Archive for August, 2016

News brief: Small wildfires spring up in north Lewis County

Thursday, August 18th, 2016

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Centralia’s firefighters battled two brush fires yesterday, the first on land in the far northwest corner of the county and the second along railroad tracks off Reynolds Avenue.

Crews were called just after 11 a.m. to a wildfire in the area of Garrard Creek Road and Coyote Crest, where they found about a half acre burning, consisting of grasses, berry vines and scrub alder trees, according to Riverside Fire Authority.

No homes were threatened, according to Fire Chief Mike Kytta.

They were joined by members of Grays Harbor County Fire District 1 and kept the flames from spreading, according to Kytta. The scene was turned over to personnel from the state Department of Natural Resources for mop up and investigation.

Just after 4 p.m., a fire broke out along the railroad tracks at the 1600 block of Reynolds Road, at the intersection with Blakeslee Junction, according to Firefighter Chris Layton.

They were assisted by the Chehalis Fire Department, Lewis County Fire District 6 and DNR.

The rail line was shut down for several hours while crews extinguished the flames, which covered an area approximately 600 feet long and 40 feet wide, according to Layton.

Just yesterday, the National Weather Service issued warnings that the combination of high temperatures, dry fuels and breezy weather is conducive to serious wildfire danger into the weekend.

This morning’s message from the weather services states that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur starting late tonight, and advise the public to monitor forecasts for possible red flag warnings.

Tomorrow’s high in Chehalis is forecast at 98 degrees. Randle residents can expect temperatures of 93 degrees today and 89 degrees tomorrow.

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Wednesday, August 17th, 2016
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JAIL STASH CONFISCATED

• After syringes were found inside the Lewis County Jail yesterday, camera footage showed they fell out of the pant leg of a female inmate and a subsequent search turned up other contraband among the belongings of two women, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. All of the female inmates were removed from the unit, according to the sheriff’s office. Also located was brown tar heroin, methamphetamine and suspected tobacco, Chief Deputy Stacy Brown said. A deputy responding about 8 p.m. arrested Andrea A. Parker, 34, of Chehalis; and Jade L. Gillaspie, 19, from Centralia; for possession of drugs by a prisoner, Brown said.

CHAIR VANISHES FROM PORCH

• Someone stole a red wooden rocking chair from a front porch on the 300 block of West Summa Street in Centralia, according to a report made to police about 9 o’clock yesterday morning.

AUTO THEFT

• A Nissan passenger car was reported stolen from the 1500 block of View Street in Centralia at about 6:40 a.m. today.  The vehicle was located several blocks away, according to the Centralia Police Department.

FAKE BILL

• A counterfeit 100 bill was passed at a retail store on the 1100 block of Harrison Avenue in Centralia, according to  report made to police at about noon yesterday.

VANDALISM

• Centralia police were called to the 600 block of North Washington Avenue about 8:35 a.m. yesterday to take a report of a rock thrown through the window of a car.

KID ALONE IN CAR

• A 22-year-old Olympia resident was arrested about 10 a.m. yesterday for allegedly leaving a child unattended in a running vehicle at the the 200 block of Downing Road in Centralia. Sabrina N. Jaco was issued her citation and then released, according to the Centralia Police Department.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, drugs, misdemeanor assault, driving with suspended license, driving under the influence; responses for alarm, dispute, harassment, hit and run, suspicious circumstances, collision on city street … and more among 149 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 7 a.m. today.

News brief: Heat wave rolling in

Wednesday, August 17th, 2016

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Potential record breaking temperatures along with dry and breezy conditions have prompted weather watchers to warn of a serious risk of fire danger.

Western Washington is ripe for wildfires into the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.

A fire weather watch was issued last night for the Southwest Interior lowlands along with much of the western side of the state.

Temperatures are forecast to be in the middle-90s in Chehalis over the next three days, reaching as high as reach 97 degrees on Friday.

