Local News
MultiCare breaks ground on new primary care clinic in Grand Mound
MultiCare Health System broke ground Wednesday, Nov. 4, on a new primary care clinic in Grand Mound.  The clinic is expected to open in about a year.  Once finished, the nearly …
Washington Democrats move closer to supermajority after bad night for GOP
“Bad, but not disastrous.” That’s how Washington State Republican Party Chairman Jim Walsh described Tuesday’s election results that showed Democrats widening their majorities in the …
Sirens: Order violation results in burglary charge; man booked for assault, stolen handgun; two jailed for stealing from Centralia Outlets
LEWIS COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT Preliminary appearances • Angelique J. Timmons, 33, Centralia, made a preliminary appearance Nov. 3 for one count of residential burglary and one count of …
Death notices: Nov. 4, 2026
• JOYCE EDITH BROWN, 95, Centralia, died Nov. 2 at Providence Centralia Hospital. Arrangements are under the care of Funeral Alternatives of Washington. • DOROTHY MARIE NEILSON, 69, …
Chehalis voters approve 10 years of funding for transportation improvements through sales tax
Voters in Chehalis overwhelmingly approved the renewal of an existing 0.2% sales tax that will benefit transportation projects in the city. Preliminary results from the 2026 general election …
$500,000 bail for Centralia man accused of creating, possessing child sexual abuse material
A 26-year-old Chehalis man has been charged with eight felonies after allegedly creating at least one image depicting the sexual abuse of a child and possessing others. One of the images was of …
Macbeth performances now running at Centralia College through Nov. 15
Having debuted this past Halloween weekend, members of the Centralia College theatre program will perform William Shakespeare’s Macbeth over the next two weekends in collaborative performances with …
Democrat-backed candidates lead in Washington Supreme Court races
Voters appeared content with the status quo on Tuesday, after the initial results had three incumbents and one aligned candidate leading in four of the five Washington Supreme Court races. …
Grega likely to take seat on Lewis County PUD Board of Commissioners
Former longtime Lewis County Public Utility District (PUD) employee and retired local tree farmer Steve Grega appears poised to take the PUD’s commission’s District 1 seat over fellow former PUD …
Rep. Joel McEntire on path to new term despite recent backlash for online conduct
Incumbent Washington state Rep Joel McEntire, R-Cathlamet, is leading Democrat challenger Terry Carlson in the tightest state lawmaker race in Southwest Washington’s 19th and 20th Legislative …
Thurston County’s Carolina Mejia leads senate race in Washington’s 35th Legislative District
Most incumbent Washington state legislators who represent parts of Thurston County have secured early leads in their bids to hold onto their seats.  However, one Republican incumbent in …
‘The voters got it right’: Sanders leads by 24,000 votes in Thurston County sheriff race on election night
Just as he did in the Thurston County primary election on Aug. 4, incumbent Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders finds himself leading big over challenger Kevin Burton-Crow on election night. …
Washington initiative to protect girls sports passing, two other initiatives failing
Tuesday night saw a mixed bag of results for three initiatives on the Nov. 3 ballot that consumed a great deal of public debate leading up to election day.  An initiative to keep biological …
Rough election night for Republicans in Washington state Legislature
Buoyant Democrats were on course Tuesday to strengthen their grip on power in the Washington state House. But the caucus is poised to lose its longest-serving member, and a series of intraparty …
Washington state voters embracing income tax on high earners
Voters on Tuesday were upholding Washington’s new income tax on households earning more than a million dollars a year, a threshold opponents argued would eventually be lowered to apply to everyone. …
Local Sports
Prep volleyball: Rainier throws block party, celebrates fourth consecutive state bid
ADNA — Defense wins championships. The old moniker can be applied to football, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, water polo, etc. Truly whatever sport the heart desires. Ask the Rainier High …
Prep volleyball: ‘Selfless’ Loggers sweep Ducks to clinch second straight state berth
ADNA — There were two celebrations for the Onalaska High School volleyball team Wednesday night. One had just as much meaning as the other. As soon as the top-seeded Loggers finished off …
Tenino, Adna eliminated from district tournaments
Both the Tenino and Adna volleyball teams were eliminated from their district tournaments on Wednesday, as the Beavers lost twice in Vancouver and the Pirates lost in Raymond. Tenino was swept …
Morton beats Columbia Adventist to clinch state berth
The Morton volleyball team earned a spot in the district title game and a spot in the state tournament on Wednesday, beating Columbia Adventist 25-17, 19-25, 25-23, 25-14 in a 1B District 4 …
CC sweeps Pierce to end regular season
The Centralia College volleyball team ended its regular season on a positive note on Wednesday, sweeping Pierce College on the road 25-19, 25-23, 26-24. Jada Whitmore tallied 11 kills and four …
Chronicle Podcasts

