Life | The Daily Chronicle

In October 1927 in Yakima, bakers used 400 gallons of apples to make the world's largest apple pie to celebrate National Apple Week. The pie was 10 feet across, and it took five cords of wood to heat the oven to bake it.

Julie McDonald: How Washington became the Apple State

Growing up overseas as the child of missionaries, Amanda L. Van Lanen recalled hearing people in Saipan north of Guam speak nostalgically about the joy of biting into a crispy, juicy fresh apple, but … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 6/2/25

Attendees look at cars on display in Chehalis at the 14th annual Walmart Supercenter Seattle Children's Hospital Benefit Car Show in 2023.

Sixteenth annual Seattle Children’s Hospital Walmart Benefit Car Show in Chehalis scheduled for June 14

Car show organizer and Walmart department manager Krista Wilcutt is preparing once again to hold the Seattle Children’s Hospital Walmart Benefit Car Show — the 16th annual car show to be … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/2/25

College President Bob Mohrbacher points to a presentation during a Centralia College report to the community event in Centralia on Tuesday, May 27.

Report to the Community: Centralia College presents updates on enrollment numbers, strategic plan and more

With 4,840 students enrolled in the 2024-25 school year, Centralia College is still far below its pre-pandemic enrollment levels, but data presented by the college last week shows it has been seeing … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 6/2/25

Lewis County Master Gardeners to host June gardening workshops

The WSU Extension Lewis County Master Gardeners have announced two upcoming workshops this June. The workshops are designed to help gardeners of all experience levels grow, plan and thrive in … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/2/25

Community recycling event set for South Lewis County June 7

Residents of Lewis County will have a chance to drop off scrap metal and household appliances for free recycling from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 7, at the old Winlock Drop Box, 1105 … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/2/25

In focus: Oak Bagels & Coffee holds grand opening in Chehalis

Oak Bagels & Coffee celebrated its grand opening in Chehalis on Friday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce. The business is a concept … more

6/2/25

A box lifted by a crane reveals the new sandstone monument for the Agriculture Innovation Park during it’s grand opening in Tenino on Wednesday, May 28.

Tenino community celebrates grand opening of Agriculture Innovation Park

About 10 years ago, Wayne Fournier, Michael Cade and Aslan Meade had nothing but a napkin and a dream. The trio met at the Sandstone Cafe & Quarry Bar in Tenino and discussed the future of … more

By Dylan Reubenking / dylanr@chronline.com | 5/30/25

The new Big Ole lumberjack statue stands in the Morton Loggers' Jubilee Arena on Thursday, May 29, after wood carving and chainsaw artist Jacob Lucas finished carving it the previous day.

New ‘Big Ole’ lumberjack chainsaw carving stands tall in Morton Loggers’ Jubilee Arena

With work taking just over a week, wood carving and chainsaw artist Jacob Lucas of Bonney Lake completed carving a new “Big Ole” lumberjack statue at the Morton Loggers’ Jubilee … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 5/30/25

From the left, Washington Old Time Fiddlers Association members Kain Wallen, Christie Easter, Mike Turner, Flenn Palmer and Rick Sundstrom perform inside the Lewis County Historical Museum for a Lewis County Historical Society meeting on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in Chehalis.

Washington Old Time Fiddlers Association to hold acoustic music jam June 6

The Washington Old Time Fiddlers Association will host an acoustic music jam on Friday, June 6, at the Lewis County Historical Museum, located at 599 NW Front Way in downtown Chehalis. It will … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/30/25

The world renowned fingerstyle guitarist Richard Smith will perform the workshop and concert, according to a news release from the association.

Washington Acoustic Music Association to host guitar workshop with renowned fingerstyle guitarist

The Washington Acoustic Music Association will host a concert and guitar workshop from 3 to 5 p.m. June 14, with the concert starting at 7 p.m. at the Oakview Grange in Centralia. The world … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/30/25

Napavine High School junior Case Van Kooten holds up his youth apprenticeship agreement prior to signing it alongside his mother, Diane Sullivan, and Walsh Trucking manager Claude Nelson, at a signing event held in Napavine High School on Thursday, May 29.