The Department of Natural Resources today expanded its burn ban to prohibit campfires in state parks, state forests and all forestlands protected by DNR.

The weather service urges people to avoid outdoor burning of every kind, not to use fireworks and to use ashtrays in motor vehicles.

“After a relatively mild summer, we are entering a period of critical fire weather on both sides of the Cascades,” Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark stated in a news release. “The greatest fire danger right now comes from carelessness. It’s essential that people understand the risks involved and do not spark any fires.”

An excessive heat watch issued this morning by the weather service is in effect tomorrow through Saturday evening.

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Tuesday, August 16th, 2016
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SLASHED

• Chehalis police were called about 1:35 p.m. yesterday to the 300 block of Southwest Chehalis Avenue where someone had slashed all four tires on a female’s vehicle.

FRAUD

• Centralia police were called about 12:30 p.m. yesterday about a female checking into a medical facility under someone else’s name at the 900 block of South Scheuber Road in order to obtain prescription narcotic medication. No arrest was made, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Centralia police took a report just after 10 a.m. yesterday from the 700 block of H Street in which a female said she was contacted by a lending institution which informed her someone in Oklahoma applied for a credit card in her name.

CAR PROWL

• Centralia police were called about 5:35 p.m. yesterday to the 300 block of West Cherry Street regarding three baseball-type caps stolen from a vehicle.

ON THE ROAD, OFF THE ROAD

• Witnesses said the driver of a Mitsubishi turned into a Cadillac damaging its front right fender at the 2100 block of North National Avenue in Chehalis and then drove away at about 8 p.m. yesterday, according to the Chehalis Police Department. Nobody was injured but Centralia police located the suspect driver and he was arrested for hit and run, according to police. Jorge L. Manzo,22, of Centralia, was booked into the Lewis County Jail.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, violation of no contact order, driving with suspended license, driving under the influence; responses for alarm, dispute, harassment, suspicious circumstances, third-degree theft, collision on city street, someone throwing ice cream cones out window of moving vehicle, kids picking apples from someone else’s tree … and more among 161 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 7 a.m. today.

News brief: First Responders Day at the fair

Tuesday, August 16th, 2016

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Fans of Lewis County’s first responders can meet the people on the front lines and behind the scenes at their show-and-tell today.

Last year, the gathering dubbed First Responders Day was held in the parking lot at Bethel Church in Napavine. This year, the fun moves to the Southwest Washington Fair.

The event is designed to provide citizens the opportunity to interact with the many different first responders serving the citizens of Lewis County, all in one place. It will be held in the area of the north lawn by the Saloon Stage.

Demonstrations planned include: a firearms simulator, fire extinguisher simulator, CPR flash mob, Sparky the Fire Dog, water pump drill, Safety Pup, Hurst rescue equipment demonstration, less-lethal demonstration, Stop Stix deployment demonstration, search and rescue K-9 demonstration, and patrol K9 demonstration.  Visitors will also be able to meet the sheriff and local police chiefs.

Demonstrations run from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.

The following agencies have been asked to participate in the event: Centralia, Chehalis, Napavine, Toledo, Morton and Pe Ell Police Departments, Washington State Patrol, Lewis County Dispatch, Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office, Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, Lewis County Juvenile, American Red Cross – Lewis County Chapter, Lewis County Crime Stoppers, Search and Rescue – Cascade Dogs, all Lewis County fire districts, Lewis County Chaplains and the Lewis County Coroner’s Office.

News brief: Olympia couple practically unscathed by encounter with falling tree on highway

Monday, August 15th, 2016
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Van is impounded after getting struck by tree. / Courtesy photo by Bill Serrahn

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The couple whose van roof was crushed by a cottonwood tree in Packwood escaped serious injury or worse by inches.

Lewis County Fire District 10 Chief Lonnie Goble said they were traveling along U.S. Highway 12, maybe 30 to 45 mph, when the tree came down yesterday afternoon, striking just behind the driver’s seat.

“That had to be a sudden stop,” Goble said. “It pushed the roof down to within an inch of where you put your feet on the floorboard.”

The woman passenger possibly had a broken arm and the driver had to wait to get out while a crew cut the vehicle, he said.

“He was just fine, he just stepped out and had a little pain in his back,” Goble said.

John E. Lange, 45, and Stephanie C. Lee, 39, both from Olympia, were transported to Morton General Hospital. They were treated and then released, a hospital spokesperson said today.

Their 2007 Honda Odyssey minivan was destroyed. The fire chief estimated the diameter of the tree as 18 to 20 inches.

Goble said they had a dog laying in the back seat, which was shook up, but seemed to also be unhurt.

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Tree lays along U.S. Highway 12 after roadway is cleared. / Courtesy photo by Bill Serrahn

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Monday, August 15th, 2016
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Updated at 7:13 p.m.

ARMED DOMESTIC DISPUTE

• A 62-year-old Mossyrock woman was booked into jail yesterday after allegedly picking up a pistol from a coffee table in her living room, loading it with a magazine and pointing it at her husband during an argument. Deputies arriving to the home on the 300 block of Jarvis Road about 4:40 p.m. arrested Sandra K. Merritt for second-degree assault, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. No injury was reported.

FIREARMS STOLEN

• The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office reports someone broke into a home on the 300 block of Harmon Road outside Chehalis and stole four rifles, two shotguns and a set of binoculars sometime in the two weeks that ended on Friday. The loss is estimated at $3,914, according to the sheriff’s office.

MOSSY BURGLARY

• Sometime between 5:30 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. yesterday, someone broke a window at a home on the 100 block of Valley View Drive in Mossyrock, went inside and stole a computer, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Missing is a silver 20-inch HP laptop, according to the sheriff’s office.

SAFE, JEWELRY MISSING

• A Chehalis woman returned home from vacation to find someone had burglarized her home on the 1900 block of Bishop Road, stealing a diamond ring, two diamond sapphire rings and a black safe containing cash and more jewelry, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. It happened sometime between Aug. 4 and Saturday, according to the sheriff’s office. The loss is estimated at $2,100.

GARAGE BURGLED

• Sometime between Friday and Sunday someone got into an unlocked garage on the 3100 block of Ives Road in Centralia and took a green and orange floating tube valued at $9.98, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

AUTO THEFT

•  A black 1996 Honda Accord was reported stolen about 6:40 a.m. today from the 1200 block of South Tower Avenue in Centralia. It has a license plate reading 340 YTX, according to the Centralia Police Department.

PURSE STOLEN FROM SHOPPING CART

• Chehalis police were called to Wal-Mart on the 1600 block of Northwest Louisiana Avenue about 12:15 p.m. yesterday where a woman said someone took her purse out of her cart while she was shopping. A security person found it in a trash can in the ladies room, minus a credit card, her keys, some medication and $25 cash, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

CAR PROWL

• Chehalis police were called to the 300 block of Southwest Third Street about 8 p.m. yesterday following the discovery of a vehicle prowl. Someone had rummaged around inside and took the registration, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

DRUGS

• Police called by aid when a male was found slumped over inside a vehicle in a parking lot at the 500 block of South Market Boulevard about 2 p.m. on Friday ended up arresting him for possession of methamphetamine, according to the Chehalis Police Department. Jesse J. Hull, 36, from Chehalis, was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to police. A passerby who allegedly picked up Hull’s wallet off his car and began to walk away was detained, according to police. The woman said she got the wallet from the ground, department spokesperson Linda Bailey said. A search of her turned up an item with a brown residue that is being sent to the lab for testing, Bailey said.

• A 27-year-old Onalaska resident was arrested for a violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act after police were called to the 700 block of South Market Boulevard about a suspicious vehicle just before 8 a.m. on Friday. Nicholas B. Decker had an outstanding municipal warrant as well and was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Chehalis Police Department. Decker was charged today with possession with intent to deliver as the officer who arrested him allegedly found 3.1 grams of heroin plus two scales and bags for packaging inside the car. His bail was set with a $10,000 unsecured bond.

