Local News
Chehalis man booked on 2024 warrant alleging failure to register as sex offender
A Chehalis man has been booked into the Lewis County Jail on two warrants both outstanding for over two years — one for allegedly failing to register as a sex offender. Julian Velazquez, 25, …
News Dump Ep. 295: Introducing the Thurston Chronicle crew
On the 295th episode (we mean it this time), host Aaron VanTuyl and Chronicle editor Eric Schwartz welcome on Emily Fitzgerald and Dylan Reubenking from the Thurston Chronicle to talk about their new …
Woman accused of assaulting three staff members at Centralia behavioral health facility 
A voluntary patient at the Cascade Evaluation and Treatment Center in Centralia has been charged with three felonies after allegedly swinging a computer monitor at two staff members.  A …
Man accused of violent robbery at Centralia dog park
Police arrested a man late Tuesday after he allegedly attacked and robbed a person of $100 at the South Gold Street dog park in Centralia.  According to court documents, the suspect …
Centralia home a “complete loss” after fire
A doublewide home and its contents are considered a “complete loss” after fire burned through the building on Saturday, Sept. 26, according to the Riverside Fire Authority. Firefighters were …
Annual fall Lewis County Model Railroad Club Train Show and Swap Meet set for Oct. 18
Whether you’ve got hundreds of feet of model railroad track already laid out in a display and are looking for upgrades, or someone new to the hobby just curious as to what it’s all about, the …
Chehalis extends deadline for Lodging Tax Advisory Committee grant applications
Tax-exempt organizations in Chehalis will be able to pursue the city’s lodging tax revenue for a couple more weeks, as the Chehalis Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) is still accepting …
Skamania County man charged with possession of child sex abuse material
A 23-year-old Skamania County man appeared in U.S. District Court in Tacoma Monday, Sept. 28, on a federal indictment for possession of child sexual abuse materual after he used a computer program to …
Thurston County Medic One hosting town halls and listening sessions for Community Needs Assessment
Thurston County Medic One is hosting a series of public town hall meetings and targeted listening sessions over the next six weeks as part of its ongoing Community Needs Assessment. Identified …
Centralia College to host World Dyslexia Day community discussion
Centralia College is inviting the community to participate in a dyslexia awareness event on Oct. 8, World Dyslexia Day. The purpose of the event is to raise awareness and celebrate the strengths …
Sirens: Man sentenced for child molestation; woman jailed for attack at healthcare facility; DUI arrest
LEWIS COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT The following list is not comprehensive. Superior Court records can be accessed at the Lewis County Clerk’s Office in Chehalis. Sentencings • Mark W. …
Thurston County proposes use of rainy day fund and outside funding to reduce impacts of budget cuts for 2027
The Thurston County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, Sept. 29, approved a tentative plan to cut $5.5 million from the 2027 budget, followed by $4.5 million from the 2028 budget and $4 million from …
Lewis County Transit promotes from within for new executive director
Former Lewis County Transit Human Resources and Finance Director Rebecca Towner will now take the top job as executive director of the local transit agency. The Lewis County Transit Authority …
Suspect officially charged in Centralia armed robbery
A Centralia man faces six felony charges after he allegedly threatened to kill a group of people with a machete less than 48 hours after an armed robbery attempt. According to police, Clinton G. …
Council roundup: Morton residents complain about bee poop
Bees, or more specifically, their waste, was the topic of discussion during the Morton City Council meeting on Monday, Sept. 28, inside the Bob Lyle Community Center. The discussion came after …
Local Sports
Wednesday's XC Roundup: Cushman sets new PR to win EvCo triangular
She’s been a star on the hardwood throughout her prep career and now Joy Cushman is making her mark on the cross country course. The W.F. West senior ran a new personal best 21 minutes, 36.60 …
Prep volleyball: Huskies showcase togetherness in sweep of Ravens
MORTON — It’s been a four-year build up for the Morton High School volleyball team. The same kids, under the same coaching staff, have been through thick and thin. In the eyes of head coach …
Mountaineers sweep Tigers for sixth straight win
The Rainier volleyball team picked up its sixth sweep in a row on Wednesday, topping Napavine 25-11, 25-10, 25-11 in a non-league meeting. Allyson Ooms finished with 13 digs, nine kills, and two …
Adna breezes past RSB for first league win
The Adna volleyball team opened C2BL play in emphatic fashion on Wednesday, cruising past Raymond/South Bend with an 8-1 victory. Kortnie Clark opened the scoring in the sixth minute off an …
W.F. West earns road win in Shelton
The W.F. West boys tennis team topped Shelton on the road on Wednesday, notching a 5-1 victory over the Highclimbers. Riley Pennington and Thadeus Lampert both picked up singles victories for …
Chronicle Podcasts

  • Sports Dump: Week 4 Wrap (And A BERTH Announcement)
  • Sports Dump: Week 3 Wrap (and Congratulations to a Kalama Alum)
  • News Dump Ep. 294 or 295: Sheriff arrested! (For Volstead Act violations)
Obituaries

Death notice: Sept. 30, 2026

• TRACY TORGERSON, 67, Winlock, died Sept. 27 at home. Arrangements are under the care of Funeral Alternatives of Washington.

