrikson, Jack Wight, Richard and John Henrikson pose for a photo at Wild Thyme Farm in Oakville on Tuesday, July 15. Wild Thyme Farm won the Lewis County 2025 Tree Farm of the Year.

Oakville resident named Lewis County Tree Farmer of the Year

The Lewis County Tree Farm of the Year is a beautiful site to behold. It's soaked in sun and covered in trees, it's historical and it's — in Grays Harbor County? Washington tree farmer … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 7/18/25

Johnson Peak is seen beyond Packwood Lake in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

Fire restrictions take effect in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest

Due to increased risk of wildfires, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest fire managers have issued restrictions on campfires, smoking and other activities within the forest. The restrictions went … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/18/25

Poppy Moseley smiles as fake snow flurries at the Centralia Downtown Association’s Christmas In July Block Party on Wednesday, July 24, 2024.

Christmas comes early to downtown Centralia July 23

Christmas in July is coming to downtown Centralia from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 23, according to a news release from the Centralia Downtown Association (CDA). Hosted by the CDA, this … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/18/25

Apiary and garden tour offered at Bee Inspired Garden in Onalaska

Bee Inspired Garden, a local nonprofit demonstration pollinator sanctuary in the Onalaska area, will hold tours on Saturday, Aug. 2, to promote the understanding of how individuals and communities … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/18/25

Sirens: Physical control of vehicle while intoxicated arrest; hit-and-run reported; items missing after burglary; scam reported

CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Arrests • Kevin M. Olney, 41, of Lacey, was arrested and booked into the Chehalis Tribal Jail at about 11:54 a.m. July 17 on the charge of physical control … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/18/25

‘Fallen Animals’: Winlock artist honors creatures killed on the road

The photographs of a Winlock artist stand as testament to the beauty of life around us — and of the inherent value of life itself. The framed photos taken by Linda Shepherd, a … more

By Lyn Craig / For The Chronicle | 7/18/25

FILE PHOTO — A cast of characters poses for a photo on stage during dress rehearsals for “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” presented by Tenino Young-At-Heart Theatre.

Tenino Young-at-Heart Theatre to perform Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid’

Tenino Young-at-Heart Theatre invites audiences of all ages to dive under the sea this summer with its production of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” running July 24 through Aug. 2 at … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/18/25

Claquato Cemetery Board Member Angie Vlach reads a poem hanging on the wall of the historic Claquato Church on Thursday, July 17. Behind her are Claquato Cemetery Board President Brett Mitchell, Washington Trust for Historic Preservation Board Member Edna Fund, and Claquato Cemetery Manager Lacie Jendryka. (Photo: Brian Mittge)

Brian Mittge: New life in our oldest church

Walking through the doors of the Claquato Church really is like stepping back in time. The room is empty save for a dozen white wooden pews, a pair of organs and a modest platform at the front … more

Commentary by Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 7/18/25