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NYT Politics
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After $15 Billion in Military Aid, Israel Calls Alliance With U.S. ‘Ironclad’
The money from Washington, which includes $5 billion to replenish Israel’s defenses and $1 billion for Gazan civilians, comes as Israel readies to invade Rafah.
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Columbian Newspaper
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Former Seattle WNBA champion Sue Bird joins Storm ownership group
SEATTLE — Sue Bird helped the Seattle Storm to four WNBA titles. Now, she will continue guiding the franchise as one of its owners. |
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Suspected DUI driver crashes into Washougal River Road roundabout
A Stevenson man suspected of driving impaired crashed an SUV into the Washougal River Road roundabout Wednesday morning on state Highway 14, according to the Washington State Patrol. |
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Vancouver man gets 7½ years in gunfight and drug theft
A Vancouver man was sentenced last month to 7½ years in prison in connection with a June 2022 gunfight over stolen drugs in the Arnada neighborhood. |
The Chronicle - Centralia
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Jaime Herrera Beutler makes stop in Chehalis in bid for public lands commissioner
Jaime Herrera Beutler is no stranger to Southwest Washington. As a state legislator and later a member of Congress, Herrera Beutler has represented the region for over a decade and a half, a service that earned praise from former Lewis County Commissioner Edna Fund. “She brings with her a constituency. She brings with her a proven record,” Fund said Monday night. “I remember, years ago, when you were first running for office, and I think about where you have come, and what you have learned. And I know you will continue to learn, you will continue to research, and I will support you on this.” As she makes a bid for Washington state public lands commissioner, Herrera Beutler visited the Chehalis Eagles Club Annex for a meet-and-greet event organized by the Conservative Coalition of Lewis County. “You come from a county where resources matter, and you’ve seen what happens when the government mismanages resources,” Herrera Beutler said. “It hits the schools. It hits police, fire, it hits communities, the land.” The visit came days after the Washington state GOP convention in Spokane, where some attendees turned their backs in protest as Herrera Beutler spoke and the state GOP formally endorsed Sue Kuehl Pederson for the position. Herrera Beutler has drawn the ire of some conservatives for her decision to vote in favor of impeachment for former President Donald Trump while she was still in office. “It was probably only 30% that were booing, which means, out of the most extreme of the most extreme, 60% didn’t boo,” Herrera Beutler quipped Monday night. “Those are gettable votes. Those are voters.” Herrera Beutler is not facing an incumbent in her campaign, as current Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz has announced a bid for Congress. In her speech, Herrera Beutler noted the endorsement of Doug Sutherland, a two-term lands commissioner and the last Republican to hold the office. “My view of the government is that it’s here to serve the people and be accountable to people,” she said. “Not that it's the boss of the people.” The state commissioner of public lands manages nearly six million acres across Washington. In an interview with The Chronicle, Herrera Beutler noted the “broad responsibilities” of the agency, including mining, geology, forest management, the regulation of private timberland and shellfish management. “I’m not looking to change current law. I’m not trying to go in and change any of the current forest and fish rules,” Herrera Beutler said. “I just want to operate within what has been set as the law of Washington state.” A Republican, Herrera Beutler represented the Third Congressional District from 2011 to 2023, and the 18th Legislative District from 2007 to 2011. After leaving Congress, Herrera Beutler completed a fellowship-in-residency at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics and joined the