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A gray wolf. (Gary Kramer/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

Washington state’s wolf count declines for first time in 16 years

Washington’s wolf population is down for the first time since resident packs were confirmed to be returning to the state about 16 years ago, new figures show. The state and tribes counted … more

By Bill Lucia / The Washington State Standard | 4/7/25

Gov. Bob Ferguson signs a bill on Friday, April 4, 2025. On Monday, he signed more legislation into law, including a bill to prohibit the sale of sodium nitrite. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)

Washington state restricts lethal chemical previously sold on Amazon

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. When a package from Amazon arrived at her Clark County home in November 2020, … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 4/7/25

Jeff Wilson: State must act to protect salmon from sea lion predation

Last month, it was mealtime on the Lower Columbia. We could hear the excited barking of sea lions across the city of Longview, where I live, as they hauled themselves onto the rocks near … more

Commentary by Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview | 4/7/25

Shoppers enter the newly built store for the first time during opening day of the Centralia WinCo Foods on Monday, April 7.

Hundreds show up as WinCo Foods opens new location in Centralia

Shoppers in Lewis County and the surrounding area now have a new grocery option as the WinCo Foods in the new Centralia Station shopping center officially opened for business on the morning of … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 4/7/25

Christopher Reese holds his nephew Killian while they look at the Moose Creek Logging Company's On30-scale modular diorama alongside his Reese' nieces Kyleigh, center, and Tatum, left, during the Lewis County Model Railroad Club's annual spring train show and swap meet at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds on Saturday, Apr. 5.

In focus: Model train lovers descend on Southwest Washington Fairgrounds for show and swap meet

Hundreds of model train enthusiasts young and old descended upon the Blue Pavilion at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds over the weekend for the Lewis County Model Railroad Club’s annual … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 4/7/25

From left, state Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, and state Reps. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia, and Ed Orcutt, R-Kalama.

20th District lawmakers demand immediate mitigation for game farm contamination in letter to WDFW director

State Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, and Reps. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia, and Ed Orcutt, R-Kalama, called for the immediate relocation of pheasants off the Bob Oke Game Farm in Centralia to help … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/7/25

Signs are held in the air by protesters at the Washington state Capitol Campus on Saturday, April 5. Security staff estimated that a crowd of about 5,000 people were in attendance at the protest, which was aimed at recent moves by the Trump Administration. The protest was part of the nationwide “Hands Off!” protests on Saturday.

In focus: Thousands fill Capitol Campus to rally against Trump

Thousands of people streamed onto the Capitol Campus in Olympia on Saturday afternoon to protest a plethora of actions President Donald Trump and special government employee Elon Musk have taken … more

By The Olympian staff | 4/7/25

Sirens: Narcotics located after woman passes out in vehicle; counterfeit $100 bills reported; arrest made after officers kicked; children left alone in vehicle

CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Drug violations • A 43-year-old Centralia resident was cited for possession of a controlled substance in the 1100 block of Harrison Avenue just before 7:35 … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/7/25

Spencer Schwiesow, left, and Jesse Berry are pictured in this photo provided by the Riverside Fire Authority.

Riverside Fire Authority promotes a new captain and lieutenant

The Riverside Fire Authority announced Friday that two of its members recently received promotions. Jesse Berry, a lieutenant since 2016, was recently promoted to captain; and Spencer Schwiesow … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/7/25

State Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia, speaks at a public hearing for House Bill 1719 in the John L. O’Brien Building in Olympia on Tuesday, Feb. 11.

Peter Abbarno: Washington state families need relief — not more taxes

Washington doesn’t have a budget crisis — it has a priorities crisis. Last week, the House passed an operating budget that relies on more than $15 billion in new and increased taxes. … more

Commentary by Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia | 4/7/25

Cherry blossoms are in full bloom at the Washington state Capitol in Olympia on Wednesday, April 2.

