Archive for November, 2010

One airlifted after four-car wreck on U.S. Highway 12

Friday, November 5th, 2010

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

Five people were taken to Providence Centralia Hospital and one person airlifted after a multiple-vehicle collision on U. S. Highway 12 east of Ethel yesterday evening.

The state patrol describes it as a westbound car being knocked onto the shoulder upside down after it was struck by one of three cars involved in a rear end collision in the opposite lane.

It happened just before 6:30 p.m. about a mile east of Leonard Road.

Lewis County Fire District 8 was joined by ambulances from Onalaska and Lewis County Medic One in treating patients in the accident that shut down the highway for more than an hour, according to District 8 Chief Dave DeBuhr.

The driver of a Nissan Altima, a 21-year-old Vancouver man, was hurt the worst. Sergey P. Kaminskiy was in the car hit by a 1993 Honda Accord and coming to rest on it’s top, according to the Washington State Patrol.

Firefighters had to use the Jaws of Life, DeBuhr said.

“We cut off a door, he was caught in a seatbelt upside down,” the chief said.

An air ambulance landed on a small airfield off Leonard and Gore roads and flew Kaminskiy to Southwest Washington Medical Center, according to responders.

DeBuhr said he got a call from Lifeflight last night and the patient was doing good, not critical and possibly had a broken wrist.

His passenger in the totaled Altima, Dennis V. Belinski, 19, of Portland, got a cut on his nose and has been transferred out of Providence, according to authorities.

The state patrol reported all of the victims were wearing seat belts. The cause is still under investigation.

Trooper Brian Dorsey offered the following about the collision:

A pair of teenagers were in the 1993 Honda Accord that veered into the oncoming lane after it rear-ended a Buick Century. Ryan J. Succo, 19, Centralia, was taken to Providence with injuries to his clavicle and nose. Grace M. Succo, 15, Onalaska, was also taken there with back pain. The Accord was totaled.

Two people in the Buick were taken to Providence with back pain. They are driver Jose M. Barron, 37, Centralia, and passenger Orbelin Sanchez-Pimentel, 24, of Orando.

Not injured was a Mossyrock woman driving a 2005 Honda Accord.

Its driver, Pamela Sheldon-Goodrum, 56, of Mossyrock, was eastbound and slowed for a motorist ahead that was turning into a private driveway, according to Dorsey.

The Buick behind her slowed and stopped but was struck in the rear by Succo’s Honda, which shoved the Buick into Sheldon-Goodrum’s Honda.

Chief DeBuhr said he was the last of the emergency responders to leave the scene at 8 p.m. Training pays off, he said.

“The total outcome was excellent, everything went like a text book recovery,” he said. “We got ’em out, and when nobody dies, that’s good.”

Woman, 66, fatally shot in Winlock trailer park, neighbor arrested

Thursday, November 4th, 2010
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Sheriff's detectives search the shooting suspect's trailer and van in the Frost Road Trailer Park

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

WINLOCK – A woman was shot dead this morning in a trailer park in Winlock and a 65-year-old man is in custody.

Sheriff’s deputies and aid were called just before 11 a.m. to the scene on the 700 block of Frost Road, just east of Interstate 5.

The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office is investigating.

“There was a dispute between the two outside,” Chief Criminal Deputy Gene Seiber said this afternoon. “There was no relationship between the two, other than they lived in the same park.”

An arriving deputy found the 66-year-old woman dead on a gravel roadway near the mailboxes and an office-laundry  building in the middle of the park, according to Seiber. The victim and the suspect live on opposite sides of the mobile home park.

Seiber said she was shot once with a small caliber handgun.

Both the suspect, Richard J. Roth, and another individual called 911, Seiber said. When deputies arrived, Roth was at his home, a small home-made trailer. He was cooperative, according to Seiber.

“He talked to our deputies and detectives freely,” he said.

The woman lived alone, according to Seiber. Her name won’t be released until her family is notified.

The Frost Road Trailer Park sits amid towering Douglas Fir trees and its 32 spaces hold camp trailers, fifth-wheels, mobile homes and a house.

The park owner, who didn’t give her name, said the victim has resided there more than 12 years and Roth moved in three or four months ago. Seiber said Roth is from Oregon.

