Local News
Bail set at $250K for Centralia man accused of breaking woman’s hand, threatening man with a pipe 
Bail is set at $250,000 for a Centralia man accused of breaking a woman’s hand with a pipe and then threatening a man who confronted him about the assault on Nov. 18.  The man, …
Chehalis police chief swears in two new officers during city council meeting
While the majority of Monday’s Chehalis City Council meeting was spent discussing taxes and the city’s budget, the meeting began with Chehalis Police Chief Randy Kaut swearing in two new …
Lewis County Emergency Management reminds residents how to contact first responders if network issues occur
Following a recent outage of telephone landlines and cellphone networks, Lewis County Emergency Management wants to remind residents how to contact 911 if service is unavailable. In a Wednesday …
Local student organizes holiday coat drive
As the Christmas season ramps up, a young Lewis County resident is teaming up with local businesses to make sure everyone can get a little holiday cheer. “I would like to gather items for …
Sirens: Solar panels stolen; Debit cards taken by scammer; Naked homeless man asked to leave
CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT   Theft   • Solar panels were reported stolen from a fence in the 200 block of Northup Street just after 8 a.m. on Nov. 27.   • An …
Lewis County unemployment rate ticks up in October
The unemployment rate in Lewis County ticked up to 4.9% in October, more than a point higher than the state’s overall rate of 3.6%. According to data released by the Employment Security …
Person outside with weapon, later found to be pellet gun, prompts evacuation at Onalaska schools 
On the Onalaska School District’s website feed, Superintendent Brenda Padgett on Tuesday night posted about a 3:45 p.m. incident that prompted the district to “lockdown and then …
Napavine Funtime Festival’s Christmas Parade will take to the streets Saturday evening
The Napavine Funtime Festival will sponsor the annual Christmas Parade in Napavine on Saturday, Dec. 2, at 4 p.m., according to an email from event organizers.   This is the parade’s …
Three Lewis County cities receive grant funding for park improvements
Lewis County cities will receive nearly $300,000 combined in grant funding from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) to fund upgrades and repairs to three parks. In a …
Lewis County Community Development launches new notification system
Residents can now receive updates from Lewis County Community Development on topics ranging from development regulations and building code requirements to the status of burn bans. The department …
Leaf collection event set for Centralia Saturday; Gardeners can pick up foliage for compost
Do you have an abundance of fall foliage that you’re looking to put to good use? Volunteers from the Washington State University Lewis County Master Recycler Composter program will host a …
Fire burns down Chehalis residence early Sunday morning
A family was displaced after a fire burned down their home in the 1300 block of Northwest Airport Road early Sunday morning.   Crews with the Chehalis Fire Department, Lewis County Fire …
Onalaska Middle School term one honor roll
Following are members of Onalaska Middle School’s term one principal’s list and honor roll. Students are listed in alphabetical order.   Eighth grade   4.0   …
Local Sports
Fallon, swarming defense lead Riverhawks to opening win
The Toledo girls’ basketball team opened its season with a big win in Tenino on Wednesday night, defeating the Beavers 53-17. The Riverhawks had success and got out to a big lead early …
T-Wolves lose to Cruisers in debut
The Morton-White Pass girls basketball lost its first game of the winter Wednesday, 69-59 to 1A Eatonville in Morton. “We had some good shots that just weren’t falling,” …
Centralia fades late in loss to RSB
The Centralia girls basketball team’s trip west stayed close for a half, but the Tigers couldn’t put four quarters together in a 52-32 loss to 2B Raymond-South Bend on Wednesday. …
Blazers lose at Shoreline
The middle two quarters did the Centralia College women’s basketball team in Wednesday, in a 69-51 loss to Shoreline. The Blazers (1-4) trailed 22-17 after the first quarter, and outscored …
Field Generals: Kastner and Demarest ready for final high school battle
After months of summer workouts and Friday’s under the lights, the Tumwater Thunderbirds and Napavine Tigers are back in the state championship games. Neither program is a stranger to …

Chronicle Podcast

  • Sports Dump: The Vibe King welcomes you to the Endgame
  • Chronicle News Dump 166: “Podcast stuck in the tub again?”
  • Sports Dump: The amicable end to the relationship betwixt Onalaska and Kalama
Obituaries

In loving memory of Richard David Rice: 1939-2023

Richard David Rice, 84, passed away on Nov. 11, 2023, at home following a prolonged illness. Richard was born Aug. 6, 1939, in Seattle to Albert and Marsha Rice and was the eldest of 14 …

In loving memory of James Beard Jr.: 1971-2023

James (Jim) Ronald Beard Jr. 52, of Williston, North Dakota, formerly of Toledo, Washington passed away on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023 at his residence in Williston, North Dakota.  James (Jim) …

