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The Chronicle, 215 N Pearl Street, Centralia, WA (2026)

01/09/2026

Poor tactics, poor outcomes.

Like many of you, I watched some disturbing footage today where Renee Good, a mother of three, got shot in the streets of Minneapolis during an interaction with federal agents. Regardless of the circumstances, it is devastating that three kids lost their mom today over a shooting that was undeniably preventable.

I find it equally disturbing that we have an elected sheriff in our state mocking Renee’s death on social media. Even when justified, people being killed by law enforcement isn’t funny. It’s not funny for the families of the deceased, it’s not funny for the family of the officer, and it’s not funny for the officers who pull the trigger. Mocking Renee’s death isn’t “provocative”, it’s small and unbecoming of even the lowest standards of elected office.

The reality is it doesn’t matter if Renee Good made contact with a federal agent with her car, because every respectable, modern law enforcement agency in the country has training and policy that, if adhered to, would result in Renee still being alive today: police cannot, and should not, induce our own jeopardy and create an unnecessary deadly force scenario.

Per TCSO policy and training, we do not shoot at moving cars unless the car is being intentionally used as a deadly weapon AND we cannot physically get out of the way. We don’t hang on to the doors of fleeing cars. We don’t stand in front of cars with non compliant drivers behind the wheel. When criminals run, we get back into our cars, set up for a grappler, and handle business.

Law enforcement is one of the most challenging professions on the planet. Long shifts, deep trauma, high demand, and constantly changing landscapes weigh heavy on officers across the country. None of this can be an excuse to never adapt our tactics for safer outcomes, even when the people we are trying to arrest don’t follow commands. The question we must answer in law enforcement when making a critical decision isn’t whether we can; it’s whether we should.

I’ll be going to bed tonight thinking of Renee’s loved ones and hoping every law enforcement officer in the country knows how much we need them, and how much safer the outcomes are for police and citizens when we utilize the principles of time, distance, and cover.

Policing must evolve or risk extinction.

01/09/2026

IN LOVING MEMORY OF BERTHA FRAZIER — 1929-2025: Bertha “Babe” Clara (Tyler) Frazier passed away Dec. 17, 2025, at Sharon Care in Centralia, Washington, at the age of 96. She was born April 6, 1929, in Pine Ridge, Oregon, to Orange and Myrtle Tyler. The family moved to Crego Hill, where she attended Adna High School.

She married Robert Frazier on July 2, 1946, in Chehalis, Washington. They had three children. Robert passed away in 1997. She later married Eugene Frazier in 2008, and they were married until his death in 2016.

She was an incredible mother who created a gracious home for her family, where friends were always welcome and delicious food was always on the table.

Babe was a member of the Newaukum, Pomona, state and national granges for more than 70 years. She was a lady assistant steward at the Newaukum and Lewis County Pomona granges. She enjoyed traveling, family, knitting, crocheting and flower gardening. Later in life, she enjoyed dancing at the senior center. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Chehalis.

She worked at the Churchill Glove factory. Together with her husband Robert, they owned and operated the Phillips gas station in Chehalis for a number of years. After retiring from the gas station, they moved to Mayfield Lake, where she worked as a custodian for the Mossyrock School District.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Orange and Myrtle; husbands, Robert and Eugene; brother Robert Tyler; sisters Irene Graves and Della Green; stepsons Richard, David and Michael Frazier; and stepgrandson Shawn Frazier.

She is survived by her sister, Myrna Colvin; brother Sandy (Marie) Tyler; daughter Diane Mullowney; sons Ken (Kathy) and Bill (Valerie) Frazier; stepdaughters Linda (Eric) Chilson and Cindy (Craig) Gallington; stepson Don (Laurie) Frazier; daughters-in-law Christine and Trudy Frazier; 14 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank Sharon Care Center and Assured Home Hospice for their wonderful care and support.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

(Chronicle obituary)

01/09/2026

IN LOVING MEMORY OF TY BIRDWELL — 1972-2025: Ty passed away Nov. 19, 2025, at his home of 25 years in Chehalis, Washington.

