Lewis County Sirens.com

Joshua Rhoades, right, confers with his attorney Don Blair today in Lewis County Superior Court.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A former Centralia man was sentenced again this morning for a 2013 assault case in which the appeals court said the judge should not have imposed time outside the standard sentencing range.

Joshua Rhoades was convicted by a jury of second-degree assault for a fight on a Centralia street in which a 17-year-old boy was knocked unconscious. Rhoades, then 32 years old, was given nearly the 10 year maximum, believed to be allowed because of a special gang finding by the jury.

The Washington State Court of Appeals Division II last year concluded prosecutors didn’t give Rhoades adequate notice of the aggravating circumstance they alleged. The case was sent back to Lewis County Superior Court.

Lewis County Senior Deputy Prosecutor Will Halstead this morning asked Judge James Lawler to give Rhoades 70 months, the high end of the stand sentencing range.

Defense attorney Don Blair offered reasons he hoped the judge would go lower. Blair said his client has undertaken a series of courses while incarcerated.

Neither lawyer handled the case when it went to trial.

Judge Lawler said he couldn’t entirely ignore the efforts Rhoades has made in bettering himself.

He imposed a new sentence of 65 months along with a 12-month enhancement for a deadly weapon. He also ordered that Rhoades would be on community custody for 18 months after his release from prison.
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For background, read “Wrong “gang aggravator” gets Centralia man new, shorter sentence” from Wednesday February 4, 2015, here

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A wreck that injured a teenage boy on a motorcycle on state Route 6 late this afternoon is blamed on inattention.

Troopers called just before 5 p.m. to the scene near Curtis Hill Road found Michael A. Jasa, 17, from Winlock, ran into the back of a car that had stopped for traffic, according to the Washington State Patrol.

Jasa was wearing a helmet and was transported to Providence Centralia Hospital, according to the state patrol. The investigating trooper described his 1986 Honda MX4 as totaled.

The driver of the 2013 Nissan Rogue, Thomas J. Hornbeck, 36, from Curtis, was reportedly unhurt.

Jasa was to be cited a violation of the basic speed rule, according to the state patrol.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Authorities have released no new information regarding the death of a Randle woman on Tuesday night.

The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office said today it’s an active death investigation, and they are waiting to find out what caused it.

Candy Core, 46, was unresponsive when deputies and aid arrived after being called about 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday to Peters Creek Road North in Randle. CPR was performed and she was transported to Morton General Hospital where she was pronounced dead, according to authorities.

Chief Deputy Stacy Brown said the next day it was kind of an unusual situation, but Brown revealed nothing further.

Lewis County Coroner Warren McLeod indicated this afternoon he won’t know what caused Core’s death until he gets the results from toxicology tests. That can take 10 to 12 weeks, according to McLeod.

Core was one of three individuals at a Mossyrock area home a week ago when 61-year-old James C. Long allegedly barged in the back door with an ax. She and her husband Gerald Core were staying the night with Long’s girlfriend because the girlfriend knew he was getting released from jail and was worried.

There’ no indication in the court documents from that case anyone was injured other than Gerald Core, who had marks on his arms as well as his chest, presumably from fighting Long back out of the house.
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“News brief: Death of Randle resident under investigation” from Wednesday April 27, 2016, here

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Sheriff’s detectives are conducting a death investigation involving a woman from Randle today.

Chief Deputy Stacy Brown said this morning it’s kind of an unusual situation so they are not releasing much information.

Deputies and aid were called to the 100 block of Peters Creek Road North in Randle last night, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

The woman was not responsive, CPR was performed and she was transported to Morton General Hospital where she was pronounced dead, Brown said.

“We’re not sure what we have,” Brown said.

The investigation is continuing today and Brown said she hoped to learn more later this afternoon from detectives.

Interstate 5 near Thurston-Lewis county line / Courtesy photo by West Thurston Regional Fire Authority

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Six people were transported to area hospitals following a pair of wrecks on Interstate 5 in south Thurston County this morning that included an ambulance.

The first incident around 9:30 a.m. was a serious accident involving a rolled over car in the northbound lanes near milepost 86, according to authorities.

A responding emergency unit and a truck collided shortly after and a southbound lane became blocked, according to West Thurston Regional Fire Authority and the state Department of Transportation.

Four patients were taken to Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia and two were taken to Providence Centralia Hospital, WTRFA reported.

Firefighters at about 12:30 p.m. noted the scene was not yet cleared and they were called for yet another accident.

“Please slow down and have patience,” WTRFA posted on its Facebook page.

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Traffic cam near Interstate 5 near Thurston-Lewis county line / Department of Transportation

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Don’t be alarmed about the emergency response vehicles at Winlock High School today, the fire department is there for educational purposes.

The school and public safety agencies are conducting a mock crash with a full agenda of speakers in a program about the consequences of driving under the influence and distracted driving, according to Lewis County Fire District 15.

“The goal of this event is to highlight dangerous driving behaviors and support safe driving choices as part of a grant funded program through Lewis County Fire District 15,” Fire Lt. Patrick Jacobson stated in a news release.