The Daily Chronicle

Willie Frank III talks to Gov. Jay Inslee about his father Billy Frank Jr. and the Nisqually River behind the Wa-He-Lute Indian School earlier this year at Frank’s Landing.

Washington Tribal Leaders, Legislators Slam Inslee Over Vetoes in Climate Bills

In an unusually harsh public scolding, Washington tribal leaders unloaded on Gov. Jay Inslee Friday for his veto this week of a section of a carbon-cap bill that required improved consultation with … more

Lynda V. Mapes / The Seattle Times | 5/22/21

A Chehalis firefighter takes photos of damage to the Twin City Town Center shopping plaza after alarms in multiple stores rang for a fire that started in a trash bin and triggered outside sprinkler systems on Wednesday.

Photos: Crews Respond to Trash Fire in Chehalis

5/21/21

Sirens: Pedestrian Hit By Train; Breaking Into Penny Playground Bathroom; Assault

CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Vehicle Prowl • A vehicle prowl was reported in the 100 block of Virginia Drive at approximately 1:15 p.m. on May 19. • A vehicle prowl reported in … more

5/21/21

Former District Court Judge Mike Roewe, 73, Remembered as Mentor, Community Servant

By The Chronicle staff This week, the community mourns former Lewis County District Court judge and notable volunteer Mike Roewe, whose death was announced on Monday. Roewe’s brother, … more

5/21/21

Mount St. Helens sets the backdrop looking over TransAlta Centralia property earlier this year.

WDFW Pauses Land Acquisition Efforts to Allow Community, TransAlta to Work Out Concerns

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) says it is pausing efforts to acquire thousands of acres of TransAlta land in Centralia as part of a controversial effort to transform a former … more

By Claudia Yaw / cyaw@chronline.com | 5/21/21

Chronicle reporter Claudia Yaw and photographer Jared Wenzelburger visit the Ape Cave Thursday, May 20, 2021.

The Ape Cave Has Reopened: Take a Trip to St. Helens for Some Bigfoot Lore and Hidden Gems

If you’re looking for some climbing, some slime and some Bigfoot lore, the recently-reopened Ape Cave at Mount St. Helens may be the sweet spot. The pitch-black cave provides a trek into where … more

By Claudia Yaw / cyaw@chronline.com | 5/21/21

The city of Tenino is hoping these coal carts are authentic after agreeing to purchase them from an online seller. The city plans to house them in an exhibit at the town’s museum.

With Help From Business Leaders, Tenino Recovers Suspected Historic Tono Coal Carts

Sometimes you find gold where you least expect it. Or, in the case of the city of Tenino, perhaps coal. But that’s not a bad thing. Tenino and the nearby area was once well-known for … more

By Eric Rosane /ericr@chronline.com | 5/21/21

Napavine School District to Receive $225,000 For HVAC, Lighting, Boiler Improvements

The Napavine School District is due to receive a $225,000 Washington state Department of Commerce grant to replace its aging boiler plant at the high school, improve its HVAC systems and install LED … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/21/21

Charges Dropped Against Pe Ell Man Accused of Injuring Child

All charges against a Pe Ell man who had been accused of injuring a 14-year-old while trying to stop the juvenile from hitting him in February have been dismissed without prejudice. The Lewis … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/21/21

From left, State Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia, state Rep. Ed Orcutt, R-Kalama, and state Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia.

20th District Town Hall Hits on Wrapped Legislative Session, Constituent Questions on Masks and Secession

Thursday’s virtual town hall allowed Republican state Sen. John Braun, Rep. Peter Abbarno and Rep. Ed Orcutt to repeat their condemnations of a capital gains tax, new environmental regulations … more

By Claudia Yaw / cyaw@chronline.com | 5/21/21

FILE PHOTO — Republican 19th District Rep. Jim Walsh speaks to demonstrators during a rally in support of law enforcement last August in Olympia.

Ethics Complaint Against 19th Legislative District State Rep. Jim Walsh Dismissed

An ethics complaint lodged against Aberdeen Republican Rep. Jim Walsh by the Washington Black Lives Matter Alliance has been dismissed by the Legislative Ethics Board, which found a “lack of … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/21/21

Jim and Cindy Smith smile and pose for a photo in front of the Adna Burger Bar Friday morning in Chehalis.

Adna Burger Bar Opens With a Bang

The establishment of the brand new Adna Burger Bar was a sight to behold, according to owners Cindy and Jim Smith. Selling four kinds of burgers and baskets of fries to a line of 30 to 40 … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / The Chronicle | 5/21/21

A deer walks through tall grass off Leonard Road in Onalaska on Thursday.

Photo: Surrounded by Greenery in Onalaska

5/21/21

Construction near the Lewis County Courthouse had crews removing blacktop along with rails and ties from a historic streetcar route that tied the Twin Cities together.

Streetcar Tracks Dug Up During Chehalis Reconstruction Project

A road reconstruction project has unearthed an intriguing detail of Chehalis’s past: an old streetcar line. Many have known those lines were there — mere inches beneath the crooked … more

By Eric Rosane / ericr@chronline.com | 5/21/21 | 1 comment

Candidate filing is offered at an election kiosk inside the Lewis County Auditor’s office on Monday in Chehalis.

More Than 135 Candidates File for Lewis County Offices

With just hours to go until the end of filing week Friday, 136 candidates had filed for 100 offices that will be on the ballot of Lewis County voters in the November general election. (These … more

By Eric Rosane / ericr@chronline.com | 5/21/21

CHRONICLE FILE PHOTO — U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler holds her daughter Abigail as she talks to a young girl during a brief campaign rally in Centralia.

Herrera Beutler Introduces Two New Maternal Mortality Bills

U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Battle Ground, introduced two bills this week to address maternal mortality — the Birth Access Benefitting Improved Essential Facility Services (BABIES) Act … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/21/21

Three students from Centralia College have been named to the 2021 All-Washington Academic Team, the college announced late last week. From left, Benjamin Corwin, Jay Caird and Susan Clark.

Three Centralia College Students Named to 2021 All-Washington Academic Team

Three students from Centralia College have been named to the 2021 All-Washington Academic Team, the college announced late last week. The students were recognized at the May 13 meeting of the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/21/21

Providence Invested $73 Million in Southwest Washington Region in 2020, Report Shows

Providence has released an annual community investment report highlighting different ways that Providence addressed “the most difficult public health crisis of our time” last year in the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/21/21

Herrera Beutler Reintroduces Bill to Encourage Affordable Housing

U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler is one of 11 members of Congress reintroducing legislation bill proponents say will help bring more affordable housing options, Herrera Beutler’s office … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/21/21

Rupp Freece appears in Lewis County Superior Court in this 2015 Chronicle file photo.

Lewis County Jury Rules Against Committing Sex Offender for Involuntary Treatment

A jury has voted not to commit Rupp Freece, a level three sex offender convicted in 2013 for raping a woman in her Winlock apartment, for involuntary treatment. He was officially released from … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 5/21/21