Life | The Daily Chronicle

Tim Hadler to perform George Strait tribute show at the Raymond Theatre

Tim Hadler will perform “Strait To Branson,” a tribute performance celebrating the songs of George Strait, at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 9. The performance will be held at the historic Raymond … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/31/26

Dr. Travis Podbilski and Arbor Health Randle Clinic recognized with WSU Teaching Impact Award

Arbor Health Randle Clinic and Dr. Travis Podbilski were recently honored with a Teaching Impact Award from the Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. The honor was … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/31/26

Zachary Wirkkala, president at RB Engineering, poses for a portrait at the company’s office in Chehalis on Tuesday, July 28.

RB Engineering owner passing reins to Zachary Wirkkala in Chehalis

After first opening the firm 28 years ago in 1998, RB Engineering Inc. owner Robert Balmelli is now preparing to pass off ownership of the civil engineering firm to one of his employees, Zachary … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 7/31/26

What was believed to be “one of the last ‘big’ logs” in the region was harvested from the forests near Oakville, The Chronicle reported Aug. 1, 1946. “One of the last ‘big’ logs in this area was taken from logging operations 10 miles southwest of Oakville, according to Arnie Faggerness, superintendent. The huge spruce log measures 28 feet long and 12 feet in diameter, and it is estimated it contains about 11,500 board feet of lumber. It was cut about six months ago, and only recently was equipment brought in to take it out of the forest. The log was dumped into the bay at Olympia and will go into veneer when it reaches the mill. No estimate of age could be made. Faggerness stated no other log or tree of this size remains in this area to his knowledge.”

A Look Back in Time: Last ‘big’ log harvested near Oakville; Randle cat survives washing machine; Centralia quilters debut bicentennial quilt and book

In this installment of A Look Back in Time, the Thursday, Aug. 1, 1946, edition of The Chronicle featured a story about the harvesting of what was believed to be “one of the last ‘big’ logs” … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 7/31/26

Nicky, left, and Billie are pictured during their first day together at Wolf Haven in Tenino.

Wolf Haven International in Tenino completes renovation project to welcome new wolves to sanctuary

In early June, a dedicated group of contractors, volunteers and community members broke ground on the largest enclosure renovation project in Wolf Haven International history, according to a news … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/31/26

Beatbox Donuts owner Steve Hubbard speaks to attendees during the store’s ribbon-cutting ceremony in Centralia on Tuesday, Feb. 3.

Centralia’s Beatbox Donuts temporarily closes after owner suffers heart attack

Beatbox Donuts has been temporarily closed after owner Steve Hubbard suffered a heart attack on Tuesday, July 28. The temporary closure was announced on the Beatbox Donuts Facebook page. … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 7/29/26

The Brick Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to showcase offerings in downtown Chehalis

The Brick Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is formally introducing itself to downtown Chehalis with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at noon Tuesday, Aug. 4. Located at 536 N. Market Blvd., the business will … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/29/26

Arbor Health receives Achievement of Quality Excellence from Washington State Hospital Association

Arbor Health has been named a recipient of the Rural Hospital Achievement of Quality Excellence from the Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA), a news release announced. The association … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/29/26

Little Miss Friendly Kimber Serl waves to attendees during the Centralia Summerfest parade on Saturday, July 4.

2026 Little Miss Friendly finalists announced; cape to be passed Aug. 11

Out of 34 applications, the top five Little Miss Friendly candidates have been decided following interviews that took place at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds in late July. Little Miss … more

By Tyrus VanTuyl / ty@chronline.com | 7/29/26

From the left, Alex Cook, Tyler Blumenthal and Jared Aerni work on a mural inside the gymnasium at Centralia Middle School on Thursday, July 23.

Centralia Middle School gym gets new tiger-themed mural from local tattoo artists

A new mural inside the Centralia Middle School gym is nearing completion just in time for the school year, courtesy of Alex Cook and his fellow artists at Lucky No. 3 Tattoo Company. The … more

By Jacob Farmer / jfarmer@chronline.com | 7/27/26

Attendees look through cars on display during the ChehalisFest Car Show on Saturday, July 25. Proceeds from the car show go to the Veterans Memorial Museum and Experience Chehalis, which organizes and hosts ChehalisFest each year.

