The Chronicle

12/04/2025

Three Thurston County Sheriff’s Office employees recently earned life-saving awards for their actions across three separate incidents.

“All three of these employees exemplify the highest level of standard in policing, and we are proud of their actions and commitment to the citizens of Thurston County,” Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders said in a social media post on Tuesday.

In the first incident, Deputy Carney responded to a shooting in progress in Lacey. Upon arrival, Carney located a 31-year-old victim with a gunshot wound to the leg with arterial bleeding.

Carney quickly applied a tourniquet and provided critical life-saving measures prior to medical personnel arriving.

“For his quick and decisive actions at a hectic and active shooting scene, Deputy Carney was presented the life-saving award,” Sanders wrote.

Three Thurston County Sheriff’s Office employees recently earned life-saving awards for their actions across three separate incidents. “All three of these employees exemplify the …

12/04/2025

CHRONICLE COLLECTING FOR COAT AND HOODIE DRIVE: The Chronicle is supporting Lewis County Footsteps of Hope with its first Coat and Hoodie Drive.

The newspaper is collecting new or gently used clothing now through Dec. 16 at its dropoff location at 215 N. Pearl St. in Centralia.

Lewis County Footsteps of Hope is dedicated to uplifting Lewis County students, pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, according to its website. Through volunteer efforts and partnerships, the nonprofit organization aims to address critical needs and foster sustainable development.

Coralee Taylor, co-owner and CEO of CT Publishing LLC, said she was inspired to start the drive through a conversation with Lewis County Footsteps of Hope President Paula Jean Burrows.

“She mentioned that she was running two coats to Randle for some kids who didn’t have coats,” Taylor said of Burrows. “I told her, ‘Let’s do a coat drive and see what we can get.’ Paula told me that the teenagers are the real need, but they prefer hoodies over coats. My heart always goes to the kids. I love helping kids. I want them to have a magical Christmas. It’s sad thinking that there’s kids who don’t have coats.”

To learn more about Lewis County Footsteps of Hope, call 360-520-4810 or visit www.lcfootstepsofhope.org.

12/04/2025

On Giving Tuesday, Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW) President Kent Arola and 2013 Second Vice President Bob Kagy joined Experience Chehalis Executive Director Annalee Tobey and Board Vice President Michael Ervin at the Chehalis Gingerbread House to celebrate a $10,000 contribution to Experience Chehalis.

Experience Chehalis is one of five Main Street Washington organizations to receive support from BIAW’s Member Services Corporation (MSC) in 2025, according to a news release from the organization.

“Home builders are proud to support organizations like Experience Chehalis,” Arola said. “Together we build vibrant communities where people can live, work and play.”

Main Street Washington, part of the national Main Street America program, has supported community-driven economic development since 1984. Today, Washington has over 40 Main Street organizations across the state, each working to preserve local character while fostering growth.

On Giving Tuesday, Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW) President Kent Arola and 2013 Second Vice President Bob Kagy joined Experience Chehalis Executive Director Annalee Tobey and …

12/04/2025

CT Publishing LLC owns and operates The Chronicle, the Nisqually Valley News and The Reflector and will soon launch an expansion into Thurston County. The new building reflects the upward trajectory that the Taylors have aimed to bring to the newspaper.

“The morale of the office feels a lot different. Every piece of our Chronicle building is awesome, and the team that we have here is great,” Coralee Taylor said.

Founded in 1889 as The Weekly Chronicle by Thomas Scammons and J.E. Whinner, the newspaper has had only four owners in its long history. Today, it stands as one of the few family-owned daily newspapers still in circulation in Washington state.

The Chronicle will officially cut the ribbon for its new location at 4:45 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18, when it will simultaneously host the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce’s December Business …

12/04/2025

Thurston County’s Medic One ambulance program is now the first accredited ambulance ultrasound program in the nation, Thurston County announced Tuesday.

Thurston County’s Medic One program provides pre-hospital emergency medical services to the residents of Thurston County. It also provides training, equipment, supplies and medical oversight for first responders.

Throughout 2024, the county installed ultrasound imaging equipment in all eight of its Medic One ambulances and, in conjunction with Madigan Army Medical Center, trained 80 paramedics to use the equipment.

“Together we innovated to save lives in Thurston County and our paramedics continue to show exemplary dedication to advancing the health and wellbeing of Thurston County,” said Dr. Myles Melton, Thurston County assistant medical director. “Their commitment to learning and applying cutting-edge point-of-care ultrasound in the field sets a new national standard for prehospital care.”

The accreditation process was completed throughout 2025.

The county’s accreditation was issued by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) through its Clinical Ultrasound Accreditation Program (CUAP) and reflects a years-long collaborative endeavor between physicians, paramedics, and government agencies.

Officials say this third-party accreditation is important because it highlights the fact that patient safety and well-being are a priority to Thurston County.

“Accreditation lets people know Thurston County’s Medic One program meets the standards set forth by ACEP for program quality, safety and administration,” said CUAP Manager Julie Rispoli.

According to county officials, bringing ultrasound into the field for use during emergency care can be the difference between life and death.

