Archive for the ‘News briefs’ Category

Read about Sixty-seven dogs moved out of Doty home …

Friday, October 19th, 2012

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

KOMOnews.com reports that dozen of foxhounds were seized today from a home in Doty; animals living in deplorable conditions.

The sheriff’s office said the county had been working with the dogs’ owner in an effort to get her property up to code, but she has given up custody of the animals, according to the news item.

Read about it here

Read about Lewis County: Fertile ground for puppy mills …

Friday, October 19th, 2012

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

The (Longview) Daily News writes about how no requirement for permits or licenses for dog breeders in Lewis County allows unhealthy conditions to go unchecked.

Reporter Natalie St. John reports residents can refuse inspectors access to facilities.

St. John describes how it was a tip about possible marijuana growing  three years ago in Toledo that led authorities to one of the worst cases of animal abuse investigators had ever seen; where many of 157 dog were sick or malnourished and feces covered nearly every surface.

Read more here

Read about motel room blood in Packwood leads to Yakima man, death …

Thursday, October 18th, 2012

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

The Yakima Herald-Republic reports the man who died during an armed confrontation yesterday in a Yakima mobile home park after blood found in a Lewis County motel room led police to check on him, is a 55-year-old who lived with his mother at the mobile home park.

News reporter Chris Bristol writes Yakima police said the man turned a gun on himself and they suspect the motel room blood could have been from an earlier suicide attempt.

Lewis County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Chief Criminal Deputy Stacy Brown said deputies were notified on Monday blood had been found at the Cowlitz River Lodge in Packwood and investigated it. They asked Yakima police yesterday to do a welfare check on the man who had been staying in the room, she said.

Read more here

News brief: Burn ban ending

Wednesday, October 17th, 2012

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

Restrictions on outdoor burning in Lewis County will be lifted tomorrow, according to county fire marshal Fred Chapman.

A burn ban went into effect on Aug. 13 because of the fire danger caused by hot, dry weather.

Permits are still required. Outdoor burning remains prohibited in cities, towns and their urban growth areas.

For further information contact: Lewis County Community Development, in the Lewis County Public Services building, at 2025 NE Kresky Ave., Chehalis or call 740-1146.  Burn permits may be obtained online at the county website.

Thurston County’s burn restrictions were lifted yesterday.

News brief: One hurt in afternoon state Route 6 crash

Tuesday, October 16th, 2012

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

A 73-year-old man was taken to Providence Centralia Hospital after a single-vehicle wreck on state Route 6 west of Chehalis this afternoon.

The Washington State Patrol said Duke Enlow, a South Bend resident, was westbound when he entered a sweeping curve and lost control. The vehicle went broadside, crossed the eastbound lanes and ran into a dirt embankment, according to the state patrol.

A passing off-duty medic was on scene when Lewis County Fire District 11 arrived, Chief Michael Krafczyk said, and the driver was sitting on the side of the road.

The state patrol reported Enlow was injured; the chief said he couldn’t say exactly in what way. But the driver was conscious and talking, according to Krafczyk.

“We back-boarded, C-collared, sent him to town,” Krafczyk said. “Not being a doctor, I’d be guessing if I told you.”

It happened just before the west end of River Road, shortly before 2:45 p.m. The 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor came to rest on its passenger side.

The investigating trooper noted Enlow was traveling too fast.

Youth fire safety poster winners named

Tuesday, October 16th, 2012
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Fifth grader Taya McCallum’s colored diagram featuring escape routes from the home is among the six posters honored as grand champions in the competition.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

“Have two ways out” was the theme of this year’s countywide fire safety poster contest, the grand champion winners of which were announced this weekend.

School children around Lewis County participated and prizes were awarded on Saturday by Riverside Fire Authority Assistant Chief Rick Mack at the Centralia Outlet mall, according to Napavine-area Fire Lt. Laura Hanson.

More than 120 first place posters were displayed at the mall.

The grand champions – one from each grade level – will get their names engraved on the “Capt. Brian Slater Ward” plaque which is permanently displayed at the Chehalis Fire Department.

Assistant Chief Mack says the top six winners this year are:

• First grade: Dakota Lafferty, Ford’s Prairie Elementary, Ms. Rakes’ class
• Second grade: Ben Puris, Jefferson Lincoln Elementary, Ms. Nederland class
• Third grade: Makensee Taliaferro-Bouge, of Napavine Elementary, Ms. Teitzel’s class
• Fourth grade: Kollin Jurek, of Pe Ell Elementary, Ms. Jurek’s class
• Fifth grade: Taya McCallum, of St Joseph Catholic School, Ms. Cleary’s class
• Sixth grade: Emily Elswick, of White Pass Elementary, Ms. Keniston’s class

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From left to right, Firefighter-Paramedic Jennifer Ternan, and grand champions from each grade: Makensee Taliaferro-Bouge, Ben Puris, Emily Elswick ,Taya McCallum and Kollin Jurek, with Assistant Chief Rick Mack. Not pictured, Dakota Lafferty.

News brief: Sheriff’s Office wants to “friend” you

Monday, October 15th, 2012

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office has launched a Facebook page, sharing what they are doing and how they are involved in the community.

Sheriff Steve Mansfield indicates it’s part of an effort to reach more people to increase public awareness on important public safety topics.

“I encourage and support your participation and partnership, Mansfield writes. “Together we can make a positive difference in efficiently and effectively addressing public safety issues.”

Among the information the sheriff’s office plans to provide are sex offender notifications, current scams in the area, “found” items, wanted persons, hiring notices, search and rescue missions and Lewis County Crime Stoppers crime of the week.

For those on Facebook, the page can be found here