CHILD ASSAULTED
• Police were called about 4:30 p.m. yesterday to the 200 block of West Main Street in Centralia after an 11-year-old boy was assaulted by a male who punched him in the ribs. The suspect is described as having stars shaved into the back of his head and police are still attempting to find out who he is, according to the Centralia Police Department. Officers have no motive, according to police.
CAR PROWL
• Centralia police took a report yesterday regarding a vehicle prowl at the 2000 block of Ahlers Avenue. Taken sometime between 6 p.m. on Friday and 7 a.m. on Monday was a tool bag and a racquetball bag with their contents, according to Officer Patty Finch.
• Chehalis police were called about 5:30 p.m. yesterday regarding a vehicle prowl on the 200 block of Southwest Second Street where two chainsaws were taken from the bed of a pickup truck.
ILLEGAL KNIFE
• A 29-year-old Centralia man found himself in further trouble when he was arrested for a warrant yesterday and he was discovered to have a butterfly knife concealed, according to police. Jeff D. Prindle, was booked into the Lewis County Jail for his warrant and for possession of a dangerous weapon after contact with an officer about 5 p.m. at the 600 block of Centralia College Boulevard in Centralia, according to the Centralia Police Department.
CHAT INVESTIGATION
• Centralia police took a report yesterday about a man attempting to befriend young boys online, in connection with the 300 block of West Summa Street. The case remains under investigation, according to the Centralia Police Department.
WRECK
• Police and aid called about 7:40 p.m. yesterday to a wreck at North Gold Street near Ham Hill Road in Centralia found the vehicle on its side in the water of a creek there. The driver declined aid but was cited for negligent driving, according to authorities. The incident was caused by driving too fast, according to the Centralia Police Department.
AND MORE
• And as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, driving under the influence; responses for alarm, disputes, suspicious circumstances, misdemeanor theft, collision on city street, request for assistance from inside a gas station store after picking up a hitchhiker in Onalaska who was “freaking out” in the caller’s car outside … and more.
SAFETY MESSAGE OF THE DAY
• The end of daylight saving time on Sunday prompts a reminder about the dangers on the roadways. Nearly half the state’s pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities last year happened between October and January, according to the state Department of Transportation. With increased foggy and rainy weather, and darkness coming earlier, visibility is a challenge, but there are ways to reduce the risk of collisions, DOT says.
Here are their suggestions:
Pedestrians and Bicyclists:
• Be seen – Wear bright or reflective outerwear, carry a flashlight, add lights to your bike or helmet and cross at lighted intersections when possible.
• Make eye contact – Know that the driver is aware of your presence so keep hats, hoods and umbrellas clear of your vision.
• Walk and bike where it’s safest – Use sidewalks and bike lanes when they are available, and if not, walk at the edge of the road facing traffic, and ride with the flow of traffic.
• Cross the roadway at intersections – Crossing in mid-block, or jaywalking, is a contributing circumstance in pedestrian collisions. This applies in parking lots and garages.
Drivers:
• Stop for pedestrians – It’s the law. Drivers must stop for pedestrians at intersections, whether it’s an unmarked or marked crosswalk. It’s also illegal to pass another vehicle stopped for a pedestrian at a crosswalk. Failure to yield to pedestrians is the leading motorist-contributing circumstance in pedestrian collisions.
• Put the phone down – Hand-held cell phone use and texting is prohibited for all Washington drivers and may result in a $124 fine for first offense.
• Watch for pedestrians near schools, community centers and recreation areas – Children aged 1 through 19 are most at risk to be involved in a pedestrian fatality. Senior adults (age 71 or more) make up the other high at-risk age group.
• Drive the posted speed limit – If a driver hits a cyclist or pedestrian at 20 mph or less, there is an estimated 95 percent survival rate compared with much lower rates if the cyclist or pedestrian is struck by vehicles traveling at higher speeds. The extra minutes saved by speeding could cost a life.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter