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What did Oregon add to time capsules for America’s 250th birthday?

What would help Americans 250 years from now understand the Oregon of 2026? For the eight members of Oregon’s congressional delegation who selected the state’s contributions to the … more

Julia Shumway / Oregon State Capital | 7/5/26

USDA Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz meets with employees of the Kisatchie National Forest in Louisiana on April 2, 2025.

Forest Service chief defends agency’s largest reorganization in a century

The U.S. Forest Service received roughly 300 applications for the 15 new state director jobs created during a major agency reorganization that’s dissolving regional offices the agency’s first … more

Mike Koshmrl / Wyofile | 7/5/26

Olympia-area homicide is under investigation

The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the apparent homicide of a 49-year-old Olympia man on Friday, July 3. A suspect, a 29-year-old Olympia man, died following a medical … more

By Thurston Chronicle staff | 7/4/26

The Chronicle - July 4, 2026

7/4/26

County employees check out the different dishes served at the WIC event at the Lewis County Health Department in Chehalis on Wednesday, July 1.

'Thrifty Throwdown': Lewis County Public Health gets creative with WIC benefits

Children rely on their parents and tasty food to get everything they need to grow healthy and strong. Lewis County hopes to help parents find a great way to make creative and tasty meals as … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 7/3/26

Graduates sit on stage during the Pe Ell High School class of 2026 graduation ceremony at Pe Ell School on Friday, June 12.

Pe Ell school district appoints new acting superintendent

The Pe Ell School District Board of Directors has appointed district business manager Bobby McCalden as acting superintendent. The appointment was made during the board’s Monday special … more

By Jacob Farmer / jfarmer@chronline.com | 7/3/26

Incumbent Lewis County Commissioner Scott Brummer speaks during a Lewis County Board of Commissioners District 3 candidate forum and meet-and-greet at Jester Auto Museum in Chehalis on Tuesday, April 28.

Lewis County Commissioner Scott Brummer says experience and values set him apart from challengers

Nearly four years after he was first elected, a former political newcomer now finds himself the incumbent in a packed race for Lewis County commissioner in District 3, which includes most of East … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 7/3/26

Sirens: Charges for fentanyl in jail cell; knife threat reported; unlawful imprisonment alleged after patient is restrained

CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Nuisance violation • Christina Dukes, 37, Centralia, was issued a criminal citation for allegedly loitering for drug-intended purposes on city property and … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/3/26

Death notices: July 3, 2026

• HOLLIS K. LEE, 67, Winlock, died June 21 at University of Washington Medical Center. Arrangements are under the care of Cattermole Funeral Home. • MITCHELL K. DAVIS, 38, Toledo, died June … more

7/3/26

Friends of the Packwood Library holding silent auction fundraiser

The Friends of the Packwood Timberland Library are hosting a silent auction to raise funds for the 2027 summer library programs. The auction began Saturday, June 27, and will run until July 25, … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/3/26

Willapa Harbor Hospital recognized for advancing rural stroke care

For its efforts to optimize stroke care and reduce gaps in rural health outcomes, Willapa Harbor Hospital has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines Stroke Rural … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/3/26

Man dies following state Route 503 collision in Cowlitz County

A La Center man has died following a two-vehicle collision on state Route 503 last week, according to the Washington State Patrol (WSP). John R. Jessup, 76, was pronounced dead in an updated WSP … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/3/26

Commentary: A child in ‘the Jungle’ and when disorder becomes dangerous

A missing child from Arizona was recently found in an Olympia homeless encampment after investigators suspected she was being sex trafficked. That fact alone should disturb every one of us. … more

By Sarah Mittelman | 7/3/26

Podcaster Brandi Kruse introduces high school students Frances Staudt, of Tumwater High School, and Ahnaleigh Wilson, of Eastmont High School, at a Let’s Go Washington rally supporting initiatives concerning parental rights and barring transgender athletes from participating in girls’ athletics at the Washington state Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 3.

Commentary: Don’t expect bans on trans athletes in girls’ sports in Washington, even with ruling

If you’re celebrating the United States Supreme Court Tuesday ruling that keeps in place state laws banning transgender athletes from participating on women’s and girls’ sports teams, you might … more

By Ken Vance, ClarkCountyToday | 7/3/26

Commentary: Celebrating 250 years of civic life in America, from Lyle to Washington, D.C.

Imagine being told you have to leave your home, perhaps forever. You only have a couple of hours to pack, and you can only take what fits in your car. Calista Christiansen, a seventh-grader from … more

By Kris Johnson, Association of Washington Business | 7/3/26

Sean Swope: Miracles, declaration and legacy — the birth of a nation

Editor’s note: This is the second installment in a two-part series on America’s founding. The first installment can be found online at https://tinyurl.com/yrsy9paz . Imagine an army of … more

7/3/26

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

Letter to the editor: Claims of Swope and Murphy incompatible

Was I at the same forum that's being talked about from last month between the Lewis County sheriff candidates? The one I attended at times seemed like a training session for used car salesmen. … more

7/3/26

Letter to the editor: The fossil fuel industry’s control of our government

The world as we know it today was built on the back of burning fossil fuels. Unfortunately, this process has come at a tremendous cost. Emissions from burning fossil fuels are rapidly … more

7/3/26

Letter to the editor: Democrats provide lower taxes for families and increase services

The level of dishonesty regarding the initiative to roll back the millionaires’ tax passed by our Democratic Legislature is mind-boggling. You aren’t being told that it applies only to those … more

7/3/26

Letter to the editor: If America falls to authoritarian rule, it is our fault

I am not a resident in Lewis County, but I have friends who are, and I hold their best interests in my heart. I am a board-certified professional chaplain. I believe our founders framed the … more

7/3/26