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Community members from across the Timberland Regional Library’s five-county district fill the Centralia Timberland Library’s conference room on Saturday, April 11, for a Q&A with two members of the library district’s Board of Trustees. The district currently faces a budget crisis that has led to a large wave of layoffs.

Updated: Timberland Regional Library rescinds over 80 percent of involuntary layoffs

The Timberland Regional Library (TRL) has agreed to rescind over 80% of the involuntary layoffs that were set to go into effect May 15, the library workers union announced Wednesday night. Of … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@thurstonchronicle.com | 4/17/26

One of the rooms where ballots are stored and sorted at the Thurston County Ballot Processing Center in Tumwater on Thursday, Oct. 30.

Southwest Washington lawmakers weigh in on mail-in ballots, other state voting issues

As the 2026 midterm elections inch closer and closer, Washington state is embroiled in multiple lawsuits with the federal government over voter information and mail-in ballots while also bracing for … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 4/17/26

Sue Wachter says the student is always the hero and that she continually learns from her students.

Centralia artist has provided instruction for three decades; now, she’s developing curriculum for educators

For the past 30 years, an artist in Centralia has provided art instruction at her home studio and at other area locations such as Centralia College and Paint and Sips at various venues, offering a … more

By Lyn Craig / For The Chronicle | 4/17/26

After conducting surveys starting in 2024, Washington state Department of Transportation officials have announced they have settled on building a new roundabout at the intersection of U.S. Highway 12 and state Route 7 in Morton to address the high number of deadly crashes there.

WSDOT: Roundabout in the works in Morton at intersection of U.S. Highway 12 and state Route 7

After conducting surveys starting in 2024, Washington state Department of Transportation (WSDOT) officials have announced they have settled on building a new roundabout at the intersection of U.S. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/17/26

Devon R. McMenamy, 38, Chehalis, was arrested and booked into the Lewis County Jail for alleged first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm and referred for second-degree unsafe storage of a firearm after deputies served a search warrant in the 800 block of Cousins Road on April 16. The search reportedly resulted in the recovery of six firearms, along with ammunition and firearm parts.

Sirens: Guns seized from Chehalis man; man steals $3,400 from employer; four jailed after retail theft bust

LEWIS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE Arrests • Devon R. McMenamy, 38, Chehalis, was arrested and booked into the Lewis County Jail for alleged first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm and … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/17/26

Death notice: April 17, 2026

• BRIAN JOE LAVALLEY, 44, Olympia, died April 7. Arrangements are under the care of Funeral Alternatives of Washington. more

4/17/26

Former City Councilor Mark Westley listens as an attendee speaks during a Centralia City Council meeting at the Town Hall on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025.

Longtime educator and council member Mark Westley hired as White Pass interim superintendent

Mark Westley, former Centralia City Council member and a longtime educator, announced Friday that he had accepted the interim superintendent position with the White Pass School District. Westley … more

By Jacob Farmer / jfarmer@chronline.com | 4/17/26

Centralia College grad to perform reading of ‘And Justice Wept,’ based on Centralia Tragedy court transcripts

On Saturday, April 25, Centralia College graduate Joan Bell will perform a dramatic reading of “And Justice Wept,” an account of the Centralia Tragedy of 1919, which is also known as the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/17/26

Live video is recorded as election results appear on screens at the Lewis County Courthouse in Chehalis on election night in 2022.

Lewis County Auditor’s Office gears up for Candidate Filing Week

The Lewis County Auditor’s Office this week put out information regarding Candidate Filing Week, which lasts from May 4 to 8. According to a news release from the auditor’s office, … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/17/26

Brian Mittge sings a song during the opening ceremonies of the fair at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025.

Brian Mittge: Let’s emerge from a digital winter as spring bursts forth

The world is too much with us; late and soon... We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon! — William Wordsworth, c. 1802 Last night, my phone didn’t go to bed with me. I plugged … more

4/17/26

Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, works on his computer during the last day of the legislative session on Thursday, March 12, in Olympia.

