The Daily Chronicle

The sun sets behind a tree line near Mary’s Corner south of Chehalis on Saturday. After a string of days with clear skies and warm weather, the National Weather Service in Seattle reported Monday that rain could return to the forecast Tuesday and Wednesday along with cooler temperatures.

Photo: Sunset Beams Through Tree Line Near Mary’s Corner

5/17/21

Oak is cuddled by a young patient at Providence Centralia Hospital. The dog also worked at the Lewis County Law and Justice Center in Chehalis.

'An Incredible Boy:' Lewis County and Providence Hospital Therapy Dog Oak Remembered

Service dogs are typically raised and trained to help one person. Oak, the nearly 9-year-old black lab who worked as a therapy dog at both the Lewis County Law and Justice Center and Providence … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 5/17/21

City and Old Highway 99 Farmer Square Off Over Roosters and a $9,800 Fine for Crowing

It's been a difficult few months for the city of Tumwater and farmer Michael Johnson, who are at odds over two roosters who live on Johnson's farm on Old Highway 99. The roosters' crowing resulted … more

Rolf Boone / The Olympian | 5/17/21

Woman Is Killed After Vehicle Plunges Down Embankment in Thurston County

A Lacey woman in her 80s died Sunday afternoon after the vehicle she was riding in plunged down an embankment in east Thurston County, according to Washington State Patrol. She was identified by … more

Rolf Boone / The Olympian | 5/17/21

Jury Trials Have Resumed in Thurston County

Thurston County residents may be called for jury duty once again following the recent resumption of jury trials by District and Superior courts. Thurston County District Court resumed jury trials … more

Martín Bilbao / The Olympian | 5/17/21

News Dump Ep. 47: Sanctuary Cities Are Where The Heart Is With Tenino Mayor Wayne Fournier

On this episode, Chronicle Associate Editor Aaron VanTuyl, Editor-in-Chief Eric Schwartz and Tenino Mayor Wayne Fournier talk about sanctuary cities, rat problems, Blippi, running for office, … more

5/16/21

Phillip Dutton, 3, smiles while enjoying Penny Playground for the first time since the remodel Friday morning in Chehalis.

At Last, Penny Playground Reopens

By Emily Fitzgerald emily@chronline.com For the first time in over a year, groups of families with children could be seen playing at Penny Playground on Friday. The chain-linked fencing … more

5/14/21

Visitors fill the side streets around vendors at the flea market on Memorial Day Weekend 2018 in downtown Packwood.

COVID Vaccines Will Come to the Packwood Flea Market

Earlier this spring, health officials were questioning whether the Packwood Flea Market — said to be the largest in the Pacific Northwest — should be held at all this year. The … more

By Claudia Yaw / cyaw@chronline.com | 5/14/21

House Minority Leader J.T. Wilcox, R-Yelm, and Senate Minority Leader John Braun, R-Centralia

After Inslee Announces Plans, Republicans Say Restrictions Should Be Lifted June 15

Following Inslee’s announcement Thursday that most COVID-19 restrictions would be lifted by June 30, Republican leaders in the Legislature responded with a joint statement. Senate … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/14/21

Vancouver Man Pleads Guilty to Raping 14-Year-Old in Mossyrock

A Vancouver man accused of raping a 14-year-old in Mossyrock has pleaded guilty to third-degree rape and will serve 20 months in jail and an additional 36 months in community custody. Haydn … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/14/21

Lewis County Public Health Director JP Anderson

Aid Opportunity Sparks Discussion on Countywide Health Care Needs

Seattle-based nonprofit Vietnam Health Clinic normally travels to under-resourced communities in Vietnam to provide free health care each year. But in 2021, partially due to COVID-19, the … more

By Claudia Yaw / cyaw@chronline.com | 5/14/21

Sirens: Vehicle Prowls; Resisting Arrest; Assault at Green Hill; Fraud; Escape

CHEHALIS POLICE DEPARTMENT Vehicle Prowl • A vehicle prowl reported in the 3000 block of Airport Road just after 9:15 a.m. on May 12 is under investigation. • Just after 6:15 … more

5/14/21

Herrera Beutler Presses U.S. Army Corps to Keep Region’s Chief Position

Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Battle Ground, on Friday sent a letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers asking that the position of the retiring Southwest Washington section chief be … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/14/21

Michael Bannan is sworn in by Mayor Dennis Dawes last March in this Chronicle file photo. Bannan has announced he will run to retain the position.

Some Incumbents Make Early Announcements as Filing Week Starts Monday

With filing week starting Monday, a number of city council incumbents have in recent days announced plans to retain their positions. Candidates for many city council seats will be on the ballot … more

By Eric Rosane / ericr@chronline.com | 5/14/21

Medical Surge Branch Director Wayne Clifford talks about housing people from around the world in the Lakeview Inn facility Thursday morning in Centralia.

Department of Health Details Workings of Controversial Centralia Quarantine Site

Karen Pastori, a Napavine resident of 16 years, says she loves her community. But sometimes, rumors spread. Often, like a bad game of telephone, the word isn’t always accurate. So when … more

5/14/21

Corine Aiken poses for a portrait in between rows of books the library in 2015.

‘Heart and Soul’: Former Chehalis Library Manager Remembered for Service to Community

Corine Aiken, the former Chehalis Timberland Regional Library manager and educator known for being “intelligent, beautiful, of the heart and soul” and “passionate,” died … more

By Eric Rosane / ericr@chronline.com | 5/14/21

Callie Carpenter takes cookies out of the oven while her mother, Susy Carpenter, and brother, Alex Carpenter, look on in this 2018 Chronicle file photo.

Pacific Northwest Cookie Company: Taking Advantage of Opportunities Key for Local Family Business Growth, Says Founder

An Adna family business is taking the cookie industry by storm with its vegan, gluten-free cookies that, unlike most similar baked goods on the market, actually tastes good. Pacific Northwest … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 5/14/21

Photos of signs given to all of the top students in 2020 are pictured here.

Top 25 Centralia, Chehalis Academic Students Fully Sponsored; Student Banquet Going Virtual This Year

The Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce last week released the names of the top 25 academic seniors who will be graduating this year from Centralia and W.F. West high schools. The chamber on … more

By Eric Rosane / ericr@chronline.com | 5/14/21

The inside of the Pemerl Building in the Chehalis Industrial Park is pictured in this photograph provided by the Port of Chehalis.

Mt. Capra Expands Into Chehalis Industrial Park

Chehalis-based supplemental health business Mt. Capra is expanding its operations into the Pemerl Building in the Chehalis Industrial Park, the Port of Chehalis announced Wednesday. The business, … more

By Eric Rosane / ericr@chronline.com | 5/14/21

Tire tracks are seen through Penny Playground in Chehalis after a man was arrested for driving through the park and leaving the scene in January. The park has since been repaired. It reopened Friday.

Charges Issued Against Alleged Driver in Penny Playground Hit-and-Run

The alleged driver of the vehicle that caused an estimated $150,000 in damage to Penny Playground, 23-year-old Juan F. Cozar, was officially referred to the Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office on … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/14/21