Commentary: Washington state lawmakers should follow the lead of small businesses

Amelia Cook runs an innovative high-tech manufacturing company in Mount Vernon along with her brother. The products they make at Goodwinds Composites are literally out-of-this-world: They made the … more

By Kris Johnson / Association of Washington Business | 4/7/25

Richard Stride is the current CEO of Cascade Community Healthcare.

Richard Stride: What’s the difference between authoritative and authoritarian parenting? A lot

From last time, let’s do a deeper dive into Abigail Shrier’s book “Bad Therapy,” shall we? Shrier is convinced that authoritarian parenting is the best parenting style. … more

Commentary by Richard Stride / For The Chronicle | 4/7/25

A medical unit from the Riverside Fire Authority helps to treat a homeless man with a knee injury during a Destination Hope and Recovery and Centralia Police Department outreach event at George Washington Park in Centralia on Friday, April 4.

Recovery Navigator: Tried and true local resource faces an uncertain future with budget cuts looming

The Washington state Legislature is struggling to balance its checkbook, and with at least $6 billion in cuts ahead, funding for many state programs is on the chopping block. One such program is … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 4/7/25

Jaina Crews, 8, explains elements of her art piece to an attendee at the opening gala for the Rectangle Gallery's 2025 Young Artists Exhibition in Centralia on Friday, April 4.

Rectangle Gallery’s ninth annual Young Artists Exhibition opens in downtown Centralia

Twenty-six young artists showcased their talent to their community on Friday as the Rectangle Gallery and Creative Space in downtown Centralia opened its ninth annual Young Artists Exhibition. … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 4/7/25

From left to right, Thurston County Wrestling Club's Nancy Nguyen, Sloane Kruger, and Isabella Chenard pose for a photo after competing in the Reno Worlds Wrestling Tournament in Reno, Nevada.

Kruger, Land take gold at Reno Worlds

Sloane Kruger and Tucker Land have taken very similar paths in their wrestling careers. Both finished fifth at state their freshman season and second the next two years before winning state titles … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/7/25

United Way of Lewis County Executive Director Annie Oien leads a tour of the United Learning Center’s construction with Centralia city officials on Friday, April 4.

Centralia council to consider $1.5 million for United Learning Center

With construction currently halted on the United Learning Center (ULC), the City of Centralia is considering providing funding to get work back underway. At its Tuesday, April 8, meeting, the … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 4/7/25

Kain Sills reacts to being asked to use the golden scissors while his mother, Mad Hatter Play Cafe owner Lisa Sills, puts a hand over her heart outside of the Mad Hatter Play Cafe on South Tower Avenue in Centralia during a Centralia Chehalis Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, April 7.

Mad Hatter Play Cafe moves to downtown Centralia, collaborates with Dandelion Creative Space studio

The Mad Hatter Play Cafe — where parents can enjoy a cup of coffee as their children play — now has a new home in downtown Centralia. It’s a home that is shared with the … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 4/7/25

The Lewis County Fire District 9 fire engine leads Mineral's Labor Day parade on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, on Front Street.

Mineral fire department receives donated LIFEPAK monitor from Eastern Washington

Lewis County Fire District 9, also known as Mineral Fire and Rescue, received a new LIFEPAK 12 cardiac monitor and defibrillator for its aid truck via a donation by the Pend Oreille County Fire … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/7/25

Two drivers injured in head-on collision on U.S. Highway 12 near Silver Creek

Two drivers were injured in a head-on collision on U.S. Highway 12 near Silver Creek on Monday morning. A gray 2004 Buick Rendezvous driven by Robert L. Sitton, 58, of Morton, was reportedly … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/7/25

Executive Director Cynthia Mudge speaks at the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce March Forum at the Lewis County Coffee Company's The Station in Centralia on Thursday, March 14, 2024.

Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce forum to feature America250 commemoration

The Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce invites the community to its April forum featuring America250 — the nationwide commemoration of the 250th anniversary since the founding of the United … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/7/25