Life | The Daily Chronicle

From the left, Mary Glenn, John Panesko, Phil Gilbert, June and Bill Cleaveland, and Karen Soukkala of Lewis County Concerts pose for a photo with a new xylophone donated by the organization at the playground of West Side Park in Chehalis on Tuesday, Jan. 14.

Lewis County Concerts donates xylophones for local parks

Visitors to some Lewis County parks will notice a new piece of musical playground equipment. However, the history of the xylophones — two of which were recently installed at West Side Park … more

By Tyrus VanTuyl / ty@chronline.com | 1/20/25

Julie McDonald: Bearcat alum’s memoir a pick by New York Times, Today Show and Washington Post

Patrick Hutchison did what many people only dream of doing: He bought a ramshackle cabin in the woods and quit his day job as a copywriter in Seattle to renovate it. “I was just sort of … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 1/20/25

Author Sandy Crowell smiles for a photo with her new book “The Ravaged Forest” during an authors book signing event at Book ‘n’ Brush in Chehalis on Saturday, Dec. 21. The book is available at Book ‘n’ Brush, the Lewis County Historical Museum and on Amazon.

New biography by local historian details life and U.S. Supreme Court battle fought by Helen Sanders

The U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision on a case, United States v. Mitchell, in 1983 that set the foundation that the United States government could be liable for monetary damages for Native … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 1/20/25

Northwest Wind Symphony musicians perform during a previous concert in this Chronicle file photo.

The Northwest Wind Symphony’s first concert of 2025 set for Centralia College

The Northwest Wind Symphony’s first concert of the year will take place at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18. It will be held at Corbet Theatre on the Centralia College campus. Tickets are … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/17/25

Bowling balls fill shelves at the Mill Town Smokehouse in Morton.

Discover Lewis County seeks participants, sponsors for second annual bowling tournament

The second annual Discover Lewis County Bowling Tournament is scheduled for noon March 7 at the Mill Town Smokehouse in Morton. The event offers a day of bowling, barbecue and brews in support … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/17/25

Guests are pictured aboard the two-hour “Valentine’s Sweetheart Dinner Train Ride” in the historic 1920s dining car.

Tickets available for Centralia-Chehalis Railroad’s Valentine’s Sweetheart Dinner Train Ride

The Chehalis-Centralia Railroad and Museum (CCRM) is selling tickets for a two-hour “Valentine’s Sweetheart Dinner Train Ride” in the historic 1920s dining car. The ride is … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/17/25

A vehicle drives through the Fort Borst Park drive-thru light display in Centralia on Thursday, Dec. 19.

Fort Borst Park drive-thru Christmas light display raises more than $57K

The Fort Borst Park 2024 drive-thru Christmas light display brought in a total of $57,500 last December, according to Centralia Deputy City Manager Amy Buckler. Buckler gave the Centralia City … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 1/17/25

The Westminster Bells perform in Chehalis at Westminster Presbyterian Church in April 2023.

Christmas in January: Westminster Bell Choir concerts planned after cancellations

The Westminster Bell Choir was forced to cancel its annual Christmas concerts due to an illness that swept through the choir the weekend the concerts were meant to take place. To meet the demand … more

By The Chronicle | 1/17/25

Downtown Centralia is seen from the Seminary Hill Natural Area on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023.

Friends of the Seminary Hill Natural Area to hold annual meeting Jan. 25

All are invited to the annual meeting of the Friends of the Seminary Hill Natural Area on Saturday, Jan. 25, at the Centralia Timberland Regional Library. The group’s annual business … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/17/25

Imagine Downtown Chehalis open house planned for feedback on downtown improvement proposals

Experience Chehalis, in partnership with the City of Chehalis, will host an open house event for its Imagine Downtown Chehalis project at Mint City Coffee from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 23, … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/17/25

From left, Chehalis Mayor Tony Ketchum, Chris Gove, Ashley Bond, Alisha Watson, Richard Stride, Lisa Archer, Cate Owens, Wangari Gathungu and Christine Brower pose for a photo during a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by The Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce in Centralia on Friday, Jan. 15. The ceremony was held in celebration of Cascade’s expanded primary care clinic. Cascade Community Healthcare has been providing health care services in Lewis County and surrounding areas for more than 50 years. Cascade Community Healthcare opened its primary care clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic, but was unable to celebrate the grand opening with a ribbon-cutting. Since then, Cascade Community Healthcare has expanded its primary care clinic, as well as integrating physical health and mental health services. Prior to the event, Sierra Pecson, accreditation manager for Cascade Community Healthcare, described what she is most looking forward to with the grand opening of the clinic. “(I’m eager) for people to find out that the clinic is here and be able to get care in a rural service area that has very few providers,” she said.

