The Daily Chronicle

Lewis County Commissioner Gary Stamper said fielding concerns from residents regarding the Toledo airport is taking up too much of his time at a March 9 meeting.

County Bends Under Pressure From Toledo Residents, Looks to Rescind Support for Possible Airport Expansion

Despite Lewis County’s letter of interest in expanding Toledo’s airport, Commissioner Gary Stamper has for months told angry residents that the site has no chance of being selected by the … more

By Claudia Yaw / cyaw@chronline.com | 3/10/21

State Rep. Jim Walsh R-Aberdeen speaks at the Republican Forum last summer in Adna.

Walsh’s Foreclosure Bill Passes Unanimously From House

Aberdeen Republican Rep. Jim Walsh’s bill to limit foreclosures on homeowners who are late on payments to common interest communities (CICs) passed unanimously from the state House this week. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/10/21

FILE PHOTO — Mary Astrid, right, a member of the Purple Heart Committee, lowers her head as Marines veteran Roger Flinn, left, unveils a Purple Heart County sign.

‘Purple Heart State’ Bill Passes Unanimously in State House

A bill that would declare Washington a Purple Heart State, a ceremonial designation to honor members of the armed services who have been killed or wounded in action, unanimously passed in the state … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/10/21

Photo: Rainbow Dazzles in Chehalis Tuesday

A partial rainbow is seen as rain clouds drift through the sky over Chehalis on Tuesday. According to the National Weather Service in Seattle, the rest of the week will be mostly clear skies and … more

By Jared Wenzelburger | 3/10/21

Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz met with General Dan Dent of the Washington Army National Guard and State Forester George Geissler in June 2019 to discuss mitigating the spread of COVID-19.

House Unanimously Passes Historic Bill to Address Wildfires Long-term

Washington state is one step closer to having a dedicated funding source for wildfire response after bipartisan House Bill 1168 was passed unanimously by the House of Representatives this week. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/10/21

FILE PHOTO — A WSU Master Recycler and Composter holds a sample of compost at the WSU Master Recycler Composters of Lewis County Demonstration Area at the Centralia Transfer Station.

Compost Available Through City of Centralia

The city of Centralia Public Works Department has announced that compost has been available since March 1 at the wastewater treatment plant and at Fort Borst Park near the boat launch. “With … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/10/21

Michael Bannan is sworn in by Mayor Dennis Dawes Monday in Chehalis.

Michael Bannan Sworn Into Chehalis Council Position Monday

Newly-appointed Chehalis City Councilor Michael Bannan was sworn into council position 2 at-large at Monday evening’s city council meeting. “I will faithfully and impartially discharge … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/10/21

State Senate Bill Provides a Boost to College Bound Scholarship

The College Bound Scholarship for Washington students is being reworked to reach more students across the state. Currently, students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunches during the 7th or … more

By Joseph Claypoole / Washington State Journal | 3/10/21

An empty lot where a car dealership is coming between I-5 Toyota and Dutch Bros. is seen on Wednesday in Chehalis.

Chehalis City Council Approves Lease With Auto Dealership

The Chehalis City Council approved a lease agreement with O’Brien Auto Team to construct a 24,000 square-foot Honda dealership on the Chehalis-Centralia Airport property at their Monday evening … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/10/21

Centralia Man Faces Felony DUI Charge

A Centralia man is now facing a felony DUI charge after results came back from a blood draw apparently showing that his alcohol concentration was over the .08 limit at the time it was taken during a … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/10/21

Chehalis City Clerk Caryn Foley to Retire After More Than Three Decades

Chehalis City Clerk Caryn Foley, who has been serving the city for more than three decades, will be retiring on March 24. Foley was originally hired in August 1986 to fill a temporary six-month … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/10/21

Warrant Issued for Centralian Allegedly Connected to Illegal Marijuana Grow

A $20,000 bench warrant has been issued for a Centralia woman allegedly connected to an illegal marijuana growing site in Centralia that has possible ties to other illegal operations throughout the … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 3/10/21

Sirens: Hit With a Frying Pan; Coin Machine Damaged; Bicycle Theft; Fraud

CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Coin Machine Damaged • Damage to a coin machine in the 1500 block of Kresky Avenue was reported just after 8:20 a.m. on March 8. Criminal … more

3/10/21

This map was provided by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and shows what areas of the property the department hopes to acquire.

Centralia Mayor Drafts Letter Asking for TransAlta Property to Be Marketed to Potential Buyers

Centralia Mayor Susan Luond shared a letter with the city council on Tuesday evening addressing the plan by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to acquire 9,600 acres of land owned … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/10/21

Bill Creating Billy Frank Jr. Statue at Statuary Hall in D.C. Passes Washington State House 92-5

Just a day before what would have been Billy Frank Jr.’s 90th birthday, the Washington state House of Representatives passed a bill that would place a statue of the beloved environmentalist and … more

By Eric Rosane / For The Chronicle | 3/10/21

U.S. Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler addresses Lewis County citizens in this file photo.

Herrera Beutler Says $1.9 Trillion Relief Bill ‘Not What SW Washington Families Want’

Congress approved a sweeping $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill Wednesday, sending what has been termed the “American Rescue Plan” to President Joe Biden’s desk for approval. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/10/21

FILE PHOTO — The state Capitol building in Olympia.

State House Advances Bill Providing 'Just Cause' Protection for Renters

The Washington state House of Representatives has passed a bill that requires landlords to state a reason when terminating or refusing to renew a rental agreement. Known as "just cause" … more

Brandon Block / The Olympian | 3/10/21

Governor Jay Inslee talks during a press conference at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds in Chehalis in 2019.

Gov. Inslee Praises Reopening of Schools During Eastern Washington Visit

Pasco's students are the latest example of how schools can open safely, said Gov. Jay Inslee. Inslee visited Robert Frost Elementary school for an hour Tuesday as part of a series of tours of … more

Cameron Probert / Tri-City Herald | 3/10/21

A male Evening Grosbeak peeks around the upright limbs of an alder tree. This is the largest finches we are likely to see at western Washington backyard feeders. Grosbeaks. like their tiny cousins the Pine Siskins, commonly travel in flocks and are known for emptying out seed feeders in a matter of hours. It is said that a Grosbeak can eat up to 95 sunflower seeds in just 5 minutes.

WDFW: Leave Bird Feeders Down Until April 1 to Protect Wild Birds From Deadly Salmonellosis

Continued reports of sick or dead birds at backyard feeders across Washington and other Northwest states are prompting the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to recommend people continue to … more

Eli Francovich / The Spokesman-Review | 3/10/21

A protester walks outside of the Washington State Capitol building last January in Olympia.

One of Three Democratic Lawmakers Who Voted No on Capital Gains Tax Wants Focus on Transportation

A state senator from Vancouver was one of just three Democrats to vote against a capital gains tax that on Saturday passed the chamber by a single vote. Sen. Annette Cleveland, from the 49th … more

Calley Hair / The Columbian | 3/10/21