Local News
Opening of new Washington juvenile detention center to relieve strain on Green Hill is delayed
A new Washington state juvenile detention center meant to help address persistent overcrowding at an existing facility will open months later than anticipated due to difficulties in hiring staff. …
Bail set at $10K for man accused of assaulting roommate after crash in Centralia 
Bail is set at $10,000 for a man accused of choking and punching his roommate after they were involved in a minor collision in Centralia on Sunday.  The crash was reported at the …
Man accused of attacking girlfriend while camping in Centralia arrested, charged 
A man accused of severely injuring his girlfriend while camping in the Seminary Hill Natural Area in Centralia on March 7 has been arrested and charged with second-degree assault, domestic …
Lewis County short-term rental owners lament property tax increases at recent county commissioners meeting
A group of property owners testified during the Board of Lewis County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting on Tuesday, March 11, sharing concerns over a major jump in their property taxes this year. New …
Lewis County supports bill to improve medical care in jail, lower costs
Gaelon Spradley, a member of the Lewis County Public Health and Social Services Advisory Board and the CEO of Valley View Health Center, testified during a public hearing in front of the House Civil …
40 Days for Life board member to speak in Centralia as part of national tour
Matt Britton, board member and general counsel of the 40 Days for Life project, will tell the story of the effort in Centralia on Monday, March 24. Britton will speak at one stop of the 40 Days for …
Sirens: Man jailed after causing 'significant injuries to a female'; vehicle strikes bicyclist; parent reports possible abduction attempt
CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Malicious mischief • Just before 10:15 a.m. on March 14, there was a report that the window of a residence in the 400 block of Jackson Street had been …
Death notices: March 17, 2025
• DEBORAH S. FRY, 71, Centralia, died March 10 at Capital Medical Center. A celebration of life with potluck immediately following will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 22, at the Fords Prairie …
Lewis County Auditor's Office: Military and overseas ballots for April 22 special election to be mailed March 21
The Lewis County Auditor’s Office will mail ballots to 130 eligible military and overseas voters on March 21 ahead of the April 22 special election. The mailing date is 30 days prior to …
Local historian’s debut novel named as finalist in Western Writers of America’s 2025 Spur Awards
Local historian and Chronicle columnist Julie McDonald Zander’s debut novel, “The Reluctant Pioneer,” was named a finalist in the historical novel category of Western Writers of …
Julie McDonald: Deaths and births bring focus onto the circle of life
On Saturday morning, I checked my phone to discover exciting news and a photo of the baby boy born to my niece, whose story I shared in a column after the stillborn birth of her first son. Praise …
In focus: Rooster tails rise in Toledo during remote-controlled hydroplane boat testing
Mmdel remote-controlled hydroplane boats put on a show Saturday morning at South County Park Wallace Pond in Toledo. The event was hosted by ERCU (officially known as Electric Radio Controlled …
Rainier man killed in Friday wreck has been identified, coroner says
A 47-year-old man died early Friday morning after he crashed his vehicle into a power pole, according to the Thurston County coroner and sheriff’s office. About 4:20 a.m., Victor Rutt, of …
Local Sports
Tigers pull away to top Hawks for first win
Wind and rain came throughout the afternoon at Fort Borst Park on Monday, but it did little to slow down the Centralia offense in the Tigers’ 19-0 victory over Hockinson. It’s …
W.F. West alum Brandon Rinta leads Central Washington to Round of 32
Former W.F. West standout Brandon Rinta just finished another successful season as the head coach at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, as his Wildcats reached the Division II Round of 32 …
T-Wolves rally late to top Cardinals
The Morton-White Pass softball team came alive in the final two innings against Winlock, scoring eight runs in the final two frames to overcome a three-run deficit and knock off the Cardinals 11-10 …
Wolves walk off Hawks in Lacey
The Black Hills softball team headed north to take on River Ridge in Lacey on Friday, but the Wolves were the designated home team, and they walked off the Hawks for a 6-5 win. Black Hills …
Ruiz’s career day lifts Centralia over Mark Morris
The pouring rain was no match for Centralia Tigers sophomore forward Johnny Ruiz, who earned his first two varsity goals in a 2-0 victory against Mark Morris Saturday afternoon. Ruiz’s …

Chronicle Podcast

  • News Dump Ep. 226: Looking for love in owl the wrong places
  • News Dump Ep. 225:  The building is for sale, not the podcast. But make us an offer!
  • Sports Dump: Don’t Be An A****** Get Some Soup
Obituaries

