Archive for October, 2010

The fire department wants to meet you

Tuesday, October 5th, 2010

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

Lewis County Fire District 5 which protects the greater Napavine area is holding a series of town meetings, beginning tonight, for the public to find out more about a ballot measure to increase the fire department’s budget.

District 5 asked for a fire levy lid increase in August which voters turned down.

Fire Lt. Laura Hanson notes the upcoming meetings are a great forum for asking questions, getting feedback from the public and hearing first-hand from the fire department.

• Tonight at Forest Grange, 7 p.m.
• Next Tuesday Oct. 12 at Marys Corner fire station, 7 p.m.
• Thursday Oct. 14 at the District 5 administrative office in Napavine, 7:30 p.m.

Read what Chehalis bail bondsman said about cop killer Maurice Clemmons …

Monday, October 4th, 2010

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

The Seattle Times published a story over the weekend about a proposed amendment tightening the bail system, something they report a Chehalis bail bondsman supports.

John Wickert, owner of Jail Sucks Bail Bonds, told the Seattle Times he would not have written bail for Maurice Clemmons, who then gunned down four police officers in Lakewood last year, had he known more about Clemmons, the news paper reports.
•••

Read “Lakewood cop killings behind amendment to tighten bail system” here.

Sharyn’s Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Monday, October 4th, 2010

DRUNKEN SUPER HERO ARRESTED IN CENTRALIA AFTER REPORT OF PROWLER, POLICE SAY

• A man dressed in a green Power Ranger costume was arrested last night in Centralia after police were called about a prowler in a motor home on the 2900 block of Russell Road. When officers arrived after the 11:11 p.m. call, they found Kristopher S. Lummus, 28, standing in the doorway of the RV dressed as a Power Ranger, a children’s cartoon character, with his mask in his hand, according to the Centralia Police Department. Police Sgt. Stacy Denham said the subject was highly intoxicated and said he had been at a party and then friends showed him to this motor home and left him there, so he went inside. Denham said he didn’t know why Lummus was dressed up. “He definitely indicated he didn’t know where he was at at that point in time,” Denham said this morning. The Centralia man was booked into the Lewis County Jail for first-degree criminal trespass.

“HABIT I GUESS”, RUNNING FROM COPS, SUSPECT SAYS

• A motorcyclist speeding through Winlock Saturday escaped temporarily but its driver was found at his home a short while later because the pursuing officer recognized the passenger, according to the Winlock Police Department. An officer went to the suspect’s Rhodes Road home and ended up tackling Gerald H. Andersen after a short foot pursuit toward a wooded area, according to Chief Terry Williams. When asked why he fled, Andersen responded, “Habit, I guess,” the chief said. Williams said the pursuit began just before 6 p.m. at the liquor store and went down Cemetery Road, onto state Route 505 and up Kakela Road at speeds of at least 80 mph. The motorcycle turned east on Nevil and then north on Minkler where the officer lost sight of it, according to Williams. Andersen, 44, was arrested and booked into the Lewis County Jail for attempting to elude, according to the chief. The chase followed a complaint of two motorcycles just after 5 p.m. traveling an estimated 100 mph and heading into Chehalis. No arrests were made in Chehalis, according to police there.

METH ARREST

• Centralia police arrested a 53-year-old early this morning possession for methamphetamine and cocaine as well as an outstanding warrant. Cecillia A. Leyva was booked into the Lewis County Jail after a contact with an officer about 3 a.m. at the 300 block of North Railroad Avenue, according to the Centralia Police Department.

TWO UNLAWFUL IMPRISONMENT ARRESTS

• Centralia police arrested two men within about an hour of each other early Sunday in two unrelated incidents of unlawful imprisonment and fourth-degree assault domestic violence. Officers were called about 2:20 a.m. on Sunday to the 1000 block of North Schueber Road where a 26-year-old woman had yelled for help out her apartment window after her husband had grabbed her arm and prevented her from leaving a bedroom, according to police. Anthony J. Lynch, 26, of Centralia, was later booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to Officer John Panco. Officers called about 1:25 a.m. the same morning to the 400 block of South Silver Street arrested Willie J. Jordan, 24, of Centralia, for unlawful imprisonment and fourth-degree assault domestic violence and booked him into the jail. Panco didn’t have further details on the Silver Street incident.

