Archive for the ‘Columns and commentary’ Category

Notes from behind the news: Sunday Sirens music break

Sunday, June 22nd, 2014
2014.0622.vicci.martinez.jpg

Vicci Martinez, a finalist on The Voice, is among the entertainers who will take to three different stages when the DB Cooper Music Festival touches down at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds on Aug. 2.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Ready for a Sunday sirens music break?

Last week, news of another drowning, this time a 17-year-old boy, and then a tragic and deadly explosion at a fireworks business … Let’s turn it off for a few.

I’m going to listen to Vicci Martinez, one of the performing artists who will take the main stage at the upcoming all-day party at the fairgrounds that is the DB Cooper Music Festival.

Lewis County Sirens.com is co-media sponsor of the event, in part because I think we all need a time out where we simply have fun.

I’m working my way up to be able to take a day-long break, by practicing five minutes at a time, periodically.

Described as a pop singer-songwriter grounded in acoustic rock, Martinez graduated from Stadium High School in Tacoma.

She was a finalist on NBC’s The Voice in its first season, and before that appeared on CBS’s Star Search and won the regional tryouts for the first season of American Idol.

The phantom writer for DB Cooper’s festival promotional materials says she’s the daughter of a Mexican plumber dad and an ESL teacher mom, who first took the stage at the age of 16.

She’s performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, had a hit that reached #12 on VH1, with more than 250,000 singles sold. Her latest single is called Otra Cancion.

She’s good, let’s just listen to her.

This is her song, “Come Along” featuring Cee-Lo Green, here
•••

Hey, it looks like early bird ticket prices were extended to June 30.
DB Cooper Music Festival
Two dozen or so acts – enough for three different stages – featuring blues, folk, funk, soul, rock, jazz, bluegrass, southern rock, beachy and more.
When: Saturday, Aug 2, 2014 doors open at around 11 a.m.
Where: Southwest Washington Fairgrounds, 2555 North National Avenue, Chehalis, Wash.
Ticket Price: $25 – $40
Early Bird Tickets $25: – Price good until June 30, 2014
Show Type: Festival
Restrictions: 21 & over, ID required
Parking: $5 per vehicle
For all the details: http://dbcoopermusicfestival.com/index.shtm
Tickets sales online, here

2014.0527.DBCooperposter.small

Coming to our town; early bird tickets still available.

Guest column: Coming vote on fire department levy explained

Sunday, June 1st, 2014

The following is a preview from the quarterly newsletter from Riverside Fire Authority sent to those in its district in and around Centralia.

By Chief Mike Kytta
Riverside Fire Authority

August maintenance and operations levy to determine number of firefighters on staff with the RFA

A great deal has happened since our last publication in March where Chief Jim Walkowski made mention of the financial challenges faced by the RFA. Since that time, several important changes have been made to meet those challenges.

2014.0531.0416.kytta.chief.6277.smaller

Chief Mike Kytta

We have reduced the work force by one chief officer; one fire captain has retired and will not be replaced, and three firefighter paramedics have been laid off. We plan to lay off two more firefighters this summer which will leave approximately 20 firefighters to answer emergencies around the clock. The operations budget that funds our day-to-day activities has been reduced, leaving  limited funds to pay for vehicle repairs and basic facility maintenance. All planned firefighting equipment replacements are suspended.

Why is this occurring?

Declining home values and the rapid reduction of assessed value at TransAlta’s power plant since the plant closure announcement have combined to create a perfect storm.

The RFA is almost entirely funded by property taxes. When values go down, so do tax collections. Property tax revenue at the RFA has dropped approximately 18 percent, $700,000 in just two years, and the forecast for next year predicts even greater loss. Lower property values and tax revenues being diverted to other local government entities may reduce RFA funding by another $600,000, bringing the total RFA revenue reduction since 2013 to approximately $1.3 million dollars – approximately 30 percent of our total budget.

How will it affect service?

