Lewis County Sirens.com

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By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A 56-year-old woman has turned herself in to authorities, after allegedly admitting she stole nearly $3,000 from her dying father when she went on a four-day shopping spree with his debit card.

It began with a call to a dispute at a Packwood residence in the summer of 2003 and after a warrant was issued for her arrest, Nancy K. Copelin disappeared.

Lewis County Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor Brad Meagher said yesterday he finally recently found Copelin, living in Alaska.

Meager got a governor’s warrant for her extradition but Copelin contacted him before it was served.

“I told her if she got right down here, I’d put a hold on it,” Meagher said.

The former Packwood woman flew down last week, and appeared before a judge in Lewis County Superior Court on Tuesday to hear her charge of first-degree theft. Meagher allowed her to be released on an unsecured bond pending trial, as her plane ticket to return home the next day was already paid for, he said.

According to the nearly 12-year-old charging documents, two deputies were called to the 100 block of Holiday Lane in Packwood on June 5, 2003, regarding a assault.

The documents offer the following account: There had been a dispute over the ownership of a van belonging to Thomas Barnes who lived there.

“Mr. Barnes was in the process of dying, and the issue of who would receive his van had come up,” then-Lewis County Deputy Prosecutor Michael Maltby wrote.

One of the parties was asked by his grandmother to move the vehicle, to take it out of the possession of Barnes’ daughter, Copelin.

In the process, her purse was retrieved, it fell to the ground and among the items that tumbled out were wads of cash and receipts.

There was $1,020 in $20 bills. There were also five receipts from Sears, Wal-Mart and an un-named business for the purchase of numerous items, totaling $1,787.44.

Copelin, then 43, was asked about the receipts and stated they were because her father had provided her with his ATM card and pin number, and told her she could go out and get whatever she needed.

When deputies spoke with Copelin a second time, she reflected her dad did not intend for her to make withdrawals from his savings account, and did not intend for her to buy most of the items that she had.

Meagher said the Alaska woman has been cooperative.

Her arraignment is scheduled for Dec. 3.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Election day is near, with initiatives, local measures and races for municipal councils, school boards and, commissioners who govern local fire districts.

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Five fire departments in Lewis County are asking voters to support them in various ways. Three districts have contested commissioner positions.

Ballots must be postmarked on or by Tuesday or hand delivered before 8 p.m. on Tuesday.

Check with the Lewis County Auditor’s Office, Elections Department for information, at 351 NW North Street in Chehalis or 360-740-1164 and 360-740-1278.

BONDS FOR NEW FIRE STATION

Lewis County Fire District 3, Mossyrock:
Commissioners are asking the public to approve up to $1.2 million in general obligation bonds to finance the construction and equipping of a new fire station on property already acquired at 238 Mossyrock Road East.

INCREASE FIRE SERVICES LEVY

Lewis County Fire District 5, Napavine:
Commissioners are asking citizens to permanently increase property tax levy from .83 per $1,000 of assessed value up to $1.25 to pay for maintenance, operations and capital facilities, and set the limit factor at 103 percent for each of the following five years.

FIRE SERVICES LEVY

Lewis County Fire District 11, Pe Ell:
Commissioners are asking citizens to permanently increase property tax levy to an amount of $1 per $1,000 of assessed value for maintenance, operations and capital facilities, and set the limit factor at 106 percent for each of the following five years.

EMS LEVY

Cowlitz-Lewis Fire District 20, Vader:
Commissioners asking the public to permanently increase property tax levy for emergency medical services up to.50 per $1,000 of assessed value, and set the limit factor at 106 percent for each of the following five years.

RENEW EMS LEVY

Chehalis Fire Department
The city is asking voters to renew an expiring levy for emergency medical services, of up to .50 per $1,000 of assessed property value for the next six years.

CONTESTED RACES FOR COMMISSIONER POSITIONS

Lewis County Fire District 2, Toledo:
Commissioner position No. 1
• Mike Thomas
• Dale Nielsen

Lewis County Fire District 8, Salkum:
Commissioner position No. 1
• Don Taylor
• Rick Wood

Lewis County Fire District 15, Winlock
Commissioner position No. 1
• Stan Hankins
• Jerry Craft

• See a sample ballot for details

• Read more details in the online Voters’ Guide

• On Tuesday shortly after 8 p.m, see the preliminary results from the Lewis County Auditor’s Office, Elections Department.

