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Local News
 Man accused of choking woman during an argument about music in Centralia 
A man accused of putting a woman into a headlock during an argument about music in Centralia is facing a felony assault charge in Lewis County Superior Court.  Officers with the Centralia …
WDFW: ‘Long season of uninterrupted digging’ to end with final slate of clam digs
The final seven days of coastal razor clam digs of the season will proceed as planned from May 6-12, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) coastal shellfish managers confirmed Friday. …
Outreach events planned at Mount St. Helens as eruption anniversary approaches
In observance of Volcano Awareness Month, several scientists and preparedness experts will commemorate the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens during a May 18 event at the Science and Learning Center …
In focus: Work at United Learning Center site begins in downtown Centralia
Work began Thursday on the downtown Centralia lot that will soon be home to the United Learning Center. When completed, the 12,800-square-foot educational facility will be located on the …
Japanese Festival set for on May 11 in Tenino
The Japanese Festival will be held in Tenino from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 11. The festival, hosted by the Tenino High School Japan program and Japanese Club, will be held at Tenino High School, …
House of Representatives approves extension to landslide protection system
Bipartisan legislation to extend landslide protections has passed the U.S. House of Representatives and will now head to the Senate for consideration. The bipartisan National Landslide …
Centralia Rotary Club Flag Program expands to Chehalis
The Centralia Rotary Club’s Flags program is expanding to Chehalis, the organization announced Thursday. For an annual membership fee to join the Centralia Rotary Flags program, anyone …
86’d on Tower: Downtown Centralia business owners collaborate to open new hole-in-the-wall bar
Looking for a new spot in downtown Centralia to grab a beer, wine or cider and take a break while shopping? 86’d on Tower, a new hole-in-the-wall bar sandwiched in between Saddle Bum …
Sirens: Man 'blesses' passing cars; person 'tries to fight stop sign'; burglar refuses to leave crawl space
CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Disorderly conduct • A disorderly subject was reported in the 1200 block of Mellen Street just after 8:10 a.m. on May 1. The subject left before officers …
Spring Youth Fair underway at Southwest Washington Fairgrounds
The Spring Youth Fair opened at 5 p.m. Friday, May 3, at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds following final preparations. Chronicle photographer Kody Christen stopped by Friday morning as …
State lawmaker renews calls to study ‘vulnerable’ bridges; WSDOT says bridge has ‘no structural concerns’
A state legislator has renewed his concerns over “vulnerable” bridges in Washington following the destruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore in late March. On Thursday, …
In focus: W.F. West High School Home and Garden Show raises funds to support Career and Technical Education programs
The W.F. West High School Home and Garden Show in Chehalis began on Thursday, May 2, and extends through Saturday, May 4. All of the items at the plant sale are grown or made by students in the …
Man accused of ramming a Centralia police vehicle with a stolen car faces felony charges
A man accused of ramming a Centralia Police Department patrol vehicle with a stolen truck on Wednesday is facing felony charges in Lewis County Superior Court. Officers with the Centralia Police …
W.F. West High School Equestrian Team moves on to state
After finishing its third Washington High School Equestrian Team (WAHSET) District 6 meet, the W.F. West High School Equestrian Team is sending 16 of its 21 athletes to compete at the state level. …
Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez recognized for fiscal responsibility
With the country more than $34.5 trillion in debt, Third Congressional District Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Washougal, has received recognition for her work in prioritizing fiscal responsibility …

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Local Sports
 Prep football: Rochester's Nichols inks with powerhouse D-III program
ROCHESTER – For Jaden Nichols, the campus at Linfield University in McMinnville, Oregon felt a lot like the campus at Rochester High School. And that was more than enough for the offensive …
T-Birds take team titles at Shaner Invitational
Both the Tumwater boys and girls track teams earned victories at the 58th annual Shaner Invitational on Friday in Tumwater. The meet included all seven Evco teams, Adna, and teams from higher …
Prep softball: Fragner, Froschauer wreck havoc for Bearcats
They are close friends on and off the softball diamond. They’re a pair of left-handed hitters. They’ve made a home at the top of the lineup for the W.F. West High School softball team. …
Rainier excels in field events in Ridgefield
Haleigh Hanson headlined the local results in Ridgefield on Friday, as she set a new personal best in the discus at the Spudder Track and Field Classic. Hanson’s toss of 123 feet, five …
T-Wolves cap season with comeback win over Vikings
The Morton-White Pass baseball team trailed by five through three and a half innings against Mossyrock on Friday, but the T-Wolves rattled off six unanswered runs, including four in the seventh, to …

