News | The Daily Chronicle

In Jefferson County, Missouri, sheriff’s deputies showed their softer side by gently coaxing a tiny escaped spider monkey into captivity just ahead of last week’s brutal winter storm.

Brian Mittge: News of the weird and wonderful in the new year

As we kick off the new year, here are a few news items from around the nation and world that I hope bring a smile to your face, from an escaped monkey in a tutu to a big honor for a beloved … more

Commentary by Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 1/10/25

Downtown Centralia is pictured in this Chronicle file photo.

Mayor Kelly Smith Johnston: 150 reasons to celebrate Centralia after 150 years

Editor’s Note: In honor of the 150th anniversary of George and Mary Jane Washington filing a plat that would later become the city of Centralia , Mayor Kelly Smith Johnston has compiled this … more

By Kelly Smith Johnston / Mayor of Centralia | 1/10/25

Dr. David Zeoli smiles for a photo outside of Chehalis Naturopathic Medicine on Thursday, Jan. 9.

New doctor working at historic Mary McCrank’s building alongside Medical Massage and Summit Chiropractic

Whether someone is looking to optimize their diet for weight loss or for natural remedies to help their body recover from more serious conditions, including addiction, heart disease and diabetes, … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 1/10/25

State Veterans Affairs to host a Veterans Town Hall and Women Veterans Forum

The Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) will host a Women Veterans Forum from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. and a Veterans Town Hall from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 5. Both … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/10/25

U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez fields questions from audience members at her “Mocha with Marie” event held at The Station in Centralia on Friday, Oct. 25.

Gluesenkamp Perez’s PORT Act signed into law, making it easier to purchase federal lands for rural development

After originally filing a request to purchase 1.6 acres of unused land from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over 40 years ago, the Port of Skamania will now finally be able to move forward with that … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/10/25

Jessica and Kyle York at Onalaska Farm Sanctuary. The sanctuary is one of three nonprofits that will be featured at the upcoming 100+ Women Who Care event. The other are the Boys & Girls Club of Lewis County and the Toledo Community Foundation.

100+ Women Who Care: Inaugural event features three Lewis County nonprofits

Organizers behind 100+ Women Who Care are inviting the public to the inaugural event. It will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6, at the historic Lewis and Clark Hotel in downtown … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/10/25

The Thursday sunrise is pictured at the gingerbread house along Market Boulevard in Chehalis. Decorations at the festively decorated building at 1321 S. Market Blvd. have remained in place even after the passing of the holiday season. The effort falls in line with a request by Chronicle columnist Brian Mittge, who captured this photo. Each year, Mittge asks Lewis County residents to keep decorations in place to bring light to the dark days of winter. Terry Harris, along with his family and other volunteers, decorate the house and put up a Christmas train nearby each year. It’s been over a decade now that Harris and his family have committed to putting up the gingerbread house and Christmas train in Chehalis, and it’s a highlight for his family and his community every year, Harris previously told The Chronicle.

In focus: Chehalis gingerbread house keeps spreading holiday joy well into the new year

1/10/25

Manager Sam Baltazar cuts the ceremonial Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce ribbon during the Chehalis Panda Express grand opening on Friday, Jan. 10. The new Panda Express is located at 710 NW Arkansas Way in Chehalis. The Chehalis location’s hours are 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. seven days a week. The drive thru will remain open until 11 p.m.

In focus: Panda Express celebrates grand opening in Chehalis Friday

The Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony during the Chehalis Panda Express grand opening on Friday, Jan. 10. The new Panda Express is located at 710 NW … more

1/10/25

LEFT TO RIGHT:.Tenino Mayor Dave Watterson, Olympia Mayor Dontae Payne, Lacey Mayor Andy Ryder, Thurston County Commissioner Tye Menser, Tumwater City Councilor Angela Jefferson, and Yelm Mayor Joe DePinto pose for a photo on Wednesday, Jan. 8 during the Thurston County State of the Community Address in Saint Martin's University's Normon Worthington Conference Center.