  • Sports Dump: The Cornjerker Hath Returned
  • News Dump Ep. 298: A Mossyrocktober Surprise
  • News Dump Ep. 297: Of Forums and Fake News
Obituaries

In loving memory of Aaron Rakoz: 1971-2026

Aaron Rakoz passed away unexpectedly on Oct. 23, 2026, in Olympia, Washington. He was born on April 15, 1971, in Chehalis, Washington. He spent most of his life in Lewis County. He was an active …

In loving memory of James Van Ornum: 1940-2026

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of James Henry Van Ornum, who departed this life on Oct. 16, 2026, at the age of 85.  Born Dec. 21, 1940, in Rome, New York, James …

In loving memory of Joyce Butkus: 1935-2026

Joyce M. Butkus, age 91, passed away October 8, 2026.She was born Joyce May Rice January 25, 1935 to B.H. and Julia (Capps) Rice in Ft. Collins, Colorado. The family moved to Kelso-Longview, …

In loving memory of Edward Anderson: Husband, father, grandfather, son and friend

Edward Anderson passed away Nov. 1, 2026, at his home in Evaline, where he had lived his entire life. He attended Evaline School, as did his son and also his mother. He graduated from Winlock High …

In loving memory of Manny Estrada: 1941-2026

Manuel Demafelix Estrada, affectionately known as Manny, passed away on Oct. 21, 2026, at the age of 84. Born on Nov. 29, 1941, in the Philippines, Manny moved to the United States in the 1960s, …

In loving memory of Carrie Ames: 1955-2026

Carrie Anne Ames (Bensching) passed away at Providence Centralia Hospital on Oct. 9, 2026. Carrie was born Dec. 14, 1955, in Lewiston, Idaho, to Earl Joseph Bensching and Beverly Jean Bensching …
State & Regional News

Trump accepts the blue tsunami, despite months of election legal battles, threats

Ahead of the midterms, Democrats wargamed dozens of scenarios looking at how President Donald Trump might try to undermine the election, everything from seizing voting machines to falsely declaring a …

Schools
Volunteers needed for Lewis County Business Academy
With the annual Lewis County Business Academy on the horizon, event organizers Kiddin’ Around have announced the need for community volunteers. The Business Academy will be held at Centralia …
No issues reported after Centralia police, school district announce increased presence for football game
The Centralia Police Department (CPD) and the Centralia School District (CSD) on Friday issued a joint statement to update the community regarding Oct. 30’s Centralia High School varsity football …
Onalaska School District evacuates elementary and middle school after ‘unverified’ bomb threat
The Onalaska School District evacuated its elementary and middle school building Monday morning as the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) investigated a possible bomb threat. According to …
25 Napavine High School culinary students earn personalized Tiger Chef jackets
Hard work in the kitchen has earned 25 third-semester Napavine Jr./Sr. High School culinary students a special milestone: their own personalized Tiger Chef jackets. Students across four class …
Commentary

Julie McDonald: Elected county, state officials — do your jobs

For nearly four decades, my husband has grown Christmas trees, both in Centralia and outside Toledo. He works hard all year on planting, fertilizing, shearing, trimming tops, controlling weeds and …

Wayne Fournier: After election season, a question — who would sign up for this?

Well, another election season is behind us, more or less. Thankfully. I'm still getting political text messages from candidates as far away as Maine and Texas, so apparently somebody hasn't …

Brian Mittge: Help for the beautiful, baffling, terrific and tough job of parenting

Among the many blessings of life, perhaps none is greater than being a parent. And perhaps none can feel as challenging at times. As our two eldest children head into adulthood and our youngest …

Richard Stride: The history my mother left me

Sometimes history comes to us in unexpected ways. Not through a textbook, a museum or a documentary, but through an old box of newspapers, yellowed pages and things someone we loved thought important …

Letter: Running for sheriff while focused on what matters

As we approach election day, I want to thank the people of Lewis County for the opportunity to earn your trust and your vote. From the beginning of my campaign, I made a commitment to stay …
Outdoors
Outdoors
Hunting Highlight: A father-son bond and a boy’s first buck
“As a local Onalaska resident, our 8-year-old son Jack committed to putting in all of the work, dedication and hours required to obtain his hunting license this summer. Once he successfully earned …
Fishing closures begin Oct. 24 in many Western Washington rivers, including the Chehalis
Fishing for salmon and all game fish is closing Oct. 24 in many rivers and tributary streams across Washington’s Coastal Region due to low water conditions from the ongoing drought as well as …
Hunting Highlights: Young hunters find success in early deer 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 …