Local News | The Daily Chronicle

Washington Gubernatorial candidate Dave Reichert gives a speech at Adna High School on Saturday, June 15.

Candidate for governor Dave Reichert makes pitch during Adna campaign stop

As he introduced Dave Reichert during a campaign event in Adna, Lewis County Sheriff Rob Snaza, who is not up for reelection this November but has endorsed Reichert’s campaign, said the … more

By Mitchell Roland / mitchell@chronline.com | 6/17/24

Attendees of the celebration of life for former Bucoda Mayor and assistant fire chief Rob Gordon stand inside the Riverbend Ranch's barn on Saturday, June 15.

More than 200 attend celebration of life to honor Rob Gordon, former Bucoda mayor and assistant fire chief

Although last weekend was marked by the return of rainy weather, the clouds broke over the Riverbend Ranch near Bucoda on Saturday afternoon to let the sun shine down just in time for the celebration … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 6/17/24

The Winlock Egg Days parade rolls through town on Saturday, June 15.

In focus: Egg Days parade and activities draw crowds to Winlock

The Winlock Egg Days festival parade rolled through town on Saturday morning. The Winlock Egg Days Festival, a tradition that dates back more than 100 years, included events Friday through … more

6/15/24

A man dressed as a viking waves to the crowd during the Swede Day Rochester Mid-Sommar Festival Parade on Saturday, June 15.

In focus: Swede Day festival sweeps through Rochester

The Swede Day Festival was held in Rochester on Saturday morning, with its parade, vendors and activities attracting large crowds. As always, Swede Hall was the center of operations, with the … more

6/15/24

The 2024 Noah Markstrom Award recipient Baylee Henderson, center, poses for a photo with her mom, Cassy Henderson, far left, teacher, Lindsay Bullock, left, and Kara and Kyle Markstrom on the Noah Markstrom Buddy Bench at Fords Prairie Elementary in Centralia on Friday, June 14.

Noah Markstrom’s legacy lives on: Centralia elementary school student honored with namesake award

Fords Prairie Elementary School’s gymnasium was filled with boisterous laughter, clapping and a rendition of “Rainbow Connection” on Friday, June 14, during an end-of-the-year … more

By Brenna Witchey / brenna@chronline.com | 6/14/24

Napavine High School students Patience Dour, Conner Reichert, Bryson Oliver and Jadon Hansen stand with Braun Northwest and Walsh Trucking representatives during an apprenticeship signing event in Napavine on Wednesday, June 12.

'A win-win for all': Four Napavine High School students sign letters of intent for manufacturing apprenticeships

Four Napavine High School students signed letters of intent Wednesday for entering AJAC Advanced Manufacturing Youth Apprenticeships, which are designed for high school juniors and seniors to develop … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/14/24

Bail set at $75K for man who fled from Centralia police in a kayak

Bail is set at $75,000 for the man who fled from Centralia police by stealing a kayak and taking to the Chehalis River on Wednesday. Police were attempting to apprehend him for possession of a … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 6/13/24

A unidentified man is shot at with a pepper ball gun in a stolen kayak on the Chehalis River from Galvin Road on Wednesday, June 12.

Man in stolen kayak prompts watery pursuit on Chehalis River

A man who ditched a stolen vehicle on a dead end road in Centralia while being pursued by officers, stole a kayak from a nearby property and led law enforcement on an extended pursuit on the Chehalis … more

By Brenna Witchey / The Chronicle | 6/12/24

Del and Teresa Doll honored as grand marshals of Rochester’s Swede Day Festival

Longtime community volunteers Del and Teresa Doll have been named the grand marshals of the upcoming Rochester Swede Day Festival. Swede Day festivities kick off on Friday, June 14, with … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/11/24

Robert "Bob" Dempster hugs his wife, Diane, on Saturday, June 8, after firing up the engine of the Seattle II for the final time at the Chehalis-Centralia Airport.

‘Last Roar of the Mighty Liberty V-12’: Seattle II’s engine fired up one final time in Chehalis

Though it took a few tries to get it started, Centralia aviator Robert “Bob” Dempster fired up the legendary Liberty V-12 engine that powers his hand-built reproduction Douglas World … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 6/10/24

Graduates celebrate during the W.F. West High School graduation ceremony in Bearcat Stadium on Saturday, June 8.