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Chronicle Podcast

  • News Dump Ep. 185: Getting to the chopper with Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders
  • News Dump Ep. 184: A ‘chaotic’ episode according to the haters
  • News Dump Ep. 183: Trying to scare off clandestine fornicators
E-Edition

The Chronicle - May 2, 2024

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Obituaries

Death notice: May 3, 2024

• CHRISTINE M. GRODA, 100, Chehalis, died April 28.

In loving memory of Larry Thomas McCutchan: 1942-2024

Larry Thomas McCutchan was born Feb. 7, 1942, in White Salmon, Washington, to Orville and Mildred McCutchan.  At a young age, the family moved to Mossyrock, Washington, where he experienced …

In loving memory of Mariana Rose Grimes: 1941-2024

Mariana Rose Grimes was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She peacefully left this world surrounded by her loved ones on March …

Death notices: May 1, 2024

• PATRICIA   A. WILLIAMS, 80, Chehalis, died April 24 at her residence. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 8, at Swofford Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care …

Death notices: April 29, 2024

• JACK EDWARD BRENNEMAN, 69, Toledo, died April 27 at Providence Centralia Hospital. Arrangements are under the care of Funeral Alternatives of Washington. • ROBERT EUGENE SCHILT, 78, …

In loving memory of Brian Stenerson: 1963-2024

Brian Stenerson was born in Seattle on Feb. 16, 1963, and passed away on April 19, 2024. Brian married the love of his life, Dianna, on April 26, 1985. Together, they built their life in Napavine, …

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State & Regional News
Three W.F. West High School graduates take a break for a selfie after receiving their diplomas in this 2016 Chronicle file photo.

Should Washington’s public schools ban students from using cellphones?

Smartphones gripping people’s attention isn’t anything new. But following the pandemic, Kris Hagel recalls seeing a troubling rise in public school students distracted by their phones …

Schools
 Winlock High School second semester honors and principal’s lists 
The Winlock High School principal’s list and honors list for the second semester of the 2023-2024 school year has been announced. Students named to the principal’s list received …
Winlock Middle School second semester principal’s and honors lists 
The Winlock Middle School principal’s list and honors list for the second semester of the 2023-2024 school year has been announced.  Students named to the principal’s list …
Onalaska Middle School term three honor roll
Eighth grade Perfect 4.0 Tayla Coyner, Ferra Gust, Janelle Hanson, Misha McCranie, Miranda Quillan Principal's list: 3.50 to 3.99 Huddson Barnes, Noland Brady, Carlos …
Rochester High School presents spring musical ‘Out of Towners’ 
Rochester High School’s spring musical, “Out of Towners,” will run May 17-18 at the high school. Written by local playwright Elizabeth West and directed by drama teacher Doug …
BCJ Gallery in Morton to feature student artwork
The BCJ Gallery in Morton will host an art exhibit featuring local high school students from May 29 to June 2.     “This exciting, first of a kind, free event will feature a …
Life

Thurston County resident, Chehalis graduate spent six years as POW after being shot down in Vietnam

Business Stories
Grand reopening set for Sweet Dough Cookie Co. in Chehalis

Sweet Dough Cookie Co. — a business known for its sweet treats, long lines and an owner who has been featured on the Food Network — is preparing to reopen in a new location. Bakery …

Real estate in action: Paula Burrows to share current trends, local news at May chamber forum in Chehalis
Flower sponsorships bring spring to downtown Chehalis
Professional bowlers visit Fairway Lanes in Centralia for clinic

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Letters to the Editor
Letter to the editor: Columnist is upset one of her favorite people lost favor with party

Chronicle columnist Julie McDonald is upset that one of her favorite people has lost favor with the Republican Party. Former congresswoman Jaime Herrera-Beutler, who voted to impeach President …

