A squirrel is electrocuted by Centralia City Light's main substation equipment. / Courtesy photo by Centralia City Light
CRITTER CAUSES WIDESPREAD ELECTRICAL OUTAGE IN CENTRALIA
• A large squirrel got into Centralia City Light’s main substation yesterday afternoon, knocking out power to an estimated 3,000 customers. It began with a loud “boom” about 4:15 p.m. and power was restored by about 5:45 p.m., according to General Manager Ed Williams. Firefighters had to rescue one employee at Cooks Hill Manor from an elevator stuck between floors. Williams said the incident took out about half the substation at North Tower Avenue and Sixth Street, equipment which serves about half the city. The squirrel did not survive.
THEFT
• Police were called just before 6 p.m. yesterday to the 100 block of West First Street in Centralia when a resident returned home after being gone a few minutes and found his front door open and groceries sitting on the floor. No intruder was found, according to Centralia police.
• Prescription medications were reported stolen from the 2500 block of Borst Avenue in Centralia, according to a report made to police about 3:45 a.m. today.
MYSTERY MAN JAILED
• Centralia police took a man to jail yesterday morning following a traffic stop in Borst Park in which he allegedly had a falsified trip permit – temporary vehicle license – in the rear window of his truck. The man, who police say is a 51-year-old from Fife, was booked for forgery, and officers will be using fingerprints to determine who he actually is, according to the Centralia Police Department. He presented two pieces of photo identification from two separate states, according to police. He was arrested under the name “Mickey John” also known as Mike White. The truck came to the attention of an officer because it was traveling the wrong way through the park, according to Officer John Panco.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter