Local News
Grega likely to take seat on Lewis County PUD Board of Commissioners
Former longtime Lewis County Public Utility District (PUD) employee and retired local tree farmer Steve Grega appears poised to take the PUD’s commission’s District 1 seat over fellow former PUD …
McEntire on path to new term despite recent backlash for conduct online
Incumbent Washington state Rep Joel McEntire, R-Cathlamet, is leading Democrat challenger Terry Carlson in the tightest state lawmaker race in Southwest Washington’s 19th and 20th Legislative …
‘The voters got it right’: Sanders leads by 24,000 votes in Thurston County sheriff race on election night
Just as he did in the Thurston County primary election on Aug. 4, incumbent Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders finds himself leading big over challenger Kevin Burton-Crow on election night. …
Washington initiative to protect girls sports passing, two other initiatives failing
Tuesday night saw a mixed bag of results for three initiatives on the Nov. 3 ballot that consumed a great deal of public debate leading up to election day.  An initiative to keep biological …
Rough election night for Republicans in Washington state Legislature
Buoyant Democrats were on course Tuesday to strengthen their grip on power in the Washington state House. But the caucus is poised to lose its longest-serving member, and a series of intraparty …
Washington state voters embracing income tax on high earners
Voters on Tuesday were upholding Washington’s new income tax on households earning more than a million dollars a year, a threshold opponents argued would eventually be lowered to apply to everyone. …
Lewis County Fire District 6 passing levy lid lift on election night
Lewis County Fire District 6 (LCFD 6) is passing its levy lid lift, as of preliminary election results released Tuesday night.  As of 8:04 p.m. Tuesday, 58.65% of district residents (2,067 …
Voters lean towards approving Timberland Regional Library levy lid lift
Timberland Regional Library’s (TRL) levy lid lift proposal, which library leaders and supporters say is essential to avoiding further staff layoffs and service cuts, was passing as of election …
Longtime incumbent McLeod leading coroner race against Stickley
Warren McLeod, the incumbent Lewis County coroner running for his fifth and final time, is far ahead of challenger Jessica Stickley, according to preliminary election results.  As of 8:04 …
West Thurston Regional Fire Authority measure leans towards failure
Votes included in the initial results released election night leaned in favor of West Thurston Regional Fire Authority’s excess levy proposal, but the measure has yet to reach the 60% supermajority …
Merrill holds large lead over Townsend in race for Lewis County auditor 
Mitchell Merrill, a Republican, is in the driver’s seat so far in the race to become Lewis County auditor after receiving support from a majority of the first ballots tallied in the county during …
Scott Brummer “feeling good” with lead in Lewis County commissioner race
The ballots tallied so far in the race for Lewis County commissioner in District 3 favor incumbent Commissioner Scott Brummer, who is seeking re-election to serve his second term in the seat …
Thurston County Realtor’s Association leads opposition of countywide Home Energy Score program
The Thurston County Realtors Association is doubling down on its opposition to a countrywide mandated regional Home Energy Score (HES) program by dedicating thousands of dollars to oppose one of the …
Man arrested after allegedly trying to pull stolen gun from jeans during Chehalis traffic stop 
Chehalis police arrested a man Sunday after he allegedly tried to remove a gun from his waistband during a traffic stop.  Alexander W. Vanduren, 36, of Olympia, faces three counts of …
WDFW approves five days of razor clam digs at Copalis and Mocrocks
The Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) on Tuesday confirmed the next round of razor clam digging opportunities at Copalis and Mocrocks beaches from Nov. 7 to 11. "Marine …
Local Sports
Oakville, White Pass eliminated from district tournament
The Oakville and White Pass volleyball teams were both eliminated from the 1B District 4 Tournament on Tuesday. The Acorns were swept by Ocosta in Raymond, while White Pass lost to Taholah in …
Black Hills settles in, takes down Woodland in district pigtail
TUMWATER — Early in the third set of its district pigtail against Hockinson, Black Hills coach Kendra Dunn called a timeout. After winning the first set, the Wolves went into a bit of a slump, …
Rochester and Tenino sweep major Evergreen awards
The Rochester and Tenino football teams finished as the top two teams in the 1A Evergreen Conference, and both the Warriors and Beavers swept the league’s major awards. Rochester’s Maddox …
Rainier’s Ooms earns second straight MVP award
For the second year in a row, Rainier’s Allyson Ooms was named the C2BL’s Most Valuable Player, as announced by the league’s coaches on Monday. Three other Mountaineers earned second-team …
Toledo’s Chase, Norberg, and Lairson earn POY, MVP honors
After an unbeaten run in league play, several Toledo Riverhawks were recognized in the Division 4 Girls Soccer All-League teams, including Onica Chase, Xtyn Norberg, and Kailea Lairson. Chase …
Chronicle Podcasts

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Obituaries

In loving memory of James Van Ornum: 1940-2026

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of James Henry Van Ornum, who departed this life on Oct. 16, 2026, at the age of 85.  Born Dec. 21, 1940, in Rome, New York, James …

In loving memory of Joyce Butkus: 1935-2026

Joyce M. Butkus, age 91, passed away October 8, 2026.She was born Joyce May Rice January 25, 1935 to B.H. and Julia (Capps) Rice in Ft. Collins, Colorado. The family moved to Kelso-Longview, …

In loving memory of Edward Anderson: Husband, father, grandfather, son and friend

Edward Anderson passed away Nov. 1, 2026, at his home in Evaline, where he had lived his entire life. He attended Evaline School, as did his son and also his mother. He graduated from Winlock High …

In loving memory of Manny Estrada: 1941-2026

Manuel Demafelix Estrada, affectionately known as Manny, passed away on Oct. 21, 2026, at the age of 84. Born on Nov. 29, 1941, in the Philippines, Manny moved to the United States in the 1960s, …

In loving memory of Carrie Ames: 1955-2026

Carrie Anne Ames (Bensching) passed away at Providence Centralia Hospital on Oct. 9, 2026. Carrie was born Dec. 14, 1955, in Lewiston, Idaho, to Earl Joseph Bensching and Beverly Jean Bensching …

In loving memory of Randy Dee Coady: 1949-2026

Randy Coady passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family. He was a residence of Pe Ell for his entire life.   Randy was a logger, carpenter, merchant seaman, butcher, meat …
State & Regional News

Starbucks adapting to GLP-1 era with protein drinks, new snacks, CEO says

If you're trying to lose weight, Starbucks isn’t exactly the first place you’d think to eat. But CEO Brian Niccol wants to change that. In an interview on Friday with CNBC, Niccol said the …

Schools
Volunteers needed for Lewis County Business Academy
With the annual Lewis County Business Academy on the horizon, event organizers Kiddin’ Around have announced the need for community volunteers. The Business Academy will be held at Centralia …
No issues reported after Centralia police, school district announce increased presence for football game
The Centralia Police Department (CPD) and the Centralia School District (CSD) on Friday issued a joint statement to update the community regarding Oct. 30’s Centralia High School varsity football …
Onalaska School District evacuates elementary and middle school after ‘unverified’ bomb threat
The Onalaska School District evacuated its elementary and middle school building Monday morning as the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) investigated a possible bomb threat. According to …
25 Napavine High School culinary students earn personalized Tiger Chef jackets
Hard work in the kitchen has earned 25 third-semester Napavine Jr./Sr. High School culinary students a special milestone: their own personalized Tiger Chef jackets. Students across four class …
Commentary

Julie McDonald: Elected county, state officials — do your jobs

For nearly four decades, my husband has grown Christmas trees, both in Centralia and outside Toledo. He works hard all year on planting, fertilizing, shearing, trimming tops, controlling weeds and …

Wayne Fournier: After election season, a question — who would sign up for this?

Well, another election season is behind us, more or less. Thankfully. I'm still getting political text messages from candidates as far away as Maine and Texas, so apparently somebody hasn't …

Brian Mittge: Help for the beautiful, baffling, terrific and tough job of parenting

Among the many blessings of life, perhaps none is greater than being a parent. And perhaps none can feel as challenging at times. As our two eldest children head into adulthood and our youngest …

Richard Stride: The history my mother left me

Sometimes history comes to us in unexpected ways. Not through a textbook, a museum or a documentary, but through an old box of newspapers, yellowed pages and things someone we loved thought important …

Letter: Running for sheriff while focused on what matters

As we approach election day, I want to thank the people of Lewis County for the opportunity to earn your trust and your vote. From the beginning of my campaign, I made a commitment to stay …
Outdoors
Outdoors
Hunting Highlight: A father-son bond and a boy’s first buck
“As a local Onalaska resident, our 8-year-old son Jack committed to putting in all of the work, dedication and hours required to obtain his hunting license this summer. Once he successfully earned …
Fishing closures begin Oct. 24 in many Western Washington rivers, including the Chehalis
Fishing for salmon and all game fish is closing Oct. 24 in many rivers and tributary streams across Washington’s Coastal Region due to low water conditions from the ongoing drought as well as …
Hunting Highlights: Young hunters find success in early deer season
Whether it’s hunting, fishing, hiking, clamming, foraging or something else, The Chronicle is happy to share photos and details from local folks in the great outdoors. To be considered, just email …