Archive for August, 2017

News brief: Winlock teen on bike injured in wreck

Thursday, August 24th, 2017

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – An 18-year-old bicyclist was airlifted after a collision yesterday involving a sport utility vehicle on a county road northeast of Winlock.

Deputies dispatched about 11:55 a.m. to the 600 block of Park Road report the Winlock resident appeared to have a broken leg and other injuries, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

He was flown to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver where he remains in stable condition, according to the sheriff’s office.

The vehicle involved was not at the scene when deputies arrived and the sheriff’s office is seeking the public’s help in locating it.

The “vehicle of interest” is described as an older green SUV, similar to a Ford Explorer, according to Chief Deputy Dusty Breen.

Breen asks anyone with information on the incident or the vehicle to contact he Lewis County Sheriff’s Office at 360-748-9286, or Lewis County Communications at 360-740-1105.

Crews stop central Lewis County fire at two acres

Wednesday, August 23rd, 2017

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Those in the know are advising now is perhaps not the time to take a lawn mower out into tall dry grass.

The cause of the fire that scorched an estimated 485 acres in Rochester is not yet determined, according to authorities, but south of Ethel, it was a riding mower that sparked a brush fire yesterday afternoon.

Crews were called just before 4:30 p.m. yesterday to the 400 block of Tucker Road where an individual had been cutting grass and started a fire, according to Lewis County Fire District 8.

It got into the edge of some trees and burned about two acres before it was finally extinguished, Fire Chief Duran McDaniel said.

They arrived to find they needed to cross a small wooden bridge to get to the fire and laid out hoses, and got brush trucks from Districts 2, 5 and the state Department of Natural Resources to access the area, according to McDaniel.

About 20 firefighters joined in the effort and all but DNR were able to leave by about 7 p.m., he said.

The wind was blowing in a direction away from a home on the property, according to McDaniel.

Fortunately, the fire was dispatched quickly and District 8 had its neighbors and the resources to keep it from spreading, McDaniel said.

“I caution the public, do not try to mow tall, dead grass with anything mechanical,” he said.

The chief said the idea takes him back to two years ago, when a brush hog operating in a field led to a nearly 200-acre fire on a chicken farm on Gore Road.

The wooden bridge was damaged, and the brush trucks had to find a shallow spot in the stream in order to leave Tucker Road, he said.

A spokesperson for the state Department of Natural Resources today is offering a recommendation for the public along the same lines, in response to the Rochester fire.

While it is contained, roughly 200 people continue to work the fire. Teams are assessing hazards including trees, the number of affected structures, burnt material, downed power lines, runoff and hazardous materials.

Lost were two primary residences, one commercial building, one unoccupied historical residence and one historical barn, according to Thurston County officials.

Outdoor burn bans are in place in Lewis and Thurston counties.

“We want to remind citizens to pay attention to their surroundings and be cautious of any outdoor activities.” DNR Communications Manager Janet Pearce said, “Even a lawnmower can start a fire.”

News brief: Man airlifted to Seattle after Silver Creek stabbing

Wednesday, August 23rd, 2017

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A 56-year-old man is jailed after allegedly stabbing someone visiting him and his significant other in Silver Creek last night.

Deputies called just after 9 p.m. to the 100 block of Huntting Road learned there was no dispute or fight beforehand, but that Claude E. Royals became offended by the actions of his visitor and stabbed him in the chest area, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

The victim, a 43-year-old Lacey man, was taken to Morton General Hospital by the significant other, where was stabilized and then flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, sheriff’s Chief Deputy Dusty Breen said.

Royals was arrested for first-degree assault and booked into the Lewis County Jail, Breen said. He is tentatively scheduled to go before a judge this afternoon in Lewis County Superior Court.

The victim’s condition as of this morning was stable, according to Breen.

No injuries, but structures burned in Rochester

Wednesday, August 23rd, 2017
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An image from early on yesterday from the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office

Updated at 12:01 p.m.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Authorities last night said fire lines were holding and some residents were allowed to return home after flames swept through more than 400 acres in Rochester.

Four residences, two barns and also a business at Southwest 183rd Avenue and Loganberry Street burned, according to Thurston County Emergency Management. No injuries have been reported.

West Regional Fire Authority was initially dispatched at 1:33 p.m. yesterday for a brush fire at Wakley Lane and Southwest 183rd Avenue, near the southwest corner of the Scatter Creek Wildlife Recreation Area, according to the fire department. Numerous fire agencies joined them with ground crews and air drops as the fire moved to the east side of Interstate 5.

