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David Douglas, namesake of the Douglas fir.

A Historical River Voyage, Part 3: Past the Volcano and the Cow-a-lidsk River

Editor’s Note: Famed botanist David Douglas was one of the first people to leave a written account of traveling via river through this region. After traversing the Chehalis River, he is now … more

By Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 5/27/22

2019 FILE PHOTO — University of Washington Medicine Department staff lead the UW Stem camp students through their process when approaching a case study in the W.F. West High School STEM wing.

Registration Open for University of Washington Summer STEM Camp At W.F. West

The Chehalis Foundation welcomes back high school students to its annual Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Camp at W.F. West High School this summer. The camp will take place Aug. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/27/22

Lewis County Fire District 5 Chief Dan Mahoney

Napavine Fire District Schedules Monthly ‘Coffee With the Chief’

Lewis County Fire District 5, Napavine, is inviting citizens from the area to have coffee with Fire Chief Dan Mahoney on the fourth Monday of each month from 9 to 11 a.m. and on the second Thursday … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/27/22

North Side of Mount St. Helens Opens to Campers For Three Weekends This Summer

Outdoor enthusiasts who have long awaited the opportunity to camp on the north side of Mount St. Helens will have the opportunity to do so with the Mount St. Helens Institute’s (MSHI) … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/27/22

Grays Harbor County Drug Task Force Seizes $70,000 in Fentanyl

More than $70,000 of fentanyl pills are off the streets after a two-month Grays Harbor Drug Task Force investigation, according to the Grays Harbor Drug Task Force. On Thursday, May 19, Hoquiam … more

By Matthew N. Wells / The Daily World | 5/27/22

In June of 1959 the last bus left the old Centralia Hotel between Silver and Iron on Main Street in downtown Centralia. Now demolished, the once-grand hotel was located where the Campbell Chrysler Jeep Dodge car lot was located before it closed. Louis Stoffer was 35 in June of 1959 and knew that at about 4 p.m. the last bus would be leaving the hotel. The Centralia Hotel was one of the finest hotels in Centralia, Stoffer recalls. The bus station was on the ground floor on the west end of the hotel. During World War II, many soldiers left that station to begin their stints at Fort Lewis — Stoffer himself had taken that trip on July 21, 1943. (Originally submitted by Louis Stoffer for “Our Hometowns: Volume 2”)

A Look Back in Time: Graduation Week Comes for Chehalis High School’s 50th Batch of Seniors in 1942

The formerly named Chehalis High School — now W.F. West High School — embarked on its graduate programs for the week of May 27, 1942. The week-long graduation proceedings were set to … more

Compiled by Daniel Warn / dan@chronline.com | 5/27/22

Entrance to Mount Rainier National Park in Ashford.

Mount Rainier National Park Partially Open This Weekend

ASHFORD — Many areas within Mount Rainier National Park will be accessible to visitors beginning Memorial Day weekend, despite 13 feet of snow on the ground at Paradise, according to a press … more

By The Columbia Basin Herald | 5/27/22

The Chehalis River flows past Grand Mound on Friday.

River Diary No. 3 — A Happiness Defined by the Sunburn That Followed

Editor’s Note: This story is part of "Headwaters to Harbor," a project by The Chronicle to document the Chehalis River from Pe Ell to Grays Harbor while highlighting people and issues … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronline.com | 5/26/22

Centralia Police: Man Who Fled Officers Last Month Arrested After Pursuit Into Cowlitz County

A man accused of fleeing Centralia police officers last month after being caught stealing catalytic converters was arrested Wednesday after a chase that began in Centralia and continued into Cowlitz … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/26/22

A mask was placed on the George Washington statue in downtown Centralia last year.

Washington Health Leaders Renew Push for Indoor Masking as COVID Cases Rise, But Stop Short of Mandates

The state's public health leaders are again "strongly recommending" all Washingtonians wear face masks indoors as some COVID trends continue to steadily rise, but are not issuing any mandates. … more

Elise Takahama / The Seattle Times | 5/25/22

FILE PHOTO — Gov. Jay Inslee speaks at a press conference.

Gov. Inslee, Lt. Gov. Heck Test Positive for Coronavirus, With Mild Symptoms

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and Lt. Gov. Denny Heck have tested positive for the coronavirus and are working from home while experiencing mild symptoms, their offices announced Wednesday. Inslee, … more

Jim Brunner / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 5/25/22

A creek runs through an old growth forest near Rainbow Falls State Park off state Route 6.

In Focus: Old Growth Forest at Rainbow Falls on the Chehalis River

5/25/22

Danika Davis, weed specialist, and Charles Edmonson, Lewis County Noxious Weed program coordinator, smile for a photo next to Himalayan blackberry at Rainbow Falls State Park Sunday morning.

Headwaters to Harbor: Lewis County Battles Against Noxious Weeds on Chehalis River

Editor’s Note: This story is part of "Headwaters to Harbor," a project by The Chronicle to document the Chehalis River from Pe Ell to Grays Harbor while highlighting people and issues connected … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronline.com | 5/25/22

Tammy Baraconi, planning and building manager for Chehalis, discusses the Urban Growth Area expansion at the May 22 Chehalis City Council Meeting.

Chehalis Embarks on Process to Increase Urban Growth Area

The City of Chehalis is looking at adding two land areas to its Urban Growth Area (UGA), one of which could lead to a reduction in holes at the Newaukum Valley Golf Course should development … more

By Daniel Warn / dan@chronline.com | 5/25/22

The Chehalis City Council listens to a presentation at the May 22 meeting held at Chehalis City Hall.

Chehalis City Council Votes to Pay Off Utility Bills for Landlords Left With Balances by Tenants During Pandemic

The Chehalis City Council voted Monday to use Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) created by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to pay for the overdue utility balances of 21 … more

By Daniel Warn / dan@chronline.com | 5/25/22

Judge J. Andrew Toynbee presides over Lewis County Superior Court last Tuesday at the Lewis County Law and Justice Center in Chehalis.

Lewis County Commissioners Accept $100,000 Grant for AV Equipment in Lewis County Superior Court

The Lewis County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) voted to pass a resolution accepting a $100,000 grant from the Washington Administrative Office of the Courts to make needed upgrades to Lewis County … more