News | The Daily Chronicle

Detectives search for driver who killed 39-year-old and fled on Interstate 5 in Pierce County

Washington State Patrol are seeking witnesses who can provide information that will lead to the identification and arrest of the driver who struck and killed a Texas man before fleeing the scene last … more

Puneet Bsanti / The News Tribune (TNS) | 4/6/24

Federal court orders Mason County floral company to pay $1.85 million for violating labor laws

A Shelton-based seasonal greens producer must pay $1.85 million in back wages and damages to nearly 700 workers after a federal court found they violated workers' rights and federal law. Judge … more

Martín Bilbao / The Olympian (TNS) | 4/6/24

Petroglyphs carved hundreds of years ago in Eastern Washington defaced

Pink spray paint was used to deface a large rock with Native American petroglyphs displayed at Indian Memorial Park at Ice Harbor Lock and Dam east of Pasco. The vandalism was discovered March … more

By The Tri-City Herald (TNS) | 4/6/24

Jami Lund, advisory board chairman, facilitates other advisory board members during a public health meeting at the Lewis County Courthouse in Chehalis on Thursday, April 4.

Health advisory board largely votes against series of amendments to needle exchange ordinance

As the county faces multiple threats of potential litigation, the Lewis County Health and Advisory Board largely voted against recommending a series of amendments to a proposal restricting needle … more

By Mitchell Roland / mitchell@chronline.com | 4/5/24

Green Hill School, the state’s only maximum security juvenile detention facility, is pictured from above along Interstate 5 in Chehalis last month.

Green Hill School officials claim security advances amid scrutiny following recent crimes

Editor’s note: This is the first installment in a two-part series focused on Green Hill School in Chehalis. Look for the second installment in Tuesday’s edition of The Chronicle. … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 4/5/24

The Centralia Station Project site, where WinCo Foods will be located, pictured on Friday, April 5.

Port of Centralia director says WinCo hopes to begin construction at Centralia Station ‘by the end of the month’

Port of Centralia Executive Director Kyle Heaton expects construction of the new WinCo to begin at the end of April. He made the announcement during a Port of Centralia meeting on Wednesday, … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 4/5/24

A Yard Bird sports a fascinator headpiece inside the Lewis County Historical Museum in Chehalis on Saturday, March 23.

Lewis County Historical Museum announces upcoming events for 2024

Lewis County’s history is rich with variety, ranging from Centralia’s founding father, George Washington, settling in the area in the early 1850s, to Kenneth Arnold’s famous 1947 … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 4/5/24

The name of George F. Bishop is displayed on the Freedom Walk War Memorial at George Washington Park in Centralia on Thursday, April 4. Relatives of Bishop are asking the public to assist in finding a photo of Bishop, who died during World War II. His remains were identified last year.

Burial set for WWII U.S. Army sergeant from Centralia who died after Bataan Death March

On July 28, 1942, U.S. Army Sergeant George Frank Bishop, of Centralia, died at the Imperial Japanese Cabanatuan POW Camp in the Philippines. His body was buried with thousands of others in one of … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 4/5/24

Sirens: Cited for unlawful weapon display; construction equipment stolen; tree falls on truck; boyfriend reportedly 'drunk, being belligerent and won’t calm down'

CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Criminal trespass • A 48-year-old Centralia woman was cited for trespassing in the 700 block of North Tower Avenue at approximately 11:35 a.m. on April 3 … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/5/24

Distracted driving emphasis patrols continuing through April 8

Law enforcement agencies across the state will conduct emphasis patrols focusing on distracted driving through April 8, according to a press release from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. … more

By The Columbia Basin Herald | 4/5/24

Cliff Morgan, left, and Ashley Morgan will be oyster shucking for pearls throughout the International Mermaid Museum Festival, which starts Saturday. The festival, which runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, will end on Sunday, April 14. The festival is free and there are many events for people to enjoy.

International Mermaid Festival begins in Grays Harbor County

A series of activities await anyone interested in learning about the sea and mermaid culture at the International Mermaid Festival — 1 South Arbor Road in Aberdeen — this weekend. … more

By Matthew N. Wells / The Daily World | 4/5/24

This image of a vehicle driving on a Toledo School District field was captured by the district's security cameras at 10:57 p.m. on March 31.

Toledo police seek information on suspect who vandalized school fields on March 31

The Toledo Police Department is seeking information on a vehicle that drove across two school fields and damaged a hill leading up to the cemetery on March 31. The vehicle, described by law … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/5/24

Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez smiles while petting a calf at the Styger Family Dairy on Monday, July 31, 2023.

Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez to host mobile office hours in Chehalis

Third Congressional District Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Washougal, will host a mobile office hours event in Chehalis next week, as part of a series of events to assist constituents with federal … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/5/24

Jennifer Winter, of Walupt Farms, talks about harvesting lavender growing around the property in Rochester in 2022. Walup Farms will be among the vendors at this year’s Spring Gardening for Everyone event at Centralia College. Additionally, a class on lavender will be offered from 12:45 to 2:15 p.m. during the Saturday, April 20, event.

Spring ‘Gardening for Everyone’ to offer free classes in Centralia

The Washington State University Lewis County Extension Master Gardening Program will offer a day of free classes as part of its Spring Gardening for Everyone event. The series of classes will be … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/5/24

The Southwest Washington Fairgrounds, the site of this year’s Home & Garden Show, are pictured from above in this Chronicle file photo.

Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce’s Home & Garden Show set for April 12-13

The Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce is gearing up to host the 58th annual Home & Garden Show. The local showcase will be open from noon to 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 12, and 10 a.m. to 5 … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/5/24

Upcoming court ruling could open short window for purchase of high-capacity mags

A ruling expected this week in a court case involving Gators Custom Guns in Kelso could mean a chance for Washingtonians to purchase high-capacity magazines, at least for a little while. On … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 4/5/24

Washington state lawmaker says murder of 4-year-old Ariel Garcia could have been prevented

A state lawmaker is speaking out about the murder of a little boy in Everett last week, a tragedy he calls preventable. Rep. Travis Couture, R-Allyn, says legislation he introduced this past … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 4/5/24

Dave Reichert speaksduring a fundraiser at Jester Auto Museum in Chehalis on Monday, March 25.

New poll has Reichert leading Ferguson in race to succeed Inslee

Only time will tell – about seven months from now – if a recent Echelon Insights poll that has GOP gubernatorial candidate Dave Reichert up nine points over Democratic Attorney General … more

By Brett Davis / The Center Square | 4/5/24

Candidate for Washington State Governor Loren Culp smiles while speaking to crowds during a "victory protest" in Brush Prairie during his unsuccessful run for governor.

Former gubernatorial candidate under fire for calling GOP woman 'female dog'

Former Washington gubernatorial candidate Loren Culp is facing possible expulsion from a state law enforcement association for posts on social media calling female lawmakers “bitches.” … more

By TJ Martinell / The Center Square | 4/5/24

The 20-foot guide boat The Chronicle's former sports editor Eric Trent fished on in the Columbia River on June 18, 2021.

Columbia River spring chinook salmon season to continue to Tuesday

Columbia River spring chinook salmon anglers will get to continue fishing through the weekend, as well as Monday and Tuesday. The season was scheduled to close Friday, but Oregon and Washington … more

Bill Monroe / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 4/5/24