Local News | The Daily Chronicle

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

Forensic Interviewer and Clinic Coordinator Samantha Mitchell, with the Youth Advocacy Center of Lewis County, discusses statistics with the Centralia city council during a meeting on Tuesday, April 12, 2023.

Advocacy Groups Talk Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Challenges at Centralia City Council Meeting

As April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, representatives from the Youth Advocacy Center of Lewis County, Hope Alliance and Thurston County Family Education & Support Services (FESS) spoke at … more

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

A Sasquatch crossing sign in the Oregon wilderness. (Paul Brady/Dreamstime/TNS)

Community Calendar: Bigfoot — Real or Hoax?; Gala For The Arts; Keiper’s Cards Trade Night; More

To add upcoming events to the Community Calendar, email reporter Matthew Zylstra at matthew@chronline.com. Bigfoot — Real or Hoax? April 15 at McFiler’s Chehalis Theater, … more

4/14/23

Centralia School District Superintendent Lisa Grant mingles with community members at a Centralia Downtown Association Block Party at Dawn’s Delectables in Centralia on Wednesday.

Downtown Association Highlights Centralia School District at Quarterly Block Party

The Centralia Downtown Association highlighted the Centralia School District at its Block Party at Dawn’s Delectables on Wednesday to support the district as it seeks to pass a replacement levy … 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 into human remains found in a burned vehicle in the Randle area on Wednesday. A driver sent to impound a burned … more

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

Ten sports betting kiosks have accounted for over 50% of all sports bets that have been submitted through ilani. The kiosks are seen during the morning of Friday March 24.

Mohegan Tribe CEO Lends Support to Cowlitz Tribe’s ilani Split

The Cowlitz Indian Tribe's decision to end its partnership with the Connecticut-based Mohegan Tribe and take over management and operations of its ilani casino next year was met with support from … more

Shari Phie / The Columbian | 4/13/23

Stephen “Shane” Barton, 54, left behind his phone, wallet and vehicle, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.

Search Continues for Missing Rochester Man; Polygraph Shows Wife ‘Not Being Deceptive’

The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) is continuing its search for a Rochester man who was reported missing by his wife on March 9. Stephen “Shane” Barton, 54, left … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/13/23

Firefighters from Salkum and Mossyrock work to keep back a fire from a shed in Salkum that destroyed a trailer along Fuller Road on Wednesday night.

Man Arrested at Scene of Fire in Salkum Wednesday

A man in Salkum was arrested by the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday night at the scene of a fire. Salkum Fire Chief Duran McDaniel told The Chronicle he heard the man was taken … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronline.com | 4/13/23

An image of items a Thurston County Sheriff’s Office deputy allegedly recovered from a Tacoma driver’s vehicle on Tuesday, April 11, 2023. The driver has been booked into county jail on suspicion of unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and driving under the influence.

Thurston County Deputy Recovers Fentanyl, Meth After Stopping Driver

Thurston County deputies reported recovering large amounts of fentanyl after stopping a 39-year-old Tacoma man accused of driving under the influence Tuesday morning. The Sheriff’s … more

By Martín Bilbao / The Olympian | 4/12/23

At left: This photo of Hammock Head the elk was taken by Packwood resident Heather Weagant. “Packwood has been a part of my family for over 60 years. ... I’ve called Packwood my second home for nearly 40 years. It doesn’t matter how many times we’ve seen the elk, each time is as exciting as the last. Ole Hammock Head just adds a little flair to that excitement,” Weagant said. At right: Brittany Longe took this photo of Hammock Head in Packwood recently.

Elk Dubbed ‘Hammock Head’ Captures East Lewis County’s Heart

He’s a household name. He wears a crown. No palace holds him, yet he’s fond of bucking ham…mocks. Hammock Head, or sometimes Ole’ Hammock Head, is an elk. Lewis … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronline.com | 4/12/23

Volunteers Needed for City of Chehalis’ Spring Clean-up Days in May

As residents prepare to kick off spring cleaning, the City of Chehalis and Experience Chehalis are looking for volunteers to manage four dumpster locations for the Spring Clean-up Days free trash and … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/12/23

Comedian Kyle Kinane to Perform at McFiler’s Chehalis Theater

Hub Comedy Presents will host a show at McFiler’s Chehalis Theater on Saturday featuring comedian Kyle Kinane. Kinane, who is originally from Addison, Illinois, has been featured on Conan, … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/12/23