Lewis County Sirens.com

The aftermath: Barn, tree on Logan Hill. / Courtesy photo by Robin Williams

Updated at 11:28 a.m.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

Onalaska was hit pretty hard with wind last night, keeping the fire department busy removing trees from roadways.

Power in the area was knocked out and remains that way this morning, according to Lewis County Fire District 1.

“Responders watched lawn chairs blow across the roads and flags coming off (their poles),” Fire Chief Mark Conner said this morning.

No injuries have been reported, but Conner said a tree fell on a house on state Route 508 near Carlisle Avenue. He assumed the residence was unoccupied, because nobody requested the fire department for it, he said.

It was a relatively quiet night for firefighters at the North Pearl Street station in Centralia, where the highest wind gust was recorded at 35 mph, according to Riverside Fire Authority.

The National Weather Service recorded gusts as high as 46 mph at the Chehalis-Centralia Airport.

Just before 9 p.m., the Washington State Patrol asked area residents to just stay indoors until the storm passed, because of the number of trees falling onto state routes.

One close call occurred about dinnertime, just east of Onalaska beyond Parnell Road, according to Conner.

A UPS truck was forced off the road when a maple tree fell in front of it, Conner said.

“I think maybe a few branches hit it and it went into the ditch,” he said.

State Route 507 north of Centralia was shut down for hours overnight because of trees and power lines on the ground.

Centralia City Light which serves about 10,000 customers responded to power outages from around 4:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. Roughly 1,200 were affected at different times, but all service has been restored, according to Line Superintendent Rick Evans.

The latest information from Lewis County PUD’s website – at 3:30 a.m. – shows power outages in places such as around Big Hanaford Road, around U.S. Highway 12 to Mayfield Lake and roads in the Chehalis area.

However, PUD spokesperson Corenne Moses said at midmorning, while she didn’t have a “head count” of the number of customers without electricity, they have several power lines down still.

“We hope to get the greater Onalaska-Salkum area up by noon,” Moses said.

Utility crews responded to calls through the night all around the county and are still working, she said.

Moses reminds members of the public whose power is out to unplug their electronics, to prevent possible damage when their electric service is restored.

The National Weather Service cautions that the increased risk of landslides continues through today, because of the rainfall in recent days.

PUD customers who want to report an outage may call 360-748-9261 or 1-800-562-5612

Customers of Centralia City Light may report an outage by calling 330-7512 during business hours or 736-7040 after hours.

Perry Royle
1960 – 2014

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

Morton Police Officer Perry Royle died yesterday at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. He was 54.

Royle was on duty a week earlier when he suffered an unspecified medical issue, summoned help and and then lost consciousness at the hospital.

A procession of law enforcement officers from various agencies accompanied Royle’s body back to Lewis County yesterday evening, ending at Brown’s Funeral Chapel in Chehalis. A candle light vigil was planned in Morton.

Royle had been with the department since 2002, and was Chief Dan Mortensen’s only officer.

Morton Police Department Clerk Michelle Matchett said Royle’s family, and Chief Mortensen, were with him when he passed.

Courtesy photo by Jim Hill Photography

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – An appeals court says its enough that a 25-year-old Centralia woman used a kitchen knife to end the life of her severely premature infant after she gave birth, and the fact it did or didn’t have drugs in its system won’t change her 30-year-sentence.

Laura Lynn Hickey

Laura Lynn Hickey pleaded guilty to second-degree murder almost three years ago, in Lewis County Superior Court and was sent off to prison. She’s back in the Lewis County Jail for an expected hearing on an issue that stems from the October decision from the Washington State Court of Appeals.

It was an early March morning in 2011; neighbors had phoned 911 after hearing calls for help coming from Hickey’s home at the Peppertree Motor Inn and RV Park on Alder Street. She was taken to the hospital where at first she said she’d had a miscarriage, and then police found the decapitated newborn in a Tupperware container under the kitchen sink of  her fifth-wheel trailer.

At sentencing, Hickey’ lawyer asked the judge to give his client about 12 years in prison, for what she viewed as a mercy killing when her approximately 21-weeks-along fetus was unexpectedly delivered into a toilet. Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer recommended 80 years, saying it was a crime so heinous, she should lose the ability to “walk among us.”

Attorneys disagreed if the infant boy was far enough along he could have survived outside the womb.

Because Hickey not only admitted guilt, but stipulated to an aggravating factor the victim was particularly vulnerable, the judge could have imposed a sentence all the way up to life in prison. The standard sentencing range for the crime was between about 12 years to 20 years.