He was born in Prince George, British Columbia, Canada.

He grew up in the Pacific Northwest and graduated from Port Angeles High School. Straight out of school, he went full time into his love of professional motocross racing, where he traveled the country competing. He got into land development, in which he had an amazing talent and vision for developing properties. His greatest passion in life emerged when he became a dad. He was an incredible and devoted father to his son Racyn, whom he loved immensely and shared with Holly Weitz Birdwell.

Ty was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, razor clam digging, camping and more. He had a great sense of humor and loved to play games, share a laugh and cook with his family and friends. He was a wonderful father, brother, son, uncle and friend to many. He will be greatly missed by so many people he loved. He loved the Lord Jesus, which gives us comfort that we will see him again in Heaven.

Ty is survived by his son, Racyn Birdwell; sister, Staci Barcott (Jeff Barcott, brother-in-law); brother, Keith Birdwell (Lorinne Birdwell, sister-in-law); mother, Ruth Birdwell; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, Ray Birdwell, and his sister, Jill Birdwell.

There will be a Celebration of Life held Feb. 14, 2026, at Jesters Car Museum in Chehalis, Washington, at 2 p.m.

(Chronicle obituary)

01/09/2026

LEWIS COUNTY 'LIGHT POLLUTION' POLICY DRAWS IRE: A recent news release from Lewis County highlighting a new “light pollution” policy drew hundreds of negative responses on social media as one county commissioner condemned the rollout and separated himself from the issue.

Lewis County announced on Monday a list of new regulations on outdoor lighting in the rural areas of the county.

The announcement pointed out changes to county code that are intended to “limit the impact of bright lights” on rural communities. The change “requires that exterior light fixtures be pointed downward and shielded to reduce glare and light from spilling onto neighboring properties,” according to the news release.

The county quickly removed the notice from its page after arguments in the comments and a post on the personal page of Lewis County Commissioner Sean Swope, who stated the county would not act as the “light police.”

The news release originally posted by the county on the social media platform stated that an update to county code was meant to balance using lighting for safety with limiting glare and light spillover.

“Rural areas tend to have fewer structures and less need for lighting than is seen in urban areas and cities,” the announcement stated. “This allows people to enjoy less light pollution and see the night sky. Over the years, LED lighting has become brighter and less expensive, resulting in more exterior lights on houses, shops and barns. While lighting is important for safety, when the lights are very bright and pointed outward, light can impact the community. The change to county code is intended to allow people to continue to use bright lighting if it is pointed down and shielded to keep the light targeted away from neighboring properties. ”

The news release also came with a group of lighting examples that showed ways to keep outdoor lighting while limiting its intrusion on neighboring areas using clever placement and shields to keep light directed at the ground.

“People living in the county expect a lifestyle where they can enjoy their property without intrusion,” Lewis County Commissioner Lindsey Po***ck stated in the release. “Part of that rural lifestyle is the absence of light pollution and the ability to enjoy looking at the stars while sitting around a campfire.”

The release was met with a negative response from community members active on Facebook, most notably under a Chronicle post that was not deleted after the county’s announcement. Soon after its release, Commissioner Sean Swope also posted his own response to the statement from the county, coming out fervently against the regulations.

In his post, Swope stated that he did not approve of the county’s news release despite his name appearing on the document. He said he was out of the office in the weeks leading up to the announcement due to illness.

“I’ve been out of the office sick for the last three weeks, and today was my first day back,” Swope wrote. “The first time I even saw this press release was on my own Facebook feed, just like many of you … If you want lights on your property, use them. It’s your land. Just be a good neighbor in the process.”

In the post, Swope urged residents to disregard the new rules if they felt they impeded on their ability to light their property for safety.

He then went on to insist that the new code was an example of a state green energy code. The commissioner also claimed the county was not interested in regulating light pollution, commenting that he would “fight the nonsense every step of the way.”

(Reporting by Chronicle reporter Jacob Moore.)

01/09/2026

LIVE MUSIC AT THE JUICE BOX 🎶

January is heating up with two great nights of live music at The Juice Box Public House! Grab a drink, bring some friends, and enjoy some awesome local talent.

