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Sirens: Inmate found with suboxone in cell; Centralia man arrested for DUI warrant; K9 Havik detects narcotics

LEWIS COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT Preliminary appearances • Christopher R. Chapman, 57, Centralia, made a preliminary appearance June 29 for one count of possession of a controlled substance … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/1/26

Death Notices: July 1, 2026

• GOLDEN ERIC NEAL, 63, Centralia, died June 14 at Silver Acres Adult Family Home. A viewing will be held at noon Saturday, July 18, with a funeral to follow at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist … more

7/1/26

A designated electric vehicle parking spot is pictured at the new Mineral Mobility Hub on Friday, May 8, behind the Mineral Lake Market.

Department of Ecology proposes fallback plan on vehicle emissions in case of federal rollbacks

The Washington Department of Ecology has proposed a contingency plan for the state’s vehicle emissions standards, which have been challenged at the federal level. The plan is being considered … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/1/26

Department of Ecology funds 130 clean water projects, including one in Thurston County

Each year, the Washington state Department of Ecology supports communities by funding clean water projects through the Water Quality Combined Funding Program. This year, Ecology is investing … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/1/26

The Goat Rocks and Agnes Island are reflected back onto Packwood Lake.

Digital payments now accepted at national forests in Washington state

Washington’s national forests are expanding digital payment options at recreation sites. Visitors can now pay fees using the Recreation.gov mobile app at certain trailheads, day-use areas and … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/1/26

A dairy cow grazes in a pasture grown with chicory, plantain and clover to reduce emissions and promote health for the cows during a National Farmers Day livestream presentation with the Organic Valley in Curtis on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025.

Maureen Harkcom: Thoughts on raw milk from the child of a dairy farm

Every human being on this earth is made into the person they are by their experiences, by the things they are exposed to. Our basic values and beliefs are based largely on our early years. … more

Commentary by Maureen Harkcom / For The Chronicle | 7/1/26

Kelly Smith-Johnston, author of this commentary, receives the Buck Hubbert Staff Award during the Economic Alliance of Lewis County 2026 Annual Banquet at Jester Auto Museum in Chehalis on Friday, Feb. 6.

Commentary: Questions that led me to vote no on more distribution warehouses

Author’s note: This represents my point of view and not the full Centralia City Council. Centralia is a place where people still stop to talk in the grocery store aisle, where we know each … more

By Kelly Smith Johnston, deputy mayor of Centralia | 7/1/26

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

John McCroskey: Frase for sheriff, Stickley for coroner and Braun for Congress

Each election season provides more entertainment than the last. In 1994, my first election, there were a total of eight candidates competing to become Lewis County sheriff. One of the … more

Commentary by John McCroskey | 7/1/26

An elk wanders through a Packwood yard as smoke from the Goat Rocks Fire rises from the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in 2022.

Fire restrictions take effect on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest

Due to increased risk of wildfires, Gifford Pinchot National Forest fire managers have issued restrictions on campfires, smoking and other activities within the forest. The restrictions were … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/1/26

Macklemore, center, stands with Green Hill School residents Ron, Diante, Justin, Blake, Connor and TJ during a visit to the Chehalis juvenile rehabilitation facility on Friday, March 15, 2024. “Dark Road,” an anti-fentanyl campaign video produced and performed by a group of seven youth residing at Green Hill School in Chehalis, was officially the winner of the National Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) Anti-Fentanyl Awareness Youth Challenge. The video was created in partnership with The Bridge Music Project specifically for the SAMHSA competition to raise awareness about fentanyl, empower youth to develop a strategy to educate their peers about the substance, and prevent drug overdose deaths.

$5 million announced to support creative youth development programs across Washington state

Three area nonprofits were announced as recipients of a record investment for creative youth development programs in Washington. Mi Chiantla, The Bridge Music Project and UTOPIA Washington … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/1/26

State restricts Lewis County doctor’s license

The Washington Medical Commission (WMC) has issued an interim stipulated order restricting Lewis County physician Dr. Joseph Denor, according to a recent news release. The order requires that … more

By the Chronicle staff | 7/1/26

Lewis County Fire District 15 firefighters respond to the scene of a fire at Winlock Fiber in July 2021.

Area fire districts put levies, bond on August primary ballot

Three Lewis County fire districts and two in Thurston County are seeking the public’s vote on a variety of measures in the upcoming Aug. 4 primary election. Lewis County Lewis County Fire … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/1/26

Chick-fil-A moves forward with final approval from Centralia

Another sign of Chick-fil-A’s imminent arrival came last month as Port of Centralia officials confirmed that the company had submitted building permits to the City of Centralia. Port Executive … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 7/1/26

Napavine Baptist Church to hold 'Summer Awakening Revival'

The Napavine Baptist Church has announced it will be holding a “Summer Awakening Revival” from July 26 to 29, featuring Bible preaching from evangelist Paul Schwanke and special music by The … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/1/26

Thurston County included in sustainable dairy digester $13.8 million Commerce investment

Seven projects in five mostly rural counties, including Thurston County and one tribal community, will receive a total of $13,804,000 to help build, repair and upgrade systems that capture methane … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/1/26

Attendees stand outside of the Discover! Children’s Museum during the grand opening in Centralia on Saturday, April 25.

Good Health Nutrition backs half-price admission day at Discover! Children’s Museum in Centralia

Discover! Children’s Museum has announced it will hold a half-price admission day July 15 thanks to support from the Good Health Nutrition Center in Centralia. Tickets are $5 per person. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/1/26

Governor appoints Kelly Wood to replace retiring Thurston County Superior Court Judge Carol Murphy

Gov. Bob Ferguson has appointed Kelly Wood to replace retiring Thurston County Superior Court Judge Carol Murphy ... more

By Thurston Chronicle staff | 7/1/26

Patrons look through a selection of fireworks off of Anderson Road Southwest at the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation on Tuesday, June 30. The stands are a traditional destination for many residents of the region as Independence Day approaches. The stands will remain open through the holiday.

In Focus: Independence Day revelers prepare for explosive celebrations at Chehalis Reservation

7/1/26

Wilkes Expedition holds Puget Sound's first Fourth of July celebration on July 5, 1841

On July 5, 1841, the seamen and Marines of the Wilkes Expedition held the first Fourth of July celebration in the Puget Sound region. The men were from two expedition ships anchored in the sound … more

By HistoryLink.org | 7/1/26

First U.S. flag made in Washington Territory was flown on July 4, 1853, in modern-day Toledo

On July 4, 1853, the first U.S. flag made in Washington Territory was raised near Cowlitz Landing. Washington Territory had been created by U.S. President Millard Fillmore on March 2, 1853, and … more

By HistoryLink.org | 7/1/26