News | The Daily Chronicle

New Washington State Parks hiking guide empowers disabled hikers

The Washington State Parks Foundation, in partnership with Disabled Hikers and the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, has recently announced the release of “Accessible … more

By The Chronicle staff | 10/17/25

Chehalis’ Luke Hartley catches a pass from quarterback Drew Hill during the eighth-grade Battle of the Swamp at Bearcat Stadium in Chehalis. The Chehalis teams got the best of both Centralia teams, as the seventh graders played first followed by the eighth graders on Wednesday, Oct. 15. Proceeds went to the Chehalis Activators, a booster club supporting middle school sports in the Chehalis School District.

In Focus: Centralia and Chehalis middle school football teams play under the lights in Battle of the Swamp primer

10/17/25

From the left, Vader Mayor Joe Schey and Vader City Councilors John Hurt and Jason Daily discuss city business during the regular city council meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 15, inside Vader City Hall.

Vader City Council roundup: Official prayer at meetings discussed again; Haunted City Hall approved for Halloween; budget process underway

Members of the Vader City Council convened on Wednesday, Oct. 15, for their second regular meeting of the month to discuss a number of agenda items. Among the items, the most discussed included … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 10/17/25

This 2017 photo of a big brown bat was captured by Mount Rainier National Park staff.

Citizen scientists scan the skies to help Washington state bats facing a deadly fungus

In a grassy clearing at sunset, volunteers tip their gaze toward the moon. They scan the darkening skies until a frenetic flapping breaks the peace. Like the winged beacon of comic book fame, … more

By Hannah Furfaro / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 10/17/25

FROM THE ARCHIVES: "Eleven Lewis County officials appeared before Superior Judge John E. Murray Monday to take their oaths for new terms of office. Above, left to right, are Judge Murray, Prosecutor John Panesko, Treasurer Harold Quick, Clerk Donelda Henderson, Centralia Justice Jack Cunnigham, Coroner H. B. Maddox, Auditor Roy J. Fletcher, PUD Commissioner Ted Teitzel, County School Superintendent Florence Kennicott, Commissioner Hubert Anderson, Assessor John King and Sheriff Earl Hilton. County heads had only two personnel changes to announce. In Assessor King’s office, Mrs. Marjorie Howard of Chehalis retired as of December 31 and has been replaced by Mrs. Barbara Extine of Centralia." — published by The Daily Chronicle on Jan. 11, 1955

A Look Back in Time: Saxophone stolen in Tenino; Winlock post office’s ‘Uncle Ray’ retires; Seven locals arrested after drug raid where ‘county road signs’ also recovered

In this installment of A Look Back in Time, the Friday, Oct. 18, 1935, edition of The Chronicle featured a story about Tenino resident Selbert Deisberg’s saxophone being stolen on the same … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 10/17/25

Seattle police investigating homicide of boy, 4, at apartment building

A woman was taken into custody Thursday evening after a 4-year-old boy, who is believed to be her son, died at an apartment building in Seattle's Roosevelt neighborhood, according to police. … more

Lauren Girgis / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 10/17/25

Washington state lawmakers confront reality of cuts coming from One Big Beautiful Bill

Washington state lawmakers got a clearer picture Thursday of how the federal H.R. 1 tax and spending bill is changing certain health-care and food-assistance programs — and some didn’t … more

Simone Carter / The Olympian (TNS) | 10/17/25

Thurston County Auditor advises returning ballots early this year

Voters who choose to mail their ballots ought to do so at least one week before the Nov. 4 election day this year, Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall warns. State law requires counted ballots to … more

Martín Bilbao / The Olympian (TNS) | 10/17/25

Braver Angels CEO: Political dialogue is still possible — even in deep-blue Washington state

A little more than a month after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Orem, Utah, new Braver Angels CEO Maury Giles came to Seattle. Braver Angels describes itself as … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 10/17/25

KSI truck driver Jose Romero fills up his truck at the Love's gas station in Napavine on his way toward Los Angeles Monday.

