Commentary | The Daily Chronicle

Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, stands in the wings of the Senate floor at the Washington state Capitol in Olympia on Friday, April 25.

John Braun: When the government takes more, remember this: Democrats see paying taxes as a ‘privilege’

The people of Washington are about to watch their new governor make what would seem to be the most important and revealing choice of his short time in office. No later than Tuesday, Gov. Bob … more

Commentary by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 5/16/25

Wayne Fournier is a Thurston County commissioner, former Tenino mayor, firefighter and lifelong community advocate. He believes that small towns are the last frontier of big ideas. He shares stories of civic creativity, leadership and community-building in his regular newspaper column.

Wayne Fournier: The yellow bicycle revolution — when public art meets politics

In politics, there are formal campaigns, and then there are revolutions made with spray paint, garage-sale bicycles and a little inspiration from the likes of Banksy and Sun Tzu. Before I was a … more

Commentary by Wayne Fournier / For The Chronicle | 5/16/25

Rep. Peter Abbarno hands his son, Antonio Abbarno, the torch during the Lewis County Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run on Friday, May 31, 2024.

Peter Abbarno: Honoring the duty and sacrifice of Washington’s law enforcement officers

As we recognize National Police Week (May 11-17, 2025), we pause not only to honor the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers across our country, but also to reflect on the vital role … more

Commentary by state Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia | 5/13/25

Last week at the St. Helens Club in Chehalis, President Nancy Leventon gave an hour-long lecture on Artificial Intelligence and Robotics as part of the year’s theme on Scientific Discoveries Through the Ages.

Julie McDonald: AI is here to stay, but debates ensue over ethics of using it

It’s everywhere — artificial intelligence. On the phone. In the car. On the television. Call it Siri. Alexa. ChatGPT. Or Roomba. But it’s here to stay. The question is, what … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 5/12/25

Richard Stride is the current CEO of Cascade Community Healthcare.

Richard Stride: Early May reminds us that triumph and tragedy go hand in hand with living

May 5. For many, it's a day of joy — Cinco de Mayo, a celebration of resilience and victory, marking the triumph of Mexican forces over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Across … more

Commentary by Richard Stride | 5/12/25

Maureen Harkcom grew up on a Lewis County dairy and operated a beef and native hay operation and developed an equine competition facility. She is a past president of Lewis County Farm Bureau and a current member of Washington Farm Bureau Board of Directors. She can be reached by email at maureen.harkcom@gmail.com.

Maureen Harkcom: Want to live in the country? Don’t complain about country living

“Good morning, ma’am. I am here to investigate a complaint filed against you by your neighbor.” That’s not what you want to hear out of the mouth of someone standing at … more

Commentary by Maureen Harkcom / For The Chronicle | 5/12/25

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

John McCroskey: It’s not hateful to not go along with someone’s delusions

I recently happened upon a story in the Oregon news which, in my view, perfectly illustrates what we as a society are facing: the failure to use the word “no.” First though, as … more

Commentary by John McCroskey / For The Chronicle | 5/12/25

Commentary: We’re feeding our communities. Why are we being punished?

As the owners of an independent grocery store serving rural Skamania County, we’ve seen a lot – supply chain disruptions, rising fuel costs, labor shortages. Through it all, we’ve … more

By Andra and John Mobley | 5/12/25

Sean Swope is a Lewis County commissioner representing District 1.

Commentary: Safe parking shouldn't come at cost of neighborhood safety or real solutions

A few nights ago, I attended a public meeting held at St. Timothy Episcopal Church to discuss the newly proposed safe parking program in Chehalis. I came into the meeting with an open mind and a … more

Commentary by Sean Swope | 5/9/25

Commentary: Main Street businesses will pay more because of what Washington lawmakers just approved

The Washington Legislature recently adjourned after passing the largest tax increase in state history, and small businesses are going to bear the brunt of it. One of the bills includes an … more

By Kris Johnson, Association of Washington Business | 5/9/25

FILE PHOTO — Rotarians and staff from United Way stand with a cardboard cutout of Dolly Parton to celebrate the three-year anniversary of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library being kicked off in Lewis County in 2022. The program provides books for young kids at no cost to the families.

Commentary: Lewis County Imagination Library safe because community never let up

With a $16 million state budget shortfall expected for the 2025–2027 biennium, agencies across Washington prepared for tough decisions. When the final budget passed on April 26, it … more

Commentary by Chris Judd | 5/9/25

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: Words aren’t enough — governor needs to take action against tax hikes

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson has set some clear expectations when it comes to raising taxes. Now that he is the final line of defense against the largest tax increase in state history, … more

Commentary by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 5/9/25

Jaime Herrera Beutler is a former U.S. Congresswoman and state representative from Southwest Washington.

Jaime Herrera Beutler: Washington’s rent cap will backfire — Here’s what we should do instead

The road to hell is paved with good intentions, and as bad as Washington’s housing market presently is, interventions by elected leaders in Olympia — including the rent control measure … more

Commentary by Jaime Herrera Beutler | 5/7/25

Katy Belles prepares her cow for showing during the Spring Youth Fair at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds on Saturday, May 3.

Our Views: The heart of Lewis County — a salute to the 2025 Spring Youth Fair

As the vibrant colors of spring bloom across Lewis County, the 2025 Spring Youth Fair stands as a testament to the dedication, passion and community spirit that define our region. Held last Friday … more

By The Chronicle Editorial Board | 5/7/25

Ray Egan, of Steilacoom, performs as pioneer Ezra Meeker during a recent presentation in Toledo.

Julie McDonald: Ezra Meeker visits Toledo to set the record straight

The 1923 silent movie called “The Covered Wagon” committed grave errors in depicting the journey of thousands of emigrants who crossed the Oregon Trail to settle the Pacific Northwest in … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 5/5/25

Wayne Fournier: Why I ran (and why I still get up every day to do this work)

You don’t grow up in a place like Tenino without getting a little grit under your nails. I’m Wayne Fournier — Thurston County commissioner, professional firefighter, former … more

5/5/25

Peter Abbarno: Washington’s 2025 Legislature missed the mark for small businesses

As we celebrate Small Business Month this May, it’s with a heavy heart and growing frustration that we must also confront the legislative decisions made earlier this year in Olympia. The … more

Commentary by state Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia | 5/5/25

Sen. John Braun: The 2025 session in one sentence — It didn’t need to be this way

For the past few years Senate Republicans have focused on public safety, affordability and improving the lives of Washington’s children. Now that the 2025 legislative session has wrapped up, … more

Commentary by Sen. John Braun / R-Centralia | 5/2/25

Brian Mittge: From shards of war, a book of understanding and healing

From shards of war, a book of understanding and healing The terrible and deadly “Battle of Centralia” has had countless books written about it — some famous, some essential, … more

5/2/25

Richard Stride: Waiting to worry with a glass half-full perspective on life

I’ve talked about worry before. But because of the circumstances we all are living through, I’ve had to remind myself of the futility of worry. I’ve always seen the glass as … more

Commentary by Richard Stride | 4/30/25