News | The Daily Chronicle

Gov. Bob Ferguson makes his way through the room prior to being sworn in on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, at the Washington state Capitol in Olympia, Wash. (Photo by Ryan Berry/Washington State Standard)

Washington governor says he will limit his own emergency powers if lawmakers don’t

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson on Tuesday pledged to restrict his use of emergency powers following the apparent collapse of a Republican-led effort to have the Legislature do so. Ferguson said if … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 3/11/25

Unemployment insurance for immigrants falls short in Washington state Legislature

As an agricultural worker in Wapato, Washington, Sandra D. works with her husband to support her three children. Like many immigrants, Sandra came to the United States looking for a better … more

By Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero / The Washington State Standard | 3/11/25

Zachary A. Merrin, 28, of Elma, appears in Lewis County Superior Court on Monday, March 10.

Man accused of breaking into Adna home, stealing gun, charged with six felonies

A man who sparked an overnight police search in the Adna area after he allegedly broke into a residence and stole a firearm on March 6 has been charged in Lewis County Superior Court with six … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 3/11/25

Gov. Bob Ferguson delivers his inaugural address in the House chambers at the Washington State Capitol in Olympia on Wednesday, Jan. 15.

Emergency powers bill Washington state governor helped keep alive is on cusp of failure

Bob Ferguson had only been Washington’s governor a few minutes when he said he could accept “reasonable limits” on the powers he could exercise in statewide emergencies. A few … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 3/11/25

Genaro Junior Gusman Coria, 22, of Salem, Oregon, appears in Lewis County Superior Court on Monday, March 10.

Bail set at $150K for man accused of fleeing from police while drunk in Lewis, Cowlitz counties

Bail is set at $150,000 for a man accused of fleeing from police at speeds up to 130 mph in Lewis County while intoxicated Friday night. Genaro Junior Gusman Coria, 22, of Salem, Oregon, … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 3/10/25

HB 1531 sponsor Rep. Dan Bronoske, D-Lakewood, concerning public health mandates on House floor ahead of bill vote.

Washington state House Dems pass public health bill touted as 'best science'

Just a few years after COVID-19 vaccine mandates led to thousands of Washington workers who were unwilling to get the shots being fired from their jobs – or forced to resign – Washington … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 3/10/25

Washington state House Dems pass bill requiring permits for gun purchases

After a vigorous hours-long debate that began the night before, Washington State Democrats in the House of Representatives on Saturday morning voted to pass legislation that would require would-be … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 3/10/25

Rep. Darya Farivar, D-Seattle, proposed House Bill 1113 to expand the availability of diversion opportunities for low-level offenders as the state grapples with a public defender shortage.

Washington state House advances bill allowing judges to drop charges for low-level offenders

House Democrats advanced a bill Saturday attempting to create a pathway to rehabilitation by allowing judges to dismiss charges upon “substantial compliance” with court-ordered … more

Tim Clouser / The Center Square | 3/10/25

The Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Building pictured on Nov. 25, 2024. (Photo by Shauneen Miranda/States Newsroom)

Four Washington state colleges among 60 Trump officials warn over antisemitism claims

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Education Department on Monday warned 60 colleges and universities they could face repercussions if they fail “to protect Jewish students on campus.” In a … more

By Shauneen Miranda / States Newsroom | 3/10/25

Oregon’s Bonneville Dam is the last of 14 dams on the Columbia River before it empties into the Pacific Ocean. (Courtesy of the Bonneville Power Administration)

BPA announces intention to split with California and join new Southwest energy market

The nonprofit federal administration that provides one-third of the Northwest’s electricity is preparing to part ways with its current Western energy market and sell its excess energy to … more

By Alex Baumhardt / Oregon Capital Chronicle | 3/10/25

An apartment building under construction in Olympia, Washington in January 2025. Critics of a proposal to cap rent increases in Washington argue that it could stifle new development. (Photo by Bill Lucia/Washington State Standard)

Rent increase cap approved by Washington state House

A bill to cap yearly rent increases cleared the Washington state House on Monday following a spirited debate on whether such limits will bring greater security for tenants or higher prices and fewer … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 3/10/25

Court documents reveal details of “brutal” Winlock murders

Robert Eugene Chandler, 35, from the Toledo area, was charged Monday, March 10, in Lewis County Superior Court with two counts of first-degree aggravated murder. The charge is defined as a … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 3/10/25

Kristen Kathryn Schmotzer, 38, of Castle Rock, appears in Lewis County Superior Court on Monday, March 10.

‘Just hit her’: Passenger in SUV that struck pedestrian near Winlock charged with attempted murder

The passenger in a vehicle that ran over a pedestrian in Lewis County on March 4 has been arrested as a co-defendant on first-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault and vehicular assault … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 3/10/25

From the left, American Legion Department of Washington District 10 Commander Frank Sterling, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 5878 Auxiliary member Trudy Burnham, South Thurston County Historical Society President Loren Ackerman, VFW Post 5878 Surgeon Frank Hicks and Tenino Mayor Dave Watterson dig into the Earth during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Tenino Veterans' Honor Roll Memorial Wall on Saturday, March 8, at the Tenino City Park.

Groundbreaking held for Tenino Veterans Honor Roll Memorial Wall

After first conceiving the idea for a Tenino Veterans Honor Roll Memorial Wall over a decade ago, the Tenino Honor Roll Committee finally broke ground for the new memorial on Saturday, March 8, at … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 3/10/25

Veterans Memorial Museum Executive Director Chip Duncan holds a puppy during the second Operation Adoption event with Red Rose Animal Rescue on Saturday, March 8, at the museum in Chehalis.

Second Operation Adoption event sees 11 dogs adopted and more fosters to volunteer for Red Rose Animal Rescue

Of the more than 50 dogs and puppies that were at the Veterans Memorial Museum on Chehalis on Saturday, March 8, during the second Operation Adoption event, 11 of them were adopted, according to Red … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 3/10/25

Sirens: Soda can thrown in assault; group of teens tried to 'scare people'; homeless man throws items off overpass onto train

CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Malicious mischief • Damage to a gate lock reported in the 300 block of South King Street just before 9:05 a.m. on March 7 is under investigation. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/10/25

Pastor Mark McHugh of Harrison Square Presbyterian Church speaks on Thursday at the monthly meeting of the Lewis County chapter of the American Association of University Women at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Chehalis.

Julie McDonald: Churches tackle homelessness with Shalom Village, Safe Parking Pilot Project

Many complain about vagrants living on the streets, but members of four local churches are tackling homelessness by creating a community building and six little duplexes to serve as transitional … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 3/10/25

Two families displaced following Sunday fire at Chehalis Avenue Apartments

Two families were displaced following a fire that broke out at the Chehalis Avenue Apartments on Sunday, according to the Chehalis Fire Department. The family in the apartment that the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/10/25

A travel trailer in the 1700 block of Winlock-Vader Road was destroyed in a fire on Friday, March 7. No injuries were reported.

Travel trailer on Winlock-Vader Road destroyed in a fire early Friday

A travel trailer in the 1700 block of Winlock-Vader Road in Lewis County was destroyed in a fire early Friday morning. The trailer’s occupant reported the fire at approximately 1:17 a.m. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/10/25

The Centralia Police Department released this photo of the suspect.

Centralia Police Department investigates attempted convenience store robbery reported Sunday

The Centralia Police Department is asking for the public’s help to identify a suspect who attempted to rob a convenience store Sunday morning. The robbery was reported at the Chevron … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/10/25