AND FROM MORTON

• The Morton Police Department reported today they assisted the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office with an incident at about 1:40 a.m. on Thursday of an individual with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the leg near the 100 block of Forest Road 74.

• An exotic bird was evicted from its home on the 300 block of First Street in Morton, because of continuous noise. An officer responded to a complaint about 12:50 p.m. on Wednesday and could clearly hear the bird for the 20 minutes he was parked outside the residence, according to the Morton Police Department. The owner was given a copy of the city ordinance and given one week to relocate the bird, according to police.

• Officers responded to the 700 block of Main Avenue to several disorderly individuals playing loud music at about 10:35 p.m. on Saturday. One person stepped forward and said he would make sure the campers kept the noise down but later when they didn’t comply with that request, they were asked to leave, according to the Morton Police Department. About 70 individuals vacated the park.

• Police responded to the 700 block of Main Avenue at about 8:25 p.m. on Sunday where an individual had decided not to pay the $15 park stay fee. They were escorted to an ATM and ended up paying the fee, according to the Morton Police Department.

SMALL SUSPICIOUS FIRE

• Police were called by firefighters about 12:20 a.m. on Saturday when they responded to a small pile of smoldering apparent briquettes at the 1200 block of South Market Boulevard in Chehalis.

SLASH IGNITES ON TIMBERLAND

• Firefighters were called about 7:30 p.m. yesterday for a brush fire off King Road west of Winlock. They found slash piles burning on one to two acres of timber company-owned property, according to Lewis County Fire District 15. Personnel from the state Department of Natural Resources were summoned and expected to be out there again today, Assistant Chief Kevin Anderson said.

WEDGED FOOT RESCUE

• Firefighters were called just before 6 p.m. yesterday to rescue a 4-year-old boy whose foot got stuck in a hole in the ground at the 300 block of Northwest Cherry Avenue in Winlock. It was the concrete footing to a former fence post, according to Lewis County Fire District 15. The child was given a blanket, a tablet loaded with movies and a set of ear plugs while an air chisel was used to remove the concrete during an approximately 35 minute operation, Assistant Chief Kevin Anderson said.

ON THE ROAD, OFF THE ROAD

• Two teenagers were hospitalized after a single-vehicle collision yesterday evening on U.S. Highway 12 about two miles east of Oakville. Troopers called at 7:37 p.m. indicate Violet K. Starr, 18, was traveling westbound when her car crossed over the center line, spun and came to rest in the eastbound ditch. The 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer was described as totaled. Starr was transported to Providence St. Peter Hospital and her passenger, Roberta R. Youckton, 17, was taken to Summit Pacific Medical Center, according to the Washington State Patrol. Both are from Oakville. The wreck is under investigation, according to the state patrol.

• A 47-year-old man from Lakewood was taken to Providence Centralia Hospital after he lost control of his motorcycle as he neared the end of Limmer Road in Winlock, not realizing the pavement ended. It happened about 1:25 p.m. on Saturday. The damage to his motorcycle was minor, but he had cuts to his face and rib pain, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

• A wreck on U.S. Highway 12 at Park Street in Oakville about 1:40 a.m. on Thursday is being investigated by the Washington State Patrol. David A. Holbrook, 62, of Montesano, was traveling westbound and struck a Western Star tractor-trailer which turned eastbound onto the highway from Park Street, according to the state patrol. Holbrook’s 1996 Chevrolet Corvette was totaled and he was transported to a hospital, the state patrol. The truck driver, Jeremy D. Holbrook, 37, of Tenino, was reportedly uninjured. The roadway was blocked for two hours.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, shoplifting, misdemeanor assault, probation violation, protection order violation, driving with suspended license, driving under the influence; responses for alarm, dispute, harassment, vandalism civil issue, suspicious circumstances … and more among 154 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 7 a.m. today.