Local News | The Daily Chronicle

Tyler Porter, a sophomore at W.F. West High School, poses for a photo in the state Senate chamber.

W.F. West sophomore Tyler Porter serves as page for Sen. Jeff Wilson

Tyler Porter, a sophomore at W.F. West High School in Chehalis, recently spent a week working as a page for the Washington state Senate at the Capitol in Olympia. He was one of 19 students who … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/21/25

FILE PHOTO — Players use caps to cover their hearts as the national anthem plays at Stan Hedwall Park in Chehalis in 2022.

Chehalis Parks and Recreation inviting food truck vendors to serve at Stan Hedwall Park

The City of Chehalis Parks and Recreation department is inviting food truck vendors to apply to serve at Stan Hedwall Park for the spring sports season for the first time. Vendors will serve … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/21/25

Seated at the table from the left, Port of Centralia Commissioners Peter Lahmann, Kyle Markstrom and Julie Shaffley discuss proposed public records request policies and procedures with Port attorney Ray Liaw and Port Executive Director Kyle Heaton during the Port commissioners' Wednesday, Feb. 5, regular meeting.

Port of Centralia promises $15,000 in ‘flood mitigation’ support for the Economic Alliance of Lewis County

With another flood season having passed in the Chehalis River Basin, the Economic Alliance of Lewis County — formerly the Lewis Economic Development Council (EDC) — is asking local … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 3/21/25

Contestants, from the left, fourth grader Bennett Severson, fifth grader Luke Hilton, third grader Charlemagne Neumann Niles, third grader Hudson Pike, fifth grader Hailie Hoctor, and fourth grader Adalynn Rothwell pose for a photo with their certificates during Toledo Elementary School’s Sodexo Future Chefs Challenge at Toledo High School on Thursday, March 20.

In focus: Young Toledo chefs compete for kitchen supremacy

Toledo Elementary School held its first ever Sodexo Future Chefs Challenge at Toledo High School on Thursday, March 20. Six students from third grade through fifth grade competed by following a … more

3/21/25

D9 Country Market owner Kyle Deskins, center, poses with his son, Kody Deskins, and niece, Carlie Deskins, on Friday, March 21, inside the family's new business on U.S. Highway 12 in Ethel.

D9 Country Market: Ethel convenience store under new ownership with plans to transform into ‘community hub’

Already the owner of D9 Farms Hay & Grains, Kyle Deskins said he has wanted to build a mercantile-type store for him and his family to run and “bring down-home shopping and rural America … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 3/21/25

Rainier man, 80, dies in U.S. Highway 12 crash in Lewis County

An 80-year-old Rainier man died following a crash on U.S. Highway 12 in Salkum on March 15, according to a news release by the Washington State Patrol on Friday morning. Donald B. Bell was … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/21/25

Sandhill cranes fly over Sauvie Island with Mount St. Helens in the background Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022.

Officials claim Trump cuts could compromise PNW earthquake and volcano warning systems

At the confluence of multiple tectonic plates, on the Pacific Ring of Fire, sits the West Coast of the United States, where the Cascade mountains in Oregon and Washington are dotted with active … more

Lizzy Acker / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 3/21/25

‘Valentine Herd’: Neglected horses rescued from Thurston County cockfighting farm

A herd of neglected horses was rescued from a cockfighting farm with hundreds of roosters in Thurston County, officials said. The horses and other livestock, including more than 500 … more

By Brooke Baitinger / The Olympian (TNS) | 3/21/25

Police investigating after missing man's vehicle found burned, abandoned near Randle

The Longview Police Department is investigating the disappearance of a Longview man reported missing for a week. Davis A. Long, 57, was reported missing on March 12. His vehicle was … more

By The Daily News | 3/21/25

Cases against suspects caught with 44 pounds of cocaine in Lewis County dismissed as federal charges are pursued

Two men arrested by Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team (JNET) personnel on Monday for alleged possession of nearly 44 pounds of meth have been released from the Lewis County Jail pending federal … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 3/20/25

Fifth grader Lizzie Miller smiles with her first place medal and other winnings after winning the Sodexo Future Chefs Challenge at Orin Smith Elementary School in Chehalis on Wednesday, March 20.

Future Chefs cook up competition at Orin C. Smith Elementary in Chehalis

The talented young cooks of Orin C. Smith Elementary School on Wednesday participated in Future Chefs of America, a cooking competition hosted by the Chehalis School District’s food management … more

By Tyrus VanTuyl / ty@chronline.com | 3/20/25

Democratic state senators push $17B dollar tax package to balance Washington state budget

Let the tax debate begin in Olympia. Democrats in the Washington state Senate kicked it off Thursday with a monstrous opening statement , calling for higher property tax collections and new … more

By: Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 3/20/25

The outside of Green Hill School is pictured in Chehalis on Tuesday, Oct. 15.

Bills aim to address Green Hill School overcrowding with different approaches

On Tuesday, the Washington State Legislature heard about two bills concerning juvenile incarceration and alternatives to confinement. The sponsors of each bill have different objectives, but … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 3/20/25

Sheriff's office suggests former Woodland mayor, who is also a state trooper, be charged with theft

Sheriff's office suggests former Woodland mayor, who is also a state trooper, be charged with theft Matt Esnayra / The Daily News The Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office is … more

Matt Esnayra / The Daily News | 3/20/25

Opening of new detention center to relieve strain on Green Hill delayed

A new Washington state juvenile detention center meant to help address persistent overcrowding at an existing facility will open months later than anticipated due to difficulties in hiring staff. … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 3/19/25

Robert Eugene Chandler, 35, is pictured alongside the scene of the crime in Winlock.

Mental evaluation ordered for Winlock murder suspect

The court case for the Toledo man accused of violently murdering two Winlock residents in February has been put on hold pending a mental competency evaluation. Robert Eugene Chandler, 35, from … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 3/19/25

From the left, President Paula Jean Burrows, Secretary Jessi Cox, Vice President McKenzie Kelly, Treasurer Kami Baine, and Adriana Garibay of Lewis County Footsteps of Hope pose for a photo in Chehalis on Tuesday, March 18.

Lewis County Footsteps of Hope seeks to ensure no students go hungry

After helping start a local food pantry program for students with families facing food insecurity in Toledo, Paula Burrows decided to expand her efforts across all 12 Lewis County school districts. … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 3/19/25

Senators listen to public comment during a hearing on Senate Bill 5400 in the John A. Cherberg Building in Olympia on Tuesday, March 18.

Washington state Senate committee hears support, opposition for local news bill

The Washington state Senate Ways and Means Committee held a public hearing Tuesday, March 18, and listened to testimony for and against a proposed bill that would help fund local journalism across … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 3/19/25

Toledo High School Honor Roll

Following are members of the Toledo High School second trimester honor rolls. Students are listed in alphabetical order. This list was provided by the school district. … more

3/19/25

Rocky the husky jumps to catch a treat at the Lewis County Animal Shelter on Tuesday, March 18.

Lewis County Animal Shelter holding dog adoption event

The Lewis County Animal Shelter has launched a dog adoption event offering prospective owners the opportunity to pick up a four-legged friend at a reduced cost. Residents can visit the Lewis … more

By The Chronicle staff | 3/19/25