Local News | The Daily Chronicle

From left, Wade Pilloud, Officer Lance Martin with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Randy Lampman watch as hundreds of trout are released into Carlisle Lake in Onalaska on Friday.

Onalaska Aquaculture Program Releases 600 Trout in Carlisle Lake

The Onalaska School District aquaculture program released 600 trout in Carlisle Lake on Friday morning. The release coincides with the Saturday start of the statewide trout fishing derby. … more

By Matthew Zylstra / matthew@chronline.com | 4/21/23

Cowlitz Tribe Opens Cannabis Dispensary

COWLITZ RESERVATION — As rain cascaded from the sky, tribal drums beat to mark a 4-20 occasion — a new bright green brick and mortar cannabis dispensary, Q'anápsu, opening Thursday … more

Sarah Wolf / The Columbian (TNS) | 4/21/23

A sea lion, about 70 miles upstream from the Columbia River, pokes its head above the water on the Cowlitz River where hatchery salmon were released Monday.

Sea Lions, Seals Seen 70 Miles up Cowlitz River at Barrier Dam

For anglers who enjoy catching salmon near Astoria, the California sea lion is an established menace. The farther out one travels at the river’s mouth, the more they’ll see the … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronline.com | 4/19/23

Commissioners Sean Swope, Scott Brummer and Lindsey Pollock attend a meeting at the Lewis County Courthouse in Chehalis on Tuesday.

Outcry for Answers in Death of Aron Christensen Reaches County Commissioners

Thursday, April 20 marks eight months to the day since the bodies of Aron Christensen, 49, of Portland, and his puppy, Buzzo, were discovered near the Walupt Lake Trail, a camping and hiking … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronline.com | 4/19/23

Crews work to construct bridge materials before raising support beams for a bridge over state Route 6 near Littell along the Willapa Hills State Park Trail on Tuesday, April 18. Flaggers have been alternating traffic in one lane on state Route 6 as work continues this week. Additional overnight closures are required for bridge deck casting and railing installation and are tentatively scheduled for May 1 to May 4, WSDOT announced last week. As with all highway maintenance and construction projects, travelers are asked to exercise caution when driving through the work zone. For safety, drivers are asked to drive at slower speeds, have patience, obey warning signs and look for instructions from flagging personnel.

In Focus: Willapa Hills Trail Bridge Taking Shape Over State Route 6

In these photos, crews work to construct bridge materials before raising support beams for a bridge over state Route 6 near Littell along the Willapa Hills State Park Trail on Tuesday, April 18. … more

4/19/23

Barbara Feigin, a 1955 graduate of W.F. West High School, is pictured along with her book, “My American Dream: A Journey From Fascism to Freedom.”

Barbara Feigin, 1955 W.F. West Graduate and World War II Refugee, to Speak on April 24

Barbara Feigin, a 1955 graduate of W.F. West High School, will be returning to Chehalis to speak in the W.F. West High School library at 6 p.m. Monday, April 24, to discuss her life. The event is … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/19/23

Lewis County to Host Repair and Sustainability Fair on April 22

Lewis County will be hosting its first Repair and Sustainability Fair on April 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Room 108 of the Centralia College SWFT Center, located at 807 W. Pear St. in … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/19/23

From left, Hank Kirk, former president of Centralia College, Reverend Doctor Howard Matiya Nkhoma and wife of over 55 years, Mariya, Owen Singini, the chief of his village of 80 residents who has worked as a driver for over 35 years, and Jenny Kirk, who, with husband Hank, helped the Nkhomas to establish the University of Livingstonia in Malawi, pose for a photo in downtown Centralia on Thursday, April 13.

Love Between Two Communities Across the World Nurtures ‘The Whole Country’ of Malawi 25 Years Later

It’s been 25 years since the start of a friendship between communities on opposite sides of the planet that would blossom into the University of Livingstonia in Malawi, which turns 20 this … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronline.com | 4/19/23

A deer sits in a yard under a madrone tree in Chehalis on Sunday.

