Lewis County Sirens.com

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

A Tenino woman who worked for the state Department of Transportation is facing criminal charges in connection with allegations she collected more than $74,000 in unearned overtime compensation by altering her time cards, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.

Rachel Taylor of Tenino was charged with four counts of first-degree theft and was arraigned in Pierce County Superior Court on Thursday, according to a news release from the state agency.

One of Taylor’s responsibilities as she worked as a secretary at a WSDOT Pierce County construction office was entering the office’s time sheets into the timekeeping system, according to the news release.

Her overtime was flagged by management during a routine review last year and the agency’s internal audit division followed up finding issues during 2007 through last year, according to Lloyd Brown of WSDOT.

She resigned last year instead of being fired, Brown noted.

A civil suit seeking restitution for the state is underway in Thurston County Superior Court, according to Brown.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

Lt. Laura Hanson of Lewis County Fire District 5 is hoping area residents can be encouraged to enjoy public fireworks displays tonight.

But if not and you light off your own fireworks, Hanson says, please:

• Keep water handy
• Don’t relight “duds”. Let fireworks cool then soak in water
• An adult should light all fireworks
• Keep matches and lighters away from children
• Keep pets indoors
• Fireworks should only be used outdoors and lit only one at a time
• If you purchase fireworks, please do so from licensed vendors
• Store fireworks out of reach of children

Last year, mostly on the Fourth of July, there were more than 1,000 fireworks-related fires and 200 injuries reported to the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

The property loss added up to more than $5.6 million across the state, according to the state fire marshal.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

A Tumwater man broke his ankle when he crashed his motorcycle this morning on state Route 508 about 11 miles west of Morton, according to the Washington State Patrol.

Troopers called about 10:15 a.m. reported that Rex A. Kellso, 58, was eastbound when he encountered bumps in the road at a curve, lost control and struck a guard rail.

His 2009 Harley-Davidson was described as totaled and he was taken to Morton General Hospital, according to the state patrol.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

Troopers were called yesterday afternoon to a rear-end chain reaction collision on northbound Interstate 5 at Centralia involving four passenger vehicles which sent four individuals to the hospital.

Centralia police and firefighters joined the Washington State Patrol after the 4:15 p.m. call to the area near the Harrison Avenue interchange.

It began when a 62-year-old driver from Kelso in a Dodge Intrepid failed to slow for traffic and struck the rear of a Hyundai Tucson, according to the state patrol. Christine J. Price, 62, was expected to be cited for having no insurance and speed too fast for conditions, according to the  investigating trooper.

Three of the vehicles had to be towed off the freeway; the Intrepid and Tucson were described as totaled.

Three drivers and one passenger were taken to Providence Centralia Hospital with injuries described as abrasions, neck, back or chest pain and Price sustained a knee injury, according to the state patrol.

Among the injured were also drivers Melodye B. Petterson, 65, of Camas and Tonya K. Fowler, 37, of Castle Rock, as well as Price’s passenger, David G. Newton, 62, of Longview.

A 48-year-old Redmond resident driving a 1998 Dodge Caravan involved, was reportedly not injured.