The direct impact to emergency services is reduced staffing. Last year at this time there were six firefighters between the Pearl Street and Harrison Avenue stations on duty around the clock; this year there are four. The 2014 budget cannot fund overtime to replace firefighters who are on leave so it is predictable that occasional station closures will be necessary this year when staffing drops to three firefighters on duty. The budget forecast for next year could routinely bring staffing down to only three on duty.

What is the proposed future action?

With this in mind, the RFA Board of Fire Commissioners has determined that the quality and reliability of fire and rescue services will be reduced to an unacceptable level before the end of 2014 and therefore the RFA must ask the citizens to consider a new maintenance and operations levy at the primary election in August. The new levy, if approved by the voters, will be collected in 2015 at the same time the next drop in property tax revenue is expected. The intent of the levy is to stabilize the budget at the current reduced funding level.

The levy will not return the RFA budget to the higher amount of taxes collected in 2013. Levy dollars will be used for fire protection and rescue services, facilities, maintenance, staffing and operations. The estimated levy rate is $0.49 cents per $1,000 of value, collecting $800,000 annually. For a $150,000 home and property, the estimated annual tax is $73, which comes out to just over $6 per month. By state law, maintenance and operation levies are limited to one year; all future levy requests will be subject to a vote of the people. We believe that with the combination of downsizing the RFA, utilizing cost saving strategies, and the addition of the annual maintenance and operations levy, an acceptable, but not optimal level of service can be provided.

Public meetings to discuss the proposed maintenance and operations levy are scheduled for:
July 9, 6:30 p.m. at the Lincoln Creek Grange
July 16, 6:30 p.m. at the Stillwater Estates Club House
July 23, 6:30 p.m. at the 1818 Harrison Avenue Fire Station.

I am available for your questions at 736-3975 and my office is located at the Harrison Avenue Fire Station.

Notes from behind the news: Sunday Sirens blues break

Sunday, June 1st, 2014
2014.0601.CutisLive2.720x480copy copy

Curtis Salgado, 2013 International Blues Entertainer of the Year, will take the big stage at the end of the night, when the DB Cooper Music Festival touches down at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – How about taking a Sunday sirens mini-break with me?

A week of watching and waiting for an east end river to give up the body of a 5-year-old, a super serious wreck in Centralia on Friday night that left two people critically hurt, and then news this morning that an arson investigation team is looking into a house fire that destroyed much of a family’s belongings …

I’m not waiting all the way to Aug. 2 for the sirens break, the all-day party at the fairgrounds that is the DB Cooper Music Festival.

Lewis County Sirens.com is co-media sponsor of the event, in part because I think we all need a time out where we simply have fun.

I’m taking five minutes right now to turn off the trauma, drama and disaster and listen to a tune, taking my mind elsewhere, at least briefly.

The 2013 International Blues Entertainer of the Year, Curtis Salgado, who inspired John Belushi to create The Blues Brothers, has some good ones.

Salgado will take the big stage at the end of the night, when the festival touches down at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds.

His people call him a harmonica icon who plays each and every show like it’s the most important gig of his career.

He’s been playing professionally since the late 1960s, his band touring with the likes of Santana and The Steve Miller Band. His bio describes some of his musical and vocal influences as Otis Redding, O.V. Wright, Johnnie Taylor and Muddy Waters.

Born in Everett, Wash., and raised in Eugene, Ore., one of his early groups called the Nighthawks toured the Northwest; next he was with The Robert Cray Band, and then it just kept getting better, his people say.

Check out Salgado’s “Born All Over” with me, now, for just a few moments.

We can listen to more from him on Aug. 2, in person, at the festival that is stacking up to be THE event of the summer for those from Seattle to Portland and beyond.

Tickets are available now, here. See the line up that will play three stages, here

P.S. If you’re a Blues Brothers fan, you can find out more about how the two met when Belushi was in Eugene filming Animal House, and how that all transpired, here

Notes from behind the news: Let’s take a time out, and have some real fun

Tuesday, May 27th, 2014
2014.0527.DBCooperposter.small

Coming to our town; early bird tickets until Friday.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – News reporting is a blast.