📅 Friday, January 17
🎸 The Proffits & Yotes
Surf Punk | Rockabilly | Country
High-energy, toe-tapping fun you won’t want to miss.

📅 Thursday, January 23
🎶 The Adam Moezinia Folk Element Trio
Jazz | Folk | Fusion
Smooth, soulful sounds for a perfect night out.

🎟️ Tickets available now
📍 216 S Tower Ave, Centralia

Support live music and enjoy a great night out at the Juice Box! 🍻🎵

01/09/2026

TEEN PLEADS GUILTY TO 2023 TOLEDO MURDER: Daniel Keough pleaded guilty Tuesday to the 2023 murder of a Toledo-area gas station worker and to a series of crimes committed during an attempted escape from the Lewis County Juvenile Detention Center last year.

Sentencing is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Feb. 2.

Keough, 18, accepted a plea deal 20 days before his murder trial was scheduled to begin.

He entered In Re Barr pleas — meaning he pleaded guilty to lesser charges that he did not commit in order to benefit from a plea deal — on three charges spread between the two cases: second-degree murder, second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm, and first-degree escape.

Unlike an Alford plea, an In Re Barr plea does not stipulate that the defendant is innocent.

Keough also pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree assault for attacking two Lewis County Juvenile Detention Center employees during his January 2025 escape attempt.

As part of the plea deal, the Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office indicated it will recommend a sentence of 295 months, roughly 24.5 years.

The recommendation is at the high end of the standard sentencing range, calculated based on the defendant’s criminal history and the severity of the crime, for the murder charge.

Keough was 15 years old when he and his two codefendants, Taylor Lenihan and Quinton Ramey, all from Redding, California, were arrested for first-degree robbery and first-degree murder in May 2023 following the murder of 30-year-old Navjot Singh.

Lenihan and Ramey, who were 16 and 17, respectively, at the time, were both charged as adults.

Keough was initially charged as a juvenile, but had his case elevated to Lewis County Superior Court in December.

Ramey pleaded guilty to murder and robbery charges in November 2024 and was sentenced to 16 years in prison.

Lenihan pleaded guilty to robbery and firearm possession charges shortly after her arrest in May 2023, but her sentencing has been delayed until her codefendants' cases are resolved.

01/09/2026

Thurston Chronicle sports coverage is here with the first ever Games of the Week!

The new era begins with a double-header between North Thurston and River Ridge at River Ridge High School.

First at 5:15, the North Thurston Rams girls (8-2, 6-0 Puget Sound League-Nisqually) take on the River Ridge Hawks (6-4, 5-1 PSL-Nisqually) followed by the Rams boys (2-8, 0-6 PSL-Nisqually) facing the Hawks (5-4, 4-2 PSL-Nisqually) at 7.

The Thurston Chronicle will cover one event in person per week for the winter season before a full launch this spring.

Follow this page for the final scores of both games! Also be sure to visit thurstonchronicle.com for the recap stories.

01/09/2026

FIRE DISTRICTS SUE LEWIS COUNTY, CHEHALIS OVER ANNEXATION: Lewis County Fire Districts 5 and 6 have both filed lawsuits against the City of Chehalis and Lewis County on claims that the jurisdictions denied the fire agencies the opportunity to engage in the statutory annexation process.

The fire departments state in their complaints filed in Lewis County Superior Court last month that they are entitled to a writ of prohibition, declaratory judgment and injunctive relief.

The Chehalis City Council approved its end of the annexation interlocal agreement with the county on Nov. 24, 2025, while the Lewis County Board of Commissioners passed its side on Dec. 2, 2025.

Lewis County Fire District 6’s (LCFD6) complaint was filed the day after the county commissioners’ approval, while Lewis County Fire District 5’s (LCFD5) was filed two days after the vote.

Lewis County Fire Districts 5 and 6 claim that if the attempted annexation of the Chehalis urban growth area to the south of the city is accomplished, the fire departments will see damages financially and to its level of service. LCFD5 would lose 16% of its assessed value, while LCFD6 would 24% of its assessed value, according to court documents.