Florida sues Washington state, California for licensing immigrants

The state of Florida has filed a complaint with the U.S. Supreme Court against the states of California and Washington, saying damage has been caused as a result of granting commercial driver’s … more

By David Beasley / The Center Square | 10/16/25

Renewed legal battle ramps up over Columbia Basin dams and salmon

A long-running court battle over how to balance protections for endangered fish with hydropower dams in the Columbia River Basin has resumed after a two-year pause. Conservationists, … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / The Washington State Standard | 10/16/25

Washington transportation officials say a lack of funding means dollars intended for preservation and maintenance are the ones diverted to deal with emergency situations. Before (left) and after (right) photos of the mudslide and cleanup on State Route 20 following an Aug. 11 mudslide. (Washington State Department of Transportation)

‘Early stages of critical failure’: Funding outlook is grim for Washington state road upkeep

State transportation officials say they are making the limited dollars for highway and bridge preservation stretch as far as they can — but it’s not far enough. There’s too … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 10/16/25

WDFW greenlights seven more days of coastal razor clam digs beginning Oct. 20

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) shellfish managers confirmed on Wednesday that razor clam digging opportunities will be available at Long Beach , Twin Harbors , Copalis and Mocrocks … more

10/16/25

Tomas Leonardo-Vargas, 52, Centralia, seated at left next to defense attorney Rachael Tiller, makes an appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Wednesday, Oct. 15.

Centralia man accused of intent to distribute half-pound of meth

A Centralia man made an out-of-custody preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court Wednesday after being summoned and charged with one count of possession with intent to manufacture or … more

By The Chronicle staff | 10/16/25

Lewis County Superior Court Judge Joely A. Yeager

Man who performed as rapper ‘Cisco Go Crazy’ sentenced for rape charges in Lewis County

Francisco Prater, 24, the Edmonds man who rapped under the stage name “Cisco Go Crazy,” was sentenced to six months in jail and one year of community custody Wednesday following his … more

By Jacob Farmer / jfarmer@chronline.com | 10/16/25

Ruben J. McGee, 48, makes a video appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Wednesday, Oct. 15.

Man arrested after leaving Chehalis treatment center where he was finishing long criminal sentence

A 48-year-old man convicted of multiple Class A felonies was arrested Oct. 10 for leaving the American Behavioral Health Systems (ABHS) treatment facility in Chehalis where he was serving the … more

By Jacob Farmer / jfarmer@chronline.com | 10/16/25

Empty lots planned to be the future home of businesses such as Chipotle, Chick-fil-A and Wilco as part of the Centralia Station development are shown here on Thursday, Oct. 16.

Wilco Farm Store, Great NorthWest Federal Credit Union coming to Centralia Station

The Port of Centralia Commission approved purchase and sale agreements Wednesday to bring Wilco Farm Store and Great NorthWest Federal Credit Union to Centralia Station. The agreement with Wilco … more

By Dylan Reubenking / dylanr@chronline.com | 10/16/25

Near-daily protests continued outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in South Portland on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025.

Oregon judge extends restraining orders on troops in Portland; the power of costumes: Get caught up

Oregon U.S. District Judge Karin J. Immergut on Wednesday extended her two temporary restraining orders that barred President Donald Trump from deploying Oregon National Guard members - or any … more

Julia Silverman / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 10/16/25

Half of Oregon counties have nothing on the ballot this November

Just 17 of Oregon’s 36 counties will hold elections this November, allowing voters a chance to weigh in on everything from fire department levies to bonds for recreation facilities and whether … more

Sami Edge / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 10/16/25

Suspect in string of Portland burglaries indicted on 22 new charges

A grand jury on Oct. 7 indicted a 43-year-old man on 22 burglary charges — adding to a slew of earlier charges from different burglaries in Portland. The new charges against Jeremiah … more

Tatum Todd / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 10/16/25