Local News | The Daily Chronicle

Thurston County Sheriff’s Office: More neglected animals rescued by investigators

More neglected animals have been rescued from “extremely poor conditions,” the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office announced in a social media post on Friday. The animal … more

By Rolf Boone / The Olympian (TNS) | 8/18/25

Wyatt Whitaker walks with his Barn Buddy, his mom Cassandra Whitaker and a sheep during the first Barn Buddies event at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds on Thursday, Aug. 14.

Kids with disabilities get a moment to shine at the Southwest Washington Fair

Reliable Enterprises teamed up with a local 4-H group at the Southwest Washington Fair on Thursday to give a group of children with disabilities a chance to experience what it's like to show an … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob @chronline.com | 8/16/25

Washington State Patrol looks for driver involved in fatal I-5 hit and run in Thurston County

The Washington State Patrol is asking the public for help identifying a driver who’s accused of running over a pedestrian on southbound Interstate 5 in Olympia last month. The fatal hit … more

Martín Bilbao / The Olympian (TNS) | 8/16/25

At left, Mary Dowling, pictured in this 2006 Chronicle file photo, is the widow of the first Lewis County casualty of the Vietnam War, Robert Dowling. Robert received many medals for his service including from left in the foreground, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star Medal and the Air Medal. At right is a photo of Robert Dowling courtesy of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.

Tenino Gold Star widow fighting to be buried next to husband at JBLM has new evidence

A Vietnam War veteran’s widow and her family have uncovered a letter they say provides irrefutable evidence that she had a separate reserved plot next to her husband’s grave at the Camp … more

Julia Park / The News Tribune (TNS) | 8/16/25

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi testifies before the Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on June 25, 2025 in Washington, DC. The committee met to hear testimony to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2026 for the Department of Justice.

U.S. AG Pam Bondi tells Gov. Ferguson to drop Washington sanctuary policies — or else

U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi is putting Gov. Bob Ferguson on notice. In an Aug. 13 letter, the country’s chief law enforcement officer told Washington’s leader to commit … more

By Simone Carter / The Olympian (TNS) | 8/16/25

Morris Boyer, who owns a tree farm in Porter, provided testimony at the public hearing held on Aug. 12, for the Forest Practices Board’s proposed rule amendments to Type Np Water Buffer for Western Washington. In his closing remarks, he said, “Before you make a decision, I really hope you look at the science, and look at this closely, because this impacts real people that care about the land.”

Final public hearing for ‘no fish’ stream water buffers draws crowd in Olympia

Tuesday in Olympia, around 50 people attended the final hour public hearing for the Forest Practices Board’s proposed rule amendments to Type Np Water Buffer (no fish) for Western Washington. … more

By Andrea Watts / The Daily World | 8/16/25

Paul P. Patterson, 41, Tacoma, makes a video appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Friday, Aug. 15.

Combined $1M bail set for three men following interrupted burglary, high-speed chase

The three men arrested Thursday after a high-speed chase from Lewis County to Thurston County that resulted in the seizure of multiple firearms and two Jaws of Life devices following an interrupted … more

By Jacob Farmer / jfarmer@chronline.com | 8/15/25

Former Cowlitz County Superior Court Judge Stephen Warning, left, moderates a town hall with U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez at Lower Columbia College Thursday, Aug. 14. Several audience members were escorted out after shouting at Gluesenkamp Perez over her support for Israel.

Residents confront Gluesenkamp Perez over Israel policy during town hall

A town hall with 3rd District Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez , D-Skamania, devolved into a shouting match Thursday as audience members questioned her continued support for Israel despite a rising death … more

By Minka Atkinson / The Daily News | 8/15/25

Members of the Chehalis Equestrian Drill Team perform during the Lewis County Rodeo at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds on Wednesday, Aug. 13.

In focus: Two nights of rodeo at Southwest Washington Fair — one big photo gallery

8/15/25

Ariana Coamba crawls to the finish line during the Diaper Derby at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds on Thursday, Aug. 14.

