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Thurston County hires Dr. Barbra Villona as new health officer

Thurston County has hired a new health officer to serve in the county’s Public Health & Social Services Department (PHSS). Dr. Barbra Villona will serve as the county’s lead … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/5/25

Fire and law enforcement vehicles drive through the 46th annual Swede Day Rochester's Mid-Sommer Festival Parade on Saturday, June 21.

Thurston County receives $1 million state grant for downtown Rochester improvements

Thurston County has received a $1 million grant from the state Department of Transportation to begin planning improvements for Rochester’s downtown area. The funding comes from the Sandy … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 12/5/25

The newly decorated Chehalis Gingerbread House is pictured on Wednesday, Dec. 3. Terry Harris, along with his family and other volunteers, decorate the house and put up a Christmas train nearby each year. It’s been over a decade now that Harris and his family have committed to putting up the gingerbread house and Christmas train in Chehalis, and it’s a highlight for his family and his community every year, Harris previously told The Chronicle. The house is located at 1321 S. Market Blvd. in Chehalis.

In Focus: Gingerbread House a sweet sign of the season in Chehalis

12/5/25

Qwynn R. Fowler, 24, Centralia, makes a video appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Monday, Dec. 1.

Sirens: Walmart employee accused of theft; man charged for ramming Mary's Corner convenience store; woman sentenced for first-degree computer trespassing, theft charges

LEWIS COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT Preliminary appearances • Qwynn R. Fowler, 24, Centralia, made a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Dec. 1 for one count each of … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/5/25

Hens peck through dirt west of Chehalis.

WSDA confirms bird flu in Jefferson, San Juan and Clark counties

Fall migration of wild waterfowl continues to drive high statewide risk of avian influenza (bird flu), according to a recent news release from the Washington state Department of Agriculture … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/5/25

J.T. Wilcox talks about ongoing issues in his area of the state while answering questions from reporters Friday, Jan. 20, 2023.

Washington Forest Protection Association announces interim government relations leadership team

The Washington Forest Protection Association (WFPA) recently announced a collaborative leadership structure to guide its government relations work heading into the 2026 legislative session, according … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/5/25

Death notices: Dec. 5, 2025

• WILLIAM G. MYERS, 92, Chehalis, died Dec. 2 at his residence. Arrangements are under the care of Cattermole Funeral Home. • KATHLEEN RUA, 87, Vancouver, died Dec. 2 at Brookdale … more

12/5/25

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

Letter to the editor: Why I regret my decision on Port of Centralia director contract

As a former Port of Centralia commissioner, I know exactly why Kyle Heaton’s severance protections were created. When I voted for that provision years ago, Heaton’s salary was nearly … more

12/5/25

Letter to the editor: War — the user’s guide

One uniform, flag or insignia against another. In recent years, that distinction has faded away. Today, we are not allowed to distinguish between the bully and the brave. The word … more

12/5/25

Letter to the editor: What taxes hurt the least?

This letter is partially in response to State Sen. John Braun’s commentary written in The Chronicle Nov. 26 titled “A state income tax is illegal, but don’t expect this to stop … more

12/5/25

Letter to the editor: American service members should pay close attention to what happens to Admiral Bradley

In his letter of Nov. 25, writer Ray Anderson criticizes Democratic officials for reminding military personnel that they have a sworn duty to disobey unlawful orders. The duty to not carry out … more

12/5/25

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

John McCroskey commentary: If concern is privacy in public spaces, that ship sailed long ago

Few things are as confounding to me as vandalism. Don’t get me wrong — I don’t think stealing is a good idea either, but at least the thief has something after the deed. … more

By John McCroskey / For The Chronicle | 12/5/25

Community Development Director Mindy Brooks answers a question about the proposed interlocal agreement to annex the UGA surrounding Chehalis during a joint public hearing with the City of Chehalis and the BOCC at the Lewis County Courthouse in Chehalis on Monday, Oct. 20.

Lewis County plans lunch-and-learn events for new paperless permit process

As of Dec. 1, the public can now apply for development permits, request building inspections and check the status of permits online through the county’s new SmartGov portal. In an effort … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/5/25

Police tape wraps around trees at the former location of Papa Pete’s and Shari’s Cafe in Centralia on Tuesday after a fire consumed the structure.

Police are failing to solve most violent crimes in Washington state

More than half of violent crimes in Washington state are going unsolved. That sobering data point, shared with state lawmakers Thursday, comes as violent crime has dropped but remains far ahead … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 12/5/25

This 1946-47 photo was taken at the Fort Borst Park Racetrack, where horse barns can be seen in the background. Once an airport (in about 1936), the field was converted to the racetrack by Work Progress Administration workers.

A Look Back in Time: Fords Prairie school damaged by fire; Pe Ell migrant worker camp closed; Effort mounted to keep ‘Charlie the bear’ in Centralia

In this installment of A Look Back in Time, the Thursday, Dec. 6, 1945, edition of The Chronicle featured a story about approximately $30,000 in damage being reported following a fire that broke out … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 12/5/25

Lewis County Fire District 5 interim Chief Gregg Peterson appears at a Lewis County commissioners meeting in January 2025.

Hand recount to decide Napavine-area fire commissioner race

The race for Napavine’s newest fire commissioner will come down to a hand recount. Rick LeBoeuf defeated the deceased Tom Crowson for Commissioner Position 2 at Lewis County Fire District … more

By Jacob Farmer / jfarmer@chronline.com | 12/5/25

Unlicensed truck driver arrested after three injured in six-vehicle crash in Thurston County on Thursday morning

Three people were hospitalized after a six-vehicle crash involving a school bus and a car hauler on northbound Interstate 5 in Thurston County on Thursday morning. There were no kids on the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/5/25

Morton Historical Society member Dan Mortensen speaks during the Nov. 24 Morton City Council meeting at the Bob Lyle Community Center while making a request for city tourism funds to be given to the historical society.

'Under your administration, we lost about $1M,' Morton councilor tells former mayor requesting tourism funds

Members of the Morton City Council convened on Nov. 24 for their regular monthly meeting where they approved the city’s budget for 2026 along with a state-allowed 1% property tax levy cap … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 12/5/25

Salmon pass below a flow-through dam on the Chehalis River near Pe Ell in this digital rendering provided by the Chehalis River Basin Flood Control Zone District. The image is from a video that comes as progress continues on plans for the redesigned structure.

Ecology announces lower basin session to comment on Chehalis River flow-through dam

The Office of Chehalis Basin is bringing the party to the lower basin to talk about a new environmental impact statement for a proposed flood-mitigating flow-through dam. The Office of Chehalis … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/5/25

MyWDFW mobile app now available as agency goes digital

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced in a news release that its new MyWDFW mobile application is now available for free download in the Google Play and Apple app stores. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/5/25