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Washington faces major lag in state inspections of hospitals

Washington state inspectors are way behind in their examinations of hospitals and fail to investigate when hospitals report errors they made in caring for patients. That’s the word from a … more

Jake Goldstein-Street / Washington State Standard | 6/24/25

Washington state OKs 4-day school week for a Tri-Cities district with $1M budget gap

Some Tri-City students will have Fridays off beginning this fall. The Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) has approved a waiver for Finley School District to alter … more

Eric Rosane / Tri-City Herald (TNS) | 6/24/25

Gas prices rise across the board in Washington state

Average gas prices rose across the nation, in Washington and in both Grant and Adams Counties, according to AAA. Washington, an outlier in the nation, is the only state in which prices are higher now … more

Nance Beston / Columbia Basin Herald (TNS) | 6/24/25

The Chronicle - Tuesday, June 24, 2025

6/24/25

Nick Flemetis, 41, of Centralia, appears in Lewis County Superior Court on Monday, June 23.

Bail set at $25K for Centralia man accused of strangling daughter with special needs

Bail is set at $25,000 for a Centralia man accused of assaulting and strangling his 18-year old daughter with special needs on May 17. Nick G. Flemetis, 41, is accused of choking and slapping … more

By Dylan Reubenking / dylanr@chronline.com | 6/23/25

Still images from a redacted affidavit allegedly shows Samuel Tate Berry, 29, during a protest outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building on Wednesday, June 18 in Portland.

Former Cowlitz County resident arrested for assaulting officer near Portland ICE office

A person with ties to Kelso was arrested for allegedly assaulting a federal officer outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building on Wednesday in Portland. According to a partially … more

Matt Esnayra / The Daily News | 6/23/25

The U.S. Capitol pictured on March 25, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Shauneen Miranda/States Newsroom)

How Washington state’s congressional delegation reacted to the US bombing of Iran’s nuclear sites

Washington’s congressional delegation was divided along party lines in reacting to President Donald Trump’s decision to bomb three nuclear sites in Iran over the weekend. … more

By The Washington State Standard Staff | 6/23/25

Feds seek to block Washington state law requiring clergy to report child abuse

The Trump Administration moved Monday to join a legal fight to overturn a new Washington law requiring religious leaders to report child abuse or neglect even when it is disclosed in confession. … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 6/23/25

Publisher Chad Taylor and CEO Coralee Taylor smile for a photo outside of The Chronicle’s newly acquired building on North Pearl Street in downtown Centralia on Monday, June 23.

Owners purchase new home for The Chronicle

The Chronicle will soon have a new home for the first time since 1947. Movers won’t rack up much mileage. The new office is exactly one block away from the newspaper’s current … more

By Dylan Reubenking / dylanr@chronline.com | 6/23/25

Barbara Bishop, 85, graduates with a high school diploma at 85-years-old during the Centralia College class of 2025 commencement ceremony on Wednesday, June 18.

'I thought it would never happen': Winlock woman, 85, earns high school diploma

When Winlock resident Barbara Bishop walked up to receive her high school diploma at 85 years old, she didn’t expect to be greeted with a standing ovation. Classmates and attendees cheered … more

By Ridley Hudson / ridley@chronline.com | 6/23/25

A Lewis County Sheriff’s Office deputy used a PIT maneuver to stop a fleeing driver on Friday in Onalaska.

Mossyrock man jailed after chase stretches over 80 miles before ending in crash on Friday

The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Mossyrock man Friday after a chase that began in rural Chehalis and ended in the Onalaska area, according to a news release. The pursuit began … more

By The Chronicle | 6/23/25

2014 FILE PHOTO — Jeff Mayfield of Centralia looks at a laptop monitor to see who his ham radio is communicating with on a high frequency at the Centralia ARES tent at the American Radio Relay League 2014 Field Day in June 2014.

Centralia Amateur Radio emergency services team to participate in field day

The Centralia Amateur Radio emergency services team has announced it will participate in Amateur Radio Field Day. The event starts at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 28, and concludes at 11 a.m. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/23/25

A Tiger mascot high-fives a kid during the Funtime Festival in Napavine on Saturday, July 20.

Napavine Funtime 5K to benefit Napavine SkillsUSA students

The Napavine Funtime Festival 5K is set for 8 a.m. on Saturday, July 19, starting at the fire district building on the corner of Washington Street and Mill Road in Napavine. The event is open to … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/23/25

Original blackboards line the old Gate schoolhouse along with era appropriate student desks and red wood benches that are believed to be from the old train station that was located in Gate. The floors are original hardwood fir from the old Bordeaux logging camp up the road.

Gate Community Club’s annual Blueberry Pancake Breakfast and Raffle to be held July 19

The Gate Community Club’s annual Blueberry Pancake Breakfast and Raffle will be held from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, July 19, at the Historic Gate Schoolhouse, 16925 Moon Road. All are … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/23/25

Parker Ashton throws a cap at a chicken during Independence Valley Community Hall’s 42nd Annual Chicken Races in Rochester in 2022.

Annual Chicken Races returning to Independence Valley June 29

The Independence Valley Community Hall in Rochester will be hosting the 49th annual Chicken Races on Sunday, June 29, with lunch starting at noon and races beginning at 2 p.m. Burger or hot dog … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/23/25

Emma Turrentine, right, lights candles on a cake to celebrate the historic Sacred Heart Catholic Church’s 100th birthday in Winlock on Saturday, June 21, following the Egg Days parade. On Sunday, June 22, a biscuits and gravy breakfast was served by the Knights of Columbus. Byzantine Catholic Holy Mass followed. Originally built in 1908, Winlock’s Sacred Heart Catholic Church was shuttered in 2014 by the Archdiocese of Seattle, which said the congregation could no longer financially support itself. Since then, it has been sold twice, before a collection of Winlock families formed the Sacred Heart Preservation Foundation last summer to purchase the building. Last November, during an afternoon service, the Saint Kateri Byzantine Outreach of the St. George Byzantine Parish officially celebrated its first service in its new home at Sacred Heart.

In focus: Celebrating 100 years at Sacred Heart Church in Winlock

In these photos, 100 candles are lit on a cake to celebrate the historic Sacred Heart Catholic Church’s 100th birthday in Winlock on Saturday, June 21, following the Egg Days parade. On Sunday, … more

6/23/25

Participants dressed as vikings pose for a photo at the 46th annual Swede Day Mid-Sommer Festival Parade in Rochester on Saturday, June 21.

In focus: Swede Day parade rolls through soggy streets of Rochester

6/23/25

Sirens: Randle man tries to stealing dirt bike; man says he was forced to try to cash fraudulent check; man accused of assaulting partner with belt

Centralia Police Department Theft • A local business in the 1000 block of South Yew Street reported the theft of grocery items at around 5:50 p.m., June 22. The suspects have not been … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/23/25

Parking lot striping, signage and landscaping hints at near completion on Thursday, June 19, for Washington’s first In-N-Out Burger location in Ridgefield.

Signs up, hiring now: Washington’s first In-N-Out Burger is opening soon

Sometime in July is the likely time frame for In-N-Out Burger to open its Ridgefield doors as the first location in the Evergreen State. The words are now visible from Interstate 5 for In-N-Out … more

Cade Barker / cade@thereflector.com | 6/23/25

Death notices: June 23, 2025

• SHARLEEN PUALANI LEWIN, 68, Oakville, died June 18 at Providence St. Peter Hospital. Arrangements are under the care of Funeral Alternatives of Washington. • JERRY D. PIERSON, 63, … more

6/23/25