1. Commissioners offer County Manager job to man with local roots

    Ryan Barrett CHEHALIS- After an extensive nationwide search, the Lewis County Commissioners have selected an individual with local roots as their next County Manager.The commissioners offered their top position Wednesday to Ryan Barrett, a former Lewis County Sheriff’s Office lieutenant who now oversees more than 100 employees as a captain with the South Correctional Entity in Des Moines, Wash. The commissioners selected Barrett, 41, after hosting a public meet-and-greet followed by an intensive, all-day interview session that involved nearly two dozen county employees, including elected officials, department directors and others.Barrett, who grew up in the area and served on the …


    News Room - July 13, 2023, 10:29 a.m.

  2. County seeks volunteers for BOE and PFD

    The Lewis County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is seeking volunteers interested in serving on two boards: the Lewis County Board of Equalization (BOE) and the Lewis County Public Facilities District (PFD) Board of Directors.Lewis County Board of Equalization (BOE)The BOE is made up of three regular, full-time members and three part-time alternates appointed by the Lewis County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). It’s designed to provide an impartial and economical forum through which taxpayers can appeal determinations of the Lewis County Assessor’s Office. The board is separate from – and operates independently of – the Lewis County Assessor. BOE …


    Commissioners - Aug. 5, 2025, 4:31 p.m.

  3. Press Release (Update): Investigation into fatal Randle shooting. (#2)

    Click here for full press release: PRESS RELEASE Date/Time: 07-07-17 @ 1345 Hours Contact: Chief Dusty Breen Phone: (360) 740-1327 Release #: 2 Investigation into fatal Randle shooting. An autopsy was completed this afternoon in reference to the July 4th fatal shooting in Randle. The decedent has been tentatively identified based on information found at the scene as a 51 year-old male transient. Next of kin for this individual have been notified, but a positive identification has not yet been made. Confirmation of identity will be released by the Lewis County Coroner’s Office. Detectives completed processing the scene on the …


    Sheriff - July 7, 2017, 1:53 p.m.

  4. Press Release: Final Suspect In-Custody from Interrupted Burglary

    Click Here for Original Release PRESS RELEASE Date/Time: 12-06-18 @ 0900 Hours Contact: Chief Dusty Breen Phone: (360) 740-1327 Release #: 2 Final Suspect In-Custody from Interrupted Burglary Erik G. Spicer, 32 of Napavine, is in custody at the Lewis County Jail for Residential Burglary after his involvement in the interrupted burglary in Centralia on 12/05/18. On 12/05/18 at 7:05 PM he turned himself into law enforcement, and was booked. ### Released 12/05/18 @ 1400 Two Interrupted Burglaries within 24 Hours Lead to Multiple Arrests Two separate interrupted burglaries within 24 hours have led to the arrests of four individuals, …


    Sheriff - Dec. 6, 2018, 9:43 a.m.

  5. Long time Lewis County Engineer retires after 40 years of public service

    Lewis County Commissioner Sean Swope, left, Tim Fife, Commissioner Lindsey Pollock and Commissioner Scott Brummer. Geoff Soderquist, left, and County Engineer Tim Fife. CHEHALIS – The design and construction of many of the roads and bridges in Lewis County passes the desk of County Engineer Tim Fife. Over the past decade, Fife has overseen dozens of projects with a keen eye on being fiscally responsible while also providing quality construction and maintenance on 1,042 miles of county roads. As the County Engineer, Fife performs oversight on drainage and diking districts as well.Fife retires this week after approximately 40 years in …


    News Room - Sept. 21, 2023, 4:12 p.m.

  6. Press Release: Two Interrupted Burglaries within 24 Hours Lead to Multiple Arrests

    Click Here for Orignial Release PRESS RELEASE Date/Time: 12-05-18 @ 1400 Hours Contact: Chief Dusty Breen Phone: (360) 740-1327 Release #: 1 Two Interrupted Burglaries within 24 Hours Lead to Multiple Arrests Two separate interrupted burglaries within 24 hours have led to the arrests of four individuals, and the referring of charges on another. One identified individual remains at large. On 12/04/18 at about 11:09 AM, deputies responded to an interrupted burglary in the 600 block of State Route 506 in Toledo. Upon arriving in the area, deputies were able to locate two suspects in the area. Jason C. Patterson …


    Sheriff - Dec. 5, 2018, 3:33 p.m.

  7. Lewis County Calls Lawsuit Meritless

    LEWIS COUNTY CALLS LAWSUIT MERITLESS Deputy involved in shooting properly followed policies and procedures and acted appropriately pursuant to his training. Lewis County and other named individuals vehemently deny the allegations made in a lawsuit filed on October 15, 2012 by the Estate of a man who was shot and killed by a Lewis County Sheriff’s Deputy in June of 2011. The Complaint, filed in federal court in Tacoma, alleges that the Deputy acted recklessly and negligently when he encountered Steven Petersen in the early morning hours of June 20, 2011, and engaged in a “shoot first, ask questions later” …


    Sheriff - Oct. 19, 2012, 1:44 p.m.

  8. Lewis County veteran helps those who served with local resources and services

    Lewis County Veterans Benefits Specialist Heidi Palmer shares a variety of services and resource information with local veterans from her office in Chehalis. CHEHALIS – Lewis County Veterans will soon be offered peer counseling services in addition to housing, health care and other community resources provided by the county veterans’ relief funds.The Lewis County Veterans Service Office, in cooperation with the local organization Veterans Journey Forward and Veterans Memorial Museum, will coordinate the new services to be offered at the museum, located at 100 SW Veterans Way in Chehalis.Veteran certified peer training is scheduled April 17-21 at the museum in …


    News Room - April 6, 2023, 4:47 p.m.

  9. The public safety community shares appreciation for retiring traffic safety advocate

    Dianne Swanson, left, and Lewis County Sheriff’s Sgt. Jeff Godbey at the Sheriff’s Office in Chehalis, Sept. 6. CHEHALIS – The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office stands to benefit from a portion of a $65,000 grant from the Washington State Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC). The funds will be split between law enforcement agencies in Lewis, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum Counties.Dianne Swanson announced the financial award at the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday, Sept. 6. For more than five years, Swanson, who retires at the end of the month, has led the three-county WTSC Target Zero Traffic Safety Program aimed at reducing …


    News Room - Sept. 7, 2023, 3:55 p.m.

  10. Free Legal Clinics

    Legal Clinic - English versionLegal Clinic - Spanish version Please see the attached Flyer announcing a FREE Legal Clinic held in Rural Counties: Lewis County, Pacific County and Wahkiakum County.The upcoming dates for the Clinics are:Clinics will be held from 9am to 11am at these dates and locations:MAY 9: LEWISMAY 22: PACIFICJUNE 6: LEWISJUNE 17: WAHKIAKUMThe specific addresses are on the flyer.These clinics are Drop-In, First Come and First Served and will address only Civil Legal Issues.If you are receiving this note and wish to connect with our team about ensuring an urgent prospective client can secure a spot in …


    Superior Court - May 13, 2025, 11:47 a.m.