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The Chronicle - May 20, 2025

5/20/25

Oakville's Daniel Rodas (77) flips his bat after a walk against North Beach at Oakville High School on Thursday, March 27.

Oakville’s Rodas brothers, Cruz named to all-league teams

It proved to be a season to remember on the diamonds for the Oakville High School baseball and softball teams, the former reaching the district semifinals and the latter breaking a 53-game losing … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/19/25

W.F. West's Avalon Myers (22) makes a throw to first base against Ridgefield in a 2A District 4 quarterfinal at Recreation Park on Thursday, May 15.

W.F. West, Tumwater lead area contingent on EvCo teams

Of the 14 total players on the Evergreen Conference first team, the Bearcats and Thunderbirds combined for over half of the honorees released on Monday. Shelton junior Hailey Schuffenhauer was … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/19/25

Tim Carl Saterdal, 57, of Mineral, appears in Lewis County Superior Court on Monday, May 19.

Mineral man arrested for allegedly breaking into his brother’s home in incident that resulted in a fractured skull

A man accused of forcing his way into his brother’s house in Mineral and assaulting his brother, who then threw a tow ball hitch at him and fractured his skull, was arrested Saturday on a … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 5/19/25

Report: Pacific Northwest states some of the worst for military retirees

The Pacific Northwest is home to the worst states for military retirees, with Washington state coming in No. 50 and Oregon ranking No. 51, according to a new study by WalletHub, a personal finance … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 5/19/25

The Washington state Capitol on April 18, 2025. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)

New Washington law directs $100M in grants toward hiring police, improving public safety

On his first day, Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson angered many Democratic lawmakers by demanding the Legislature put $100 million in the next state budget to help local police departments hire police … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 5/19/25

Labor advocates filled up the governor’s conference room on Monday, May 19, 2025 and watched Gov. Bob Ferguson sign Senate Bill 5041, which extends unemployment insurance to striking workers. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)

Washington state will pay unemployment benefits to striking workers

Labor advocates scored a win on Monday after Gov. Bob Ferguson signed a new law to extend unemployment benefits to striking workers in Washington. The governor’s conference room was … more

By Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero / The Washington State Standard | 5/19/25

Zachary James Harris, 45, of Mossyrock, appears in Lewis County Superior Court on Monday, May 19.

Bail set at $100,000 for Mossyrock man accused of strangling and assaulting a woman

Bail is set at $100,000 for a Mossyrock man accused of strangling and beating a woman early Saturday morning. Zachary James Harris, 45, was arrested after deputies with the Lewis County … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 5/19/25

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

Washington Republicans fought against these bills; two could still be vetoed

With a major budget deficit looming, this year's Washington state legislative session was full of drama, and that's before taking a look at a number of policy changes. Now that the session has … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 5/19/25

Heather Walker-Taylor places a hand on her grandfather Mel Youckton's shoulder as she speaks about him during a celebration at Swede Hall in Rochester on Saturday, May 17.

Former Chehalis Tribe chairman, 90, celebrated 25 years after heart transplant

At 90 years old, former Chehalis Tribal Chairman and beloved Babe Ruth League baseball coach Melvin “Mel” Youckton got to celebrate his 25th birthday again on Saturday, commemorating the … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 5/19/25

The ballot drop box in Chehalis on Thursday, June 27, 2024.

Lewis County special filing period opens for elected offices

Lewis County started its special filing period for upcoming local elections at 8 a.m. Monday, May 19. The special filing period lasts for three days and will close at 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 21. … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 5/19/25

Conductor Brandon Pratt, right, leads the Morton Community Orchestra during a recent rehearsal.

New community orchestra, choir spring up in Morton, a town already known for the arts

Vivace, an Italian musical term meaning “full of life,” is often used to designate a mood such as a vivacious approach to performance. East Lewis County’s town of Morton has … more

By Lyn Craig / For The Chronicle | 5/19/25

W.F. West High School students make their way down the relay track during the Lewis County Relay For Life fundraiser at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds on Saturday, May 17. Organizers had a goal of raising $50,000 for the American Cancer Society. While admission to Saturday’s event was free, donations were encouraged. This year’s theme was “40 years of derailing cancer,” as Relay for Life is celebrating 40 years.

In focus: Lewis County Relay for Life raises funds for American Cancer Society

5/19/25

Sirens: Man arrested for starting fire in vehicle; pedestrian struck by vehicle; woman arrested after walking away from police

CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Obstructing • A 50-year-old Lacey woman was arrested for obstructing a law enforcement officer after she reportedly tried to walk away during “a … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/19/25

Julie McDonald: Mourning the loss of a dedicated volunteer — Jan Sylvester-Jamerson

I read with sadness late last week about the passing of Jan Sylvester-Jamerson, a 70-year-old Lewis County native and a longtime volunteer for the Lewis County Historical Museum who died of cancer on … more

5/19/25

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

John McCroskey: Lock criminals up and stop making excuses for them

This week, in continuing with my theme of delusions, I ran across a story published by Axios Seattle from April 23 on new gun control legislation, House Bill 1163. In the article, state … more

Commentary by John McCroskey / For The Chronicle | 5/19/25

From the left, Aquarium Pro owner Jamie Lanier poses with volunteer Jennalyn Jerry, employee Adriana Wyatt, along with intern The Evergreen State College student Charlie Ford, inside the Centralia fish store on Friday, May 16.

Cats in a fish store? Aquarium Pro partners with Red Rose Animal Rescue to foster cats as business prepares to expand

Aquarium Pro owner Jamie Lanier has steadily become a go-to resource for Lewis County aquarium owners, and the Centralia business has been doing it well. She is now preparing to expand the fresh and … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 5/19/25

South Thurston Fire & EMS Chief Andrew Schaffran, right, gives an update on response calls in Bucoda over the previous month during the Bucoda Town Council meeting on Tuesday, May 13.

Bucoda Town Council roundup: appointment of new councilor tabled until next meeting; bicycle survey being circulated around town; street addressing adjusted

Members of the Bucoda Town Council convened for their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 13, to discuss a number of agenda items, including consideration of appointing a new councilor. … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 5/19/25

Masonry repair work to begin on historic Lewis County Courthouse

The Lewis County Board of Commissioners awarded a bid on Tuesday, May 13, for a masonry repair project on the historic Lewis County Historical Courthouse in Chehalis. The repair work will … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 5/19/25

A Chehalis-Centralia Railroad and Museum train makes its way over a trestle in this photo provided by the railroad.

Chehalis-Centralia Railroad and Museum plans ‘BBQ and Train Ride With Dad’ Father’s Day excursion on June 14

The Chehalis-Centralia Railroad and Museum (CCRM) will celebrate Father’s Day at 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 14, with a “BBQ and Train Ride With Dad” excursion. “Arrive at … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/19/25