Local News
Chehalis man charged with first-degree child molestation 
A Chehalis man faces up to life in prison after he was charged with four counts of first-degree child molestation.  Lajoska F. Nozsar, 62, made a preliminary appearance in Lewis County …
WSDOT warns to expect delays on U.S. Highway 12 in Lewis County
Travelers who use U.S. Highway 12 in Lewis County should plan for lane closures and delays, a recent Washington state Department of Transportation (WSDOT) news release stated. On Thursday, May …
Former local lawmaker recalls helicopter trip around Mount St. Helens just hours before secondary eruption
With the recent 46th anniversary of the initial eruption of Mount St. Helens on May 18, 1980, many recalled where they were when it happened, sharing photos of the towering volcanic plume, which rose …
Sirens: Three arrested after K9 alerts to narcotics; alcohol thief too drunk for jail; man arrested for vehicle prowl
CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Arrests • Ramon A. Vidales, 40, Centralia, was arrested near the corner of Harrison Avenue and southbound Interstate 5 at about 2:38 p.m. May 26 for reckless …
Onalaska man accused of burglary by violating no-contact order
An Onalaska man remained in custody on $100,000 bail Tuesday after prosecutors charged him with residential burglary for allegedly violating a no-contact order protecting his spouse. Brian C. …
Death notices: May 27, 2026
• CHERI M. GERMEAUX, 70, Onalaska, died May 17 at Providence Centralia Hospital. Service details are pending at this time. Arrangements are under the care of Newell-Hoerling’s Mortuary. • …
Federal funding to support first stage of Jackson Highway improvements
Lewis County accepted $424,000 in federal funds coming through the Washington state Department of Transportation for a project that seeks to improve driver safety on Jackson Highway. The Lewis …
Maureen Harkcom: State FSA director hears from Lewis County farmers about challenges facing agriculture industry
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has a division known as the Farm Service Agency (FSA). What is it? Just another government “do-nothing for people” agency? I don’t think so. …
Washington Old Time Fiddlers Association to hold music jam in Chehalis
The Washington Old Time Fiddlers Association will host an acoustic music jam on Friday, June 5, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Lewis County Historical Museum, located at 599 NW Front Way in downtown …
Lewis County to sell uncut timber east of Chehalis
Lewis County is seeking bids for the purchase of a strip of uncut timber near the unincorporated community of Claquato that it values at more than $3,000 at a minimum. The Lewis County Board of …
Better Body Healing & Aesthetics to host health fair and ribbon cutting in Centralia
The public is invited to celebrate the rebranding of Evexia NW to Better Body Healing & Aesthetics during a ribbon-cutting ceremony and community health fair from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, …
Support sought for Lewis County’s Mohoric family amid son’s medically-induced coma
While a mystery infection seems to be finally fading, Landen Mohoric of Boistfort remains in a medically-induced coma at Seattle’s Virginia Mason Medical Center, according to his parents, Sina and …
Washington unemployment rates rise in April
The Washington state Employment Security Department (ESD) this week released the unemployment rates for April 2026, showing that unemployment remained the same in Lewis County while increasing in …
In Focus: Jan Nontell officially joins the Centralia City Council
New Centralia District 1 City Councilor Jan Nontell was sworn into office to start the Centralia City Council meeting on Tuesday evening in the council chambers. Nontell was selected as the next …
Confirmed death toll rises to 2 from chemical tank blast in Cowlitz County
The death toll from Tuesday’s chemical tank rupture at a mill in southwest Washington has climbed to at least two people, while nine others remain “unrecovered,” according to authorities. …
Local Sports
Prep track and field: Five storylines to watch for at the state track and field championships
We’ve done it. Ten months later, the 2025-26 high school athletic season will come to an end on Saturday with the state track and field championships plus the state title games for baseball. …
Napavine, Tumwater head to Final Four with hardware in sight
After hundreds of games around the state this spring, there are just four teams remaining in each classification in the hunt for a baseball state championship. Among those teams are Napavine and …
Sports Dump: Softball Comes To An End
The Chronicle sports staff is all in the studio to discuss their adventures in Yakima and Selah, the close calls in the finals for WF West and Adna, Napavine and Tumwater making baseball’s final …
W.F. West equestrian team wins state championship
The W.F. West equestrian team returned from the Washington state equestrian championships in Moses Lake earlier this month as state champions for the first time since 2008 and the second time in the …
W.F. West’s Mittge earns highest state finish in school history
Entering the state tournament in Seattle, W.F. West’s Ellie Mittge had two goals. “My first goal was to make it to day two,” Mittge said. “My second goal was to medal.” She won …
Chronicle Podcasts