In focus: Cascade Community Healthcare celebrates expanded primary care clinic in Centralia

A ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce was held at Cascade Community Healthcare in Centralia on Friday, Jan. 15. The ceremony was held in celebration of … more

1/17/25

Jeff Evans smiles as he wears a funny hat during his magic show at Prairie Days on June 22, 2024.

Timber River Connections to host ‘Night of Magic’ to raise money for Lewis County seniors

Timber River Connections, formerly Lewis County Seniors, will host a “Night of Magic” to raise money for programs and enrichment opportunities for local senior citizens, according to a … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/17/25

Baby goats, also known as kids, named Andy and Al play together in the parking lot of the Randle Dental Clinic on Saturday, Jan. 11. Andy and Al waited in the parking lot for their new owners to pick them up to go to their new home.

In focus: Andy and Al await new home in Randle parking lot

Chronicle photographer Ridley Hudson captured these photos while she was out and about in East Lewis County last week. To submit your own photos to The Chronicle for potential publication, … more

1/17/25

Vince Ynzunza and Tyler Bounds talk to attendees about the first Sasquatch hoaxers at McFiler’s Chehalis Theater during a “Bigfoot: Real or Hoax?” presentation on Saturday, April 15, 2023.

Bigfoot hunters, authors set to speak about the elusive cryptid at PNW Wilds in Chehalis

Whether you’re a diehard Bigfoot hunter or just someone curious to learn the local lore of Sasquatch here in Southwest Washington, you just might want to buy a ticket to PNW Wilds, an upcoming … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/17/25

Mount Rainier is pictured from Adna on Thursday, Dec. 5.

Discover Lewis County awarded $15,000 grant to showcase Lewis County

Discover Lewis County (DLC) has announced it will receive a $15,000 grant from State of Washington Tourism. The grant will support the creation of a comprehensive asset library showcasing Lewis … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/17/25

The Wedam family, from Vancouver, picks out seeds to take home during the Toledo Seed Swap in the Toledo Community Library on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024.

Toledo Community Library accepting seeds for ninth annual Toledo Seed Swap

The Toledo Community Library will host its ninth annual seed swap on Saturday, Feb. 22, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Seed donations can be dropped off at the library, located at 241 Cowlitz St. in … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/15/25

The White Pass Ski Area on Sunday, Jan. 12.

In focus: A bluebird day on the slopes at the White Pass Ski Area

It was a bluebird day at the White Pass Ski Area when Chronicle photographer Ridley Hudson visited on Sunday. Skiers enjoyed the powder as Mount Rainier dominated the horizon against clear … more

Photos by Ridley Hudson / ridley@chronline.com | 1/15/25

United States Coast Guard Band centennial celebration tour coming to Thurston County

The United States Coast Guard Band will present a free concert at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21, at the Tumwater High School Performing Arts Center, located at 700 Israel Rd SW. This event is a part … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/15/25

Held on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at The Loft in Chehalis, the Visiting Nurses Foundation’s Road to Respite Gala brought together supportive individuals, businesses and organizations from around the area in a night of celebration and fundraising.

Tickets available for Visiting Nurses Foundation’s second annual gala on March 13

The Visiting Nurses Foundation will host its second annual gala to raise funds for programs that enhance care and support for patients and families throughout the community on March 13. The gala … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/15/25

A trail through the woods is pictured at Lewis and Clark State Park on Thursday, Dec. 12.

Washington State Parks announces 12 days in 2025 when Discover Passes won’t be needed

The Washington State Discover Pass Program has designated 12 days when a Discover Pass will not be needed to visit state parks and other state lands in 2025. On these days, visitors will … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/15/25