Lewis County Sirens.com

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The former Centralia apartment manager who admitted setting a fire at a building in the complex where she lived and worked has been given a 21-month sentence in prison.

Kathrin L. Turner

Both prosecuting and defense attorneys recommended 44-year-old Kathrin L. Turner be given the low end of the standard sentencing range.

Turner pleaded guilty last month in Lewis County Superior Court to one count of first-degree arson.

Centralia police investigated after two small fires were set on two consecutive mornings at the 1100 block of Scammon Creek Road. Turner told responders she used a fire extinguisher to put out the flames that damaged an approximately 15 square foot area of exterior siding on Nov. 3.

Days later she cut her own throat and wrists and was hospitalized for more than a month, according to authorities.

Lewis County Senior Deputy Prosecutor Will Halstead said they suggested only 21 months to the judge because Turner had no previous criminal history and because she clearly was not intending to burn the building down.

She was trying to scare a tenant into moving out because she wanted to rent the unit to a friend, he said.

Judge Andrew Toynbee on Wednesday agreed with the recommended sentence.
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For background, read “News brief: Centralia apartment arson suspect enters guilty plea” from Wednesday April 5, 2017, here

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Authorities are investigating after a home invasion robbery last night in Rochester that sent one person to the hospital.

Deputies were told at least three masked men in dark clothing forced their way into a residence on the17000 block of Vircon Lane Southwest, which was occupied by three individuals in their early 30s, according to the Thurston County Sheriff’ Office. The call came in at about 11:50 p.m.

The victims were held at gunpoint and restrained with duct tape, according to the sheriff’s office.

Multiple firearms, a large amount of cash and an undisclosed amount of marijuana were taken during the robbery, sheriff’s Sgt. Cameron Simper.

Simper says two of the victims were struck with blunt objects during the incident, one was subsequently transported to Providence St. Peter Hospital for treatment.

Detectives are continuing the investigation. Simper says additional details will be provided when they are obtained.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The Chehalis Police Department said yesterday the cause of the vehicle fire and cause of the death of an individual found inside it this weekend are being investigated.

Department spokesperson Linda Bailey said there was nothing at the scene to suggest what could have ignited the blaze.

“No, they’re still trying to figure that out,” Bailey said.

Officers were already on the scene off the 1900 block of Northeast Kresky Avenue when firefighters arrived after the 12:56 a.m. call on Saturday.

Bailey in a press release yesterday said officers were unable to get close enough to the 1992 Honda Accord to determine if anybody was inside because of the extreme heat.

Once the fire was extinguished, a firefighter discovered a deceased person the driver’s seat.

The car was situated near a  two-car garage associated with a manufactured home near the southeast corner of the Yard Birds Mall property.

Bailey said the Honda is registered to a female, who authorities have been in contact with since the incident.

Lewis County Coroner Warren McLeod indicated this morning the victim appears to be an adult male.

An autopsy is scheduled for today, but McLeod doesn’t expect he will get all his answers today, including any certainty on the identity of the victim.

Bailey asks if any members of the public saw anything or know anything, to give the police department a call.
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For background, read “Chehalis: Person found dead in burned car” from Saturday May 6, 2017, here

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The missing 87-year-old rural Chehalis man was found dead by search and rescue personnel late yesterday afternoon in a wooded area near his home.

Warren Neal

The location, just over a mile northwest of his residence, was along a trail Warren Neal would frequent on his walks, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

The cause and manner of Neal’s death are still being investigated by the sheriff’s office and the Lewis County coroner, Chief Deputy Dusty Breen stated.

The sheriff’s office asked for the public’s help with information on Friday afternoon, after being notified by his family in the early morning hours that day. Neal had last been seen.on Wednesday evening, according to Breen.

Neal was known for often taking walks in the areas around his home, on the 100 block of Fircrest Road, south of Chehalis and east of Napavine.

Anyone with information that might be helpful to the investigation is requested to contact sheriff’s detective Jeff Humphrey at 360-740-2738.
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For background, read “Elderly Chehalis man missing since late Wednesday” from Saturday May 6, 2017, here

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The individual found dead yesterday behind a business in downtown Centralia has been identified as 49-year-old Johnny A. Wright of Centralia.

Centralia police said there were no obvious injuries and nothing to suggest how he may have died. Officers were called just before 8 a.m. by a person who found the man laying on the ground off the 500 block of South Tower Avenue near the railroad tracks.

Lewis County Coroner Warren McLeod expects an autopsy will be conducted next week.

The preliminary investigation determined there were no signs of foul play apparent, according to Centralia Police Department detective John Panco.
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For background, read “News brief: Person found dead near Centralia railroad tracks” from Friday May 5, 2017, here

The scene at North Tower Avenue in Centralia. / Courtesy photo by Riverside Fire Authority

Updated at 10 a.m.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

The driver of a car that struck a building in downtown Centralia overnight was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle with multiple traumatic injuries.

Firefighters responding to a 1:30 a.m. call to 505 North Tower Avenue found a man in the driver’s seat who had to be extricated from the vehicle, according to Riverside Fire Authority.

The collision caused extensive damage to the storefront and a sidewall, Fire Capt. Scott Weinert stated.

The brick building which houses the specialty shop Hub Bub was occupied by its owner who was uninjured, according to Weinert.

The driver was transported to Providence Centralia Hospital in serious condition and then transferred to the Seattle hospital. He is estimated to be in his late 20s or early 30s, Weinert said.

Centralia police are investigating and indicate alcohol may have been a factor in the collision.

Warren Neal

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Deputies are looking for an 87-year-old rural Chehalis man who was last seen around 10 p.m. on Wednesday at his home south of Chehalis and east of Napavine.

Warren Neal possibly suffers from dementia and may not be able to provide his personal information if contacted, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

The family vehicles are accounted for and Neal is known for often taking walks in the wooded areas around his home, but it is unknown if he may have been picked up or given a ride, according to the sheriff’s office.

His residence is on the 100 block of Fircrest Road, just northwest of the intersection of Coulson and Koontz roads.

Chief Deputy Dusty Breen said deputies were notified by family members of Neal’s disappearance early yesterday morning.

He was thought to last be wearing khaki pants and new balance running shoes.

Anyone with information that can help locate Neal is asked to contact sheriff’s detective Jeff Humphrey at 360-880-2910.