Local News | The Daily Chronicle

Centralia Police Chief Stacy Denham smiles while leading a group during the Lewis County Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Washington Special Olympics on Friday.

In Focus: Lewis County Law Enforcement Special Olympics Torch Run

Special Olympics athletes and members of the public joined members of local law enforcement in running a 13- to 14-mile route between northern Napavine and Centralia Friday to raise money and … more

6/17/22

U.S. Rake Force founders Brian Dennis and Jake Dailey stand among their herd of goats at Camp Singing Wind about 3 miles outside of Toledo on Thursday.

U.S. Rake Force: Toledo Company Supports Veterans, Prevents Wildfire By ‘Raking the Forests’

Contrary to their name, the U.S. Rake Force doesn’t often use rakes when it clears excess fuel out of overgrown forests to reduce the threat of wildfire. Instead, they deploy goats. The … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 6/17/22

William Scheer smiles as he is embraced after receiving his degree at Centralia College on Friday.

In Focus: Centralia College Holds Walk-Through Commencement Ceremony

6/17/22

Sirens: 'Missing Car' Found Where Caller Left It; Assault; Fraud; Arrests for Assault

CHEHALIS POLICE DEPARTMENT Assault • A man was cited for fourth-degree assault in the 1900 block of South Market Boulevard just before 1:45 p.m. on June 15 after he allegedly threw … more

6/17/22

Teens Accused of Breaking Into Centralia Business; One Jumps Into River, Punches Officer Who Rescued Him

Two Chehalis teenagers were arrested early Thursday morning after they allegedly broke into a convenience store in Centralia and one of them jumped into the Skookumchuck River to avoid arrest then … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/17/22

The Adolph and Amelia Mauermann place on Lincoln Creek in 1884 was, according to the family, “a little bit of a prairie-type area, and they just farmed it and had milk cows there.” Amelia regularly milked the cows on their farm and the cows became accustomed to her skirts. When the men were forced for one reason or another to milk the cows, they were also forced to wear skirts so the cows would provide milk. The spot on Lincoln Creek upon which the Mauermann home was built also drew annual visits by members of local Indian tribes who came to the area for a couple of months each year to hunt and put up their homes while fishing in the swollen waters for salmon. In this 1884 photo, from left, are Adolph, Frank, Fred, Maude, Harry and Amelia Mauermann.

A Look Back: Chamber Hosts Tour of Welfare Gardens Providing Food Assistance During the Great Depression

The Centralia Chamber of Commerce sponsored a tour of Centralia’s “welfare gardens” on June 17, 1932, for residents to come and inspect the facilities. The gardens were being used … more

Compiled by Matthew Zylstra / matthew@chronline.com | 6/17/22

Lewis County Republicans chairman Brandon Svenson speaks at a Lewis County Republicans meeting last year in this Chronicle file photo.

Lewis County Republicans to Vote on Recall of Current Chairman

After party leadership unsuccessfully called for his resignation last month, the Lewis County Republicans will vote in July on a possible recall of current party Chairman Brandon Svenson. He is … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/17/22

Lewis County Republican Party Chairman Brandon Svenson, who also serves as the Winlock mayor, presides over a meeting on March 1, 2021.

Turnout for Lewis County Republican Precinct Committee Officer Candidates Likely Record-Breaking

Being a precinct committee officer (PCO) isn’t usually considered glamorous work. But this year, for Lewis County Republicans, the elected position must be looking pretty attractive: 115 … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronline.com | 6/17/22

Smoke and fireworks fill the sky above Pe Ell during Fourth of July celebrations in 2021.

Local Roundup: Fourth of July Events to Be Held All Weekend Before the Big Day

Apple pie, fireworks shows and country music never get old. Other Fourth of July traditions — like attending the same party year-after-year — are worth shaking up. That’s … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronline.com | 6/17/22

Gail and Carolyn Shaw Aquatics Center Opens for the Season

Residents arrived early and lined up Friday to sign children up for swimming lessons at the Gail and Carolyn Shaw Aquatics Center hours before the popular facility opened for the summer. Open … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/17/22

Centralia City Councilor Mark Westley speaks to crowds during a Juneteenth event held in Centralia at George Washington Park last year.

How Washington's Largest Employers Will Celebrate Juneteenth, the State's Newest Holiday

For the first time, thousands of workers in Washington will celebrate Juneteenth with a paid day off this Monday. Juneteenth marks the date, June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers informed the last … more

Maya Miller / The Seattle Times | 6/17/22

State Patrol Identifies Man Killed in Fatal Crash on I-5 in South Thurston County

A 46-year-old Yacolt man was killed after crashing into a guardrail and a concrete barrier on northbound Interstate 5 in South Thurston County on Thursday. The man, who was identified Friday … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/17/22

De-erica Waggener smiles and holds up her fist while posing next to the statue of George and Mary Jane Washington at George Washington Park during Juneteenth celebrations in Centralia last year.

Centralia City Council Celebrates Juneteenth With Proclamation; Event to Be Held Sunday

A proclamation celebrating Juneteenth was read at a meeting of the Centralia City Council on Tuesday by Mayor Kelly Smith Johnston. Before reading the proclamation, Smith Johnston spoke … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/16/22

Yacolt Man Killed in Fatal Collision on I-5 in South Thurston County

A 46-year-old Yacolt man was killed after crashing into a guardrail and a concrete barrier on northbound Interstate 5 in South Thurston County on Thursday. The man, whose name has not been … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/16/22

A family camps at the Mineral Lake Lions Den campground last April.

Mineral Lake Lions Den Campground to Celebrate Father’s Day

Celebrate Father’s Day this Sunday with a weekend of camping, fishing and other fun activities at the Mineral Lake Lions Den campground. All are welcome to join in the celebration of dads … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/16/22

Shane M. Culp, 38, of Centralia, appears virtually in Lewis County Superior Court on Wednesday.

Centralia Man Accused of Threatening Woman in Car With Knife Asserts Innocence

Bail has been set at $200,000 for a Centralia man accused of threatening a woman with a knife and forcing her to drive from Centralia to an intersection in Thurston County on Sunday. The … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 6/16/22

Romulo Yanez Jr., 41, of Centralia, appears virtually in Lewis County Superior Court on Thursday.

Centralia Man Accused of Lighting Pe Ell Porch on Fire While Children Were Inside Home

A Centralia man has been arrested on arson charges after he allegedly lit the back porch of a Pe Ell home on fire Tuesday while three children were inside. The man, Romulo Yanez Jr., 41, … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 6/16/22

Annalee Tobey Appointed to Centralia College Board of Trustees

Experience Chehalis Director Annalee Tobey has been appointed to the Centralia College Board of Trustees, the college announced Wednesday. Tobey replaces Debbie Campbell, who resigned in … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/16/22

Joanne Schwartz, left, and Talia May Hansen.

Joanne Schwartz, Talia May Hansen to Receive Honorary Degrees From Centralia College

Centralia College has selected two people to receive honorary bachelor’s degrees at the college’s 2022 commencement ceremony: former trustee Joanne Schwartz and Talia May Hansen, a … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/15/22

West Lewis County residents gather around a map representing possible isolation zones that would occur from bridge collapses and landslides in the 9.0 magnitude Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake at the Baw Faw Grange on Monday.

Emergency Officials Work to Prepare Lewis County for 9.0 Cascadia Earthquake

If humans could see the future, the West Coast would likely be spending every moment from now until its arrival preparing for the impending 9.0 Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake. Off the … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronline.com | 6/15/22