HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY
• The Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office offers several points to ponder for the Fourth of July holiday. Consequences for irresponsible use of fireworks – such as possession of fireworks that have been altered or possession of Illegal explosive devices (like M-80s and M100’s) can be harsh, according to the office. Examples: Making an explosive device is a gross misdemeanor, which can bring a fine of up to $5,000 and one year incarceration; If property is damaged, it could result in a charge of malicious mischief; If it is used to blow something up, it could be considered a destructive device, therefore a felony; If someone is hurt, a person could be charged with bodily harm or assault. Also, a person found responsible for a wildfire started by a firework could be required to pay fire suppression costs which can be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. The chief deputy state fire marshal suggests folks consider attending public fireworks displays, produced by trained professionals.
• Lewis County Fire District 5 was called to a tree fire about 11:20 p.m. last night at Northwest Fifth Avenue and West Grand Boulevard in Napavine, most likely ignited by fireworks, Firefighter Brad Bozarth said. The approximately 40-foot tall tree was rotten inside and so they had to cut it down to extinguish all the fire, he said.
WRECKS
• A young boy was flown to Southwest Washington Medical Center in Vancouver yesterday evening after a four-wheeler accident northeast of Winlock. Lewis County Medic One was called about 7 p.m. to the property off Meier Road where the child had somehow crashed into a parked road grader, according to Paramedic Kirk Johnston. He is about 11 years old, Johnston said. “Last I heard from the hospital he’s doing okay,” Johnston said this morning. “He was wearing a helmet. If not, it would not have been very good.”
• The driver of a Volvo was cited for falling asleep and sideswiping another car before rolling off U.S. Highway 12 just west of Packwood Saturday afternoon, according to the Washington State Patrol. Nobody was injured, according to Trooper Ryan Tanner.
BICYCLIST BRIEFLY AVOIDS WARRANT ARREST
• A Centralia man was arrested at Taser-point after fleeing on his bicycle from a police officer after being told to stop on Friday. Shane A. Mendoza, 22, was contacted near the 1200 block of Mellen Street and booked into the Lewis County Jail for obstructing and two outstanding warrants, according to Centralia police.
THEFT
• A stolen car trailer was recovered early this morning at the 1200 block of Lum Road, in the parking lot at the Centralia Outlet Mall, according to Centralia police.
• Centralia police were called yesterday afternoon to the 500 block of East Summa Street where someone had broken into a business and taken a jacket.
• Centralia police took a report yesterday morning about a burglary to a church on the 1000 block of Alder Street. Taken were power tools, according to police.
• Centralia police were called to a burglary to a business at the 1700 block of South Gold Street on Friday morning. Somebody stole some speakers, according police.
• Centralia police were called about 11:30 p.m. on Friday to the 600 block of South Tower Avenue where two males reportedly entered the store and fled with a 12-pack of soda. An officer was given a description of the vehicle and the suspects, according to the Centralia Police Department. Earlier, about 12:30 a.m., an officer as also called to the same location where a male stole two cases of Budweiser beer.
DRUGS
• Jacob R. Woods, 36, of Centralia, was arrested for possession of heroin following his arrest yesterday in Centralia on an outstanding warrant, according to the Centralia Police Department. He was booked into the Lewis County Jail after contact with an officer on the 1300 block of Belmont Avenue, according to police.
• A 21-year-old Centralia resident was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and marijuana at the 200 block of West Cherry Street in Centralia about 11 p.m. on Friday, according to police. David L. Davenport was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Centralia Police Department.
DOG BITES CHILD
• The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a black lab that reportedly bit an 8-year-old boy, leaving him with with several injuries to his face and arm. The child had been playing on Thursday at a friend’s home on the 1100 block of North Fork Road outside Chehalis when the dog got aggressive and started biting, according to the sheriff’s office. A deputy contacted the boy and his mother at Providence Centralia Hospital that afternoon and the office planned to contact the animal’s owner, Chief Civil Deputy Stacy Brown said.
FIREFIGHTERS INVESTIGATE SMOKE SMELL AT ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY
• Firefighters spent almost an hour at an assisted living facility in Centralia late Thursday afternoon trying to track down the source of the smell of something burning. The 4:15 p.m. call to 1700 Providence Place – to a building with approximately 15 apartments – eventually turned up a dish towel that had been left on a kitchen burner, according to Riverside Fire Authority. The resident had already tossed it in the garbage, Assistant Fire Chief Mike Kytta said.
WSP DRUG SNIFFING DOGS PRAISED FOR GOOD YEAR
Kershaw and Kilo
• The Washington State Patrol reported on Thursday that Thurston County-based drug sniffing dog “Kilo” and his counterpart in Pierce County combined have helped get more than 26 pounds of marijuana off the streets in the past year. Kilo, a chocolate Labrador has been working with her partner Trooper Jeff Kershaw for three years, according to Trooper Guy Gill. The two canines have also helped find methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin and hundreds of pills including Oxycodone, Hydrocodone and Ecstasy, leading to the removal from the streets also of thousands of dollars in associated drug money during the 12-month period, according to Gill.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter