Archive for October, 2017

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Victim survived hour and 15 minutes inside well, before further tragedy in Winlock

Tuesday, October 10th, 2017

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The fire department in Winlock shared details of its weekend rescue of a woman from near the bottom of an approximately 50-foot deep well.

She was reportedly unhurt, but spent more than an hour with a foot hold that kept her in waist-deep water while responders carried out an extrication, according to Lewis County Fire District 15.

It’s not yet clear how it might be related but later the same evening, on Sunday, one of the woman’s brothers allegedly shot and killed a younger brother and then himself at the same property. The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the two deaths; no names have been released.

Firefighters and deputies were called at 4:14 p.m. on Sunday to the 600 block of Tennessee Road north of Winlock, because the woman had been attempted to disinfect the well with chlorine when the floorboards broke loose and she fell into the well, according to authorities.

Responders found she was conscious and she told them she was not injured, according to Assistant Fire Chief Kevin Anderson. They learned she was initially completely submerged, but was able to swim to the water’s surface and find a foothold, Anderson stated in a press release.

The sheriff’s office described her as trapped by debris which had collapsed through the opening.

The hand dug well was inside a pump house and crews had to stabilize the area to prevent a pump, a pressure tank and more flooring from tumbling down on top of the woman, according to Anderson.

Rope rescue technicians from the Centralia area’s Riverside Fire Authority were summoned and a hole had to be cut in the roof of the structure to provide access for a rope and pulley system. Firefighters lowered a life vest and helmet down to the vicim for protection, according to Anderson.

She remained conscious and communicating throughout the operation, he said.

A rescue harness was lowered and the woman was finally hoisted to the surface at approximately 5:29 p.m., Anderson stated.

The sheriff’s office said yesterday morning the woman is 64 years old, but later indicated she is 63 years old.

Anderson said in his press release she was transported to Providence Centralia Hospital in stable condition, but didn’t know specifically for what reason.

The sheriff’s office has said that during the rescue operation, the woman’s 59-year-old brother was disruptive and arguing with his 56-year-old brother, so he was asked to leave.

Deputies were called back to the property at about 6:30 p.m., when witnesses said the 59-year-old man had returned with a handgun and shot his 56-year-old brother multiple times before turning the gun on himself. Rescue crews had all departed before that occurred, according to Chief Deputy Dusty Breen.

The Lewis County Coroner’s Office is expected to release the names of the two men once they have completed family notifications for both.
•••

For background, read “Two dead after family dispute in Winlock” from Monday October 9, 2017, here

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Jasper: Toddler death case in limbo as defendant contemplates options

Tuesday, October 10th, 2017
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Danny Wing, in red, appears before Judge Andrew Toynbee

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Danny A. Wing was back in court in Chehalis this morning after winning an appeal that allows him to take back his guilty pleas in the death of a 3-year-old boy he and his wife were caring for.

Wing was sentenced to almost 35 years in prison for first-degree manslaughter and third-degree child assault following the Oct. 5, 2014 death of Jasper Henderling-Warner.

The family, with three children of their own and from the Vancouver area, had  been living in Vader about two weeks when the Wings called 911 to say the toddler was unconscious and not breathing. The coroner concluded Jasper died of chronic battered child syndrome.

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Jasper Henderling-Warner

In February of this year, a division of the Washington State Court of Appeals concluded Wing’s plea was premised on an incorrect offender score for the third degree assault of a child conviction, rendering the plea involuntary. At the time, Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer said if Wing withdrew his plea, prosecutors would take the case to trial.

Wing, now 29, appeared in Lewis County Superior Court this morning, represented by Vancouver attorney Sean Downs.

Representing the state before Judge Andrew Toynbee were Lewis County senior deputy prosecutors Will Halstead and Sara Beigh. Jasper’s mother, flanked by supporters, was in the audience.

The hearing was brief, and a longer hearing was set for 2 p.m. this Friday, to determine what happens next, according to Beigh.

Wing’s wife, Brenda A. Wing, was convicted and sentenced similarly to her husband, and won an appeal on the exact same issue.

Beigh said she’s not sure when Brenda Wing will be brought back to  Lewis County Superior Court, as she has petitioned for review by the Washington State Supreme Court on part of the appeal she lost.

