27 Horses Seized From Pierce County Property for Animal Cruelty

A 30-year-old man is in jail on suspicion of arson after Tacoma police say he tried to steal gas by siphoning it from another vehicle while also smoking a cigarette. The gasoline ignited, causing a large fire and an explosion. Tacoma Police Department said the vehicle was a total loss,...

Two dogs who are suspected of killing chickens in Salkum on Jan. 12 are still at large. Jerett Latimer came home to his place on Fuller Road that day to find three of his chickens killed by a predator and one missing. “The chicken wire that was stapled to a...

Four avowed white supremacists were sentenced to federal prison Friday after pleading guilty to hate crimes and lying to the FBI about brutally beating a Black DJ unconscious at a Lynnwood tavern in 2018. The attack took place just hours after the four men attended a ceremony marking the death...

Note: This content was produced by the Economic Alliance of Lewis County as part of the monthly Economic Report supplement published in The Chronicle. To learn more about the Alliance, visit https://lewiscountyalliance.org/. Lewis County Commissioner Gary Stamper, who passed away in September of 2021, loved his getaway home above Riffe...

TOLEDO — In a muddy field northwest of Toledo, multicolored flags marked the thousands of spots where natural color will push through this spring, signaling the return of one of the most significant plants to the Cowlitz Indian Tribe. On Friday, about 30 Cowlitz tribal members, staff and volunteers...

Michelle Mackey, a Chehalis resident and owner of the Rise & Grind coffee stand in Ashford, remains in Costa Rica but has now been transferred to a public hospital, San Juan de Dios, in San José. While she is still lightly sedated, her condition continues to improve and she...

Note: This content was produced by the Economic Alliance of Lewis County as part of the monthly Economic Report supplement published in The Chronicle. To learn more about the Alliance, visit https://lewiscountyalliance.org/. At a business meeting of the Lewis County Commissioners on Jan. 3, the county approved a grant contract...

On the third Thursday of January, housing and homelessness service providers from across Lewis County unite. Held for the first time in person since 2019, a vendor fair at the Blue Pavilion in the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds welcomes homeless and housed individuals alike who may be strapped for certain resources such as food, socks, toothbrushes or even just human connection, said Holly Renner, a child care provider at Gather Church in Centralia.

Note: This content was produced by the Economic Alliance of Lewis County as part of the monthly Economic Report supplement published in The Chronicle. To learn more about the Alliance, visit https://lewiscountyalliance.org/. Ameresco, with 60 offices around the world and regional offices in Vancouver, B.C., Seattle and Portland, focuses on...

Roughly 100 anti-airport activists rallied Wednesday on the north steps of the Legislative Building in Olympia, urging state lawmakers to stop seeking a site to build a new commercial airport in Washington. The prospect that either of three rural areas in Pierce and Thurston County could be home to a...

Louis “Lou” Rivera, 64, of Centralia, Washington, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Dec. 27, 2022, after suffering a year-long battle with kidney disease. He is survived by his wife, Traci Rivera; son Sam Blodgett of Blodgett, Oregon; and daughters Sara Martinez of Las Vegas, Nevada and Allison Rivera of Everett, Washington. Lou is also survived by his siblings Arthur Rivera of San Jose, California; Frank Rivera of Olympia, Washington; Carmen Johansson of Mukilteo, Washington; and Lorie Allard of Casper, Wyoming. Lou is preceded by his mother Jeanette VanHook and father Santos Rivera.

Following last month’s 4-3 vote by the Centralia City Council to create a ballot initiative allowing residents to decide the fate of the Veterans Memorial Pearl Street Pool, the council tabled consideration of pool design options during Tuesday night’s regular meeting. It did so in favor of scheduling...

William, affectionately known as “Bill,” was a beloved father and friend to all who knew him. Bill lived a full and adventurous life, always seeking new experiences and challenges. He cultivated a lifelong passion for collecting hobbies and interests that he passed down to his children Jennifer, Samantha and Alex.

Note: This content was produced by the Economic Alliance of Lewis County as part of the monthly Economic Report supplement published in The Chronicle. To learn more about the Alliance, visit https://lewiscountyalliance.org/. New Lewis County Economic Alliance Chair Luke Moerke brings his honesty, his straightforward approach and a drive to...

Elizabeth “Betty” Brattain passed away unexpectedly. Please join us on Feb. 4, 2023 at 1 p.m. to celebrate Betty's life at The John Gaffney residence 487 Haywire Road, Winlock, Washington.

James Dale Wahl, 92, Chehalis, Washington, passed away peacefully to be with the Lord on Jan. 15, 2023. Jim was born on the Wahl Homestead in Boone, Iowa, March 18, 1930, to Frederick and Francis Wahl. He graduated from Boone High School in 1947, he then graduated from Iowa State University in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science in Forestry. He also lettered on the Iowa State Rifle team. Jim married Joanne Veale on June 21, 1952. He was drafted into the army in 1952 and served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Korean War. He came west from Iowa and started working for Weyerhaeuser and remained with them for 30 years. He then started Wahl Timber Cruising and was joined in the business by his son. Jim was an active member of the Lions Club for over 50 years. He was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church Chehalis since 1991. Jim married Barbara Hayden on March 16, 2002. Jim loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing, mushroom picking, growing dahlias and sunflowers, watching the Mariners and Seahawks, and traveling. You could always find him snacking on popcorn or peanuts. He was preceded in death by his wife Joanne and his sister-in-law Darla (George) Wahl. His brother George Wahl followed him to their heavenly home on Jan. 19, 2023. He is survived by his wife Barbara Hayden-Wahl; his daughter Mary (Jed) Januch; his son David (Stefanie) Wahl; his grandchildren James, Alexandria, Joseph, and Summer; and his nieces Lisa (Jeff) Damman and Debbie (Steve) Simpson.

I have lived, worked and retired in Napavine, and it is a tight knit community. If I want something to do after supper, I go up to the high school. I will watch a Tiger team — be it volleyball, football, basketball, baseball, track or soccer. I might also hear an awesome pep band pump up the crowd with their catchy tunes. Or I might have the opportunity to listen to our music students perform at a concert.

A renowned Seattle artist has been chosen to design a statue of Billy Frank Jr. for display in the nation's capital, according to the Washington State Arts Commission. Haiying Wu, who designed the Seattle Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Pioneer Square, will create a likeness of Frank for Statuary Hall at the Capitol Building, where each U.S. state can display two statues, ArtsWA said in a statement Thursday, Jan. 26.

Discrimination hurts everyone. We should encourage, not discourage efforts to promote empathic communities. “Don’t tread on me” is not a caring motto, but sums up columnist Brian Mittge’s description of SB 5237, SB 5441, SB 5462 and SB 5257. These bills ensure all students get a standards-based, quality education in a safe, nondiscriminatory environment. How would he feel about these bills if his child was kept in a cage at school in Seattle in 2019?

The Chronicle’s “News Dump” podcast is a treasure-trove of insight for those interested in a behind-the-scenes look at what is happening in our community. As a bonus, it is also an interesting look at the craft of journalism and the people involved. Since I prepare a dozen...