News
Seattle Times Opinion
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Lurid details laid bare in trial of champion of traditional values
Clearly, there is nothing that can disqualify a Republican candidate for president these days. |
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Air travel: Stop moving for a while
Re: “Rick Steves never stops moving, but it’s not all for travel business” [April 30, A1]: Rick Steves has done so much to introduce Americans to valuable cultural experiences, and I commend what the article described as his “self-imposed ‘carbon tax’ on his tour company” and bold local philanthropy. If it weren’t for the climate […] |
NYT Politics
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U.S. to Announce New Tariffs on Chinese Electric Vehicles
The administration could raise tariffs on electric vehicles from China to 100 percent in an attempt to protect American auto manufacturers.
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Federal Appeals Court Upholds Bannon’s Contempt Conviction
Stephen Bannon, a longtime ally of Donald Trump, had been found guilty of defying a subpoena from the House Jan. 6 committee. He now faces a four-month prison sentence.
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The Chronicle - Centralia
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In loving memory of Gary Lee Wilson: 1939-2024
Gary Lee Wilson passed away peacefully at his home on May 4, 2024. He was born in Chehalis to Melvin and Betty (June) Wilson on April 12, 1939. He lived his entire life in the beautiful valley of Boistfort, Washington, where he graduated from Boistfort High School. Gary retired from Darigold in 1994. In his younger years he planted trees for Weyerhaeuser, was a logger and baseball coach. He was an avid outdoorsman where he had a passion for hunting, fishing and trapping. After he retired from Darigold in 1994, he started his own business – Wilson’s Animal Damage Control, and he contracted with several timber companies. In his later years, he enjoyed cutting firewood, road trips on Baw Faw and gardening. He grew a huge garden, and he shared the crops of vegetables and flowers with many. He was raised alongside his four siblings to whom he was very close. He is survived by Melody and Willy Nishi; Greg and Pat Wilson; sister-in-law Edith “Pat” Wilson; and his six children: Brian and Candi Wilson, Terry Wilson, Mark and Patty Wilson, Kim and Mike Laymon, Brad Wilson and Edith, and Joshua Wilson. He leaves behind numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren, along with nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his sister Vicki (Lorrie) Hedges, brother Doug Wilson and his parents. Gary was cremated as he wished, and his ashes will be placed in Claquato Cemetery in Chehalis next to his parents. There is no service planned in accordance with his wishes. |
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In loving memory of Jeanne Rector: 1942-2024 
Rector, 81, passed away peacefully on April 28, 2024. The youngest of nine children, she was born on July 11, 1942, in Crookston, Minnesota to Mabel and Alvin Nelson.
Jeanne attended grade school in Beltrami and graduated from Crookston High School. She went on to earn a business degree in Grand Forks, North Dakota. She moved to Seattle in 1962 and worked in the accounting departments for several large department stores. On Sept. 21, 1963, she married Charles Rector at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Seattle, and together they raised three children: daughter, Kimberly; and sons, John and James Rector. She was a lifelong member of the Catholic Church. She taught preschool for several years and worked alongside her husband in the family business. Jeanne was a member of Zonta International Women’s Organization – Centralia/Chehalis chapter. Jeanne and Charles loved traveling to Mexico with their family. She also enjoyed creating a warm, loving and beautiful home. Baking, cooking, gardening and swimming were passions of hers as well. Jeanne is survived by daughter, Kimberly; son, James Rector; daughter-in-law, Annette Rector; and grandsons, Jacob, Andrew and Isaac. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mabel and Alvin Nelson; her husband of 60 years, Charles Rector; and son, John Rector. Even in the end, she was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother and friend. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Newell- Hoerling’s Mortuary. |
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In loving memory of Patricia (Pat) Bartley Williams: 1943-2024
