Local News | The Daily Chronicle

State Rep. Jim Walsh walks with other tour attendees during the Chehalis Basin Strategy Legislative Site Tour at China Creek in Centralia on Friday, Sept. 27.

Rep. Jim Walsh aims to strengthen parents' rights after court upholds 2024 law

A local Washington Republican lawmaker is looking to capitalize on a Monday ruling in King County Superior Court upholding the last legislative session’s parental rights bil l. A newly … more

By Minka Atkinson / The Daily News | 1/30/25

Some states have issued guidances for schools in connection with how to respond to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials. (ICE Office/TNS)

Federal ICE agents make arrest in Centralia

Federal U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested a homeless Centralia resident on Wednesday, Mayor Kelly Smith Johnston has confirmed. The arrest occurred in an alley … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 1/29/25

A hawk sits in a tree over the Willapa Hills Trail near Adna on Tuesday, Jan. 28.

In focus: Scenes from the Willapa Trail near Adna

1/29/25

Local Republican lawmaker says state should eliminate hurdles for building kit homes

Nineteenth Legislative state Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview, believes the state should eliminate hurdles to construction of kit homes that offer a solution to the state’s housing shortage. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/29/25

Rochester student serves as page in Washington state House of Representatives

Kami Soria, a student at Rochester Middle School, served as a page for the Washington state House of Representatives the second week of the legislative session, Jan. 21-25. She was sponsored by … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/29/25

Sirens: Vehicle collides with building; homeless man stays in store's bathroom for hours; passenger arrested in DUI stop

CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Vehicle accidents • A non-injury, two-vehicle collision was reported in the 2400 block of Borst Avenue at approximately 10:35 a.m. on Jan. 27. • A … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/29/25

Death notices: Jan. 29, 2025

• MARIANNE WRIGHT, 81, Tenino, died Jan. 23 at her residence. Arrangements are under the care of Funeral Alternatives of Washington. • WILLIE L. ENOX, 72, Ryderwood, died Jan. 20 at … more

1/29/25

The Chehalis Fire Department responds to a fire under the Interstate 5 Exit 77 northbound bridge in Chehalis on Monday, Jan. 27. It was at least the second fire firefighters responded to at the bridge Monday. The area appears to be occupied by a transient camp.

In focus: Chehalis firefighters douse blaze under bridge

1/29/25

Kindergarteners from James W. Lintott Elementary School practice yelling for help during a Safety City demonstration at Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers south of Chehalis on Monday, Jan. 27.

‘Safety City’ returns to Lewis County for 41st year

“Safety City,” a vibrant miniature city designed to teach young children safety basics, returned to Lewis County this week. The mini city opened to Lewis County elementary students, … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/29/25

Gluesenkamp Perez introduces Fairness for the Trades Act

On Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, and Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-North Carolina, introduced the bipartisan Fairness for the Trades Act. The legislation will expand the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/29/25

Community members pose for a photo after receiving recognition for their volunteer service from city councilor Max Vogt at Centralia City Hall on Tuesday, Jan. 28. Chuck Kifer, middle, won the Volunteer of the Year award.

Chuck Kifer named 2024 Centralia Volunteer of the Year

Chuck Kifer has been named Centralia’s 2024 Volunteer of the Year. It was the highlight of the night after a packed house at Centralia City Hall’s city council chambers on Tuesday, … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 1/29/25

Chehalis City Hall is located at 350 N. Market Blvd.

Chehalis City Council considering utility rate increases

The Chehalis City Council tabled the first readings of three ordinances pertaining to proposed water, wastewater and stormwater utility rate increases through 2029 during the council’s regular … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 1/29/25

Chehalis Mayor Tony Ketchum talks about the late Mayor Pro Tem Daryl Lund during the first Chehalis City Council meeting following his death on Monday, Dec. 9.

Chehalis City Council to interview five candidates for position left open by death of Dary Lund

The Chehalis City Council will interview five candidates for a vacant city council position at 5 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 3. The five applicants are Troy Reardon, Jenny Zenkner, Michael Barton, … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/29/25

Lewis County Auditor Larry Grove locks up the ballot box on Election Day at the Lewis County Courthouse in Chehalis on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Lewis County Auditor’s Office: Monday, Feb. 3, is the last day to make remote voter registration changes before special election

Monday, Feb. 3, is the last day voters can register or update their existing registration by mail, online or at a driver’s licensing location for the upcoming Feb. 11 special election, … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/29/25

Nathan Rodgiguez, of Nate's '98 Barber Shop in Centralia, gives a free haircut to a visitor of the Project Homeless Connect event in the Blue Pavilion at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds on Jan. 26, 2024.

Lewis County Homeless Connect events scheduled for Jan. 31 and Feb. 3

Lewis County will hold two Homeless Connect events in 2025: one in the Twin Cities on Friday, Jan. 31, and one in East Lewis County on Monday, Feb. 3. Homeless Connect is held during the annual … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/29/25

Driver killed in crash on state Route 505 in Toledo

A 65-year-old Salem, Oregon, man died after a crash on state Route 505 in Toledo on Wednesday morning, according to the Washington State Patrol. The man, who was not identified pending the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/29/25

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson is sworn into office by Supreme Court Chief Justice Debra L. Stephens during a joint legislative session in the House chambers at the Washington State Capitol in Olympia on Wednesday, Jan. 15.

Permit denial not stopping state GOP plans to rally at Capitol against change to debate rule

They don’t have a permit, but at least some members of Pierce County Republican Party and their supporters plan to show up in Olympia at noon on Thursday to protest House Democrats’ … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 1/29/25

Tickets available for Chehalis-Centralia Railroad’s St. Patrick’s Day dinner excursion

The Chehalis-Centralia Railroad and Museum (CCRM) invites everyone to “Go Green” on March 15 with a special St. Patrick’s Day two-hour dinner excursion in the railroad’s 1920s … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/28/25

Warrant issued for Centralia man accused of attacking his parents

Lewis County Superior Court has issued a $10,000 bench warrant for a Centralia man accused of assaulting his parents on Jan. 9. Jacob Anthony Looney, 45, was arrested and booked into the … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 1/28/25

Easten Lund, an eighth grader at Chehalis Middle School, operates a forklift simulator in Centralia College’s careers and technical education mobile classroom at Chehalis Middle School on Tuesday, Jan. 28. The mobile classroom stays parked at the school through the month for a hands on learning experience on how to operate trades equipment.

Centralia College’s CTE mobile classroom gives Lewis County K-12 students hands-on introduction to the trades

Elementary, middle and high school students in Lewis County have an opportunity to get hands-on experience welding, operating a forklift, driving a bulldozer and repairing electrical systems through … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 1/28/25