Lewis County Sirens.com

Updated at 9:13 a.m.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office said this morning it was Deputy Matt Wallace who shot and killed a motorist he encountered with a knife on state Route 6 early yesterday morning.

Wallace is 37 years old and has been with the sheriff’s office for nine years, according to Chief Civil Deputy Stacy Brown.

Wallace was alone and on routine patrol when he stopped and approached a car parked at a gravel turnout near Boistfort shortly after midnight, according to the sheriff’s office.

Initial reports indicate he observed the man who was bleeding heavily from what he thought were self-inflicted wounds, and when he tried to speak with him, the man lunged out the vehicle with a large knife.

Wallace shot the man who died at the scene, according to the sheriff’s office. The dead man is still identified only as a 64-year-old resident of Napavine.

Wallace was not injured, according to Chief Civil Deputy Stacy Brown. He is on paid administrative leave for an unknown length of time, according to Brown.

“There’s just a process he has to go through before he comes back to work,” Brown said.

A team of outside law enforcement officers is investigating the incident.

The Regional Sheriff’s Critical Incident Investigation team is made up of deputies from the surrounding counties of Thurston, Pacific, Mason and Grays Harbor and the Washington State Patrol.

The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office is taking the lead in this investigation, according to Brown.

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For background, read “Deputy fatally shoots Napavine man on state Route 6” from Thursday November 1, 2012 at 8:30 a.m., here

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

Weather forecasters say there is 100 percent chance of rain tonight in Chehalis and expect small streams and urban areas to experience minor flooding.

An advisory which was extended this morning covers Lewis County and nearly all of Western Washington.

Nearly 2 inches of rain has fallen across many lowland locations during the past 24 hours and moderate rainfall the rest of rest of today will produce ponding of water, according to the National Weather Service.

The problem will be seen especially on roads beneath overpasses and intersections where drainage is poor because of a buildup of leaves and such, according to the weather service.

Motorists should keep in mind just a few inches of water can cause them to lose control of their vehicles, the advisory cautions.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

Donato Valle Vega faces a minimum of 10 years in federal prison following his conviction in connection with pounds of drugs seized from the attic of a Centralia car lot.

A jury found Valle Vega guilty on Friday of in U.S. District Court in Tacoma of one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and a second similar count related to methamphetamine, according to Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Thomas.

“The jury deliberated about four and half hours,” Thomas said.

Federal agents descended upon Emmanuel Auto Sales on Harrison Avenue in September 2010 after Valle Vega admitted hiding drugs at his business.

He was charged by indictment the same month.

Thomas said the offense brings a sentence of at least 10 years and as much as life in prison.

A forfeiture hearing is scheduled for Jan. 4 and sentencing is set for Jan. 25 in front of Judge Ronald B. Leighton, according to Thomas.
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For background, read “Centralia auto business arrest followed discovery of almost 10 pounds of cocaine” from Wednesday September 29, 2010, here