In loving memory of Patricia Koplin: March 13, 1937 - Nov. 19, 2023

Patricia Ann Simonds Koplin, a woman of strength and unwavering love, left this world on Nov. 19, 2023, surrounded by her beloved family members.  Born in Rochester, Minnesota, to Walter …

In loving memory of Gregory Lassila: 1958-2023

It is with great sadness that we announce the loss of a brother, friend and volunteer of the community, Gregory Dale Lassila.  Greg was born Dec. 15, 1958, in Richmond, Kentucky, and passed …

Death Notices: Nov. 29, 2023

• KELVIN C. ARNDT, 85, Chehalis, died Nov. 21 at his residence. Arrangements are under the care of Cattermole Funeral. • STEVEN R. LANDACRE, 69, Winlock, died Nov. 18 at his residence. …

Letter to the editor: More needs to be done following death in Toledo

I read the article about the death of Patricia Griggs. It's been over a month since her death, and the investigator says the case is still open.   It seems odd that the investigator still …
State & Regional News

Gunfire has state troopers seeking two cars carrying people wearing ski masks

Washington state troopers are seeking witnesses to a drive-by shooting that involved two Kia sedans last week. The shooting took place on state Route 16 near Union Avenue in Tacoma on Nov. 21. …

Schools
‘It’s a K-14, K-16 Effort’: The Chehalis School District’s Unique Effort to Support Its Alumni After Graduation
Editor’s Note: This is the final installment in a series focused on the Chehalis School District and the success of its Student Achievement Initiative, which was launched in 2013. The full …
The Math Problem Part 2: Chehalis School District Aims to Conquer Its Biggest Hurdle With Innovative Teaching
Editor’s Note: This is the latest installment in an ongoing series focused on the Chehalis School District and the success of its Student Achievement Initiative, which was launched in 2013. The …
Achieving Success: The Math Problem: Chehalis — And America’s — Biggest Academic Hurdle
Editor’s Note: This is the latest installment in an ongoing series focused on the Chehalis School District and the success of its Student Achievement Initiative, which was launched in 2013. The …
‘The New Buzzword’: How the Chehalis School District Prioritized STEM and Technical Education to Give Students a Brighter Future
Editor’s note: This is the latest installment in an ongoing series focused on the Chehalis School District and the success of its Student Achievement Initiative, which was launched in 2013. The …
Chehalis School District Awarded $1.05M Grant for Student Achievement Initiative
The Chehalis School District will receive $1,050,000 from the Washington Student Achievement Council over the next 18 months to benefit the district’s Student Achievement Initiative. …
Business Stories
New TravelCenters of America truck stop coming to Napavine

Commuters and commercial truck drivers on Interstate 5 will have a new gas station complete with six new restaurants and more next year once construction of the new TravelCenters of America (TA) …

Letters to the Editor
Letter to the editor: Exorbitant increases in property tax values need closer examination 

In a recent letter to the editor, it was suggested that The Chronicle may want to look into the seemingly exorbitant increases in property tax values for Lewis County. We live in Centralia, and our …

Commentary

Being Frank: Successful co-management requires renewed commitment

As the 50th anniversary of the Boldt decision nears, the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission has room to improve as co-managers with treaty tribes. Judge Boldt’s 1974 ruling in U.S. v. …

Julie McDonald: Book signings and Christmas trees launch holiday season

Despite Thanksgiving falling early this year, we’ve launched quickly in the Christmas tree selling season, which is always a busy but fun time for our family. In many cases, we see friends and …

Brian Mittge Commentary: A thankful serving of light verse

Happy Thanksgiving weekend from Hills & Valleys! In honor of this most American of holidays, and with an eye to a great Christmas season ahead, my gift to you is a smattering of light verse …

John McCroskey Commentary: Education is necessary for public to support 911 center tax, jail upgrades

It was a surprise and disappointment to recently to see where the jail has now restricted booking status.   Meaning, sadly, some people who should go to jail, aren’t. I thought once …

Richard Stride Commentary: What your favorite color says about you

I love the fall colors.   Growing up in Colorado, fall was always my favorite time of year. The colors were so vivid, and the air was crisp. My favorite color has always been red.   …
Outdoors
Outdoors
After the turkey: WDFW approves six days of coastal razor clam digs starting Nov. 24 
Post-Thanksgiving razor clams will be ready to dig beginning Nov. 24, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) coastal shellfish managers confirmed Tuesday.  Not all beaches are …
Washington State Parks announces 12 fee-free days for 2024
Washington State Parks has announced the 12 days in 2024 when recreationalists won’t need to obtain a Discover Pass. The free days mean adventure seekers can visit any of …
Quinault Nation closes tribal fishing early, calls on state to do the same
The Quinault Indian Nation’s Department of Fisheries closed fall coho salmon fishing early this year in Grays Harbor and on the Queets River, “despite hardship for tribal …