The Daily Chronicle

Man Hurt After Rollover Crash in Grays Harbor County

A Puyallup man, 31, was injured and taken to an Elma hospital after a rollover crash Saturday evening in Grays Harbor County, according to the Washington State Patrol. Troopers say that speed, as … more

By The Olympian | 4/26/21

Kieran Bredeson captured this photograph near Mount St. Helens last Thursday. Like others, Bredeson was taking advantage of the reopening of the Spirit Lake Memorial Highway. To have your photos published in The Chronicle, send them to news@chronline.com.

Photo: Meandering Mountain Goats at Mount St. Helens

4/26/21

19th District Republican Senator Jeff Wilson Joins Senate Freedom Caucus

19th District Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview, announced last week that he has joined the Senate Freedom Caucus. The small group of Republican lawmakers say they are focused on individual liberties, … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/26/21

An osprey returns to its nest landing on a light post near W.F. West High School in Chehalis on Friday.

Photo: Coming in for a Landing in Chehalis

4/26/21

Sirens: Unauthorized Dump; Indecent Exposure; Vicious Dog; Thefts; Disorderly Conduct

CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Crashes • Minor injuries were reported after a vehicle and a cyclist collided at the intersection of Floral and South Gold streets at approximately 9:45 a.m. … more

4/26/21

A partnership between Educational Service District 113 and the Centralia Prevention Coalition has gifted reusable masks to all staff and students at Centralia Middle School. The masks are adorned with the school’s Yellow Jacket mascot as well as a prevention message, “Believe in Yourself,” that was voted on by students. Students started receiving the masks last week. This provided photo was taken with Superintendent Dr. Lisa Grant, prevention staff and student leadership.

Education Briefly: Centralia Levy Vote; Kindergarten Enrollment Opens; Toledo Hosting ‘Mascot Primary’

Editor’s Note: Education Briefly is a new weekly feature of The Chronicle. Each Tuesday, Reporter Eric Rosane will round up news from the local education scene. He can be reached at … more

By Eric Rosane / ericr@chronline.com | 4/26/21

Filing Week for 2021 Election Starts May 17

Candidates can throw their hat in the ring for the 2021 election during filing week, May 17-21. A slew of local positions are up for election, including port commissioners, city councilors, school … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/26/21

Sara Bumgardner, of the Centralia Prevention Coalition, talks about resources available for visitors at a drive-through site in Centralia during National Drug Take Back Day. Saturday was the 20th annual National Drug Take-Back Day, and locals had the opportunity to drop off unused or expired medications at the Centralia event, no questions asked. The event was hosted by the Centralia Prevention Coalition. It took place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. across from city hall.

Photos: National Drug Take Back Day in Centralia

4/26/21

Sheryl Hall, right, and other Gifford Pinchot Trash Force members take a group photo during a cleanup of an illegal roofing dump out on the Forest Service Road 21. It took about three hours to get it cleaned up. The trash is believed to have been dumped seven years ago. It cost about $115 to dump the material at a nearby transfer station.

Gifford Pinchot Trash Force Are Stewards of the Forest

The Gifford Pinchot Trash Force goes the extra mile — 22 of them and counting, to be precise. Dedicated to the environmental stewardship of their namesake national forest and surrounding … more

By Eric Rosane / ericr@chronline.com | 4/26/21

Hererra Beutler Far Ahead of Pack in First Quarter Congressional Race Finances

The first quarterly filings for Washington’s Third Congressional District race are in, and incumbent Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler has a strong fundraising lead among five challengers, three of … more

Rick Bannan / For The Chronicle | 4/26/21

The Thurston County Sheriff's Office responds to the discovery of a body on 12th Avenue Northeast Sunday near Olympia.

Thurston County Homicide Victim Identified as Chehalis Man

A 37-year-old Chehalis man has been identified as the victim of an apparent homicide, according to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office. The body of Jose Alejo Tamayo was found on the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/26/21

The Capitol Building is seen on the night of Monday, Jan. 8, 2018 in Olympia.

As Washington Legislature Wraps Up, Lawmakers Pass a New Budget, Capital Gains Tax and Clean-Fuels Standard

OLYMPIA — A full slate of legislation to overhaul policing. A pair of major climate-change bills. A new budget that expands child care, public health programs and a tax credit for low-income … more

Joseph O'Sullivan / The Seattle Times | 4/26/21

Washington Legislature Final Budget Raises Taxes, Boosts Spending by More Than $5 billion

OLYMPIA — For much of last year, the COVID-19 pandemic and related job losses made Washington's budget forecast look dismal, with billions in projected shortfalls leading to calls for swift … more

Joseph O'Sullivan and Jim Brunner / The Seattle Times | 4/25/21

Thurston County Still Grappling With Supreme Court Drug Possession Ruling

About two months after the landmark State v. Blake decision by the Washington state Supreme Court, Thurston County officials are about halfway through quashing hundreds of outstanding warrants with … more

Martín Bilbao / The Olympian | 4/25/21

Marine Toxin Levels Dropping, But Not Enough for Razor Clam Digs

State shellfish managers were hoping for some good news this week from domoic acid tests on razor clams. They didn't get it. "We were hoping that today's razor clam domoic acid results would allow … more

Dan Hammock / The Daily World | 4/23/21

Gov. Jay Inslee hosts a press conference outside of the governor’s mansion Thursday, April 15, to announce the new “take it outside” initiative intended to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Inslee: Washington Has Entered Its Fourth Wave of COVID-19

OLYMPIA — Washington state has entered its fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic as cases continue to rise, Gov. Jay Inslee said Thursday. In a news conference where he was joined by health … more

Joseph O'Sullivan / The Seattle Times | 4/23/21

Clouds drift over Mount St. Helens at sunset on Thursday.

Photos: Spirit Lake Memorial Highway Now Open

Warmer spring temperatures mean that the gates to the upper level of state Route 504, also known as Spirit Lake Memorial Highway, are now open. The Washington State Department of Transportation … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/23/21

FILE PHOTO — A totem pole was in front of Toledo High School in this 2019 Chronicle file photo.

Toledo Could Soon Be Home of the ‘Timbers,’ ‘Bigfoots’ or ‘River Runners’

Local sports fields could soon be hosting the Toledo Timbers — or the Toledo Bigfoots, Steelheads, River Runners or Trappers. All are suggestions by community members as the school district … more

By Claudia Yaw / cyaw@chronline.com | 4/23/21 | 1 comment

Jasen Wenzelburger, a 2020 graduate, throws up his graduation cap last June at Centralia High School.

Local Schools Eye the Outdoors for Graduations

High schools in Lewis County are eyeing the great outdoors — specifically football stadiums and fields — for more traditional graduation ceremonies this year following relaxed COVID-19 … more

By Eric Rosane / ericr@chronline.com | 4/23/21

Jason Sobczynski uses a cutting torch while working to remove pieces of metal from No. 15 Thursday afternoon in Chehalis.

‘Repairing the Arteries and Heart’: Work Begins on Repairing Chehalis-Centralia Railroad and Museum's Steam Locomotive

Jason Sobczynski is quick to forget names. But model numbers? Well, those are easy to remember. “I’m horrible with names. If everyone had a number I would be so golden, but I … more

By Eric Rosane / ericr@chronline.com | 4/23/21