Life | The Daily Chronicle

Riverside Fire Authority personnel set up a defibrillator in an attempt to shock Joshua Kuykendall's heart back into rhythm on the Wohld property on Monday, Aug. 18.

‘Power of prayer and faith in God’: Centralia boy returns home after ‘miracle’ recovery from sudden cardiac arrest

Family and friends of a local boy are breathing a sigh of relief this week after the young man made a seemingly miraculous recovery after a near death experience. On Monday, Aug. 18, 14-year-old … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 8/27/25

Sgt. Sean Collins smiles while in uniform.

Fundraiser to honor Sgt. Sean Collins with mural in Thurston County reaches goal

Yelm High School class of 2004 graduate Sgt. Sean Collins will soon be honored through a mural at local Yelm business Longshot as the fundraiser to raise $6,900 in order to complete the project has … more

By Jacob Dimond / For The Chronicle | 8/26/25

The extended Lenz family received the State Tree Farmer of the Year.

Grays Harbor County farm honored as Washington State Tree Farmer of the Year

In the nearly 120 years following Henry and Katherine purchasing a farm in the Wishkah Valley, the Lentz Family has built a legacy of growing vegetables, flowers, and trees and raising cattle. … more

By Andrea Watts / The Daily World | 8/26/25

A man walks his dog into the Timberland Veterinary Hospital located on U.S. Highway 12 just off Exit 68 on Interstate 5 on Thursday, Aug. 21.

Lewis County’s Timberland Veterinary Hospital now offering after hours weekend emergency care

For Lewis County pet owners, emergency medical care for their furry best friends often means having to drive an hour and a half or more to Olympia. That’s a nightmare situation for pet … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 8/25/25

In the front row from left, Centralia School District Superintendent Lisa Grant, Washington Elementary School Head Secretary Connie Dickey and Washington Elementary principal Danielle Vekich hold a ceremonial donation check alongside Lewis County Footsteps of Hope Board President Paula Burrows, Lewis County Footsteps of Hope board member Kami Baine and Wellpoint Washington community relations representative Chala Gray on Friday, Aug. 22, at Washington Elementary School. Standing behind them from the left are Market Street Ace Hardware employees Lucas Mullen and Eric Lampkin alongside Centralia School Board Director Deb Parnham and Centralia School Board President Tim Browning.

A cool gift for hungry students: Organization donates refrigerators for Lewis County Footsteps of Hope

Founded last December by Paula Burrows and several other community partners after Burrows helped start a food pantry program for students facing food insecurity in Toledo, Lewis County Footsteps of … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 8/25/25

Fairgoers walk along the Midway at the Southwest Washington Fair on Saturday, Aug. 16.

Southwest Washington Fair and Garlic Fest see small growth but uncertain revenue

After the Washington State Garlic Fest finished up its last day on Sunday and the Southwest Washington Fair wound down just a week earlier, two weeks of fun at the fairgrounds have officially come to … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 8/25/25

Rainier High School cheerleaders perform during the Rainier Round-Up Days Parade on Saturday, Aug. 23.

In focus: Round-Up Days Parade rolls through Rainier

8/25/25

Runners prepare to start at I-5 Toyota during the I-5 Toyota Back-to-School Dash in Chehalis on August 23, 2025.

In focus: I-5 Toyota raises money for scholarships at Back-to-School Dash

Runners took part in the I-5 Toyota Back-to-School Dash in Chehalis on Saturday, Aug. 23. I-5 Toyota hosts the Back-to-School Dash each year in August following the first race that took place in … more

8/25/25

Classic and custom cars line North Tower Avenue in front of Centralia's Historic Fox Theatre on Saturday, Aug. 23, during the Hub City Car Show.

Over 300 cars enter Centralia’s Hub City Car Show

While rainy weather deterred many from showing up last year, 308 entrants came out with their prized rides and project cars to the annual Hub City Car Show as the sun shined down in downtown … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 8/25/25

Kelso resident Chris Hart's tractor stalls out and lifts its front wheels off the ground at the end of this tractor pull run on Sunday, Aug 24, during the Olsen Field Progress Days festival in Ethel.

Locals gather in Ethel with their tractors for third annual Olsen Field Progress Days

Normally a sleepy little community nestled along U.S. Highway 12, Ethel was rife with the sounds of tractor motors this past weekend as 44 entrants from throughout the region brought their classic … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 8/25/25

Napavine High School senior Kaitlyn Aschenbrenner smiles as she receives her apprenticeship text book from Evergreen Rural Water of Washington apprenticeship supervisor Ernie Klimek after signing her apprenticeship contract alongside Napavine Public Works Department Director Bryan Morris inside the high school's library during an apprenticeship signing event on Thursday, Aug. 21.

