Local News
Napavine-area fire district close to electing dead man as commissioner
A dead man may become Napavine’s newest fire commissioner. Tom Crowson, who died on July 27 at the age of 73, leads Rick LeBoeuf by 31 votes in the race for Commissioner Position 2 at …
Sirens: Toledo lottery theft suspect sentenced; defendant in Randle rape pleads guilty to lesser charge; arrests in Centralia, Chehalis
LEWIS COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT Sentencings • Ravinder Singh, 28, Toledo, was sentenced to 30 days in jail with one day of credit for time served Oct. 17 after pleading guilty to one count …
Mountain View Baptist Church to hold ‘GriefShare: Surviving the Holidays’ seminar
Mountain View Baptist Church plans to hold a two-hour, free seminar titled “GriefShare: Surviving the Holidays.” The seminar aims to provide encouragement, support and valuable tools to …
Applications open for Lighted Tractor Parade in Centralia, Santa Parade in Chehalis
Applications for the 2025 Centralia Washington Lighted Tractor Parade are now being accepted. Nonprofit groups and personal entry costs $25 a float, while businesses cost $50 each. Entries …
Toledo Lions Club brings back Veterans Day parade Saturday
Members of the American Legion Post 101 Washington and the Toledo Lions Club are bringing back the Veterans Day parade held in Toledo. The parade is set to return to the South Lewis County …
Voetberg Family Christmas Concerts to return for 2025 holiday season
The Voetberg Family Christmas Concerts are set to return to the Corbet Theatre in Centralia this holiday season after taking a year off. “These concerts have always been about more than …
Fees for permitting, inspections and other Lewis County services see increases
A list of Lewis County fees associated with permitting and other applications will see a small increase across the board come January. The Lewis County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously …
Former Centralia Middle School teacher accused of sexually assaulting student in 2020 avoids jail time after pleading guilty to lesser offenses
Natasha Nicole Polk, the 34-year-old former Centralia Middle School teacher accused of sexually assaulting a then 13-year-old student in 2020, will not serve jail time — so long as she abides …
Gluesenkamp Perez introduces legislation to guarantee farmers the right to repair their own equipment
U.S. Reps. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, and Joe Neguse, D-Colorado, led the introduction of the Freedom for Agricultural Repair and Maintenance (FARM) Act last week, according to a news …
MGP v. Braun: A look at the most important race in next year's election in Washington state
VANCOUVER — On a Sunday two weeks before Halloween, people flocked from across southwestern Washington to the pumpkin patch and harvest festival at Bi-Zi Farms, on the outskirts of the biggest …
Chehalis releases deeper ‘conservative’ annexation revenues, expenditures
With annexation in Chehalis nearing a vote, the Chehalis City Council has an abundance of financial numbers to consider, including anticipated revenues and expenditures. However, the figures are …
Student-run Bearcat Thrift reopens at W.F. West High School
Bearcat Thrift, the student-run thrift store at W.F. West High School, celebrated its grand reopening Wednesday morning. Senior Avery Brundage founded and launched the thrift store last April …
Veterans Day comes early for Lewis County commissioners
The Lewis County Board of Commissioners celebrated Veterans Day early this year, taking a moment to recognize county employees who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. The board of …
Lewis County sets final budget hearing for 2026 budget
Lewis County will adopt next year’s county budget and set property tax rates during a public hearing next month. The Lewis County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution during its …
United Way of Thurston County launches emergency assistance fund to help food banks
United Way of Thurston County (UWTC) has activated its Emergency Assistance Fund — a community-wide initiative providing urgent financial support to food banks located throughout Thurston …
Local Sports
Toledo swept for first time in ‘25, crumbles to Toutle Lake in district semis
ADNA — The Toledo Riverhawks’ 22-year state volleyball tournament drought will have to wait at least another three days. In the District 4 2B semifinals Wednesday night, the …
Mountaineers rally to knock off Loggers, advance to district title match
ADNA — The Rainier Mountaineers found themselves in an all-too-familiar position in the District 4 2B semifinals against Onalaska Wednesday night — trailing in the semifinals to the …
Tenino drops two games, gets knocked out of district tournament
TENINO — Moments after Tenino was swept by Kalama in a district quarterfinal at home on Wednesday evening, Tenino coach Shauna Carpenter stood near the door of the locker room. Her team …
Prep volleyball: Trojans out-hit, out-matched in semi loss to Chitwins
TOLEDO — Jill Engel didn’t express a panicked face in the hallway at Toledo High School. She didn’t feel her Pe Ell volleyball team shrunk in the Class 1B District 4 …
Prep girls soccer: Youthful Tenino succumbs to senior-laden La Center
TENINO — A strength of the Tenino High School girls soccer team throughout the season has been set pieces. Whether it’s Kyla Watson sending in a corner or free kick, plus the backline …
Chronicle Podcasts

