Life | The Daily Chronicle

The Capital Lakefair royalty perform a number on their float during the Capital Lakefair Parade in Olympia on Saturday, July 19, 2025.

Capital Lakefair celebrates its 69th year as Olympia’s premier summer festival

Capital Lakefair returns this week for the 69th year, bringing a variety of summer fun and family friendly activities to Olympia’s Heritage Park. Lakefair kicks off Wednesday, July 15, … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@thurstonchronicle.com | 7/15/26

Owner Callie Carpenter, middle, Alex Carpenter and Callie’s son Levi Shankster pose for a photo at Espresso! by Pacific Northwest Cookie Co. in Chehalis on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. Espresso is located at 272 N. Market Blvd.

PNW Cookie Company hosting ‘cookie block party’ with free cookies at Chehalis espresso stand on Saturday

This Saturday, July 18, the Pacific Northwest Cookie Company’s Espresso! Coffee Stand will host a “cookie block party” starting at 7 p.m., according to a Facebook post by the local business. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/15/26

Onalaska High School is pictured on Tuesday, July 14.

Onalaska School District shifting to four-day school week this year

The Onalaska School District will begin its first four-day school week next month in a shift district leaders hope will lower costs, improve staff retention and reduce burnout. Onalaska joins Pe … more

By Jacob Farmer / jfarmer@chronline.com | 7/15/26

The ouside of the Fox Theatre is pictured in Centralia on Monday, March 2.

Centralia Council will wait for more answers before final Fox Theatre decision

The Centralia City Council is not ready to grant a funding request for continued work on the Fox Theatre. The council plans to revisit the request from the Fox Theatre Board during its budget … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 7/15/26

Owner Miriam Bagwell and her son, Jaz Aguilar, cut the ribbon during a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce at the Jaz Man Enrichment Center in Onalaska on Tuesday, July 14. Also featured in the photo are collaborative artists, from the left, Mark George, James Howard and Lenora Penfold.

In Focus: Owners celebrate opening of Jaz Man Enrichment Center in Onalaska

7/15/26

Violinist Ranger Sciacca leads an improv workshop during Pickersfest at the Oakview Grange in Centralia on Saturday, Aug. 2.

WAMA Pickersfest returns to Centralia for three days of music, camping and community

The Washington Acoustic Music Association (WAMA) will host the 2026 WAMA Pickersfest from July 31 through Aug. 2 at the historic Oakview Grange in Centralia, bringing together nationally recognized … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/15/26

Providence Centralia Hospital is located at 914 South Scheuber Road in Centralia.

Arbor Health, Providence Centralia earn WSHA’s 2026 Critical Access Hospital Achievement of Excellence

On June 29, the Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA) honored 35 rural hospitals with its 2026 Critical Access Hospital Achievement of Excellence distinction for their outstanding quality … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/15/26

Washington State Fair tickets available at early bird rates

Through July 31, guests can purchase early bird admission tickets for the 2026 Washington State Fair online at the lowest prices available before the fair opens Sept. 4. The Washington State … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/15/26

In Focus: Young local climber, 5, conquers Mount Ellinor with father and grandfather

Joseph Plahuta, a local 5-year-old boy, recently summited Mount Ellinor. Along with his paternal grandfather and father, Joseph went on his first Olympics mountain hike on a recent Friday. Mount … more

7/15/26

The former longtime home of Anderson's True Value, 220 N. Tower Ave. in Centralia, is pictured on Wednesday, July 15. Dawn’s Delectables plans to move into the space by early September.

Dawn’s Delectables to relocate to new downtown location

Dawn’s Delectables Dessert & Sandwich Shoppe has announced plans to relocate in downtown Centralia. The business will move into the former Anderson’s True Value building at the opposite … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/15/26

Lewis County forum to bring together residents on senior citizen housing

The Lewis-Mason-Thurston Area Agency on Aging (LMTAAA) will host a community-wide forum on senior housing in Lewis County on Aug. 19. Residents 60 and older are Lewis County’s largest age … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/15/26

Repurpose materials for Upcycled Art Contest at Southwest Washington Fair

Residents will have a chance to demonstrate how everyday items can become unique, useful and beautiful creations in the first-ever Upcycled Art Contest at this year’s Southwest Washington Fair. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/15/26

Funtime Festival royalty drives by on a float during the parade in Napavine on Saturday, July 19, 2025.

Car show, parade and more: Napavine Funtime Festival returns for 2026

The Napavine Funtime Festival is returning this year, with the festival and activities beginning at 9 a.m. July 18. The festival will have children’s games, a bounce house, face … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/15/26

Attendees listen as Billy Gilman performs for Chehalis Music in the Park at Recreation Park on Friday, July 18, 2025.

Chehalis Music in the Park series begins Friday with ZZ Top tribute band

The annual Chehalis Music in the Park series begins with the first free concert of the year on Friday. The concerts will be held July 17, July 24 and and July 31 at Recreation Park next to Penny … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/15/26

Stephanie Langner signals to pilot Jason Moorehead at High Rock Lookout in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest on Wednesday, July 8.

Volunteers rally to repair High Rock Lookout after devastating vandalism

Don Allen was about to drive home from work when his phone began buzzing with messages. His screen filled with images of broken windows, shattered glass, and a bludgeoned door. There had been a … more

By Ian McCluskey / Oregon Public Broadcasting | 7/13/26

The Department of Peace, a Centralia-based band, performs at the 2019 Music on the Hill event at the Seminary Hill Natural Area.

‘Music on the Hill’ returning this Saturday, July 18, to the Seminary Hill Natural Area

Enjoy music under a beautiful canopy of trees at this Saturday’s Music on the Hill event at the Seminary Hill Natural Area on Saturday morning, July 18. Music at this ninth (almost annual) … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/13/26

Lewis County Rodeo Queen Kylee Smith waves to attendees during the Centralia Summerfest parade on Saturday, July 4.

Applications for 2027 Lewis County Rodeo Court close July 27

The applications for 2027 Lewis County Rodeo Court close July 27. Members of the Lewis County Rodeo Court serve as representatives of the Lewis County Rodeo at rodeos, parades, community events, … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/13/26

A cheese and dairy themed Mini Cooper drives through town during the Toledo Cheese Days parade on Saturday, July 11.

In Focus: Toledo holds parade ‘for the love of country and cheese’

7/13/26

Sharon Grange to hold farmers market in Oakville

Sharon Grange No. 800 has announced it will host a farmers market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 18. There will be additional markets Aug. 15 and Sept. 19, according to event organizers. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/13/26

Bailey Mounts leads her cow during the intermediate runner-up competition at the Thurston County Fair in Lacey on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.

‘Community, Culture, and Carnival Rides’: The Thurston County Fair returns July 30 to Aug. 2

Gather the family, prep your entries, and get ready for a weekend packed with community spirit! The highly anticipated Thurston County Fair officially returns to the Fairgrounds and Event Center from … more

By Thurston Chronicle staff | 7/13/26