News | The Daily Chronicle

The Thurston County Board of Commissioners meet on Tuesday, Feb. 17.

Thurston County identifies plan to reopen public counter services at the clerk’s office

The Thurston County Board Commissioners announced Wednesday, May 20, that funding resources have been identified to support a part-time reopening of in-person counter services at the Thurston County … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@thurstonchronicle.com | 5/20/26

The Sticklin Greenwood Memorial Park in Centralia is pictured by way of aerial photo on Wednesday, May 20, 2022.

Remembering the fallen at a history lesson in plain sight

It’s a history lesson hiding in plain sight. The Sticklin Greenwood Memorial Park hosts the remains of veterans of one of the country's oldest wars, the American Civil War. Those veterans … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 5/20/26

Commissioner Sean Swope listens as his fellow commissioners vote on indemnity for county employees, including himself, in relation to a suit from former Lewis County Coroner’s Office employee Paul Bromm during a meeting at the Lewis County Courthouse in Chehalis on Tuesday, May 19.

Lewis County approves legal protection for Swope, other elected officials, in ongoing lawsuit

Lewis County will officially offer legal and financial protections to four county employees — including Commissioner Sean Swope — more than a month after a former employee filed a First Amendment … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 5/20/26

Lewis County Public Facilities District Chair Ron Averill, center, along with Centralia Deputy City Manager Amy Buckler, left, and Centralia School District Superintendent Dr. Lisa Grant, right, provide an update to the Centralia City Council on the state of the Northwest Sports Hub.

Local leaders tout improvements to Northwest Sports Hub, up to $17 million in economic benefit to the area

Local leaders say the Northwest Sports Hub brought in as much as $17 million in economic benefit to the area last year, with the positive impacts stretching from Castle Rock to Olympia. They … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 5/20/26

Rochester graduate Gunnar Morgan receives a diploma during a commencement ceremony at Saint Martin’s University in Lacey on Sunday, June 8, 2025.

Rochester grad appointed to U.S. Air Force Academy

A Rochester High School graduate has been appointed to the U.S. Air Force Academy, according to a Tuesday announcement from U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania. The congresswoman … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/20/26

Rupp W. Freece, 35, Winlock, was sentenced April 8 to 17 months in prison and 12 months of community custody after making Alford pleas to two counts of third-degree assault and one count each of obstructing a law enforcement officer and fourth-degree assault (domestic violence). Additional charges were dismissed. For previous Chronicle coverage on the case, visit https://tinyurl.com/5cvj77zc.

Sirens: Defendants sentenced in Lewis County Superior Court; DUI arrests; hit-and-runs reported

LEWIS COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT The following list is not comprehensive. Superior Court records can be accessed at the Lewis County Clerk’s Office in Chehalis. Sentencings • Rupp W. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/20/26

Death notices: May 20, 2026

• CHRISTOPHER RAY KALISTA, 60, Toledo, died May 18 at home. Arrangements are under the care of Fir Lawn Funeral Chapel in Toledo. • MARIA I. MOJICA GARCIA, 60, Centralia, died April 27 at … more

5/20/26

Riley Martin at the 2026 Miss Lewis County Scholarship Program at the Centralia College Corbet Theatre on Saturday, March 14.

Maureen Harkcom: Onalaska teen’s pageant push focuses on agriculture, healthy food

Along with trying to get some truth about agriculture out there for everyone, I like to acknowledge people I feel are doing a good job in agriculture. I am always looking for topics to write … more

Commentary by Maureen Harkcom / For The Chronicle | 5/20/26

A Dolly Parton cutout greets Juice Box patrons attending United Way of Lewis County and Twin Cities Rotary's "Dolly Day Lewis County" fundraiser for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library on Friday, May 17, 2024.

Dolly Day Lewis County aims to raise critical funds for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Community members across Lewis County are invited to come together on Saturday, May 23, for Dolly Day Lewis County, a two-part fundraising event supporting Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/20/26

Cars drive through the Packwood Flea Market on Memorial Day weekend on Sunday, May 26, 2024.

