Commentary | The Daily Chronicle

Bill Moeller smiles for a portrait outside The Chronicle in Centralia on Jan. 24, 2023.

Bill Moeller Commentary: As the World Turns — a Politician Who Actually Followed His Beliefs

I was just thinking that I had promised more of an in-depth look at one of the more famous losers in politics, Wendell Willkie. He lost to President Roosevelt by five million votes in the … more

By Bill Moeller / For The Chronicle | 5/31/23

Don Buswell is pictured with his four sons. From left in this courtesy photo are Donnie, Alan, Don Buswell, Guy and Carl

Julie McDonald: Toledo’s Don Buswell, His Brother and Four Sons Built Roads and Then Relaxed in the Sauna

Editor’s Note: This is the final installment of a series of columns focused on Don Buswell and his family’s history. Find previous installments at chronline.com. After the … more

By Julie McDonad / For The Chronicle | 5/29/23

Representatives of the Chehalis School District and Bethel Church meet at Olympic Elementary School on Friday morning after touring a part of the school that is being leased to be used as community classroom space for students during early release on Wednesdays in upcoming school years.

Brian Mittge Commentary: When the Community Becomes the School

Starting in September, students will be released 90 minutes early from the public schools in Chehalis every Wednesday so teachers have new dedicated collaboration time. This will match an … more

By Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 5/26/23

Bill Moeller Commentary: Contemplating Our Memories — While We Still Have Them

Are you surprised that my recent birthday celebration brought to mind some of the places, events and other features that no longer exist in the area? On top of that, in writing last week's … more

By Bill Moeller / For The Chronicle | 5/24/23

The Mossyrock Dam casts a shadow on the Tacoma City Light powerhouse.

Commentary: We Should Build Our Future Electricity Supply Around Hydropower

Although New Zealand and Washington are located a half a world apart, they have lots in common — beautiful seashores, majestic mountains, crystal clear streams and lakes and vibrant salmon and … more

By Don Brunell | 5/22/23

Don Buswell, center, is pictured during his time in the Air Force in this photo he provided to The Chronicle.

Highlighting Lewis County: Buswells Flew Airplanes During WWII, Then Logged Forests and Built Roads

In the spring of 1940, a year after Don Buswell graduated, the old wooden Toledo High School building on the hill burned down, and not long after a principal had been fired, perhaps for fooling … more

By Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 5/22/23

State Rep. Peter Abbarno is a Centralia-based attorney who represents the 20th Legislative District as a Republican in the Washington Legislature.

Rep. Peter Abbarno Commentary: Accountability and Compassion at the Heart of the Blake ‘Fix’ Bill

At the heart of any good criminal justice policy involving substance abuse and addiction should be accountability and compassion. Although this policy will evolve and improve over time, I believe the … more

By Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia | 5/19/23

Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, takes part in a news conference Nov. 29, 2022.

Sen. John Braun Commentary: Republican Resolve Leads to Better Drug Possession Law

Last year, our Democratic colleagues felt compelled to brag that the Legislature had adjourned on schedule five sessions in a row, with no need to go into overtime. It was presumably an attempt to … more

By Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 5/19/23

Bill Moeller Commentary: Hispanic Representation Arrives at Last for Centralia Council

My routine procedure on a Thursday afternoon is generally along the lines of, first, making sure that The Chronicle has been delivered into my rural mailbox and then — after settling … more

5/17/23

Don Buswell, a centenarian from Toledo, is pictured at 100 in this photo by Julie McDonald.

Julie McDonald Commentary: Buswells Settle South of Toledo in the Early 1920s

Don Buswell, a centenarian from Toledo, years ago visited the East Coast Civil War battlefields and stood in awe at one near Richmond, Virginia, where his grandfather Brigham Buswell was shot in the … more

By Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 5/15/23

A Washington State Patrol vehicle is parked in front of W.F. West High School on Thursday during a lockdown.

Brian Mittge Commentary: ‘Swatting’ Is the Latest Threat to Our Schools

As if America’s plague of school shootings wasn’t terrible enough, the destroyers of public safety and security are now adding insult to injury. Modern technology and lax … more

By Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 5/12/23

Richard Stride is the current CEO of Cascade Community Healthcare. He can be reached at drstride@icloud.com.

Richard Stride Commentary: What Is Artificial Intelligence? Is It Scary or a Positive Development?

I recall the debate in the 1980s and 90s concerning robots taking over our lives and the world. Movies like “Terminator” and “The Matrix” didn’t help much. … more

By Richard Stride / For The Chronicle | 5/12/23

Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia, represents the 20th Legislative District in the state Legislature.

Peter Abbarno Commentary: Make State Government More Open, Transparent and Accountable

When I talk to constituents in the 20th Legislative District about issues affecting our communities and state, many have expressed to me a deep distrust in our governing institutions. … more

By Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia | 5/10/23

Commentary: It’s That Time of the Year — Let's Celebrate and Support Washington Agriculture

Some would argue that spring is the most wonderful time of the year in Washington. Throughout our state, fruit trees blossom, vibrant tulip fields bloom and colorful lentils carpeted the … more

By Don Brunell | 5/10/23

Bill Moeller Commentary: A Question for the Times — Is America Winning or Losing?

We seem to be smugly sitting back and thinking that we're still the leaders of the world in all things. Let's take a few minutes to see if that works out to be true. First, we … more

By Bill Moeller / For The Chronicle | 5/10/23

Brigham Buswell is pictured with his wife and seven children in this photo provided by his grandson, Toledo resident Don Buswell.

Highlighting Lewis County: Toledo Native’s Grandfather a POW in Civil War

Brigham Buswell, the grandfather of 100-year-old Toledo resident Don Buswell, wrote about fighting in the Civil War and his incarceration at a hospital for wounded prisoners of war. On July 1, … more

By Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 5/8/23

Richard Stride Commentary: Peace, Calm, Nostalgia and the Soothing Sound of a Clock

Growing up, I loved the sound of my grandpa’s mantel clock. It was an old Howard Miller pendulum wind-up clock. The clock key was for both the time and chimes. I can still remember … more

By Richard Stride / For The Chronicle | 5/5/23

Sheriff Rob Snaza speaks about safety to a Christian Women’s Connection luncheon held at the Church of the Nazarene in Centralia in 2022.

Rob Snaza Commentary: We Need Better Funding for Programs to Keep Kids on Right Path

When the citizens of Lewis County chose me as their sheriff, they entrusted me with the responsibility to keep our communities safe. As part of that mission, I have worked with my team at the Lewis … more

By Rob Snaza / Lewis County sheriff | 5/5/23

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

John McCroskey Commentary: Sheriff Owes More Information on Aron Christensen Case

For some seven months or so, there have been reports chronicling the tragic death of Aron Christensen and his dog Buzzo near Walupt Lake. It’s a very sad situation and while we think we know … more

By John McCroskey / For The Chronicle | 5/3/23

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

Commentary: Legislative Session Yields Decidedly Mixed Results

Depending on how you measure success, the recently concluded Washington legislative session was either really great, not as terrible as normal or a frustrating combination of progress and setbacks … more

By Kris Johnson / Association of Washington Business | 5/3/23