board of the National Kidney Foundation, became a strategic adviser to the Children’s Hospital Association, and recently joined the public policy advisory committee of digital health insurance marketplace eHealth. Herrera Beutler noted that while in Congress, legislation passed that delegated additional authority for states to manage federal land, such as Gifford Pinchot National Forest. “We might actually be able to get work done, not just on our state forests, but on our federal forests,” Herrera Beutler said. “We spend all of this time fighting from the federal level, and it’s such a bureaucracy, but after this little change we would have the ability as a state manager to not just manage state forests, but federal forests.” A goal, Herrera Beutler said, is to bring state and federal land “in line” with the regulations that private landowners face, which would help battle an uptick in forest fires and the poor air quality that has dominated much of the state in recent summers. “It’s cleaner. It’s healthier. It’s better. It’s more fire resilient. It’s more disease resilient,” she said in an interview with The Chronicle. “That’s my big goal. We don’t need to have catastrophic wildfires that are dumping carbon into the air. I’d like to put a dent into that immediately because we can.” According to Herrera Beutler, about half of the state-owned land in Western Washington is designated for responsible harvests. “We don’t need to sign some accord in Paris and make it some global thing. We can immediately stop dumping carbon, excess carbon, and methane from these fires into the air,” Herrera Beutler said. “We can make an immediate dent if we remove those dead and diseased trees and we clean up and salvage what is happening on the floor.” With Washingtonians set to vote on repealing the Climate Commitment Act (CCA) this November through Initiative 2117, Herrera Beutler said the outcome would likely have minimal impact on the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). “I don’t ever want to get hooked on a form of tax revenue that I don’t even think should be there, so my goal would be to not be expanding any dependency on that,” Herrera Beutler said. If elected, Herrera Beutler said she wants to make the DNR more sustainable. To do so, she said funds from the harvest of state trust land should be “kept within those forests” to keep the cycle renewable. “So that we’re not forced to go hat in hand to Olympia saying, ‘Can we get another million dollars to do the silviculture work that’s needed to be done to maintain the forests?’” she said. “And we’ve gotten off of that. We don’t do that. And that should be how it functions.” While she’s running in a state where Democrats control both legislative chambers, Herrera Beutler said she has a proven track record of working across the aisle. “My first bills that were signed into law were signed into law by Democrat majorities or Democrat Presidents,” she said. “I think the experience of serving in a swing district has actually served me really well because it means you have to find the issues that are important to people. And you can always find someone on the other side who wants to solve the problem and work with them.” A November poll from Public Policy Polling shows that in a field of seven candidates, Herrera Beutler led the pack with 18% support. The poll found that 48% of Washingtonians were unsure who they support. Data from the Public Disclosure Commission show that Herrera Beutler has raised $323,000, trailing only King County Council Chair Dave Upthegrove, a Democrat, in the race. Kuehl Pederson has raised $7,000. Other candidates in the race include state Sen. Kevin Van De Wege, former State Sen. Mona Das, DNR Director of Tribal Relations Patrick DePoe and Wildland Fire and Forest Resiliency Liaison Allen Lebovitz. “You’re in this because you believe in it, and that’s certainly the case for me,” Herrera Beutler said. “And I think that the message of cleaner air, less smoke, forests that can take care of rural areas and communities, I feel like that message is resonating. And I’m confident that as we get in front of more people, that it will continue to grow.” A top-two primary will be held on Aug. 6 to decide which two candidates advance to the Nov. 5 general election. |