Residents along the Interstate 5 corridor experience wind and those in the Cascade Mountains get snow. / Image from National Weather Service

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – More wind is coming our way, on the heels of a rainstorm that inundated some city streets and drove the Cowlitz River over its banks in East Lewis County.

The National Weather Service this morning issued a wind advisory that’s in effect until dinner time.

The Southwest Interior could see southerly winds from 15 to 30 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph, according to the weather service.

Forecasters expect winds to increase late this morning and peak in strength during the early and mid afternoon hours. They should diminish quickly this evening.

Today’s weather could cause downed tree limbs and even local power outages, according to the National Weather Service.

Minor flooding occurred overnight along the Cowlitz River around Randle. The river crested at 1 o’clock this morning at 18.69 feet.

The city of Centralia declared a local emergency for a few hours yesterday afternoon because of the results of the heavy rainfall, offering sandbags to citizens.

The weather service warns that the rain has increased the risk of landslides.

“Property owners in steep slope areas should keep an eye out for changes such as ground cracks or downslope movement of plants and soil,” NWS stated. “If you see signs of a landslide leave the area immediately if it is safe to do so.”

The overnight change off of daylight saving time is also ushering in the first significant snowfall of the season for higher passes and mountain highways.

Four to eight inches of snow is expected to accumulate at White Pass today through tonight.

A winter storm warning for the west slopes of the Cascade Mountains remains in effect until 11 a.m. tomorrow.
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The link for the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Seattle can be found here and also always on the right hand column of this page, labeled “Weather Alerts, forecasts”

The link for the National Weather Service’s river level observation and forecast for Western Washington can be found here and also  always on the right hand column of this page, labeled “River levels”

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A flood watch issued on Thursday for most of Western Washington warning of small stream flooding and possibly worse remains in place for counties including Lewis, Thurston, Pierce, Grays Harbor, Mason and King.

The city of Centralia this afternoon declared a local emergency in reference to the continued rainfall.

Moderate to heavy rain is expected to continue for the next 12 hours, causing localized flooding,” Police Chief Carl Nielsen stated in a news release. “At this time the city is monitoring China Creek.

“The city is also watching the river level and at this time the rivers are not expected to reach flood stage.”

A single sand bag station will be operational by 2 p.m. in the 100 block of Center Street. That’s at Pearl Street near the downtown fire station.

Early this morning the National Weather Service indicated the heaviest rain is expected over the Mount Rainier area with another two and half to three inches predicted to fall over the next 12 hours.

The current model from the weather service shows minor to moderate flooding on the Cowlitz River in East Lewis County, peaking between tonight and Sunday morning.

The U.S. Forest Service yesterday warned recreationists the event known as a Pineapple Express would result in substantial runoff from small streams draining Mount St. Helens and Mount Adams and could trigger dangerous landslides and debris flows.

Mount Rainier National Park said visitor access will be impacted and evacuations could become necessary.

“Travel in the park is discouraged until the storm passes,” Park Superintendent Randy King stated.

A winter storm watch remains in effect at higher locations including White Pass until Monday morning. The first significant snowfall of the season is expected later in the weekend and travelers should prepare for slippery roadways and poor visibility, according to the weather service.

“The heavy rain will come to an end from north to south this afternoon into the early evening hours as the front moves south of the area,” forecasters state.

The weather services recommends the public monitor their latest forecast and be ready to act quickly if a flood warning is issued, or if flooding is observed.

The link for the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Seattle can be found here and also always on the right hand column of this page, labeled “Weather Alerts, forecasts”

The link for the National Weather Service’s river level observation and forecast for Western Washington can be found here and also  always on the right hand column of this page, labeled “River levels”

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Investigators concluded the allegedly drunken driver in a two-vehicle crash this summer in Onalaska that killed three teenagers in the oncoming vehicle is not to blame for the accident.

Initial reports indicated the suspected point of impact was exactly in the middle of state Route 508, but the final report showed 17-year-old Arnold W. Mullinax crossed the centerline, according to the Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office.

