Life | The Daily Chronicle

Remi, of Woodland, reels in a big rainbow trout during the 26th annual Merwin Day of Fishing for kids with disabilities on Saturday, July 11.

SW Washington fishing tradition reels in smiles for children with disabilities

More than 150 children with disabilities cast lines into the ponds at the Merwin Fish Hatchery on Saturday, July 11, as Pacific Power and the Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) … more

By Cade Barker / For The Chronicle | 7/13/26

The Hope Market/Salvation Army Food Bank in Centralia on Tuesday, Oct. 28.

The Salvation Army Centralia Corps appoints new leaders

Lieutenants Kevin and Alina Santamaria have been appointed to lead The Salvation Army Centralia Corps. The Centralia-based unit provides a hygiene facility with laundry services and showers, a … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/13/26

West Coast Self-Storage opens new Grand Mound facility

West Coast Self-Storage has opened a new self-storage facility in the Grand Mound area near Rochester, expanding storage options for local residents and businesses. Located at 5942 196th Ave. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/13/26

Tickets available for Tumwater Artesian Brewfest

The Tumwater Artesian Brewfest, brought to the community by Tumwater Parks & Recreation, the Tumwater Downtown Association and numerous sponsors, is returning for its 13th year. Hosted at … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/13/26

The Lewis County Health Building in Chehalis.

Food Establishment Inspection Scores from the Lewis County Public Health Department for June 2026

Editor’s Note: These are reports from health inspections in Lewis County between December 2025 and January of this year. Lewis County Public Health’s inspections happen at various intervals, so … more

7/13/26

$60,100 awarded to 21 local projects by Community Foundation of South Puget Sound

Neighbors across the region will soon see a boost in local connection, storytelling and civic participation, thanks to $60,100 in Project Connect: Civic Life & Belonging Grants awarded to 21 … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/13/26

Members of King Arthur’s royal court pose for a photo during the Centralia Fantasy Festival at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds on Saturday, July 11.

In Focus: Centralia Fantasy Festival at fairgrounds

7/13/26

Cyclists arrive at Centralia College during the Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic on Saturday, July 11.

In Focus: Thousands of cyclists ride through Twin Cities during annual Seattle to Portland Classic

7/13/26

Owner Lynelle Thomas is pictured along with her staff at Bella Nail Lounge in Chehalis in this photo provided by the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce.

Bella Nail Lounge celebrates Chehalis expansion with ribbon cutting

The Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce will welcome Bella Nail Lounge to downtown Chehalis with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at noon Friday, July 17, followed by a grand opening celebration from 6 … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/13/26

Juice Box to hold Holly Pyle Jazz Night with Dmitri Matheny Group

Los Angeles vocalist Holly Pyle will appear with the Dmitri Matheny Group from 8 to 10 p.m. at the Juice Box Public House on Friday, July 31. The first show in their summer tour, the Centralia … more

7/13/26

Cameron Jacobson's custom 1964 Chevrolet El Camino, on the left, and Jeff and Mandy Bensching's 1972 Chevrolet C10, both sit parked as memorials to their former owner — James Dwain ‘Jim’ Williams — on Saturday, July 11, during the Toledo Cheese Days Car Show at the Toledo Middle School.

Over 260 cars on display during Cheese Days Car Show: A ‘Rent-A-Racer’ Shelby Mustang, a zippy Toyota MR2 and some off-road survivors

A total of 260 entrants brought their custom, classic and even a few modern cars to the 26th Toledo Cheese Days Car Show on Saturday, July 11. Aside from the official entries, extra unofficial … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 7/13/26

From the left, Toledo Utilities Clerk Sarah Hazlett, Toledo Planning Commission member Kyle Wheeler and Toledo Mayor Cherie Devore pose after being pied for a Toledo Parks Board fundraiser during the Toledo Cheese Days Car Show on Saturday, July 11.

Toledo city officials take pies to the face for city park fundraiser event during Cheese Days

While the majority of the people at the Toledo Middle School on Saturday, July 11, were there to see the over 260 cars on display for the 26th annual Toledo Cheese Days Car Show, a few were there for … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 7/13/26

The inside of Longmire Springs Brewing in Packwood on Tuesday, Dec. 16.

Longmire Springs Brewing to host pet vaccine clinic and ‘Paint your Pet’ art class on Saturday

East Lewis County pet owners looking to save some gas traveling to a veterinarian for their pets’ vaccines will have the opportunity to get them taken care of this Saturday, July 18, at Longmire … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/13/26

Jason Moorehead delivers supplies to volunteers and members of Lewis County Search and Rescue at High Rock Lookout in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest on Wednesday, July 8.

Air support arrives after vandalism at High Rock Lookout

A helicopter swirled above the High Rock Lookout in view of Mount Rainier on Wednesday morning as volunteers awaited the precious loads it was delivering from below. The aircraft was delivering … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 7/10/26

‘It’s just total freedom’: At 77, Washington skydiver Jessie Farrington sees no need to quit

World skydiving champion Jessie Farrington of Shelton, who will be 77 in September, continues to skydive five or six times per week. Her love of family and sport have been central throughout her … more

By Lyn Craig / For The Chronicle | 7/10/26

These sandwiches are thrown to paradegoers during the 2025 Toledo Cheese Days parade on Saturday, July 12.

Extra ‘Big Cheeses’: Alan and Ardith Crawford joined by Olson family siblings to be honored during Toledo Cheese Days festival

While Alan and Ardith Crawford are indeed Big Cheeses for the 105th annual Toledo Cheese Days festival, it was recently brought to The Chronicle’s attention that there are an additional three Big … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 7/10/26

Businesses line North Tower Avenue on Thursday, July 24.

“Centralia’s Biggest Block Party:” North Tower Bash to be held July 24-26

Event organizers have announced the annual August Summer Bash will be rebranded this year to the North Tower Bash, taking place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 24-26 in Centralia. This is the fourth … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/10/26

Mary, left, and Bruce McDonald pose for a photo next to their Tree Farm of the Year sign at McDonald Tree Farm in Centralia on Tuesday, July 7.

Lewis County Tree Farm of the Year: Mary and Bruce McDonald

Deep in western Lewis County sits what looks like a standard, remote 40-acre Douglas fir tree farm. Tucked even further away in a small corner of that farm sits a forester's playground. A … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 7/10/26

A Look Back in Time: Chehalis gets Kelso Timber League team; Skippy the dog gives life to save family; Mossyrock resident carries out citizen’s arrest

In this installment of A Look Back in Time, the Saturday, July 10, 1926, edition of The Chronicle featured a story about Timber League baseball team Aberdeen Black Cats president Wallace Briggs … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 7/10/26

Attendees walk around the Fantasy Festival at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds on Saturday, July 12, 2025.

“A Family-Friendly Renaissance Festival:” Centralia Fantasy Festival is this weekend

The Centralia Fantasy Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 11, and Sunday, July 12. Organizers welcome attendees of all ages to step into a world of imagination filled … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/10/26