Local News
Bail set at $250K for man facing homicide charges for connection to overdose death in Centralia 
A Centralia man is facing manslaughter and controlled substance homicide charges for his alleged connection to the overdose death of a man inside a Centralia hotel room over Thanksgiving …
Grant supports construction of batting cages at Centralia College
The Centralia College Foundation has received a $35,000 grant from the Ben B. Cheney Foundation to support construction of batting cages at Bob Peters Field at Centralia College. The Centralia …
Cause of Nov. 21 fire at commercial outbuilding in Centralia hasn’t been determined 
Fire investigators have ruled the cause of a fire in a commercial outbuilding at the corner of  North Pearl and Fourth streets in Centralia last week as undetermined, according to the Riverside …
Bail set at $250,000 for Centralia rape, unlawful imprisonment suspect 
Bail is set at $250,000 for a man accused of forcing a woman into a Centralia residence and raping her on Nov. 23.  The victim reported the rape to the Centralia Police Department from …
Man faces homicide charges for alleged connection to overdose death in Centralia 
A Centralia man is facing manslaughter and controlled substance homicide charges for his alleged connection to the overdose death of a man inside a Centralia hotel room over Thanksgiving …
Chehalis School District to run levy proposal on February ballot
The Chehalis School District will run a replacement education programs and operations levy on the upcoming February ballot, the Chehalis School Board of Directors decided last week.   At …
Three linked to Lewis County meth operation arrested and charged following JNET investigation
Bail is set at $500,000 for a Centralia man accused of selling a significant amount of meth between February and November.   The man, identified as Michael David Deal, 41, was arrested and …
Sheriff’s office investigating case of Toledo woman who died of two gunshot wounds
One month after the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office opened an investigation regarding the death of Toledo resident Patricia Griggs, the case is still open. The Lewis County Coroner confirmed …
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) …
Chastity Pennington named executive director of the United Way of Lewis County
The United Way of Lewis County on Monday announced Chastity Pennington as its new executive director, effective Nov. 20.   “With a formidable background in program development and an …
Sirens: Rape and kidnapping reported; Jailed for controlled substance homicide; DUI arrests
CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT   Rape   • A 28-year-old Centralia man was arrested in the 600 block of M Street at 7:55 a.m. on Nov. 23 and was booked into the Lewis County Jail …
Breakfast with Santa, bingo coming to Adna Grange 
The Adna Grange has a pair of holiday events set for December.   From 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, the grange, located at 123 Dieckman Road in Adna, will host Breakfast with Santa. The …
Letters can again be ‘mailed’ to Santa in downtown Chehalis
Experience Chehalis, Book ‘N’ Brush and Totally Pawsome have teamed up again this year to bring local boys and girls a little extra magic for the holiday season with the second annual …
Reliable Enterprises announces grand opening of apartments serving students facing homelessness in Centralia School District
Reliable Enterprises, the Centralia School District (CSD) and community partners last week announced the upcoming grand opening of the Reliable Homes II apartment complex in Centralia, housing aimed …
Northwest Salmon Smokehouse and Artisan Market to open at former Bartel’s location in Chehalis
When Bartel’s Clothing and Shoes closed permanently earlier this year after 101 years of business, a large retail lot was left vacant in downtown Chehalis.   Now, a local Chehalis …
Local Sports
Mountaineers open season with win over Vikings
The Rainier girls’ basketball team opened its season with a win on Monday night, taking down Mossyrock 40-26 at home. Bryn Beckman got the scoring going early with two three-pointers in …
Loggers can’t overcome slow start in loss to Ravens
The Onalaska girls’ basketball team dropped its season opener on Monday, falling 43-34 to Raymond-South Bend. The Loggers went toe-to-toe with the Ravens in the final three quarters, but …
Tigers can’t keep up in opening loss to Hockinson
The first four minutes of the Centralia boys basketball team’s 2023-24 season looked about as bright as possible, but the good times wouldn’t last, as Hockinson ran away from the Tigers …
Kirshenbaum: Title games get another deserved level of intrigue with move to Husky Stadium
So long, Harry E. Lang, Sparks Stadium, and Mount Tahoma.  You probably won’t be missed that much. This weekend, when the final two football teams in each of the WIAA’s six …
CC gets first win under Chirhart in OT
The Centralia College men’s basketball team kept up the dramatics in Longview on Saturday, and this time got the win to go along with the show, beating Everett 100-96 in overtime to earn its …

Chronicle Podcast

  • Sports Dump: The amicable end to the relationship betwixt Onalaska and Kalama
  • Sports Dump: Ain’t nobody talking about Kalama and Onalaska
  • Chronicle News Dump 165: It was said that you would destroy the deficit not become one 
Obituaries

Death Notices: Nov. 27, 2023

• BRIAN ANDREW CHURCH, 61, Centralia, died Nov. 16 at his residence. Arrangements are under the care of Sticklin Funeral Chapel.   • MARY CATHERINE ANTHONY-EARRAME, 55, Rochester, …

Death Notices: Nov. 21, 2023

• KELLY C. FETTERS, 52, Toledo, died Nov. 11. Arrangements are under the care of Fir Lawn Funeral Chapel. • MICHAEL S. BYRD, 80, Winlock, died Nov. 17 at his residence. Arrangements …

In loving memory of Violet Justice: 1937-2023

Violet Maxine Morris Justice passed from this life to her heavenly home on Nov. 5, 2023.  She was born to Bernard Morris and Audrey Mae Pulliam Morris on July 21, 1937, in Philpot, …

In loving memory of Lorraine Riedesel: 1928-2023 

Lorraine Genevieve Riedesel, 95, of Chehalis, Washington, passed away on Monday, Oct. 30, 2023.  Lorraine Riedesel found time for everything, and she wrote about it: growing up on a dairy …

In loving memory of Samantha Denney and Adonis Miller 

Samantha Irene Denney, 31, and Adonis Jackson Miller, 2, of Longview, were called home to be with the Lord on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023.  Samantha (Sambo) was young, passionate and …

In loving memory of Janice Bowers: 1962-2023

Janice Marie Bowers passed away on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at home with family and friends due to pancreatic cancer. Janice was born on March 28, 1962, in Juneau, Alaska, to the late Richard and Kareen …
State & Regional News

Portland homicide detail takes case of JoAnna Speaks, one in series of women found dead in Oregon, SW Washington

The case of JoAnna Speaks, one of at least five women who went missing under suspicious circumstances and turned up dead across the metro area earlier this year, has been transferred to the Portland …

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. …
Commentary

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.   …

Guest commentary: Family caregivers — Holding up the sky

November is National Family Caregivers Month, a time to recognize and honor caregivers, raise awareness around caregiving issues, educate communities and work to increase support for our nation's …
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 …