Lewis County Sirens.com

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

The season for wildfire danger is arriving a bit early this year locally, causing concern for a south Thurston County fire chief.

Chief Robert Scott’s crews were called about 12:20 p.m. yesterday when grass and brush along the south side of U.S. Highway 12 in Grand Mound ignited and spread about a quarter mile along a ditch.

The flames in the area of Pecan Street were headed toward thick brush and nearby homes, Scott said. West Thurston Regional Fire Authority was joined by multiple fire agencies who worked to put it out.

Extinguishing the fire was challenging, in part because of highway traffic and also because of the differing ground levels, he said.

“We were surprised,” Scott said. “We’re about three weeks ahead of the drying cycle.”

Later in the day, at about 3:30 p.m., members of Riverside Fire Authority responded to a brush fire at the 300 block of Nelson Road, southwest of Rochester.

Both scenes were subsequently turned over to the state Department of Natural Resources.

Scott said no homes were burned in the Grand Mound incident, but he’s worried.

“We’re really glad this happened now and not in August,” he said. “Some of the houses are protected, but some don’t have defensible space.”

For example, a greenbelt of watered lawn surrounding a building is helpful to slow or stop a wildfire, he said.

The Lewis County Fire Chief’s Association is helping area fire departments organize sessions to inform the public about the various measures that can be taken ahead of and during the summer dry season to reduce the likelihood of losing a home to wildfire.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

One person is dead after a single-vehicle accident on Interstate 5 near Grand Mound.

Troopers called to the scene about 2:45 p.m. yesterday report a silver 2001 Oldsmobile was southbound near milepost 87 and swerved to the right, hitting a guardrail and then striking a tree.

The southbound lanes were shut down for about a half an hour, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation. A helicopter landed on the freeway to transport the patient to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

The driver, whose name has not been released, is identified as a 35-year-old woman from Cottage Grove, Oregon, according to the Washington State Patrol.

The car was totaled, according to the state patrol. The cause of the wreck is under investigation.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – An un-helmeted ATV rider took a trooper on a more than five mile chase along county roads, speeding and ignoring stop signs and finally cutting in front of the trooper’s vehicle to travel up an off-road trail northeast of Winlock.

Two troopers and a deputy followed the trail a mile into the woods and found Kanan L. Andersen hiding under a log.

Andersen, 22, reportedly said he didn’t elude anyone, he didn’t understand or know what was going on, and finally said he didn’t stop because he was scared.

It happened shortly after 7:15 p.m. on Sunday and began northbound on Jackson Highway, according to court documents.

The trooper reported to the Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office that the four-wheeled vehicle reached speeds of 55 mph in a 35 mph zone, and when it took a left on Park Road, two of the wheels left the ground and the driver had to lean to keep it upright.

The pursuit continued across an Interstate 5 bridge to Fisher Road, with the two traveling side by side at times and the ATV driver ignoring the trooper’s demands to pull over from the loud speaker.

Andersen was booked into the Lewis County Jail, bailed out and today was charged in Lewis County Superior Court with attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle.

The felony offense has a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

The Winlock resident went before a judge this afternoon.

Judge Richard Brosey pointed out if Andersen is convicted, he also faces the possibility the state Department of Licensing revoking his driver’s license for a year.

North Pearl Street fire / Courtesy photo by Lisa Burgess

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

The cause of a fire that extensively damaged a vacant house last night in Centralia is under investigation and police are calling it suspicious.

A “boom” was heard and then flames seen inside the home at the 1800 block of North Pearl Street, just moments after a vehicle was seen, as well as people entering the building, according to Riverside Fire Authority.

Firefighters called about 9:20 p.m. found an estimated 70 percent of the first floor already burning, according to Capt. Tim Adolphsen.

The fire was extinguished and nobody found inside, Adolphsen said in a brief summary via email.

The police and fire departments are investigating.

Washington Hall, the building that also holds Corbet Theater, sits north of Pear Street and west of Washington Avenue.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

A criminal justice program instructor will be giving a lecture today that’s free and open to the public at Centralia College on police misconduct and excessive force.

Professor Gregory Gilbertson is a licensed private investigator, international police trainer and nationally recognized expert witness in police practices and procedures, according to the college. He is currently consulting with criminal defense and civil rights attorneys as an expert witness on over 30 active cases in 14 states.

Gilbertson will share his experience and perspective on what he describes as the epidemic of police misconduct and police excessive force cases currently plaguing our nation. He will also share insights and strategies on how to effectively interact with law enforcement officers in adversarial situations by explaining our fundamental rights and responsibilities under the 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 8th Amendments to the United States Constitution.

The lecture is part of the college’s Spring Lyceum series.

The event will be held in Washington Hall Room 103 and runs from 1 p.m. until 1:50 p.m.

Washington Hall, the building that also holds Corbet Theater, sits north of Pear Street and west of Washington Avenue.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Someone vandalized a net pen setting free 100,000 fall Chinook salmon into Mayfield Lake over the weekend.

The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office this morning is asking for the public’s help to find information about the incident that occurred sometime between 4:30 p.m. on Saturday and noon yesterday.

Two net loops were cut at the water reservoir on the 100 block of Cove Lane near Mossyrock, according to Chief Deputy Stacy Brown.

The reservoir belongs to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Brown said it’s going to cause problems as the fish are expected to overwhelm fish traps belonging to Tacoma City Light when the fish head out to sea.

Deputies are checking with the Mayfield Lake Dam to see if any clues may have been captured on security video, according to Brown.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Three young people were injured when a 16-year-old driver from Rochester crossed the centerline on state Route 507 just east of Tenino yesterday.

The 16-year-old was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle and his 16-year-old male passenger, from Wyoming, was transported to Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, according to the Washington State Patrol

Troopers and aid called just after 10:30 a.m. to the scene near Old Military Road found both cars totaled, according to the state patrol.

The Honda Accord had been traveling westbound and struck an oncoming Honda Civic, according to the investigating trooper.

The driver of the Civic was also injured. Brandon C. Eygabroad, 24, from Rainer, was also taken to St. Peter Hospital, the trooper reports.

The collision is blamed on speed. The roadway was blocked for five hours.