At the time, the woman apologized, cried and told the judge said she would accept whatever sentence he gave her. But her appeal attorney appealed the exceptional sentence.

Her lawyer contended the trial court violated Hickey’s Sixth Amendment rights as articulated in Blakely v. Washington, by making findings the victim was particularly vulnerable not only because of age, but because of drug intoxication

The three-member panel concluded in its Oct. 10 decision that Judge Nelson Hunt’s finding was incorrect, and sent the case back to Lewis County so the reference to methamphetamine intoxication could be struck from the findings.

The appeals court however, affirmed the exceptional sentence of 30 years.

One of the reports submitted to Lewis County Superior Court, from a psychologist, noted both Hickey and the victim had significant amounts of methamphetamine in their blood stream at the time of the offense. Another, from the autopsy stated the infant suffered from acute methamphetamine intoxication.

Neither Hickey’s appeals attorney or the appeals court suggest the information is untrue, only that it should not have been considered at sentencing.

Prosecutor Meyer indicates Hickey is scheduled to go before a judge at 2:15 p.m. on Thursday, although the actual hearing may take place at a later day.

•••

For background, read:

• “Centralia woman gets 30 years for decapitating premature infant” from Wednesday February 22, 2012, here

• “Laura Hickey pleads guilty to killing her premature infant” from Tuesday February 7, 2012, here

James R. Johnson appears before a Lewis County Superior Court judge for a bail hearing.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A judge ordered bail set at $100,000 for a retired logger accused of a starting a fire at the house where his ex-wife and best friend were sleeping.

James R. Johnson, 65, was arrested near his rural Chehalis home this week for the June 1 blaze that heavily damaged the home on the 900 block of B Street in Centralia.

Police were suspicious of Johnson from beginning, according to charging documents.

Clint Brown said he awoke to the smoke alarm and when he opened his back door, he saw flames and smelled a very strong odor of gasoline. He closed the door, woke up Tamara Johnson who’d just recently moved in with him, and they got out uninjured.

Police were told James Johnson had been at the home just three days earlier, kicking on the door, making threats and demanding to speak with his ex-wife.

Officers visited his home and while he claimed he had not gone anywhere all night, the engine on a Chevrolet Aveo there was still warm, charging documents state.

He told the officer he and Tamara Johnson had been divorced since the 1990s, but retained and on-again off-again relationship that had ended a week before, according to the documents.

Police were told by his daughter he was upset about his ex-wife dating his friend, and he had been threatening to hurt himself.

A flashlight found at the scene was finger printed and tested, and late last month, Centralia Police Department detectives were notified it carried a DNA profile that matched James Johnson’s, according to the documents.

Johnson was charged yesterday with one count of first-degree arson.

He was brought before a judge yesterday afternoon, outfitted in red jail garb, handcuffed and shackled at his wrists and ankles.

Preliminary defense attorney Joely O’Rourke requested just $20,000 bail, noting the defendant owned Jim Johnson Logging for 25 years, has 12 grandchildren and his felony history is a quarter century old.

“He has very strong ties to the community, he’s known about the allegations since June,” O’Rourke told the judge in an attempt to show how unlikely a flight risk he would be.

Lewis County Deputy Prosecutor Mark McClain noted Johnson had previous federal convictions for passport fraud and conspiracy to manufacture marijuana.

Lewis County Superior Court Judge Richard Brosey sided with McClain out of concern for public safety.

As the bail hearing moved to the question of any orders of no contact orders, O’Rourke told the judge her temporary client and his ex-wife, whom he’s known for 38 years, are together again.

“Since this allegation, he has reconciled with the alleged victim,” O’Rourke told the judge. “They’re living together.”

Judge Brosey said he didn’t care, and issued a no contact order between the two.

James Johnson has retained defense attorney Shane O’Rourke.

His arraignment is scheduled for next Thursday.
•••

For background, read “Breaking news: Ex-husband jailed for arson, in Centralia house fire” from Wednesday December 3, 2014, here

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The Vader couple charged in the October death of a toddler they were caring for didn’t get arraigned today as expected but did appear before a judge briefly this afternoon.

Danny A. Wing, 26, and Brenda A. Wing, 27, were arrested early last month and remain in Lewis County Jail on bails set at $500,000 and $200,000 respectively.

Brenda A. Wing

It appears unsettled who will be their lawyers.

The couple were represented at their Nov. 10 bail hearing by two lawyers retained in anticipation of possible charges after three-year-old Jasper Henderling-Warner died from what the coroner called chronic battered child syndrome.

