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Graduates celebrate after the Centralia High School class of 2025 commencement ceremony at Tiger Stadium on Friday, June 6.

Centralia High School class of 2025 celebrates graduation

Congratulations to the Centralia High School class of 2025! The graduation ceremony was held Friday night at Tiger Stadium in Centralia. Earlier in the day, seniors walked … more

6/7/25

The Chronicle - June 7, 2025

6/7/25

The Chronicle - 2025 Graduates

6/7/25

Washington State Patrol graduates 57 new troopers

The Washington State Patrol (WSP) announced this week that it has added 57 new troopers to its ranks during the 120th Trooper Basic Training (TBTC) and 3rd/4th Trooper Lateral Training Class … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/6/25

Dad tied 5-year-old to training toilet, beat her to death, Washington state officials say

A dad has been charged in connection to the death of his 5-year-old daughter, Washington officials said. On May 29, Federal Way police officers responded to an apartment building after Woo … more

By Paloma Chavez / The Olympian | 6/6/25

Two people walk toward a Three Rivers Mall exit on Thursday, June 5 in Kelso.

14-year-old suspect in planned Cowlitz County mall attack charged with attempted murder

The Columbia County teen who authorities say planned a mass shooting at the Kelso mall is charged with eight crimes, including second-degree attempted murder and first-degree attempted assault. … more

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

Tim Eyman speaks at a protest at the Capitol in April 2020.

Tim Eyman loses recall attempt against Washington Secretary of State

Thurston County Superior Court Judge Chris Lanese ruled against anti-tax activist Tim Eyman on Friday regarding his request for a recall petition against Secretary of State Steve Hobbs. Eyman … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 6/6/25

The Washington state Capitol is pictured on Tuesday, April 15.

Washington state Catholic Bishops ask feds to block child abuse confession law

The Catholic Bishops of Washington on Thursday asked a federal court to block a new state law requiring priests to report instances of child abuse or neglect – even when it’s disclosed in … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 6/6/25

Washington State Library in Tumwater, Wash. (Courtesy of the Office of Secretary of State)

Washington State Library closing to the public, 12 jobs getting axed

The Washington State Library in Tumwater and the Washington Talking Book and Braille Library in Seattle will close to the public on July 1 due to a lack of state funding. State libraries will … more

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

Reid Balmelli, owner of Chehalis Skies Aviation LLC, prepares to take his plane out at the Chehalis-Centralia Airport on Thursday, June 5.

Chehalis man, 20, starts his own flight school at the Chehalis-Centralia Airport

Reid Balmelli was bitten by the flying bug at a young age after he took his first flight with the local Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 609’s Young Eagles flight program at 14 years … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 6/6/25

Members of the Lewis County Dangerous Animal Designation Board Charles "Chuck" Snipes, left, and Jon Sargeant listen to testimony from the owner of a dog being considered for a designation as dangerous during a meeting on Thursday, June 5.

Long saga of a dangerous dog that has bitten several people near Winlock comes to an end

The Lewis County Dangerous Animal Designation Board has ruled that a local dog with a history of biting people is dangerous. The board made the determination during a hearing at the Lewis County … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 6/6/25

Sirens: 'Pranksters' caught at W.F. West; man arrested for taking bricks off building; possession of meth

CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Criminal trespass • A 33-year-old Centralia man and a 20-year-old Morton man were arrested for trespassing in the 100 block of South Pearl Street just … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/6/25

Death notices: June 6, 2025

• DIANE ELIZABETH ABARTA , 78, Chehalis, died May 26 at her residence. Arrangements are under the care of Funeral Alternatives of Washington. • VELDA KAY RHODES, 75, Chehalis, died … more

6/6/25

Former Chronicle sports editor Eric Trent with a spring-run Chinook salmon he caught on the Columbia River on June 18, 2021.

Columbia River salmon fishing extended to Father’s Day

Columbia River spring Chinook salmon anglers will have another few days to fish with an extended season, increased bag limits and expanded fishing areas. Oregon and Washington managers met … more

By Bill Monroe / The Oregonian | 6/6/25

A vehicle drove into Advanced Medical Care in the 1000 block of Kresky Avenue in Centralia at about 1 p.m. Thursday. The driver didn't appear to sustain serious injuries, though the building suffered significant damage. The Centralia Police Department hadn't provided additional information on the crash as of Friday afternoon, but The Chronicle will publish more details as they become available.

In focus: Vehicle crashes into building in Centralia

6/6/25

Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, looks through documents during the legislative session at the Washington state Capitol in Olympia on Friday, April 25.

John Braun: State’s Democrats overpromise, underdeliver on affordable-housing solutions

Republican and Democrat legislators both use the word “crisis” to describe the state’s affordable-housing situation. A look at the housing-related bills passed during this … more

Commentary by Sen. John Braun / For The Chronicle | 6/6/25

Kris Johnson is president of the Association of Washington Business, the state’s chamber of commerce and manufacturers association.

Commentary: Employers launch new 15-year vision and plan for Washington state

Two summers ago, starting in the community of Stevenson along the Columbia River, I joined employers in a series of town hall meetings around Washington asking people to share their vision for our … more

By Kris Johnson / Association of Washington Business | 6/6/25

Richard Stride is the current CEO of Cascade Community Healthcare.

Richard Stride: A hook, a prayer and a piece of gum — reflections for Father’s Day

I often talk about the strong women in my life in these columns. I also had two incredible males in my life, my dad and my grandpa. I’ll bet you have some good men in your life as well. … more

Commentary by Richard Stride / For The Chronicle | 6/6/25

This picture of the B-17 Flying Fortress was taken at the Chehalis Airport on April 15, 1944. Boeing flew the plane into the area in appreciation for the war efforts of people in the area. More than 10,000 people turned out for the event. The photographer for Boeing from Seattle asked if he could take a picture of three young women riding horses. On the horses are Ruby Savage, left, Eloise Nugent in the middle, and Rose Ormbrek Menish on the right. All three were from Centralia. This photo was originally submitted for The Chronicle's Our Hometowns books

A Look Back: Chehalis housing manufacturer awarded during WWII; Napavine man stabs a dog’s foot, pours beer into hat; Lack of rain threatens crops

In this installment of A Look Back in Time, the Thursday, June 7, 1945, edition of The Chronicle featured a story about the Rowe and Thompson pre-fabricated housing manufacturer in Chehalis receiving … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 6/6/25

Two Thurston County teens qualify to compete at world’s largest junior high rodeo

Most teenagers would leap at the opportunity to compete on the largest junior high rodeo stage possible. Brooklynn Bell and Jace Harris aren’t most teenagers. Bell, 14, of Rainier, … more

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