Letter to the editor: Newspaper was negligent to publish 'most dangerous states' story
Letter to the editor: Lawsuit brings to mind valid concerns over PUD smart meters
Letter to the editor: Questions for the transgender athlete movement

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Commentary

John Braun commentary: Legislators don’t need to address property-tax cap — we already did

Blocking a bad piece of legislation can often be as important as passing a good bill. That’s why Republican senators took a moment to cheer a few months ago when, in the face of intense …

Leslie Lewallen commentary: It’s time for the Supreme Court to clean up the 9th Circuit’s mess on homelessness

Editor’s note: Republican Leslie Lewallen is a candidate for Congress in the Third Congressional District. The Chronicle has previously published commentaries from incumbent Rep. Marie …

Brian Mittge: Want to buy a cemetery? 

This is a deal that doesn’t come along very often: you can buy your very own pioneer cemetery in the heart of Centralia’s Fords Prairie, and it could cost you as little as $2,000 plus …

Commentary: Unfortunately, it is animal fighting season in our state

Unfortunately, it’s animal fighting season in the Pacific Northwest. The Washington state Gambling Commission encourages reporting of animal fighting to help stop these terrible acts. Our …

Julie McDonald commentary: Herrera Beutler deserved more respect at GOP convention

For a dozen years, Republican Third Congressional District U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler represented Southwest Washington in Congress with a focus on helping her constituents. Before that, she …

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Outdoors
Outdoors
 Northern pikeminnow bounty season opens on Columbia and Snake rivers; $107,800 made by last year’s top earner
The 2024 northern pikeminnow bounty season on the Columbia and Snake rivers opened May 1, with decent money to be made. "Catch cash, save salmon," says the Northern Pikeminnow Sport Reward …
WDFW seeks public comment on proposed cougar season rules
OLYMPIA — The public comment period on proposed changes to cougar hunting seasons will be open through June 21, according to a press release from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. …
In focus: Lions Club provides fishing fun for kids at Fort Borst Pond
The Centralia Lions Club held its annual youth fishing derby at Fort Borst Park in Centralia on Saturday, April 27. The  derby lasted from about 8 a.m. until noon. Children ages 3 to …
History
HISTORY PHOTO OF THE WEEK: This photo was originally published by The Daily Chronicle on Feb. 4, 1959, with the following caption:
A Look Back in Time: Centralia Resident Sees His Australian Sister for First Time in Over 50 Years in 1933
ROM THE ARCHIVES: “A nationally-known artist, Roy Keister, from Texas, is shown at work on a fine oil painting of pioneer Chehalis W. F. West, at right. Painting was from photos of Mr. West and from sittings by elder Chehalin. Painting is hung in W.F. West high school.” This photo was originally published on Aug. 27, 1959.
A Look Back in Time: Centralians Join Americans Nationwide in Legally Purchasing Beer for the First Time in 17 Years
FROM THE ARCHIVES: This undated caption with this photo stated, “Lewis County Junior Posse installed newly elected officers, Saturday evening at dinner in the Centralia Elks lodge. Pictured left to right are: Seated, Karol Johnson, Lieutenant; Karen Gutschow, secretary; Roberta Parke; lieutenant; standing, John Hughey, president; Jerry Smith, treasurer; and Gary O’Connor, captain, all of Centralia. The posse, now in its fifth year, has 45 members and takes part in many activities including parades and camping trips. Parents of members form the advisory board with Gene Johnson serving as supervisor to the Posse.” From the State Library Photograph Collection, 1851-1990, Washington State Archives.
A Look Back in Time: Woman Walks Quarter Mile After Being Shot in 1963
This image from the Washington State Archives shows buildings of the State Industrial School — the beginnings of what we today know as Green Hill School — in Chehalis between 1907 and 1914.
A Look Back in Time: Two Green Hill Escapees Caught After Week-Long String of Thefts in 1963
Mountain climbers are pictured on the Emmons Glacier at Mount Rainier around 1940. This photo is from the Washington State Archives.
A Look Back in Time: Worker Nearly Freezes to Death at Mount Rainier in 1933
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