  • News Dump Ep. 255: The Pre-Election Hash-it-out Summit
  • Sports Dump: Kissing the Regular Season Goodbye
  • News Dump Ep. 254: Nothing to see on THIS opinion page
Obituaries

In loving memory of Maureen Evelyn Curtis: 1942-2025

Maureen Evelyn Curtis, 83, died peacefully Oct. 28, 2025, surrounded by family in Hazel Green, AL. She was the second born child of Jack and Helena Morrison, born Oct. 19, 1942, during WWII in …

Death notices: Nov. 3, 2025

• DAVID KELLY YANT, 61, Centralia, died Oct. 21 at Three Rivers Care. Arrangements are under the care of Fir Lawn Funeral Chapel. • CAROL GLADYS MASON, 90, Olympia, died Oct. 29. …

In loving memory of Don Wade Jester: 1949-2025

Don Wade Jester, a beloved husband, brother, and friend, passed away surrounded by loved ones after a courageous battle with a rare form of Guillain-Barré Syndrome. His strength, …

Death notices: Oct. 29, 2025

• STEPHEN J. DAVIS, 78, Centralia, died Oct. 24 at Providence Centralia Hospital.   A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 8 at Mountain View Baptist Church with a …

In loving memory of Trent Loyd Stewart: 1977-2025

Trent Loyd Stewart, 48, of Woodinville, Washington, passed away unexpectedly on Oct. 18, 2025. Born in Olympia in 1977 to Richard Stewart and Carolyn Hojem, Trent graduated from W.F. West High …

In loving memory of Kathryn "Kathy" Halsan: 1952-2025

Kathy Halsan died on Oct. 17, 2025, from an aggressive form of cancer. Born on June 9, 1952, as Kathryn L. Vangen in Ballard, Washington, she was the daughter of C. Douglas “Doug” …
State & Regional News

Democrats energized by wins in state elections around US

Democrats’ sweep of the biggest races in Tuesday’s off-year elections, including a California ballot measure to redraw that state’s congressional lines to give the party up to five …

Schools
Adna School District levy passing; Lewis County districts vote on school board directors
Preliminary election tallies are in for Lewis County. According to the auditor’s office, 14,979 total ballots have been counted in the county. An estimated 1,204 ballots have yet to be …
Adna voters to decide on replacement levy for school district programs and operations
Adna voters face a decision Tuesday on whether it will allow the Adna School District to replace its expiring levy for school programs and operations. A simple majority of 50% plus one is needed …
Cowlitz County McDonald's helps worker earn high school diploma
In the lobby of the Kelso McDonald's where she works, Nikki Thompson celebrated a milestone in her education — and newfound confidence in herself. Management, regional leaders and the …
Gluesenkamp Perez learns about Onalaska’s aquaculture program during visit
U.S. Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, found herself in Lewis County again this week and spent Tuesday afternoon poking around Onalaska. Before making her way to a nearby lumber …
Commentary

Julie McDonald: November brings gratitude mixed with grief

November is considered gratitude month, a time to take stock of blessings in our lives, and I’m always thanking God for mine. Among those blessings are the treasured people I’ve met …

Commentary: Income tax proposals won’t die in Washington state

What comes back from the dead more frequently than Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees, and Freddy Krueger? Efforts to impose an income tax in Washington state. Like those perennial terrors, this income …

John Braun commentary: Charges of corruption hit Democrat plan to hand out taxpayer dollars

Taxpayers would rightfully be outraged if a state agency handed someone almost $350,000 in public funds to put toward the purchase of a $425,000 home, simply because of that person’s race and a …

Brian Mittge: Senior moments I didn’t see coming

The second of our three children is in her senior year of high school. I remember enough from seeing our firstborn through these milestones to know that there are many moments of poignancy as a …

Wayne Fournier: Local food, national security — what the beef debate gets wrong

When President Trump recently proposed importing more Argentine beef to “lower prices,” it sent cattle markets into a frenzy. At first glance, that might sound like a good deal: cheaper …
Outdoors
Outdoors
WDFW approves seven days of coastal razor clam digs beginning Nov. 3
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) shellfish managers on Wednesday confirmed razor clam digging opportunities at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks beaches from Nov. 3 to …
Reader’s Lens: More Hunting Highlights
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, …
Reader’s Lens: Hunting Highlights
The Chronicle features photos and details of local outdoor adventures, including fishing, hunting, hiking, clamming, foraging and more. Photos are published on The Chronicle’s Facebook …