This afternoon, detectives searched through Roth’s trailer and van looking for the handgun, while neighbors conferred with one another or walked small dogs through the area.

Seiber said once they were finished they would be looking for answers about what transpired and why.

“What the dispute was about, what was the history between the two,” Seiber said.

He didn’t yet know the specific offense Roth would be booked on. The Lewis County Jail log late this afternoon shows he was booked for first-degree murder.

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Lewis County sheriff's detectives search the shooting suspect's van in the Frost Road Trailer Park

Breaking news: Female shot, dead in Winlock area this morning

Thursday, November 4th, 2010
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The Lewis County Sheriff's Office is investigating a fatal shooting in the Winlock area today.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

WINLOCK – Sheriff’s deputies were called to a shooting this morning at a trailer park in the Winlock area and one female is dead.

The call to the 700 block of Frost Road just east of Interstate 5 came in at 10:55 a.m.

Chief Criminal Deputy Gene Seiber said the suspected shooter, a male, is in custody.

The trailer park is virtually locked down as deputies conduct interviews.

At noontime, Seiber had no information as to the ages or names of the victim or the shooter.

The male lives in the park, he said. He didn’t know their relationship.

The deceased female was outside in a driveway.

Aid was also called to the scene, but didn’t stay long.
•••

More to come

News brief: Pedestrian escapes with broken leg after Highway 12 accident

Thursday, November 4th, 2010

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

A 36-year-old Salkum resident survived being hit by a car in the dark on U.S. Highway 12 early this morning.

The Washington State Patrol reported Raymond B. Schoenfeld was walking in the center of the lane when he was struck by a westbound car.

Troopers and aid were called about 3:45 a.m. to the scene near milepost 79, about a half mile east of the Salkum fire station.

Lewis County Fire District 8 Assistant Chief Don Taylor said when he arrived, the man was sitting on the shoulder of the highway holding his leg. Firefighters got out their infrared lights and began walking the road looking for a body, not believing a person could be hit by a car on Highway 12 and survive, he said.

The motorist, Glenn F. King, 65, of Mossyrock, only knew that he’d hit “something”, according to authorities.

Schoenfeld suffered a broken leg, according to the state patrol. He was reportedly intoxicated. He was taken by ambulance to Providence Centralia Hospital where was treated and has already been released.

The 2000 Toyota Avalon sustained an estimated $1,000 damage.

“It was, I guess, one of those amazing things,” Taylor said. “You do this and you think you’ve seen it all.”

Read about Chief Stamper’s “award” …

Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

KOMO’s Ken Schram is scolding Mossyrock Chief Jeremy Stamper on television tonight for not locking up his guns in a safe.

Stamper was away hunting and his wife was staying at the new home when somebody broke in the weekend before last and took two .22 caliber revolvers, a .22 rifle, a broken Tazer gun, two of his police badges, an old police uniform shirt and other valuables.

Much of it has been recovered with the arrest of a 20-year-old and a 17-year-old. Even the weapons. But the badges and shirt are still missing.

Schram says, “Take a bow Stamper, ‘Schrammie’s’ for you”

Read about it here

Sharyn’s Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010

POLICE SUSPECT DUMBBELL AS MURDER WEAPON IN TENINO WOMAN’S DEATH

• The (Tacoma) News Tribune is reporting a 32-year-old Tenino man was arrested today in south Pierce County after a woman he was living with was killed, with, police suspect, a dumbbell. Read news reporter Stacey Mulick’s story here. Or their more current story here

MARIJUANA ARREST

• A traffic stop in Chehalis last night led to a find of about 100 grams of suspected marijuana and an arrest for an 18-year-old Centralia man. Sawyer R. Chase, 18, was contacted by an officer about 10 p.m. in a parking lot at Northwest Center Street and then he was booked into the Lewis County Jail for conspiracy to deliver marijuana, according to detective Sgt. Rick McNamara.

GRANDPA LEAVES TEEN ON ROADSIDE, THEN ARRESTED FOR DUI

• A dispute in which a 62-year-old man reportedly dropped his 14-year-old granddaughter off the side of Gore Road and drove away last night ended with the grandfather being arrested for driving under the influence. Paul N. Gardner, of Spanaway, was arrested after the approximately 9:40 p.m. incident, according to  the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

DAD TURNS IN DAUGHTER FOR DRINKING

• A 14-year-old girl who came home after drinking vodka near Mineral Lake was brought to a sheriff’s deputy in Morton last night for a breathalyzer test, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. The teenager was booked into the juvenile detention center.

