Posts Tagged ‘news reporter’

Breaking ballplayer’s jaw brings prison time for Chehalis 21-year-old

Thursday, January 5th, 2017

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A rural Chehalis resident who hoped for a lighter sentence following an appeal for an assault almost three years ago was told by a judge yesterday he’s going to prison.

Cole T. Rife was convicted by a jury in Lewis County Superior Court in August 2014 of second-degree assault and attempted first-degree burglary.

The case involved Rife and an acquaintance’s actions at a party at the 500 block of East Maple Street in Centralia in which a 19-year-old Centralia resident was struck numerous times as well as kicked in the face while he was on the ground, according to court documents.

A witness told police Rife, then 18, had come to the gathering and was trying to pick a fight with anyone who would fight him and turned his attention to 19-year-old Logan Crump, according to court documents.

The victim’s jaw was broken ending his college baseball career, Lewis County Superior Court Judge Richard Brosey said.

Rife was arrested in mid-April 2014, about a month after the incident. When he was sentenced that summer to 19 and one half months, his lawyer filed an appeal and he was allowed to remain free pending the results.

His attorney Sam Groberg appealed to Brosey yesterday to take into account his client’s young age at the time of the offense and lack of criminal history.

“He’s been out of trouble, he’s bettered himself,” Groberg said. “He’s done what he should do.”

He suggested that spending months in the Lewis County Jail for someone who has never been in trouble before would be sufficient punishment.

“I hope Mr. Rife has learned from this incident,” Groberg said. “I think he has; it’s a life-changing incident.”

Lewis County Senior Deputy Prosecutor asked the judge to give Rife the same sentence he was given before his appeal.

Judge Brosey sided with the prosecutor.

The judge said he didn’t believe there were any mitigating factors the first time and he feels the same way now.

“I decline to consider a sentence below the standard range,” Brosey said. “Me and the court of appeals could debate, but we’re not going to.”

A (just out of) high school kid had no business being at a Centralia College party, Brosey said. And the victim was someone who just happened to arrive to pick someone up, he said.

Brosey ordered exactly the same sentence he ordered on August 27, 2014.

Besides the prison time, Rife, now 21, was ordered to undergo evaluations for anger management and alcohol, and follow the recommendations. He will be under the supervision of the state Department of Corrections for three years after his release.

The judge didn’t order Rife into custody, but told him report no later than 3 p.m. next Thursday.
•••

For background, read “News brief: Chehalis resident locked up briefly for assault of baseball player” from Wednesday Aug. 27, 2014, here

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Thursday, January 5th, 2017
2015.0518.2013.1113.sirenslights5860.secondone

•••

IVES ROAD FIGHT

• A 22-year-old Centralia resident was arrested last night after allegedly assaulting the father of his former girlfriend at the 3100 block of Ives Road in Centralia. Deputies called about 7:50 p.m. were told Antonio Rivera went to the 40-year-old man’s residence to retrieve some of his belongings, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. “As he was removing items, he began to argue and was told multiple times to leave the apartment,” sheriff’s Chief Deputy Dusty Breen said. Rivera allegedly assaulted the victim using his hands and closed fists, causing lacerations, bruises and possible fractures, Breen said. Rivera was subsequently located and detained by Centralia police and turned over to deputies. He was booked into the Lewis County Jail for third-degree assault and first-degree burglary. The 40-year-old victim was taken to the hospital for further evaluation of his injuries, Breen said.

STUFF STOLEN FROM GARAGE

• Centralia police were called just before 2 p.m. yesterday to the 1000 block of Mellen Street for a burglary to a garage in which a sleeping bag, boots, trash bags and a case of bottled water were taken.

DRUGS

• Shyla M. Winterholler, 34 of Centralia, was arrested about 5:50 p.m. yesterday at the 400 block of West Main Street in Centralia for an outstanding warrant. Winterholler was wanted in connection with a burglary on Friday at the 400 block of Courtland Street in which two others were previously arrested. She had suspected heroin and meth in her possession at the time of her arrest, according to the Centralia Police Department.

