News | The Daily Chronicle

Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez smiles while touring the proposed site of the Southwest Washington Agricultural & Innovation Park in Tenino in February 2023.

MGP breaks from Democrats on $1.15 trillion defense bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez on Wednesday joined Republicans to pass a $1.15 trillion defense policy bill, diverging from House Democrats who overwhelmingly rejected the … more

By Anumita Kaur / The Seattle Times | 7/23/26

The Washington Capitol building is lit up against the night sky in Olympia.

Washington state budget spending increased by 230% since 2001

The Washington state operating budget has increased by 230% since 2001, according to a presentation to the Joint Legislative-Executive Committee on Budget Transparency and Fiscal Sustainability. … more

By TJ Martinell / The Center Square | 7/23/26

Wind turbines in southwest Minnesota in 2024. The Trump administration has halted Department of Defense reviews for onshore wind turbines, freezing scores of projects. (Photo by Max Nesterak/Minnesota Reformer)

State AGs join legal fight against Trump’s wind farm freeze

A coalition of Democratic state attorneys general has joined a lawsuit seeking to end the Trump administration’s halt of onshore wind projects in the United States. Last week, 18 states and … more

By Alex Brown / Stateline.org | 7/23/26

Employment Security Department Commissioner Cami Feek joins Gov. Bob Ferguson at a press conference in May. On Wednesday, Ferguson named Feek as the interim leader of the Department of Enterprise Services. (Photo courtesy of Employment Security Department)

Washington agency director out as Ferguson installs an interim leader

The director of Washington’s Department of Enterprise Services is out and the leader of another agency is in charge temporarily, Gov. Bob Ferguson announced Wednesday. Director Matt Jones, a … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 7/22/26

The sun sets at Mount Rainier National Park as seen from the Skyline Loop Trail on Monday, Sept. 22.

Mount Rainier climber killed, three injured after rockfall

One person has been killed and three injured on Mount Rainier’s most popular summit route. Six climbers in two separate parties were caught in a rockfall at 11,600 feet on the Disappointment … more

By Paige Cornwell / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 7/22/26

Centralia city councilors listen to public comment during the special Centralia City Council meeting on Tuesday, July 21.

Centralia moves to end warehouse moratorium pending final details

Centralia is poised to welcome a series of proposed warehouses at Centralia port properties after a nearly year-long moratorium, but limits on warehouses in other parts of the city are likely to … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 7/22/26

Tenino teen, 15, injured in single-car collision off U.S. 12 in Lewis County

A 15-year-old Tenino boy was injured Tuesday in a single-car collision off U.S. Highway 12 east of Mary’s Corner, according to a press memo from the Washington State Patrol (WSP). The teenager … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/22/26

Sirens: Shoplifters hit with felony charges; DUI arrest after vehicle hits building; driver eludes officers, faces charges

LEWIS COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT Preliminary appearances • Jason J. Benka, 42, Rochester, made a preliminary appearance July 20 for one count each of second-degree burglary, first-degree … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/22/26

A firefighter sprays a vehicle with water during a fire on the 6500 block of 198th Avenue Southwest in Rochester on Wednesday, July 22.

Vehicles damaged, one injured, in Thurston County fire

A civilian sustained minor injuries in a fire that damaged three RVs and four vehicles near Rochester on Wednesday. The fire was reported at approximately 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday, July … more

By Thurston Chronicle staff | 7/22/26

Death notices: July 22, 2026

• FRED DUANE CAPPS, 92, Longview, died July 14 in Longview. A memorial service will be held at Sticklin-Brown Funeral Chapel, 1437 S. Gold St., Centralia, at noon Saturday, Aug. 22, with a … more

7/22/26

The Chehalis Tribal Jail is pictured in Oakville on Tuesday, Oct. 14.

