Local News
New legislative district map likely to be used in 2024 after appeals court declines to intervene
A legislative map that shifts some voters in South Thurston County from the 20th Legislative District to the Second Legislative District will likely be used in the upcoming election after a federal …
East Lewis County veterans and family members attend Veterans Stand Down in Randle
Lewis County staff and the Lewis County Veterans Advisory Board held their first Veterans Stand Down event in Randle on Saturday, March 23, as part of an effort to give veterans and their families …
Chehalis finance director retires after six years of service to the city
Retiring Chehalis Finance Director Chun Saul attended her final Chehalis City Council meeting on Monday, March 25, and was honored for her six years of service to the city. Both Chehalis Mayor …
Lewis County’s unemployment rate continued to rise in February
Lewis County’s unemployment rate is continuing to rise, reaching 7.8% in February, up from 7.1% in January and 6.3% in December. The rate remains one of the highest per-county rates in …
At Centralia town hall, state GOP chair touts Republican victories
Following the passage of three initiatives to the state Legislature, success in the 2023 election and promising data in the presidential primary, the Republican Party is poised for success, state …
Sirens: Graffiti found on church; Woman booked for DUI after crash; Teens 'drinking, smoking weed and doing acid'
CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Malicious mischief • Graffiti was reported on the outside wall of a church in the 300 block of North Tower Avenue just after 9:55 a.m. on March 25. …
Death Notices: March 27, 2024
• JAMES ROBERT RICHTER, 87, Centralia, died March 23 at Providence Centralia Hospital. Arrangements are under the care of Funeral Alternatives of Washington. • DEBRA LYNN SEABOLT, 66, …
Chehalis City Council moves to create two new emergency funds for the city
With many economists still predicting a recession in the near future, the Chehalis City Council passed a pair of ordinances on first reading during its Monday, March 26, meeting, establishing an …
Local roundup: Where to hunt for eggs and meet the Easter Bunny this weekend
The sun is starting to come out and spring is in the air, just in time for Easter weekend. The Chronicle has compiled a list of free events celebrating the spring holiday across Lewis County and …
Napavine High School third quarter honor roll
Following are members of Napavine High School’s third quarter honor roll, as provided by the school district. Students are listed in alphabetical order.   12th grade …
Napavine Middle School third quarter honor roll
Following are members of Napavine Middle School’s third quarter honor roll. Students are listed in alphabetical order.   Eighth grade Superintendent’s list: 3.5 to 4.0 …
Tenure awarded to four Centralia College faculty members
The Centralia College Board of Trustees recently awarded tenure to four faculty members, effective the 2024-25 academic year. The board did so after reviewing tenure documents and giving …
Mossyrock man accused of assaulting a woman on Friday released on $50,000 bail
A Mossyrock man accused of assaulting a woman on Friday, March 22, is out of custody on $50,000 bail. The man, identified as Jeremiah William Wood, 42, was charged Monday, March 25, with one …
Local Sports
Bearcats break out the bats early in win over Wolves
The W.F. West baseball team scored early and often on Wednesday, setting the tone in an 11-0 five-inning victory over Black Hills. After a scoreless top of the first, the Bearcats (7-1, 3-0 2A …
Beavers fall on the road to Grizzlies
The Tenino boys soccer team lost its fifth consecutive game on Thursday, as the Beavers lost in a road league matchup against Hoquiam 8-1. After a red card was handed out in the opening minutes, …
Centralia's offense continues to roll in win over Black Hills
It’s been an up-and-down start of the season for the Centralia Tigers, who prior to Wednesday, had alternated wins and losses over their first six games. While the consistency in the …
Napavine baseball rained out, games against Wahkiakum pushed back
Mother Nature was about the only thing that stopped the Napavine High School baseball team on Wednesday afternoon. Seven runs in the first two innings put the Tigers comfortably ahead of …
Sports Dump: Welcome to Spring, Enjoy the Weather
The sports crew (Dylan, Zach, Kody and Aaron) discuss the early goings-on in the local baseball and softball leagues, while also covering W.F. West’s hot start on the soccer field and …

Chronicle Podcast

  • News Dump Ep. 181: It was that damn sasquatch
  • News Dump Ep. 180: Breeding giant sheep for fun and profit
  • News Dump Ep. 179: Wide roads and wider defensive stances
Obituaries

In loving memory of James Wilfred Tharp: Aug. 9, 1944 - March 15, 2024

In loving memory of our husband, dad, papa, basketball and football coach, teacher and mentor James Wilfred Tharp. He passed away peacefully March 15, 2024. We have to say goodbye to a …

Death Notices: March 25, 2024

• TIMOTHY G. HINKLEY, 63, died March 17 at Providence St. Peter Hospital. Arrangements are under the care of Cattermole Funeral Home. • STEVEN R. LUURS, 68, died Jan. 18, 2024. …

In loving memory of Elizabeth F. “Jill” Feuchter: 1936-2024 

On March 4, 2024, Mom passed peacefully into the arms of God while surrounded by family in her home.  Elizabeth F. “Jill” Feuchter was born Oct. 3, 1936, on Puget Island in …

Death Notice: March 22, 2024

• LORRAINE DELORES PIERPOINT, 65, Tenino, died March 14 at her residence. Arrangements are under the care of Funeral Alternatives of Washington.