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Centralia council thanks police chief for service as he accepts Chehalis city manager position
After beginning the search for a new city manager late last year, the City of Chehalis announced Monday, April 22, it has selected Centralia Police Department Chief Stacy Denham as the next administrative leader of the city. The city began its search after former Chehalis City Manager Jill Anderson announced she was retiring last November following more than seven years in the position. Now 60, Anderson plans to enjoy her retirement in Chehalis with her husband, who is also retired. Since Anderson’s last day on April 16, Chehalis Public Works Director Lance Bunker has been serving as the interim city manager and will continue to do so until Denham officially starts in his new position. “The Chehalis City Council is excited to announce their agreement with Stacy Denham, who will assume the role of city manager starting June 1, 2024,” the City of Chehalis stated in a news release. “We eagerly anticipate the fresh ideas, dynamic leadership and strategic partnerships Mr. Denham will bring to help us propel our city into a promising future.” Anderson’s annual salary while she was city manager was $166,161. Bunker is currently under contract as interim city manager for $12,973 a month, according to Chehalis administrative assistant Rebecca Gallagher. Denham said his annual salary will be $170,000. Denham has lived in the Chehalis area for over 30 years and was employed as a Chehalis police officer for over 12 years before being hired by the Centralia Police Department. He now has more than 30 years of law enforcement experience and has been with the Centralia Police Department since 2006, when he started as an officer. He was promoted through the ranks to chief of police. Denham has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and public administration from Liberty University and an associate degree in criminal justice from Centralia College. He is also a FBI National Academy graduate. The Chronicle spoke to Denham at the Centralia City Council meeting on Tuesday, April 23, about his new job. “It’s hard to say what to expect, because I have a lot of people telling me what I should expect, but I had that when I became a chief,” Denham said. “… Everything has to be evaluated first, and I’ll take the time to make sure I understand the culture, the people, their abilities, before anything transpires from there.” Members of the Centralia City Council thanked Denham, who has been chief since 2020, for his service during Tuesday’s meeting. His official last day as chief will be May 31. “Congratulations to Chief Denham. You’ve built a strong culture here, and what we just saw with the swearing in is a good example of what you’ve created for us,” Centralia Mayor Kelly Smith Johnston said after new police officers were sworn in. “I know you’ll go on to create healthy and great rituals at Chehalis as well. We will miss you, but we’re glad you’re going to continue serving in our community.” In the news release from the city, the Chehalis City Council thanked everyone who participated in the new city manager hiring process. Denham was one of two finalists for the city manager position after a third dropped out at the beginning of April. The other remaining candidate was Peter Boyce. Boyce has almost 25 years of experience working in city and county governments. He was most recently city administrator for the City of Woodland for over seven years. Prior to that, he was with the City of Gladstone, Oregon, from 2008 to 2015, where he first served as assistant city administrator, then city administrator for over six years. Boyce was also county administrator for Wabasha County, Minnesota, and served Anaconda and Deer Lodge in Montana, first as clerk and recorder, and then as chief executive officer. He has a bachelor's degree in technology and business development from Montana Technological University. |
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Chehalis Middle School Honor Roll