Danny Wing also had petitioned for review but the higher court declined to do so, according to Beigh.
•••

For background, read “Appeals court reverses conviction in Vader child death” from Friday March 3, 2017, here

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Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Monday, October 9th, 2017
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•••

Updated

ALLEGED GUN THREAT LANDS MAN IN JAIL

• A 37-year-old man was arrested last night after deputies responded to a call from a person who said his ex-wife was being threatened with a shotgun by her boyfriend at the 2200 block of state Route 6 east of Adna. When they arrived, Rockford H. Lang told deputies he’d been home alone all night, didn’t have a girlfriend, didn’t have a gun and denied any dispute, but deputies heard a female yelling “help” from his trailer, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office as related in court papers. The woman inside reportedly said Lang was upset abut her being on the phone, kicked at her and hit her in the face before grabbing what she thought was a shotgun and a box of ammunition and saying he was going to sleep in the truck and if she came out, he would kill her, according to charging documents. Deputies located two .22 caliber rifles, arrested Lang and booked him into the Lewis County Jail. He was charged today in Lewis County Superior Court with felony harassment, unlawful imprisonment and two counts of first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm. He is a convicted felon, according to prosecutors. Lang told the judge in court this afternoon it was all a big misunderstanding. The alleged victim indicated through his lawyer a similar sentiment. Judge Joely O’Rourke set his bail at $50,000 and ordered him to have no contact with the woman.

BURGLARY

• Chehalis police were called about 1:30 p.m. yesterday about a possible attempted burglary at the 10 block of Southwest 12th Street. Someone removed plywood from at least one window on a garage, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

• Someone stole a PlayStation and other electronics from a residence at the 1700 block of Harrison Avenue in Centralia, according to a report made to police just after 8 p.m. on Friday.

AUTO THEFT

• A vehicle reported stolen about 2:50 p.m. yesterday from the 1200 block of Lincoln Street in Centralia was later recovered in the King County area, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Chehalis police were called about 2:45 p.m. on Saturday regarding a car missing from where it had been parked on the 10 block of Southwest William Avenue and are waiting for its owner to rule out that it may have been repossessed before taking a stolen vehicle report, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

VEHICLE PROWL

• Centralia police were called about 1:05 p.m. yesterday to the 800 block of J Street to take a report that two RV batteries had been stolen from a travel trailer.

• Chehalis police responded to a second-hand report just after 11 a.m. on Saturday of a gun stolen from a vehicle. Officers are waiting to hear from the actual victim to take a report, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

• A steering column was damaged and a stereo stolen from a vehicle parked at the 100 block of West Third Street in Centralia, according to a report made to police about 1:50 p.m. on Friday.

FAKE NAME FAIL

• A 47-year-old McCleary resident who allegedly identified himself as another person when he was contacted by police about 9:15 a.m. yesterday at the 300 block of North Tower Avenue in Centralia was arrested for identity theft, according to the Centralia Police Department. Richard D. York had an outstanding warrant he had hoped to hide and was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to police.

DRUGS

• Officers called to the 900 block of South Scheuber Road just before 2:30 a.m. today arrested a 19-year-old for minor in possession and/or consumption of marijuana. Evelyn Lopez-Martinez, of Centralia, was then released pending court, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• A 56-year-old man contacted by police for trespassing about 5 p.m. yesterday at the 400 block of Harrison Avenue was arrested for an outstanding warrant and also for possession of methamphetamine. Sheldon M. Moren, described by police as transient, but who resides in Chehalis according to his temporary defense attorney, was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• A 27-year-old man was arrested for outstanding warrants and possession of methamphetamine when contacted by Centralia police in the area of the Timberland Library on South Silver Street at about 4:15 p.m. on Friday. Jacob D. Holmgren, a homeless person, was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• A 29-year-old woman found to have an outstanding warrant when an officer responded to an approximately 12:20 p.m. call on Friday about a possible trespasser at a red-tagged house on the 200 block of Southwest 14th Street in Chehalis was booked into the Lewis County Jail where a small baggie of suspected meth was discovered, according to the Chehalis Police Department. Megan M. Murphy was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, according to police.

ON THE ROAD, OFF THE ROAD

• A 30-year-old Centralia resident was arrested for driving under the influence after his vehicle allegedly left the roadway and collided with a street light pole at the 1000 block of West First Street in Centralia last night. Centralia police called about 10:15 p.m. stated this morning that Matthew T. Fauland-Nichols was arrested by the Washington State Patrol and booked into the Lewis County Jail.

• A 43-year-old Winlock man was arrested for driving under the influence in connection with an alleged hit and run collision at the 100 block of Carlisle Avenue in Onalaska reported at about 9:05 p.m. on Saturday. Wesley R. Pinion was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

• A 20-year-old Doty resident was reportedly unhurt but taken for evaluation after a rollover collision on the 700 block of Leudinghaus Road reported about 3:15 a.m. on Saturday. The 2005 Ford F350 pickup was totaled and its driver, Michael J. Toepelt, was arrested for driving under the influence and  booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

• Centralia police called about 3:30 p.m. on Friday for a collision involving a pedestrian at Borst Avenue and Allen Street report they were told by the 12-year-old boy the car slid to a stop and it either bumped him or he stepped into it. The car then fled, according to the Centralia Police Department.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, hit and run, trespassing, third-degree theft, driving under the influence, reckless endangerment, protection order violation, driving with no license, driving with suspended license, misdemeanor domestic assault, third-degree malicious mischief, driving without required ignition interlock device; responses for alarm, dispute, civil issue, shoplifting, vandalism, harassment, vehicle collision, suspicious circumstances, misdemeanor theft, disorderly person  … and more among 436 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 72-hour period ending about 7 a.m.

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One injured, one arrested following stabbing outside Wal-Mart

Monday, October 9th, 2017

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A 17-year-old boy was stabbed in the chest during a fight in Wal-Mart’s parking lot and an 18-year-old Onalaska man has been arrested.

The Chehalis Police Department reports this morning the condition of the victim and extent of his injuries are unknown at this time.

Police say the incident began to unfold around 9 p.m. on Thursday when officers were dispatched to two males fighting but when officers arrived they were gone. Witnesses described a brief physical altercation and said the two departed in separate vehicles, according to the police department.

Then police were advised of a 17-year-old male who was seeking medical treatment at Providence Centralia Hospital for a stab wound to the chest, according to a press release from the Chehalis Police Department.

Officers arriving to the hospital spoke to witnesses who were there, but were unable to talk with the victim because he was being prepared for transport to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, according to the press release.

Department spokesperson Linda Bailey states police located the suspect’s vehicle at a home on Brockway Road and impounded it. The suspect, Jose Chagollan, was arrested for first-degree assault and booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to Bailey.

The name and hometown of the victim was not released, but Bailey indicates they will provide further information about his condition when it becomes available.

Chagollan is tentatively scheduled to go before a judge at 4 p.m. today, in Lewis County Superior Court.

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Two dead after family dispute in Winlock

Monday, October 9th, 2017
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Sheriff’s detectives are investigating apparent murder, suicide north of Winlock

Updated at 12:26 p.m.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a 59-year-old man allegedly fatally shot his younger brother and then turned a gun on himself in rural Winlock.

The events at the 600 block of Tennessee Road began earlier yesterday afternoon when a 64-year-old woman went out to drop chlorine into a well, the floorboards broke loose and she fell into the well, according to the sheriff’s office.

Deputies and aid called about 4:15 p.m. were working to rescue the woman, when her 59-year-old brother was asked to leave because he was being disruptive, Chief Deputy Dusty Breen said. The two brothers had been arguing, he said.

The woman was retrieved from approximately 50 feet down inside the hand dug well where she had been trapped by collapsing debris and was transported to the hospital, the sheriff’s office said.

Deputies were called back to the property at about 6:30 p.m., when witnesses said the 59-year-old man had returned and discharged a handgun multiple times, striking and killing his 56-year-old brother, according to Breen.

Witnesses said the 59-year-old then shot himself, Breen said. He is from Malone. His younger brother is from Winlock.

Breen said the sheriff’s office is conducting an investigation and he expects the names of the brothers will be released by the Lewis County Coroner’s Office.

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Impaired driving and injuring another leads to jail, prison

Saturday, October 7th, 2017

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A Centralia area man is off to prison with a seven year sentence for hitting a pedestrian on a sidewalk with his car outside the Southwest Washington Fair grounds this summer.

Christian D. Brown, 30, admitted using methamphetamine earlier in the day, prosecutors said at the time.

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Wednesday August 16, 2017

Brown pleaded guilty in Lewis County Superior Court on Wednesday to vehicular assault and possession of heroin and also to two counts of drug possession from an earlier case.