Death Notices: March 20, 2024

• WAYNE L. SPRIGGS, 91, Centralia, died March 13 at his residence. Arrangements are under the care of Cattermole Funeral Home. • CHARLES BERGMAN, 93, Longview, died March 14 at …

In loving memory of Mary Kidrick: March 24, 1929 - Dec. 1, 2023

Mary Katherine Kidrick (nee Jessup) passed away quietly at home in Centralia on Dec. 1, 2023.  She was married to Edward Grant Kidrick, who preceded her in death, and is survived by …
State & Regional News

Inslee signs bill allowing liquor at adult entertainment venues

Gov. Jay Inslee has signed into law a Washington bill that allows adult entertainment venues the ability to serve alcohol to customers. Senate Bill 6105 , sponsored by Sen. Rebecca …

Good News
Tenino band director Andrew Bowerly wins Music Educator of the Year, Dr. William P. Foster awards
The Tenino High School band is a favorite at Beaver sporting events and school concerts. Now, the energy and fun brought to its music program by Andrew Bowerly is getting some pretty hefty …
Green Beret’s Medal of Honor now on display at Veterans Memorial Museum in Chehalis
Fifty-four years to the day after a brutal battle unfolded in the Kon Tum province in Vietnam and nearly took the life of U.S. Army Green Beret Franklin Douglas Miller, his children, friends and …
Oregon Zoo’s baby rhino turns one month old
The newest member of the Oregon Zoo’s rhinoceros family crossed a milestone this week, turning one month old on Thursday, Jan. 4. The yet-to-be-named calf, born to parents Jozi and King on …
Centralia High School grad joins UW Marching Band on trip to National Championship 
The University of Washington Marching Band, which includes Centralia High School Class of 2022 graduate Lucy Nowicki, will fly out to Houston, Texas, on Saturday, Jan. 6, ahead of Monday’s …
Schools
Toledo High School second trimester honor roll 
Following are members of Toledo High School’s second trimester honor roll. Students are listed in alphabetical order.  12th grade  Principal’s list: 3.75 to 4.0  …
Chamber of Commerce: Nine scholarships available to Centralia, Chehalis and Adna high school students
The Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce has announced April 19 as the deadline for nine different scholarships available to high school seniors from Centralia, Chehalis and Adna.  New …
In focus: Centralia High School hosts chamber’s Business After Hours event
The Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce’s March Business After Hours event was held at Centralia High School on Thursday, March 21. It was the first time a school district has hosted a …
Onalaska hosts Career on Wheels event to expose students to potential jobs
Onalaska High School hosted its first Career on Wheels event on Friday, March 15. The event, planned and hosted by the school’s counseling department, provided students with four 20-minute …
Washington’s 2023 Healthy Youth Survey results show improved health behaviors among students in grades 6 through 12
The results of the 2023 Healthy Youth Survey indicated that Washington students reported improved health behaviors and mental health as well as increased social support compared to previous years. …
Commentary

John McCroskey: Sasquatch, underwear and an about-face for Bob Ferguson

The past week, The Chronicle had several stories I found of interest, two of them local. The stories focused on bigfoot, an underwear-masked alleged thief and a candidate for governor who …

Commentary: In a sign of distrust, voters reject two out of three local school bond proposals

In the latest sign of declining public confidence in the education system, voters in February turned down two-thirds of proposed local school bond measures, rejecting 14 out of 21 proposals. The …

Commentary: Coming about! What it means that Bob Ferguson just tacked right on cops

About a year ago, Bob Ferguson made what looked at the time to be a political blunder. For his burgeoning governor's campaign, the Democrat sent out an endorsement announcement that went down …

Maureen Harkcom commentary: Food Hub is a great way for farmers, consumers to work together

We can find so much on the internet today, but it is getting harder and harder to know what to believe. I have seen some things that were totally fake — created by artificial intelligence …

Julie McDonald: Amy Grant concert in Olympia takes me back to the 1980s

I’ve always been a fan of Amy Grant’s music, but I doubt I would have attended her concert last month if not for the movie “I Can Only Imagine.” When I saw an ad about …
Outdoors
Outdoors
WDFW approves six days of coastal razor clam digs with additional tentative digs planned for April
Razor clam diggers can look forward to more digging opportunities on coastal beaches beginning Tuesday, March 26, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) coastal shellfish managers …
Mineral Lake’s 31st annual fishing derby scheduled for end of April, tickets on sale on April 26
Editor’s note: This updated story corrects inaccuracies included in a previous version published last week.  Mineral Lake’s 31st annual fishing derby is scheduled for the …