Lewis County Sirens.com

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – It’s okay to light your outdoor burn pile now, if you live in unincorporated Lewis County.

A burn ban put into place two months ago was lifted at 12:01 a.m. today.

The Lewis County fire marshal’s office indicated in a news release this morning the previous threat of fire danger has diminished satisfactorily.

For further information regarding the rules for outdoor burning, contact Fred Chapman at 360-740-1146.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS –  The man accused of biting, hitting and kicking three paramedics in an apparently unprovoked attack at a Centralia gas station earlier this year is a diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic who is now court ordered to comply with treatment recommendations for mental health and anger management.

Wade C. Buchanan, 48, will be doing that in prison.

Buchanan was sentenced yesterday in Lewis County Superior Court to a year and a day, following his guilty plea last Friday to one count of second-degree assault and two counts of third-degree assault. He actually made a so-called Alford plea in which he did not admit guilt.

Buchanan was arrested after the Jan. 26 brawl at the Chevron station on Mellen Street, near Interstate 5. The AMR medics were fueling up their ambulance when he approached them.

According to court documents, the Olympia resident with a bachelors degree in engineering began showing signs of the illness in his early 20s and before his arrest, had been hospitalized by crisis intervention services multiple times. He was reportedly not taking any medication when he was detained.

He was admitted to Western State Hospital this spring under court order and put on medications, according to court documents. Buchanan had no felony criminal convictions before now.

Upon his release, Buchanan will be supervised by personnel from the state Department of Corrections for 18 months.
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For background, read “Olympia man charged in attack of medics will be sent to Western State Hospital” from Friday February 1, 2013, here

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The Chehalis man who wrote himself checks out of a fund set up for the W.F. West High School senior class being managed by his wife is sitting in the Lewis County Jail now.

Robert N. Downs Jr., 43, remained free on his personal recognizance after being charged this past spring with first-degree theft and 14 counts of forgery. When police announced their conclusion the account had been tampered with to the tune of about $8,000, they indicated the money had already been paid back.

Downs, an employee at Green Hill School, the state juvenile corrections facility for boys in Chehalis, was sentenced yesterday to three months in jail. He pleaded guilty as charged in July in Lewis County Superior Court.

His lawyer asked the time be served at home with electronic monitoring. Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer asked he be sent to prison for one year and a day. Judge Richard Brosey gave him 90 days.
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For background, read “Chehalis parent pleads not guilty to stealing from high school senior fund” from Thursday May 23, 2013, here

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Three young people escaped serious injuries when a 16-year-old Pe Ell boy lost control of his car on state Route 6 about 12 miles west of Chehalis yesterday evening.

Troopers and aid called about 6:30 p.m. found the 2005 Saturn on its top, its roof was smashed.

The vehicle was eastbound in between the two ends of River Road when it traveled along the right hand ditch about 25 feet, rolled and possibly flipped, according to responders. The occupants exited through a side window, according to Lewis County Fire District 16 Chief Greg Feuchter.

“Very lucky, not having major injuries,” Feuchter said. “Very lucky.”

Justus Hoffman, 16, was not injured but 11-year-old Faith Hoffman of Pe Ell and 15-year-old Rylee White of Chehalis were taken to Providence Centralia Hospital, according to the Washington State Patrol.

The girls were transported more or less to be observed, Feuchter said.

The car was described as totaled. The driver was cited for improper lane usage, according to the state patrol.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The Washington State Supreme Court will hear arguments next month on why Lewis County prosecutors should not have to hold a new trial for a man whose conviction for murder has been thrown out three times.

Kenneth L. Slert has three times been found guilty of second-degree murder in the October 2000 shooting death of 53-year-old John Benson at a campsite near Ashford. He claimed self defense.

Last year, after the appeals court remanded the case for a new trial, Lewis County prosecutors instead petitioned the Supreme Court to weigh in.

The case is among the few chosen to be heard during the current Supreme Court session.

At issue is a closed door meeting between the judge and attorneys that led to four prospective jurors being excused during his most recent trial. The appeals court said that was a violation of a public trial right.

The case is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Oct. 17 when each side will get 20 minutes to present their arguments. Two other cases are scheduled to be heard the same day on the same topic.

Slert is represented by defense attorneys Manek Mistry and Jodi Backlund. The state is represented by Lewis County Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys Brad Meager, Sara Beigh and Eric Eisenberg.

Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer said yesterday if he wins, the conviction stands, but if Slert wins, his office will hold a fourth trial.

The former carpenter who lived in Tacoma has been in prison since after his first trial in 2004.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A 49-year-old man was arrested for theft yesterday after he allegedly concealed several items in a bright yellow backpack he had selected from Wal-Mart’s sporting goods section and then made his getaway up Interstate 5 on a boys BMX bicycle he had selected from the retailer as well.

Police called just before 7:30 p.m. to the 1600 block of Northwest Louisiana Avenue were told the shoplifter was seen peddling at a high rate of speed across the Chamber Way overpass and headed northbound on the freeway, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

Norman J. Field was stopped near milepost 81 and arrested for second-degree theft, according to police.

The 20-inch Cincinnati brand bike, the backpack and the several bottles of cologne along with an electric razor totaled about $787, according to Officer Linda Bailey.

Field, whose address is listed as in Olympia, also handed over to officers two key rings he said he’d found in the store’s parking lot, each containing multiple vehicle keys, Bailey said. He was booked into the Lewis County Jail.