The judge found a chemical dependency contributed to the crime and ordered a drug and alcohol evaluation, according to court documents.

Brown was arrested by Centralia police on Aug. 16, after the mid-day incident at the 1900 block of South Gold Street during fair week. Witnesses told police the car was going about 35 mph when it traveled onto the east sidewalk and hit the man.

When his car came to a stop, the victim fell off its hood, court documents related.

The victim, a 58-year-old Chehalis resident who was attending the fair with family, was airlifted with several traumatic injuries to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

The 84-month sentence was the top of the standard sentencing range for vehicular assault, a range specific to Brown given the number of “points” Brown had accrued from previous criminal convictions, according to his lawyer Jacob Clark.

The judge ordered 24-month sentences for the drug crimes, to be served concurrently, Clark said.

Also on Wednesday in Lewis County Superior Court, a 20-year-old defendant was sentenced by a different judge for vehicular assault while under the influence.

Brenden K. Banta, from Kalama, and his 17-year-old passenger from Woodland were both injured when Banta’s car ran into the back of a semi truck on northbound Interstate 5 near milepost 60 the night of April 21, according to authorities.

Banta admitted he had consumed a “few shots” and smoked a bowl prior, court documents stated.

Court documents relate the hood of his Kia Soul entered the right passenger compartment, causing a gash in the passenger’s forehead that exposed the skull.

Banta had an offender score of zero so the standard sentencing range for his conviction was three to nine months in jail. The judge imposed four months and ordered a drug and alcohol evaluation, according to court documents.
•••

For background, read “Bail set at $1 million for driver accused of hitting man on sidewalk” from Friday August 18, 2017, here

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Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Friday, October 6th, 2017
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•••

FAKE DRUGS AT GRADE SCHOOL

• Officers called about 3:40 p.m. yesterday to the 200 block of East Oakview Avenue in Centralia are investigating a suspicious circumstance at a school in which a juvenile reportedly brought several baggies of a white power substance claiming it was an illegal drug. The preliminary field test indicated it was not a controlled substance, according to the Centralia Police Department. The case is under investigation.

VEHICLE THEFT

• Centralia police were called at 6:35 a.m. today to take a report of the theft of a white 1990 Honda Civic from the 900 block of North Tower Avenue.

• A white Toyota pickup truck was reported to have been stolen sometime between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. yesterday from the 1300 block of Ham Hill Road in Centralia, according to the Centralia Police Department. It has a license plate reading B49061R, according to police.

• A 25-foot travel trailer valued at $26,000 was discovered missing about 8:30 a.m. yesterday from the 900 block of Pe Ell-McDonald Road. The 2008 Malibu Skyline was last seen on Sunday evening, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. It appeared someone may have cut a chain link fence and also a padlock from the tongue of the trailer, according to the sheriff’s office. It has a license plate reading 2093VN, Deputy Chief Dusty Breen said.

MISSING TOOLS RECOVERED

• The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office reports this morning that items stolen from a garage on the 200 block of Joppish Road in Centralia were recovered after it was discovered they were pawned on Sunday in the Lacey-area. The victim believed the 3000 watt inverter and 20-piece wrench set were stolen by a 22-year-old relative, according to the sheriff’s office. A case is being referred to prosecutors for charges of first-degree trafficking in stolen property and third-degree possession of stolen property

ON THE ROAD, OFF THE ROAD, ABOVE THE ROAD

• Police were called to the 2800 block of Russell Road in Centralia just before midnight for a collision in which a speed limit sign and a telephone pole cable were damaged but the motorist was gone. The Centralia Police Department intends to send a summons for hit and run to a 26-year-old Chehalis resident identified as a suspect, according to police.

• A case involving a 16-year-old boy was referred to Lewis County Juvenile Court for criminal trespassing after he was found on the top of a catwalk of railroad crossing arms at the 900 block of Centralia College Boulevard yesterday about 3:20 p.m., according to the Centralia Police Department.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, driving under the influence, driving with suspended license, misdemeanor domestic assault, driving without required ignition interlock device; responses for alarm, dispute, civil issue, vandalism, harassment, trespassing, vehicle collision, scam phone call, counterfeit bills, suspicious circumstances, misdemeanor theft, protection order violation … and more among 170 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 7 a.m.

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