News | The Daily Chronicle

Some states have issued guidances for schools in connection with how to respond to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials. (ICE Office/TNS)

Federal ICE agents make arrest in Centralia

Federal U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested a homeless Centralia resident on Wednesday, Mayor Kelly Smith Johnston has confirmed. The arrest occurred in an alley … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com | 1/29/25

A hawk sits in a tree over the Willapa Hills Trail near Adna on Tuesday, Jan. 28.

In focus: Scenes from the Willapa Trail near Adna

1/29/25

Local Republican lawmaker says state should eliminate hurdles for building kit homes

Nineteenth Legislative state Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview, believes the state should eliminate hurdles to construction of kit homes that offer a solution to the state’s housing shortage. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/29/25

Rochester student serves as page in Washington state House of Representatives

Kami Soria, a student at Rochester Middle School, served as a page for the Washington state House of Representatives the second week of the legislative session, Jan. 21-25. She was sponsored by … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/29/25

Sirens: Vehicle collides with building; homeless man stays in store's bathroom for hours; passenger arrested in DUI stop

CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Vehicle accidents • A non-injury, two-vehicle collision was reported in the 2400 block of Borst Avenue at approximately 10:35 a.m. on Jan. 27. • A … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/29/25

Death notices: Jan. 29, 2025

• MARIANNE WRIGHT, 81, Tenino, died Jan. 23 at her residence. Arrangements are under the care of Funeral Alternatives of Washington. • WILLIE L. ENOX, 72, Ryderwood, died Jan. 20 at … more

1/29/25

The Chehalis Fire Department responds to a fire under the Interstate 5 Exit 77 northbound bridge in Chehalis on Monday, Jan. 27. It was at least the second fire firefighters responded to at the bridge Monday. The area appears to be occupied by a transient camp.

In focus: Chehalis firefighters douse blaze under bridge

1/29/25

Kindergarteners from James W. Lintott Elementary School practice yelling for help during a Safety City demonstration at Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers south of Chehalis on Monday, Jan. 27.

‘Safety City’ returns to Lewis County for 41st year

“Safety City,” a vibrant miniature city designed to teach young children safety basics, returned to Lewis County this week. The mini city opened to Lewis County elementary students, … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/29/25

Gluesenkamp Perez introduces Fairness for the Trades Act

On Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, and Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-North Carolina, introduced the bipartisan Fairness for the Trades Act. The legislation will expand the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/29/25

Community members pose for a photo after receiving recognition for their volunteer service from city councilor Max Vogt at Centralia City Hall on Tuesday, Jan. 28. Chuck Kifer, middle, won the Volunteer of the Year award.

Chuck Kifer named 2024 Centralia Volunteer of the Year

Chuck Kifer has been named Centralia’s 2024 Volunteer of the Year. It was the highlight of the night after a packed house at Centralia City Hall’s city council chambers on Tuesday, … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 1/29/25

Chehalis City Hall is located at 350 N. Market Blvd.

Chehalis City Council considering utility rate increases

The Chehalis City Council tabled the first readings of three ordinances pertaining to proposed water, wastewater and stormwater utility rate increases through 2029 during the council’s regular … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 1/29/25

Chehalis Mayor Tony Ketchum talks about the late Mayor Pro Tem Daryl Lund during the first Chehalis City Council meeting following his death on Monday, Dec. 9.

Chehalis City Council to interview five candidates for position left open by death of Dary Lund

The Chehalis City Council will interview five candidates for a vacant city council position at 5 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 3. The five applicants are Troy Reardon, Jenny Zenkner, Michael Barton, … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/29/25

Lewis County Auditor Larry Grove locks up the ballot box on Election Day at the Lewis County Courthouse in Chehalis on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Lewis County Auditor’s Office: Monday, Feb. 3, is the last day to make remote voter registration changes before special election

Monday, Feb. 3, is the last day voters can register or update their existing registration by mail, online or at a driver’s licensing location for the upcoming Feb. 11 special election, … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/29/25

Nathan Rodgiguez, of Nate's '98 Barber Shop in Centralia, gives a free haircut to a visitor of the Project Homeless Connect event in the Blue Pavilion at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds on Jan. 26, 2024.

Lewis County Homeless Connect events scheduled for Jan. 31 and Feb. 3

Lewis County will hold two Homeless Connect events in 2025: one in the Twin Cities on Friday, Jan. 31, and one in East Lewis County on Monday, Feb. 3. Homeless Connect is held during the annual … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/29/25

Driver killed in crash on state Route 505 in Toledo

A 65-year-old Salem, Oregon, man died after a crash on state Route 505 in Toledo on Wednesday morning, according to the Washington State Patrol. The man, who was not identified pending the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 1/29/25

Teen accused of fatal crash on Interstate 5 was driving under the influence, charges say

A 17-year-old Buckley teenager is accused of causing a fatal wrong-way crash while driving under the influence on Interstate 5 last week. Pierce County prosecutors charged the teenager with … more

Puneet Bsanti / The News Tribune (TNS) | 1/29/25

Washington state bill would require high school students to receive financial education before graduating

Many states across the U.S. require financial education as a requirement for graduating high school. That doesn’t include Washington. But a state Senate bill heard in committee Tuesday … more

Simone Carter / The News Tribune (TNS) | 1/29/25

$1 billion shortfall in Washington state transportation budget imperils projects

Increasing construction costs and falling gas tax revenue have blown a billion dollar hole in the Washington state transportation budget, forcing lawmakers to put more money toward projects once … more

Nicholas Deshais / The Seattle Times (TNS) | 1/29/25

A bull elk that has shed his velvet gets leaves and twigs caught on his antlers on a rainy evening in Packwood in 2023.

Sportsmen’s Alliance sues WDFW over delay in releasing public records

The Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation has filed a lawsuit against the Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife over withholding public records that it claims violates the state’s … more

The News Tribune (TNS) | 1/29/25

Lincoln Clayton Smith appeared in Marion County court on Tues., May 30, 2023.

Trucker claims he was asleep, not high, when deadly Interstate 5 crash killed 7 farmworkers

Attorneys for Lincoln Smith, the long-haul trucker accused of seven counts of manslaughter in a deadly Interstate 5 crash, revealed their defense Tuesday as trial began in Marion County Circuit … more

Zane Sparling / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 1/29/25