Life | The Daily Chronicle

On Tuesday, June 23, Tara Chestnut visited the first responders from Pierce County Fire District 23 in Ashford to thank and honor them for their lifesaving efforts. She marked the fifth anniversary of her rescue by giving them a U.S. flag flown over the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C.

Conservationist crushed by boulder in 2021 thanks responders with flag from U.S. Capitol

Five years ago, Tara Chestnut was working as the Mount Rainier National Park wildlife program manager, collaborating with the nonprofit Cascade Carnivores Project to monitor the Cascade red fox … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 6/26/26

This 1926 to 1928 photo shows a logging train near Anderson Lake, which is located roughly 1 mile northwest of the tracks shown in this photo. That train would gather the cars from logging sites and transport them to the incline where the cars were let down the hill one at a time. There, another engine would pick them up at the bottom and transport them to the National Mill or the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific railroad. Norman and Marie Christen Johnson lived in the logging camp from 1924 to 1930 where Norman was a timber cruiser. Hi job was to estimate the volume of timber before it was cut. To Johnson daughters, Gladys and Norma, were reared on the mountain until the family moved to Tacoma. A chicken wire fence kept the girls from wandering around the camp or getting on the railroad tracks. Two other children, Richard and Julia, were born to the Johnsons after they left the mountain. Richard followed in his father's footsteps and became a timber cruiser with the Randle District of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

A Look Back in Time: Centralia teen arrested for breaking curfew; Australian senator opens rabbit farm; Chehalis Kraft Foods earns award

In this installment of A Look Back in Time, the Wednesday, June 27, 1956, edition of The Chronicle featured a story about a 14-year-old getting arrested for breaking a curfew, which was in effect for … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 6/26/26

Abbarno recognized as ‘Champion for Children’ by Family Education and Support Services

State Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Chehalis, was recently honored as a Champion for Children by the Family Education and Support Services (FESS) organization during a special recognition ceremony at the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/26/26

Mount St. Helens begins to turn pink in the alpenglow at sunset on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, as seen from Jackson Highway northeast of Toledo near the South Lewis County Airport.

Mount St. Helens Institute offers series of stewardship events

The Mount St. Helens Institute is providing opportunities this summer for community members to support a healthy ecosystem at the National Volcanic Monument, the institute announced in a news … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/26/26

People browse the firework stands off of Anderson Road Southwest on Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation on Saturday, June 28, 2025.

Fireworks stands opening in Lewis County as sales already underway in Oakville

While a plethora of fireworks shows are planned throughout the region for the upcoming Independence Day holiday, fireworks stands are also opening this weekend in Lewis County for those looking to … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/26/26

Lewis County officials and others involved in the construction of the North Military Road Substation pose for a photo after an energization ceremony on Tuesday, June 23, in Winlock.

Lewis County PUD energizes new substation in Winlock

As a Lewis County Public Utility District (PUD) staff member pulled a lever, electrical pylons shifted into place and the utility's latest creation came to life. “It’s alive!” Dr. … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 6/24/26

Meet Toledo’s Tom Todd: An artist, forager and avid cyclist

How would one define a self-actualized person with a heightened curiosity who purposefully engages in self-paced activities to connect with nature, memories and a creative spirit? As an … more

By Lyn Craig / For The Chronicle | 6/24/26

The W.F. West equestrian team poses for a photo with Lewis County commissioners at the Lewis County Courthouse in Chehalis on Tuesday, June 23. The team won the medium high school point award at the Washington High School Equestrian Team state meet in Moses Lake.

In Focus: Lewis County commissioners honor state champs

6/24/26

A fresh dusting of snow blankets Mount Rainier in the distance on Saturday, Nov. 8, as a 1967 Aero Commander 100 and a 1973 Piper PA-28R-200, in the foreground, sit parked next to each other on the runway apron at the South Lewis County Airport near Toledo.

