News

Columbian Newspaper

Tacoma police seize $625,000 in narcotics after extensive drug-dealing investigation
Author: Julia Park, The News Tribune

TACOMA — Tacoma police seized a large collection of narcotics with a street value of about $625,000 in an investigation of an alleged narcotics dealer that ended Nov. 14, according to a news release.

Read more...

Chris Sale, Tarik Skubal win Cy Young Awards
Author: STEPHEN HAWKINS, AP Baseball Writer

Atlanta’s Chris Sale and Detroit’s Tarik Skubal each won their first Cy Young Award on Wednesday night after the left-handers shared the MLB lead with 18 wins while leading their respective leagues in strikeouts and ERA.

Read more...

Maui Invitational returns to a Lahaina still grappling with recovery
Author: AUDREY McAVOY and JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER, Associated Press

HONOLULU — Three generations of TJ Rickard’s family lost their homes in the deadly Maui wildfire more than a year ago, and he and his extended family still have not rebuilt. That leaves Rickard, a high school basketball coach, conflicted about next week’s return of the storied Maui Invitational college tournament.

Read more...

Trump’s casting call as he builds out his administration: TV experience preferred
Author: COLLEEN LONG, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — There’s a common trait that President-elect Donald Trump is clearly prizing as he selects those to serve in his new administration: experience on television.

Read more...

Camas Salary Commission OKs pay bump for mayor, councilors
Author: Kelly Moyer, Camas-Washougal Post-Record

The Camas Salary Commission last week unanimously approved a 2 percent stipend increase for the mayor and city councilors, bumping monthly pay in 2025 to $1,224 for councilors and $3,060 for the mayor.

Read more...

‘Our revenues are not keeping pace with our rising costs’: Clark County faces $10M shortfall in general fund for 2025
Author: Shari Phiel

Clark County could be looking at a $10 million shortfall in its general fund next year.

Read more...

Washington State News

Hearst Foundations award Seattle Art Museum with $250,000 grant
The Hearst Foundations has awarded the Seattle Art Museum with a grant.
Xinhua world news summary at 0030 GMT, Nov. 21

SAN FRANCISCO -- A bomb cyclone hit the U.S. state of Washington Tuesday night and early Wednesday, causing one person dead and some half a million without power.

Damage from fallen trees and downed wires was reported throughout the region. A woman died after a large tree fell onto a homeless encampment in Lynnwood during Tuesday night's storm, according to the South County Fire. (US-Washington State-Weather-Dam

NYT Politics

Trump Tells Republicans to ‘Kill’ Bipartisan Press Freedom Bill
Author: Charlie Savage
The bill, known as the PRESS Act, would codify protections against federal investigators seizing reporters’ records. It is now less likely the legislation would clear the Senate before the current session ends.

The Chronicle - Centralia

Christmas tree lighting, Lighted Tractor Parade and more: Centralia Downtown Association ready for holiday season

With Thanksgiving and Christmas quickly approaching, the Centralia Downtown Association (CDA) is preparing to spread holiday cheer with a slate of upcoming festive events in the Hub City’s downtown area. 

“We can't wait to welcome our local community and out of town visitors to the heart of the Hub City here in downtown Centralia for the holidays,” CDA Executive Director MacKenzie McGee said in a news release. “We've got an event for everyone no matter how you celebrate the holidays, and there's always something going on to enjoy. Even if it's not an event, just being downtown to shop, dine or play during the holiday season feels like stepping into a Hallmark movie where everything is picturesque!” 

The festivities begin just after Thanksgiving with Centralia’s annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony, which will be held at George Washington Park beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 29. 

Santa, played by Larry Morton of The Evergreen Playhouse, will be brought to George Washington Park to light the tree in a fire truck by the Riverside Fire Authority. 

Additionally, free warm beverages will be provided by Life Center Church along with mini cinnamon rolls from Cinn-A-Girls provided by the CDA, according to the release.

Starting the next day, on Saturday, Nov. 30, the CDA will hold its first Shop Small Saturday event promoting shopping at local businesses. During this event, the CDA will provide family-friendly fun at the Pine Street Plaza, and participating businesses will be offering in-store deals and discounts. 

Members of the Centralia High School Future Farmers of America chapter will also be in the Pine Street Plaza selling Christmas wreaths as a fundraiser to help support their chapter. 

While walking downtown, shoppers are asked to vote for the people’s choice award in the CDA’s holiday window display competition. This year’s theme is “The 12 days of Christmas.” 

The CDA’s judging will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 4, while the people’s choice voting will be open on the CDA’s website through Thursday, Dec. 19. 

Christmas Carolling will also be returning to downtown Centralia at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6, Dec. 13 and Dec. 20. Carollers will start at the Pine Street Plaza before being led on a route throughout the downtown area by the Two Town Tuners. 

The CDA’s Late ‘Til 8 Shopping events are back as well, with participating businesses staying open until 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6, Dec. 13 and Dec. 20, to accommodate shoppers’ busy work schedules. 

For the early birds, the CDA has also coordinated an Early Bird Specials event on Saturday, Dec. 21, where participating businesses will open at 6 a.m. to accommodate any early shoppers or those needing last-minute gifts. 

The biggest event the CDA is planning is the 15th annual Lighted Tractor Parade, which will start at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, along Tower Avenue. 

New this year is the parade’s lawnmower brigade, where those who don’t have a tractor but do have a rideable lawnmower can decorate it and participate for a $5 entry fee. 

Those interested in entering their lawnmowers must have them at the Centralia College parking lot between Rock and Oak streets by 4 p.m. on Dec. 14 for staging and must be at least 18 years old with a valid driver’s license. 

Following the 15th annual Lighted Tractor Parade is the CDA’s Midnight Madness event, where businesses in downtown Centralia will remain open until midnight immediately following the end of the parade to accommodate late-night shopping, dining and more. 

The CDA will host family friendly activities at Pine Street Plaza during Midnight Madness. 

“There is so much to see and do in downtown this year, from shopping, dining and playing, to any of our mirriad events, to the many great events other businesses and organizations put on in the heart of the Hub City,” McGee said in the release. “There truly is no better place to spend your holiday season than here. Downtown Centralia is thriving and ready to welcome you!” 

For more information, visit the CDA’s website at https://downtowncentralia.org/

 

Pages