Additionally, the fire departments claim that they would lose a portion of their current tax base. LCFD5 would be subject to potentially being required to transfer up to 14% of its assets to the city, and LCFD6 may have to transfer up to 24%, court documents state.

Both agencies say that their service areas would be split by the annexation and would result in decreased efficiency in their response times.

“The annexation would create impractical boundaries with Plaintiff being required to travel through Defendant City to serve certain properties and individuals within Plaintiff’s service area,” the fire departments wrote in their complaints.

The agencies noted that they would lose their statutory right to negotiate an ILA to mitigate the impacts of the annexation on their taxpayers, residents and business owners both within and outside the annexation area.

Although both fire departments gave written notice to the city of their desire to participate in the annexation process in a timely manner, they also notified the city “on multiple occasions” of their objection to the attempted annexation due to concerns regarding services and their exclusion from the statutory process.

“Defendants have declined and/or denied Plaintiff’s requests to participate in the annexation process of the subject area serviced by Plaintiff,” the fire departments wrote. “Specifically, Defendants have denied Plaintiff’s request to participate in the negotiation of an interlocal agreement as required by statute.”

LCFD5 and LCFD6 claim that the defendants have failed to comply with the requirements of Washington state RCW 35A.14.296 and 35A.14.472, are beyond their legal power and authority, and are void for illegality due to their failure to follow the statutory process. In doing so, the city and the county, according to the fire departments, have acted in bad faith in the annexation process.

The departments cite RCW 35A.14.296, which states in part that if a code city is proposing to annex territory to include areas in a fire protection district, the code city must provide written notice to the governing authority. The notified district shall have 30 calendar days from the date of the notice to provide written notice of its interest in being a party to the ILA.

“If timely notice is provided, such…district shall be included as a party to the interlocal agreement. If the…district does not approve the interlocal agreement, the annexation may not proceed under this section,” the RCW states.

The City of Chehalis provided both fire departments written notice of its intent to annex by letter dated Sept. 18, 2025. LCFD6 claims it provided timely written notice dated Oct. 15, 2025, that it was interested in being a party to the ILA negotiations. While LCFD5 did not provide a specific date of written notice, it said its written notice was given in a timely and appropriate manner.

Full story: https://tinyurl.com/bdhf8mpw

Reporting by Chronicle Assistant Editor Dylan Reubenking.

01/09/2026

GATHER CHURCH GETS WIN IN NEEDLE EXCHANGE LAWSUIT: On the last day of 2025, a federal court ruled that Gather Church could resume the operation of its mobile needle exchange and that a Lewis County ordinance regulating the service will be null and void for the time being.

U.S. District Court Judge for the Western District of Washington David G. Estudillo issued a preliminary ruling in the final week of December providing injunctive relief to Gather Church in a case the church filed against Lewis County in September 2025.

The injunctive relief will effectively allow the church to resume the operation of its mobile harm reduction program for the foreseeable future as the parties continue on with the lawsuit.

In granting injunctive relief and permitting Gather Church to continue operating its mobile syringe service program (SSP), the federal judge found that Gather Church’s case against Lewis County as presented has a good chance of succeeding in court and therefore sought to mitigate any harm to the group in the interim.

The case is still in active litigation and a final ruling on the case has not been issued.

“The Court finds Plaintiff has met the necessary requirements for a preliminary injunction,” reads the final paragraph of the ruling. “Defendants are HEREBY ENJOINED during the pendency of this litigation from enforcing Lewis County Ordinance 1354, codified at Lewis County Code Chapter § 8.80, against Plaintiff in this action.”

The ruling now actively prevents the defendant, Lewis County, from enforcing its syringe exchange and harm reduction regulations for the length of the active lawsuit.

In the wake of the ruling, Gather Church Pastor Cole Meckle issued a statement sharing his joy that he and his team would be able to resume the operation of their harm reduction service as originally designed.

"The harm reduction program at Gather Church saves lives, and we are thrilled that the court’s ruling allows us to get back to our core religious mission of serving our community,” Meckle said in an emailed statement.