WDFW to Discontinue Online-Only Hunter Education

Starting June 1, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will no longer offer fully remote hunter education courses. The Department will continue to offer in-person hunter education … more

4/19/23

Centralia City Council Increases the City’s Biennial Budget by $464,884

The City of Centralia’s 2023-2024 budget appropriations were increased by $464,884 by the Centralia City Council during its regular meeting last week. The council approved the budget … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 4/19/23

Work continues on the Centralia Station project along Alder Street in Centralia on Wednesday, April 19, 2023.

Bids for Next Phase of Centralia Station Construction Unveiled

Contractors and Centralia residents were at the Port of Centralia Tuesday afternoon when the 2 p.m. bid acceptance deadline for phase two of the Centralia Station project arrived. Engineering … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 4/19/23

Caden R. Turner, 25, of Morton, appears in Lewis County Superior Court on Monday.

Morton Man Accused of Breaking Into Woman’s Home, Threatening Her With Firearm

Bail has been set at $100,000 for a Morton man accused of breaking into a woman’s house and threatening her with a firearm on Saturday. The woman reported she was in bed Saturday … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 4/19/23

Sirens: Blood in the Bathroom; Counterfeit Bills; Assault; Business Burglarized

CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Traffic Hazard • Officers received a report of a car stalled in the roadway at the intersection of Reynolds Avenue and North Pearl Street just … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/19/23

Crew members pose for a photo at Dawn’s Delectables Dessert & Sandwich Shoppe in Centralia during a 10-year anniversary celebration on Tuesday, April 18. Dawn Merchant, the owner, is pictured second from right

In Focus: Dawn’s Delectables Celebrates 10 Years of Business in Downtown Centralia

For Dawn's Delectables anniversary event in downtown Centralia, free cupcakes were provided and diners got a 10 percent discount on Tuesday. There was live music in the afternoon. Owner Dawn … more

Photos by Jared Wenzelburger / jared@chronline.com | 4/19/23

FILE PHOTO — Washington State Sen. John Braun

Braun Criticizes Police Vehicular Pursuit Bill Following State Senate Passage

State Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, released a statement on Monday following the state Senate’s passage of Senate Bill 5352, calling it a “half-step” toward … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/19/23

'Wilde Soul': W.F. West Graduate Opens Clothing Boutique in Downtown Chehalis

Looking for a new outfit or accessory for a night out on the town? This Friday, shoppers will have a new boutique to browse through in downtown Chehalis as they look for that perfect … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 4/19/23

Drug Take-Back Events in Morton, Centralia This Saturday

Lewis County Public Health & Social Services is hosting a drug take-back day in Morton and Centralia this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Centralia’s event will be held in the Centralia … more

By Isabel Vander Stoep / isabel@chronline.com | 4/19/23

AAUW to Host Seventh Annual ‘LUNAFEST’ Film Festival Later This Month In Centralia

The American Association of University Women of Lewis County (AAUW) is preparing to host its seventh annual LUNAFEST film festival at Centralia College’s Corbet Theater on April 29, according … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/19/23

A sign hangs at the entrance to Mount Rainier National Park in Ashford in March 2022.

National, State Parks Offering Free Entry Saturday, April 22

If you’re looking to go to Mount Rainier National Park or one of the many state parks in the region, Saturday might be a good day to do so. Saturday is a fee-free day for all national and … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/19/23

FILE PHOTO — A young girl smiles after catching two rainbow trout during the Borst Park Fishing Derby in Arpil 2022.

Community Calendar: Business After Hours; Peter Pan Ballet; Fishing Derby; The Shed Spring Market

To add upcoming events to the Community Calendar, email reporter Matthew Zylstra at matthew@chronline.com. Business After Hours April 20 at the Sticklin Funeral Chapel, 1437 S. … more

4/19/23