INTRUDER STEALS ELECTRICAL WIRING AND COPPER PIPE FROM HOME

• Somebody entered an unoccupied Chehalis residence and made off with some of its wiring as well as copper water pipes, according to a report made to police about 5 p.m. on Saturday.

REPORTS OF GUNS IN THE CITY

• Chehalis police were called Southwest Cascade and Fifth avenues on Friday evening after an individual reported somebody in a car “pulled a shotgun” on them. However, the car in question was checked and no weapon was found, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

• Chehalis police were called Sunday evening about kids approaching other kids with a BB gun. The parties were warned they can’t shoot a BB gun inside city limits, according to police.

CAR PROWLS

• Centralia police took a report of a vehicle prowl about 6:15 p.m. on Saturday at the 100 block of West High Street.

• Chehalis police were called Friday evening about an attempted vehicle prowl that occurred at Wal-Mart on the 1600 block of Northwest Louisiana Avenue while the victim was at work. The door lock was damaged, according to police.

• Police were called just before 4 p.m. on Friday to the 1500 block of North National Avenue about a possible attempted vehicle theft. The ignition was damaged, according to police.

• Chehalis police were called just after 3 p.m. on Friday about a vehicle prowl in which s subject reportedly left a cell phone and tools in a car at the auto shop at Yard Birds mall on the 2100 block of North National Avenue.

STOLEN TRUCK FOUND IN MINERAL

• The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office reported this morning a vehicle stolen from a woman in Roy was found on Thursday behind a gate off Mineral Hill Road in Mineral. The 1991 Chevrolet pickup was in the same condition it had been when it was taken, according to the sheriff’s office.

Read about new Thurston County jail facility to remain vacant …

Sunday, October 3rd, 2010

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

The Olympian published a story today about a brand new jail facility which will sit empty because Thurston County can’t afford to operate it.

However, news reporter Nate Hulings writes, it will still cost about $430,000 next year to maintain the vacant building.
•••

Read “Satellite jail ready but still too costly” here.

Read about retirement of Thurston County judge …

Sunday, October 3rd, 2010

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

The Olympian published a story on Friday about Thurston County Superior Court Judge Richard Hicks retiring.

Hicks, elected in 1992, has been presiding over the civil case of Thompson vs. Wilson, prompting Barb Thompson – who forced an unprecedented judicial review of a coroner’s decision on her daughter’s 1998 death in Toledo – to write, “No, no, no!”

The Lewis County case is still making its way through appeals.
•••

Read news reporter Jeremy Pawloski’s story “Superior Court judge Hicks retires” here.

Read about the five days in court last November after which “Jury finds coroner erred in ruling former troopers death a suicide” here

News brief: Candidate forum set for coming week in Adna

Saturday, October 2nd, 2010

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

Got a question for any of the men running for Lewis County sheriff, prosecutor or coroner?

A candidate forum for the public is set for this coming Wednesday from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. at Adna High School.

The local Fraternal Order of Police group has organized the event, similar to a forum it held four years ago that drew more than 250 people to hear from then-Lewis County prosecutor candidates Michael Golden and Don Blair.

Wednesday’s gathering will include five-minute opening statements from each of the candidates and a lengthy period for questions and answers, according to Bradd Reynolds, event chair for F.O.P. Centerville Lodge No. 26.

The night  is expected to feature candidates for prosecutor, challenger Jonathan Meyer and incumbent Michael Golden; candidates for sheriff, challenger Ken Cheeseman and incumbent Steve Mansfield; and candidates for coroner, Warren McLeod and Micheal Hurley.

Moderating will be Adna Schools Superintendent James Forrest, according to a news release from Reynolds.

