The Daily Chronicle

Other Views: Herrera Beutler Graceful in Face of Defeat

The ouster of Jaime Herrera Beutler as our congressional representative brings about something increasingly rare in modern politics: A gracious farewell. Herrera Beutler, R-Battle Ground, on … more

The Columbian Editorial Board | 8/11/22

The newly finished dance floor of Swede Hall is pictured in this photograph shared by the Rochester Citizens Group in January.

Bill Moeller Commentary: A Look at the Rich History of Swede Hall

Earlier this year when I was writing about the south Thurston County schoolhouse in what used to be the town of Gate, I was approached by one of the citizens who works toward its maintenance. Her … more

By Bill Moeller / For The Chronicle | 7/27/22

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: I’m Almost Starting to Miss the Jimmy Carter Years

I survived President Jimmy Carter and the gas rationing, super high home interest rates, unemployment and weakness on the world stage. Those of us who did can see similarities to what’s … more

By John McCroskey / For The Chronicle | 7/27/22

Don Brunell Commentary: Restoring America’s Semiconductor Edge

Surprisingly, recent U.S. presidents and congressional Democrats and Republicans agree America’s economic and national security hinge upon tiny, yet powerful semiconductors. Semiconductor … more

By Don C. Brunell | 7/26/22

Don Brunell Commentary: It’s Time for Congress to Reassert Itself

While critics contend the U.S. Supreme Court decision limiting how the nation’s main anti-air pollution law can be used to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants was a “gut … more

By Don C. Brunell | 7/19/22

Other Views: Combat Organized Retail Theft in Washington With Coordinated, Sustained Effort

Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson is creating a statewide Organized Retail Crime Theft Task Force. It remains to be seen whether it will make progress or become just one more committee … more

By The Seattle Times Editorial Board | 7/7/22

Don Brunell Commentary: Drones Can Help Restore Scorched Public Forestlands

Regenerating millions of western forested acres scorched by large wildfires is a herculean task costing hundreds of billions of dollars. However, healthy growing woodlands are essential to reducing … more

By Don C. Brunell | 6/21/22

Commentary: Lower Snake River Dams’ Power Hard to Replace

Gov. Jay Inslee and Sen. Patty Murray, both Democrats, issued a draft report which estimates that breaching the four lower Snake River dams and replacing their electricity and other benefits would … more

By Don Brunell | 6/17/22

Silly String and confetti sticks to the caps and gowns of W.F. West graduates at Bearcat Stadium last Saturday in Chehalis.

Brian Mittge Commentary: Building a Piece of Home

It’s graduation season, so many of us are attending parties or giving gifts to our young people as they emerge into the world. That’s gotten me thinking about something, and I’d … more

6/17/22

Bill Moeller Commentary: Cleaning the Desktop — Yup, Again — Is Not For the Timid

I’ve never understood how some people can be sane and methodical when it comes to keeping a desktop orderly and free of clutter, especially when, at the same time, they feel they have to come … more

6/15/22

Sen. Jim McCune Commentary: What the Supreme Court Draft Opinion on Abortion Means for Washington State

Whatever the Supreme Court had to say about abortion, there was bound to be controversy. But I wish everyone with an opinion about the draft ruling in the Dobbs case would take a few minutes to sit … more

By Sen. Jim McCune | 6/14/22 | 1 comment

Julie McDonald Commentary: Braver Angels Seeks to Bridge the Gap Between Red and Blue

The potential overturning of Roe v Wade. Calls for gun control. Disclosures from investigations by the House Jan. 6 Committee. The last few months — especially the last week — show the … more

6/13/22

Bob Mohrbacher is president of Centralia College.

Commentary: Efforts Beyond the Classroom Make a Difference at Centralia College

For many in our community, June is a time of transition. This is most certainly true for the hundreds of Centralia College students who will graduate June 17. They are amazing individuals and … more

By Bob Mohrbacher | 6/13/22

Commentary: Tone-Deaf Politics, Taxes and Regulation Driving State’s Gas Prices Even Higher

For the first time ever, the average price for a gallon of gas in Washington state exceeds five dollars a gallon, an increase of $1.42, or 40%, in just one year. The price is unlikely to hit $10 … more

By Todd Myers / Washington Policy Center | 6/10/22

Don Brunell Commentary: Amid Labor Woes, Companies Relying More on Robotics

Prior to the coronavirus outbreak, economies in the industrial world were moving along fairly smoothly — reliable supply chains with “just in time” component arrivals, predictable … more

By Don Brunell | 6/10/22

Brian Mittge Commentary: A Juneuary Playdate at the Park

This week, I was blessed to take a long walk in the rain, stand in the rain for an hour or so, then take another long walk in the rain. The walk was good. The rain was wet. The best part was the … more

6/10/22

Bill Moeller Commentary: We’ve Got Some Problems, But It’s Not the First Time

Life gets “curiouser and curiouser,” not to mention “scarier and scarier.” So, we are adjusting to COVID-19. Then there is always Ukraine. Throw in the slaughter of … more

6/8/22

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

Richard Stride Commentary: Celebrating Who You Are Is One Key to Real Happiness

Harold Kushner, the rabbi, author and teacher who wrote the best seller, “When Bad Things Happen to Good People,” wrote another book I reread recently. The book is titled … more

6/6/22

Julie McDonald, a personal historian from Toledo, may be reached at memoirs@chaptersoflife.com.

Julie McDonald Commentary: A Season of Mourning Can Follow a Life of Loving

As I sat in a pew at Westminster Presbyterian Church for a funeral Saturday, I reflected on the season of loss experienced lately with COVID-19 deaths, fractured relationships, mass shootings of … more

By Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 6/6/22

Rep. Peter Abbarno takes part in the Law Enforcement Torch Run in this file photo.

Peter Abbarno Commentary: Lewis County Special Olympics Athletes Need Our Support

As if polar plunging into frigid Mayfield Lake with the Lewis County Icicle Brigade wasn’t enough, I decided to once again punish my body for a great cause; the Lewis County Law Enforcement … more

By Rep. Peter Abbarno | 6/6/22