In Focus: ChehalisFest Car Show draws crowd

7/27/26

Sasquatch and his Yeti cousin enjoy beers during the inaugural SasqWatch: Beyond the Footprint event in Randle on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.

East Lewis County Chamber of Commerce moving from Morton to Randle to ‘better serve’ region

The East Lewis County of Chamber of Commerce (ELCCC) Board of Directors now has a few new members, the chamber announced in a news release, with the new board members bringing “a diverse array of … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/27/26

Jennifer Colvin, left, and Eric Klein wave to attendees during the Oregon Trail Days parade in Tenino on Saturday, July 25.

In Focus: Scenes from the Oregon Trail Days Parade in Tenino

7/27/26

The Cat Walk Boutique team poses for a photo during the business’s grand opening in Chehalis on Friday, July 24. The new business is located at 383 NW Chehalis Ave. It is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and closed Sunday and Monday. Learn more by visiting the business’s Facebook page.

In Focus: The Cat Walk Boutique opens in downtown Chehalis

7/27/26

A couple dances during the Music in the Park concert series at Recreation Park in Chehalis on Friday, July 24.

In Focus: Chehalis Music in the Park series reaches home stretch

Attendees listen to a country music performance from Jimmy Ritchey and the Marlow Brothers at Recreation Park in Chehalis on Friday, July 24, in these photos by Chronicle photographer Otto … more

7/27/26

Scout renovates Millett Field basketball court for Eagle Scout Project in Chehalis

Local hoopers now have a newly renovated place to play thanks to an Eagle Scout service project led by Carter Culletto, a Life Scout with Chehalis Troop 373. The project transformed the aging … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/27/26

Comcast breaks ground to expand to Napavine

Comcast announced it is expanding its network to Napavine, according to a recent news release. Construction is underway and is expected to be completed in 2027. Residents can visit … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/27/26

Ray Chapman-Wilson speaks during a pancake breakfast hosted by the Lewis County Democrats at the Twin City Senior Center on Saturday, June 14, 2025.

Lewis County Democrats announce participation in medical debt relief campaign

The Lewis County Democrats announced plans this week to assist locals struggling with medical debt by leveraging donations to buy and forgive the debt. The local Democrats announced the news … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/27/26

FROM THE ARCHIVES: "When this truck moved a load the engine must have been heard for miles. It is described as the first logging truck used in the Twin City area and the time is between 1916 and 1917 when this photo was taken in Centralia just north of Maple Street and on the east side of the Northern Pacific mainline tracks. In the background is the rear of the Wilson Hotel and a railroad water tower that stood on the east side of the hotel for years. Tower was later torn down and a new one built on Railroad Avenue just to the south. Even before it was well used. The age of diesel trains had arrived and it left the scene, too. The truck shown above was used to haul shingles and the occasion for the photo must have been the huge load. Photo is owned by George Pearce, Tumwater, a former Centralian. He is shown at the steering wheel, which was on the right side of the truck. With him is Dan Nye, who recently passed away at Shelton, and man standing is the late Leon Titus who operated a garage and in the city for years. Truck was used by Henry Balch, and Pearce's father, George G. Pearce. They were partners in a logging firm and hauled logs and shingles to railroad yards with massive truck." — originally republished by The Daily Chronicle Aug. 31, 1967

A Look Back in Time: Hiker pushing wheelbarrow around the world visits Centralia; Chehalis toddler shot in eye with BB gun; Airport Day draws 4,000 visitors

In this installment of A Look Back in Time, the Thursday, July 25, 1946, edition of The Chronicle featured a story about Ellensburg resident Larry Hightower, who was embarking on a worldwide hike … more

By Owen Sexton /owen@chronline.com | 7/24/26

Mike Perry poses for a photo after winning a gold medal at the 2025 U.S. Police & Fire Championships.

Thurston County firefighter finding respite through success in U.S., World Police & Fire Championships

When Mike Perry was getting started as a firefighter in the late 1990s, first in his hometown of Yakima and then in Lacey, the fire service provided a home away from his home. His fellow … more

By Dylan Reubenking / dylan@thurstonchronicle.com | 7/24/26