Napavine High School student signs apprenticeship agreement to begin training with Walsh Trucking

With college tuition prices continuing to remain high — the average in-state tuition is $9,800 at a four-year public university, according to the National Center for Education Statistics … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 5/30/25

The Boundary Trail at the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument inches hikers closer to the direct view that is beloved. Ash blown from wind on Wednesday, May 28, created a yellow haze at times around the volcano.

Summer views, reopening of Mount St. Helens Visitor Center make a day trip worthwhile as Johnston Ridge remains closed

Although the Johnston Ridge Observatory remains closed, great views and recreation is still possible all summer long on the north side of the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. As road … more

By Cade Barker / For The Chronicle | 5/30/25

Lewis County Commissioner Scott Brummer talks with developers during a meeting highlighting the improvements being made to the 4-H Barn at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds on Wednesday, May 28.

The 4-H barn is back in business and likely to receive more updates at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds

The 4-H barn at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds is getting a facelift just in time for a summer full of events and the Southwest Washington Fair in August. The barn was roped off during the … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 5/30/25

"An International log truck is loaded with a huge old growth log and two smaller logs in front of Brook Haynes Cafe and Tavern in Packwood in 1935 or 1936. A Studebaker car is parked in the road." (Lewis County Historical Museum)

A Look Back: Centralia duo arrested after string of robberies; ‘Virtually all’ Centralia city staff members resign; Chronicle writer canoes the Newaukum

In this installment of A Look Back in Time, the Friday, May 31, 1935, edition of The Chronicle featured a story about a pair of Centralia men being caught after committing 25 home robberies in … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 5/30/25

Bicyclists gather in Astoria during the conclusion of the Fuller Center Bicycle Adventure in 2014.

1,700-mile charity bike ride down West Coast to roll through Lewis County

A 1,700-mile charity bicycle ride to raise money and awareness for The Fuller Center for Housing is set to arrive in Chehalis on Monday, June 2, after a 65-mile ride from Tacoma. The bikers will … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/30/25

Chehalis Cub Scout Pack 9301 to host Father’s Day Summer Craft Sale

Chehalis Cub Scout Pack 9301 will host a Father’s Day Summer Craft Sale event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 7 at St. John’s Lutheran Church. Admission and parking is free. The … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/30/25

Joy Rails provided this photo of railcar passengers enjoying a ride.

Joy Rails to celebrate new scenic railroad attraction to Chehalis

Joy Rails is hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony at noon on June 10 to kick off its 2025 season, according to a news release from the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce. The ribbon-cutting … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/30/25

Jim Vosper named grand marshal for Oakville Independence Day

The Oakville Chamber of Commerce has announced Jim Vosper as its 2025 Oakville Independence Day grand marshal. Vosper represents the 2025 theme, “Oakville Community — Celebrating 120 … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/30/25

Seattle graffiti artist Jeff Jacobson poses for a photo in front of the newly restored mural of Sgt. Justin Norton alongside State Route 507 in Rainier on Tuesday, May 27.

In focus: Restoration of Sgt. Justin Norton mural complete in Rainier

Seattle graffiti artist Jeff Jacobson, known professionally as “Weirdo,” posed for a photo in front of the newly restored mural of Sgt. Justin Norton alongside state Route 507 in Rainier … more

Kody Christen / kody@chronline.com | 5/28/25

Centralia Mayor Kelly Smith Johnston, left, poses for a photo with members of the Centralia Middle School Prevention Club during the Centralia City Council meeting on Tuesday, May 2

City to collaborate with Centralia Middle School Prevention Club on anti-smoking campaign in parks

The City of Centralia on Tuesday officially proclaimed its support for the Centralia Middle School Prevention Club’s efforts to address the problem of smoking, vaping and drug use in city parks … more

By Dylan Reubenking / dylanr@chronline.com | 5/28/25