Crews planned to remain on scene through the night working on small spot fires for the safety of the community, according to WTRFA.

West Thurston Fire stated last night that those confirmed as property owners within the evacuation area could return home, but the general public would not be allowed in.

More than 1,000 people were without power. Thurston County Emergency Management said 100 homes were evacuated.

A reunification site was at first arranged for Rochester High School, but a site opened at the Rochester LDS Church located at 18501 Paulson Street SW according to Thurston County Emergency Management.

Thurston County Emergency Management last night reported the location where the fire began was in a different spot, at the southeast corner of the wildlife area, near Southwest 183rd Avenue, between Guava Street and Case Road.

WTRFA said last night a cause had not yet been determined, but they confirmed no lightning strikes for the area.

West Thurston Fire Chief Robert Scott requested and received state fire assistance yesterday afternoon, which brought in two wildland strike teams from Pierce County.

Others assisting included fire departments with Thurston, Lewis and Grays Harbor counties, the state Department of Natural Resources, Thurston County Sheriff’s Office, Washington State Patrol, Thurston County Public Works, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, according to WTRFA.

The fire incident management team was to meet this morning. A fire camp has been set up at Rochester High School.

WTRFA indicates information is being provided by Thurston County Emergency Management, which can be found on Facebook and Twitter.

A soup kitchen was to be opened until 10 p.m. last night and again this morning until 10 a.m.

For the latest on road closures, check Thurston County Public Works.

For updates on power outages, see Puget Sound Energy

Thurston County Emergency Management can be reached here

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Fire camp set up at Rochester High School as crews continue to extinguish fire and assess structure and acreage loss. / Thurston County Emergency Management

News brief: Four hurt in wreck with dump truck

Wednesday, August 23rd, 2017
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North Pearl Street at Reynolds Avenue. / Courtesy photo by Riverside Fire Authority

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Three children and a woman were injured when a van and dump truck collided in north Centralia this morning.

Firefighters and police were called about 7:30 a.m. to the scene at North Pearl Street and Reynolds Avenue.

The woman was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle in serious condition, according to Riverside Fire Authority.

The others were transported to the emergency room, RFA tweeted.

Firefighters battle fast moving fire in Rochester, evacuations underway

Tuesday, August 22nd, 2017
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Image from Chehalis Tribal Emergency Operations just before 2:30 p.m.

Updated at 6:24 p.m.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A large wildland fire in Rochester has jumped across Interstate 5,  prompted several road closures and led to evacuations.

West Thurston Regional Fire Authority Lt. Lanette Dyer says most people who have been asked to leave their homes are saying they want to stay, and that is not a good idea.

“If you’re being asked to evacuate, you really need to pick up what’s really valuable like your pets and your children and get to Rochester High School,” she said.

The fire is estimated at 350 acres and growing, the state Fire Marshal’s Office said just after 6 o’clock this evening. Named the Scatter Creek Fire, it is threatening homes, crops and commercial structures in the area.

Evacuations are currently in effect for approximately 100 homes, state Fire Marshal John Wabel stated.

The right lane of northbound I-5 was closed near milepost 90 near  Southwest 183rd Avenue beginning about 3:20 p.m., according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.

The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office just before 3 p.m. asked people to avoid the area. At 4:45 p.m., they said the fire is moving in a southeast direction and that homes southeast from Sargent Road and Wakley Lane to Nutmeg Street are being evacuated.

Dyer said late this afternoon this is a very large scale fire, one she’s been so busy with she could not guesstimate its size, or the number of firefighters from surrounding areas who have joined them.

The fire has has damaged historical homes, two farms and several other houses, she said. It is burning in grass, brush and timber.

State fire assistance was mobilized at 4:30 p.m. at the request of West Thurston Regional Fire Authority Chief Robert Scott. Two wildland strike teams were ordered and the fire will be managed by a Type 3 Incident Management Team.

The State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray is activated to a Level 2 to coordinate state assistance.

The fire started about 1:33 p.m. today and the cause is under investigation.

Thurston County Emergency Management issued a list of local streets shut down at 3:50 p.m. today:

Closures include:

• Southwest 183rd Avenue between Wakley Lane on the west end and Loganberry Street Southwest at the east end

• Case Road between 183rd Ave. and 180th Ave.

