Updated at 5:25 p.m.
STEALING GAS IN THE NIGHT
• Chehalis police were called to an auto dealer’s business on the 2500 block of North National Avenue yesterday morning regarding the discovery someone during the night had tried to steal gasoline by cutting fuel lines on seven vehicles. The loss is estimated at as much as $1,500, according to the Chehalis Police Department. Earlier, police were called about fuel drained from the tank of a rental car at the 500 block of East Summa Street in Centralia when a line was cut.
UNRULY INDIVIDUALS
• Police arrested a 50-year-old old Centralia man last night after he allegedly dented a door with a bat at the 300 block of North Tower Avenue in Centralia. David D. Nelson was cited for third-degree malicious mischief and then released, according to Centralia Police Department.
• A 32-year-old Centralia woman was jailed after she allegedly began breaking things and refused to leave a residence at the 300 block of West Magnolia Street in Centralia yesterday evening. Officers responding about 6:30 p.m. arrested Electra J. Swan for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest before booking her into the Lewis County Jail, according to Centralia Police Department.
PROWLING AROUND
• Chehalis police were called about 7:40 a.m. yesterday to the 100 block of Northeast Fair Oaks Terrace where someone had rifled through two vehicles parked inside an unlocked garage during the night. Nothing appeared to be missing, according to the Chehalis Police Department.
• An individual on the 100 block of Leona Drive in Chehalis woke up yesterday morning to discover the door to their sport utility vehicle ajar and change missing from the console. A neighbor’s vehicle was found partially open as well with a pack of cigarettes stolen, according to the Chehalis Police Department.
DRUGS
• A 19-year-old Centralia resident was arrested for a warrant and possession of methamphetamine after contact with an officer about 9:50 p.m. yesterday at the 700 block of North Tower Avenue in Centralia. Nathan A. Cheney was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Centralia Police Department.
VANDALISM
• Centralia police took a report yesterday morning from the 700 block of M Street regarding two slashed tires and other damage done to a vehicle.
COLLISION
• A motorist was reportedly uninjured when they were knocked to the ground by their own vehicle as it rolled away from them yesterday morning at the 1200 block of Harrison Avenue in Centralia. The vehicle rolled across the street and struck a building, causing minor damage, according to Centralia Police Department.
LAYOFFS LIKELY AT CENTRALIA’S FIRE DEPARTMENT
• A significantly smaller budget for the coming year means Riverside Fire Authority likely will cut up to five personnel and lose a sixth position through attrition. The fire department that protects the city of Centralia and its surrounding area yesterday adopted a budget of about $3.9 million for 2014 compared with last year’s roughly $4.6 million, according to Chief Jim Walkowski. The abrupt and large drop in revenue comes from a massive decrease in the assessed value of TransAlta’s power plant, according to the chief. Walkowski said the department previously understood the Washington State Department of Revenue would be depreciating the value of the facility – in anticipation of its 2020 closure – more gradually. The organization currently operates with a chief, two assistant chiefs, the equivalent of three office staff and 27 firefighters, several of whom are paramedics as well, along with its volunteers. During the next 45 days, RFA will be addressing the impacts more specifically and keep the community updated, according to a news release this morning.
AND MORE
• And as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, misdemeanor assault, driving under the influence; responses for alarms, other misdemeanor theft, possible large dollar amount theft of gift cards, request to check on a person tweaking outside a convenience store … and more.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter