Life | The Daily Chronicle

The Bezos Academy section of the United Learning Center in downtown Centralia is pictured on Thursday night, March 5, as construction continues.

Tuition-free Bezos Academy Centralia accepting applications for 2026-27 school year

Bezos Academy Centralia — the soon-to-launch, tuition-free preschool located in the United Learning Center of Lewis County — is now accepting applications for the 2026-27 school year. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/6/26

Centralia Prevention Coalition to host town hall to inform about substance use risks

The Centralia Prevention Coalition will hold a town hall meeting for area families of older students on March 19 at Centralia High School. The night is intended for families of teenagers, but … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/6/26

Dmitri Matheny, an American flugelhornist based in Centralia since 2014, has been lauded as “one of the most emotionally expressive improvisers of his generation,” according to International Review of Music.

Jazz artist Dmitri Matheny and his band to play at The Juice Box in Centralia

By The Chronicle staff Jazz artist Dmitri Matheny and his band will appear at The Juice Box Public House in downtown Centralia from 8 to 10 p.m. on Friday, March 27. The performance, part … more

3/6/26

The W.F. West Cheer Team poses for a photo with Lewis County commissioners, from left, Lindsey Pollock, Sean Swope and Scott Brummer on Tuesday at the Lewis County Courthouse in Chehalis. The team recently secured two state championships — non-tumbling medium category and 2A/3A gameday large crown — following its state crown in 2025. More recently, the W.F. West Cheer Team excelled at the 2026 USA Spirit Nationals in Anaheim, California, Feb. 19-23. The team finished second in the nation in the “varsity show cheer intermediate non-tumbling medium” category. The Bearcats also finished third in the “game day fight song large” category and fifth in the “crowdleader large” finals. Additionally, they placed 14th in the “game day band chant large” category.

In Focus: State champs honored by Lewis County commissioners

3/6/26

Mike Morgan, co-op manager and one of the artists of Gallery 505, and Pat Caldwell, co-owner of the former Toledo Pharmacy, are shown here with pharmaceutical bottles to be part of the Community Collections show. The painting of the old pharmacy, which usually hangs in the Toledo Library, is by Toledo artist Janice Sutherland.

Gallery 505 in Toledo celebrates Community Collections

What do people collect? Pretty much anything. A Community Collections exhibition opened this month at Gallery 505 in Toledo as a means of connecting people through the interesting things … more

By Lyn Craig / For The Chronicle | 3/6/26

Walter Lewis, with the Chehalis Tribe, performs the awakening ceremony at Cedar Creek Corrections Center on Monday, March 2.

Cedar Creek Corrections Center raises authentic totem pole with ceremony

Those entering the Cedar Creek Corrections Center in South Thurston County will now be greeted by a totem pole carved, painted and awakened by indigenous inmates and their supporters and tasked with … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 3/4/26

A sign outside the lodge housing Golden Rule Odd Fellows and Trinity Rebekah Lodge. The building was opened in 1904, nine years before Napavine incorporated as a city

Trinity Rebekah Lodge in Napavine to hold rummage sale

The Trinity Rebekah Lodge in Napavine will hold a rummage sale from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on March 20 and 21. Lunch is available by reservation. Friday will have hamburgers available, and Saturday … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/4/26

Lewis County gardening classes: grapes, blueberries and a new tool sharpening workshop

Lewis County Master Gardeners are offering a trio of hands‑on gardening classes this March, giving community members practical skills to prepare for the growing season. All sessions are free … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/4/26

Replicas of sasquatch's feet were available for purchase at the Mt Hood Big Foot Festival on Saturday, April 12th, 2025.

PNW Wilds: Outdoor enthusiasts and Bigfoot hunters alike invited to Chehalis festival

Whether someone’s a rockhound searching for rare gems, minerals or fossils, a forager exploring for mushrooms, a beachcomber looking for rare shells or a paranormal investigator on the lookout for … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/4/26

Andrew Christensen, president and owner of Construct, Inc., talks to a Chronicle reporter at the Fox Theatre in Centralia on Monday, March 2.

Historic Fox Theatre needs up to $1.5M to complete restoration effort

As the Historic Centralia Fox Theatre Board of Directors seeks community financial investment to continue the restoration of the historic theater, The Chronicle took a tour of the roughly … more

By Dylan Reubenking / dylanr@chronline.com | 3/4/26

Centralia College to hold free ‘The Trees are Speaking’ lecture featuring award-winning writer

Centralia College is hosting a free lecture with award-winning environmental journalist and author Lynda V. Mapes on March 12, according to a news release. The lecture, titled “The Trees are … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/4/26

Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce to hold sports and tourism forum

The Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce will host its first quarterly Chamber Forum of 2026 on Thursday, March 12, highlighting the significant impact of sports tourism in Lewis County, according … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/4/26

The Lewis County Health Building in Chehalis on Thursday, June 27, 2024.

