Local News
Speakers at “Support Our Girls” rally in SW Washington say enough is enough
The starting gun sounded, and the athletes competing in the Class 4A District 4 girls cross country championship race Wednesday afternoon took off, looking for glory. All but one. A Battle …
House Speaker makes case for unseating MGP in Washington’s heated congressional race
House Speaker Mike Johnson returned to Washington state on Wednesday to campaign alongside Republican John Braun, a sign of how important the state senator’s bid to unseat Democratic U.S. Rep. …
Proposal for golf course at Westport Light State Park draws furor
A plan for a new Scottish links-style golf course at an oceanfront Washington state park has divided a community. Proponents of the years-in-the-making proposal at Westport Light State Park say …
DNA evidence solves 1962 Southwest Washington double homicide
DNA evidence has helped solve a 1962 double homicide near Battle Ground, marking the oldest cold case resolution in Clark County Sheriff’s Office history. Investigators identified Barton M. …
Warrant issued for suspect who stole $4.2K from Lewis County resident’s bank account 
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a 28-year-old Portland resident accused of stealing $4,273 from a Lewis County resident’s credit union account.  Apolloeleven Tasi Ioane was …
Centralia is on the clock as it faces $2 million budget deficit
The City of Centralia is looking at a roughly $2 million funding shortfall and faces two paths to a balanced budget: staffing cuts or new taxes. The Centralia City Council convened a …
Ribbon-cutting ceremony planned for Shalom Village in Centralia
The Hope Housing Collaborative of Lewis County is preparing to celebrate the completion of Shalom Village, a transitional housing project that includes six duplexes and a community building in …
Sirens: Woman arrested after passing out in vehicle; juvenile jailed for malicious mischief; large amount of money stolen in scam
CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Fight between males • A physical dispute between two males was reported at about 12:56 p.m. Oct. 20 in the 1300 block of Harrison Avenue. The case is under …
Death notices: Oct. 21, 2026
• WILLIAM B. MARSHALL, 86, Onalaska, died Oct. 17 at Chehalis West Assisted Living. Arrangements are under the care of Cattermole Funeral Home. • BERT R. DEMARIS, 79, Winlock, died Oct. 18 …
Gluesenkamp Perez introduces legislation to target scammers
U.S. Reps. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, and Tom Barrett, R-Michigan, recently introduced the One Front Door for Elder Fraud Act, a piece of legislation designed to streamline the reporting …
Sheriff's Office v. Firefighters: Fire and Ice charity basketball game is Oct. 24
Local firefighters and Thurston County Sheriff’s Office employees will hit the hardwood on Saturday, Oct. 24, for the fourth annual Fire and Ice charity basketball game at Tumwater High School. …
Lewis County PUD will consider rate increase as higher costs for regional power sources loom
The Lewis County Public Utility District (PUD) is eyeing a 2% rate increase over the next two years to balance its 2027-2028 budget as it prepares for higher costs of purchasing power from the …
Digging into the health reasons for the recent coastal razor clam dig closures
The scheduled start of recreational clam season was Oct. 9, but on Oct. 6, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced a postponing of the season until further notice due to the …
After delay, WDFW approves four days of razor clam digs at Copalis and Mocrocks beaches beginning Monday, Oct. 26
The Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) on Tuesday confirmed the first round of razor clam digging opportunities at Copalis and Mocrocks beaches only from Oct. 26 to Oct. 29. …
New trees take root at Seminary Hill Natural Area
A future forest was put into place on Saturday during the first of two tree-planting work days at the Seminary Hill Natural Area in Centralia. More than a dozen volunteers helped dig holes with …
Local Sports
Toledo’s Hill, Rainier’s Robles triumph for second straight league titles
Two of the area’s biggest stars continued their quest for state hardware with some bragging rights amongst their C2BL competition. Conner Hill of Toledo and Komaire Robles from Rainier both …
Tenino drops regular-season finale in Montesano
The Tenino girls soccer team couldn’t complete a perfect league season, as the Beavers lost to Montesano 3-1 on the road in their final game of the regular season. With the league title …
Bearcats defeat Tigers to claim Chronicle Cup, EvCo title
Through about 70 minutes of play at Tiger Stadium on Thursday, the second matchup between Centralia and W.F. West felt very similar to the first. The Bearcats took an early lead, the Tigers tied …
T-Birds overcome slow start to defeat Wolves in four
The Tumwater volleyball team dropped the first set of its matchup against Black Hills on Thursday, but the Thunderbirds dialed it in and topped Black Hills 24-26, 25-20, 25-14, 25-20. It’s …
Bearcats sweep Tigers to snap four-game skid
Fueled by Emma McGreal’s 15 kills and some key serving from a handful of others, the W.F. West High School volleyball team secured a district tournament berth with a 25-16, 25-16, 25-21 Swamp Cup …
Chronicle Podcasts

