Lewis County Sirens.com

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

Chehalis police are investigating a drive-by shooting that occurred over the weekend on William Avenue.

Nobody was hit but one bullet struck an unoccupied vehicle parked in front of a residence on the 400 or 500 block of William Avenue, detective Sgt. Rick McNamara said this morning. It happened just after midnight, early Saturday morning, he said.

An unknown number of individuals were in a red SUV that made several trips past the home before the passenger leaned out and fired from a handgun, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

There were several people outside the residence, McNamara said, but officers aren’t getting a lot of information from them.

“Not everybody’s talking because of fear of gang retaliation,” McNamara said.

Police suspect the individuals in the SUV are associated with the LVL gang, he said.

Chehalis police report they don’t believe the victims were chosen randomly and the motive is still under investigation.

Neither the SUV nor the shooter had been found as of this morning, according to McNamara.

A 24-year-old Tenino woman was arrested in Thurston County about an hour after the incident, according to police.

McNamara said police believed Christina Palomares, formerly Alaniz, of Tenino, was in the SUV. She was arrested and booked into the Lewis County Jail on Saturday for first-degree assault, he said.

However, just before 10 o’clock this morning, Chehalis police reported that further investigation clouded previous information she was involved and they will not press for charges against Palomares at this time.

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This news story was updated at 10:30 a.m. on Monday Aug. 9, 2010

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

A Curtis resident was airlifted to a Vancouver hospital after a single-vehicle collision last night west of Vader.

Curtis F. Hughes, 59, suffered head, arm and internal injuries, according to the Washington State Patrol.

Aid and law enforcement were called around 7:30 p.m. to the scene, on the 200 block of Wildwood Road, just north of state Route 506.

Hughes was traveling southbound when he entered a curve to the right, lost control, struck a guard rail and rolled over, according to the state patrol.

His 1995 Chevrolet Blazer came to rest in a ditch and was described as totaled.

Hughes was flown by Life Flight Network to Southwest Washington Medical Center in Vancouver, according to the investigating trooper. The patrol reported they suspect alcohol was involved.

Hughes was in the intensive care unit listed in serious condition on Monday morning, according to a hospital spokesperson.
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This news story was updated at 9:20 a.m. on Monday Aug. 9, 2010

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

A team of Lewis and Thurston county firefighters including an engine from Morton and another from Napavine departed early this morning to a rapidly growing wildfire in Eastern Washington that reportedly began yesterday afternoon and was threatening as many as 10 homes by evening.

More than 15 square miles of grass and sagebrush were burning about 25 miles northwest of Walla Walla, according to last night’s report to the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center. That’s about the same size as the Cowiche Mill Fire outside Yakima in mid-July.

The Office of the State Fire Marshal last night ordered the mobilization of five wildland strike teams to assist Walla Walla Fire District 3, according to a news release early this morning.

Lewis County Fire District 14 Chief Jeff Jaques of Randle said the local team consists of five engines and a water tender. They departed shortly before 5:30 a.m. today, according to Jaques.

Advisory evacuations are in place for residents in the area of the wind-driven fire near the town of Eureka, according to authorities.

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Readers should be able to get the latest by reading the Walla Walla Union Bulletin.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

The Lewis County Deputies Guild has decided to endorse challenger Jonathan Meyer for Lewis County Prosecuting Attorney.

More than 75 percent favored Meyer in secret balloting, according to a news release today.

The Guild is the labor relations group representing the 36 deputies and sergeants at the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

Early last month, the membership invited candidates for the offices of prosecutor, sheriff and coroner to address their group.

Meyer, a Centralia defense attorney, is running against current Lewis County Prosecutor Michael Golden.

“Jonathan Meyer in the opinion of the Guild best represents the attributes required for the office of prosecuting attorney,” the group wrote in its news release. “He is diligent, honest, hard working and will bring a fresh perspective to the prosecution of criminals in Lewis County.”

The Guild’s bylaws require a candidate to receive at least 75 percent of the vote in order for the group to make an endorsement.

Thirty-two members participated in the voting. In the race for sheriff and coroner, no candidate got above the 75 percent threshold; so they won’t be making an endorsement in those races, according to the Guild.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

The driver of a car that rolled over and wrecked in Rochester late yesterday afternoon was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, according to the West Thurston Regional Fire Authority.

Firefighters and troopers were called about 5:30 p.m. to the collision on James Road near Albany Street. James A. Saccotelli, 58, of Rochester, was pinned beneath the 1998 Ford Explorer, according to the Washington State Patrol.

Trooper Brandy Kessler said he was cited for driving under the influence.

His condition was not readily available.