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Thousands of trees uprooted by the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption remain floating in the northeast end of Spirit Lake in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest on Tuesday, July 9, 2024.

Forest Service seeks public comments on Spirit Lake Outflow Safety Improvement Project

The Gifford Pinchot National Forest is seeking public com ments on a draft environmental impact statement that includes amendments to the Gifford Pinchot National Forest Land and Resource Management … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/4/25

Lewis County accepting applications for 2026 lodging tax grants

The Lewis County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is accepting applications on behalf of the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) for use of 2026 hotel and motel lodging tax funding, a news … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/4/25

Protesters hold signs on the sidewalk of Second Street in Morton during an event organized by Democrats in East Lewis County to protest federal budget cuts to rural health care on Friday, Aug. 1.

In focus: East Lewis County Democrats protest federal cuts to rural health care

8/4/25

Marilyn Monroe lookalike Erika Smith will be the emcee for the event.

Marilyn Monroe lookalike to emcee Summer at the Schmidt in Tumwater on Aug. 9

By The Chronicle staff Summer at the Schmidt is set to bring vintage glam to the garden from 5 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9 at the historic Schmidt House, a news release from the Olympia … more

8/4/25

Suzy Bogguss speaks to the crowd attending the last of this summer’s Chehalis Music in the Park events held at Recreation Park in Chehalis on Friday, Aug. 1. It was the third free concert in the series following performances by Billy Gilman and the Chicago Tribute Authority. The free concerts are paid for by sponsors. Sponsors include Interstate Honda, the Veterans Memorial Museum, NAPA Auto Parts, Tyler Rentals, Point S Tires, John L. Scott Realty, Alderson’s Awards West, Grocery Outlet, Emerald Downs, Voie Hype, Eli Sports Network and Mohney FM.

In focus: Suzy Bogguss closes out summer Music in the Park concert series in Chehalis

8/4/25

Violinist Ranger Sciacca leads an improv workshop during Pickersfest at the Oakview Grange in Centralia on Saturday, Aug. 2.

In focus: Pickersfest brings three days of tunes to Centralia

Pickersfest was held at the Oakview Grange in Centralia on Friday, Aug. 1, through Sunday, Aug. 3. The three-day festival was hosted by the Washington Acoustic Music Association. Artists … more

8/4/25

Felicity McKitrick of Rainier FFA shows her hog during the Thurston County Youth Market Animal Sale at the Thurston County Fairgrounds in Lacey on Saturday, Aug. 2.

Thurston County FFA, 4-H students auction off animals during youth market sale at fair

In the heart of the Thurston County Fairgrounds in Lacey, 108 local students auctioned 135 animals during the Thurston County Youth Market Animal Sale Saturday on the third day of the four-day fair. … more

By Dylan Reubenking / dylanr@chronline.com | 8/4/25

Thatcher, Arizona resident Eric Neal, a Society for Human Resource Management senior certified professional, will officially take over as the hospital’s CEO starting on Aug. 25.

New CEO soon to be at the helm of Arbor Health Morton Hospital

Arbor Health Morton Hospital will soon have a new CEO at its helm, according to a news release from the East Lewis County health care provider. Thatcher, Arizona resident Eric Neal, a Society … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/4/25

From the left, Morton City Attorney James Buzzard, Morton City Councilors Travis Cooper, Jason Sawyer, Caro Johnson, Morton Mayor Rick Mead, Morton City Councilors Richard Vanderlip, Bob Boyer and Morton City Clerk LuAnn Ward listen to attendees during a public hearing on Monday, July 28, at the Bob Lyle Community Center in Morton.

Morton City Council: Insurance refuses to reimburse money stolen by former staffer; city considers using Gust Backstrom Park land for housing

More than two dozen attendees filled Morton’s Bob Lyle Community Center on Monday, July 28, for both a public hearing and a Morton City Council meeting. The public hearing was held to … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 8/4/25

‘You’re gonna get a dog’: Thurston County chase by Sheriff Derek Sanders ends in chaotic arrest

A police chase of an allegedly speeding work truck with its headlights off culminated late Friday night in a chaotic arrest of the driver outside a residential home off Steilacoom Road in Thurston … more

By Kristine Sherred / The Olympian | 8/4/25

Attendees mingle during a ribbon cutting ceremony for La Quinta by Wyndham in Centralia on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023.

City of Centralia accepting applications for 2026 hotel/motel lodging tax grants

The City of Centralia Lodging Tax Advisory Committee is now accepting grant applications from nonprofit or government agencies for 2026 funding of projects that enhance tourism in Centralia. The … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/4/25

A 16- to 18-inch dead salmon floats belly up in the main strem of the Chehalis River downstream of Fort Borst Park on Friday, Aug. 1, as Twin Harbor Waterkeeper Lee First tours the river and examines habitat conditions.

Lewis County experiencing drought-like conditions to start of summer

After a dry start to the summer in the upper Chehalis River Basin, some observant locals are calling attention to record low water levels in the Chehalis River and its tributaries near Centralia and … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 8/4/25

Buddy Rose, grand marshal for the 19th annual Mossyrock Blueberry Festival parade, waves to parade goers on East State Street in Mossyrock on Saturday, Aug. 2.

In focus: Blueberry Festival brings sweet fun to Mossyrock

8/4/25

Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez smiles during a tour of Napavine High School’s CTE program at the Tiger Sandbox on Tuesday, April 22.

Could a Washington lawmaker's proposal restore trust in a Congress that rewards seniority?

WASHINGTON — Sen. Patty Murray waited three decades to become the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, one of the most sought-after roles in Congress and one that gives … more

Orion Donovan Smith / The Spokesman-Review (TNS) | 8/4/25

Child dies after attempted water rescue at east Pierce County lake

A 5-year-old boy pulled from Tanwax Lake in East Pierce County died Saturday, despite an attempted water rescue by first responders. “No crime, just a horrible accident,” said Deputy … more

Sean Robinson / The Peninsula Gateway (TNS) | 8/4/25

Sen. Patty Murray introduces bill to restore federal funding for planned parenthood clinics

U.S. Sen. Patty Murray introduced a bill Tuesday, July 29, to restore federal funding to Planned Parenthood after the Big Beautiful Bill Act threatened to ban its Medicaid reimbursements for one … more

Simmerdeep Kaur / Walla Walla Union-Bulletin (TNS) | 8/4/25

Thousands of attendees fill the Moda Center during the opening session of PDX Crusade on Aug. 2.

Thousands gather for Portland’s largest Christian event in decades

Pressed shoulder-to-shoulder in the Moda Center stands, attendees felt a familiar energy Saturday: cheers, applause, arms lifted high, just like at any sold-out concert in Portland’s largest … more

Chiara Profenna / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 8/4/25

Responders rescue same pair from Oregon river twice

Emergency responders in Albany pleaded with residents to remember life jackets after they rescued the same two people from the Willamette River — twice. Neither time Saturday, an Albany … more

Jonathan Bach / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 8/4/25

In loving memory of Elaine Bonagofski: 1957-2025

Elaine Marie Bonagofski passed away peacefully on July 19, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her loving family in her final moments. Elaine was born on June 5, … more

8/4/25

In loving memory of Virginia Carolina Cook: 1935-2025

Virginia Carolina Cook, born Dec. 31, 1935, passed away July 29, 2025, at the age of 89. Commonly known as Virginia, Ginny, Mom or Nana, she leaves behind her children, Elaine Hamrick, Bob Cook and … more

8/4/25