DAMAGED CARS ON F STREET

• Centralia police reported three vehicles and three garbage cans were damaged on the 800 block of F Street overnight. An officer was called about 4:40 a.m. to a report that two males in a vehicle were grabbing garbage cans and dragging them down the street, according to the Centralia Police Department.

WRECK IN CHEHALIS

• A 17-year-old driver was hospitalized after a wreck yesterday morning in which her Sport Utility Vehicle jumped a levee at Northwest Airport Road and Florida Avenue and struck a tree, according to authorities. A 21-year-old passenger was reportedly unhurt.

WOMAN WIELDS KITCHEN KNIVES, SHERIFF’S OFFICE SAYS

• A woman was arrested for second-degree assault after she allegedly armed herself with five large kitchen knives during a dispute with a 55-year-old Chehalis man. A deputy was called to the 500 block of Pleasant Valley Road on Sunday and learned the man restrained her and he was not injured. Harriette R. Hager was booked into the Lewis County Jail, the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office reported on Monday.

SCARING WOMAN WITH GUNSHOTS

• A 45-year-old Winlock man was arrested for reckless endangerment after he reportedly fired three gunshots in a woman’s direction following a dispute about him elk watching off Fischer Road on Sunday, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Ronald J. Waller was booked into the Lewis County Jail, Chief Civil Deputy Stacy Brown said.

MAN ASSAULTS CHILD, GIRLFRIEND, POLICE SAY

• A 35-year-old Centralia man was jailed Sunday after he allegedly grabbed a 4-year-old by the back of the neck and then back-handed his girlfriend. An officer was called about 11:35 a.m. to the 100 block of West Third Street in Centralia. Jeffrey A. Church was booked for fourth-degree assault domestic violence, according to the Centralia Police Department.

PRIZE SCAM HITS WINLOCK WOMAN

• The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office reported on Monday a 71-year-old Winlock woman was defrauded out of $700 by a bogus prize offer from something called Winners International Network, connected with “872” and “876” area codes. A deputy took a report on Friday and learned the woman had been enticed into wiring money to secure her winnings of watches and a new Mercedes, according to the sheriff’s office. Chief Civil Deputy Stacy Brown cautions the public not to call those area codes as expensive international toll charges can apply. Anyone who is contacted by someone making a suspicious offer is urged to call the sheriff’s office, she said.

ANOTHER ARREST IN MOSSY CHIEF BURGLARY

• A 17-year-old girl was arrested for taking part in the burglary that left Mossyrock interim Police Chief Jeremy Stamper without two silver badges and other items, the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office reported on Monday. Deputies recovered the broken Tazer gun and even some items the victims didn’t know were missing like a diamond ring, according to the sheriff’s office. Twenty-year-old Jeremy R. Elliott was arrested last Thursday and admitted to taking weapons and some other valuables in the burglary but denied having the women’s hair accessories, underclothes, badges and police uniform shirt stolen from the home on 300 block of Bear Ridge Road. The badges and shirt are still missing.

GUN STOLEN

• The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office reported on Monday that a Ruger pistol, a Nikon camera with two lenses and a laptop computer were taken from the 100 block of Blue Bonnet Lane in Randle. A deputy who took a report on Friday learned the theft occurred sometime during the previous six weeks while the victim was out of state, Chief Civil Deputy Stacy Brown said.

FRAUDS REPORTED

• Centralia police took a report on Monday of an apparent fraud in which the victim’s credit card was used for an inmate phone program. The investigation is ongoing, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Centralia police took a report from the 500 block of East Magnolia Street on Thursday about somebody using somebody else’s credit card without permission.

BURGLARIES AND THEFTS

• Two rifle cases and a coin collection were among the items stolen from  the 100 block of Priest Road in the Morton area, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Chief Civil Deputy Stacy Brown reported on Monday that somebody removed the items sometime between Oct. 22 and last Friday.

• Centralia police were called Sunday evening to the 600 block of South Iron Street where someone had ransacked a residence and taken DVDs, a game system and games. The front door was forced open, police reported.

