News | The Daily Chronicle

Morton resident Charlie Clevenger stands as Morton Mayor Rick Mead administers his oath of office after Clevenger was appointed to a Morton City Council vacancy inside the Bob Lyle Community Center in Morton by the council on Monday, July 27. Seated in front of them are Morton City Attorney Marissa Jay, on the left, and Morton City Clerk LuAnn Ward.

Charlie Clevenger appointed to Morton City Council vacancy as censure attempt against Morton Mayor Rick Mead fails

With dozens of attendees filling the Bob Lyle Community Center, members of the Morton City Council convened for their regular monthly meeting on Monday, July 27. During the nearly two-hour … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 7/31/26

The TransAlta Centralia plant is pictured on Thursday, March 12.

State confirms TransAlta natural gas transition, requests public comment

TransAlta Centralia is expected to begin operations generating power through burning natural gas by 2028 and cease all burning of fossil fuels by a state deadline of 2044. The Washington state … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/31/26

Zachary Wirkkala, president at RB Engineering, poses for a portrait at the company’s office in Chehalis on Tuesday, July 28.

RB Engineering owner passing reins to Zachary Wirkkala in Chehalis

After first opening the firm 28 years ago in 1998, RB Engineering Inc. owner Robert Balmelli is now preparing to pass off ownership of the civil engineering firm to one of his employees, Zachary … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 7/31/26

Skyo Fire grows to 253 acres as Packwood community plans next steps

The Skyo Fire had grown to 253 acres on Friday as the Western Washington Type 3 Incident Management Team (WWIMT) continued its response to the East Lewis County blaze. The fire was 38% contained … more

By Jacob Farmer / jfarmer@chronline.com | 7/31/26

Sen. Maria Cantwell, left, and Sen. Patty Murray. Both Democrats represent Washington state in Congress.

Washington senators join letter demanding restored energy grants

Washington state’s two senators and a group of more than 30 others are demanding the federal government restore federal funding for hydrogen energy projects. The $1 billion in canceled funding … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/31/26

What was believed to be “one of the last ‘big’ logs” in the region was harvested from the forests near Oakville, The Chronicle reported Aug. 1, 1946. “One of the last ‘big’ logs in this area was taken from logging operations 10 miles southwest of Oakville, according to Arnie Faggerness, superintendent. The huge spruce log measures 28 feet long and 12 feet in diameter, and it is estimated it contains about 11,500 board feet of lumber. It was cut about six months ago, and only recently was equipment brought in to take it out of the forest. The log was dumped into the bay at Olympia and will go into veneer when it reaches the mill. No estimate of age could be made. Faggerness stated no other log or tree of this size remains in this area to his knowledge.”

A Look Back in Time: Last ‘big’ log harvested near Oakville; Randle cat survives washing machine; Centralia quilters debut bicentennial quilt and book

In this installment of A Look Back in Time, the Thursday, Aug. 1, 1946, edition of The Chronicle featured a story about the harvesting of what was believed to be “one of the last ‘big’ logs” … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 7/31/26

Nicky, left, and Billie are pictured during their first day together at Wolf Haven in Tenino.

Wolf Haven International in Tenino completes renovation project to welcome new wolves to sanctuary

In early June, a dedicated group of contractors, volunteers and community members broke ground on the largest enclosure renovation project in Wolf Haven International history, according to a news … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/31/26

Washington cities try to gird for coastal flooding as ‘super El Niño’ nears

With a record-breaking El Niño in the forecast, it could be a rough winter for low-lying communities on the West Coast. Two levee projects aimed at protecting Washington cities from coastal … more

By John Ryan / Oregon Public Broadcasting | 7/31/26

The courtroom in the Temple of Justice is pictured on Thursday, Feb. 19, in Olympia.