  • News Dump Ep. 297: Of Forums and Fake News
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  • News Dump Ep. 296: THAT IS AN ORG CHART
Obituaries

In loving memory of Marilee Wilber: 1950-2026

Marilee A. Wilber, 76, of Edgerton, passed away unexpectedly at her home on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. She was born in Danville, Illinois, on May 20, 1950, the daughter of the late Gene and Paulette …

In loving memory of Marlene Barrett: 1956-2026

Marlene Lorraine Barrett (Gallagher) passed away on Sept. 23, 2026, at the age of 69, surrounded by love. If you knew Marlene, you knew there was rarely a dull moment. She was funny, goofy, and …
Jackie Rayan: 1936-2026

In loving memory of Jackie Rayan: 1936-2026

It is with great sadness that we announce that our beloved mother and grandmother, Jaqueline “Jackie” Marie Rayan, 90, passed away peacefully on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, under hospice care at her …

Death notices: Oct. 19, 2026

• CARRIE ANNE AMES, 70, Chehalis, died Oct.   9 in Centralia. There are no services scheduled at this time. Arrangements are under the care of Sticklin-Brown Funeral Chapel. • JAMES LEE …

In loving memory of Martin Towner: 1942-2026

Martin Paul Towner was born Nov. 7, 1942, in Centralia, Washington. His parents were Clarence E. Towner and Eleanor M. Kulien McMillion. He fought a long, hard battle with cancer and passed away …

Death notices: Oct. 16, 2026

• JEROLD DEAN JACKA, 90, Napavine, died Oct. 8 in Centralia. A private burial will be held at Napavine Cemetery. A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later time. Arrangements are under the …
State & Regional News

Church sermons on abortion, witchcraft come back to haunt Washington state candidate

A candidate in a competitive legislative race faced backlash on social media after resurfaced videos showed her making anti-abortion statements and seemingly agreeing with assertions that …

Schools
Second annual Raise the Axe dinner to benefit the Onalaska Sports Foundation Oct. 24
The Onalaska Sports Foundation is preparing to host its second annual Raise the Axe dinner and auction on Oct. 24 at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds Community Building. The evening promises …
Napavine students lace up, raise $20,000 during fun run fundraiser
Napavine students in kindergarten through sixth grade came together on Saturday, Oct. 16, for the first Napavine Fun Run, organized by the Napavine Parent Teacher Association (PTA). The event …
Centralia High School theater program returns to stage after nearly a decade
After nearly a decade without a regular presence, the curtain has lifted on the Centralia High School theater program thanks in part to a donor. “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William …
Parents raising concerns after two Mossyrock school employees placed on administrative leave
Two employees of the Mossyrock School District have been placed on “standard non-disciplinary paid administrative leave,” according to a Thursday, Oct. 15, post on the school district’s …
Lions Clubs provide vision screenings for 400 Morton and White Pass students
Approximately 400 students in the Morton and White Pass school districts received annual vision screenings Oct. 8 through an effort led by the Aberdeen Lions Club and Cosmopolis Lions Club, with …
Business Stories
After Hours Flu Clinic at Chehalis Pharmacy provides residents with flu shots

Chehalis Pharmacy has announced it will host an After Hours Flu Clinic to give busy parents and working adults an evening option to get their flu vaccines — and enjoy a little fall fun while …

Letters to the Editor
Letter to the editor: Support Frase for Lewis County sheriff

I support Gabe Frase for Lewis County Sheriff. He is honest,   dependable and has a deep love for this county. He understands some changes need to be made and is willing to work with …

Commentary

Opinion: Washington Superintendent Reykdal advocates for politics over students

Will Washington state leave federal tax dollars on the table? It will if Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal gets his way. Governor Ferguson is currently just one of 16 Governors …

Julie McDonald: Bend school shooting weighs heavy on the heart

Perching on metal bleachers beneath a blue late October sky, watching girls play fast-pitch games at Fort Borst Park over the weekend, my mind drifted repeatedly to the horrific events that unfolded …

Letter: Braun stands and delivers for Southwest Washington

Public service should be measured by more than speeches, press releases and promises. Residents of Southwest Washington deserve to know what their elected representatives have accomplished, which …

Letter: As PUD commissioner, I will bring experience, accountability and commitment

Lewis County has always been my home. I grew up here, raised my family here and watched my children attend our local schools. Like many of you, I care deeply about the future of our communities and …

JHB and Jennie Wagner: Initiative 645, an income tax that will reach every corner of Washington state

This November, Washington voters will decide whether to repeal the state’s new income tax through Initiative 645. Supporters of the tax claim it will only affect Washington’s wealthiest …
Outdoors
Outdoors
Hunting Highlights: Opening weekend proves successful for local youth
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 …
Public comment period open about proposed changes to WDFW’s listing and recovery planning processes for at-risk species
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is now accepting public comments on proposed rule changes to update or clarify the department’s process for listing and developing recovery …
Hunting Highlights: Bull elk, buck harvested during muzzleloader 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 …