Local News | The Daily Chronicle

Crystal Garcia is picked up during a demonstration at a self defense class at the Toledo Presbyterian Church last month.

Community Calendar: Defensive Tactics Class; Business After Hours; Earth Day Celebration; Peter Pan

To add upcoming events to the Community Calendar, email reporter Matthew Zylstra at matthew@chronline.com. The Silent Comedy April 19 at The Juice Box, 216 S. Tower Ave., … more

4/17/23

Lauren Urich, 33, originally from Onalaska, stands outside her studio in downtown Chehalis.

‘I Am Passionate About Healing’: Onalaska Native Opens Yoga Studio in Chehalis

Yoga lovers in Lewis County now have a new studio to stretch out in thanks to Lauren Urich Yoga in downtown Chehalis. Lauren Urich, 33, originally from Onalaska, suffered from chronic back … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 4/16/23

Husky Packs Caught on Camera Roaming Ashford Now up for Adoption

The Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County has taken in a group of 14 husky dogs that were roaming around the city of Ashford, Washington, for more than a month. The pack of husky mixes has … more

Jared Gendron / The News Tribune (TNS) | 4/15/23

On Wednesday at the Lewis County Law and Justice Center, Sheriff Rob Snaza describes his office’s response to the August killing of Portland man Aron Christensen and frustration that followed in the coming months from friends, family and the general public. Charges remain unfiled against a man who admitted to shooting Christensen.

‘Do I Wish It Was Different? Absolutely’; Sheriff’s Office Addresses Investigation Into Death of Aron Christensen

The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office has been the subject of ire over the last seven months as information about its investigation into the death of Aron Christensen, a Portland man who died from … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 4/14/23

Updated: Human Remains in Randle Were Found Thursday, But Vehicle Was Discovered Wednesday

The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office has launched an investigation after human remains were found in a burned vehicle in the Randle area on Thursday, the day after a deputy initially discovered … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronline.com | 4/14/23

Kayla Craig provided these photos of a fire that burned a fifth wheel trailer and the arrest of a man at the scene for an outstanding warrant on Wednesday.

Man Arrested at Scene of Fire in Salkum Is Suspect in Centralia Burglary

A man in Salkum was arrested by the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday night at the scene of a fire on unrelated warrants. No injuries were reported from the fire. According … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronline.com | 4/14/23

Lewis County Recycling Bins to Get Educational Do’s and Don’ts Tag Next Week

Beginning on Monday, educational tags placed on all 20,000 recycling carts in Lewis County will list materials customers should include in curbside containers, according to a news release from the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/14/23

FILE PHOTO — Tires sit in Centralia waiting to be hauled away after a Lewis County Solid Waste Utility district “Tire Amnesty” event in March 2022.

Tire, Scrap Metal, Appliance Recycling Event to Be Held in Randle May 13

On May 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the intersection of Silverbrook Road and Forest Service Road 47 in Randle, Lewis County Solid Waste, the state Department of Ecology and community members in … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/14/23

A purebred pit bull named Zena is pictured in records from the Lewis County Sheriff's Office used in a hearing that determined her dangerous for killing a smaller dog in March.

Two Dogs Deemed Dangerous by Lewis County After Killing Animals

During Monday’s Dangerous Animal Designation (DAD) board hearing, where a group of volunteers serve as judges in quasi-court for dogs, two pitbulls were deemed dangerous for killing … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronline.com | 4/14/23

Sirens: 'Juvenile Fight Club' Reported; Motorists Makes Gun Threat; Defendant Flees Court in Handcuffs; Aggressive Panhandling

CHEHALIS POLICE DEPARTMENT Harassment • A case of possible telephone harassment was reported in the 10 block of Southwest Fourth Street just before 7:50 a.m. on April … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/14/23

Winlock Man Accused of Sexually Assaulting Two Girls Released on Unsecured Bail

A 42-year-old Winlock man accused of sexually assaulting two girls under the age of 13 between May 2021 and August 2022 is now facing two felony charges in Lewis County Superior Court related to the … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 4/14/23

FILE PHOTO — Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez smiles while touring the proposed site of the Southwest Washington Agricultural & Innovation Park in Tenino with Mayor Wayne Fournier and Perry Shea, with Dragonwheel Investment Group Inc.