Centralia’s Ariana Coamba blazes to Diaper Derby crown

The key to earning the title of the fastest crawler in Southwest Washington is to keep the eyes locked on the prize. For Centralia 1-year-old Ariana Coamba, the prize was a set of keys. … more

By Dylan Reubenking / dylanr@chronline.com | 8/15/25

Investigators and law enforcement vehicles surround the parking lot of the Chehalis Mattress Ranch store after an officer involved shooting nearby on Wednesday, Aug. 13.

Mason County Sheriff’s Office to lead investigation of police shooting in Chehalis

Following a police shooting near the closed Mattress Ranch store in Chehalis Aug. 13, the Mason County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) issued a news release summarizing the incident and current … more

By Jacob Farmer / jfarmer@chronline.com | 8/15/25

Rural hospitals, including Arbor Health Morton, look to prepare for long-term impacts of Medicaid cuts

As alarm bells sound at the national level over the future of rural hospitals, local industry professionals say they are stable for now, but warn the future is uncertain. On July 4, President … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 8/15/25

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 appears in Lewis County Superior Court

Anne Marie Baker, the 57-year-old Centralia woman accused of embezzling $1.4 million from a former employer over a seven-year period, appeared in Lewis County Superior Court Thursday afternoon, Aug … more

8/15/25

Members of the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce, elected officials and stakeholders with the United Learning Center tour the United Learning Center on Thursday, Aug. 14.

Chamber, elected officials tour United Learning Center; stakeholders shooting for early 2026 opening

With construction on the United Learning Center (ULC) moving swiftfully along and nearing completion, the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce hosted a tour of the property during its Thursday … more

By Dylan Reubenking / dylanr@chronline.com | 8/15/25

Sirens: Motorcyclist arrested with loaded firearms; devices seized after report of child porn; man booked into jail for threats with knife

CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Arrests • Jonathan Woodruff, 32, of Centralia, was arrested and released at about 8:13 a.m. Aug. 13 for two counts of possession of a loaded firearm in a … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/15/25

Death notices: Aug. 15, 2025

• JOHN ALYN SHARP, 77, Oakville, died Aug. 10 at Tacoma General Hospital. Arrangements are under the care of Funeral Alternatives of Washington. • MARCIA KAY MAIN , 83, Chehalis, died … more

8/15/25

Peter Lahmann speaks briefly at the Thurston Lewis Mason Central Labor Council annual Labor Day picnic in 2019.

Regional labor advocates plan Labor Day demonstration and local community event

The Thurston Lewis Mason Central Labor Council this week announced plans for a Labor Day demonstration on the state Capitol Campus later this month followed by a community event in Lewis County. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/15/25

Tom Crowson is pictured in 2022. He died lat July, but still came out on top in a fire commissioner primary election.

Despite death prior to primary, Tom Crowson advancing to general election ballot unless voter makes formal court request

Though the Aug. 5 primary election results are set to be certified on Aug. 19, only nine estimated ballots remain to be counted, according to the Lewis County Auditor’s Office website, meaning … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 8/15/25

“Judge Mary” looks over FFA members exhibiting chickens during judging in the Poultry Barn at the Southwest Washington Fair on Tuesday, Aug. 12.

Brian Mittge: You can see the future at the old-timey fair

I took Tuesday as a vacation day from work so that I could spend a full day at the Southwest Washington Fair. It was well worth it. The fair is always a blast. You see so many people you know, … more

Commentary by Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 8/15/25

Thurston County budget staff, from left: Summer Miller, Jennifer Smith, Tiff West, and Karen Chen, present revenue options to the Board of County Commissioners during a work session on Wednesday, Aug. 6.

Thurston County Commissioners express interest in exploring general fund levy lid lift to increase revenue

The Thurston County Board of Commissioners has directed county staff to explore a general fund levy lid lift, among other options, to potentially bring in additional revenue as the county faces … more

By Dylan Reubenking / dylanr@chronline.com | 8/15/25