Local News
Boy 9, injured in crash on Interstate 5 in Lewis County 
A 21-year-old Tacoma motorcyclist who was tailgating another driver on southbound Interstate 5 wound up in the hospital after that driver slowed for traffic, according to the Washington State Patrol. …
‘We’re not done fighting this yet’: Tumwater High School bands oppose percussion instructor layoff
Keith Mitchell graduated from Tumwater High School in 1989. Since 2004, he’s worked as a percussion instructor at both high schools and both middle schools in the Tumwater School District. …
Man crashes motorcycle on Interstate 5 near Castle Rock
Officials say a motorcycle accident injured an Olympia man late Saturday night on Interstate 5 near Castle Rock. Paul D. Coalman, 40, was speeding on southbound I-5 just north of exit 48 for …
Lawsuit says state ignored warning signs before baby who lived in shed was disfigured in fire
A 9-month-old boy badly burned in a dilapidated shed was let down by the Washington state agency tasked with safeguarding children after it repeatedly ignored warnings that he was being endangered by …
Centralia Fantasy Festival to return for third year
The Centralia Fantasy Festival will return for a third year and it will be “bigger, better and more full of magic,” according to a news release from the festival’s organizers. …
New state forest rule could mean another hit to timber revenue in Lewis County
After a June 6 vote by the Washington state Forest Practices Board, a new rule could lead to 200,000 acres of private forestland across the state going out of production and being left to grow. …
Photo: George and Alice Zaikowski celebrate 82nd wedding anniversary and Alice’s 100th birthday
The family of George and Alice Zaikowski, of Centralia, gathered this past weekend to celebrate two remarkable milestones: the couple’s 82nd wedding anniversary on June 5 and Alice’s …
Rochester grad creates military memorial courtyard at Grand Mound Cemetery for Eagle Scout project
As Matthew Deel was tasked with crafting ideas for his Eagle Scout project for Rochester Scout Pack 317, he knew he didn’t simply want to check off all the boxes for his assignment. He …
Chehalis Outfitters celebrating fourth anniversary with party June 21
Chehalis Outfitters is turning four years old and is throwing an anniversary party Saturday, June 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its store located at 1757 N. National Ave., in Chehalis, in the …
Sirens: Man exposes himself to motorist; Chehalis resident falls for phone scam; caller says elderly neighbor has been smoking pot 'all day'
Centralia Police Department  Warrant arrest and rendering assistance • Ricky D. Prindle, 37, of Centralia, was arrested for outstanding warrants at 11 a.m. June 11 in the 1500 …
Gluesenkamp Perez announces mobile office hours in Thurston County
U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, will hold her 21st set of mobile office hours, this time in Thurston County. Residents of Washington’s Third Congressional District will be …
‘Shattered Peace’: Local historian’s second novel explores the uncertain history of the Centralia Tragedy of 1919
Like her first foray into fiction, local historian Julie McDonald Zander’s second novel is directly inspired by Lewis County history. But unlike her first book, Zander’s latest novel …
A Look Back: Centralia WWII soldier sees fellow soldier receive blood transfusion from his high school teacher; Winlock, Chehalis residents see UFO; ‘Near beer’ returns
In this installment of A Look Back in Time, the Thursday, June 14, 1945, edition of The Chronicle featured a story about U.S. Army Private First Class (PFC) Edward W. Roberts of Centralia — who …
Winlock council talks road improvements, fireworks stand permitting and the creation of a farm board commission
A number of issues were discussed during the Winlock City Council’s regular meeting on Monday, June 9, beginning with some of the city’s upcoming road improvement projects detailed in its …
Capstone Presentation Day is June 16 at Centralia College
Centralia College will hold its 12th annual Capstone Presentation Day on Monday, June 16, in the TransAlta Commons. Students will share their posters and project displays in the banquet room …
Local Sports
The Chronicle’s 2025 All-Area Softball Team
For Adna High School’s Danika Hallom, catching runs in the family. Her mother Candace was a backstop in her prep career and at one point, so too was her daughter as a little-leaguer in her …
Rochester trap shooting team places third at state; two shooters finish first
The Rochester High School trap shooting team enjoyed a successful trip to Olympia for the trap shooting state tournament, as the Warriors finished third as a team June 7. Two Warriors took home …
Photo: Tenino Middle School students win Washington state esports championship
The Tenino Middle School “Rocket League” esports team defeated Mason Middle School three games to one in a best-of-five grand finals series to win the 2025 middle school Washington State …
Twin Cities Babe Ruth hosting Second Annual Home Run Derby
For the second summer in a row, the Twin Cities Babe Ruth League is hosting a Home Run Derby for kids aged 10 to 16. The Derby will take place at Stan Hedwall Babe Ruth Field in Chehalis on June …
State champions from Lewis County honored at commissioners meeting
The Lewis County Board of Commissioners started off its weekly business meeting on Tuesday, June 10, by recognizing state champion athletes from across the county, including the Adna softball team, …

Chronicle Podcast

  • News Dump Ep. 238: Park drinking and taking a poll on F Street
  • News Dump Ep. 237: Take that axe fight to the courtroom
  • Sports Dump: That About Wraps It Up For Stick and Ball Sports (Congrats Adna)
Obituaries

Celebration of life: Larry Robert Sprague

There will be a celebration of life for Larry Robert Sprague on Saturday, June 21, at Morton Community Bible Church, 150 Division Ave., Morton, Washington, from 2 to 4 pm.