Gluesenkamp Perez Joins Cantwell, Murray in Federal Action to Safeguard Abortion Medication

This week, a federal court of appeals upheld a Texas judge’s decision on the abortion medication mifepristone, which would limit access to, and distribution of, the drug. The oral medication … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/14/23

FILE PHOTO — A shadow is cast on the wall of Ape Cave during a visit by Chronicle journalists in 2021.

Ape Cave South of Mount St. Helens to Open on May 18

The Gifford Pinchot National Forest has announced Ape Cave south of Mount St. Helens will open to the public on May 18. Timed reservations are required, according to a release. Entry tickets … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/14/23

Chehalis Building and Planning Manager Tammy Baraconi addresses the Chehalis City Council on population projections during a Monday night meeting.

Chehalis Officials Predict as Many as 22,000 New Residents by 2042

Among the items up for discussion at Chehalis City Council’s meeting Monday night was a presentation by Chehalis Building and Planning Manager Tammy Baraconi concerning the city’s housing … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 4/14/23

This collage from Kathleen Casper shows some of her work

Local Woman Earns $5,000 Grant From Washington Arts Commission

Washington Arts Commission: Kathleen Casper, Lawyer and Student Engagement Coordinator, Says Program Aimed at Encouraging Art in Military Families Kathleen Casper, who works as a student … more

By Matthew Zylstra / matthew@chronline.com | 4/14/23

A bicyclist rides off after refueling at a checkpoint next to the Claquato Church along the Lewis County Historical Bike Ride route in this Chronicle file photo.

Lewis County Historic Bike Ride Set for May 13

The Chehalis-Centralia Optimist Club has opened registration for the annual Lewis County Historic Bike Ride, which is set to get rolling on May 13. There are several options for bicyclists … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/14/23

Steve Hatfield is currently deployed in Georgia assisting with recovery intake for tornado survivors.

‘One of Our Most Reliable’: Centralia Man Assists Red Cross to Help Tornado Survivors in Georgia

Steve Hatfield has been helping people after natural disasters as a Red Cross volunteer since 1994. Currently deployed in Georgia assisting with recovery intake for tornado survivors, … more

By Matthew Zylstra / matthew@chronline.com | 4/14/23

A one-pound rainbow trout flops around in the shallow waters near the bank at Fort Borst Park in this Chronicle file photo.

Lakes Are Stocked: Annual Statewide Trout Derby Kicks Off April 22

The lakes are stocked. The fish are tagged. And, on Saturday, April 22, anglers can enjoy the thrill of catching trout when hundreds of lakes open across Washington, and the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/14/23

HISTORY PHOTO OF THE WEEK: This photo was originally published by The Daily Chronicle on Feb. 4, 1959, with the following caption: "TIMBER SUPPLY PLENTIFUL — There's no shortage of timber, at the Randle Veneer Co., Inc. mill just west of Randle. This Eastern Lewis county mill is humming with activity and this week employed an extra 25 mill workers.The mill has started “colddecking" or storing 8,000,000 board feet of timber and hopes to raise that total to 15,000,000 board feet. Joe Bastinelli, mill manager, look's over the mill's supply of timber. The main mill buildings are in the background."

A Look Back in Time: Centralia Resident Sees His Australian Sister for First Time in Over 50 Years in 1933

Thomas Carroll, a Centralia resident, was visited by “Mr. and Mrs. J. Brady” of Goldburn, New South Wales, Australia, The Chronicle reported on April 15, 1933. “Mrs. Brady” … more

Compiled by Matthew Zylstra / matthew@chronline.com | 4/14/23

State Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia, speaks in Olympia in this photo he provided to The Chronicle.

Abbarno Introduces Bill Aimed at Improving Government Transparency

In a statement released on Thursday, state Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia, announced he introduced legislation aimed at making the Washington state government more “open, transparent and … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/14/23