In loving memory of Richard Morton: 1937-2025

Richard (Dick) Hunt Morton passed away Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, at the age of 87. He was surrounded by family at the home he shared with his wife, Dee Lynette Magnuson Morton, at Riverview Retirement …

Death notice: March 14, 2025

• GLENN ALDRICH, 88, Mossyrock, died March 8 at his home. A Masonic graveside service will be held for family at Klickitat Cemetery and a community-wide celebration of life will be held at a …

In loving memory of Ryan Graham: 1981-2025

Ryan E. Graham, a beloved son, father, brother and friend, passed away on Feb. 20, 2025, in Biloxi, Mississippi, at the age of 43. Born on Dec. 26, 1981, in Oakville, Washington, Ryan spent the early …

In loving memory of Darlene Marie Wheeler: 1938-2025

Darlene passed away peacefully on Feb. 27, 2025, at the age of 86. She was born on Oct. 20, 1938, in Elma, Washington, to Louis and Melissa Macomber and was raised in Oakville, Washington. After she …

In loving memory of Robin Griggs

Robin Lynn Griggs passed away on Wednesday, March 5th, leaving behind a lifetime of laughter, sharp wit, and unforgettable memories. Robin was one of a kind, with her snarky sense of humor and "tell …

In loving memory of Shirley Schmidt: 1926-2025

Shirley Schmidt, born on Jan. 28, 1926, in Kewanee, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Feb. 2, 2025, just days after celebrating her 99th birthday. The daughter of Annalee and Ernest Pardue, …
State & Regional News

Trump not held in contempt in Washington state gender-affirming care case

A judge has denied the Washington attorney general’s attempt to hold the Trump administration in contempt over allegations it flouted a court order in a case involving hospital grant funding …

Schools
Tumwater board defends its controversial trans girls vote as one member says he was threatened
The Tumwater School District board of directors defended its position supporting amendments to the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association policy that ultimately would keep trans kids from …
Apprenticeship Night for all Lewis County high school students to be held in Napavine
Apprenticeship Night will be held at the Napavine High School library at 6 p.m. on March 25. The high school is located at 404 Fourth Ave. NE, Napavine. This event is open to all Lewis …
Centralia High School student EmbryAnna Schluter serves as page for Sen. John Braun
EmbryAnna Schluter, a sophomore at Centralia High School, recently spent a week working as a page for the Washington state Senate at the Capitol in Olympia. EmbryAnna was one of 19 students who …
Chehalis sisters Joy and Drees Cushman serve as pages for state Senate
Sisters Joy and Drees Cushman, of Chehalis, recently spent a week working as pages for the Washington state Senate at the Capitol in Olympia. The sisters were among 17 students who served as …
Commentary

Peter Abbarno: Late nights, high stakes and the battle to protect Washington’s future

The most important issues I hear about daily from constituents in Southwest Washington and across our state are affordability and crime. Families are struggling with the rising cost of living — …

Brian Mittge: Generosity grows with historic Makah Ozette potatoes

For more than 200 years, the Makah people have grown a unique variety of potato in the rain-soaked far northwestern corner of the continent. This week, I was given two boxes of these special spuds. …

John Braun: Republicans disrupt budget conversation with no-new-taxes, no-cuts plan

Being on the minority side in the state Senate means playing defense against a lot of bad pieces of legislation, but there are times when we can still take satisfaction in a job well done. One …

Commentary: Democrats might be having some second thoughts about Washington's new governor

When Washington's new Democratic governor, Bob Ferguson, gave his inaugural speech two months ago, I drove down to the Statehouse in Olympia to check it out. In a time of maximal partisanship, …

Peter Abbarno: Honoring Special Olympics Washington — a step toward greater inclusion

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, a month to raise awareness and attention to the accomplishments and continued needs of our community members with developmental …
Outdoors
Outdoors
State adds two more days of dip-netting after first day of Cowlitz River smelt fishery was a bust
This year’s Cowlitz River recreational smelt dip-fishing season kicked off Wednesday almost totally without its two most important elements : smelt and people dipping for them. Each year …
High Rock Trail closure planned for this summer in Gifford Pinchot National Forest
The Gifford Pinchot National Forest has announced plans for a temporary closure of the High Rock Trail No. 266 during the upcoming summer season.  The closure is necessary to ensure public …
Halibut fishing starts May 1 in coastal Westport-Ocean Shores
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has announced plans for the 2025 halibut fishing season, which will kick off April 3 in some Puget Sound marine areas and May 1 in coastal marine …