Opinion | The Daily Chronicle

Power Rankings Commentary: A Guide to Recognizing Your Committees

In a meeting last Monday, Lewis County commissioner Sean Swope again called for more accountability as to how the funding for homeless services is spent — going so far as to suggest the … more

By Aaron VanTuyl / For The Chronicle | 8/26/22

FILE PHOTO — A "No Trespassing" sign hangs on a tree next to a large makeshift structure in the middle of a homeless encampment at the end of Eckerson Road in Centralia in late 2020.

Commentary: It Is Time to Change How Money Aimed at Homelessness Is Spent

Editor’s Note: The following op-ed was written by the City of Centralia officials listed at the end. $22,000,000. Roughly speaking, that is the amount of money that Lewis County has … more

8/24/22

Sun shines through plant life in the Seminary Hill Natural Area in Centralia.

Bill Moeller Commentary: Down and Up — or Is it Up and Down?

It’s strange, but pleasant, when you can change a feeling of darned near total despair into one at the other end of the spectrum, isn’t it? I happen to be writing about a … more

By Bill Moeller / For The Chronicle | 8/24/22

John McCroskey was Lewis County sheriff from 1995 to 2005. He lives outside Chehalis and can be contacted at musingsonthemiddlefork@gmail.com.

John McCroskey Commentary: ‘The Death of Common Sense’ Needs a Modern Rewrite

Some years ago, I read a book called “The Death of Common Sense” and marveled at the amount of stupidity permeating our country. It was written in 1995, my first year as Lewis County … more

By John McCroskey / For The Chronicle | 8/24/22

Keynoter of the nonprofit conference is Jeff Wheeler, an Idaho author of more than 30 young adult and fantasy novels that have sold more than 5 million copies.

Highlighting Lewis County: Bestselling YA Author Keynotes Centralia Conference

A keynote from a Wall Street Journal bestselling author of more than 30 novels. A master class taught by a writer who has sold 5 million copies of his books. A choice of 18 workshops by published … more

By Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 8/22/22

Lights illuminate rides and carnival games at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds Tuesday night in Centralia.

Letter to the Editor: Fair Tradition Woven Into Fabric of Nearly Every U.S. Community

One of my favorite times of the year is the week of the Southwest Washington Fair. County fairs are more than blue ribbons, midways and lemonade shakeups. Boy, do we have some good lemonade … more

8/19/22

Letters to the editor can be submitted to letters@chronline.com.

Letter to the Editor: Hope and Responsibility: A Dispatch From an Inmate at the Lewis County Jail

On May 13, Judge Andrew Toynbee touched my life with a brush of justice. I’ll never forget his words: “You never take responsibility for your actions and (you) blame the victim.” … more

8/19/22

Richard Stride is the current CEO of Cascade Community Healthcare. He can be reached at drstride@icloud.com.

Richard Stride Commentary: Knowing Your Past Gives More Meaning to Your Present

Have you ever been curious about your ancestral roots? The science of genealogy can provide answers by tracing your DNA. Maya Angelou, American memoirist, poet and civil rights activist, … more

8/19/22

Pictured with the Tyler Rental water tender are Adam Kasper, a longtime Southwest Washington Fair Horse Department volunteer, and Horse Department Superintendent Anne Hamilton.

Brian Mittge Commentary: The Brighter Side: Good Day, and Good News

Last night, when I got a little too negative after a discussion about some unfortunate trends in national politics, my wife asked me, “Is there anything good going on?” It was a great … more

By Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 8/19/22

Letter to the Editor: Podcast Makes It Clear Murphy Is the Right Choice for Sheriff

Thanks so much for the News Dump podcast. I can’t tell you how much I enjoy it. And this last one, where sheriff candidates Tracy Murphy and Rob Snaza were both interviewed, was epic. Those … more

8/17/22

Letter to the Editor: Centralia ER Nurses Perform Superhuman Work on a Daily Basis

Let me start by saying that I am not a nurse, but I do work at the hospital here in Centralia, and I would like to pay a tribute to the nurses that work in our emergency room. They are often … more

8/17/22

Letter to the Editor: Make Lewis County a Safer Place to Live

Enough already. We have robberies and assaults being carried out against us taxpayers and judges who consistently lower bail. Lewis County needs more maximum sentences to make criminals fear … more

8/17/22

Sunlight reflects off Mount Rainier at sunset Sunday evening.

Bill Moeller Commentary: In the Good ol’ Summertime: Thoughts on the Season

Well, how has your summer been, so far? Yeah, mine too. Outside of some self-inflicted incidents I’ve already written about, mine has been as normal as can be expected. I’m not … more

8/17/22

Jay Inslee takes a tour of a potential COVID-19 quarantine and isolation site at Maple Lane in March 2020.

Other Views: Inslee Should End Emergency Orders — COVID-19 Is Part of Life Now

When Gov. Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency on Feb. 29, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the future was uncertain. Two-and-a-half years later, the path forward is clearer. The … more

The Seattle Times Editorial Board | 8/16/22

Ed Johnstone is the chairman of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission.

Being Frank: Tribes Need to Be at the Table to Conserve Wildlife

Treaty tribes have been working for decades to get federal support for our essential wildlife programs. We’re counting on the U.S. Senate to pass the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act … more

By Ed Johnstone | 8/16/22

0 Bob O'Neill Sr. with Joe Hatfield, who worked for Hemphill-O’Neill Company in 1956

Julie McDonald Commentary: Hemphill-O’Neill Lumber Company Celebrates 75 Years Against the Odds

On Jan. 6, 1947, two longtime lumbermen — 72-year-old Allen Candee Hemphill and 56-year-old Robert Harold O’Neill — each invested $30,000 to create the Hemphill-O’Neill … more

By Julie McDonald / For the Chronicle | 8/15/22

Commentary: Why Gasoline Engines Must Be Part of Reducing Carbon

Implausible as it may seem, gasoline-powered vehicles can be part of reducing carbon emissions. They need to be part of the solution and not brushed aside. Take for example, Glacier … more

By Don Brunell | 8/15/22

Letter to the Editor: The Life and Death of Buddy and a Plea to Follow Speed Limits

His name was Buddy Buttinski. He was a 4-and-a-half-year-old black lab with the most beautiful face. He was always happy and friendly, and oh how he loved to chase the ball. Every evening, Buddy and … more

8/15/22

Letter to the Editor: Kent Doesn’t Know What He’s Talking About on Mar-a-Lago Raid

Those with strong memories may recall that on the very first day of the Trump presidency, Jan. 20, 2017, the new administration claimed despite all eyewitness and photographic evidence that the Trump … more

8/15/22

Letter to the Editor: Clerk’s Kindness Deserving of Praise

Recently at a Shell station in Centralia, the young gentleman who works the counter during the day opened his wallet when I walked to the counter and handed me $5. I was taken aback. "What's … more

8/15/22