The Daily Chronicle

Sara Riley said she found Camo locked in a small kennel in Sergeant Tyler Randt-Williams' yard, and it didn’t take her long to notice that Camo was severely underweight and had multiple new scars on his face, which didn’t line up with the drug-tracking work he was supposed to be doing.

Quiet Departure of Morton K9 Leads to Claims of Abuse

After going two years with no contact from the Morton Police Department about K9 Camo, the beloved Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd mix she donated to the department, Sara Riley says she got an … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 7/30/21 | 1 comment

A notice is displayed inside the Lewis County Mall requiring face masks in Chehalis.

Nobody’s Happy About New Masking Recommendations

Nobody is happy about Washington’s new mask recommendations. This week, the exasperation of the governor and health officials with those refusing to get vaccinated against COVID-19 was … more

By Claudia Yaw / cyaw@chronline.com | 7/30/21 | 1 comment

Mount Rainier is pictured beyond Mineral Lake.

Public Can Comment on Mount Rainier Air Tours

The National Park Service and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are working to manage how and when air tours occur over Mount Rainier to preserve the character and visitor experience on the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/30/21

The entrance of the South Sound VA Clinic in the Lewis County Mall is pictured on Thursday.

Chehalis VA Clinic to Close in October

As many as 3,500 local veterans may soon have to make the trek to Olympia for health care, as the South Sound VA Clinic in the Lewis County Mall prepares to close this October. Clients will be … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/30/21

Community members gather in the Boistfort School’s gymnasium for a Veterans Day assembly in this Nov. 10, 2016 file photo.

Boistfort High School Classes of 1970 and 1971 50th Reunions

At noon on Aug. 8, at the Boistfort High School gymnasium/lunchroom at 983 Boistfort Rd. in Curtis, the Boistfort alumni association will host its annual Boistfort alumni potluck to celebrate the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/30/21

Beverly York smiles and poses for a photo in front of the Borst Park Pioneer Church Monday in Centralia.

Bagpipes Coming to Borst Park Thanks to Friendship Between Local History Buffs

If Beverly York was suddenly transported to the 1870s, her hobbies would not reveal her as a time traveler, though her bagpipe playing might draw some attention. But the rest of York’s list … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronline.com | 7/30/21

Centralia College student Tony Messineo gives his award-winning speech “An American Hero” during the second-annual community college Statewide Inspirational Speech Championship, of which he took the top prize.

Centralia College Student Earns State Championship in Second College Speech Contest

Tony Messineo, a Centralia College student and Pierce County Sheriff’s Department lieutenant, was named grand champion of the second-annual Statewide Inspirational Speech Championship. The … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/30/21

Sirens: Arrest After Hit-and-Run Crash; Assault; Artifacts Stolen; Attempted Car Prowl

CHEHALIS POLICE DEPARTMENT Crashes • Minor injuries were reported after a three-vehicle collision at the intersection of North Hampe Way and North National Avenue just after 1:05 p.m. on … more

7/30/21

FILE PHOTO — Chehalis Fire Department engines are parked outside a temporary fire station in July 2020.

Multiple Fire, EMS Levies on Aug. 3 Primary Election Ballots in Lewis, Thurston Counties

Perused your ballot yet? There’s likely a bond or levy initiative on it to fund fire departments or emergency medical services. At least seven agencies in the Lewis County and south … more

By Emily Fitzgerald and Eric Rosane / The Chronicle | 7/30/21

Two candidates, Judi Costello, center, and Tom Shows, left, are challenging incumbent Mayor Joe Schey, who was appointed to finish former mayor Lois Wilson’s two-year term after she resigned in January 2020.

Meet the Three Candidates for Mayor of Vader

Three candidates are competing for the mayor's seat in Vader in the upcoming August primary election. Two candidates, Judi Costello and Tom Shows, are challenging incumbent Mayor Joe Schey, who … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 7/30/21

Al Soderquist, of RISE Lewis County, discusses the organization’s proposal to gather local mentors to work with individuals struggling on the poverty line.

RISE Lewis County Seeks Mentors to Lift Locals Out of Poverty

RISE Lewis County has a vision to get locals into stable housing. The anti-poverty organization wants middle-class residents to volunteer as mentors for those living on the poverty line, with the … more

By Claudia Yaw / cyaw@chronline.com | 7/30/21

From left, Curtis Haley, Thomas Trott and Mark Weaver.

Trio of Candidates Emerge in Race for Rochester School Board

Three candidates have emerged in the race to replace Rochester School Board member John Mortenson, who’s retiring after 26 years serving in the role. Firefighter Thomas Trott, real estate … more

By Eric Rosane / ericr@chronline.com | 7/30/21

The Poplar Tree Farm is pictured on Friday afternoon along state Route 6 on the outskirts of Chehalis.

Chehalis Site Renamed ‘Poplar Tree Farm’ After Concerns Over ‘Plantation,’ City Manager Says

A 250-acre irrigation project along state Route 6 that’s owned by the City of Chehalis has a new name, says City Manager Jill Anderson: poplar tree farm. Since its acquisition by the city … more

By Eric Rosane / ericr@chronline.com | 7/30/21 | 2 comments

A Lewis County Official Local Voters' Pamphlet sits on display in the Lewis County Courthouse in Chehalis.

Longtime Onalaska School Board Member Faces Two Challengers for At-Large Seat in Primary

Longtime Onalaska School Board member Mary Glenn will face two challengers this August in a bid to retain her at-large seat. Steve Legg, a supervisor at TransAlta Centralia, and Ben Sabin have … more

By Eric Rosane / ericr@chronline.com | 7/30/21

Lori Fast Resigns From Centralia School Board as First Term Nears End

Centralia School Board President Lori Fast announced her resignation Wednesday, citing plans to move out of the district just months before her first term comes to a close. Her resignation was … more

By Eric Rosane / ericr@chronline.com | 7/30/21

Riverside Fire Authority firefighters work to put out flames at a residential structure on East Third Street in Centralia on Thursday.

Woman Arrested for Arson After Allegedly Setting House on Fire in Centralia

The Riverside Fire Authority responded to a fully involved structure fire on East Third Street in Centralia Thursday, and Centralia police say a resident of the home is responsible for the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/30/21

Hit-and-Run Victim Follows Perpetrator After Collision Near Maytown, Helps Police Make Arrest

A white truck reportedly hit the side of another car Wednesday night on I-5 near Maytown, then quickly sped off — but the other car's driver stayed on his tail. Washington State Patrol was … more

Leo Brine / The Olympian | 7/29/21

Smoke fills the air around a damaged structure at Winlock Fibre following a fire early Wednesday morning.

‘Devastating to Our Community’: Winlock Fibre Mill Destroyed in Wednesday Blaze

Firefighters deemed the mill at Winlock Fibre LLC a total loss following an intense fire that broke out at the sawmill early Wednesday morning. The first units who arrived at the scene just … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/29/21

Brock Peterson, a 2002 W.F. West graduate, was paralyzed in a diving accident on July 3.

Fundraiser for Injured W.F. West Grad Brock Peterson Set for Aug. 21

A fundraiser is being held for Brock Peterson, a 2002 W.F. West graduate, who was injured in a diving accident in early July. Peterson, 37, was paralyzed from the chest down while swimming with … more

By Eric Trent / etrent@chronline.com | 7/29/21

Charlie Crisafulli sits on the log mat at Spirit Lake, while doing research. The logs are the remnants of an old growth forest that was once on the slopes of Mount St. Helens.

Mount St. Helens Ecologist Spent His Life Researching the Volcano; Science Is Reaping the Rewards

Charlie Crisafulli was a 22-year-old grad student when he caught a helicopter ride over the blast zone of Mount St. Helens, just a couple months after its eruption. What he saw below him was pure … more

By Michael Bendixen / Oregon Public Broadcasting | 7/29/21