By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
The (Longview) Daily News reports two group have applied for business licenses in Castle Rock to potentially open medical marijuana dispensaries.
The city attorney told reporters he is waiting for the outcome of the current legislation on the issue before researching the city’s next step.
Read The Daily News story here
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
A 19-year-old walking on U.S. Highway 12 in Glenoma was hospitalized last night after he was hit by the mirror of a passing car.
Troopers called about 9:20 p.m. reported Jeffrey T. Peddie, of Randle, was walking east on the eastbound shoulder wearing dark clothing when it happened.
He was taken to Morton General Hospital with a sore hip, according to the Washington State Patrol.
The driver was 84-year-old Phyllis J. Sickler of Randle, according to the state patrol. Her Ford Taurus sustained an estimated $200 damage, the state patrol reported.
The incident is being investigated.
Responders "answer" a 911 call on the football field in Onalaska during a presentation to students. / Courtesy photo by Lewis County Fire District 1
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
Eighth through twelfth grade students in Onalaska yesterday got to watch the aftermath of two-car drunken driving wreck on the football field, a simulated collision that left four “dead”.
The scenario – created by the Onalaska Students Against Drunk Drivers group – began when an after-prom party broke up and eight teenagers piled into one car; the driver had been drinking.
Airlift Northwest touched down briefly to pretend to haul off one of the injured during the afternoon event.
Some 30 individuals role played, including volunteer firefighters from three districts, law enforcement and the coroner’s office. Four impersonated corpses.
“Killed” in the second car, was a teacher from the school and her 13-year-old daughter.
Lewis County Fire District 1 Chief Mark Conner said it was the first time the department has taken part in such an exercise in the seven years since he’s been a member.
It was hard to know the impact on the student body, as they had to quick get on busses when it was over, he said.
“We’re trying to show, you know, this is what happens when you come on a scene,” Conner said.
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Correction: This news items was updated on Wednesday April 27, 2011 to reflect the correct spelling of Lewis County Fire District 1 Chief Mark Conner’s name.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – The trial has again been postponed for the Winlock grocery store manager accused of stealing lottery tickets.
Benjamin C. Macy, 52, was charged in May of last year with two counts of second-degree theft after a video surveillance camera allegedly showed him scratching off dozens of $20 tickets at 4:30 in the morning at the Cedar Village IGA. He had reportedly worked at the store for 30 years.
Macy has pleaded not guilty and is free on bail.
He is represented by Centralia attorney Don McConnell who said today he’s hired a certified public accountant to pore through two boxes of binders to try to figure out how much money is being alleged was involved.
“We’re nowhere near to figuring that out,” McConnell said.
The trial was scheduled for next week, but a judge today granted the change.
Macy was previously represented by McConnell’s partner, Jonathan Meyer, who is now the elected Lewis County prosecutor.
Attorneys will return to court on June 30 to set a date for trial.
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Read about the case here
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
The Olympian reports the state legislature passed a marijuana dispensary bill today, although the governor has threatened to veto it.
News reporter Katie Schmidt writes the change is meant to clear up a gray area in the voter-approved measure that previously legalized medical marijuana but left it unclear how patients can get the drug.
Read Schmidt’s news story here
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – The man captured in California last month and brought to Lewis County to face an almost 25-year-old murder charge pleaded not guilty today in Lewis County Superior Court.
Carlos Vidal Guiterrez
Carlos Vidal Guiterrez, 54, is accused in the fatal shooting of 23-year-old Efren J. Triana in downtown Centralia in October 1986.
Guiterrez was arrested by the U.S. Marshals’ Service in San Benito County in central California.
He is represented by Centralia defense attorney David Arcuri.
A trial date was set for the week of August 15.
Prosecutors allege Guiterrez shot the Rochester resident when the two stepped outside La Adalitas tavern to fight on Oct. 25, 1986.
Guiterrez is charged with second-degree murder. His bail remains at $3 million.
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Read background in “Accused slayer of Rochester man in 1986 faces a judge today” from Wednesday April 6, 2011, here
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
Members of the public curious about the possible creation of a super fire department along the I-5 corridor in the northern half of Lewis County are encouraged to sit in a meeting set for tomorrow evening in Chehalis.
Representatives from the cities of Chehalis and Centralia, as well as from fire departments in Centralia, Chehalis, rural Chehalis and the Napavine area have been gathering monthly to talk about the idea.
The group has named itself the Regional Fire Authority Planning Committee.
Lewis County Fire District 5’s Lt. Laura Hanson says the public and the news media are invited and encouraged to attend the monthly meetings.
On the agenda tomorrow night are presentations about operations, facilities and fleets.
The committee has selected Dennis Dawes – Chehalis city council member – as its chair and Greg Pulver – AMR, American Medical Response and Fire District 6 commissioner- as its vice chair, as well as adopted rules and procedures for operating the group.
The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Lewis County Fire District 6’s main station at 2123 Jackson Highway, Chehalis.
Join us