CAR PROWL

• Centralia police responded to the 1200 block of Belmont Avenue about 11:40 p.m. yesterday for a report of a vehicle prowl. Taken was a purse and a camera, according to the Centralia Police Department.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, third-degree theft, misdemeanor assault, driving under the influence, driving with suspended license; responses for alarm, dispute, civil issue, shoplifting, suspicious circumstances, dogs outside in the cold … and more among 139 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 7 a.m. today.

High praise offered up for incoming Lewis County Superior Court judge

Wednesday, January 4th, 2017
2017.0104.toynbeeswornin9231

The packed courtroom breaks into applause after Andrew Toynbee is sworn in as Lewis County Superior Court judge.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Newly sworn in Lewis County Superior Court Judge Andrew Toynbee vowed to work hard, be diligent and be prepared as he faced his peers, friends, family and co-workers old and new today.

“I’ll treat everyone with respect, regardless of who they are,” he said.

The Adna resident was sworn into his new role by outgoing Lewis County Superior Court Judge Nelson Hunt this afternoon.

“This is a very pleasurable moment for me, because I know we’ve got a great judge coming,” Hunt said.

Hunt told the gathered crowd he’d hired Toynbee back in the 1990s for his first job, in the Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office when Hunt was the elected prosecutor.

The swearing in ceremony was held in department one, which Hunt has presided over since after he was first elected in 2004.

The benches were nearly full, extra chairs were brought in and the front row of the jury box held sitting judges from Lewis County, Thurston County and the Washington State Court of Appeals.

Toynbee ran unopposed for the seat in November and leaves behind his workplace, the Thurston County Prosecutor’s Office.

Thurston County Prosecutor Jon Tunheim spoke today as well, praising Toynbee’s style as calm and gentle, calling him a genuinely authentic person.

“I can’t imagine a person who is better suited for this position,” Tunheim said.

After he was sworn in, presented with his robe and gavel, Toynbee took his seat at the bench, his voice sometimes breaking as he expressed gratitude for those who’ve helped him along the way.

Honesty, integrity, authenticity and humility were some of the traits he said he’s learned more about from others.

“I thank you all for helping prepare me for this position,” he said.

Lewis County Superior Court Judge Richard Brosey is retiring this week as well. Judge-Elect Joely O’Rourke will be sworn in on Monday.

Toynbee and O’Rourke are joining Judge James Lawler and Commissioner Tracy Mitchell in Lewis County Superior Court.

2017.0104.hunt.toynbee.9229

Lewis County Superior Court Judge Nelson Hunt, left, swears in Andrew Toynbee.

Two commercial fires in Centralia contained with moderate damage

Wednesday, January 4th, 2017
2017.0104.handystorefire.TeriHolter.Wiley

Harrison Avenue was closed for about half an hour this morning when fire broke out at the back of Handy Mart. / Courtesy photo by Teri Wiley

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Centralia’s fire department extinguished fires today at a saw mill and a convenience store.

Firefighters called just after 5 o’clock this morning to Sierra Pacific at the 3100 block of Kuper Road found employees using hoses on the fire, according to Riverside Fire Authority.

The fire was in one of the chip bunkers – a storage area containing multiple augers and conveyor belts that deal with saw dust or wood chips, according to Fire Capt. Casey McCarthy.

Crews worked the scene for about two hours and were able to contain it to the bunker of origin, according to McCarthy. They were joined by members of the Chehalis Fire Department and West Thurston Regional Fire Authority.

The three departments met up again when they began getting reports about 9:15 a.m. of heavy smoke coming from the Handy Mart store on the 1200 block of Harrison Avenue.

They arrived to find the business was evacuated and found fire in the attached storage area at the back of the building, according to McCarthy.

They were able to keep the fire from spreading to the store itself, the captain stated in a brief summary of the incident.

All lanes of Harrison Avenue were closed for approximately 30 minutes while fire crews worked on scene.

McCarthy described the damage in both cases as moderate. The causes of both fires are under investigation.

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Wednesday, January 4th, 2017
2015.0518.2013.1113.sirenslights5860.secondone

•••

Updated at 5:01 p.m.

