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Chronicle Reporter Mitchell Roland poses for a photo before participating in a polar plunge into the Cowlitz River in Packwood on Wednesday, Jan. 1.

Reporter’s notebook: Polar plungers ring in the new year at Cowlitz River, including one very cold journalist

The temperature of the Cowlitz River in Packwood hovered around 36 degrees Wednesday morning, according to a National Weather Service thermometer. Last year, I volunteered myself to go for a … more

By Mitchell Roland / Mitchell@chronline.com | 1/1/25

The Capitol building in Olympia on Thursday, June 6.

Republican state senator proposes senior tax exemption as Democrats contemplate raising rates

Amid a push to raise the annual cap on property tax increases statewide, Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn, wants the Washington state Legislature to exempt around 500,000 senior citizens altogether. … more

By Tim Clouser / The Center Square | 1/1/25

A truck drives by as people celebrate New Year’s Eve inside the main lodge at White Pass Ski Area on Tuesday, Dec. 31. The event was called a New York New Year’s Eve. Night skiing was available from 2 to 8 p.m. After that, the ski lodge rang in the new year simultaneously with New York City at 9 p.m. Pacific time with a party featuring DJs from Genesis Entertainment.

In focus: Ringing in the new year at the White Pass Ski Area

New Year's Eve revelers partied into the new year on Tuesday night at the White Pass Ski Resort. The event was called a New York New Year’s Eve. Night skiing was available … more

1/1/25

Former President Jimmy Carter, right, works on ceiling beams of a building being rehabilitated on New York’s Lower East Side in 1985.

Commentary: For Jimmy Carter, faith was always front and center

Editor’s note: Centralia resident John Martin wrote this on the occasion of former President Jimmy Carter’s 100th birthday. Carter died on Dec. 29, 2024. James Earl "Jimmy" Carter … more

By John Martin / For The Chronicle | 1/1/25

Relocation Guide - 2025

1/1/25

Chronicle Editor-in-Chief Eric Schwartz, left, and Associate Editor Aaron VanTuyl.

News Dump Ep. 217: Reducing redundancies in regional rags

On the 216th episode of The Chronicle News Dump, hosts Aaron VanTuyl and Chronicle Editor-in-Chief Eric Schwartz (with Kody Christen, star photographer) discuss reducing the county budget, new local … more

12/31/24

Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad asks for public’s help after attempts to damage historic equipment

Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad is asking for the community’s help in identifying an individual who aimed to destroy the railroad’s historic equipment. The subject reportedly entered the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/31/24

Centralia's wastewater treatment plant is pictured from above on Monday, Dec. 30.

Centralia wastewater treatment plant loan fully paid off 21 years later

During the Centralia City Council’s last meeting of 2024, city staff announced the Washington state Department of Ecology loan the council approved acceptance of in 2001 for construction of the … more

12/31/24

A sign outside the lodge housing Golden Rule Odd Fellows and Trinity Rebekah Lodge. The building was opened in 1904, nine years before Napavine incorporated as a city.

Suspect arrested for allegedly burglarizing Trinity Rebekah Lodge in Napavine

A man accused of breaking into the Trinity Rebekah Lodge in Napavine on Dec. 10, disabling power to the building and stealing 125 pairs of new shoes intended for a charity event has been arrested. … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 12/31/24

Cheryl Cottine pets a horse in one of the stalls at Aspiring Equestrian Center on Dec. 30.

New equestrian center in Thurston County aims to provide high quality instruction to community

Aspiring Equestrian Center in Rainier is the culmination of two of Cheryl Cottine’s biggest passions: horses and teaching. The new equestrian center, located at 12440 Koeppen Road SE in … more

By Dylan Reubenking / For The Chronicle | 12/31/24

Lewis County Fire District 5 implements new transport forgiveness policy for in-district residents

Starting Jan. 1, residents of Lewis County Fire District 5’s service area, which covers the City of Napavine and surrounding areas, will only be asked to pay what their insurance provides as … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/31/24

Death notices: Dec. 31, 2024

• RICHARD A. WILLIAMS, 78, Toledo, died Dec. 21 at Providence Centralia Hospital. Arrangements are under the care of Cattermole Funeral Home. • SANDRA J. SIPERLY, 77, Chehalis, died … more

12/31/24

Elderly Centralia resident gives $15,000 to scammer posing as a bank representative

An elderly Centralia resident was scammed out of more than $15,000 on Monday after a scammer posed as a representative of her Chehalis bank, according to the Centralia Police Department. A … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/31/24

Lloyd Weston Swanson Jr., 54, of Toledo, appears in Lewis County Superior Court on Monday, Dec. 30.

Bail set at $50,000 for Toledo man accused of hitting man with baseball bat, smashing phone

A Toledo man was arrested Saturday for allegedly hitting a man in the head with a baseball bat and smashing his cellphone the day prior. Lloyd Weston Swanson Jr., 54, was booked into the Lewis … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 12/31/24

Sirens: Juveniles involved in dispute; Lewis County Superior Court sentencings; jail statistics

CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Theft • A car dolly was reported stolen from the 1900 block of Ham Hill Road just after 3:50 p.m. on Dec. 30. • A 30-year-old Centralia man was … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/31/24

Pierce County Animal Control officers seized 60 dogs and cats and one large horse from a property in Roy after a complaint of illegal breeding and animal cruelty.

Humane Society turns to community after animal cruelty case in Pierce County

The Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County is turning to the community for help after a collaborative rescue with Pierce County Animal Control in Roy brought 60 animals to the shelter. … more

By Jacob Dimond / For The Chronicle | 12/31/24

Salvation Army Captain Gin Pack talks with volunteers during the Centralia Salvation Army Distribution Day on Wednesday, Dec. 18.

Lewis County Salvation Army celebrates successful fundraising efforts as attention turns to 135th anniversary

Still in a self-described “Christmas recovery mode” Tuesday, Lewis County Salvation Army Captain Gin Pack reflected on the 2024 season. Over the past month, the organization raised … more

By Mitchell Roland / mitchell@chronline.com | 12/31/24

Morgan Slaby and his older brother, Wyatt, read a copy of Peter Brown's "The Wild Robot," which Wyatt received as his "forever book" during the inaugural Grand Mound Elementary School Read-A-Thon at the end of the 2023-2024 school year.

Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund awards $3,000 grant for Grand Mound Elementary School’s Read-A-Thon

The Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund awarded a $3,000 grant to the Grand Mound Elementary School Boosters, who are organizing Grand Mound Elementary School’s second annual Read-A-Thon, according to a … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/31/24

Iam Tongi was the winner of season 21 of American Idol.

American Idol winner to host concert in support of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Iam Tongi, the winner of season 21 of American Idol, will perform in Ridgefield next month in support of a program that aims to boost childhood literacy rates. The Jan. 18 concert at Ilani … more

By Mitchell Roland / mitchell@chronline.com | 12/31/24

Members of the Nisqually Tribe visit Southworth Elementary in Yelm during its reopening in 2022. The tribe's language and heritage are displayed throughout the building.

Nisqually Indian Tribe supports Native American education in schools with $20K grant

The Nisqually Indian Tribe is continuing to invest in the Native American education program within Yelm Community Schools despite the activities being put on hold due to the district’s … more

By Dylan Reubenking / For The Chronicle | 12/31/24