Opinion | The Daily Chronicle

Richard Stride is the current CEO of Cascade Community Healthcare.

Richard Stride: A hook, a prayer and a piece of gum — reflections for Father’s Day

I often talk about the strong women in my life in these columns. I also had two incredible males in my life, my dad and my grandpa. I’ll bet you have some good men in your life as well. … more

Commentary by Richard Stride / For The Chronicle | 6/6/25

Letters to the editor can be submitted to letters@chronline.com.

Letter to the editor: Stop huge tax breaks for billionaires

In conversations with my neighbors in the Winlock-Toledo area, I am hearing both resignation and outrage. I’ve heard very little support for DOGE and the president’s agenda of … more

6/4/25

Letter to the editor: Rebuttal to recent letter on Washington state politics

A recent letter to the editor paints a dire picture of Washington state and the nation, attributing economic decline, loss of constitutional rights and societal division to the Democratic Party. … more

6/4/25

Letter to the editor: MGP’s dark alliance with AIPAC exposes a troubling inconsistency

As a resident of Southwest Washington, I am writing to express my growing concern over U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez’s ongoing support for Israel’s military actions in Gaza, … more

6/4/25

Letter to the editor: Southwest Washington Dance Center performance at school was inspiring

I just attended a school performance by the Southwest Washington Dance Center that was spectacular. The Orin Smith Elementary School is so perfect, built side by side with the Lintott … more

6/4/25

A rally participant stands with a sign about parents’ rights during a rally on the steps of the Capitol in Olympia on Saturday, Feb. 15.

Commentary: A century later, Washington state fails parental rights

Children are not creatures of the state. That's the unanimous conclusion reached by the U.S. Supreme Court a century ago this June in its precedent-setting case Pierce v. Society of Sisters. … more

By Vicki Murray | 6/4/25

In October 1927 in Yakima, bakers used 400 gallons of apples to make the world's largest apple pie to celebrate National Apple Week. The pie was 10 feet across, and it took five cords of wood to heat the oven to bake it.

Julie McDonald: How Washington became the Apple State

Growing up overseas as the child of missionaries, Amanda L. Van Lanen recalled hearing people in Saipan north of Guam speak nostalgically about the joy of biting into a crispy, juicy fresh apple, but … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 6/2/25

Wayne Fournier is a Thurston County commissioner, former Tenino mayor, firefighter and lifelong community advocate. He believes that small towns are the last frontier of big ideas. He shares stories of civic creativity, leadership and community-building in his regular newspaper column.

Wayne Fournier: What exactly does a county commissioner do?

Ask a random room full of people what a county commissioner does, and you’ll get a mix of answers: “Uh … something with roads?” “Are you like the … more

Commentary by Wayne Fournier / For The Chronicle | 6/2/25

John McCroskey was Lewis County sheriff from 1995 to 2005. He lives outside Chehalis and can be contacted at musingsonthemiddlefork@gmail.com.

John McCroskey: The more power we give government, the worse outcomes we have

Years ago, when my children were young, our government made what I described then as a mistake. I know what you’re thinking: That can’t be. That doesn’t sound like the … more

Commentary by John McCroskey / For The Chronicle | 6/2/25

Letter to the editor: Pride Month isn’t about special treatment — it’s about visibility

I’m a straight man who’s lived in Lewis County most of my life. Like many here, I was raised to work hard, care for my family, treat others with respect and do what’s right — … more

6/2/25

Letter to the editor: Community alert

One of the local extremists who committed the attack on the Chehalis Friendship Fence has served his time and was released from jail June 1. If another crime were to occur, are you comfortable … more

6/2/25

Letter to the editor: United citizens have changed the course of governments

Does anyone doubt that democracy in the United States is circling the drain? Do you believe that our elected officials are effectively fighting to stop it? Can we rely on the judicial branch to stop … more

6/2/25

Brian Mittge: Let’s make this a month of faith, hope and love

An ancient idea has new form in June: a fresh movement to re-devote ourselves to faithfulness. It’s called Fidelity Month. I first encountered this idea halfway through last … more

Commentary by Brian Mittge / For The Chronicle | 5/30/25

Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, speaks with other senators during the legislative session at the Washington state Capitol in Olympia on Friday, April 25.

John Braun: The value of ‘killing’ bad legislation in state Legislature

The use of “kill” for efforts to stop legislation goes back to at least 1910. That’s when future President Calvin Coolidge, then a Republican state representative in Massachusetts, … more

Commentary by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia | 5/30/25

The outside of Chehalis United Methodist Church is pictured after a meeting on safe parking on Thursday, May 22.

Commentary: Why we are trying to create Safe Parking for families with children in the Twin Cities

For more than 18 months, a sub-committee formed by the Hope Housing Collaborative of Lewis County has been working to create a Safe Parking program to be implemented at churches in Centralia and … more

5/28/25

Maureen Harkcom grew up on a Lewis County dairy and operated a beef and native hay operation and developed an equine competition facility. She is a past president of Lewis County Farm Bureau and a current member of Washington Farm Bureau Board of Directors. She can be reached by email at maureen.harkcom@gmail.com.

Maureen Harkcom: A beginner’s guide to protecting your right to farm

I have no clue as to who, or how many people, read my opinion piece. I do occasionally get an email from someone asking a question or commenting on something I have written, so I know somebody does … more

Commentary by Maureen Harkcom / For The Chronicle | 5/28/25

John McCroskey: The truth about recycling and more taxation from Democrats in Olympia

Ever since I received my recycling container, which, as I recall, I never asked for, I’ve wondered about this whole recycling business. Is it really of value? Years later, I … more

Commentary bu John McCroskey / For The Chronicle | 5/28/25

Letter to the editor: Checking the board after county GOP leader’s war cry

After reading letter writer Mitch Townsend's war cry on the May 21 Chronicle editorial page — "We are the final guardians of liberty and freedom" — I could not agree with him more. … more

5/28/25

Letter to the editor: Fix Our Forests Act is a shameful giveaway to the rich

I saw a clearcut in my Olympia neighborhood. It was ugly. It damaged a salmon stream. It destroyed habitat. And nobody but a few investors looking to make a buck benefitted. The kids in … more

5/28/25

Julie McDonald, a personal historian from Toledo, may be reached at memoirs@chapteroflife.com.

Julie McDonald: Recent events show Lewis County justice questionable at times

Decades ago, when my son was a toddler, his grandfather from Whatcom County visited our home for three weeks at a time. As they sat at the kitchen table for breakfast, my son shouted for me. … more

Commentary by Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 5/26/25