News | The Daily Chronicle

Dennis Caines, of Olympia, places his “U-55 Lincoln Thrift” model remote-controlled hydroplane into the South County Park Wallace Pond to test it in Toledo on Saturday, March 15.

In focus: Rooster tails rise in Toledo during remote-controlled hydroplane boat testing

Mmdel remote-controlled hydroplane boats put on a show Saturday morning at South County Park Wallace Pond in Toledo. The event was hosted by ERCU (officially known as Electric Radio Controlled … more

3/17/25

Rainier man killed in Friday wreck has been identified, coroner says

A 47-year-old man died early Friday morning after he crashed his vehicle into a power pole, according to the Thurston County coroner and sheriff’s office. About 4:20 a.m., Victor Rutt, of … more

By Rolfe Boone / The Olympian (TNS) | 3/17/25

Nikki Dzialowy, with Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, speaks to students during the Careers on Wheels event at Onalaska High School on Friday, March 14.

In focus: Careers on Wheels event shows options for Onalaska students

3/17/25

Elk graze in the grass along U.S. Highway 12 in front of the Cowlitz River Lodge in Packwood on Saturday, March 15.

In focus: Resident elk graze along roadway in Randle and Packwood

3/17/25

A sign for the Gifford Pinchot National Forest sits beside U.S. Highway 12 near White Pass Ski Area in 2022.

Deadline approaching for studded tire removal in Washington state

Spring is arriving in the Pacific Northwest, and with it comes Washington’s deadline to remove studded tires. Studded tires must be removed by the end of the day Monday, March 31, to avoid … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/17/25

British Columbia introduces toll measure to counter tariffs

The government of British Columbia filed legislation Thursday that would permit the province to levy tolls on vehicles between the Lower 48 and Alaska. The bill, known formally as the Economic … more

By James Brooks / Alaska Beacon | 3/17/25

Luke Yapp competes in the annual Castle Jam at the White Pass Ski Area on Saturday, March 15.

Skiers, snowboarders compete in White Pass Ski Area’s 2025 Castle Jam trick competition

Though spring is officially set to begin on Thursday, March 20, another late-winter storm hit East Lewis County last weekend, putting fresh powder down for skiers and snowboarders competing in White … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 3/17/25

Family of one of two Winlock homicide victims starts fundraiser to cover celebration of life, burial costs

The family of Don Piccolo, one of two victims of a double homicide in Winlock last month, has started a fundraiser to cover the costs of his celebration of life and burial arrangements. … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 3/17/25

Washington state law firm drew Democrats' cash, and Trump's wrath

Seattle-based Perkins Coie isn't typically the underdog in a court fight. For more than a century, the Seattle law firm has zealously defended the biggest names in Seattle business, from Boeing … more

Paul Roberts / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 3/17/25

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

State lawmakers aim to relieve strained Green Hill School and juvenile legal system

With overcrowding at one of Washington's two youth prisons hitting a crisis point, state lawmakers this legislative session have homed in on juvenile crime and incarceration, hoping to provide relief … more

Lauren Girgis / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 3/17/25

Measles outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico have led to nearly 300 cases and two deaths, raising public health concerns. Isolated cases have also been reported in a number of states, including Washington. (Dreamstime/TNS)

Washington state schools see declines statewide in measles vaccination rates

SEATTLE — Measles outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico have led to nearly 300 cases and two deaths, raising public health concerns. Isolated cases have also been reported in a number of states, … more

Gene Balk / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 3/17/25

Cat food sold in Washington recalled over bird flu threat

Savage Pet, a California-based company that markets raw and “prey-based cat food,” is recalling boxes of chicken that could contain bird flu, it announced Saturday through the U.S. Food … more

Sami Edge / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 3/17/25

Terminated federal workers in PNW in the ‘dark’ about whether they’ll be reinstated following court orders

Terminated federal probationary workers in Oregon say they are in the dark about what will happen following rulings by two federal judges who ordered the Trump administration last week to reinstate … more

Yesenia Amaro / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 3/17/25

Washington State Capitol (Laurel Demkovich/Washington State Standard)

Barring a referendum, Washington state elected leaders will receive hefty pay hikes in July

Only one thing could delay, and possibly derail, pay raises for state elected officials this year: a referendum. A citizen commission approved a new salary schedule for members of the … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 3/17/25

Woman airlifted to area hospital after Saturday evening crash in Mason County, WSP says

A 52-year-old Elma woman wound up at a Tacoma hospital Saturday evening after she rolled her pick-up truck in south Mason County, according to the Washington State Patrol. Troopers say she was … more

Rolf Boone / The Olympian (TNS) | 3/16/25

Tan sediment is seen running out of the mouth of the Cowlitz River into the Columbia in 2014.

Four decades after Mount St. Helens blast, sediment continues to cause problems downstream

Nearly 45 years after Mount St. Helens’ eruption sent almost 90 billion cubic feet of debris into the upper Toutle Valley, millions of tons of sediment still pour down into the Cowlitz River … more

Henry Brannan / Murrow News | 3/16/25

Three people killed in Interstate 5 crash in Thurston County Sunday morning

Three people have died following a crash on Interstate 5 near the Scatter Creek Rest Area Sunday morning, according to the Washington State Patrol. As of 6:30 a.m., the three-vehicle crash … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/16/25

Amid mass NOAA firings, U.S. Sen. Murray delivers grim forecast: ‘Dark clouds coming’

Mark Baltzell had seen the writing on the wall, but that didn’t make losing his dream job easy. Baltzell knew that he might get swept up in the flurry of federal firings executed by the … more

Simone Carter / The News Tribune (TNS) | 3/15/25

After crash kills Washington state middle school student, parents seek answers

Arsema Barekew was never afraid to speak up. If one of the 12-year-old's classmates was upset or crying, Arsema was usually first to rush forward and offer comfort. And if one of her Washington … more

Catalina Gaitán / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 3/15/25

The Washington state Capitol building is pictured in Olympia on Thursday, Jan. 2.

Push to legalize neighborhood cafes in Washington state cities runs aground again

Washington lawmakers have once again declined to legalize cafes and stores in residential neighborhoods across the state, allowing a key deadline to pass this week without advancing the proposal to … more

Daniel Beekman / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 3/15/25