Patricia (Pat) Bartley Williams passed away April 24, 2024, at the age of 80. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Pat was born at home in Nesika, Washington in October 1943. Before graduating from Mossyrock High School, she was hired by Group Health Dental Clinic where she worked for four years. Soon after, she attended and graduated from dental assistant school. Her next job was at Cabrini Hospital as a nurse's aid. A doctor offered her a job after three years, but she decided to then work as a dental assistant. Later, she worked on a flower farm and became a certified florist. However, her most cherished job of all time was raising her family. Pat will be lovingly remembered by her son Kevin (Lorraine) Williams, daughter Marcia (Barry) O'Rourke, son Larry (Lisa) Williams, brother Dick Bartley, six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Dale Williams, parents, Ed and Marcia Bartley, sisters Donna McAllister and Marlene Susee, and brothers Larry, Bob, Bill and John Bartley. A funeral service will be held on June 8, at 11 a.m. at Swofford Cemetery, 132 Harrington Road, Mossyrock, with a reception to follow at Jackson Prairie Church, 4224 Jackson Highway, Chehalis. Pat usually wore red. In her honor, we invite you to wear her favorite color to the service. |
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In loving memory of Tryna Kay Norberg: 1947-2024
Tryna Kay Norberg passed away peacefully at the age of 76 on Feb. 7, 2024, in Olympia, Washington, surrounded by family. She was kind, sweet and loving to the very end, as she was in life. Tryna was born March 8, 1947, in Chehalis, Washington, to parents Albert Norberg and Edythe Norberg (Literal). She joined her brother, Randy Norberg. She attended a small one-room schoolhouse near her home on Jackson Highway, excelling at studies before eventually attending W.F. West High School in Chehalis, where she made many friends. Graduating in 1965, she went on to Central Washington College (University) in Ellensburg, Washington, pursuing a degree in education and becoming a teacher for most of her life. An inspiring educator, Tryna was always more than just a teacher. She consistently took it upon herself to become an advocate for young people, often stepping into a motherly role that provided support, understanding and love to those who lacked solid parental figures at home. Her compassion and belief in the potential of every individual were unwavering, as she touched the lives of countless students across many institutions, instilling in them the confidence and determination to succeed. She was a beacon of light for these students, so much so, both of her children have strong memories of young adults coming up to their mother in parking lots and grocery stores to thank and hug her for believing in them years ago and helping them succeed in higher pursuits of education and in life itself. She started her teaching career at Maple Lane, a low-security school for juvenile delinquents, where she taught home economics while offering invaluable support to students in need. Her mantra, "There are no bad children, just bad situations," exemplified her belief in the power of empathy and understanding to transform lives. In 1990, she moved to Centralia High School as a home health teacher, immediately recognizing the need to support female students who became pregnant. Through her tireless efforts of advocacy and grant writing, she spearheaded the creation of the Early Childhood Development Center, providing daycare for student-mothers to continue their education while also offering valuable childcare experience to other students. Tryna's impact was profound, earning her the admiration and respect of her students, colleagues and the community. She finished her career at Lower Columbia College and then retired shortly after 2000. Throughout her life, Tryna's sense of adventure never waned. She embarked on numerous expeditions, including sailing from Hawaii to Tahiti twice and traversing the Camino de Santiago trail in Spain. Always eager to explore new destinations, she traveled extensively with friends and family, spreading joy and laughter wherever she went. Tryna is survived by her children, Josh Hizon and Tara Hizon-Carter; son-in-law, Randy Carter; as well as her grandchildren, Oloan Carter and Edie Carter. She is also survived by her brother, Randy Norberg, and his wife, Judy Norberg, along with many lifelong friends and extended family members. She will be dearly missed. A celebration of life service in honor of Tryna will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. June 2, 2024, at Huber’s Gasthaus, located at 2312 Friendly Grove Road NE, Olympia. |
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In loving memory of Mary Alberta Leach
Mary Alberta Leach, 80, passed away peacefully on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024, with her family by her side. Mary was a longtime resident of over 50 years in Centralia, Washington. She is survived by her two children, daughter, Kristen (Jon), of Edmonds, Washington, and son, Kyle (Leah), of Terrebonne, Oregon; and most importantly, by her three grandchildren, Kyla, Violet and Niren, whom she loved more than anything. She also leaves behind her two wonderful sisters, Sharon and Linda, both of Onalaska, Washington, and their families, and many other relatives and friends. Mary has joined her husband, Norman Leach, who preceded her in death in September 2016. She missed him dearly. It gives us great comfort to know they are now back together. A private memorial and burial will be at a later date. “Do not stand at my grave and weep; I am not there. I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning's hush, I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry; I am not there. I did not die.” — written by Mary Elizabeth Frye Please leave condolences or share memories at www.FuneralAlternatives.org. |