  • News Dump Ep. 278: The original complainant remains anonymous
  • Sports Dump: State (Softball) Tournament Time, in Five Words or Less
  • News Dump Ep. 277: The Prodigal Son Returns
Obituaries

In loving memory of Lilian McFarling: 1954-2026

Lillian Vereene Mcfarling is survived by her husband, Daniel Mcfarling; sons Shawn Dalland and Steffen Dalland (Laura); daughter Sonja Hilleray; and grandchildren Grace Dalland, Christian Dalland and …

Celebration of life: Jens Anthony “Tony” Thomsen

Jens Anthony “Tony” Thomsen went to be with the Lord Jan. 22, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas. His ashes will be interred at Shoestring Valley Community Church Cemetery in Onalaska on Friday, …

In loving memory of Alva Norton: 1935-2026

Alva Etta (Huntley) Norton passed away May 4, 2026, in Olympia, Washington. She was born July 29, 1935, in Kelso, Washington. She married George W. Norton on June 10, 1953, and they were married for …

Death notices: May 25, 2026

• RONALD LANE RAWSON, 64, Chehalis, died May 21 at his residence. Arrangements are under the care of Funeral Alternatives of Washington. • BONNIE L. NEWBOLES, 94, Centralia, died May 20 at …

In loving memory of Marlene Nelson: 1934-2026

Grace “Marlene” Nelson peacefully passed away at her home in Centralia on May 19, 2026, at the age of 91. Born Nov. 13, 1934, in the small town of Winlock, Washington, Marlene, as she was …

In loving memory of Bridget Yocom: 1961-2026

Bridget Theresa Yocom, 64, of Centralia, peacefully joined our Heavenly Father on May 9, 2026. Bridget was born in Napa, California, and raised in Yountville, California, before her family …
State & Regional News

Washington kindergarten teacher placed on leave amid allegations involving girl

An Elk Ridge Elementary kindergarten teacher is on administrative leave as the White River School District investigates allegations of inappropriate conduct with a child, police records and …

Schools
A ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ class: English professor ties Centralia College’s centennial to 100 years of ‘The Great Gatsby’
Jeff Birkenstein heard it for years. The current generation doesn’t read books. This spring, the second-year Centralia College professor thought he’d try something different for his English …
Julie McDonald: Centralia grad helps solve crimes with DNA expertise
A sexual assault occurs every two minutes in the United States, and if it’s reported to a law enforcement officer in this state, it’s likely forensic scientist Laura Dolezal and her colleagues at …
Abbarno tours Centralia College’s Mobile Training Lab at Tenino Middle School
State Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Chehalis, earlier this month visited Centralia College’s Mobile Career and Technical Education (CTE) Training Lab during a stop at Tenino Middle School, highlighting the …
Court documents suggest superintendent strong-armed school staff to suppress news of alleged Mark Morris assaults
Editor’s note: This article first appeared in Lower Columbia Currents, which reports news and opinion about Southwest Washington. It is published, reported and written by award-winning journalist …
Commentary

Commentary: Winning isn’t the same as governing

Most people don’t pick a political party because of what they believe. They believe things because of the party they’re in. I’ve spent enough time around campaigns, and in the halls of our …

Commentary: State policies matter for taxpayers and the business climate

I start each workday by reviewing the latest economic and government reports for Idaho, Montana, Washington, and Wyoming. It doesn’t take long to see a trend. Those states that prioritize fiscal …

Commentary: Washington state keeps making it harder for law enforcement to serve

For 15 years, Washington has lived with an uncomfortable truth: we rank dead last in the nation for police staffing per capita. And instead of reversing course, the Legislature continues to pass laws …

Brian Mittge: Memory, memorials and the making of America 250 years on

This Monday, Americans will honor our fallen soldiers during our nation’s 250th birthday year. At one of our grandest local observances, held Monday at the Claquato Cemetery, one gravestone reminds …

Wayne Fournier: Communities that understand who they are attract visitors — and belief

Every successful community has something that is difficult to quantify but easy to feel: a sense of place. You know it when you experience it. Some communities feel memorable, distinct and …
Outdoors
Outdoors
Free Fishing Weekend returns to Washington June 6-7
Free Fishing Weekend returns to Washington June 6-7, offering an opportunity for people across the state to fish for many species without buying a license. Licenses are still required to fish for or …
Mount Rainier climber Simon Kearns sets new speed record
There's a new king of the mountain. On May 9, mountain guide Simon Kearns stepped onto the asphalt at Paradise in Mount Rainier National Park — just 3 hours, 43 minutes and 52 seconds after …
WDFW will only accept cards or checks for payment beginning in June
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced this week that it will transition away from accepting cash for license product purchases at its offices next month due to a new state …