In loving memory of Gloria Moon: 1937-2025

Gloria Lorraine (Brinson) Moon went peacefully to her eternal rest on May 26, 2025. She was 87 years old. Gloria was born Dec. 17, 1937, in Halsey, Nebraska. She was the eldest of seven children …

Death notices: June 13, 2025

• JEAN LOUISE WATSON, 76, Chehalis, died June 10 at Providence Centralia Hospital. Arrangements are under the care of Funeral Alternatives of Washington. • CAROL LAVONNE WHITE, 89, …

In loving memory of Lennis Allen: 1933-2025

Dad loved stories, and if you didn’t have one to tell him, he was always glad to share one of his own. Our father, Lennis Orville Allen, passed away on June 3, early in the morning—always …

In loving memory of Janet Plumb: 1943-2025

Janet Adele Plumb passed away peacefully after a brief illness on June 2, 2025, at the age of 81. She was born on Dec. 15, 1943, in Chehalis, Washington, to James and Josephine Tauscher. Janet …

In loving memory of Maria Brandenberg: 1927-2025

Maria was born in Switzerland, the second oldest of eight children: Creszenzia, Albert, Clara, Rosa, Walter, Heidi and Hans. Maria was preceded in death by her husband, Karl, and grandson, …
State & Regional News

Off-duty Washington State Patrol trooper will be charged in fatal crash, prosecutor says

A Washington State Patrol trooper will face charges despite the Spokane County prosecutor announcing his retirement, officials said. Spokane Prosecutor Larry Haskell announced earlier this week …

Schools
Centralia College announces 2025 Outstanding Student Award winners
Centralia College this week announced its 2025 Outstanding Student Award winners. The annual Outstanding Students Awards are given to students who have overcome obstacles in the pursuit of their …
Winlock Miller Elementary School Spelling Bee winners honored
The Winlock Student Community Advocates (WSCA) have announced the winners of the third annual Winlock Miller Elementary School Spelling Bee In early May, each first- through fifth-grade class …
Southwest Washington Fair officials go on the road, bringing animals to elementary schools to boost interest
Members of the Southwest Washington Fair Advisory Board, along with fair staff, visited two local elementary schools on Friday hoping to get more children involved in the fair. Advisory board …
Business Stories
Port of Centralia 2024 financial report shows all-time high operating revenues

In 2024, the Port of Centralia broke $1 million in operating revenues for the first time, Executive Director Kyle Heaton said while presenting the year’s financial reports to the commissioners …

Letters to the Editor
Letter to the editor: A little kindness goes a long way

I had an issue with my tax return. After calling the IRS and waiting on hold for a very, very long time, I finally reached a human representative who researched my issue. Several times, I …

Commentary

Brian Mittge: A Father’s Day prayer for faithfulness

This week, I again relished one of the sweetest delights in life: watching your children stand tall and strong as they serve others and push through hard things to do what needs to be done.  …

John Braun: Response to Green Hill safety issues sunk by majority’s offender-friendly leanings

I’ll say this for our Democratic colleagues in the state Legislature: They certainly are creative when it comes to promoting offender-friendly policies. This year the majority used the …

Peter Abbarno: Strong fathers help build stronger futures

Each year, Father’s Day gives us a moment to celebrate the men who raise, support and guide us. But beyond the cards, ties and cookouts, this day should be a call to action — because when …

Julie McDonald: Sale of Uncle Sam sign, closure of Hudson’s Bay Co. mark end of an era

Last week, two changes marked the end of an era, the closing of chapters of history — the sale of the Uncle Sam billboard off Interstate 5 near Napavine and the shuttering of the last Hudson …

John Braun: State’s Democrats overpromise, underdeliver on affordable-housing solutions

Republican and Democrat legislators both use the word “crisis” to describe the state’s affordable-housing situation. A look at the housing-related bills passed during this …
Outdoors
Outdoors
Columbia River salmon fishing extended to Father’s Day
Columbia River spring Chinook salmon anglers will have another few days to fish with an extended season, increased bag limits and expanded fishing areas. Oregon and Washington managers met …
Summer views, reopening of Mount St. Helens Visitor Center make a day trip worthwhile as Johnston Ridge remains closed
Although the Johnston Ridge Observatory remains closed, great views and recreation is still possible all summer long on the north side of the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. As road …
New report shows signs of progress for Washington state salmon, but many are still on the brink of extinction
A new report released by the Governor’s Salmon Recovery Office shows that several populations of salmon in Washington state have improved, but most still face extinction. Of the 14 species …