Packwood Flea Market returns to East Lewis County for Memorial Day weekend run Friday

With spring more than halfway over, the vendors and artisans of the Packwood Flea Market are preparing to return to East Lewis County on Friday, May 22, and continuing daily through Memorial Day on … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/20/26

Local 12 Step program seeks new home by end of next month

The local 12 Step Club, which has served the local community for more than 40 years, is looking for a new home. The club, which was founded in 1958 and incorporated in the state as the Alano … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/20/26

From the left, Deputy Chris Rubin, Beck, Everley, Sadie and Sergeant Matt Wallace pose for a photo at St. Joseph Catholic School in Chehalis on Tuesday, May 19. The ride to school in the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office armored vehicle was among the prizes offered at a recent Economic Alliance of Lewis County event.

In Focus: St. Joseph School students get armored ride to class

5/20/26

Mountain guide Simon Kearns poses for a victory photo after setting a new speed record for climbing Mount Rainier on May 9.

Mount Rainier climber Simon Kearns sets new speed record

There's a new king of the mountain. On May 9, mountain guide Simon Kearns stepped onto the asphalt at Paradise in Mount Rainier National Park — just 3 hours, 43 minutes and 52 seconds after … more

By Gregory Scruggs / The Seattle Times | 5/20/26

A rendering of the proposed "Wishing Wall" for the Toledo city staff's America250 celebration project, courtesy of the City of Toledo.

Toledo considers putting up America250 ‘Wishing Wall’ mural at city hall

Toledo City Council members met briefly inside the South Lewis County community’s city hall on Monday, May 18, as only two items were on their regular meeting’s agenda for that day. Much of … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 5/20/26

Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders addresses the Tenino City Council on Tuesday, May 12, inside Tenino City Hall during the council's regular meeting.

Thurston County finalizes agreement for sheriff’s office to police Tenino

Thurston County on Tuesday finalized an agreement with the City of Tenino to provide law enforcement services through at least Sept. 30. The contract includes an option for a three-month … more

By Thurston Chronicle staff | 5/20/26

Lewis County Transit to hold public meeting May 26

The next board meeting of the Lewis Public Transportation Benefit Area, which does business as Lewis County Transit, will be held at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 26, according to a news release. The … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/20/26

A playground set is seen on a sunny Tuesday afternoon at Schaefer County Park in Centralia.

Lewis County seeks to spruce up parks ahead of summer

Lewis County says it will spend money to improve as many as five parks across the county ahead of the summer season. It will also, in honor of the nation's 250th anniversary, begin flying a … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/20/26

A contestant throws a sock at a chicken during the Independence Valley Chicken Races at Independence Valley Community Hall in Rochester on Sunday, June 29. What started as a way to save the Independence Valley Community Hall, the chicken races have been a tradition in the community for 49 years, according to local organizers.

Independence Valley Community Hall announces 49th annual Chicken Races

Independence Valley Community Hall has announced it will host its 49th annual Chicken Races on Sunday, June 28. Lunch will start at 12 p.m. Burgers or hot dogs will be available for $10, with … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/20/26

Female wolfdog Layla is pictured in this photo by Gelane Clements.

Tenino’s Wolf Haven launches silent, ‘sanctuary’ viewing experience

The Tenino-based Wolf Haven International has launched a contemplative experience called “Sanctuary as a Mindset,” according to a news release from the organization. The new program lets … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/20/26

Winlock City Councilors Alishia Hornburg and Chuck Camps, on the left, and Mayor Victoria Marincin, right, listen as Councilor Jodie Curtis talks during the Monday, May 11, city council meeting at Winlock City Hall.

Winlock City Council retroactively approves city staff hires going back to 2022

Winlock City Council members met on Wednesday, May 13, for a special meeting after Councilor Jeramy Allman pointed out a procedural issue during the council’s Monday, May 11 meeting — the hiring … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 5/20/26