Local News | The Daily Chronicle

Chief Andy Caldwell answers a question during the Centralia Police Department’s town hall at Centralia City Hall on Tuesday, July 29.

Centralia City Council considers increasing penalty for open alcohol container violations, adding criminal offenses for loitering

Possessing an open container of liquor in a public place could potentially be a misdemeanor offense in Centralia, as well as loitering for drug-related activity or near child-oriented locations. The … more

Dylan Reubenking / dylanr@chronline.com | 8/29/25

Program Manager Ross Amell, second from the right, speaks during a NAMI council meeting in Centralia on Tuesday, Aug. 26.

Lewis County NAMI chapter looks to expand reach in community

For about a quarter century, the Lewis County National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) chapter has supported community members affected by mental illness. The chapter, one of over 650 NAMI … more

Dylan Reubenking / dylanr@chronline.com | 8/29/25

Cub reporter Brian Mittge, complete with press pass in his hat, c. 2001, at his desk in then Chronicle "world headquarters" at 321 N. Pearl Street. The iMac used to write stories was then cutting-edge technology.

Brian Mittge: Farewell to the old newsroom — and long live the news

Today marks a major milestone for Lewis County’s hometown newspaper: a big move down the block to a new building for The Chronicle. CT Publishing, which bought The Chronicle’s business … more

Commentary by Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 8/29/25

Death notices: Aug. 30, 2025

• JOHN A. PRESLICKA SR ., 89, Onalaska, died Aug. 22 at his residence. Arrangements are under the care of Cattermole Funeral Home. • SAVANNA M. LOWTHER , 26, La Center, died Aug. 9 at … more

8/29/25

Sirens: Using counterfeit bills, work trailer’s license plate stolen, attempting to elude police, bicycle stolen

CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Arrests • Kelsie J. Flegel, 29, of Graham, was arrested and booked for attempting to elude a police vehicle; community custody violation; driving without a valid … more

8/29/25

Attendees of the Overdose Awareness Day event at Centralia Timberland Library smile as they walk through bubbles on Aug. 28, 2025.

In focus: Overdose Awareness Day event held at George Washington Park in Centralia

An Overdose Awareness Day event was held at George Washington Park in Centralia on Thursday, Aug. 28. “International Overdose Awareness Day is a global event held at the end of August … more

8/29/25

Rep. Peter Abbarno throws the first dirt pile during the groundbreaking ceremony at the site of the Lewis County Transit Hydrogen Production and Fueling Station on Bishop Road in Chehalis on Aug. 28, 2025.

Officials break ground on hydrogen facility in Chehalis

Lewis County Transit held a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday morning for the Port of Chehalis Hydrogen Production & Fueling Station, officially marking the start of construction on one of … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/29/25

Kelsie J. Flegel, 29, Graham, makes a video appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Thursday, Aug. 28.

Graham woman with three-year warrant arrested by Centralia police after allegedly fleeing during a traffic stop

Bail was set at $10,000 Thursday for a Graham woman arrested by Centralia police for a nearly three-year outstanding warrant. According to a press log from the Centralia Police Department, Kelsie J. … more

Jacob Farmer / jfarmer@chronline.com | 8/29/25

Natalia L. Baptiste, 38, Tacoma, makes a video appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Wednesday, Aug. 27.

Bail set at $10,000 for Tacoma woman accused of stealing nearly $800 worth of items from the Centralia Outlets

A Tacoma woman faces three felony charges after she and an accomplice allegedly stole $791.75 worth of items from three stores at the Centralia Outlets on Aug. 26. Natalia L. Baptiste, 38, faces one … more

8/29/25

Lewis County Commissioners Scott Brummer, Lindsey Pollock and Sean Swope read the meeting agenda during a Board of Commissioners business meeting at the Lewis County Courthouse in Chehalis on Tuesday, Aug. 5.

Pollock, Brummer say they are working to prevent new forestry rule from going into effect

As the development of a new state rule that could impact timber tax revenue moves forward, Lewis County commissioners have officially come out against the new rule over concerns with the rule-making … more

Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 8/29/25

Anne Marie Baker, 57, makes an appearance in Lewis County Superior Court in Chehalis on Thursday, Aug. 14. Baker is charged with 25 counts of first-degree theft and is accused of stealing $1.4 million from her former employer, Schwiesow Construction Inc. in Centralia, over the course of a decade.

