Lewis County Sirens.com

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

An 55-year-old woman was hospitalized after a single-vehicle collision this morning on U.S. Highway 12 four miles east of Oakville.

Ruby K. Grunenfelder of Oakville was traveling eastbound when her Honda CRV struck debris in the roadway and veered down an embankment hitting a tree, according to the Washington State Patrol. A trooper called just after 5 a.m. to the scene reported she was injured and taken by ambulance to Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia.

Grunenfelder’s vehicle was described as totaled. The object in the road she hit was not specified.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

A Randle resident was injured in a two-car wreck on U.S. Highway 12 in Silver Creek yesterday, according to the Washington State Patrol.

Heather L. Barnes, 20, was transported to Morton General Hospital with back pain after the collision near Fischer Road, the state patrol reported.

A trooper called about 12:30 p.m. reported the Toyota Camry in which Barnes was a passenger was headed west but stopped to make a left turn when a westbound Toyota Rave4 struck the rear of the Camry.

The Camry was totaled and the Rave 4 sustained an estimated $5,000 damage, according to the investigating trooper.

The driver of the Camry, Connor F. Green, 19, of Onalaska, was reportedly uninjured as was the driver of the Rave, according to the patrol.

The driver of the Rave, Barbara A. Eastman, 61, of Silver Creek, was to be cited for failure to yield, according to the trooper.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

Firefighters are hoping to capitalize on the rivalry between high schools in Centralia and Chehalis during tonight’s big football game at Tiger stadium to raise money to send a child to camp with the Northwest Burn Foundation.

Members of the Chehalis Fire Department and Riverside Fire Authority will be on hand at Tiger stadium beginning at 5:30 p.m. when the gates open, according to a news release.

“Show your team spirit by donating to the boot of your choice,” the challenge reads. “Whichever team raises the most funds will get the honor of putting a pie in the face of the opposition.” The pie in the face is set to occur at the end of the third quarter.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

Guided tours begin next week for grade school students through the newly renovated “Safety City.”

Kindergarten through third graders will learn about railroad crossings, pedestrian safety, school bus safety and more when they are escorted through a maze of miniature streets and buildings set up at Centralia’s former wastewater treatment plant on Mellen Street.

Seventeen-year-old Thayer Lund, a Centralia student, took on the remodel as his Eagle Scout leadership project, according to a flyer from Melody Nelson, traffic safety coordinator with Lewis County.

An open house to unveil the upgraded Safety City is being held from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. today.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

Authorities suspect an electrical short started a house fire overnight in the north end of Centralia.

Riverside Fire Authority was called about 2 o’clock this morning to a home on the 2500 block of Howard Avenue.

Fire Capt. Tim Adolphsen said they found fire in a wall and the attic.

“The damage was fairly minimal,” Adolphsen said.

The resident had found an outside light on the patio burning and put water on it, he said. Firefighters had to cut a couple of holes to get at it, he said.

A young couple in the residence got themselves out safely, according to the captain.

He estimated the damage at about $12,000.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The Onalaska man accused of manslaughter after shooting at two suspected burglars outside his home in April pleaded not guilty this morning.

Ronald A. Brady

Ronald A. Brady, went before a judge in Lewis County Superior Court to answer to charges of first-degree manslaughter and first-degree assault.

The 60-year-old is free on a $50,000 unsecured appearance bond.

The events of April 19 left 56-year-old Thomas McKenzie of Morton dead. McKenzie’s wife, Joanna McKenzie, 32, escaped uninjured.

A trial date was set for the week of Jan. 10. Brady is represented by Centralia defense attorney Don Blair.

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Read previous stories:

• “Onalaska man accused in fatal shooting of suspected burglar goes before a judge” from Wednesday Oct. 13, 2010 here

• “Onalaska man charged in April’s fatal shooting of suspected burglar” from Sept. 24, 2010 here