Lewis County food establishment inspection scores from February

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

3/4/26

Jordan McEachern of United Way of Thurston County serves pizza at a Homeless Connect event at Sergio's Place in Olympia on Friday, Jan. 30.

United Way of Thurston County to close March 31 after 90 years

After 90 years of serving the Thurston County area, United Way of Thurston County will close its doors at the end of the month. The nonprofit announced the impending closure on Tuesday, March 3. … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@thurstonchronicle.com | 3/4/26

David Sexsmith wins Lewis County Chapter of Washington State Music Teachers Association’s annual play-off competition

David Sexsmith won the Lewis County Chapter of Washington State Music Teachers Association’s annual play-off competition last week at the Chehalis Seventh-Day Adventist Church, according to a news … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/4/26

A member of the Washington Department of Corrections Honor Guard hands an American flag to a Washington National Guard Soldier during an interment ceremony at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent on Friday, Feb. 27.

In Focus: A dignified farewell for veterans: Lewis County coroner leads interment effort for unclaimed remains

An interment ceremony was held at Tahoma National Cemetery for the unclaimed remains of veterans who died in Lewis County on Friday, Feb. 27. A procession departed the Veterans Memorial Museum … more

Otto Rabe / otto@chronline.com | 3/2/26

Co-owner Angie Twining and Nicole Butler cut a ribbon during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Lewis County Coffee Co.’s The Dugout at the Chehalis Sports Complex on Friday, Feb. 27. “We felt this was a great opportunity to grow Lewis County Coffee in a way that also supports the community,” Lewis County Coffee Co. owner Sam Magnuson said prior to the event, which was hosted by the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce. “The Dugout will offer traditional concession foods with an LC Coffee twist.” Magnuson said The Dugout, located at 351 13th St., Chehalis, will feature a curated selection of coffee drinks, energy beverages and single-scoop ice cream from LC Creamery. Magnuson added that The Dugout will be a welcome addition for both visiting teams and families attending tournaments, as well as local residents who regularly use the sports complex.

In Focus: Lewis County Coffee Co. introduces ‘The Dugout’ in Chehalis

3/2/26

Photo of Boistfort High School Class 1918-19. Bottom row: Richard Noback, Roy Harris, Hugh Morgan, Alfred Mathews, W.P. Mathews (principal), Otto Hill, Harold Hubbard, Veva Sweany (carpenter), Elizabeth Reynolds Sullivan, Dorothy Anderson, Mary Roundtree Towne. Middle row: George Taylor, Lewis Duncan, Zilpha Duncan Harwood, Marjorie Hutcheson, Helen Roundtree Meyers, Irma Johnson, Bernice Roundtree Livingstone, Mildred Tucker Duncan, Alma Buman, Ruth Smith, Jessie Cook, Katherine Roach Roundtree, Ethel Johnson (teacher) Mary Townsend (teacher). Top row: Walter Roundtree, Paul Hill, Pearley Duncan, Emil Schiminisky, Dorothy Keener, Anna Roach Wasson, G.H. Tucker (superintendent) Emma Kahout, Bernice Sweany Dawley, Gladys Detering Edwards, Ella Buman, Georgia Detering Toporke, Lois Miller Morgan.

Julie McDonald: Claquato family’s heritage and name passed on to descendants

Before Vermont native Lewis Davis settled west of Chehalis, the land known as Claquato — or high prairie — served as a burial ground for the Chehalis Tribe. And for 170 years, the Claquato … more

3/2/26

Fireworks burst in the sky during the finale of the 40th annual White Pass Ski Area Winter Carnival fireworks show at the East Lewis County ski resort on Saturday, Feb. 28.

Hundreds hit the slopes in East Lewis County for 40th annual White Pass Ski Area Winter Carnival

With hundreds of spectators surrounding the Day Lodge and hundreds more watching from the surrounding ski slopes and parking areas, White Pass Ski Area held its 40th annual Winter Carnival festival … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 3/2/26

U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez meets with 2024 Congressional Art Competition winner Sydney Lee Chrisopulos at the U.S. Capitol.

Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez announces 2026 Congressional Art Competition

U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, recently announced the start of the Congressional Art Competition for high school students who reside in Washington’s Third District. Ninth … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/2/26