Following are members of the Chehalis Middle School Term 3 Honor Roll. Eighth grade Sophia R. Allen, Madeline B. Bradley, Jayden Dean, Collin D. Elder, Aspen J. Gist, David A. Hernandez, Wyatt R. Hoffman, Rowen C. Hollinger, Raya J. Jensen, Ryker T. Jensen, Mia S. Leslie, Georgia M. Mills, Trevor H. Riley, Erin E. Sandberg, Audrey R. Santee, Rylen L. Sonner, Linden C. Varick, Coby J. Walker, Gage Wiens, Jamiah Wood, Bella K. Yip, Magali C. Jimenez, Jorge A. Jimenez Nicolas, Khushmanpreet Kaur, Hunter L. Riley, Gabriel A. Alvarado, Ayanna M. Harmon, Isabella J. Paniagua, Isabelle C. Teeter, Reece W. Marquez, Urijah J. Dix, Karina Q. Lei, Sergio A. Martinez, Milo L. Moody, Madilyn M. Nesary, Karly J. Rasmussen, Sierra R. Wood, Soren J. Klovdahl, Addyson A. Arthurs, Jack E. Becker, Mila K. Riis, Harper K. Grisham, Kate E. Mordick, Kayden J. Owens, Asha Vianne R. Tummeti, Jana M. Anderson, Addisyn G. Olson, Kendrick M. Edmonds, Hope Shields, Tristyn R. Taylor, Ethan P. Clark, Brendan M. Stevens, Walter E. Dix, Lucy M. Hornby, Tyler J. Leach, Carolynn A. Dauron, James L. Duong, Jonathan M. Hartwell, Shaylee R. Miles, Julian H. Palacios Rivera, Rayah A. Middleton, Cody R. Schwarz, Emma G. Veach, Fisher B. Minor, Constantine D. Robertson, Sukhmanpreet Kaur, Maycee L. Sons, Maxwell J. Bunker, Lilly C. Gage, Christopher J. Johnson, Francisco Naranjo, Joel J. Mendez, Evan C. Smith, Cael A. Justice, Owen S. Gafford, Carter v. Queen, Marline A. Miller, Madalyn L. Anderson, Ellie J. Amburgy, Olivia v. Lambert, Max Coulter, Kloey S. Sparks, Payton T. Arevalo, Billy J. Bramblett III , Lukas Dvorak, Tristan A. Skol, Natalie A. Butler, Aubree R. Lloyd, Avery J. Garner, Carter R. Jackson, John L. Alexander, Aspen B. Misner, Ashlyn H. Thacker, Jay W. Bieker, Julian A. Casimiro Avila
Seventh grade Katelynn K. Alexander, Catherine L. Bender, Olivia Cherrington, Kendall D. Coiteux, Raygen M. Due, Carley J. Foglesong, Annalisa M. Jacob, Adeline R. Judd, John T. Jussila, Laney G. McGregor, Emberleigh E. Moody, Willow L. Rogerson, Emma G. Servey, Briana C. Smith, Brooklyn R. Spencer, Oliver Stanton, Kate M. Turner, Colby S. Westlund, Dominic R. Carrasco, Madison P. Downey, Brady B. Taylor, Wyatt W. Allen, Drake v. Lindholm, Benjamin K. Mittge, Eva A. Nelson, Hailey K. Howlett, Dominic J. Lujan, Romie P. Mesneak, Lily O’Neill, Layla M. Schultz, Levi T. Ames, Yazmin Wilder-Ortega, Madelen C. Gruginski, Nora K. Beard, Lily A. Bailey, Braxton W. Cole, Leo F. Gorman, Ziva N. Holley, Gibson K. Morgan, Harold J. Morgan IV, Darling D. Odden, Elizabeth J. Jackson, Josefa A. Arancibia, Rowan J. Schienbein, Lucy E. Sells, Kinley L. Tuerschmann, Tinsley L. Tobin, Krystin M. Harris, Sydney M. McConnell, Tucker Olson, Seigren d.wall, Jalen J. Amoroso, Lexi G. Ayers, Mallory R. Gaskill, Madisyn H. Lian, Carrah E. Roe, Kenzie J. Roberts, Brenton M. Auzston, Brooke R. Nesary, Kya K. Homan-Shearer, Diana M. Gutierrez, Molly B. Oatfield, Ila R. Reavis, Claire E. Winning, Heather R. Thibault, Drees Cushman, Braun C. Jones, Doran W. Flannery, Izzabella M. Castro, Avery F. Mannikko, Truitt Wood, Logan M. Zenkner, Amelia Spencer, Finn W. Carns, Cruz A. Sanchez, Sable N. Bunker, Savannah J. Mikkelsen, Sirenia C. Escobar, Torin J. Clark, Adele L. Guenther, Aaron Jr Ramey, Eli O. Romer, Carter J. Smith, Zoey M. Zachry, Jaxon J. Search, Jack T. Gill, Landen J. Tucker, Erika R. Brantley, Aubrey D. Murphy, Alli R. Ragsdale, Maddox L. Dyer, Avery E. Porter, Ellen M. Saruwatari, Gunnar K. Servey, Colton M. Withrow, Sophia L. McMenamy, Asher B. Bell, Kimberly Paniagua, Jayden A. Greer, Valeria Hernandez, Ryan T. Petrich, Rowyn S. Bresnahan, Christopher L. Wright, Logan A. Flannery, Kaleb S. Neiffer, Maxton J. Hill, Elijah A. Patton, Aaron C. Woods, Axel Y. Sorto Hernandez, Samson A. Turner, Tyson L. Jones, Anthony Gutierrez, Colton E. Restad, Timothy P. Meinking, Maisy J. Schraeder, Rocky K. Placer