Chasing down stories of crimes, rescues, near misses and what-have-you and following how justice plays out can keep a person going, with an endless stream of intriguing stories.

But I have to confess, sometimes the cops, courts and fire beat gets seriously depressing. When you’re focused on the latest, looking for what’s new, it seems sometimes the trauma, drama and disaster will never end.

I even heard from one reader who took a little break from Lewis County Sirens.com, because the gloom got overwhelming. Heck, I’ve wanted to turn it off at times.

2014.0527.twodbcoopergraphic

Saturday, Aug 2, 2014

So, in the interest of the well-being of all of us, I say, let’s take a time out. How about one day where we can turn our attention to something uplifting, even … fun?

It’s time for a party.

That’s why Lewis County Sirens.com is co-media sponsor for a music festival this summer that should knock your socks off.

The DB Cooper Music Festival has decided to touch down this year in Chehalis / Centralia with its all-day event, at the mid-point of the famed 1971 Portland to Seattle flight skyjacking.

The gathering made its debut last year, somewhere up north, with one stage and seven or eight musical groups in the lineup. But its organizers found this year’s two dozen or so acts – enough for three different stages – are best suited for the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds.

It’s blues, it’s folk, it’s funk and some other upbeat types I’m sure I don’t know. But I’ve led a sheltered musical life.

I’m told the acts are top notch.

They range from the 2013 International Blues Entertainer of the Year Curtis Salgado who inspired John Belushi to create The Blues Brothers to The Voice finalist Vicci Martinez, whose acoustic-rock music comes out of Tacoma.

They include six-time grammy nominee Maria Muldaur best known for her 1974 huge hit Midnight at the Oasis, and Brittany Kingery out of McCleary whose tropical acoustic sounds were among those at last year’s festival.

There’s more. Blues pioneer Alice Stewart; Independent Music Awards winners The Brown Edition; an Olympia band; Capitol Records Rising Star Ethan Tucker, a Washington born singer-songwriter; Puget Sounds masters of funk Bump Kitchen; Mudcat, an Aberdeen native; Rick Ranum whose band during its early days opened for performers like Joe Cocker and BB King.

Soul, rock, jazz, bluegrass, blues, folk, funk, southern rock, beachy and more all mixed up in one place. Singer-songwriters who live to entertain.

These are people who’ve toured the country, toured the world.

And they’re gonna play our town.

All day on a Saturday.

It’s a 21 and over event, with food, merriment and a suggestion by one artist that people should plan to dance their behinds off.

The day is brought to you by the local Exit 104 Media Inc.

Why is it named for the historic outlaw who vanished with a parachute and gobs of cash from an airplane more than four decades ago? I’m not certain, though it almost seems as though Cooper – or possibly some intermediary – is like a behind-the-scenes host.

We can plan on so much amazing music, there won’t be one moment to spare for thoughts about sirens. For one day.

Early bird ticket prices are available until Friday.

Get yours now. I’m gonna be there. Why don’t you join me?

DB Cooper Music Festival
When: Saturday, Aug 2, 2014 doors open at 11 a.m. until it’s over
Where: Southwest Washington Fairgrounds, 2555 North National Avenue, Chehalis, Wash.
Ticket Price: $25 – $40
Early Bird Tickets $25: – Price good until May 31, 2014
Show Type: Festival
Restrictions: 21 & over, ID required
Parking: $5 per vehicle
For all the details: http://dbcoopermusicfestival.com/index.shtm
Tickets sales online, here

Guest column: An open letter to the residents of Lewis County Fire District 5

Tuesday, March 4th, 2014

Eric Linn, the fire chief for the department serving Napavine and surrounding area submitted his resignation last night. Lewis County Fire District 5’s Chair of the Board of Commissioners Jamie Guenther says Assistant Chief Jeff Lee resigned yesterday as well. In a prepared statement, Guenther states: “The District wishes both Mr. Linn and Lee well in their future endeavors. The constituents of District 5 are very fortunate to have a dedicated, well trained group of men and women who will continue to selflessly volunteer their time to protect life and property.” Linn was the 15th chief the mostly volunteer district has had in a little more than a decade. – Sharyn Decker

By Eric A. Linn
Former Fire Chief, Lewis County Fire District 5

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the residents of Lewis County Fire District 5. For the past five years I have served as your fire chief with pride. My service to you ends leaving a very well trained and qualified team of firefighters and EMT’s that will continue to serve you.