Chehalis Tribal Law Enforcement among tribal departments with most previously fired officers

Shortly after Kalispel Tribal Police Detective Phineas Haglin arrested a woman at the Northern Quest Resort and Casino outside Spokane, Washington, he found a hotel security guard and asked if video … more

By Melanie Henshaw / InvestigateWest | 7/22/26

From the left, Bucoda Town Councilors Steven Lyle and Kevin Jones, Bucoda Mayor Callie Carpenter and Bucoda Town Councilors Miriam Gordon and Laura Wilson discuss town business during their regular meeting on Tuesday, July 14, inside the Bucoda Community Center.

Bucoda moves to use proposed BrightNight donation to fund spay and neuter clinic

Members of the Bucoda Town Council convened for their monthly regular meeting on Tuesday, July 14, and among the agenda items for council consideration were a trio of Washington state Department of … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 7/22/26

Participants finish their water aerobics class in the newly-converted saltwater pool at Thorbeckes Wellness Center in Centralia on Wednesday, July 22.

Centralia pool goes natural with new saltwater conversion

This summer, residents can pile into the family vehicle and take a trip to the coast to enjoy the salty sea air and take a dip in the Pacific Ocean. Or, they can just go to the Thorbeckes … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 7/22/26

Shawny Fredricks' 1971 Volkswagen Bus and Mike Williams' 1931 Packard convertible are seen parked outside of the Cowlitz River Lodge following the 32nd annual Packwood Summer Rod Run in July of 2025, in this photo posted to the Packwood Summer Rod Run Facebook page.

Classic and custom cars coming to East Lewis County on Saturday for 33rd annual Packwood Summer Rod Run

While many gearheads in the Twin Cities will get a chance to check out the ChehalisFest car show this weekend, those out in East Lewis County and beyond are invited to bring their customs and … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/22/26

Benjamin C. Andersen, 37, of Washington County, Oregon, had been missing since May. Family members first reported his disappearance to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

No ‘criminal activity’ suspected in death of Oregon man found near Mount St. Helens

The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office said it found “no indication of criminal activity” while investigating the death of an Oregon man whose body was found at the bottom of a ravine near Mount … more

By Jacob Farmer / jfarmer@chronline.com | 7/22/26

Toledo artist Emily Feigenbaum, a recent Toledo High School graduate, poses next to the Wishing Wall mural she painted inside Toledo City Hall on Monday, July 20, after she was honored for her work by the Toledo City Council during their regular meeting.

Councilors honor artist after Wishing Wall mural completed inside Toledo City Hall; council establishes donation policy

It was a short meeting for members of the Toledo City Council, as they had already been inside their council chambers for an hour for a mid-year budget review workshop prior to their regular meeting … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 7/22/26

Thurston County commissioners Rachel Grant, second from the left, Wayne Fournier, front, and Carolina Mejia, eighth from the right, pose for a photo with volunteers from FFA, 4H and the Thurston County Fairat The Atrium in Olympia on Tuesday, July 21.

Upcoming Thurston County Fair celebrated with proclamation

The Thurston County Board of Commissioners welcomed a menagerie of farm animals, including chickens, guinea pigs, bunnies, a goat and a sheep to its board room on Tuesday to celebrate the upcoming … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@thurstonchronicle.com | 7/22/26

WSDOT plans 100 lane miles of repaving for I-5, Highway 12 in Lewis County this summer

As summertime paving ramps up, travelers on Interstate 5 and U.S. Highway 12 in Lewis County will soon notice smoother, more reliable trips, according to a news release from the Washington state … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/22/26

Attendees listen as Ashlee Shirer, owner of Sweet Dough Cookie Co., speaks during the annual Power of the Purse event at Centralia College on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025.

United Way of Lewis County invites community to 21st Power of the Purse event

United Way of Lewis County is inviting the community to the 21st annual “Power of the Purse” fundraiser from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 4, at the TransAlta Commons at Centralia College. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/22/26

Thurston County employees pose for a photo with various awards received at The Atrium in Olympia on Tuesday, July 21.

In Focus: Thurston County celebrates Achievement Awards

Thurston County celebrated its employees on Tuesday as they distributed the 30 Achievement Awards they received from the National Association of Counties (NaCO). Thurston County announced the … more

By Thurston Chronicle staff | 7/22/26