• Guava Street SW between 183rd and 180th

• Southwest 180th Avenue between Guava Street to Case Road

• Ivan, Guava South, Elderberry, Citrus, Apricot, Seco Lane all at 183rd

• Southwest 183rd Avenue at Sargent Road to Old Highway 99

• Case Road from 183rd to Maytown Road

• 140th at Case Road

• Nutmeg Street SW at Loganberry at 183rd

Rochester High School is being used as a reunification site, according to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office.

Emergency Management states: If you are needing pet sheltering or transport due to the Rochester fire that is currently burning, please contact Diana Hardy at 360-273-7440.

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Image from Thurston County Sheriff’s Office

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Tuesday, August 22nd, 2017
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Updated

BANK BAG SNEAKED OUT OF BUSINESS

• A 33-year-old former employee of a Mineral business was arrested after surveillance video allegedly showed her taking a bank bag containing $1,274 from behind the bar yesterday. A deputy was called just before 9 p.m. to the 100 block of East Front Street after it was discovered the item was missing from a drawer next to the cash register, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s office reports approximately $365 was subsequently found behind Ashley R. Pendergrass’s residence, but she denied taking the bank bag. The Mineral woman was arrested for second-degree theft and booked into the into the Lewis County Jail.

WATCHFUL NEIGHBOR

• Chehalis police called about suspicious activity at a house at First Street and Adams Avenue just after 10 a.m. yesterday arrived to find a man carrying items including a jewelry box out the front door and ended up arresting him for residential burglary. He said at first he had permission but could not provide much information about who resided there, according to the Chehalis Police Department. Nicholas A. Brown, 37, from Spokane, was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to police. “Fortunately a neighbor noticed it and called it in,” Deputy Chief Randy Kaut said.

VEHICLE THEFT

• A Yamaha WR25X motorcycle was reported stolen from the 1000 block of South Pearl Street in Centralia at about 11:15 p.m. yesterday.

• A vehicle reported yesterday evening as abandoned in a parking lot at the 1000 block of Harrison Avenue in Centralia turned out to have been stolen in Olympia, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• A deputy was called about 12:30 p.m. yesterday to the 300 block of Jordan Road in Winlock where a 67-year-old man reported someone had removed the motor from his boat sometime since 8 a.m. the day before. Missing is a Mercury four-stroke motor valued at $1,250, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. A fuel line was damaged as well, according to the sheriff’s office.

HANDBAG RECOVERED

• Centralia police were called at 4:30 p.m. yesterday regarding a purse stolen from an employee’s storage area at the 700 block of Harrison Avenue. The handbag was located not far away in a homeless camp, according to the Centralia Police Department.

FRAUD

• An individual reported credit card fraud to police yesterday, in a case associated with the 1400 block of Harrison Avenue in Centralia.

OTHER THEFT

• A resident at the 1300 block of Alexander Avenue in Centralia reported about 3:20 p.m. yesterday their cell phone was stolen, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Centralia police were called to a home at the 2700 block of Colonial Drive at 9 o’clock yesterday morning about the theft of a wallet.

• Chehalis police were called to a business on the 1600 block of Northwest Louisiana Avenue yesterday afternoon because of five counterfeit $100 bills, a counterfeit $20 and then another $100, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

CAR PROWL

• Centralia police were called to the 900 block of North Pearl Street about 1:25 p.m. yesterday regarding a vehicle prowl.

• Centralia police were called about 11:15 a.m. yesterday to the 1000 block of South Gold Street to take a report someone had stolen fuel from a vehicle.

ON THE ROAD, OFF THE ROAD

• Centralia police responded to the 400 block of South Pearl Street just before 4 o’clock this morning where an individual reported that someone struck his vehicle while he was sleeping in it, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• A deputy called about 8 p.m. yesterday for a complaint of dirt bikes and pickup trucks racing down Central Avenue in Onalaska ended up playing cat and mouse with one dirt bike on and around Deggler and Dluhosh roads and terminated the pursuit but subsequently contacted a 15-year-old boy suspected to have been operating the bike. He was released to parents but a case will be referred to prosecutors for eluding, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, driving with suspended license, misdemeanor domestic assault; responses for alarm, dispute, shoplifting, vehicle collision, graffiti on a garage, suspicious circumstances, violation of no-contact order … and more among 165 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 7 a.m.