Local News | The Daily Chronicle

Boaters are pictured on Mineral Lake during the Mineral Lake Fishing Derby on Saturday.

Planning Commission Holds First Workshop on Rezone of Mineral Lake YMCA Land for New Camp

The YMCA officially purchased 500 acres of land north of Mineral Lake from Forecastle Timber in September 2021, but the time between the purchase and the opening day of summer camp could be about a … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronline.com | 4/27/22

Chehalis Police Chief Randy Kaut talks during a Chehalis City Council meeting Monday afternoon.

Chehalis Council Removes Increased Penalty Amounts for Repeat Non-Traffic Infractions, Decreases 16 Base Penalties

On Monday, the Chehalis City Council made considerable changes to the amount of money the city will require people to pay as penalties for certain non-traffic infractions. The state Legislature … more

By Daniel Warn / dan@chronline.com | 4/27/22

Centralia Proclaims April 2022 as ‘Child Abuse Prevention Month’

Mayor Kelly Smith Johnston on Tuesday officiated a City of Centralia proclamation recognizing April 2022 as “Child Abuse Prevention Month” in the city. The move was made in light of a … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/27/22

A medical professional removes her gloves after talking to a visitor outside the Lewis County Mall as cars drive up for free COVID testing in November 2021.

COVID Cases Increase in Lewis County, Remain Low

For over five weeks now, Lewis County has reported new COVID case totals below 30. After 24 cases were reported from April 7 to April 14, this last reporting week of April 15 to April 21 showed … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/27/22

Mary Kay Nelson talks about use of funds during a Chehalis City Council meeting Monday afternoon.

Chehalis-Centralia Railroad Works to Cover Operational Costs in Lieu of Revenue-Generating Rides

Despite the flooding and insurance issues that led to a devastating first quarter for the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad & Museum (CCRM) and the resignation of CCRM’s president, the … more

By Emily Fitzgerald and Daniel Warn /The Chronicle | 4/27/22

Centralia Mayor Kelly Smith Johnston addresses public commenters during a city council meeting on Tuesday.

Centralia Council Adds Speed, Access Restrictions to Certain Streets Designated as Truck Routes

During its Tuesday meeting, the Centralia City Council held a public hearing for — and passed on first reading — new speed restrictions for large trucks on sections of three city streets. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/27/22

Chehalis City Council members listen to attendees of a meeting Monday afternoon.

Chehalis Moves Forward With ‘Key’ Water Rights Purchase

The Chehalis City Council approved the purchase of additional water rights from Marwood Farms during its Monday meeting, a move city staff said would be “key” to meet the city’s … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/27/22

Lewis County Drug Take-Back to Be Held in Morton, Centralia on Saturday

Prescription drug take-back events will be held on Saturday, April 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Morton Police Department and Centralia Middle School thanks to MortonUp! and the Centralia … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/27/22

Centralia Council Grants a One-Time Stipend to Non-Union Employees in Lieu of Pay Raise

The Centralia City Council voted to give its 34 non-union, full-time, benefitted employees a one-time stipend for 2% of their individual base salaries at its Tuesday meeting. The stipends total an … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/27/22

Sirens: Sexual Misconduct; Scam; Malicious Mischief; Theft

CHEHALIS POLICE DEPARTMENT Theft • A catalytic converter was reported stolen from the 2000 block of Northeast Kresky Avenue just after 9:55 a.m. on April 25. • A man and a … more

4/27/22

Rebekah Oliver talks about running the Power Shop in Centralia with her husband.

Family-Owned Business The Powershop Sees Boom in Sales as Interest in Landscaping Increases Amid Pandemic

The Powershop, located on Harrison Avenue, has been a Centralia institution for 65 years. It was purchased by Cedric and Diane Pruitt 17 years ago in 2005. In their first five years owning the … more

By Matthew Zylstra / matthew@chronline.com | 4/27/22

Twin Transit Thanks TransAlta Board With New Bus Wrap

Five years after providing Twin Transit with a grant to fund an electric bus charging station, the public transportation agency thanked the TransAlta Coal Transition Board with the unveiling of a new … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/27/22

A fire engine drives through downtown Chehalis with lights illuminated last December.

Chehalis Closes Out Site Preparation Work for Interim Fire Station Ahead of New Headquarters

The quest for a new permanent fire station headquarters in Chehalis is one step closer to being complete. The Chehalis City Council accepted the site preparation work for an interim fire station … more

By Daniel Warn / dan@chronline.com | 4/27/22

The sun sets behind clouds over Tenino on Monday.

Photo: Sunset, Clouds Make for Dazzling Display in Tenino

4/27/22

Community Calendar: Spring Youth Fair; Mother’s Day Craft/Bazaar; Spaghetti Feed Preschool Fundraiser

Spring Youth Fair April 29, 30 and May 1 at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds Parking and admission are free on Friday, April 29 and throughout the fair for kids ages 5 and below. … more

4/27/22

W.F. West freshmen Andre Tseng and Kaden Schow alongside Amit Rai, a junior, add loading dye to enzymes on Biotech Day in Chehalis.

Biotech Day Returns to W.F. West High School

W.F. West High School saw the return of Biotech Day on Wednesday after a multi-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event was smaller than in pre-pandemic years, consisting of … more

By Matthew Zylstra / matthew@chronline.com | 4/27/22

Cowlitz Indian Tribe Spiritual Leader Tanna Engdahl addresses a crowd gathered for the five-year anniversary celebration of ilani April 25.

Five-Year Anniversary for ilani Celebrates Progress, Luxury Hotel Under Construction

At ilani, a shining blue tower is rising from the ground into the sky. When complete, the nearly 300-room luxury hotel will be the latest expansion of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe’s most … more

Rick Bannan / For The Chronicle | 4/27/22

Sunlight shines through trees in the White Pass Ski Area last January.

Big Storms, High Demand Kept Ski Areas Thriving This Season

A pair of highly unusual storm systems defined a ski season strengthened by a return to normalcy with lessening COVID-19 restrictions. Significant snowfall along with warmer temperatures in early … more

Luke Thompson / Yakima Herald-Republic | 4/27/22

Weather Service: More Snow on the Way for Lewis County This Week; Icy Roads Persist

Into Tuesday morning, the Twin Cities were still seeing snowfall as many of Lewis County’s icy roadways had yet to thaw. The National Weather Service (NWS) updated Lewis County … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronline.com | 12/28/21