Public invited to Commercial Aviation Work Group meeting at Centralia College July 8

The state Commercial Aviation Work Group, which evaluates Washington’s future needs for commercial aviation and transportation, will host a hybrid public meeting from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/24/26

Lewis County to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary

The Lewis County Board of Commissioners is inviting the public to join in a celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 7, at the Lewis County Courthouse in Chehalis. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/24/26

Centralia’s Three Rivers Care earns 2026 AHCA/NCAL Bronze National Quality Award

Three Rivers Care has been recognized as a 2026 recipient of the Bronze Commitment to Quality Award by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) for its … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/24/26

Members of the Chehalis and Centralia school districts join Gesa Credit Union officials in celebrating the new W.F. West and Centralia High School Affinity Debit Cards and the company’s financial contributions to the districts.

Gesa Credit Union launches W.F. West and Centralia High School Affinity Debit Cards, creates local scholarship fund

Gesa Credit Union has recently announced the launch of new W.F. West and Centralia High School Affinity Debit Cards, now available to Gesa members in Southwest Washington. The Affinity Debit … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/24/26

Attendees gaze up as fireworks burst on Friday, July 4, during the Red, White and Boom Fireworks Show at the Vader Pre-K property on D Street.

Fireworks, fun runs, time capsules and more: Thurston and Lewis counties serve up patriotic events for Independence Day

With Independence Day just around the corner on Saturday, July 4, Thurston and Lewis county communities are preparing to host their annual patriotic celebrations — which, this year, are also a part … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 6/24/26

The Tenino Quarry Pool opens for the season on Saturday.

Tenino Family Day, America250 celebration and Quarry Pool opening is Saturday

The City of Tenino has announced a day of community festivities on Saturday, June 27. Residents and visitors alike are invited to celebrate Tenino Family Fun Day, the America 250 Celebration and … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/24/26

Southwest Pacific Avenue in Chehalis, one of the roads used to access the Lewis County Gospel Mission, is closed due to flooding on Tuesday, Dec. 9.

Awesome Ford in Chehalis to host community flood preparedness event

Awesome Ford in Chehalis has announced it will be partnering with Team Rubicon to hold a flood preparedness community event at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 2. The event is free to attend and geared … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/24/26

Mel Skahan, Yakama Nation member and Indigenous Bigfoot researcher, tells Legends of the Mountains Townhall attendees he believes Sasquatch have a communication network and remember people they observe on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at Longmire Springs Brewing in Packwood.

Focus on Sasquatch: Longmire Springs Brewing to host Legends of the Mountains 2 in Packwood

Whether you believe Sasquatch stalks the remote forests in the region or you’re a skeptic who thinks it's all a hoax, Longmire Springs Brewing is hosting Legends of the Mountains 2 this weekend in … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 6/24/26

Andrew Shanrock throws a pitch during a Thurston County Adult Baseball League game between the Salamanders and the Outlaws at Wheeler Field in Centralia on Tuesday, June 23.

Thurston County Adult Baseball League growing

DeVonte Ford had an epiphany while spending vacation time with his wife in Hawaii in December 2024. He missed playing baseball back home in Thurston County. Ford, a 2015 Timberline High … more

By Dylan Reubenking / dylan@thurstonchronicle.com | 6/24/26

Jeannie Gluck, co-owner of 86’d Reserve, poses in front of a sign for her business in this photo provided by the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce.

86’d Reserved to celebrate opening in downtown Centralia

86’d Reserved, a unique entertainment and gathering venue located at 201 S. Pearl St. in Centralia, will celebrate its official opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, June 26, at 5:30 … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/24/26

Volunteers assemble The Wall That Heals, a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., at Chambers Prairie Elementary School in Lacey on Wednesday, June 24.

‘The Wall That Heals’: Nation’s largest Vietnam Veterans Memorial replica arrives in Thurston County

The City of Lacey welcomed “The Wall That Heals,” the nation’s largest replica of the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, June 23. The Wall That Heals travels … more

By Thurston Chronicle staff | 6/24/26

Graduates sit on stage during the Pe Ell High School class of 2026 graduation ceremony at Pe Ell School on Friday, June 12.

Pe Ell School Second Semester Honor Roll

Following are members of Pe Ell School’s second semester honor roll. The lists were provided by the Pe Ell School District. The following students received a GPA of 4.0 for the second … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/24/26