The attorneys had asked to delay the hearing where they would make their pleas until today – to see if arrangements could be made about legal representation on the criminal charges – , but this afternoon, those proceedings were postponed again.

Brenda Wing told the judge she will be represented by Seattle-based attorney John Crowley, but it was taking a bit of time for her parents to work out the money to retain him.

Lewis County Superior Court Judge Richard Brosey agreed to wait one week.

Danny A. Wing

Danny Wing was joined this afternoon by Vancouver-based lawyer Todd Pascoe.

Pascoe asked the judge to set over his client’s arraignment one week, in part because the wife’s was rescheduled and also because of a rules of professional conduct issue.

When Danny Wing blurted out his lawyer was set up by his wife’s family, Pascoe asked him to stay quiet.

Judge Brosey queried Danny Wing, to ensure he was satisfied with waiting until next Thursday afternoon. He said he was.

The Wings are each charged as either the principal or accomplice with homicide by abuse or, in the alternative, first-degree manslaughter.

The coroner concluded from healing fractures, numerous bruises and an autopsy Jasper died from ongoing physical abuse.
•••

For background, read “Defendants in Vader toddler death case want out of jail until trial” from Monday November 10, 2014, here

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – It’s too early to tell what ignited a fire that claimed two businesses at Marys Corner south of Chehalis on Tuesday night, according to Fire Investigator Jay Birley.

Birley responded that night, took photos and looked through the scene, but planned to return today, he said.

Tuesday Dec. 2, 2014

Crews from five fire departments battled the blaze on U.S. Highway 12 at Jackson Highway, a fire that caused heavy damage to the building.

Liz Hill, owner of Mary’s Corner Deli, said she had just closed up shortly after 7 p.m., and went back inside while her car warmed up.

“There was this pop,” Hill said. “I thought somebody was in the back room, and I went back there and saw the wall was on fire.”

Hill said she filled a bucket with water, but quickly realized she needed to get out, and call 911.

“The deli’s completely gone, I lost everything,” she said yesterday. “I’m still in shock, I still can’t believe it happened.”

The Ethel resident opened her doors almost three years ago, with deli sandwiches and take-and-bake pizza. Before that, she’d been helping the building owner with her coffee shop there.

Mary’s Corner Espresso has served customers there for five years.

AeCha Jackins yesterday too was very sad for her loss, but feeling gratitude for the firefighters who tried to save the structure, and for the customers who arrived and comforted her at the scene.

They’ve become friends, she said.

“Nice people around there, I love to be there,” Jackins said. “I’m so thankful nobody hurt; that’s the most blessed thing.”

Jackins and her husband, who live in Rochester, purchased the building about 15 years ago. They and Hill both carried insurance.

Lewis County Fire District 5 Firefighter Maria Kennedy who was first on the scene described the worst of the fire in the back of the building. Hill said the room in back was used for storage.

Firefighters were able to keep the fire out of the coffee shop portion, but it sustained smoke and water damage, according to Kennedy.

Hill, who leased her space, said she really wants to re-open.

“I loved my little business,” she said.

Jackins was even more certain she would work to make sure she could serve her customers once again.

“I am going to come back, as strong as ever,” Jackins said. “I am going to rebuild.”

•••

For background, read “Mary’s Corner Deli burns”, from Wednesday December 3, 2014, here

Updated at 7:15 p.m.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A rural Chehalis resident was arrested today, suspected of setting a middle-of-the-night fire at his ex-wife’s house.

A man and woman escaped uninjured from the June 1 blaze that pretty much destroyed the home on the 900 block of B Street in Centralia.

Fire investigators learned an accelerant was used and determined there was animosity between the occupants, and her ex-husband James Johnson, according to the Centralia Police Department.

Detective Sgt. Pat Fitzgerald said a crime lab analysis of an item believed to have been left at the scene by Johnson revealed a DNA profile that matched him.

“Based on the DNA evidence and other corroborating circumstances, CPD detectives determined there was probable cause to believe Johnson was responsible for setting the fire,” Fitzgerald stated in a news release.

He declined to say what the item was.

When the fire was discovered, the garage was already fully involved, and it traveled through a carport and to the house, Fitzgerald said. Firefighters at the time said the man got up to use the restroom, smelled smoke and as he opened the back door, flames kind of licked at him.

Today at about 12:45 p.m., detectives found Johnson driving near his home south of Chehalis, and arrested him for two counts of first-degree arson. He was booked into the Lewis County Jail.
•••

For background, read “Centralia house fire displaces two” from Sunday June 1, 2014, here