The 2002 Land Rover Discovery.

The Onalaska teen was carrying seven other young people in his Land Rover Discovery, most of whom were not wearing seat belts.

Mullinax and 13-year-old Taylor N. Thompson, also from Onalaska, died at the scene. Dakota L. Dunivin, 18, from Chehalis, passed away the following day at the hospital.

Joseph W. Rogerson, 36, from Chehalis, was arrested that night for driving under the influence and his case in Lewis County District Court has been in a holding pattern as prosecutors waited for the final report from investigators with the Washington State Patrol.

The July 13 nighttime crash left a community in mourning.

The 2004 Ford Freestyle minivan

Responders from five area fire departments arrived to the scene near Hyak Road to find Mullinax’s Land Rover upside down, Rogerson’s Ford minivan on the roadway and 10 potential patients. All the survivors except for Rogerson’s wife were transported to hospitals.

Rogerson’s case has been dragged out, because if the investigation revealed the wreck was his fault, prosecutors were prepared to charge him with felonies such as vehicular assault and vehicular manslaughter.

Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer today met with the families of the victims to apprise them of the findings, before speaking about his decision that no further charges would be filed against the Chehalis resident.

He explained to them that there’s simply not a law to hold someone criminally liable who did not cause an accident, he said.

Meyer said he has had the final report for about a month.

“After the measurements were taken, the scene recreated and the vehicles inspected, it was found Mr. Rogerson was in his own lane of travel,” Meyer said.

Meyer said they know Mullinax’s crossed the centerline, although they don’t know for sure why that happened.

“A moment of inattention is all it would take,” Meyer said.

He acknowledged there was information in the state patrol’s report that offered clues, but out of respect for the families of the victims declined to elaborate.

The final reports showed Mullinax had no alcohol or any drug in his system, Lewis County Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor Brad Meagher said.

Rogerson’s blood alcohol level that night was .15, according to Meyer.

Meyer said investigators concluded with the way the accident occurred, even a sober driver in the van would not have been able to avoid it.

“This is obviously a huge tragedy, three young children lost their lives,” Meyer said. “That’s the key we take away.

“We always have to be cognizant of what happens (on the road) and let our loved ones know they are loved ones.”

Rogerson’s next court hearing is Wednesday. He has been free on a $5,000 appearance bond

Among his court-ordered conditions are that he may not consume any alcohol, he may not drive without an ignition interlock device installed in his vehicle and has to wear an alcohol monitor bracelet which will detect if he drinks.
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For background, read “Charging decision expected soon in Onalaska triple fatality wreck” from Wednesday September 23, 2015, here

Updated

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

A Centralia woman is recovering after an unexpected encounter with a police dog last night at her back door.

Janice Arias said she was sitting at her kitchen table visiting with two friends when she heard a commotion outside.

“I had my little six-pound Chihuahua in my arms, I opened the back door, I had my flashlight,” Arias said. “I seen an officer moving around, and the next thing I see, is a big black dog head coming at me.”

Lobo

Arias said the K-9 bit her twice on her left breast and left a seven-inch scratch on her inner thigh.

She was wearing pajama pants.

“I was in shock, and screaming, I dropped my Chihuahua,” she said. “My pit bull Tigger heard me and came running, and got between me and K-9 Lobo.”

She said the two dogs began fighting and the officer came over and gave his dog commands like, “release” and “out”.

“The officer left, and all I heard was ‘get your ass back in the house’,” she said.

Centralia Police Officer Ruben Ramirez had been attempting to pull over a stolen Honda Accord along North Pearl Street, north of Reynolds Avenue.

After its driver jumped out of the still-moving vehicle and fled on foot, the officer activated his door release and called Lobo to apprehend the felony suspect, according to police.

“As Lobo was moving toward Officer Ramirez, a resident came outside of her house carrying a small dog in her arms,” Centralia police stated in a news release today. “Officer Ramirez recognized Lobo was going towards the resident and immediately called the dog off and commanded Lobo to lay down.”

Centralia police say as the K-9 laid down, he was almost simultaneously attacked by the pit bull.

Ramirez broke up the dog fight and instructed the woman to go back inside because a suspect was still outstanding, according to police.