Adna High School is just north of Highway 6, six miles west of Interstate 5 from the exit 77 interchange.
•••

Below are the candidates’ web sites:

• Warren McLeod from Chehalis:

http://www.warrenmcleodforcoroner.com/

• Micheal Hurley from Mossyrock:

http://www.hurley4coroner.com/

• Ken Cheeseman from Randle:

on Facebook: “Ken Cheeseman for Lewis County Sheriff

• Steve Mansfield from Winlock:

on Facebook: “Re-elect Steve Mansfield for Lewis County Sheriff

• Jonathan Meyer from Centralia:

http://www.meyerforprosecutor.com/

• Michael Golden from Chehalis:

http://www.goldenforprosecutor.com/

Sharyn’s Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Saturday, October 2nd, 2010

ASSAULT

• A 22-year-old Centralia man was arrested overnight for second-degree assault domestic violence after police responded to the 1100 block of South Pearl Street about 1:30 a.m. David M. Cash was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Centralia Police Department.

HEAD BUTTING AND MORE LAND MAN IN JAIL, POLICE SAY

• The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office reported on Thursday they arrested a man on Tuesday for multiple offenses at a Winlock address including reportedly striking a woman with a car door, taking her vehicle twice, hitting her in the head with his head and running his van into her truck. Deputies who responded about 6:30 p.m. to the 100 block of McGlaughlin Road booked Calvin L. Rhodes into the Lewis County Jail for fourth-degree assault, domestic violence, malicious mischief, hit and run and taking a motor vehicle without permission, according to Chief Civil Deputy Stacy Brown.

DRUGS AND WARRANT

• Centralia police arrested a 37-year-old man for possession of unspecified illegal drugs and an outstanding warrant after a contact yesterday afternoon at Harrison and Belmont avenues. Jeramie L. Zerger of Centralia was into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Centralia Police Department.

PANHANDLING ARREST

• Centralia police arrested a man for alleged aggressive panhandling after he reportedly grabbed the arm of an individual who declined to give him money in downtown Centralia. Benjamin R. Hardy, 34, of Centralia, was arrested for pedestrian interference about 6:40 p.m. on Wednesday after the incident on the 100 block of North Tower Avenue, according to police.

CHEHALIS RETIREMENT HOME REPORTS ANOTHER THEFT

• Chehalis police said on Thursday they responded to a report the day before of about $100 missing from a patients room at a retirement center on  Northwest Quincy Place. On Monday, an officer was called to the same place, Chehalis West Assisted Living, to a report of the theft of $40 from a patients room.

STARVING HORSE SEIZED

• A 30-year-old emaciated horse seized from the Winlock area was in such bad shape it had maggots living in open sores but is expected to make a full recovery, the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office reported yesterday. Chief Civil Deputy Stacy Brown said a deputy went to the 1700 block of Winlock-Vader Road on Tuesday following a anonymous tip about a starving horse. The animal is being treated at the Lewis County Animal Shelter and the sheriff’s office is investigating a woman in connection with second-degree animal abuse, Brown said yesterday.

COLLISIONS ALL OVER

• A rollover accident on Thursday afternoon at North Pearl and Sixth streets was caused when a westbound driver ran a stop sign and was hit by a southbound vehicle, Centralia police reported yesterday. Occupants of both vehicles reportedly suffered only minor injuries, according to the Centralia Police Department. It was one of four two-vehicle collisions Centralia police responded to on the same day. None resulted in more than minor injuries, according to police.

• Two people were taken to Providence Centralia Hospital after a motorcycle wreck Thursday evening at the 1300 block of North Fork Road east of Chehalis. Lewis County Fire District 6 was called about 7:15 p.m. to the accident about six miles east of Jackson Highway, according to Fire Chief Bud Goodwillie.

• Three individuals were hospitalized after a two-vehicle collision northeast of Winlock on Wednesday night, according to Lewis County Fire District 15. Responders were called just before 10 p.m. to the area at North Military and Antrim roads, according to Firefighter Kevin Anderson. A fourth person declined to be transported, Anderson said.

• A Mossyrock man escaped serious injury when his vehicle was struck in the rear on Interstate 5 just north of Woodland and rolled over. John A. Vawter, 59, suffered neck and back pain after the Thursday morning wreck but was not hospitalized, according to the Washington State Patrol. His 2007 Ford Edge sustained an estimated $6,000 damage, the state patrol reported. The 24-year-old driver from Castle Rock was taken to St. John Medical Center in Longview with possible injuries to his collarbone and foot, according to the responding trooper. He was cited for following too closely. His 2005 Honda was described as totaled.