NEIGHBOR WITH KNIFE

• An argument over parking issues in a shared driveway between two neighbors in rural Toledo yesterday landed one man in jail as he allegedly produced a knife and stepped toward the target of his ire. A deputy responding about 2:30 p.m. to the 100 block of Templeton Road learned the 59-year-old man retreated and then arrested 50-year-old Cleonies Odom for first-degree assault, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Odom was booked into the Lewis County Jail.

THEFT, THEFT, THEFT

• Police were called just before 2 p.m. yesterday to the 1000 block of Scammon Creek Road in Centralia to take a report of the theft of money from a social security account. The case is under investigation, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• An officer was called to the 1200 block of Alder Street in Centralia about 11:35 .m. yesterday about the theft of money. An investigation is underway, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Centralia police took a report yesterday afternoon from the 1200 block of South Tower Avenue of the theft of medication.

• Morton police responded to an approximately 11:30 a.m. call on Thursday to the 100 block of East Main Street for a possible theft. The case is pending further investigation after the video footage is reviewed, police noted yesterday.

• Centralia police responded about 6:25 a.m. today to the 100 block of Harrison Avenue where two vehicles parked at a business had been broken into.

HANDBAG STOLEN FROM CHURCH

• Witnesses identified a 36-year-old homeless man as the individual who entered a Glenoma church and took a purse belonging to a 79-year-old woman, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Law enforcement called just after noon on Saturday to the 100 block of Hamilton Road learned an individual followed Daniel A. Rude and two teenage boys, who allegedly helped hide the stolen property, according to the sheriff’s office. The victim was inside the church cleaning it and had left her purse in another room while she was cleaning, according to Chief Deputy Dusty Breen. Rude was booked into the Lewis County Jail for second-degree theft and booked into the Lewis County Juvenile Detention Center for the same offense were a 16-year-old Chehalis resident and a 17-year-old Centralia resident, Breen said.

OFF THE ROAD

• The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office says an 18-year-old driver was under the influence of intoxicants when she missed a turn and struck a guard rail, a tree, a parked car and a house at the 2100 block of Rice Road in Chehalis overnight. A deputy responding to the 12:30 a.m. call reported the Honda Civic, with three teenage passengers, was totaled, according to the sheriff’s office. The parked 2008 Saturn sustained major damage, Chief Deputy Dusty Breen said. Kimberly Herrera-Torres, from Toledo, was arrested for driving under the influence as well as three counts of reckless endangerment, Breen said. It was the third time in 36 hours a motorist crashed into a home locally.

• A 23-year-old man was arrested after losing control of his vehicle and hitting a light pole, a fence and a residence at the 1000 block of North Tower Avenue in Centralia yesterday. An officer responding about 2:40 p.m. reports nobody was injured but  Richard A. James, of Centralia, was booked into the Lewis County Jail for driving under the influence and reckless driving,according to the Centralia Police Department.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, third-degree theft, no contact order violation, driving with suspended license; responses for alarm, dispute, civil issue, hit and run, vehicle collision, suspicious circumstances … and more among 152 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 7 a.m. today.

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Tuesday, January 3rd, 2017
2015.0518.2013.1113.sirenslights5860.secondone

•••

Updated at 12:42 p.m.

CHILD WHIPPED WITH CORD

• A 37-year-old Centralia man was arrested yesterday after a deputy was called about an incident at the 2600 block of North Pearl Street in Centralia where the man had allegedly struck a 9-year-old boy multiple times with an electrical cord the evening before, leaving bruises and injuries to his buttocks and hip area. Luis A. Cruz-Garcia also allegedly pulled the hair of the child’s mother. He was  booked into the Lewis County Jail for third-degree assault of a child and fourth-degree assault, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

WOOD CHIPPER PINCHED

• Centralia police were called at 4:51 p.m. yesterday to the 200 block of East High Street to take a report of the theft of a wood chipper from the front of a residence.

