Local News
‘Shocking and distressing event’: ICE detained one person in Olympia on Wednesday, police chief confirms
Agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained a community member in Olympia on Wednesday, Nov. 5, the Olympia Police Department confirmed Friday.  Community members …
Lewis County woman jailed after infant dies with meth in her system
A 31-year-old Lewis County woman is facing homicide charges after her 3-month-old infant daughter died with methamphetamine in her system, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.  …
In Focus: Celebrating the Best of Lewis County
The 2025 Best of Lewis County Awards were hosted by The Chronicle at the Chehalis Theater on Wednesday, Nov. 5. Hundreds of people attended the event, filling the historic theater to capacity. …
Chapman-Wilson pulls ahead in tight Centralia council race; Pickard holds on to lead for Port of Centralia seat
After preliminary results for a number of local elections were released Tuesday evening, many local candidates celebrated victory while others in close races remained more reserved as they waited for …
Morton and Toledo approve interlocal agreements with county government for UGA co-management; Vader requests amendments before approval 
Over the past two weeks, three separate rural Lewis County city councils have approved new co-management interlocal agreements (ILA) with Lewis County government to help foster development in the …
Vader Lions Club and Little Crane Café preparing holiday food baskets for families in need
As the holiday season approaches with Thanksgiving happening in less than three weeks on Thursday, Nov. 27, the Vader Lions Club is partnering with the Little Crane Café in Vader to put …
Woman accused of shoplifting, pushing Centralia WinCo employee in attempt to flee
A 46-year-old Hoquiam woman faces felony charges after she was accused of pushing a Centralia WinCo Foods employee while struggling to flee a failed shoplifting attempt on Nov. 5. Kelly L. …
Lewis County PUD commissioners make final decision on long-term power agreement with Bonneville Power Administration
The Lewis County Public Utility District (PUD) Board of Commissioners gave final approval to execute a nearly 20-year-long contract with the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) this week. The …
Community Foundation of South Puget Sound announces return of Give Local Campaign
The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound has announced in a recent news release the return of its ninth annual Give Local campaign, taking place from Nov. 10 to 21 at spsgives.org. This …
Violent young Lewis County dog declared dangerous after multiple attacks near Elbe
A 2-year-old dog was recently referred to the Lewis County Dangerous Animals Designation (DAD) Board after three individuals were bitten amid rumors of more unreported violence by the canine. …
Sirens: Man sentenced for impersonating doctor; garage door window shot out; truck rear-ends car at ATM; counterfeit money reported
LEWIS COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT Sentencings • Robert Lewis Walters, 65, Olympia, was sentenced to 30 days of electronic home monitoring and one day of credit for time served Nov. 5 after …
Wanted Winlock burglary suspect accused of pointing gun at man in separate incident
Kenneth W. Frye, a 23-year-old Winlock man wanted on burglary and theft charges, was arrested Wednesday after he allegedly pulled a gun on a man earlier that day. Frye made a preliminary …
Toledo City Council approves jail services contract with Chehalis Tribal Jail
Members of the Toledo City Council convened on Monday, Nov. 3, for their first regular meeting of the month. Among the agenda items discussed by the councilors and city staff was a new jail …
Napavine High and Middle School first term honor roll
Following are members of Napavine Middle and High School second semester honor rolls. Students are listed in alphabetical order. The lists were provided by the Napavine School District. …
International Mermaid Museum Festival draws near in Grays Harbor County
The International Mermaid Museum Festival is drawing near, a news release from the International Mermaid Museum stated. In 2026, the event will be open every full weekend in March and will be …
Local Sports
Pirates steamroll Vikings in 2B crossover to punch ticket to state
It doesn’t matter what the scoreboard says. It doesn’t matter what the box score reads.  Frankly, it doesn’t matter if it’s the most flawless game of football the …
Oakville falls to Neah Bay in 1B Crossover
The Oakville football team’s season came to an end in Neah Bay on Friday, when the Acorns fell to the Red Devils 76-18. Neah Bay jumped out to a 14-0 lead after one and added 38 in the …
Von Pressentin goes off again to spur Napavine past Toutle Lake
It is becoming a weekly occurrence when Caleb Von Pressentin, the newly-minted C2BL West Offensive MVP, runs wild and he did so in the Tigers’ 47-24 victory over the Ducks on Friday night in a …
Toledo makes case for top seed with 47-7 win over Forks
LONGVIEW — The Toledo Riverhawks made their case for the top seed in the 2B state football tournament with a 47-7 win against Forks in a 2B district football game on Friday night at Longview …
Titans romp Wolves to return to Class 2B state tournament
Behind a four touchdown day from quarterback Brody Ritzman and three turnovers, the Pe Ell/Willapa Valley football team demolished Coupeville 48-14 on Friday night in Menlo in a Class 2B crossover …
Chronicle Podcasts

  • Sports Dump: An In-Depth Analysis of Teams You’ve Never Heard Of
  • News Dump Ep. 255: The Pre-Election Hash-it-out Summit
  • Sports Dump: Kissing the Regular Season Goodbye
Obituaries

In loving memory of Carol Hill

Carol Hill, our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and aunt, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in Centralia, Washington, at the age of 90. She was born and raised …

In loving memory of Ruth McAuley: 1941-2025

Ruth passed away on Oct. 18, 2025, at home in Onalaska. She was born in West Virginia in 1941 to William and Hazel Workman. The family later moved to Riffe, Washington. Ruth attended Mossyrock High …

In loving memory of Sherry Lynn McCalden: 1951-2025

Sherry Lynn (Macomber) McCalden, 74, of Doty, Washington, passed away on Oct. 29, 2025, at the Richard Nau Hospice House in Longview, Washington. Sherry was born June 21, 1951, in Chehalis, …

Death notices: Nov. 7, 2025

• PAUL LEO HURST, 69, formerly of Centralia, died Nov. 4. • CHARLOTTE JUNE MUNN, 92, Olympia, died Oct. 29 at Providence St. Peter Hospital. Arrangements are under the care of Funeral …

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. …
State & Regional News

Dave Upthegrove on land sales, federal funding cuts and wildfire immigration raids

The Trump administration has proposed significantly shifting management of the nation’s public lands toward producing more revenue.  President Donald Trump and Interior Secretary Doug …

Schools
Rep. Peter Abbarno encourages students to apply for the 2026 Page Program
State Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Chehalis, is encouraging students across the 20th Legislative District and the state to apply for the legislative page program during the 2026 session. Each year, …
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 …
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 …
Letters to the Editor
Letter to the editor: America’s pandemic authoritarianism — how both parties flirted with control

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed a troubling truth: both major political parties in the U.S. flirted with authoritarian tendencies, but in starkly different ways. Democrats often claimed the mantle …

Commentary

John Braun commentary: The continuing insanity of the homelessness ‘emergency’

The line about “insanity” being defined as doing the same things over and over, and expecting a different result, is sometimes attributed to Albert Einstein.  An online search …

Zac Eckstein commentary: When the people who grow our food go hungry

Right now, 42 million Americans are caught in a bureaucratic mess. As a government shutdown drags on, the USDA at first refused to use emergency funds for November SNAP benefits. Only after a court …

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 …
Outdoors
Outdoors
Hunting Highlights: Cougar, deer and elk, oh my!
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 …
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, …