Archive for July, 2017

Chehalis steam train strikes Curtis man’s pickup

Sunday, July 16th, 2017
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Bystanders and pickup truck through window of steam train / Courtesy photo by Maria Castaneda

Updated 5:54 p.m.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – An 82-year-old motorist was injured when his pickup truck collided with the steam train in Adna yesterday evening.

The Washington State Patrol reports that Jeremy W. Mullins was traveling eastbound on state Route 6 and didn’t see warning lights that a train was approaching. The train struck the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado, according to the state patrol.

Troopers and medics called to the scene near Twin Oaks Road about 6:40 p.m. found the truck totaled, according to the investigating trooper.

Members of the Chehalis Fire Department arrived first, as Lewis County Fire District 6 was just clearing a vehicle fire. They were joined by personnel from Lewis County Fire District 5.

Chehalis Fire Capt. Casey Beck said the patient was conscious and alert.

“His legs were pinned, not crushed, but we had to use the Jaws to relieve pressure and then pop the door open,” Beck said.

Mullins, from Curtis, was transported to Providence Centralia Hospital. He was treated and then transferred, according to hospital spokesperson Chris Thomas.

Beck said there were as many as 70 people on the train, none were hurt and some said they didn’t even feel the collision. The train was traveling about 12 mph, he said.

Both Beck and District 6’s Firefighter-EMT Mike Goodwillie said they were pretty certain the pickup truck had been traveling westbound when it happened.

“I think the sun got in his eyes, and he wasn’t expecting a train there,” Beck said.

The state patrol blamed the wreck on Mullins’ failure to yield the right of way.

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CORRECTION: This news story has been updated to reflect that Jeremy W. Mullins was treated at Providence Centralia Hospital and was not released but was then transferred to an unspecified facility.

News brief: Centralia house fire under investigation

Sunday, July 16th, 2017
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Smoke rises from fire on West Reynolds Avenue. / Courtesy photo by Riverside Fire Authority

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Nobody was injured but a Centralia home is now uninhabitable after a fire broke out last night.

Firefighters called at 7:52 p.m. to the 1100 block of West Reynolds Avenue saw heavy involvement on the cedar shake roof, according to Riverside Fire Authority.

Crews were joined by members of the Chehalis Fire Department, Lewis County Fire District 6 and West Thurston Regional Fire Authority.

The fire was extinguished and mop up ongoing at 11 p.m., according to Fire Lt. Mark Stahl.

The house was heavily damaged, according to Stahl. The cause is being investigated.

Doty resident killed in wrong-way I-5 crash

Sunday, July 16th, 2017
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Traffic comes to a standstill on northbound Interstate 5 at Chehalis / Courtesy photo by Heather Bouck

Updated at 6:03 p.m.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A young man is dead and two others injured after he traveled the wrong way on Interstate 5 in Chehalis last night and hit an oncoming vehicle.

TJ L. Sinnott, 23, from Doty was headed south in the northbound lanes near milepost 77 when his car struck a northbound sport utility vehicle occupied by two women from Oregon, according to the Washington State Patrol.

Chehalis Fire Department Capt. Casey Beck said the engine compartment of the women’s vehicle caught fire.

“They had been pulled out, or self extricated,” Beck said. “It was right next to his car. Unfortunately, he passed right away.”

Chelsea R. Zigler, 24, Clackamas and Carrieann M. Zigler, 24, of Gresham, both were transported to Providence Centralia Hospital, according to the state patrol.

Troopers called at 11:12 p.m. to the scene report both vehicles were totaled and impounded.

Sinnott had been driving a 2003 Hyundai Accent and Chelsea Zigler was behind the wheel of a 2011 Chevrolet Traverse.

All had been wearing seat belts. It’s unknown if drugs or alcohol were involved, according to the state patrol.

A hospital spokesperson this morning said Chelsea Zigler is listed in fair condition. Her passenger Carrieann Zigler was treated and has been released.

Washington State Department of Transportation reports the roadway wasn’t cleared until 2:20 a.m.

News brief: Motorcycle wreck victim airlifted from Vader

Saturday, July 15th, 2017
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A LifeFlight helicopter picks up crash victim from post office in Vader. / Courtesy photo by Cowlitz-Lewis Fire District 20

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A motorcyclist in his 20s was injured when he lost control on a curve on state Route 506 west of Vader last night.

Cowlitz-Lewis Fire District 20 was called to the scene near Brim Creek Road just before 8 p.m.

Assistant Chief Ruth Crear said he sustained multiple injuries. No other cars were involved she said.

The patient was flown by LifeFlight to Southwest Washington Medical Center in Vancouver, according to Crear.

News brief: Bogus ‘collection’ calls on the rise locally

Friday, July 14th, 2017

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Local law enforcement is cautioning members of the public not to provide their credit card information to phone callers in light of a large number of reports about scammers.

