Life | The Daily Chronicle

Classical guitarist Curtis Johnson follows his lifelong passion in Lewis County

A classical guitarist living in rural Lewis County follows a lifelong passion in the formal music in which he was trained, while also adapting his performances to today’s interests in the types … more

By Lyn Craig / For The Chronicle | 12/1/25

$2,500: Centralia College Foundation’s funds are funneled toward textbook scholarships for students in need. Communities First Program lifetime donations to date total $7,500.

Fibre Federal Credit Union supports Centralia, Morton hospitals and Centralia College with multi-year commitment

Fibre Federal Credit Union is continuing its Communities First Program, a multi-year sponsorship for hospitals and community colleges within the 11 Washington and Oregon counties it serves, a news … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/1/25

Brian Mittge: At 90, ‘Messiah’ enthusiast still rejoicing in the music

This Saturday, a longstanding Twin Cities tradition will ring grandly when the “Sing-along Messiah” at the Chehalis Seventh-day Adventist Church tells the Old Testament prophesies of … more

12/1/25

Volunteers come together to sell baked goods and tools to raise funds for the MRC Tool Bucket Library in Centralia on Saturday, Oct. 11.

Lewis County Tool Bucket Library memberships available as gifts this holiday season

This year, the WSU Lewis County Master Recycler Composter Volunteers are asking community members to reduce waste and consider replacing their normal gifts with a year-long membership to the local … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/1/25

R.E. Bennett and Cascade Elementary Schools are seen from above in July 2021.

Christ the King Academy plans to preserve R.E. Bennett School

Christ the King Academy will present its third annual Talent Show and Dessert Auction Fundraiser on Friday, Dec. 5, at the historic R.E. Bennett School as part of its ongoing effort to purchase and … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/1/25

Snow covers Mount Rainier's peak as seen from U.S. Highway 12 on Sunday, Nov. 30, following fresh weekend snowfall.

In Focus: Mount Rainier ready for its closeup after recent snow

To submit photos to The Chronicle for possible publication, email images and details to news@chronline.com . more

12/1/25

"Silver Lake was so stunning today that I wanted to share a few photos with your readers." — Alan Kahn, Silver Lake Resort, Cowlitz County. Mount St. Helens is reflected in Silver Lake Sunday in these photos submitted by Kahn. To submit photos to The Chronicle, just email news@chronline.com.

Reader’s Lens: Mount St. Helens steals the show at Silver Lake Sunday

12/1/25

Lewis County Foster Parent Association President Sara Jones in the gift room around Christmas in 2023.

Lewis County Foster Parent Association collecting gift donations for children in need

The Lewis County Foster Parent Association (LCFPA) is once again teaming up with local businesses and organizations to collect gifts and monetary donations for foster, kinship and adoptive families … more

By Dylan Reubenking / dylanr@chronline.com | 12/1/25

Olympia Family Theater and String and Shadow Puppet Theater present ‘The Snow Queen’

Olympia Family Theater and String and Shadow Puppet Theater have partnered for a whimsical adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Snow Queen,” running Dec. 4 to Dec. 28. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 12/1/25

San Diego Air & Space Museum President and CEO Jim Kidrick is pictured at the International Air & Space Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Nov. 8.

Centralia grad inducted into International Air & Space Hall of Fame

San Diego Air & Space Museum President and CEO Jim Kidrick — originally born in Bremerton and raised in Centralia starting at age 10 — was inducted into the International Air & … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 12/1/25

The Sylvester Park tree lights up the park in downtown Olympia after a tree lighting ceremony on Sunday, Nov. 30. The tree lighting ceremony took a several-year hiatus in Olympia but returned this year with a visit from Santa and carols sung by The Silver Bell Quartet.

In Focus: Tree lighting kicks off holiday season in Olympia

12/1/25

"Train Dreams," a critically acclaimed movie streaming on Netflix, was filmed in Northeast Washington.

‘Train Dreams’ showcases northeast Washington’s landscape and talent

Northeast Washington might be considered a rugged, quiet place, but it is making noise as the setting for the critically acclaimed “Train Dreams” movie currently streaming on Netflix. … more

By Brandon Hansen / For The Chronicle | 12/1/25

Jamiah Wood as Sugar Plum Fairy and Wesley Wilhelmi as her Cavalier dance during a Nutcracker rehearsal in Centralia.

Centralia Ballet Academy’s “The Nutcracker” returns to Centralia and Shelton

The Centralia Ballet Academy’s annual production of “The Nutcracker” returns to Corbet Theater and Shelton High School for the holiday season. The dancers perform at Centralia … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 12/1/25

A horse rider holds the American flag at the Oakville Independence Day Parade on Saturday, July 5.

‘Small but mighty’: Showcase Oakville extolls virtues of small-town living

Despite her acclaimed writings, renowned 19th century author and poet Lydia Maria Child is perhaps best known to today’s audiences for her poem “Over the river and through the … more

By Jerry Knaak / The Daily World | 12/1/25

Hal Hamilton, left, is pictured in this 1946 photo with a champion dressed hen he presented at the Washington Junior Poultry Exposition in Seattle in early November of that year. With him, left to right, are Delbert Emerson, John Pettit and Keith Ely. The turkeys were from the Hamilton Meadows Farms then operating in Chehalis. Hal is the son of Ruby and Art. (Originally submitted by Andrea and Shawn Hamilton for Our Hometowns)

A Look Back in Time: 100 live turkeys given away in Centralia; Winlock team wins countywide spelling bee; car dealership safe broken into second time in just over a month

In this installment of A Look Back in Time, the Friday, Nov. 22, 1935, edition of The Chronicle featured a story about members of the Centralia Chamber of Commerce Retail Trade Committee preparing … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 11/21/25

A replica of the National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation car rolls through downtown Centralia as fake snow flurries during the Centralia Lighted Tractor parade on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023.

Downtown Centralia brings back ‘Name That Tune’ with 27 participating locations

The Centralia Downtown Association (CDA) has announced the return of Name That Tune, a holiday window display activity featuring 27 participating businesses, each interpreting a holiday classic … more

By The Chronicle staff | 11/21/25

Dr. Lori Sirs teaches the Intro to Behavioral Healthcare course on the evening of Tuesday, Nov. 18, at Centralia College

Centralia College program approved for exclusive state certification

Centralia College has been added to the list of training programs whose graduates can achieve behavioral health support specialist certification from the Washington state Department of Health, a … more

By The Chronicle staff | 11/21/25

Chehalis student artwork to be featured in White House display

Students from the Chehalis School District will have their artwork featured on the Washington state tree beside the National Christmas Tree in the White House and President’s Park in … more

By The Chronicle staff | 11/21/25

Centerville Western Stores owner Trish Hubbard cuts a ribbon in front of the new Baker’s Bargain Barn to celebrate 50 years of Centerville Western Stores in Centralia during a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, Nov. 19.

In Focus: Centerville Western Stores celebrates 50 years in business with ribbon-cutting ceremony

11/21/25

Mayor Kelly Smith Johnston welcomes Officer Cameron Pak to the Centralia Police Department during a Centralia City Council meeting at the Town Hall on Wednesday, Nov. 12.

Centralia to host city councilor welcome and farewell reception Dec. 1

The public is invited to join the City of Centralia in celebrating both new beginnings and meaningful farewells at a special reception from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec.1, at the Centralia Train Depot. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 11/21/25