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Gov. Bob Ferguson answers questions from the press during a legislative session preview in a Senate Hearing room in Olympia on Friday, Jan. 9.

Decertified Washington state sheriffs can now be ousted under controversial new law

Gov. Bob Ferguson saved one of the most controversial bills from the 2026 legislative session until Wednesday, the last day for bill signings. SB 5974 , the sheriff decertification bill will … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 4/1/26

With more state financial stress on horizon, Gov. Bob Ferguson signs Washington budget

Two days ago, a beaming Gov. Bob Ferguson celebrated with dozens of allies the enactment of Washington’s new tax on the income of wealthy residents. On Wednesday, a more somber Ferguson signed … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 4/1/26

Paul Gropple, with the Skookumchuck Hatchery, throws a coho salmon into Gheer Creek after measuring the fish at Carlisle Lake in Onalaska on Tuesday, March 31. Onalaska Elementary School students gathered around the creek to watch the coho salmon and steelhead release.

Fish release marks ongoing success of Onalaska Aquaculture program

Students and teachers released nearly 100,000 young salmon and steelhead smolts into Gheer Creek from their net pens in Carlisle Lake in Onalaska this week. Local officials, state lawmakers and … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 4/1/26

Candidate for Centralia City Council District 1 seat Cameron Bluhm responds to questions from the Centralia City Council during a public interview in the council chambers on March 24.

Centralia City Council seat again open a week after new appointment

A spot on the Centralia City Council is open once again after council members ruled that the man they appointed to the position last week did not meet the qualifications. Members of the … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 4/1/26

Brothers Alexander M. Borgen, 16, of Lacey, and Deven J. Borgen, 17, of Rainier, are pictured.

Fundraiser aims to create memorial for Rainier’s Borgen brothers

It has been nearly five months since Rainier brothers Alexander Borgen, 16, and Deven Borgen, 17, were shot and killed in Lacey. The memory of the two teenagers lives on as Orion Watch: … more

By Jacob Dimond / For The Chronicle | 4/1/26

David W. Dupree, 55, Winlock, makes a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Tuesday, March 31. Dupree is currently serving a sentence at Cedar Creek Corrections Center in Littlerock.

Incarcerated Winlock man accused of violating protection orders months before release

An incarcerated Winlock man less than two months from his anticipated release allegedly violated multiple protection orders prohibiting him from contacting his ex-wife and children. David W. … more

By Jacob Farmer / jfarmer@chronline.com | 4/1/26

Shoppers look through aisles of books during the American Association of University Women Lewis County branch’s annual book sale at the Moose Lodge in Centralia on Thursday, March 26.

Lewis County AAUW book sale collects nearly $25,000 in proceeds

Having finished its 46th year of offering affordable used books to area residents, the Lewis County branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) has announced its annual book sale … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/1/26

Rep. Ed Orcutt, a sponsor of HB 2668, listens as Centralia officials speak about the House bill that would require the relocation of the Bob Oke game farm in Centralia during a public hearing on the bill on Wednesday, Feb. 4, in Olympia.

Orcutt chalks up small wins, says he will continue efforts to repeal statewide tax increases enacted in 2025

In the 2026 legislative session, House Republicans initiated a floor debate that was three times as long as any in recent memory in an attempt to stop the passage of an income tax on the state's … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 4/1/26

Trevor K. Durham, 34, Sequim, makes a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Tuesday, March 31.

Sirens: Preliminary court appearances; criminal citation for urinating or defecating in public; man arrested after kicking in door

LEWIS COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT Preliminary appearances • Trevor K. Durham, 34, Sequim, made a preliminary appearance March 31 for one count of second-degree malicious mischief after he … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/1/26

Death notices: April 1, 2026

• GORDON DOWELL, 92, Vader, died March 26 at St. John Hospital. Arrangements are under the care of Cattermole Funeral Home. • ARTHUR C. PLACID, 64, Randle, died March 21 at his residence. … more

4/1/26

A rendering of the Wolf Haven Treehouse Learning Center is pictured. Wolf Haven secured $220,000 in state funding for the project through the state’s Local Community Projects program.

Wolf Haven International secures $220K state investment for new Treehouse Learning Center

Wolf Haven International has officially secured a $220,000 investment from Washington state through the Local Community Projects program, the Tenino-based wolf conservation nonprofit organization … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/1/26

From the left, Napavine High School alumni Bryson Oliver, Conner Reichert and Patience Dour pose with their automation technician apprenticeship completion certificates at the high school on Thursday, Dec. 18.

Napavine High School to host career expo with students throughout Lewis County

On Thursday morning, the gym at Napavine High School will be packed with students not only from Napavine, but from five other rural school districts in Lewis County for a career expo, according to … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/1/26

FILE PHOTO — Elk graze off of U.S. Highway 12 in Packwood on Monday, March 9.

Grays Harbor County man gets resentenced to nine years for elk ‘spree killing’

The Grays Harbor County man convicted of “spree-killing” at least five cow elk was resentenced to nine years and eight months in prison after he failed to comply with the provisions of his mental … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/1/26

Former Centralia Mayor Norm Chapman addresses the crowd for the first time as mayor during a Centralia City Council meeting at Centralia City Hall on Tuesday, Jan. 13.

Letter: Former Centralia mayor seeks to clear the air

It is nice to just be Norm, private citizen. I am Norm Chapman, former mayor and city councilmember for Centralia District 1. Before I resigned due to family and some health-related issues, I … more

By Norm Chapman / Former Centralia Mayor | 4/1/26

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

Letter to the editor: Where do our Republican lawmakers stand on Trump’s attack on elections?

Current Washington state lawmakers Sens. John Braun and Jeff Wilson and Reps. Peter Abbarno, Joel McEntire, Ed Orcutt and Jim Walsh, the moment has arrived where you either stand by your office’s … more

4/1/26

Letter to the editor: Marijuana expansion — a financial opportunity or a community cost?

I read the recent article regarding survey results showing support for marijuana sales in Lewis County. The article cites responses from roughly 1,000 individuals, which may offer a snapshot of … more

4/1/26

Letter to the editor: The case for owning an electric car

As communities across the country grapple with rising fuel costs, air pollution and the growing impacts of global warming, one solution is becoming increasingly clear — the widespread adoption of … more

4/1/26

Letter to the editor: Should presidents be able to start a war without a declaration from Congress?

Our founding fathers clearly did not want presidents getting Americans into wars. They wrote Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution to make sure that only Congress could declare war. Yet … more

4/1/26

Letter to the editor: What is happiness?

The United Nations sponsors a poll every three years to rate how well people view their governments. Averaging the results allows us to discover, in a vague way, where we may find “happy” … more

4/1/26

Co-owners Irene and Samuel Cots Trevino talk inside their new downtown wine tasting and tapas bar, Bodega by OX, on Thursday, March 26, in downtown Centralia.

Bodega by OX: New downtown Centralia wine tasting bar offers tease of Spanish cuisine to come

With hints of spring in the air, a new downtown Centralia bar now offers Hub City visitors and residents alike a spot where they can enjoy the sunshine, catch up with old acquaintances or make new … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 4/1/26