Washington state Supreme Court rules in WSU hazing death

Washington State University is obligated to protect students from harm foreseeably caused by fraternity hazing, the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday. The decision arises from a case brought by … more

Dahlia Bazzaz / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/31/26

Snow drifts cover giant rocky outcroppings near Mount Rainier's peak on Saturday, March 16, 2024, as seen from U.S. Highway 12 near the White Pass Ski Area.

Investigation into Rainier rockfall that killed local climber concludes

Just after 2:30 a.m. on July 19, at 11,600 feet on Mount Rainier’s Disappointment Cleaver route, rocks fell and crashed into multiple climbers, injuring three and killing Daihong Chen, 44, of … more

By Gavin Feek / The Peninsula Gateway (TNS) | 7/31/26

The sun sets at Mount Rainier National Park as seen from the Skyline Loop Trail on Monday, Sept. 22.

‘Get here early’: Crowds form at Mount Rainier National Park as visits boom

ASHFORD — By sunrise Sunday, two-thirds of the roughly 200 parking stalls in the upper parking lot at Paradise in Mount Rainier National Park were taken. By 6:30 a.m., cars were turning, … more

By Mitchell Roland / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 7/31/26

Sophie Cunningham #8 of the Indiana Fever handles the ball against Flau'jae Johnson #4 of the Seattle Storm during the first half at Climate Pledge Arena on July 28, 2026 in Seattle, Washington.

Seattle Storm co-owner suspended; Sophie Cunningham comments after fan incident

SEATTLE — The WNBA suspended Storm minority co-owner Celeste Keaton from attending the team’s next five home games and fined her an undisclosed amount following an incident during Tuesday’s … more

Percy Allen / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/31/26

Washington man sentenced for stealing from woman who died on his doorstep

A 59-year-old man is serving at least two years in prison for taking the credit card of a woman who died on his porch. Joe Cruz Garza, of Pasco, was previously accused of allowing Breanna … more

Cameron Probert / Tri-City Herald (TNS) | 7/31/26

'An absolute disaster': 645 prospective Washington lawyers left in limbo after bar exam cancelled over technology issue

Mick Guile is one of about 30 recent law school graduates who planned to join the King County Public Defender's Office this fall. Guile, a native of Maryland and a 2026 graduate of the … more

By Mitchell Roland / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 7/31/26

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrest a fugitive in 2020.

New ruling on detained immigrants means hundreds in Washington could get out

A 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling likely means hundreds of immigrants detained in Tacoma's ICE detention center — and many more throughout eight other western states — will likely get a bond … more

Nina Shapiro / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/31/26

Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal speaks during a Legislative Media Day at the Washington state Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 19, in Olympia.

Feds demand Washington state revise student policies on privacy, transgender rights

The U.S. Department of Education is demanding that Washington’s education agency change its policies on how schools share student records with their parents, part of the federal government’s … more

Ryan Nguyen / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/31/26

Washington state renter, landlord agree to $725K settlement in wrongful eviction case

A Portland-based landlord accused of wrongly evicting a Vancouver, Wash., renter and her ill mother has agreed to pay $725,000 in what tenant attorneys say is Washington’s largest settlement for … more

Heidi Groover / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/31/26

Oregon veterinary hospital sues tech company, claims AI misdiagnosis led to dog’s death

A veterinary hospital in The Dalles has sued an animal health technology company, alleging its artificial intelligence diagnostic service misidentified a cancerous tumor, leading to the death of an … more

Sophia Cossette / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 7/31/26

Oregon lawmakers decry Trump administration decision to deny fires aid

Two Oregon state lawmakers on Thursday sharply criticized the Trump administration’s decision to deny two requests for firefighting-assistance grants. On Wednesday, the Federal Emergency … more

Mary Mooney / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 7/31/26

Man, 41, drowns in ocean off Seaside

A 41-year-old man drowned in the ocean near Seaside on Wednesday, officials said. The incident took place around 7:30 p.m., off Avenue T in Seaside, a Thursday news release from the city said. … more

Mary Mooney / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 7/31/26