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Grays Harbor County ranchers recount role in zebra capture
Larry and Gwen Mielke have spent their lives around animals. In 30 years of living on the “Milky Way” ranch near Elma, the couple has raised cattle and hosted plenty of rodeo trainings for youth. They each coached the Elma High School equestrian team, a club they initiated, and mentored kids as they raised livestock in 4H programs. None of that involved zebras. So, when asked last week to help capture an escaped African equine in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, they jumped at the opportunity. On April 28, a mishap with a trailer carrying four zebras from a Western Washington farm to a petting zoo in Montana allowed the animals to escape along Interstate 90 about 30 miles east of Seattle. Almost immediately, the Mielke’s had a personal connection to the story — their longtime friends, Dave Danton, a former rodeo bullfighter, and his wife, Julie, were a big reason three of the zebras were quickly brought back into the trailer, forming a makeshift pen to guide them. One of the zebras, nicknamed “Sugar,” remained on the loose. As news of the runaway zebra reached national media outlets and satirical zebra photos plastered Facebook, people and trail cameras spotted the animal skirting the fringe of the small town of North Bend. Tourists traveled to North Bend to try to spot it, while authorities closed nearby trails to prevent them from spooking it away. Four days after the zebra bolted from the trailer, Larry got a call from Dave Danton, who had continued with the capture effort at the request of the zebra’s owner. “I thought he was joking at first,” Larry said in an interview. “He said, ‘Hey you want to come and help me capture that last zebra?” “I was excited about it,” he added. “I had never done it before.” He and Gwen loaded up 200 feet of metal livestock paneling from their Elma ranch and drove to North Bend the next morning. They met with Danton and a few others — including Mayor Mary Miller — in the Safeway parking lot and decided to check out an area where a mountain biker reported several zebra sightings. For the first step, they strategized to guide the zebra into a nearby private landowner’s one-acre field, where an existing perimeter fence would provide containment. The Mielke’s and others helped move a horse that inhabited the field into a separate pen and headed toward a back gate, the planned zebra entrance. Larry said he was prepared for a scouting mission. But when they arrived, the zebra was already standing no more than 100 yards from the gate. “We didn’t have to go anywhere,” he said. The Mielke’s suspect the zebra frequented the area to see its fellow equine, the horse. Larry said the zebra was “a ton of fun to be around it. It would look at you … it’s just different.” Danton coaxed the zebra toward the gate with an offering of white bread. “The zebra really liked white bread,” Larry said. Danton enclosed the zebra in the field a short time after 5 p.m. But the zebra was still far from secure. They still needed to get the foreign animal into a horse trailer without injuring it, or anyone involved. Though the striped equine was not a wild animal, it wasn’t entirely complicit with humans, either. Larry said his mindset was similar to when he and Danton helped a friend move range cattle, which are allowed to roam across large swathes of land. The key, he said, was to be patient and easy-going, and maintain a “bubble” around the animal. “When you get too close, you can see the animal start getting a little excited and you just back off,” he said. The Mielke’s said the zebra never got into a dangerous position and was probably most agitated by a flying drone hovering above the area, Gwen said. “Every time it would get a little excited we’d just stop, let it settle down, and reassured a little bit by talking to it and throwing a few more pieces of bread out there,” he said. Working with Mayor Miller and others, the Mielke’s moved their paneling around the zebra, gradually cornering it. As darkness fell, they continued under headlights of the local animal control officer’s car. Finally, after six days on the loose, the zebra walked into the trailer, guided by a narrow alleyway the crew constructed. “It really couldn’t have gone much better,” Larry said. “When it got in that trailer and we shut the door on it, it was pretty cool.” When the story spread of the capture, so did false rumors — that the group had chased the zebra with mountain bikes, that the zebra was injured or tranquilized, and that the wranglers made a profit from the ordeal — none of which were true, Larry said. “An experience like that, you can’t put a dollar figure on it, nor would you want to,” he said. “It was just great being able to do it.”
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