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The new Panda Express in Chehalis is pictured from above during the franchise's first day in business on Tuesday, Jan. 7.

In focus: Panda Express holds soft opening at new Chehalis location

Panda Express held a soft opening for its new location in Chehalis on Tuesday. The business will celebrate the grand opening of the new location with a Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of … more

1/8/25

Dion Jose Rodriguez Lee, 24, of Chehalis, was arrested and booked into the Lewis County Jail at approximately 2:37 p.m. on Jan. 6, according to jail records.

Man charged for allegedly strangling girlfriend in Chehalis

A man accused of strangling his girlfriend in Chehalis during a dispute on Monday has been charged with second-degree assault, domestic violence. Dion Jose Rodriguez Lee, 24, of Chehalis, was … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 1/8/25

Sirens: Man tries to steal semi truck; assault reported at Green Hill; motorcyclists crashes while doing wheelie; local jail statistics

CHEHALIS POLICE DEPARTMENT Theft • A male subject was arrested for trying to steal a semi truck in the 600 block of Northwest West Street just before 8:55 a.m. on Jan. 3. He was … more

1/8/25

Death notices: Jan. 8, 2025

• RAYMOND E. HINES, 85, Centralia, died Dec. 28 at his residence. Arrangements are under the care of Cattermole Funeral Home. • ZACHARY S. STODDARD, 43, Tumwater, died on Dec. 25. … more

1/8/25

The fire was reported in the 200 block of St. Helens Way at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 7.

Winlock family loses home and three dogs in a fire on Tuesday

A family of six in Winlock lost their home and three dogs to a fire on Tuesday. The fire was reported in the 200 block of St. Helens Way at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 7, according to 911 … more

1/8/25

John McCroskey was Lewis County sheriff from 1995 to 2005. He lives outside Chehalis and can be contacted at musingsonthemiddlefork@gmail.com.

John McCroskey: Solutions come in spite of our state Legislature, not because of it

A few weeks ago, I wrote that we’d best hang onto our wallets because it was nearly time for the annual fleecing of taxpayers, otherwise known as a Washington state legislative session. … more

Commentary by John McCroskey / For The Chronicle | 1/8/25

State Rep. Peter Abbarno leads a Polar Plunge into Mayfield Lake followed by former Centralia Police Chief Stacy Denham during an event that benefits Lewis County Special Olympics athletes near Mossyrock in January 2022.

Peter Abbarno: Warming up with an icy challenge to support Special Olympics

Some people might hesitate to take the plunge into the cold waters of Mayfield Lake at 10 a.m. on Jan. 25. It’s certainly an icy challenge. But I hope to change your mind and invite … more

Commentary by state Rep. Peter Abbarno | 1/8/25

Superintendent Lisa Grant speaks during the 2024 Centralia High School graduation ceremony at Tiger Stadium on Friday, June 7.

Letter to the editor: Thank you to all members of local school boards for important work guiding our districts

January is School Board Appreciation Month. To celebrate, I would like to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to the dedicated members of the Centralia School District School Board. … more

1/8/25

Letters to the editor can be submitted to letters@chronline.com.

Letter to the editor: Illegal immigration brings financial burdens to American communities

I read Jon Cushman’s recent letter to the editor with great interest. He is correct in that immigration is how this country originated and grew to the greatness we have been. He is also … more

1/8/25

Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez listens to a Panamerican Berry Grower explain the operations in Mossyrock on a Lewis County Farm Bureau Tour on Wednesday, Aug. 14.

Gluesenkamp Perez Named to U.S. House Committee on Appropriations

On Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, announced that she has been selected to serve on the House Committee on Appropriations for the 119th Congress. The purpose of the House … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/8/25

Sara Kathryn Jackson, 18, of Castle Rock, appears in Lewis County Superior Court on Tuesday, Jan. 7.

Bail set at $100,000 for woman, 18, accused of repeatedly stalking victim of alleged Vader steel mallet attack

An 18-year-old woman charged in December for allegedly hitting a woman on the head with a steel mallet during an argument in Vader and for allegedly stalking the same victim after she posted bail on … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 1/8/25

The future site of the Centralia Woods housing development is pictured from above in Centralia on Tuesday, Jan. 7. The project is a new single-family home community by Century Communities. The proposed development will consist of 78 single-family homes and four duplex-style homes, according to previous reporting by The Chronicle. Each single-family home will sit on its own lot of at least 4,000 square feet. Twin homes will be on lots as large as 9,904 square feet. The homes will have two stories and three bedrooms, totaling nearly 2,600 square feet internally. Each house will have a two-car garage, a front porch and a backyard. While no price-point on the homes was given when the city council approved initial plans in 2023, the homes are meant to fill the higher area-median income gaps in housing identified by Centralia Housing Assessment and Action Plan.

In focus: Work proceeds on Centralia Woods housing development along Kresky Avenue

1/8/25

Attorney General Bob Ferguson talks to members of the press during a legislative meeting inside the John A. Cherberg building in Olympia in February 2023.

Washington Attorney General's Office files consumer protection lawsuit against T-Mobile

Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson has filed a consumer protection lawsuit against T-Mobile for failing to secure the sensitive personal information of over 2 million Washingtonians, his … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/8/25

A ballot drop box in Chehalis on Thursday, June 27.

Lewis County Auditor’s Office: Military and overseas ballots to be mailed

On Jan. 12, 202 ballots will be mailed to all military and overseas voters registered in Lewis County for the Feb. 11 special election. The ballots are mailed 30 days in advance, as required by … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/8/25

100th birthday party planned for Lebam man

A 100th birthday party for Dale Rutherford will be held from noon to 3 p.m. Jan. 18 at Swiss Hall in Frances. Rutherford was born in South Bend, Washington, on Jan. 17, 1925. He is a … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/8/25

Washington state health officials urge caution amid avian influenza outbreaks

As the hunting season continues, health officials in Washington state are issuing a reminder regarding the ongoing threat posed by avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, according to a … more

By The Columbia Basin Herald | 1/8/25

A log truck crosses the Hoffstadt Creek Bridge along Spirit Lake Highway on Thursday, May 11, 2023.

Coroner identifies 26-year-old woman who jumped to her death from bridge near Mount St. Helens

A 26-year-old Kirkland woman who died Sunday after jumping from a bridge on the Spirit Lake Memorial Highway near Mount St. Helens has been identified, according to the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/8/25

Former president Jimmy Carter prior to the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Cincinnati Bengals at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on September 30, 2018.

Lawmakers pay their respects to Jimmy Carter as the former president lies in state at the Capitol

Lawmakers paid their respects to Jimmy Carter as the former president’s casket arrived at the Capitol on Tuesday, with both Republicans and his fellow Democrats remembering the one-term leader … more

By Orion Donovan Smith / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 1/8/25

U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez speaks in support of her bipartisan Treating Tribes and Counties as Good Neighbors Act in the House Agriculture Committee.

Gluesenkamp Perez’s provisions signed into law to manage forests, reduce wildfire risk

Last week, the EXPLORE Act was signed into law by the president, including provisions of the bipartisan Treating Tribes and Counties as Good Neighbors Act supported by U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/8/25

A display set up during a vigil held in January 2021 marking the 15th anniversary of the day Karen Bodine’s body was found on the side of Littlerock Road Southwest near Rochester.

Vigil set to mark 18 years since unsolved murder of Thurston County woman

The family of Karen Bodine, a 37-year-old mother of three from Thurston County who was found dead near a gravel pit in Rochester on Jan. 22, 2007, will host a candlelight vigil to honor her memory … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 1/8/25