Lewis Commissioners Lindsey Po***ck, Scott Brummer and Sean Swope declined a request for comment on the subject, citing the active litigation.

In April 2024, the Lewis County Board of Commissioners — with the same members it has today — passed Lewis County Ordinance 1354. The board passed the ordinance two votes to one. Commissioner Po***ck voted against the ordinance while offering a milder version. At the time, the commissioner cited public health concerns associated with limiting the local needle exchange and harm reduction program too tightly.

The local ordinance that went into effect shortly thereafter banned the operation of mobile needle exchanges like the one Gather Church had begun operating. It also banned any needle exchange from operating within 750 feet of a school, park or library, or within any residential areas. Finally, it added stipulations about the supplies the program could offer, requiring the program to only offer clean needles in exchange for used ones and banning the distribution of other drug paraphernalia or harm reduction supplies such as pipes or fentanyl testing kits.

Gather Church has in the meantime operated its needle exchange exclusively out of its brick-and-mortar location in Centralia, abiding by limitations outlined in Lewis County Code.

Full story: https://tinyurl.com/5n6e9jf3

Reporting by Chronicle reporter Jacob Moore.

01/09/2026

U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, released the following statement after voting for a three-year extension to the enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies:

“Nearly 25,000 Southwest Washingtonians have been dealing with skyrocketing healthcare costs since the enhanced ACA subsidies expired at the end of last year. I voted for the three-year extension to help give them some relief.

“Still, I’m concerned that some of my fellow Democrats are starting to miss the forest for the trees. We can’t keep shelling out increasingly massive piles of cash to insurance companies and confusing that with the systemic reforms that our healthcare system needs.

“Congress is a habit-forming body. If we continue blindly extending subsidies to the big insurers without moving to increase supply and make the system more competitive, then we’ll get stuck in a doom-spiral of ever-increasing costs and taxpayers will get stuck with the tab.

“There are steps we can take now to help change our nation’s healthcare landscape for the better — like pushing for pricing transparency among pharmacy benefit managers. But we should always remember that national health is about more than insurance and doctors. It hinges on people having good jobs, and being able to sleep 8 hours a night, cook real food, and see their kids after work. Affordable health insurance and prescription drugs are imperative and worth the fight, but a strong, healthy nation is longer work.”

01/09/2026

RESIDENTS, ENVIRONMENTALISTS WEIGH IN ON CHEHALIS RIVER DAM: Local residents and others with interest in the Chehalis River Basin on Tuesday night got a chance to comment in person on a study estimating the environmental impacts of building a flow-through dam near Pe Ell to mitigate chronic flooding.

The Washington state Department of Ecology held the first of a series of in-person public hearings Tuesday evening at Centralia College to give residents a chance to comment on an official draft environmental impact statement on a proposed dam meant to hold back flood waters during extreme flood events.

After a roughly 25-minute presentation on the possible environmental impacts of building and operating the structure, state officials heard comments from 13 residents who provided critiques on the process and shared opposition or support for the project moving forward.

The public hearing was meant to provide a short presentation on the more than 300-page study and then receive constructive criticism on the shortcomings of the document to understand where residents thought it could be improved.

Most attendees took the opportunity to express their support or opposition for the project as a whole. Advocates for and against the dam spoke, but it was those against the proposal who made their voices most heard, outnumbering those testifying in favor. Environmental groups such as a local chapter of the Sierra Club led the charge.

“There were lots of words in there about significant change to the habitat, significant change to the salmon runs, spring run salmon could be eliminated,” South Sound Sierra Club Chair Dr. Ed Humble said. “We think it's actually stronger than that, and we welcome the opportunity to share some of that information. We think that it has catastrophic effects on salmon.”

A long list of elected officials attended the hearing, in addition to residents who showed up for the event, but very few of them spoke in support or against the proposed structure.

A staff member from U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez’s team showed up to represent the federal official while state Rep. Ed Orcutt, R-Kalama, and a staff member for state Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, showed up as the region's state-level representatives.

Representatives from both the Quinault Indian Nation and the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation represented the two major Chehalis Basin tribal stakeholders. The two tribal governments remain very active in decisionmaking around flood and fish work in the basin.

