Life | The Daily Chronicle

The Chronicle Executive Regional Sales Manager Brian Watson presents at the Best of Lewis County 2024 Awards at McFiler's Chehalis Theater on Thursday, Oct. 24.

In focus: The Chronicle celebrates 2024 Best of Lewis County honorees

The Chronicle presented the 2024 Best of Lewis County Awards at McFiler's Chehalis Theater on Thursday, Oct. 24. Dozens of local businesses, organizations and individuals took home awards, which … more

10/25/24

The dedication of a historical marker on May 11, 1926, for the establishment of the Cowlitz Mission in 1838.

Meeting in Chehalis to focus on state historical monuments that ignore or denigrate Native Americans

Historical monuments and plaques erected throughout Washington state in the early 20th century pay tribute to the early pioneers who settled in the Pacific Northwest — but they ignore or even … more

By Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 10/25/24

Fog fills the air over downtown Packwood after a light snow in December 2021.

Packwood Improvement Club to host kid-friendly haunted house and ‘Witchy Ride’ event this weekend; local brewery offers ‘Spooktacular kid’s market’

With Halloween approaching next Thursday, many communities are gearing up with spooky events, and Packwood in East Lewis County is no exception. Several events are scheduled this weekend, … more

By The Chronicle staff | 10/25/24

Chehalis Mayor Tony Ketchum, back right, poses for a photo with Jordan Duncan’s Orin C. Smith Elementary School third grade class outside of the Lewis County Historical Museum during their “Chehalis Day” field trip on Thursday, Oct. 24. Duncan’s class went on the field trip around the students’ community, utilizing the Lewis County Public Transit public bus service to visit Vernetta Smith Chehalis Timberland Library, Sweet Inspirations, the Lewis County Historical Museum and West Side Park. See more photos from the field trip at chronline.com.

In focus: Elementary students enjoy ‘Chehalis Day’ field trip

10/25/24

Sarah Baker poses for a photo with her dog Skeptic, a 7-year-old cocker spaniel, at their home training facility in Centralia on Wednesday, Oct. 23.

Centralia dog trainer competes in world agility competition in Belgium

“Hard work, dedication and beast mode” is the motto Centralia resident and dog trainer Sarah Baker feels best represents her 7-year-old cocker spaniel, Skeptic. Those three … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 10/23/24

Joy Rails Inc., a rail bike company started by Ben Mowatt in Coquille, Oregon, in the spring of 2024, officially opened its second location in Chehalis in October, with its first excursions departing from the CCRM depot on Monday, Oct. 21.

Chehalis-Centralia Railroad and Museum announces lawsuit settlement, new rail bike excursions and plans to acquire new passenger car

The Chehalis-Centralia Railroad and Museum (CCRM) is “makin’ tracks” into 2025, announcing Sunday that it has partnered with Joy Rail Bikes for rail bike adventure tours on CCRM … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 10/23/24

Cascade Community Healthcare Chief of Inpatient Services Mindy Greenwood, right, and Evaluation and Treatment Center Nursing Manager Amy Walter pose for a photo inside what will soon be the 23-Hour Crisis Relief Center in Centralia on Tuesday, Oct. 22.

Cascade Community Healthcare to begin construction of 23-Hour Crisis Relief Center in Centralia

Cascade Community Healthcare will break ground on a $1.83 million project to renovate its Evaluation and Treatment Center in Centralia to include a 23-Hour Crisis Relief Center. Cascade hopes to … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 10/23/24

Radishes on display at the Community Farmers Market of Chehalis on Tuesday, June 4.

Milestone: All Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program benefit cards claimed in Thurston County

In an apparent first-time milestone, elderly adults in Thurston County claimed all of the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program benefit cards allotted for 2024, according to a news release from the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 10/23/24

The Thurston County Economic Development Council team races their casket to the finish line during the annual Boo-coda casket races in Bucoda on Saturday, Oct. 19.

Bucoda among top 100 Halloween destinations nationwide, according to survey

Though it is far from the top of the list of the 100 most popular Halloween destinations families are looking to visit nationwide, the small South Thurston County community of Bucoda appears to be … more

By The Chronicle staff | 10/23/24

Children's author and singer Eric Ode praises a student volunteer after wrapping him with a stuffed octopus as he performs at Orin C. Smith Elementary School in Chehalis on Tuesday, Oct. 22.

In focus: Children’s authors entertain Chehalis elementary students

10/23/24

From left: Centralia City Councilor Sarah Althauser, Kenza Abtouche, Lewis County Historical Museum Executive Director Jason Mattson, CDA members Edna Fund and Jan Nontell, and CDA Executive Director MacKenzie McGee pose for a picture with the new plaque at Centralia City Hall on Tuesday, March 12.