John Braun: Look no further than Olympia for the true cause of high energy costs

Who’s most responsible for the high cost of filling your fuel tank and paying for the energy your home needs? Jay Inslee wants you to put the blame solely on the White House. In recent … more

Commentary by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 4/17/26

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

Letter to the editor: Not putting your name on accusations is the action of a coward

“Anonymous complaints” against a Lewis County sheriff candidate are being taken seriously and being “investigated” and apparently being made public by our state police training organization … more

4/17/26

Letter to the editor: We are fortunate to have dedicated telecommunicators

April 13-18 is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, and I want to recognize the 911 telecommunicators who serve Lewis County. They work 24 hours a day, every day of the year, answering … more

4/17/26

Fallen trees from flooding block parts of the Cowlitz River off of Slalom Way in Packwood on Thursday, Dec. 11.

FEMA funding now available to Lewis County residents

President Donald Trump last week approved disaster funding for Washington state, which will extend to Lewis County and the nearby Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation, among more than 20 … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 4/17/26

A Look Back in Time: Pe Ell students continue walkout; youths steal snacks, cash from Morton home; Centralia police start ‘grass fire’ to destroy confiscated marijuana

In this installment of A Look Back in Time, the Saturday, April 18, 1936, edition of The Chronicle featured a story about Pe Ell High School students voting to continue a class walkout protesting the … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 4/17/26

Commander David Clary speaks during an informational meeting about drones used by the Centralia Police Department at Centralia City Hall on Thursday, April 16.

‘Eye in the sky’: Centralia police talk drones at city hall

In June 2024, Centralia police, with aid from multiple local and state agencies, captured a suspect who had stolen a kayak and tried to escape down the Chehalis River. The chase included an … more

By Jacob Farmer / jfarmer@chronline.com | 4/17/26

Owner Sonja Sorenson, left, and manager Ericka Dukeshire-Pogue cut a ribbon to celebrate the reopening of the Riverside Bistro & Rooftop Bar in Chehalis on Wednesday, April 15.

In Focus: Riverside Bistro & Rooftop Bar celebrates reopening after fire

Owner Sonja Sorenson and manager Ericka Dukeshire-Pogue cut a ribbon to celebrate the reopening of the Riverside Bistro & Rooftop Bar in Chehalis on Wednesday, April 15. Riverside Bistro … more

4/17/26

From the left, Bucoda Town Councilors Steven Lyle and Kevin Jones, Bucoda Mayor Callie Carpenter and Councilors Miriam Gordon, Laura Wilson and John Wood discuss city business during their regular monthly meeting inside the Bucoda Community Center on Tuesday, April 14.

Bucoda Town Council roundup: LeMay to begin trash collection service in May, city staff considering opening OlyFed account

While there wasn’t much on the agenda aside from approval of amending an ordinance to include the full legal name of a fire district, members of the Bucoda Town Council still convened for their … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 4/17/26

Attendees listen as the Mossyrock City Council discusses city business inside the Mossyrock Community Center during the council's regular meeting on Wednesday, April 15.

Mossyrock to hold work session on local laws for owning livestock, living in RVs and more

Members of the Mossyrock City Council convened for their regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, April 15, and though a number of ordinances were on the agenda, they were all tabled — with councilors … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 4/17/26

Courtesy photo Sheriff John Nowels has been with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office for over 24 years. He was elected Sheriff on November 8, 2022, and he began serving as Spokane County Sheriff on Jan. 1, 2023. He’s among four sheriffs who have sued to block a new law that could potentially force sheriffs out of office.

Judge moves legal challenge against new Washington sheriff law to Thurston County

An eastern Washington judge declined Thursday to rule on the future of a state law that could potentially force sheriffs out of office if they don’t meet new standards. Lincoln County Superior … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 4/17/26