LOST AND FOUND

• Chehalis police were called about 2:50 p.m. yesterday about a vehicle prowl at the 2100 block of North National Avenue in which a purse was stolen. Another individual called police about 4:50 p.m. to report finding a purse in an alley, according to the Chehalis Police Department. Credit cards, coins and some cash were missing but the rest of the contents were still inside and it was returned to its owner, according to police.

PUD SCAM

• An individual reported to Chehalis police on Friday they’d received a phone call from someone claiming their electricity would be shut off if they didn’t pay their power bill within the hour. The potential target was told to go to Safeway, purchase a pre-paid card and then wait for instructions, but called police instead, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

DRUGS

• A wanted person who fled on foot when a deputy following up on a tip arrived to the 1800 block of Seminary Hill Road about 10 p.m. on Sunday was chased down and subsequently located with “quantities” of heroin, methamphetamine and oxycodone as well as paraphernalia, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Cameron A. Maden, 33, of Seattle, was arrested and booked into the Lewis County Jail for a violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act and his warrant, according to the sheriff’s office.

• A deputy at the 100 block of Sandy Lane about 10 a.m. on Saturday for an unrelated investigation came across a 50-year-old Centralia man with an outstanding warrant who was subsequently found to possess multiple meth pipes, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. After a field test that came out positive for methamphetamine, James A. Nix was arrested for a violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act and booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the sheriff’s office.

ON THE ROAD, OFF THE ROAD

• A 26-year-old motorist from Everett allegedly crashed his vehicle into a residence at the 2800 block of Harrison Avenue in Centralia at about 1:10 a.m. yesterday. James R. Aartes reportedly ran off but was found, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Nobody inside the house was hurt, according to the sheriff’s office.

• A driver reportedly traveling about 80 mph on Harrison Avenue in Centralia at about 2:50 a.m. on Sunday who failed to pull over for a deputy was subsequently arrested for felony eluding, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Jonathan M. Pearl finally stopped on E Street, smelled of intoxicants and was unable to stand on his own, according to the sheriff’s office. Pearl, 31 of Centralia, was booked into the Lewis County Jail.

• A 26-year-old motorist who was allegedly found to be intoxicated after a single-vehicle wreck on the 100 block of Middle Fork Road in Chehalis at about 10:45 p.m. on Saturday was arrested for driving under the influence as well as reckless endangerment, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Jimmie F. Elliott of Onalaska, had a passenger with him; his 27-year-old pregnant wife, according to the sheriff’s office. She was taken to the hospital for a precautionary screening, Chief Deputy Dusty Breen said. Elliott was booked into the Lewis County Jail.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, probation violation; responses for alarm, dispute, civil issue, shoplifting, vehicle collision, fourth-degree assault, suspicious circumstances … and more among 122 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 7 a.m. today.

News brief: Lawsuits on forestry practices’ link to 2007 flood damage moving forward

Monday, January 2nd, 2017

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The Washington State Supreme Court has decided four lawsuits arising from widespread flooding of the Chehalis River in December 2007 in Lewis County don’t have to be handled in Lewis County Superior Court, but may be dealt with in King County.

The petitioners had filed separate suits in King County Superior Court asserting that poor forestry practices made the land unstable during the heavy rains, allowed landslides to form and then debris to flow into the river; which in turn displaced river water and caused damage to their properties.

The respondents are Weyerhaeuser Company, Green Diamond Resource Company and the state Department of Natural Resources.

It’s the second time the state Supreme Court has considered questions related to the appropriate forum for the cases. After the first time they remanded for further proceedings, the respondents promptly moved to transfer venue to Lewis County and the move was granted.

The nine justices unanimously agreed in their opinion issued on Thursday. Justice Mary I. Yu wrote the law did not provide for exclusive proper venue in Lewis County, but that King County is another possible proper place to hear the cases.

The petitioners are William Ralph, William Forth, Guy Bauman, Eileen Bauman, Linda Stanley, Rochelle Stanley, Donald LeMaster, David Givens, Virginia Carey, Jamie Carey and Paradyce Industries Inc.

Weyerhaeuser  and Green Diamond are headquartered in King County.
•••

In the Supreme Court of the state of Washington: No. 91711-6 – Ralph v. Weyerhaeuser  Co., here