Centralia Downtown Association honored for Purposeful Promotion and Exceptional Volunteer at state Main Street conference

The Centralia Downtown Association (CDA) was awarded a special recognition for Purposeful Promotion for their eﬀorts in organizing Centralia's Founder's Day event and collaborating with the City Of … more

By The Chronicle staff | 10/22/24

Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders celebrates as his team pushes their casket across the finish line during the annual Boo-coda casket races in Bucoda on Saturday, Oct. 19.

Hundreds attend Boo-coda Casket Races

While the 2024 Boo-coda Spook-tacular Casket Races didn’t have the speed or star-power of last weekend’s Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix, hundreds of people still descended on Boo-coda — … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 10/21/24

Brody Hamilton poses for a photo with his sister Leah Hamilton, left, and cousin Payton Reaves during a fundraiser at Jester Auto Museum and Event Center in Chehalis on Saturday, Oct. 19.

Fundraiser for Onalaska boy battling brain cancer raises over $28,000

Roughly 150 community members who attended a fundraiser benefiting Brody Hamilton, a boy from Onalaska who is currently battling brain cancer, raised at least $28,000 on Saturday, Oct. 19. … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 10/21/24

Fredrick Brock, 4, of Chehalis, smiles as he receives candy while dressed as Loki during a Trunks with Treats event at the Veterans Memorial Museum on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023.

Veterans Memorial Museum prepares to host fifth annual Trunks with Treats event on Oct. 30

Last year, approximately 2,800 people attended the Veterans Memorial Museum’s annual Trunks with Treats event. The Chehalis museum is gearing up to host it once again as the fifth annual Trunks … more

By The Chronicle staff | 10/21/24

In focus: ‘Witches’ gather for a morning view of Mount St. Helens

The Tilikum Dragons, which describe themselves as "a women’s dragonboat team committed to being a positive influence on each other and our community,” dressed as witches and paddled onto … more

10/21/24

Retired U.S. Navy Senior Chief Kevin Day talks about his time aboard the USS Princeton in 2004 when the now-famous "Tic Tac" object was observed by Navy pilots during the Chehalis Flying Saucer Party on Saturday, Sept. 14, at McFiler's Chehalis Theater.

In Washington state, a hot spot for UFO sightings, people still want to believe: 'I'm not the only one seeing and experiencing these things'

In Washington, Bigfoot rules the forest. But the skies? That's for the little green men. In 2007, Yakima resident Troy Hampton-Peterson was looking at the stars outside Moses Lake when he and a … more

By Lauren Girgis / The Seattle Times | 10/21/24

From the left, members of the Martinez-Torrecillas family Juan Martinez Sr., Lizeth Torrecillas, Yeira Martinez, Juan Martinez Jr. and Alicia Martinez pose for a photo after the grand opening and ribbon cutting for the family's new business JJ's Sports Bar on Friday, Oct. 18, in downtown Centralia.

In focus: A grand opening for JJ’s Sports Bar in Centralia

The Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce hosted a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for JJ's Sports Bar on Friday, Oct. 18, in downtown Centralia. Located at 537 N. Tower Ave. at the … more

10/21/24

From the left, Avonlee, Ronan, Declan, Abigail and Saylor Giese pose for a photo during the Thorbeckes Pumpkin Splash Party event at the Centralia Thorbeckes on Saturday, Oct. 19.

In focus: Thorbeckes throws Pumpkin Splash Party in Centralia

The Thorbeckes Pumpkin Splash Party event was hosted at the wellness center's pool in Centralia on Saturday, Oct. 19. The event offered attendees an opportunity to swim with gourds and pick one … more

10/21/24

From the left, Doug Lee Gardner, Max Stanaford and Steve Avalon Gardner celebrate winning the audience choice Orbie during the 2nd annual Northwest Flying Saucer Film Fest at McFiler's Chehalis Theater on Friday, Sept. 13 for the short film titled Regoob.

In Washington state, a hot spot for UFO sightings, people still want to believe

In Washington, Bigfoot rules the forest. But the skies? That's for the little green men. In 2007, Yakima resident Troy Hampton-Peterson was looking at the stars outside Moses Lake when he and a … more

Lauren Girgis / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 10/20/24

The new location of the Mountain View Timberland Library is pictured in Randle on Wednesday, Oct. 16.

Mountain View Timberland Library in Randle to host ‘grand closing’ on Nov. 16 ahead of move to new building

Mountain View Timberland Library in Randle will host a “grand closing” event for its current library building on Nov. 16 ahead of the library’s move to its new location at 10111 … more

By The Chronicle staff | 10/18/24