Lewis County Sirens.com

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Tacoma Power and the Lewis County Department of Emergency Management will conduct a coordinated test of their emergency notification systems at 11 a.m. today.

Tacoma Power’s emergency sirens at Ike Kinswa State Park, Mayfield Lake Park and the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery will sound and include an announcement of the test.

Mossyrock Dam

The sirens and loudspeaker are part of a system that would be used to alert the public in the event of any imminent catastrophic-type failure of either of the two dams which could cause uncontrolled release of water downstream, such as an earthquake, according to Tacoma Power’s Jason Lellie, the emergency action plan coordinator at the utility’s power generation division.

Tacoma Power owns and operates Mossyrock Dam and Mayfield Dam on the Cowlitz River.

Both organizations conduct annual system tests, but this year marks the first time they have synchronized their efforts.

“Public safety is our number one priority,” Tacoma Power Chief Dam Safety Engineer Toby Brewer stated. “While we have a robust emergency action plan in place, the success of these systems in helping to keep people safe depends on all of us working together.”

Lewis County DEM will send two test messages using its new alert notification system. The first will alert users that the siren test is about to begin; the second will announce that the siren test is over.

The test should last approximately 90 seconds.

Lewis County’s notification system has replaced the former Code Red system. Users must register to receive the alerts and may choose to be notified by cell phone, landline, text message and/or email.

“We encourage Lewis County residents and visitors to register as soon as possible so they can receive future notifications,” said Lewis County DEM Coordinator Jim Rich.

People can register by:
• Visiting www.lewiscountywa.gov then clicking the “Lewis County Alert” icon at the bottom of the page.
• Calling (360) 740-1157 to speak with a member of the Lewis County DEM staff.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Five people were injured when a car crossed crossed the centerline on U.S. Highway 12 in Grand Mound and hit an oncoming truck last night.

Troopers called just after 9:40 p.m. to the scene near Elderberry Street Southwest report a Mitsubishi Mirage was traveling eastbound when it collided with a Toyota Tacoma, according to the Washington State Patrol.

The Mirage was driven by 41-year-old Jeremy L. Brown, of Cathlamet, who was transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle as was one of his three passengers, 47-year-old Tori C. Clark of Enumclaw, according to the state patrol.

Both vehicles were totaled and impounded, the investigating trooper reports.

The driver of the 2006 Toyota Tacoma, Todd R. Phelps, 51, of Rochester, was taken to Providence Centralia Hospital.

The Mirage’s other passengers were reportedly also transported to local hospitals: Teresa L. Meyer, 45, of Vancouver, to Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia and Daniel I. Garr, 28, Cathlamet, to Providence Centralia Hospital.

The state patrol indicates it suspects drugs or alcohol were involved and charges are pending.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The driver who died in a rollover wreck along state Route 508 on Thursday night has been identified by the state patrol as Michael L. Wells, 53, of Onalaska.

Wells died at the scene of the approximately 9 p.m. incident near Tauscher Road, about three miles east of Interstate 5.

The Washington State Patrol said the pickup truck was eastbound when the driver lost control, the vehicle rolled and came to rest in a pasture.

The passenger, 45-year-old Stephanie R. Richards, of Onalaska, was injured and transported to Providence Centralia Hospital.
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For background, read “News brief: Rollover crash claims life on SR 508” from Friday March 31, 2017, here

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – One person is dead after a single-vehicle accident along state Route 508 south of Chehalis last night.

Firefighters called about 9:10 p.m. to the scene near Tauscher Road about three miles east of Interstate 5 found the driver was deceased.

The 1999 Ford F250 pickup had been heading eastbound when the driver lost control and rolled off the north side of the roadway, coming to rest on its passenger side in a pasture, according to responders.

The passenger, 45-year-old Stephanie R. Richards, of Onalaska, was conscious but injured and transported to Providence Centralia Hospital, according to the Washington State Patrol and Lewis County Fire District 5.

The driver is identified as a 53-year-old Onalaska man, but his name has not been released.

Both had been wearing their seat belts, but the truck was totaled, according to the state patrol.

District 5 Firefighter Brad Bozarth said some bystanders were taking care of a dog which had been traveling with the couple.

Smoke alarm melts, but keeps operating through Pe Ell fire. / Courtesy photo by Derrick Paul

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A Pe Ell couple is without a home after a fire that appears to have been related to an electrical issue.

Fire investigator Derrick Paul said he won’t know the cause for sure until after the insurance company runs some tests.

The occupants pulled into the driveway at the 300 block of West Fourth Avenue late Monday night after two days at the beach, and noticed the fire, Paul said.

Crews from Lewis County Fire District 11 arrived and extinguished the flames beneath the double wide mobile home and then entered and put out fire in the living room, according to Paul.

It had apparently been burning for quite a long time, but because the house was closed up, didn’t have a lot of oxygen, Paul said. The interior temperature was about 700 degrees and there was major heat damage inside, he said.

“The light fixtures throughout the house were melted,” he said.

However, Paul said, there was one working smoke detector and despite having partially melted, it was still beeping and flashing when he got there.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A 56-year-old motorcyclist died after a wreck last night on U.S. Highway 12 about two miles east of Mossyrock.

Darrell S. Holmquist, of Orting, was traveling westbound near milepost 89 when he failed to negotiate a sweeping corner, left the roadway and was ejected, according to the Washington State Patrol.

Troopers were called to the scene just after 9 p.m.

Holmquist was airlifted to Peacehealth Southwest Washington Medical Center in Vancouver where he passed away, according to the state patrol.

He had been wearing a helmet, but it was described by the investigating trooper as non-USDOT compliant.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Six fire departments converged on a house fire in Rochester yesterday on the 8500 block of James Road Southwest.

West Thurston Regional Fire Authority Chief Robert Scott said the single-story wood frame home was occupied at the time, but nobody was injured.

“The fire began in the basement area and extended into the overhead attic space,” Scott said.

Crews called at 10:46 a.m. were still on the scene after lunch.

“It has a metal roof and that’s part of the problem, that’s holding in the heat,” Scott said.

An adult male and his son live there, according to Scott.