In loving memory of Frank Paulin: 1946-2026

Frank Randel Paulin, son of Louie and Betty Paulin, was born July 30, 1946, in Centralia, Washington, and passed away Sept. 14, 2026, at the age of 80. An outdoorsman and adventurer, Frank …

In loving memory of Reverend William Hassler: 1933-2026

Reverend William L. “Bill” Hassler, 93, of Napavine, Washington, passed away on Sept. 18, 2026, at Chehalis West Assisted Living Center, with his wife, Mary Ann, by his side. He was born in …

Death notices: Sept. 28, 2026

• LLOYD J. MORGAN, 86, Centralia, died Sept. 10 at Three Rivers Care. Arrangements are under the care of Cattermole Funeral Home. • QUENTIN R. DYER, 92, Winlock, died Aug. 25 at his …

Death notices: Sept. 25, 2026

• CHRISTINA JOYCE RASMUSSEN , 61, Randle, died Sept. 14 at Providence St. Peter Hospital. Arrangements are under the care of Fir Lawn Funeral Chapel in Toledo. • JOHN THOMAS CAMPBELL, 86, …

In loving memory of Patricia Ann (Pat) Reda: 1942-2026

Patricia Ann (Pat) Reda, 83, passed away peacefully at her home on Sept. 4, 2026, surrounded by her family. Born Nov. 5, 1942, Pat shared 67 years of marriage with her beloved husband, Dan. She was a …
State & Regional News

Alaska Airlines taps 2 star Seattle chefs to make new in-flight meals

An Alaska airliner docks at the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in Arizona.

Alaska Airlines will introduce new menus from two top Seattle chefs on select international flights as the airline ramps up its premium amenities for passengers — in line with the carrier’s …

Burn ban lifting across Washington state, including Seattle, King County

The sun is obscured by wildfire smoke in Chewelah, Wash.

The statewide ban on outdoor burning is officially expiring Wednesday, while burn bans in King County and Seattle are set to lift Thursday. Still, there are some active fires around the state. …

Seattle police have more surveillance cameras than previously reported

The Seattle Police Department for the first time revealed its Real Time Crime Center has access to hundreds more cameras than it previously reported. Since launching last year, the number of …

As Seattle job losses mount, other Washington state cities gain workers, report says

Seattle lost 18,605 jobs in 2025, or 3% of its total, with much of the loss concentrated in the tech sector, according to a Downtown Seattle Association report published Wednesday. By contrast, …

Video shows men suspected of poaching black bear near Oso

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is searching for two people caught handling a dead black bear while trespassing on private property near Oso, Snohomish County. The two men are …

2 massage businesses suspected of trafficking shut down in Kennewick sting

Two Kennewick massage businesses were shut down for human trafficking Wednesday as part of an ongoing investigation. The two locations — White Flower Spa at 5612 W. Clearwater Ave. and Blue …

Thousands in Washington state lose Apple Health coverage as Trump’s changes take effect

About 11,000 refugees, asylum-seekers and other lawful immigrants in Washington will lose health insurance starting Thursday, as a significant federal change to Medicaid eligibility takes effect. …

Trump says ramped up bombing of Iran ‘possible’ after midterms

President Donald Trump said ramped up military strikes against Iran were “possible” after the November midterm elections, as his administration struggles to find an exit plan for a war now in its …

Sound Transit opens $240 million station expected to serve few riders

Former Sound Transit Board Member David Baker called Sound Transit’s newest light rail station a waste of taxpayer money.  “It’s a $240 million boondoggle," he said. The light …

Schools
In Focus: Drew North Foundation 5K raises support for local youths in Chehalis
The annual Drew North Foundation Mental Health & Suicide Awareness 5K was held in Chehalis on Saturday, Sept. 26. Proceeds from the event will go to providing resources for the youth of the …
Adna Grocery owners have raised $189,808 for scholarships since 2020
On Thursday, the owners of Adna Grocery, Jim and Cindy Smith, presented Adna High School students with an oversized check made out for $48,926.48. That's the amount that was raised during the …
Drew North Foundation brings motivational speaker Chehalis for students
On Wednesday, Sept. 23, motivational speaker and comedian David Edward Garcia brought a message of hope to local students through the generosity of the Drew North Foundation. Once an at-risk …
Commentary

Opinion: Support our rural libraries by voting for Timberland levy lid lift

As former trustees for Timberland Regional Library (TRL), we urge voters to approve TRL’s levy lid lift measure that is on this fall’s ballot. The Timberland district covers five counties …

Opinion: Washington’s I-645 — repealing the new 9.9% income tax 

This November, Washington voters will decide whether to enact I-645. This proposal would repeal a new 9.9% income tax , with a current statutory exemption of one million dollars, that is scheduled to …

Julie McDonald: Lewis County Maternity House offers help to young mothers

As a teenager who was strongly pro-life, I always thought communities needed a home for unwed mothers where their baby could grow inside their womb in safety and they could give birth without doing …

John McCroskey: MGP maims the facts in her attack on Braun's company safety record

I spent 28 years in law enforcement, including 10 as Lewis County sheriff. One thing that experience taught me is that serious accusations deserve more than a sound bite. You look at the …

Letter: This is your museum 

Hello, Lewis County, and hello to the many visitors from around the world who find their way to our beautiful county. Now that I'm the permanent executive director of the Lewis County Historical …
Outdoors
Outdoors
Summer turns to fall at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge
Before you know it, orange leaves and rainy days will be encompassing everyday life in Southwest Washington. The Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge’s River "S" Unit is one of the best places …
WDFW launches new kindergarten curriculum to introduce students to wildlife
The Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) this week announced a new kindergarten curriculum centered around “Many Places, Many Lives,” an illustrated poetry collection that …
‘Tis the season: 2026 Washington state hunting prospects now available
September marks the beginning of new hunting seasons across Washington, including early archery opening for deer and elk. As hunters across the state gear up for big game, waterfowl, and upland bird …