If you’ve lived in Southwest Washington for any length of time, you know that the "hub city" life is never quite as quiet as outsiders think. Between the shifting currents of the Chehalis River and the constant hum of I-5, things move fast. Lately, lewis county wa news has been dominated by a mix of infrastructure breakthroughs, high-stakes local politics, and a few bizarre police blotter entries that honestly sound like something out of a movie.
There's a lot to dig into. From the massive $23.5 million broadband expansion to the bittersweet departure of long-time leaders like Vickie Raines from the Chehalis Basin Board, the county is in a state of transition.
The Digital Divide is Finally Closing
For years, if you lived in the rural stretches of Winlock or out toward Mossyrock, "high-speed internet" was basically a myth. That's changing. Lewis County and ToledoTel recently snagged a $23.5 million grant from the Washington State Broadband Office. Basically, they are ripping out old copper wires and burying miles of underground fiber-optic cable.
It isn't cheap. Connecting rural homes can cost upwards of $10,000 per customer because the geography is so unforgiving. But this public-private partnership means that by the end of 2026, over 2,300 homes and businesses in the Winlock area won't have to rely on spotty satellite signals anymore. The county will actually own the infrastructure, which is a pretty unique move for local government.
Politics and Power Shifts
The local political scene is heating up as we head into the 2026 midterms. District 20 lawmakers—including Rep. Peter Abbarno and Sen. John Braun—are already hitting the digital pavement. They’ve scheduled a series of Zoom meetings to update everyone on the 2026 legislative session, starting at 7:30 p.m. on various dates this month.
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One of the big pieces of legislation on the table is House Bill 2336. Sponsored by Abbarno, it aims to let workers record their independent medical examinations during workers' comp claims. It's a technical change, but for anyone who's dealt with L&I, it's a massive deal for transparency.
Breaking Down the Local Leadership Changes
- Chehalis Basin Board: Vickie Raines, a stalwart for flood protection and habitat restoration, is stepping down. Her departure leaves a big hole in the leadership of the Chehalis River Basin Flood Control Zone District.
- Tenino City Council: They just swore in two new members, Tianne Curtiss and Adam Carney. Things got a little tense during the first meeting of 2026 when a bid for a Mayor Pro Tem position failed right out of the gate.
- Commissioner Races: Keep an eye on the Brummer vs. Hadaller matchup. The bid to retain the Lewis County Commissioner seat is already seeing early competition.
Why Our EMS Rates Are Beating the National Average
Here is something you probably didn't know: you are actually safer having a heart attack in Lewis County than in many other parts of the country. Recent CARES (Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival) data shows that our survival rate for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests is about 13.5%.
Compare that to the national average of 10.5%.
Rich Underdahl, Chair of the Lewis County EMS Council, pointed out that about 75% of our 260 responders are volunteers. That’s wild. Despite being a largely rural area with longer travel times, the "bystander CPR" rates here are significantly higher, which basically doubles the chance of someone walking out of the hospital.
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The Sirens: Recent Crime and Safety Updates
The Lewis County Jail has been busy this week. Just recently, Centralia police arrested two men—Scott D. Hampton and Peter R. A. Anderson—after they allegedly pepper-sprayed a man to steal his bicycle on Harrison Avenue.
It gets weirder.
There was a report of a man in Morton who was detained after he was seen "licking the windows" of a patrol car. He ended up being booked for third-degree assault after a confrontation with officers. On a more serious note, the Washington State Patrol is still looking for information on a hit-and-run near Napavine on I-5 that sent four people to the hospital last Friday.
What's Next for the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad?
If you’re looking for something a bit more nostalgic, the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad and Museum is prepping for the Valentine's Sweetheart Dinner Train on February 14. They’re using vintage 1920s dining cars. It’s a nice reminder that despite the constant stream of lewis county wa news regarding crime or budget cuts, the community still holds onto its heritage.
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The Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad is also making progress on its fire recovery. They are still working to restore the wooden trestle bridge that was destroyed by fire a few months ago. Once that’s fixed, freight and passenger service to Morton could return, which would be a huge shot in the arm for the East County economy.
Key Dates for Your Calendar
- January 19: All transfer stations are closed for the MLK Jr. holiday.
- Late January: Keep an eye on your mailbox. The Lewis County Auditor’s Office is sending out ballots for the February 10 special election, specifically for school levies in Centralia, Onalaska, and Boistfort.
- January 20: The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) holds their regular business meeting.
Actionable Steps for Residents
Stay on top of the local changes by checking your voter registration before the February special election. If you’re in a rural area, you can contact ToledoTel to see if your property is on the roadmap for the new fiber-optic rollout. Finally, if you're interested in how your tax dollars are being spent, the Centralia City Council just approved $247,567 in lodging tax grants for projects like the Fox Theatre and the Chamber of Commerce—it's worth looking into how those funds are being allocated to boost local tourism.
To stay updated, you can sign up for Lewis County Alerts through the county website to get emergency notifications directly to your phone.