2011.0205.eric.linn.napavine_2

Eric Linn

I would like to thank the families of the firefighters that have sacrificed their time with their loved ones to allow and encourage them to invest in training and countless hours of duty to insure the safety of the community.

I would like thank my administrative assistant and office manager Linda Wolfe, Deputy Chief Jim Bridges (Retired), Assistant Chief Jeff Lee, Public information Officer Laura Hanson, Medical Services Officer Vikki Bolden, Training Officer Joel Swecker and Assistant MSO Megan Van Egdom for their leadership and support.

I would like to thank the firefighters, those that have been committed to insure the safety of their community. Each of you know how proud I am of you.

I would like to thank Chaplain Grant Kistler and Special Services member Norm Kendig for your never ending support of the membership.

I would like to thank my fire service partners, Chief Jim Walkowski, Assistant Chief Mike Kytta and Assistant Chief Rick Mack from the Riverside Fire Authority for their never ending encouragement.

I would like to thank Chief Russ Larson and Assistant Chief Kevin Anderson from Lewis County Fire District 15 for their partnerships that have led to stronger training and operating opportunities.

I would like to thank Paramedic Supervisor Steve Katenbracher for his leadership and partnership in improving the level of service to those that need our help most.

In closing, I would to thank former fire commissioner’s Rob Snaza, Kevin Hanson and Terry Bartley for their progressive leadership and confidence that allowed the district to grow and meet the needs of those they serve.

Yours in Fire and Life Safety,
Eric A. Linn

Sirens news highlights – and lowlights – from 2013

Tuesday, December 31st, 2013

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

What might the next 12 months bring on the streets, the backroads and in the courtrooms of Lewis County?

Imagine a week with no drug arrests or domestic violence, a month with no thievery or assault and what about a year without any violent deaths? How about no house fires?

While sharing the details from the world of cops, courts and fire departments, I have to confess at least some of my motivation is perhaps so some of us can learn some small something so if we end up in the news, it is for something wondrous and inspiring instead of Sharyn’s Sirens Roundup.

Here is a look back at some of the stories that topped the Sirens news during the year. If any of them bring to mind words of wisdom to share with the rest of us, please offer your thoughts in the comment section.

If any prompt predictions of what 2014 could hold, those would be nice to hear as well.

JANUARY

The year 2013 began with first-degree theft charges filed against the owners of Birdwell Brothers Auto Sales, alleging the couple used various deceptions to avoid paying back the Centralia-based Security State Bank for loans for vehicles, with losses alleged in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Keith A. Birdwell, 47, and Lorrine D. Birdwell, 44, pleaded not guilty.

The Toledo residents who operated the used car business with sites in Centralia and Lacey are awaiting separate trials early in 2014. The “bad checks” issue against Lorrine Birdwell has been dismissed.

FEBRUARY

The following month, a 24-year-old rural Chehalis resident shot and injured a nighttime intruder inside his house and was highly praised by the sheriff, except for that he didn’t fire more shots, fire sooner and use better ammunition.

Brian L. Creed, 51, who was high on methamphetamine when he encountered the just-awakened young man in the home on Highway 603 subsequently pleaded guilty to first-degree burglary, and read aloud an apology before he was sentenced to just shy of three years in prison.

MARCH

Almost a year after losing her 2-year-old daughter to torturous sexual abuse of a new live-in boyfriend, Becky M. Heupel of Centralia faced a judge, accused of failing to protect the little girl.

The 31-year-old subsequently pleaded guilty to second-degree criminal mistreatment, agreeing to pay with one year and a day of prison time for not acting on clues something was amiss.

Two-year-old Koralynn Fister died from drowning and head trauma while in the care of James M. Reeder, who was convicted but denied he was responsible.