Sixth grade Mirabel V. Burger, Kaddijah Ceesay, Lillian J. Crocker, Ariella J. Crowell, Savanha G. Dehaven, Kaeson T. Eastman, Adam G. Elder, Allison K. Flexhaug, Eli G. Garcia, London E. Germond, Brynley R. Grimes, Jackson A. Groberg, Tru A. Hamrick, Natalie R. Harjo, Whitney L. Harris, Luke Hartley, Santiago R. Hernandez, Milo W. Hornby, Kennadee G. Jewell, Selena J. Matagi, Oliver R. Minor, Madelyn R. Mora, Brantley M. Noren, Beckett C. Porter, Finnley Robison, Logan T. Rooney, Savannah J. Schow, Harvey D. Spogen, Reese L. Steele, Violet J. Swehosky, Gunnar J. Vlach, Maddox C. Walker, Tamina N. Walton, Brooklyn L. Wohld, Kenzie E. Anderson, Amelia C. Dickson, Skykira L. Frazier, Destiny E. Garoutte, Harper L. Hunziker, Blake R. Irving, Juniper A. James, Jude W. Lambert, Conner W. Lloyd, Austin L. Misner, Kimber L. Nieman, Hadley S. Niemi, Hector J. Ojeda, Mariah J. Unzelman, Hudson O. Waltrip, Kale J. Cole, Grant Q. Wilson, Jack Dalrymple, Beau C. Hollinger, Rylen J. McConnell, Avery C. Morton, Jenna L. Salter, Ashtyn R. Gallagher, Brooklynn R. Larson, Courtney N. Myrup, Grace E. Eiswald, Lordina A. Essien, Parker J. Gist, Paisley Hamilton, Elena L. Strait, Allie D. Butler, Thalia G. Martinez, Keiona M. Ferrell, Thomas J. Muller, Adam D. Strong, Logan E. Hibben, Lilybelle A. Thuston, Banyan T. Baldwin, Lucy E. Grandorff, Drew J. Hill, Rylan R. Zenkner, Blake W. Jacobson, Abraham B. Fanning, Hayden E. Sons, Andrew R. Wires, Dominic E. Lima Chagollan, Mason P. McGreal, Karson W. Bunch, Kinsley L. Santiago, Gavin D. Spencer, Rielynn S. Strong, Jordyn M. Viggue, Kayden A. Daugherty, Skyler G. Guiberson, Isabella L. Jimenez Nicolas, Cason W. Justice, Autumn E. Harper, Marivella N. Mendez, Maria S. Mendoza Reyes, Kyler L. Norvell, Kathryn E. Gray, Ella E. Olson, Nevaeh M. Perkins, Korbin A. Davis, Zoey S. Frizzell, Brooklyn B. Thome, Veonna L. Rigby, Theodore S. Meinking, Bryston L. Hooper, Easton R. Buck, Taylor L. Armitage, Presley S. Swenson |
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Toledo school levy and Fire District 17 measures passing on election night
The Toledo School District’s levy renewal and both Lewis County Fire District 17’s levy lid lifts were passing as of initial counts on election night Tuesday, according to data released by the Lewis County Auditor’s Office. The preliminary results released at 8:05 p.m. on April 23 show the Toledo School District replacement educational programs and operations levy passing at 53.28%, or 869 votes, in favor to 46.62%, or 759 votes, against. If passed, the levy would allow the Toledo School District to collect a total of $1,640,000 in 2025, $1,780,000 in 2026 and $1,930,000 in 2027. The estimated levy rate would be $1.34 per $1,000 of assessed value. The money would go toward the district’s educational programs, services and operational needs, including teaching, instructional materials, special programs, activities, sports, technology systems operations, transportation costs, facility maintenance and non-capital expenses. “Thank you Toledo for supporting the work our schools do for kids!” the Toledo School District said in a Facebook post on election night. Preliminary election results show Lewis County Fire District 17’s two proposals each passing with 63.27%, or 31 votes, in favor and 36.73%, or 18 votes, against. If both measures are passed, District 17’s levy lid will increase by $1 per $1,000 of assessed value for fire services, and increase by 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed value for EMS services. The district’s current fire levy rate is 59 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. The district’s current EMS levy rate is 30 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. “To permanently guarantee EMS and fire services for the community, the district is pursuing a merger with Pierce County Fire District 23, but first must more closely align its tax rates with those of the other district,” District 17 said in a statement about the election on Facebook in March. The Lewis County Auditor’s Office counted a total of 1,677 ballots on election night, estimating the voter turnout to be 44.11%. An updated count was set to be released at https://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20240423/lewis/ at 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 24. Election certification will take place on May 3. |
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In focus: Mural takes shape inside The Juice Box in downtown Centralia
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Seattle Times Opinion
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New York saving newsroom jobs; Press Forward opens spigot
New York is the first state to approve tax credits for preserving or adding newsroom jobs, a policy that Congress has considered and needs to apply nationally. |
