News | The Daily Chronicle

Gov. Bob Ferguson, at podium, goes to shake hands with state Sen. Noel Frame, D-Seattle, at the signing of a bill to make clergy mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglect, on May 2, 2025 in Olympia. At center is Mary Dispenza, a founding member of the Catholic Accountability Project. (Photo by Jerry Cornfield/Washington State Standard)

Washington state law mandating clergy report child abuse to be investigated by Trump’s Justice Department

President Trump’s Department of Justice is investigating a new Washington state law that makes clergy mandatory reporters of child abuse, arguing it violates the First Amendment. The state … more

By Wilson Criscione / InvestigateWest | 5/5/25

Judge approves $1 millon hold for man accused of sexual assault of a child in Centralia

A 40-year-old man is being held on $1 million bail pending possible charges stemming from a Centralia Police Department investigation into the reported sexual assault of a child. The man … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 5/5/25

People enter the Lewis County Courthouse on Election Day in Chehalis on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Candidate filing week commences in Lewis County

A race for a Port of Centralia commissioner seat representing District 2 was the first to take shape as filing opened up for the 2025 local elections. Incumbent Julie Shaffley will have to … more

By Jacob Moore and Owen Sexton / The Chronicle | 5/5/25

The three members of Heartwood — Heidi Wilson, Willy Clemetson and Sarina Partridge.

Heartwood to perform concert fundraiser for Nature Nurture Farmacy at The Juice Box in Centralia

The folk trio Heartwood will be performing “The Well Tree” on Monday, May 12, from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Juice Box in Centralia, according to a news release from Nature Nurture Farmacy. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/5/25

Nerd Pros owner Marcus Read talks with customers during his new card shop's grand opening on Saturday, May 3, in downtown Morton.

In focus: Nerd Pros celebrates grand opening in downtown Morton

Nerd Pros celebrated its grand opening in downtown Morton on Saturday. Nerd Pros is owned by retired pastor Marcus Read, who, together with his wife, Alissa Read, opened the new … more

5/5/25

Bonnie Canaday Coumbs sports a sweater honoring her late husband Lee Coumbs during an unveiling ceremony of the newly named Lee Coumbs Exposition Hall at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds on Friday, May 2.

Spring Youth Fair honors ‘Fair Father’ Lee Coumbs with Expo Hall dedication

Officials for the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds took a moment on Friday, May 2, during opening night of the Spring Youth Fair to officially dedicate the fair’s Exposition Hall to Lee Coumbs, … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 5/5/25

Austin Taylor Collins, 31, of La Center, appears in Lewis County Superior Court on Monday, March 31. Collins pleaded guilty May 2 to one count of possession of a controlled substance with intent to manufacture or deliver and was sentenced to 34 days in jail. He received credit for time served and was released from the Lewis County Jail after his sentencing hearing.

Sirens: Man arrested for threatening to kill someone; defendant sentenced after drugs found in Napavine; gun found on suspect after chase

CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Assault • A 23-year-old Centralia man was arrested for fourth-degree assault, domestic violence, in the 200 block of West Pear Street just after 12:25 p.m. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/5/25

The horizon glows orange during during sunset in Salkum on Thursday, Feb. 6.

Death notices: May 5, 2025

• BEVERLY J. GESSELE, 78, Onalaska, died April 29 at Virginia Mason Hospital. Arrangements are under the care of Cattermole Funeral Home. • LEROY E. MILLER, 80, Mossyrock, died May 1 … more

5/5/25

Let’s Play Something is pictured in downtown Centralia on Tuesday, Feb. 25.

Let’s Play Something starts online crowdfunding campaign to finance toy store expansion

Fresh off the celebration of Let’s Play Something’s fourth anniversary at its current location in downtown Centralia — and 15th anniversary of being in business — the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/5/25

Daniel Parras, 18, of Chehalis, appears in Lewis County Superior Court on Monday, Jan. 6.

Chehalis man, 18, sentenced to 10 years in prison after arrest in January for drive-by-shooting in Centralia

A man arrested in January for shooting at a vehicle in Centralia was sentenced Friday to 10 years in prison. Daniel Parras, 18, of Chehalis, was arrested after Centralia police officers … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 5/5/25

Nolan Niehenke stands with his steer during the Spring Youth Fair at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds on Saturday, May 3.

In focus: Scenes from the return of the Spring Youth Fair

5/5/25

A man in a chicken suit hands candy to kids during the annual Vader May Day parade in Vader on Saturday, May 3.

In focus: 2025 May Day parade rolls through town of Vader

5/5/25

Smoke rises from the trestle bridge that caught fire between Mineral and Morton last week in these photos provided on Sunday by the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad.

Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad’s trestle bridge still smoldering; cause remains under investigation

The Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad trestle bridge fire is contained but still smoldering, railroad personnel confirmed Sunday. Firefighters with the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) were … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 5/5/25

Jennifer Hennessey, with the Department of Ecology, speaks about canceled BRIC grants at a Chehalis Basin Board meeting in Grand Mound on Thursday, May 1.

Chehalis Basin Board weathers storm after canceled federal funding

The Chehalis Basin Board on Thursday, May 1, heard from a representative of the Washington state Department of Ecology on how the recent cancellation of the federal Building Resilient Infrastructure … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 5/5/25

Ray Egan, of Steilacoom, performs as pioneer Ezra Meeker during a recent presentation in Toledo.

Julie McDonald: Ezra Meeker visits Toledo to set the record straight

The 1923 silent movie called “The Covered Wagon” committed grave errors in depicting the journey of thousands of emigrants who crossed the Oregon Trail to settle the Pacific Northwest in … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 5/5/25

The Mossyrock City Council meets on Wednesday, April 16, inside the Mossyrock Community Center for the council's monthly regular meeting.

Mossyrock City Council considers rental fee increases after treasurer discovers community center costing city more than it generates

The City of Mossyrock is considering raising rental fees for those looking to use both the Mossyrock Community Center or Klickitat Prairie Park for events, the Mossyrock City Council announced during … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 5/5/25

Mikhail Pavenko stands in front of a destroyed apartment complex following a Russian airstrike. Located in the Zaporizhie region, the site is one of many civilian targets that have come under intensified attacks. Pavenko says such strikes have only escalated under the Trump administration.

Southwest Washington chaplain returns from Ukraine concerned over Trump-era shift

When Mikhail Pavenko isn’t restoring power lines for Clark Public Utilities, he’s volunteering near the front lines in Ukraine, praying with soldiers, evacuating civilians and delivering … more

By Norman Helgason / For The Chronicle | 5/5/25

Chinook Indian Nation Tribal Chairman Tony Johnson, left, and U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez. D-Skamania.

Chinook Indian Nation steps away from MGP for federal recognition bill

The Chinook Indian Nation announced in April that the tribe will seek a new legislative champion for federal recognition after working with U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, for two … more

By Cade Barker / For The Chronicle | 5/5/25

A LeMay mobile shredding truck is on site to shred sensitive documents during a community recycle event on Saturday, May 11, 2024.

Lewis County Department of Public Works to hold free recycling event

The Lewis County Department of Public Works will hold a community recycling event to offer Lewis County residents an opportunity to recycle several materials and offer proper disposal for others, … more

By The Chronicle staff | 5/5/25

Centralia gymnast qualifies to compete in nationals

Sadie Mecham, a senior at Centralia High School, recently competed in the USA Gymnastics Level 10 Regional Championship meet and qualified to compete at nationals. This is the first year in the … more

Submitted to The Chronicle | 5/5/25