Napavine, Onalaska high school seniors sign for trade apprenticeships

After Napavine High School senior Case Van Kooten signed a youth trade apprenticeship agreement with Walsh Trucking Co. back in May, two more Lewis County youths officially signed agreements and … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 8/22/25

Centralia author releases new disaster preparedness book

Steven Craig, a retired U.S. Coast Guard Reserve captain and Oakville postmaster, has released his latest book: “Disaster and Emergency Preparedness Checklist.” Drawing on over 38 … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/22/25

Dawn's Delectables Dessert & Sandwich Shoppe general manager Henry Wegener, left, shows employees how to fill out the restaurant's fridge and freezer temperature log during training in downtown Centralia on Thursday, July 21.

Dawn’s Delectables: Longtime downtown Centralia staple partially reopen, serving coffee and pastries

Having run Dawn’s Delectables Dessert & Sandwich Shoppe for more than a decade before closing it in March 2024 “to take a much-needed break and travel” and focus on her health, … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 8/22/25

Actors take the stage during the opening scene of ‘The Mystery of Chehalis’ at McFiler’s Chehalis Theater on Aug. 21, 2025.

Dandelion Creative Space children’s theater performs “The Mystery of Chehalis” at McFiler’s

With their homemade costumes and set pieces ready for the show, 15 Lewis County youths from ages 7 to 17, along with one additional high school volunteer, took to McFiler’s Chehalis … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 8/22/25

The Toledo City Council along with council meeting attendees listen to an AI-made video portrayal of Simon Plomondon explain revitalization projects proposed by the Greater Toledo Heritage and Horizons nonprofit during the council's regular meeting on Monday, Aug. 4, inside Toledo City Hall.

Toledo City Council: $2,700 raised ahead of memorial walk; Greater Toledo Heritage and Horizons proposals discussed; ADA-compliant parking space approved

Members of the Toledo City Council convened on Monday, Aug. 18, for their second regular meeting of the month at Toledo City Hall. Among the agenda items included an ordinance officially … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 8/22/25

In focus: Garlic Fest underway at Southwest Washington Fairgrounds

The Washington State Garlic Fest began Friday, Aug. 22, and will run through the weekend at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds. The theme of 2025’s Washington State Garlic Fest is … more

8/22/25

Cohen Creek, a barber at Toros Barbershop, cuts a students hair during the Back to School Supply Give-Away and Resource Fair in Centralia on Aug. 21, 2025.

In focus: Kids get haircuts, school supplies and more in Centralia

The Back to School Supply Give-Away and Resource Fair was held at the Northwest Sports Hub in Centralia on Thursday, Aug. 21. The event was organized by the Lewis County Youth Mentorship … more

8/22/25

Toni Newgard Sturdevant, wearing a nursing outfit, is pictured in a campaign to sell U.S. Savings Bonds. The United States by 1943 was in its second full year of World War II and rationing and fund drives like this one for the American Red Cross were becoming as much a part of everyday life as going to work or school. Five-year-old Toni Newgard posed for photos at what was the National Bank of Washington at the time of this photo. She may not have known much about the war effort at that time but she knew she was selling war bonds. She's the daughter of E.R. and Ruth Newgard. This photo and information was originally submitted by Toni Newgard Sturdevant for The Chronicle’s "Our Hometowns" books.

Bridge bids accepted in Twin Cities; WWII celebrations lead to arson; Southeast Asian refugees arrive in Lewis County

In this installment of A Look Back in Time, the Friday, Aug. 23, 1935, edition of The Chronicle featured a story about contracts being awarded for bridge construction work on six bridges around the … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 8/22/25

Anglers try their luck fishing in the Cowlitz River near Salkum during sunset on Sunday, Sept. 29.

Join Labor Day weekend float on Cowlitz River

Join the eighth annual Labor Day float on the Cowlitz River by launching kayaks, paddle boards or canoes at 11 a.m. Aug. 31 at the Castle Rock boat launch, 5040 West Side Hwy. near the high school. … more

The Daily News | 8/22/25

Gambler bets $1.76 on slot machine — then wins jackpot at Lucky Eagle Casino

A gambler turned a $1.76 bet into a big jackpot prize at a Washington casino. The player sat at a Big Hot Flaming Pots slot machine at the Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel in Rochester, the … more

By Helena Wegner / The Olympian (TNS) | 8/21/25