Thurston County’s Medic One ambulance program is now the first accredited ambulance ultrasound program in the nation, Thurston County announced Tuesday. Thurston County’s Medic One …

12/04/2025

12/04/2025

Lewis County plans to use roughly $1.8 million in reserve funds for its 2026 budget after a split vote from the Lewis County commissioners approved a new budget without a standard 1% tax increase.

The Lewis County Board of Commissioners approved the final version of the county’s 2026 budget — as well as its predicted property tax levy amounts — during two public hearings Monday morning. The county will not take the 1% property tax revenue increase allowed by state law; however, it will take in additional revenue for an administrative tax refund and for new construction in the county.

The commissioners agreed not to take a 1% revenue increase earlier in the budget process and managed to put together a relatively uncontroversial budget with no staffing increases and minimal use of reserves. However, a last-minute increase in the county’s expected expenses for 2026 put the county over the edge.

The county now expects to use significant reserve funds to shore up next year's budget.

Commissioner Lindsey Po***ck changed her tune on the 1% late in the game and voted against approving the 2026 budget. During one of the county’s final budget meetings on Wednesday, Nov 26, Po***ck urged the commissioners to take the 1% increase or reduce a transfer from the county roads fund to the sheriff's office to better support roads maintenance.

She continued her opposition through the budget process, speaking against the budget one final time shortly after approval and stating that it will set the county up for a difficult year in 2027.

Lewis County plans to use roughly $1.8 million in reserve funds for its 2026 budget after a split vote from the Lewis County commissioners approved a new budget without a standard 1% tax increase. …

12/04/2025

Whoville is coming to Vader!

12/04/2025

Sunday rolls around and a notification dings on phones across the Tumwater High School football team.

Open up X and a photo loads. It’s a detailed schedule from Monday-to-Sunday, morning to night. Most days have three things listed, but on gamedays, there’s a litany of items that the Thunderbirds follow to a tee.

It is dubbed as the “Plan for the Week.”

In red text, there’s a warning: “Do NOT take a nap.”

Really, no naps?

“We’re gonna wake them up at their normal time, get them in here so they sweat,” Tumwater head coach William Garrow said. “The coaches would tell you that it is because I’m crazy.”

Crazy works.

Since Garrow took over as head coach three years ago, he’s guided the Thunderbirds into the Class 2A state championship every single season, but has yet to come away with the elusive title. That could all change on Saturday afternoon at Husky Stadium.

No. 1 Archbishop Murphy versus No. 2 Tumwater. Kickoff is slated for 3 p.m. on the campus of the University of Washington. It is a rematch from the 2024 semifinals where the T-Birds decimated the Wildcats 42-0.

“It is super exciting, been a lot of fun,” senior quarterback Jaxon Budd said. “One major key is we trust each other and we’re prepared.”

Garrow creates the weekly plan and harps staying in a routine. Players wake up roughly around 6 a.m., watch film on Monday and Wednesday mornings while Tuesday and Thursday are weight workouts.

Pay attention in all classes, practice at 2:30 p.m. then more film afterward. Oh, and after all of that, any homework is next on the docket. Go to bed and get ready to do it all over again.

Wash, rinse, repeat from the spring until December.

“I thought it was super special,” Budd admitted. “Made it feel really big. Doing this for this long, you kind of live on that schedule. It gets a lot easier.”

TUMWATER — Sunday rolls around and a notification dings on phones across the Tumwater High School football team. Open up X and a photo loads. It’s a detailed schedule from …

12/04/2025

There are always unknowns heading into a season opener. That was no different for Adna coach Chris Bannish as his Pirates took the floor for the first time this season on Wednesday with plenty of new faces against Mark Morris.

It didn’t take long for Adna to establish itself, though, as the Pirates scored the first 17 points of the game to take a commanding lead.

“We kicked them down right away,” Bannish said. “I’m very proud of them.”

The rest of the game wasn’t as smooth, but Adna was able to maintain its lead and roll to a 49-36 victory to begin the season 1-0.

“We were able to get it done,” Bannish said.

Alyssa Carroll kickstarted the early run by scoring the game’s first seven points, and after a McKenna Torry bucket, Rhylee Beebe scored eight straight, including a pair of threes. The Monarchs finally ended the run with a three-pointer six and a half minutes in.

ADNA — There are always unknowns heading into a season opener. That was no different for Adna coach Chris Bannish as his Pirates took the floor for the first time this season on Wednesday with …

12/04/2025

Anaya Saucedo led the way with 14 points for Centralia while Maddie Ahern and Makenzie Erickson each finished in double figures. Gunn brought down a team-best 17 rebounds, her second game with double digit boards.

Three in double figures plus another stout rebounding performance from Aniela Gunn allowed the Centralia High School girls basketball team to triumph over Elma 50-48 in a non-league matchup on …

12/04/2025

"We need to find it in ourselves to reach out and close that divide.

"Remember when social media was a place to keep up with friends, see photos of their kids, travels and food? Now it is just poison, and we are eating it up and spitting it back out."

I recently read that nearly 70% of political accounts on Twitter were from other countries. That is an astonishing number. We are so divided and social media is one of the most influential means …