By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
The Olympian reports a Littlerock area boy was sentenced to at least three and half years for fatally shooting his sleeping father last year.
News reporter Jeremy Pawloski writes the plea deal stems from the October 2011 death of Jimmie Asher Jr. at his home on the 10900 block of Delphi Road.
Read about it here
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
Fire crews completed a 150-acre “burnout” along Forest Service Road 2115 in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest south of Packwood yesterday and continued battling the forest fire today.
The burnout creates a line between the fire and Packwood which is about 10 miles to the north and also is meant keep it from reaching Johnson Creek, according to the officials.
Gifford Pinchot National Forest spokesperson Ken Sandusky said in a news release this afternoon that two hand crews would be on the ground to ensure the edge remains secure.
A helitanker – a combination heavy helicopter and water tanker – has been dropping water on the fire, concentrating on the north flank, according to Sandusky.
The blaze, including the intentional burn, covers about 450 acres now, Sandusky stated. It began on a ridge called South Point in early September.
If all goes well, Forest Service Road 21 will open tomorrow, the Forest Service says.
Campfire closures remain in place in the Gifford Pinchot.
For updates and other information, go to Gifford Pinchot National Forest: Wildfire information, here
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
The Seattle Times published a story today that says a new study indicates almost a quarter million people have been arrested for marijuana possession over the past 25 years in Washington State.
Associated Press writer Gene Johnson says the report released today is based on data from the FBI.
Read about it here
Seattle Times reporter Jonathan Martin looked in more detail and reported arrests are estimated to have cost at least $300 million.
Read Martin’s story here
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
The (Everett) Herald published a story today about how exceptionally cheaper and extraordinarily more potent methamphetamine is being smuggled into U.S. markets from Mexico compared with five years ago.
And lots more of it.
Read the Associated Press news story about the changes that come in part with a new recipe that tuns out a clearer, glassier product.
The Associated Press writer quotes a DEA agent as calling the manufacturers “marketing geniuses” who are expanding their customer base by getting more people hooked.
Read about it here
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
An audit issued for the Onalaska area fire department found the department violated parts of the state law requiring competitively bidding projects and purchases.
An elected three-member board governs Lewis County Fire District 1 and it has one part-time employee. The Washington State Auditor’s Office noted the district had several staffing changes during the audit period – the four years ending on Dec. 31, 2011 – and couldn’t locate documentation to support some of the transactions.
Specifically, they obtained quotes for fire gear and a vehicle totaling $80,867 but should have formally bid the purchases, according to report issued on Monday. The district did not retain records to support why it didn’t choose the lowest bidder on one of the purchases, the report states.
Also, it used another fire district’s bid to purchase self-contained breathing apparatus, but didn’t have a formal agreement with that district allowing the use of the bid, according to the report.
Also, while the district used Lewis County’s so-called small works roster for construction of a new fire station, it hadn’t formally adopted the use of the roster as required, the report states.
The auditor notes the effects of the conditions are the district limited competition for the new fire station and its purchases, and cannot demonstrate it adequately safeguarded resources by getting the best price and / or bidder.
The auditor recommended the fire district ensure its staff get adequate training and understand the importance of compliance with bid laws
The fire district’s response to the auditor was its board will formally adopt the use of the small works roster process; it will review the law and follow required procedures in the future; and it did get multiple quotes to find the best price while staying with like equipment, the report notes.
District one changed fire chiefs and its secretary, as well as had six different commissioners serving during the audit period.
There were no shortcomings identified in other areas examined, such as payroll, general revenue, financial condition and open public meetings act. Nor have any findings been made in the previous three audits.
The fire district, with approximately 30 volunteers, operated on an annual budget of $400,000 which comes from property taxes and an EMS levy, according to audit.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
A family on the 500 block of Hemlock Street in Centralia is displaced after a house fire yesterday evening that started on a stove top.
Firefighters called about 6:15 p.m. found heavy smoke coming from the eves of the two-story house, according to Riverside Fire Authority.
The occupants had stepped out briefly while preparing dinner, according to Assistant Fire Chief Rick Mack.
Mack estimated the damage at about $50,000.
“The structural damage was limited,” Mack said. “Mostly it’s all the kitchen cabinets and counter tops.”
However, most of the contents of the home were damaged or destroyed by heavy smoke and heat, Mack said.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – James M. Reeder, now 26, appeared briefly in court today when lawyers apprised the judge of their progress in preparation for a trial in the death of 2-year-old Koralynn Fister.
Prosecutors allege Reeder tortured and raped his live-in girlfriend’s youngest daughter in their Centralia home. Reeder was arrested May 24 after he claimed he found her face down in the bathtub.
Defense attorney David Arcuri and Lewis County Senior Deputy Prosecutor Will Halstead told the judge they thought the trial would last seven days. It is set for the week of January 28.
Reeder is charged in Lewis County Superior Court with homicide by abuse, two counts of first-degree assault, two counts of first-degree child rape and possession of methamphetamine.
He has pleaded not guilty.
•••
For background, read “Defendant in Centralia toddler death by abuse case pleads not guilty” from Thursday July 12, 2012, here
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