Lewis County Sirens.com

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A Lewis County jury took three hours to find a 60-year-old man guilty in the case of a Centralia man whose nose was smashed by a small sledge hammer when a neighbor got upset about his loud music.

The neighbor, Morris R. Keith Jr., was convicted yesterday of second-degree assault with a deadly weapon. The jury found him not guilty of first-degree burglary –  police said the assault took place in the victim’s garage – and of felony harassment.

Lewis County Superior Court Judge Richard Brosey allowed Keith to remain free on $25,000 bail until he is sentenced.

Keith was arrested the night of May 31 after the events at the 1300 block of Central Boulevard. Court documents recounted the doctor at the emergency room saying it was the worst broken nose he’d ever seen.

The trial began on Tuesday and ended yesterday with the mixed verdict.

Keith is expected back in court on Thursday when the court will schedule a date for him to be sentenced.
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For background, read “Sledge hammer to face incident draws serious charges” from Tuesday June 2, 2015, here

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The sheriff and the prosecutor will be traveling to Pe Ell to talk with members of the public, answer their questions and listen to their concerns.

It’s the third in a series of “Town Hall” meetings held around the county during the past year.

Joining Lewis County Sheriff Rob Snaza and Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer the evening of Feb. 11 will be Pe Ell Town Marshal Mike Hartnett and Pe Ell School District Superintendent Kyle MacDonald.

Snaza says the gatherings have been an excellent medium for open discussions.

“We need active partnerships with the citizens we serve to help us address issues in their community that they feel are important,” Snaza states in a news release.

Prosecutor Meyer hopes people will take advantage of the opportunity.

“I want people to know how we are doing, what we are doing, and why,” Meyer states. “Some of the decisions the staff and I have to make on cases can be tough, but I am open to questions about our process and our decisions.”

What: Town Meeting with Lewis County Sheriff Rob Snaza and Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer
Where: Pe Ell School commons, Pe Ell
When: Thursday Feb. 11, 2016
Time: 7 p.m.
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For background, read “Sheriff, prosecutor talk about changes in crime fighting efforts” from Sunday March 29, 2015, here

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The city of Chehalis continues to attempt to fill a vacancy on its Civil Service Commission.

Appointments to the commission are made by the city manager, subject to the approval of the city council, and are generally six-year terms.

The Civil Service Commission basically oversee the examination process, appointments, promotions, transfers, reinstatements, demotions, suspensions and discharge of police and fire department employees, according to City Clerk Judy Schave.

Application forms are available on the city’s website, or can be picked up at City Hall located at 350 N Market Blvd. Rm 101.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

Tickets for the Tenino Fire Department’s annual crab feed are on sale now.

The fundraising event will be held on March 5, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., according to Tina Vanderhoof, administrative chief for Thurston County Fire District 12.

The price is $35. Tickets can be purchased at the station at 187 Hodgden St. in Tenino.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The Lewis County Jail could see increased revenue of approximately $440,000 annually under a new agreement to house prisoners from Mason County.

The facility in Chehalis operated by the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office has long provided bed space for other local law enforcement agencies. It currently has contracts also with Thurston County, the city of Olympia and the state Department of Corrections.

The agreement provides for 20 to 25 inmates from the Mason County Sheriff’s Office at any given time, at a rate of $60.38 per day. It was finalized on Monday when the Lewis County Board of Commissioners signed off on it.

The Lewis County Jail, expanded in 2005, is constructed to hold as many as 356 inmates, according to Jail Administrator Kevin Hanson. However, it’s currently funded for staffing to manage no more than 240 inmates.

The one-year contract with Mason County contains a provision for annual renewal upon agreement of both parties.

The city of Centralia earlier this month decided to use the jail in Yakima for some of its prisoners, deciding to send them individuals who are sentenced to more than two weeks.

Centralia Police Chief Carl Nielsen told the city council he could save about $10,000 a year, given an increase in the fee charged by the Lewis County Jail.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Lewis County sheriff’s deputies are getting a pay raise of 2.5 percent each year over the next three years under a new contract approved yesterday.

The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office and the Lewis County Deputies Guild negotiated a collective bargaining agreement that covers Jan. 1, 2016 through Dec. 31, 2018.

The change means that this year, a first-year deputy earns a base pay of $4,399 per month and deputies with seven or more years on the job earn $5,418 per month with others falling in between, according to Lewis County Human Resource Director Archie Smith. Detectives and sergeants earn more.

The contract provides for specialty incentive pay for assignments such as SWAT and K-9.

The Lewis County Board of Commissioners approved the agreement at its regular meeting yesterday morning.

Thirty commissioned law enforcement officers who work as deputies, detectives and deputy sergeants are part of the group that comprises the field operations bureau.

According to a summary describing the contract, the employees’ health and welfare benefits were unchanged and no management rights were reduced.

Other issues that were addressed during negotiations were: training reimbursement for new employees, clarification of take-home vehicles, creation of a lateral transfer for the operations group, clarification on scope of recognition and use of reserve deputies to perform minimal work.

Undersheriff Wes Rethwill said appointed personnel, such as himself and deputy chiefs, but not Sheriff Rob Snaza, will receive the same raise.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – While 66 homes in Lewis County were damaged or affected by the December storm, no recovery assistance will be forthcoming from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

However, individuals who suffered losses may apply for assistance through the Small Business Administration loan recovery program in Cowlitz County, according to Steve Mansfield, manager of Lewis County Department of Emergency Management. The SBA offers low-interest loans.

Mansfield learned last week Washington state did not qualify for FEMA-funded help for individuals.

Of the 66 residences affected, 18 of them were secondary dwellings and the degree of damage was not noted in a list compiled by DEM for possible help from FEMA because they wouldn’t qualify.

Among the primary residences affected, three were destroyed and 11 sustained major damage, according to Mansfield. Another 33 were affected to lesser degree and at least one was left inaccessible.

As of last week, DEM didn’t yet have information about where or when Cowlitz County’s Disaster Loan Center would be set up.

Those with questions for Lewis County Department of Emergency Management can reach them at 360-740-1151.