Accused Centralia embezzler pleads not guilty to all 25 counts of felony theft

Anne Marie Baker, the 57-year-old Centralia woman accused of embezzling $1.4 million from a former employer over a seven-year period, pleaded not guilty to all 25 counts of felony theft in Lewis … more

By Jacob Farmer / jfarmer@chronline.com | 8/28/25

The entrance of Green Hill School in Chehalis on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024.

Conditions at Green Hill School in Chehalis violate state law, court rules

Conditions at the state’s largest juvenile prison — where young people have been locked in cells for hours and left to urinate in plastic bottles — violate state law, the Washington … more

By Lauren Girgis / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 8/28/25

Eric W. Getz, 35, California, makes a video appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Wednesday, Aug. 27.

Man accused of stealing beer, cigarettes arrested after allegedly spitting on police

A 35-year-old man was arrested Aug. 26 in Centralia after he allegedly stole two beers and a pack of cigarettes from the Apex II Food grocery store — and then ran from police and hid in the … more

By Jacob Farmer / jfarmer@chronline.com | 8/27/25

Pheasant pens and hatcheries at the Bob Oke Game Farm in Centralia on August 26, 2025.

Centralia mayor, councilors call for closure of WDFW-operated game farm

Although no official vote was taken, the Centralia City Council seemingly aligned with the opinion that the Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) should close the Bob Oke Game Farm, … more

By Dylan Reubenking / dylanr@chronline.com | 8/27/25

Pheasants in their pen on the southwestern edge of the Bob Oke Game Farm in Centralia on August 26, 2025.

At meeting, WDFW officials stop short of accepting full blame for nitrate contamination

At the most recent public update on the ongoing nitrate contamination affecting the water supply for a number of Centralia residents, Lewis County Commissioner Sean Swope called for the relocation of … more

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

Officials take record of the scorebook after the 2B District 4 Championship Game was postponed due to darkness in Centralia on Thursday, May 15. According to Centralia Deputy City Manager Amy Buckler, the field’s old lights had to be removed in 2023 because the wooden poles supporting them had started to rot away.

Borst Park Softball Complex to receive new stadium lights with $1M grant

The Centralia City Council approved a contract with the Washington state Recreation Conservation Office (RCO) to accept a $1,000,050 grant for replacement of the Borst Park Softball Complex stadium … more

By Dylan Reubenking / dylanr@chronline.com | 8/27/25

Visitors create marine sculptures at a recent clay pop-up at the Monarch Sculpture Park outside Tenino.

Artful seascape takes shape at Monarch Sculpture Park outside Tenino

Two ceramic artists with a deep love of community, art and the natural world have inspired creation of an artful rocky seascape brimming with lifelike marine life at a rural setting outside Tenino. … more

By Lyn Craig / For The Chronicle | 8/27/25

Sirens: Organized retail theft arrest; man spits in officer's face; home ransacked in burglary; possible animal abuse reported

CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Arrests • Jared S. Armitage, 21, of Centralia, was arrested at about 12:20 p.m. Aug. 25 and booked into the Chehalis Tribal Jail for fourth-degree assault, … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/27/25

‘Off and away’: New policy to limit cellphone use at Rainier’s middle and high schools

Students at Rainier Middle School and Rainier High School can expect new cellphone restrictions to start the school year. According to John Beckman, Rainier’s middle and high school … more

By Jacob Farmer / jfarmer@chronline.com | 8/27/25

Nathan Bartlow, a U.S. Air Force and Army veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, accepts the Rust or Shine Car Show director's choice award for his 1985 Ford Escort on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024, at the Veterans Memorial Museum in Chehalis.

Rust or Shine Car Show and Music Festival: Lewis County’s largest car show returns to Veterans Memorial Museum

While most traditional car shows focus on having completed project cars, the Rust or Shine Car Show and Music Festival also welcomes rusty rides alongside polished paint and chrome, as long as the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/27/25