Growth, change highlighted by mayors, commissioner at annual Thurston County State of the Community Address

Even with future budget constraints a concern for many Thurston County municipalities in 2025, the mood at the annual State of the Community Address was largely optimistic as area leaders recounted … more

By Jacob Dimond / For The Chronicle | 1/10/25

Jacob Robert Jespersen, 31, of Centralia, appears in Lewis County Superior Court on Wednesday, Jan. 8.

Man arrested for allegedly threatening to kill a Centralia grocery store employee

A man accused of threatening to kill a grocery store employee in Centralia on Jan. 2 has been arrested for felony harassment. Jacob Robert Jespersen, 31, of Centralia, was arrested on Jan. 8 … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 1/10/25

Pe Ell School Board to hear public comment on renewing the four-day school week for next three years

The Pe Ell School Board will hear public comment Monday, Jan. 13, on the possibility of renewing its state waiver for a four-day school week. The Pe Ell School District has been on a four-day … more

By Emily Fitzgerald /emily@chronline.com | 1/10/25

Photo of Centralia taken between 1882 and 1897. The streets are dirt. Businesses seen are State Bank of Centralia, Racket Store, Tin Shop, also people and wagons on the street. View was taken on the corner of Tower and Main looking north on Tower. The State Bank of Centralia was later the Matz building, 103 S. Tower, which has since burned.

Looking back on 150 years of history for the city of Centralia

Editor’s note: On Jan. 8, 1875, George and Mary Jane Washington filed a plat with the county auditor in the new two-story courthouse in the town known today as Chehalis for land that would … more

By Jennifer Ott / HistoryLink.org | 1/10/25

George and Mary Jane Washington are pictured in these portraits from The Chronicle’s historical archives.

150 years ago this week, George and Mary Jane Washington filed plat that would become Centralia

Editor’s note: On Jan. 8, 1875, George and Mary Jane Washington filed a plat with the county auditor in the new two-story courthouse in the town known today as Chehalis for land that would … more

By Kit Oldham / HistoryLink.org | 1/10/25

Lewis County deputy faces domestic violence charges for breaking into estranged wife’s home

A Lewis County Sheriff’s Office deputy is facing criminal domestic violence charges for allegedly breaking into his estranged wife’s residence twice on Nov. 12. Deputy Jeffrey S. … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 1/10/25

Joint Base Lewis-McChord Army doctor admits he sexually abused dozens of soldiers

The soldiers' stories were strikingly similar. On the eighth floor of Madigan Army Medical Center, Maj. Michael D. Stockin would see patients who were in pain, then give a medical reason for why … more

Paige Cornwell / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 1/10/25

One arrested after Thurston County deputies use new grappler device to stop suspect

Deputies arrested a 36-year-old man accused of dealing drugs following a Wednesday evening pursuit south of Tumwater. Sheriff Derek Sanders posted about the pursuit on Facebook and shared … more

Martín Bilbao / The Olympian (TNS) | 1/10/25

Native American students, Fort Simcoe Boarding School

Catholic bishops in Washington state share boarding school study with tribes

Catholic bishops have given tribal leaders a study looking at records from six Catholic boarding schools for Indigenous children in Washington state. Yakama Nation Tribal Council Chair Gerald … more

Tammy Ayer / Yakima Herald-Republic (TNS) | 1/10/25

The economy continues to rank among Washington's top priorities, new poll shows

The economy continues to be the top issue Washingtonians want the Legislature to address during the upcoming session, new polling released Thursday shows. According to pollster Stuart Elway, the … more

Mitchell Roland / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 1/10/25

A bald eagle swoops down onto Fort Borst Lake in Centralia to snatch a fish.

Idaho Fish and Game investigating killing of bald eagle

Idaho wildlife officials are investigating the illegal shooting of a bald eagle near Sandpoint last month. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game said in a news release that the eagle was … more

The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 1/10/25

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

Four things to expect from Washington state’s 2025 legislative session

Washington state lawmakers will convene in Olympia next week for a 105-day marathon legislative session. Leaders offered a preview of their priorities Thursday as they gear up for lawmaking and … more

Shauna Sowersby / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 1/10/25