APRIL

A school bus carrying the Toledo-Winlock High School soccer team went airborne off Interstate 5 and came to rest wheels down at the bottom of a ravine on the night of April 9, with no serious injuries but conflicting reports as to whether its brakes failed.

Ronnie Withrow, the 53-year-old driver was praised by responders for guiding the 2009 Thomas full-sized yellow bus between a sign and a guard rail at the northbound exit to state Route 505.

An inspector with the Washington State Patrol found no mechanical failures although Withrow said the brakes went out. His ticket for failing to stop at the stop sign was eventually dismissed  replaced by an infraction for moving a defective vehicle.

MAY

Lewis County Superior Court Judge Richard Brosey blasted board members of the Lewis County Historical Museum when he sentenced its former executive director for stealing at least $124,000 during her time at the helm.

Deborah Sue Knapp, 53, was given 14 months after pleading guilty to multiple counts of first-degree theft, apparently having routinely issued herself extra salary through payroll draws and using the museum debit card for personal expenses.

Knapp was arrested at the end of 2011 after revelations the non-profit’s endowment fund of more than $460,000 was drained, attributed mostly to the museum living beyond its means.

JUNE

Some 25 law enforcement personnel took part in an operation in which numerous individuals in Randle were arrested following a months-long drug investigation.

The so-called Big Bottom Bust netted 10, seven of which were accused of selling mostly small amounts of methamphetamine with plea deals made in light of an unreliable informant with mental health issues.

JULY

A 48-year-old Chehalis area mother of two teenage daughters was beaten to death by her boyfriend, who initially told a story of wrecking his truck on a logging road near Morton, as they tried to escape three assailants.

Corey R. Morgan, 32, had been sentenced just two days earlier for a previous incident of domestic violence against Brenda Bail.

After Morgan pleaded guilty, his lawyer told the court both were bi-polar, both taking medication and both decided to go out drinking together. Then a judge sentenced him to just short of 23 years in prison.

AUGUST

A 39-year-old woman died eight days after she suffered burns in a fire in a Vader house fire, which had no electricity or running water.

Jeannette Dunivan-Spain told a deputy she tried to knock down flames from a knocked over candle that woke her up.

The one-time May Day queen from Vader suffered second-degree burns that led to an infection which killed her.

SEPTEMBER

A 59-year-old motorcyclist who was struck by a bolt of lightning managed to pull off Interstate 5 into a Chehalis gas station and then delay his ambulance ride to the hospital while he arranged safekeeping for his bike.

Medics found minor burns on the side of the Tenino resident’s head and inside his helmet.

OCTOBER

A huge news story from 1985 resurfaced last year and then dominated the local news scene with the six-week trial regarding the abduction and slayings of an elderly Ethel couple, Ed and Minnie Maurin.

Prosecutors persuaded a jury that former Mossyrock resident Ricky A. Riffe at the very least was an accomplice to their other longtime suspect who was deceased, the defendant’s younger brother John Gregory Riffe.

With no DNA evidence or fingerprints, but with nearly 100 individuals testifying, Riffe was convicted as charged in the case in which the Maurin’s were apparently forced to drive to their Chehalis bank and withdraw a sizable amount of cash before being shot in their backs and dumped on a logging road.

NOVEMBER

The Riffe trial ran into November and the 55-year-old, through his attorney, continued to deny he was responsible when he was sentenced to 103 years in prison.

DECEMBER

Two brothers were charged after a raid of a Chehalis area home on Jackson Highway turned up freezer bags containing about $200,000 worth of methamphetamine, with crystals as long as a Sharpie felt pen.

The arrests of Randall D. Mauel, 42, and Ryan G. Mauel, 37, came out of fast-moving investigation by narcotics detectives in Thurston County within 24 hours of the local arrival of the drugs, which included  two baggies filled with heroin.

JANUARY 2014

Fill in the blank. Please feel free to offer your predictions for what’s possible during the coming calendar year.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all

Wednesday, December 25th, 2013

2013.1224.christmascard-001

From Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter