Local News | The Daily Chronicle

A Look Back in Time: Teens steal guitar, radio from Winlock home; Onalaska gets first female student body president; Centralia mother and children see strange light above Galvin

In this installment of A Look Back in Time, the Saturday, April 4, 1936, edition of The Chronicle featured a story about two teenagers being held in custody after admitting to breaking into a Winlock … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 4/4/26

Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad acquires Mineral warehouse property

The Western Forest Industries Museum, which operates the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad (MRSR) out of Elbe, recently announced the nonprofit organization has completed the purchase of a 3.6 acre parcel … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/4/26

W.F. West's Miles Martin (8), W.F. West's Peyton Santiago (53) and W.F. West's Connor Coleman (9) celebrate with the Swampman trophy after defeating Centralia 70-0 during the Swamp Cup at W.F. West High School on Friday, Oct. 17.

Swamp Cup put on pause as W.F. West, Centralia ADs issue joint statement

The last time the W.F. West and Centralia high school football teams didn’t face off, the United States was engaged in World War I and a gallon of milk cost around 35 cents. The year was 1918. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/4/26

Members of the Toledo City Council listen as Toledo resident Kyle Wheeler talks about why he wants to be appointed to a vacancy on the Toledo Planning Commission on Monday, Feb. 2, at Toledo City Hall.

Kyle Wheeler joins race for Lewis County commissioner

Lewis County will have a packed race for a single seat on the Lewis County Board of Commissioners this summer as a fourth candidate has announced their campaign. According to filing reports with … more

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

Copies of "Memories from Family Albums of School District #206," also known as the "Red Book," on a table inside the Mossyrock Community Center waiting to be purchased on Wednesday, April 1.

‘Red Book’ reprint released by Mossyrock Area Historical Society

Mossyrock Area Historical Society members and area residents filled the Mossyrock Community Center on Wednesday, April 1, for the release of the “Red Book” reprint, which was announced earlier … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 4/4/26

Aaron B. Grimm, 39, Winlock, makes a video appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Friday, Sept. 26.

Winlock man gets 40 years to life for sexually assaulting child

The Winlock man convicted of first-degree child rape and other felony offenses was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison Wednesday in Lewis County Superior Court. Aaron B. Grimm, 40, must … more

By Jacob Farmer / jfarmer@chronline.com | 4/4/26

Thurston County sheriff candidate Kevin Burton-Crow nationally recognized as ‘friend’ of animal care and control

The National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA) has awarded Thurston County Sheriff’s Office detective and sheriff candidate Kevin Burton-Crow with the 2026 Bill Lehman Award. The … more

By Thurston Chronicle staff | 4/4/26

‘Barricaded subject’ cause of five-hour shutdown of I-5 in Lewis County

A multi-agency pursuit that began in Mason County came to an end Thursday night in Lewis County after a Washington State Patrol (WSP) SWAT team removed a barricaded subject from inside her disabled … more

By Jacob Farmer / jfarmer@chronline.com | 4/3/26

First responders act out a mock crash to bring awareness to the consequences of impaired and distracted driving at Rochester High School on Thursday, April 2.

Rochester High School hosts mock crash to demonstrate dangers of unsafe driving

The West Thurston Regional Fire Authority and partnering agencies held a mock DUI crash at Rochester High School on Thursday to demonstrate the seriousness of distracted, impaired and reckless … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@thurstonchronicle.com | 4/2/26

From the left, Eastmont High School student Ahnaleigh Wilson, Tumwater High School student Frances Stuadt and W.F. West High School students Joy and Drees Cushman prepare to give public comment during a “listening session” with Republican state lawmakers concerning Initiative IL26-638 that would bar transgender athletes from competing in girls’ athletics at the Washington state Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 3.

Families at center of Washington transgender sports debate face-to-face with OSPI

Two months after Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal told The Center Square he would meet with two female athletes who’ve become the face of the effort to protects … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 4/2/26

The 2004 28-foot Almar Safety Boat “Harbor One," which was transferred from the Port of Olympia to the Thurston County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday, March 31, as part of an interlocal agreement for continuation of the Harbor Patrol program.

Thurston County Sheriff’s Office takes over Harbor Patrol

The Port of Olympia is giving its Harbor Patrol Program and two vessels to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO). On Tuesday, March 31, the Thurston County Board of Commissioners … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@thurstonchronicle.com | 4/2/26

Flanked by her husband Jerry, outgoing County Commissioner Vickie Raines listens as retirement party guests congratulate her on her career.

Grays Harbor Commissioner Vickie Raines gets community sendoff

Grays Harbor County Commissioner Vickie Raines received a standing-room-only community send-off upon her retirement from elected public service during an event at the county administration building … more

By Jerry Knaak / The Daily World | 4/2/26

Oakville Little League ballfields sporting upgrades

When the Oakville Little League has its first home game on April 21, visiting teams will see ballfields that have had a significant makeover since they played last year. New … more

By Andrea Watts / The Daily World | 4/2/26

Four Thurston County residents injured in two-vehicle collision in Grays Harbor County

Four Thurston County residents were injured in a two-vehicle collision on state Route 8 Wednesday morning, according to a news release from the Washington State Patrol. Troopers indicated the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/2/26

The podcast room is pictured at The Chronicle in Centralia on Tuesday, Dec. 2. The News Dump and Sports Dump are recorded weekly in the on-site studio.

News Dump Ep. 272: The councilman who never was

On the 272nd episode of The Chronicle News Dump, hosts Aaron VanTuyl and Editor-in-Chief Eric Schwartz discuss the appointment and subsequent disappointment of a Centralia city councilor, the piles … more

4/1/26

Paul Gropple, with the Skookumchuck Hatchery, throws a coho salmon into Gheer Creek after measuring the fish at Carlisle Lake in Onalaska on Tuesday, March 31. Onalaska Elementary School students gathered around the creek to watch the coho salmon and steelhead release.

Fish release marks ongoing success of Onalaska Aquaculture program

Students and teachers released nearly 100,000 young salmon and steelhead smolts into Gheer Creek from their net pens in Carlisle Lake in Onalaska this week. Local officials, state lawmakers and … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 4/1/26

Candidate for Centralia City Council District 1 seat Cameron Bluhm responds to questions from the Centralia City Council during a public interview in the council chambers on March 24.

Centralia City Council seat again open a week after new appointment

A spot on the Centralia City Council is open once again after council members ruled that the man they appointed to the position last week did not meet the qualifications. Members of the … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 4/1/26

Brothers Alexander M. Borgen, 16, of Lacey, and Deven J. Borgen, 17, of Rainier, are pictured.

Fundraiser aims to create memorial for Rainier’s Borgen brothers

It has been nearly five months since Rainier brothers Alexander Borgen, 16, and Deven Borgen, 17, were shot and killed in Lacey. The memory of the two teenagers lives on as Orion Watch: … more

By Jacob Dimond / For The Chronicle | 4/1/26

David W. Dupree, 55, Winlock, makes a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Tuesday, March 31. Dupree is currently serving a sentence at Cedar Creek Corrections Center in Littlerock.

Incarcerated Winlock man accused of violating protection orders months before release

An incarcerated Winlock man less than two months from his anticipated release allegedly violated multiple protection orders prohibiting him from contacting his ex-wife and children. David W. … more

By Jacob Farmer / jfarmer@chronline.com | 4/1/26

Shoppers look through aisles of books during the American Association of University Women Lewis County branch’s annual book sale at the Moose Lodge in Centralia on Thursday, March 26.

Lewis County AAUW book sale collects nearly $25,000 in proceeds

Having finished its 46th year of offering affordable used books to area residents, the Lewis County branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) has announced its annual book sale … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/1/26