The suspect got away.

Lobo, a German Shepherd, came to the Centralia Police Department at age 1 in mid-2010.

Earlier this year, he was given the Centralia Police Department Lifesaving Award, for grabbing the arm of a suspect who produced a gun while engaged with Ramirez.

Police Chief Carl Nielsen in the formal statement said they are sorry the resident was injured, but at this point, it’s not clear which of the three dogs is to blame.

“This was a dynamic incident with a lot of different things occurring at the same time,” Nielsen stated.

The incident is being reviewed by department staff, according to Nielsen. Arias said police Sgt. Carl Buster took her statement.

Nielsen noted how thankful the department is Ramirez has “outstanding control” over his dog. Detective Patty Finch said Lobo is not being put on leave.

Arias disputes that she stepped outside, at least not until an ambulance arrived to take her to Providence Centralia Hospital.

The 48-year-old Centralia native said neither of her dogs were injured, but she is very sore.

Lobo didn’t leave puncture wounds, but broke the skin, she said.

The emergency room doctor put her on antibiotics and pain medication and told her she was lucky she had been wearing a hooded sweatshirt over her T-shirt, she said.

It was a frightening experience, she said, one she expects the police department should take responsibility for.

Arias said her two friends can vouch for what happened, as they were right behind her. And she’s wrapped up the sweatshirt in a plastic bag, certain it has Lobo’s DNA on it.

“I understand he was doing his job, but he should have a little more control over his dog,” she said. “People should be able to open up their doors and not have a K-9 come up and attack you.”

One of two cigarette butts picked up by a deputy near the Padrick Road burglary scene. / Courtesy photo by Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A stolen credit card used at a 7-11 store with surveillance video, a pair of cigarette butts with DNA and nearly three months of interviews and investigating led to the recovery of four vehicles and more than $10,000 worth of stolen property, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

Two men from Burien have been implicated in burglaries in Lewis County, one of whom is being held in the Lewis County Jail and the other in the King County Jail, according to the sheriff’s office.

The sheriff’s office said one of them has relatives in Centralia and they targeted random homes.

On July 27, a house on the 2000 block of Padrick Road near Centralia was ransacked and the residents discovered more than $20,000 worth of valuables had been taken, including a handgun and bank cards, according to authorities. Less than a week later, a motor home and a Ford Mustang were stolen from a shop building where they were stored on Middle Fork Road.

According to court documents, in mid-August, sheriff’s detective Gene Seiber took the case over and began tracking the numerous purchases made with the victim’s credit card.

After some of the Padrick Road couple’s stolen property turned up in the vehicle of a man arrested in King County, Seiber put together a photo montage and showed it to the clerk at 7-11, according to the document.

Jared M. Bruce, 26, from Burien, denied involvement, and blamed his friend, 37-year-old Jack E. Grier, according to Chief Deputy Stacy Brown.

Detectives visited Grier’s apartment, found some of the missing property and arrested him on Wednesday, Brown indicated.

Two fairly fresh cigarette butts picked up by a deputy from near a gate at Padrick Road sent to the crime lab for testing show matches made with Bruce and Grier, according to Brown.

Grier was brought before a judge yesterday in Lewis County Superior Court

He has not been charged but was ordered held on $100,000 bail.

Deputy Prosecutor Sheila Weirth told the judge Grier has a criminal history that includes several burglaries, theft and drug possession; and that he was just released from prison last October. Defense attorney Joely O’Rourke said Grier has a stable address with his wife and two children.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, when Grier spoke with detective Seiber, he said he was sorry and that he had a drug problem.

He is scheduled to go before a judge again the afternoon. Criminal charges are pending against his friend Bruce, according to the sheriff’s office.

The documents offer information on only the two burglaries, but Brown stated in a news release this morning that six burglaries in the case have been solved.

The Winnebago and the Mustang were recovered in King County, according to court documents.

Lewis County Sheriff Rob Snaza said in a printed statement he is very proud of the deputies and detectives and their tenacity.

“This investigation took a lot of time to complete, but it is worth every minute when we are able to return property back to rightful owners, and hold criminals accountable for their behavior,” Snaza said.