News | The Daily Chronicle

Trump targets ‘housing first’ policies in Washington state with new federal funding mandate

President Donald Trump’s new executive order is a sharp blow to Washington state municipalities’ Housing First strategies, with potential loss of federal funding if they do not adhere to … more

By Spencer Pauley / The Center Square | 7/25/25

The Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Building in Washington, D.C., in a file photo from November 2024. (Photo by Shauneen Miranda/States Newsroom)

U.S. Education Department to unfreeze contested K-12 funds; Washington schools leader responds

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration said Friday it’ll soon release billions in Education Department funding that has been frozen for weeks, delaying disbursements to K-12 schools … more

By Jennifer Shutt / States Newsroom | 7/25/25

A section of the Oak Creek drainage area that was not treated with tree thinning or prescribed burns before the Rimrock Retreat Fire in 2024. Due to the forest density and a high amount of ground cover, the fire burned intensely in this area, killing all trees and destroying the soil. Photo by Emily Fitzgerald.

Drop in state funding for Washington state work to prevent severe wildfires is stoking concerns

If state funding for forest health and wildfire prevention isn’t ramped back up in the next legislative session, it could hinder efforts to prevent severe fires in the coming years, … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / The Washington State Standard | 7/25/25

Mountain goats graze on a ridge as the sun sets at Mount Rainier National Park on Thursday, July 24.

In focus: Sunset on Mount Rainier's Skyline Loop at Paradise

7/25/25

Downtown Centralia is pictured from above looking south on North Pearl Street from The Chronicle in this 2024 file photo.

Centralia in need of furniture, sporting goods stores, Economic Alliance of Lewis County finds

Following a grant-funded retail analysis to find sales tax revenue options for Centralia, the Economic Alliance of Lewis County discovered that the city is in need of some furniture stores, sporting … more

By Dylan Reubenking / dylanr@chronline.com | 7/25/25

The Borst Park Pioneer Soccer Fields are pictured from above next to the Chehalis River in Centralia on Wednesday, March 19.

City of Centralia to host open house focused on trees Aug. 7 at Borst Park Arboretum

The City of Centralia invites community members to a tree open house on Thursday, Aug. 7, at the Fort Borst Park Arboretum to learn, share and celebrate Centralia’s growing urban forest. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/25/25

Volcano Rescue Team volunteers work to save a father and child at an opening to the Ape Cave south of Mount St. Helens on Wednesday, July 23, in this photo provided by the team.

Volcano Rescue Team performs high-angle rescue at Ape Cave south of Mount St. Helens

The Volcano Rescue Team (VRT) was dispatched to Ape Cave south of Mount St. Helens on Wednesday, July 23, to assist a child and father in distress. The pair had reportedly attempted to climb out … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/25/25

Members of the Centralia Planning Commission discuss proposed amendments to the city's zoning code during a special meeting at Centralia City Hall on Thursday, July 24.

Centralia Planning Commission debates zoning updates on model homes, sales trailers and short-term rentals

The City of Centralia’s Planning Commission gathered for a special meeting Thursday night to discuss proposed amendments to multiple chapters of the city’s municipal code, specifically on … more

By Dylan Reubenking / dylanr@chronline.com | 7/25/25

Napavine Mayor Shawn O'Neill talks about the late John Sayers during the Napavine City Council meeting on Tuesday, July 22.

Former Napavine Mayor and Councilor John Sayers honored at Napavine City Council meeting

The Napavine City Council convened on Tuesday, July 22, to hold its second regular council meeting of the month. While it was a short meeting as the council had no new or old business to discuss on … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 7/25/25

Sirens: Tools stolen from vehicle; arrests for DUI; semi backs into vehicle; physical altercation with family member ends in arrest

CHEHALIS POLICE DEPARTMENT Vehicle Accident • A semi truck backed into a vehicle at the corner of Southwest Chehalis Avenue and Southwest Lewis Street at about 11:43 a.m. July 22. No … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/25/25

Providence Centralia Hospital is located at 914 South Scheuber Road in Centralia.

Patients, family members sought for Providence Swedish advisory council

Former patients or family members of patients who would like to share their ideas about care and help to improve care at Providence Medical Group clinics, Providence St. Peter Hospital or Providence … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/25/25

Washington state Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer chats with Chehalis Mayor Tony Ketchum on Tuesday, June 17, at the Twin Cities Senior Center during a community outreach event.

Timber River Connections now serving as Lewis County health insurance benefits advisor sponsor

Timber River Connections, formerly known as Lewis County Seniors, is serving as the new Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) sponsor for Lewis County as of July 1. A public … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/25/25

Gluesenkamp Perez-backed military Right to Repair amendment passes House Armed Services Committee

New Hampshire Democratic U.S. Rep. Maggie Goodlander’s amendment to the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), backed by Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, passed the House … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/25/25

Lewis County Transit to hold board meeting July 29

A special board meeting of the Lewis Public Transportation Benefit Area, which does business as Lewis County Transit, will be held on Tuesday, July 29, at 3:30 p.m. This meeting is open to the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/25/25

The Chehalis River flows through Rainbow Falls at Rainbow Falls State Park on Wednesday, July 2.

Brian Mittge: Over the river and into the woods

OK folks, we’re getting on halfway through the summer. It’s time to do an outdoors check. How are we all doing at getting into the glory that is wooded Washington? Many of you have … more

Commentary by Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 7/25/25

Aerial images provided by the Washington Department of Ecology show the Rogers’ properties along the Deschutes River. The images compare the development from April 2020, shown on the left, to July 2024, shown on the right.

Thurston County business owners handed $204K fine for damage to river shoreline

Chuck Rogers and Austin Rogers got slapped with a $204,000 fine from the Washington Department of Ecology for “unpermitted shoreline development along the Deschutes River near Yelm,” … more

By Jacob Farmer / For The Chronicle | 7/25/25

Kitten Leschi poses outside of her store, Leschi's Best Buy, on the morning of July 4.

‘The Nordstrom’s of fireworks’: Leschi’s Best Buy and others continue a Nisqually tradition

They come from Oregon and California. Colorado and Canada. One family traveled all the way from Hawaii. Another from Japan. Naturally, most come from within the state of Washington. Their … more

By Jacob Farmer / For The Chronicle | 7/25/25

The ground is charred from a fire near U.S. Highway 12 in Randle on Wednesday, July 23.

Fire destroys abandoned structure in Randle Wednesday

Lewis County Fire Protection District No. 14 from Randle responded to a residential structure fire Wednesday near 10100 U.S. Highway 12 in Randle. Upon arrival, an abandoned structure at 107 … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/25/25

Oakley Carlson, who went missing more than three years ago, is pictured here before she vanished and in an age-progressed image provided by investigators showing what she might look like now.

Campaign launched to keep Oakley Carlson’s disappearance in spotlight as mother is released from prison

With the July 25 prison release of Jordan Bowers, the biological mother of missing child Oakley Carlson and one of two primary suspects in her disappearance, Oakley’s foster family and national … more

By Tyrus VanTuyl / ty@chronline.com | 7/25/25

Thurston County and Grays Harbor County commissioners and staff convene at The Atrium in Olympia to discuss possibilities for the Straddleline Park in McCleary on Wednesday, July 23.

Thurston, Grays Harbor counties discuss shared vision for Straddleline Park revamp

With Straddleline Park, formerly known as the Grays Harbor ORV Park, back open as of July 1, Grays Harbor and Thurston counties are collaborating on ways to capitalize on the park’s … more

By Dylan Reubenking / dylanr@chronline.com | 7/25/25