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Washington State Patrol looks for driver involved in fatal I-5 hit and run in Thurston County

The Washington State Patrol is asking the public for help identifying a driver who’s accused of running over a pedestrian on southbound Interstate 5 in Olympia last month. The fatal hit … more

Martín Bilbao / The Olympian (TNS) | 8/16/25

Tacoma officers won’t face federal criminal charges in Manuel Ellis’ death

The U.S. attorney's office announced that federal prosecutors will not be filing criminal charges against the three former Tacoma police officers involved in the March 2020 death of Manuel Ellis. … more

Mike Carter / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 8/16/25

At left, Mary Dowling, pictured in this 2006 Chronicle file photo, is the widow of the first Lewis County casualty of the Vietnam War, Robert Dowling. Robert received many medals for his service including from left in the foreground, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star Medal and the Air Medal. At right is a photo of Robert Dowling courtesy of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.

Tenino Gold Star widow fighting to be buried next to husband at JBLM has new evidence

A Vietnam War veteran’s widow and her family have uncovered a letter they say provides irrefutable evidence that she had a separate reserved plot next to her husband’s grave at the Camp … more

Julia Park / The News Tribune (TNS) | 8/16/25

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi testifies before the Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on June 25, 2025 in Washington, DC. The committee met to hear testimony to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2026 for the Department of Justice.

U.S. AG Pam Bondi tells Gov. Ferguson to drop Washington sanctuary policies — or else

U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi is putting Gov. Bob Ferguson on notice. In an Aug. 13 letter, the country’s chief law enforcement officer told Washington’s leader to commit … more

By Simone Carter / The Olympian (TNS) | 8/16/25

Morris Boyer, who owns a tree farm in Porter, provided testimony at the public hearing held on Aug. 12, for the Forest Practices Board’s proposed rule amendments to Type Np Water Buffer for Western Washington. In his closing remarks, he said, “Before you make a decision, I really hope you look at the science, and look at this closely, because this impacts real people that care about the land.”

Final public hearing for ‘no fish’ stream water buffers draws crowd in Olympia

Tuesday in Olympia, around 50 people attended the final hour public hearing for the Forest Practices Board’s proposed rule amendments to Type Np Water Buffer (no fish) for Western Washington. … more

By Andrea Watts / The Daily World | 8/16/25

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson is sworn into office by Supreme Court chief justice Debra L. Stephens during a joint legislative session in the House chambers at the Washington State Capitol in Olympia on Wednesday, Jan. 15.

Critics say Washington state House decision to resume 30-day email deletions threatens transparency

A policy allowing Washington state House legislators to delete most legislative emails — including those related to bills and communications with lobbyists — after 30 days has been … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 8/16/25

Washington to consider changes to allocation of no-cost allowances to certain industries

The Washington State Department of Ecology says it is “developing a report to the Legislature about policy options for how certain industrial facilities (emissions-intensive, trade-exposed … more

By Brett Davis / The Center Square | 8/16/25

Leaders of Washington city push to drop Housing First, align with Trump funding rules

Conservatives in Spokane are mounting an effort to put pressure on the city to abandon the Housing First model, hoping to save local taxpayers millions of dollars in federal funding. President … more

Tim Clouser / The Center Square | 8/16/25

The Chronicle - August 16, 2025

8/16/25

Paul P. Patterson, 41, Tacoma, makes a video appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Friday, Aug. 15.

Combined $1M bail set for three men following interrupted burglary, high-speed chase

The three men arrested Thursday after a high-speed chase from Lewis County to Thurston County that resulted in the seizure of multiple firearms and two Jaws of Life devices following an interrupted … more

By Jacob Farmer / jfarmer@chronline.com | 8/15/25

Former Cowlitz County Superior Court Judge Stephen Warning, left, moderates a town hall with U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez at Lower Columbia College Thursday, Aug. 14. Several audience members were escorted out after shouting at Gluesenkamp Perez over her support for Israel.

Residents confront Gluesenkamp Perez over Israel policy during town hall

A town hall with 3rd District Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez , D-Skamania, devolved into a shouting match Thursday as audience members questioned her continued support for Israel despite a rising death … more

By Minka Atkinson / The Daily News | 8/15/25

Gov. Ferguson orders investigation into conduct of WDFW Commission members

Gov. Bob Ferguson has authorized an investigation into the conduct of members of the Washington State Fish and Wildlife Commission after recently revealed public records raised questions about their … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / The Washington State Standard | 8/15/25

Gun rights supporters celebrate court’s ruling against California gun rationing law

Gun rights supporters are celebrating what they call a significant victory after the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a mandate on Thursday overturning California’s … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 8/15/25

Gov. Jay Inslee speaks to the media Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020.

Appeals court upholds $1M in fines against Washington restaurant for violating COVID restrictions

A southwest Washington restaurant fined nearly $1 million for repeatedly violating the state’s indoor dining ban during the COVID-19 pandemic must pay the penalty, a state court of appeals … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / The Washington State Standard | 8/15/25

Members of the Chehalis Equestrian Drill Team perform during the Lewis County Rodeo at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds on Wednesday, Aug. 13.

In focus: Two nights of rodeo at Southwest Washington Fair — one big photo gallery

8/15/25

Ariana Coamba crawls to the finish line during the Diaper Derby at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds on Thursday, Aug. 14.

Centralia’s Ariana Coamba blazes to Diaper Derby crown

The key to earning the title of the fastest crawler in Southwest Washington is to keep the eyes locked on the prize. For Centralia 1-year-old Ariana Coamba, the prize was a set of keys. … more

By Dylan Reubenking / dylanr@chronline.com | 8/15/25

Investigators and law enforcement vehicles surround the parking lot of the Chehalis Mattress Ranch store after an officer involved shooting nearby on Wednesday, Aug. 13.

Mason County Sheriff’s Office to lead investigation of police shooting in Chehalis

Following a police shooting near the closed Mattress Ranch store in Chehalis Aug. 13, the Mason County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) issued a news release summarizing the incident and current … more

By Jacob Farmer / jfarmer@chronline.com | 8/15/25

Rural hospitals, including Arbor Health Morton, look to prepare for long-term impacts of Medicaid cuts

As alarm bells sound at the national level over the future of rural hospitals, local industry professionals say they are stable for now, but warn the future is uncertain. On July 4, President … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 8/15/25

Anne Marie Baker, 57, makes an appearance in Lewis County Superior Court in Chehalis on Thursday, Aug. 14. Baker is charged with 25 counts of first-degree theft and is accused of stealing $1.4 million from her former employer, Schwiesow Construction Inc. in Centralia, over the course of a decade.

Accused Centralia embezzler appears in Lewis County Superior Court

Anne Marie Baker, the 57-year-old Centralia woman accused of embezzling $1.4 million from a former employer over a seven-year period, appeared in Lewis County Superior Court Thursday afternoon, Aug … more

8/15/25

Members of the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce, elected officials and stakeholders with the United Learning Center tour the United Learning Center on Thursday, Aug. 14.

Chamber, elected officials tour United Learning Center; stakeholders shooting for early 2026 opening

With construction on the United Learning Center (ULC) moving swiftfully along and nearing completion, the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce hosted a tour of the property during its Thursday … more

By Dylan Reubenking / dylanr@chronline.com | 8/15/25