• Centralia police were called about 4:45 p.m. on Sunday to the 400 block of South Gold Street about a stranger found inside the resident’s garage when they returned home. The male ran off and was not found, according to police.

• A sheriff’s deputy’s hat that was being embroidered at the the 1000 block of West Main Street in Centralia was stolen from the counter, according to a report made to Centralia police on Friday morning.

• Chehalis police took a report last Friday afternoon of the theft of a boat motor from First Street.

• Chehalis police were called last Thursday to a building on Southwest Chehalis Avenue where somebody broke in and stole copper wire.

CAR PROWLS

• Chehalis police were called Monday about a vehicle prowl on the 500 block of North Market Street.

• Centralia police were called about 4:30 a.m. on Saturday to the 400 block of South Buckner Street where someone caught two people inside a vehicle. They stole 100 CDs before they took off running, according to police. Not long after, an officer took a report of the theft of a stereo from a vehicle on the 100 block. Police believe the two thefts are related.

• Chehalis police were called Saturday to Southwest Third Street about two vehicles being broken into during the night.

• The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office took a report of a vehicle prowl on the 100 block of Baker Drive near Mossyrock that occurred sometime between Saturday and Sunday.

• Somebody broke a vehicle window on the 1200 block of Lum Road in Centralia and stole a leather Coach purse, an iPhone and a Canon digital camera, according to a report made Thursday to the Centralia Police Department

• A 24-year-old Centralia woman and a juvenile accomplice were arrested for vehicle prowl in Centralia on Thursday night. Police reported somebody smashed a car window and took a stereo and iPod. Laura L. Hickey was the adult arrested. The identity of her partner was not reported by police because the individual is a juvenile.

VANDALISM

• A Centralia man was arrested for third-degree malicious mischief for allegedly slashing a tire on his neighbors truck. Donald L. Earls, 46, was cited Sunday morning and then released, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Centralia police took a report Monday evening on the 1200 block of Royal Avenue that the rear window of a vehicle had been broken out.

• Chehalis police took a report of vandalism to a business vehicle last Thursday on the 2500 block of North National Avenue.

TRACTOR RUNS OVER MAN

• Mossyrock area firefighters were called last Thursday afternoon after a tractor ran over a man. Lewis County Fire District 3 Chief Matt Hadaller said the call came just before 4 p.m. to the 500 block of Young Road. The 71-year-old man’s son was in the house, heard him yell and ran outside, Hadaller said. The patient was airlifted from the high school football field to St. Joseph Hospital in Tacoma, according to Hadaller.

Guest Column: Thanks, and we’re glad it’s over

Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010

By District 5 Lt. Laura Hanson, public information officer

Lewis County Fire District 5 would like to sincerely thank the voters who voted yes for our levy lid lift request. We appreciate their continued support as we move forward in these difficult economic times.

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Laura Hanson

That stated, we are relieved. Our staff have suffered from angry folks demanding we no longer run our vehicles in parades, that we don’t “deserve” a levy lid lift, and other clearly personal attacks.

It’s disappointing but the anger about “taxes” in general was clearly and resoundingly delivered.

We remain the third busiest fire district in Lewis County. That is an irrefutable fact. We have the lowest tax rate in the county. Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements have decreased. Fuel and operating costs have and will continue to increase.

District 5 will continue to provide service within our boundaries with the funding appropriated.
•••

Note: Two fire measures falling short

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

The Napavine area fire department’s ballot measure was overwhelmingly rejected by voters.

Only about 27 percent of folks marked yes on their ballots for the fire levy lid increase. It needed just a simple majority to pass.

While 633 voters favored the measure, 1,731 said no.

The Randle area fire department’s EMS levy is failing as well, according to preliminary numbers released last night by the Lewis County Auditors Office election department.

Just over 56 percent of voters said yes to the request, but it needs a 60 percent supermajority to pass.

Some 354 citizens favored it and 277 rejected the regular levy for Lewis County Fire District 14.

There are still ballots to be counted and updated results will be released Friday, according to elections supervisor Mariann Zumbuhl.

Some 65 percent of Lewis County registered voters had returned their ballots through yesterday, but the counts released last night reflected only 55 percent of registered voters’ ballots.

The election will be certified and final on Nov. 23.

•••

Look at all the preliminary election results available on the Auditors Office website.