Lewis County Commissioners Lindsey Po***ck and Scott Brummer represented the Lewis County government while Councilors Adriana Garibay, Chris Brewer and Norm Chapman represented the Centralia City Council. Former councilor Max Vogt also appeared and spoke in support of the structure as a resident and business owner.

Brewer took the opportunity to briefly remind the room that the Centralia City Council openly supports the project. A number of other residents also voiced support for the dam, including Anthony Ahrens, who advocated in favor of the dam and the jobs its construction would bring to the area.

“One thing that we, the taxpayers and citizens, need to take into consideration is, when you're talking about the cost of a project like this, $2 billion, where's that money go?” Ahrens said. “It doesn't go into thin air. This goes to businesses here in Lewis County. This goes to businesses. This goes to homemakers and home builders and construction workers, truck drivers.”

Those opposed to the project, however, highlighted concerns over the impact to native fish such as salmon and the impacts to other wildlife and their habitats. Many also shared frustrations that more information was not included in the draft EIS to explain the mitigation efforts proposed by the Chehalis Basin Flood Control Zone District, which is sponsoring the project. Members of the flood control zone district and the Chehalis Basin Board have raised the same critique in recent months.

Full story: https://tinyurl.com/9f2dwft9

Reporting by Chronicle reporter Jacob Moore.

01/09/2026

READING RAINBOW HOST VISITS TIMBERLAND REGIONAL LIBRARY: The following is a news release from the Timberland Regional Library:

Timberland Regional Library (TRL) recently welcomed nationally recognized librarian and social media creator Mychal Threets to the Lacey Timberland Library for a special collaboration with the viral TikTok series Workman Wednesday.

Threets, who has inspired millions online through joyful, affirming videos about libraries, literacy, and mental health, has served as the host of Reading Rainbow since 2025 and is also the author of the upcoming book I’m So Happy You’re Here: A Celebration of Library Joy, set to be released February 3, 2026. His visit brought together two internet favorites: Threets’ “library joy” and "Workman MJ", the 3-year-old star of Workman Wednesday, a TikTok series that celebrates everyday jobs through the eyes of a curious child.

The collaboration video features MJ exploring the inner workings of the Lacey Timberland Library alongside Threets. Together, they learned about the library’s Automated Material Handling system, learned how returned materials are sorted behind the scenes, and practiced properly shelving books. In a celebratory moment, Threets signed up for his own Timberland Regional Library card before MJ received his very first card as well - which he proudly tucked into the front pocket of his signature workman vest.

MJ’s mom, Jessica Lee, said the experience was surreal for their family.

“I have been following Mychal on social media for about five years now. I’ve always appreciated his positivity and vulnerability online. When I heard he would be the new host of Reading Rainbow, I felt so proud. He’s the perfect fit for a show that brought joy to me as a child — and now he brings joy to my children.”

Lee explained that Workman Wednesday began as a way to honor jobs that often go unnoticed while feeding MJ’s love of “workmen.” Over time, the videos struck a nostalgic chord with viewers, many of whom compared the series to PBS shows from the 1990s - the same warm, educational spirit Threets brings to his content.

That same inspiration led Lee to write the children’s book Workman MJ Takes a Nap, which is based on a real-life parenting moment and explores blue-collar jobs while gently reminding young readers that everyone, even workmen, need rest sometimes.

“People began tagging Mychal because he also brings that warm, nostalgic feel. I was shocked to find out that Mychal was a fan of Workman Wednesday too. Getting to collaborate with him and our favorite library has been such a special experience.”

During breaks from filming, MJ explored the children’s area, soaking in the space like any other young library visitor. According to Lee, he has been so excited about his new library card that he even sleeps with it.

“Mychal’s genuine warmth and dedication to spreading ‘library joy’ resonates with people of all ages,” said Anna Lisa Rasmussen, TRL Communications & Media Coordinator. “We were thrilled to partner with him and Workman MJ on this fun, educational moment that also celebrates the everyday magic of libraries.”

The Chronicle

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