In focus: W.F. West class of 2024 celebrated at graduation ceremony

The W.F. West class of 2024 celebrated the completion of high school during a ceremony at Bearcat Stadium in Chehalis on Saturday. Chronicle photographer Ridley Hudson captured these … more

6/9/24

Centralia High School graduates spray Goofy Spray at Tiger Stadium to end the commencement ceremony on Friday, June 7.

In focus: Centralia High School class of 2024 rejoices at graduation

The Centralia High School class of 2024 erupted in cheers and silly string on Friday night as the Tigers' graduation ceremony came to an end. Congratulations to all the graduates! … more

6/8/24

Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation Chairman Dustin Klatush and Department of Commerce Director Mike Fong sign the first memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Tribe and Commerce at Talking Cedar distillery brewery in Rochester on Thursday, June 6.

‘Historic’ agreement establishes government-to-government relations between Department of Commerce, Chehalis Tribe

Praising the agreement as a step toward deeper cooperation, the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation and the Department of Commerce signed a “historic” agreement Thursday that … more

By Mitchell Roland / mitchell@chronline.com | 6/7/24

U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam War veteran Ken Dobler plays Taps at the grave of his father — a Marine WWII veteran — on Thursday, June 6, the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Normandy invasion and also his father's birthday at the Claquato Cemetery in Chehalis.

Chehalis man marks D-Day by playing Taps at grave of father, a World War II veteran

As many around the world commemorated the 80th anniversary of the World War II D-Day allied invasion at Normandy, France, on Thursday, June 6, U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam War veteran Ken Dobler, of … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 6/7/24

Kimbo, a 2-year-old German shepherd K9 for the Lewis County Sheriff's Office, barks during a demonstration at the Lewis County Law and Justice Center in Chehalis on Thursday, June 6.

Meet Kimbo: New Lewis County Sheriff’s Office K9 team hits the road

The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office’s new K9 team, Deputy Jared Kasinger and K9 Kimbo, are officially on duty. The duo is the first K9 team the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office has … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 6/6/24

Former Lewis County Republicans Chair Brandon Svenson, who is also the mayor of Winlock, served as a reserve officer in Morton from August to December 2022 before leaving the position “for personal reasons,” according to previous Chronicle reporting. He's pictured here in Morton in 2022.

Pe Ell town marshal steps down after state commission indicates it will not certify him

Due to discrepancies in his hiring paperwork and a failed psychological evaluation, the Washington state Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC) has indicated it cannot certify Brandon … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 6/6/24

Robert "Bob" Dempster and his wife, Diane, pose next to the Seattle II, a Douglas World Cruiser reproduction aircraft the couple spent more than 15 years building along with other mechanics and historians.

‘Last Roar of the Mighty Liberty V-12’: Aviators preparing to celebrate first flight around the world Saturday in Chehalis

Nearly a century after the Douglas World Cruisers completed the first flight around the world on Sept. 28, 1924, local aviators are preparing to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the historic … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 6/5/24

Emergency responders lead a procession for Rob Gordon, former Bucoda Mayor, through Tenino on Tuesday, June 4.

Bucoda Mayor and longtime firefighter Rob Gordon, 42, dies after battle with stomach cancer

Nearly eight months after he announced his diagnosis of stage 4 stomach cancer last November, Bucoda Mayor Rob Gordon, 42, died in the afternoon on June 3, 2024. Gordon was also the Bucoda … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 6/4/24

The Tenino Quarry Pool pictured on Tuesday, June 4.

Tenino Quarry Pool renovations nearly finished as grand reopening approaches

One of Tenino’s top summertime attractions will return on Saturday, June 22, as the Quarry Pool will reopen after a several-year hiatus. The improved Tenino Quarry Pool, 399 W. Park … more

Jacob Dimond / For The Chronicle | 6/4/24

Lewis County Fire District 2 first responders and the Washington State Patrol act out a collision response during a mock crash, funeral, and trial at a distracted driving awareness event at Toledo High School on Friday, May 31.

Mock crash, trial, funeral highlight traffic safety week activities at Toledo High School

Toledo High School's “Two Hands On The Wheel” student group conducted a traffic safety week at the high school last week to promote safe driving habits. Traffic safety events … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/3/24