So many reports came during the month of June to the Centralia Police  Department, the Chehalis Police Department and the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office that they jointly issued an advisory.

“The callers are identifying themselves as the IRS or warrant service companies,” Centralia police detective Patty Finch stated. “In most reports, the callers are telling the victims that a warrant has been issued for their arrest or they are being sued.”

They are coming from various long distance numbers and some have asked for credit card information, according to Finch.

The detective shared a statement from the Internal Revenue Service that notes the federal agency “does not threaten taxpayers with lawsuits, imprisonment or other enforcement action” and “will never ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.”

Finch advises people to never provide account information over the phone until after independently confirming it’s a legitimate reason.

News brief: Memorial service announced for Chehalis K-9

Friday, July 14th, 2017

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A memorial service has been scheduled to honor Reign, the Chehalis police dog who passed away late last month.

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Reign

K-9 Reign died suddenly and unexpectedly while training on duty with partner Officer Warren Ayers in Chehalis the night of June 27.

The dog’s body was taken to Washington State University where an exam was unable to ascertain the cause of death but it’s presumed related to an unknown medical condition, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

He was five years old and served four years with the department.

The service will take place at W.F. West High School beginning at 11 a.m. on July 25.

Any law enforcement wishing to participate in the processional should be to the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds at 9 a.m.

The fairgrounds are located at 2555 N. National Ave., Chehalis. The school is at 342 S.W. 16th Street, Chehalis.
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For background, read “Chehalis police dog passes away unexpectedly” from Wednesday June 28, 2017, here

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Friday, July 14th, 2017
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HEAVY EQUIPMENT VANISHES

• An officer was called about 9:45 a.m. yesterday to a business at the 1100 block of Northwest Maryland Avenue in Chehalis about a missing yellow and black Caterpillar 305.5 mini excavator with a bucket attachment. It disappeared sometime during May or June, according to the Chehalis Police Department. The loss is $67,465, according to police.

VEHICLE THEFT

• A 19-year-old Chehalis resident found inside a stolen Honda passenger car about 8:15 a.m. yesterday at the 1000 block of Belmont Avenue was arrested for possession of stolen property. The car was missing from Tacoma since May, according to the Centralia Police Department. Johnny Wright was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to police.

• Centralia police were called just after 9 p.m. yesterday to the 1400 block of Crescent Avenue in Centralia where an individual reported a house guest took her vehicle without permission. The vehicle was later returned,  according to the Centralia Police Department.

OTHER THEFT

• Chehalis police were called to the 200 block of Southwest Cascade Avenue about 8:15 a.m. yesterday where a Milwaukee High Life light-sign and a pool cue had been taken from the yard.

• Chehalis police took a report of a residential burglary just before noon yesterday from the 300 block of Northwest Georgia Avenue. Missing is a Snap-On ratchet with extension ($200) and an impact wrench ($500), according to the Chehalis Police Department.

CAR PROWL

• Police responded about 4:45 a.m. today to the 1200 block of Harrison Avenue in Centralia where several batteries had been stolen from vehicles parked behind a business.

• Centralia police were called about 6:40 p.m. yesterday to take a report of a vehicle prowl at the 1200 block of Harrison Avenue in Centralia in which a cell phone was taken. The case is under investigation, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Centralia police were called just after 7 a.m. yesterday to take a report of an overnight vehicle prowl occurring on the 1200 block of West Main Street. A jack and cell phone accessories were missing, according to the Centralia Police Department.

DRUGS

• A passenger during an overnight traffic stop was arrested after a piece of foil and a smoking device fell to the ground when he was asked to step out of the vehicle. The foil field-tested positive for meth, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. It happened about 2:30 a.m. at South Market Boulevard and Fourth Street in Chehalis, according to the sheriff’s office. Logan P. Buholm was booked into the Lewis County Jail, Chief Deputy Dusty Breen reported this morning.

LOST AND FOUND

• A bag of a white substance was found in a parking lot at the 1600 block of Northwest Louisiana Avenue in Chehalis about 4:40 p.m. yesterday. It was taken for destruction, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

ON THE ROAD, OFF THE ROAD

• A 19-year-old Centralia resident was arrested for hit and run after she allegedly struck another vehicle at the 1000 block of Belmont Avenue about 5:30 p.m. yesterday and left the scene. Adrianna M.R. Roberts was cited and then released, according to the Centralia Police Department.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for drugs, warrants, no contact order violation, driving under the influence, driving with suspended license, displaying falsified trip permit; responses for alarm, dispute, civil issue, trespassing, third-degree theft, hit and run, vehicle collision, disorderly person, suspicious circumstances, barking neighbor dog … and more among 177 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 7 a.m. today.