Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

September 16th, 2016
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Updated at 8:58 p.m.

ON THE ROAD, OFF THE ROAD

• A 30-year-old Chehalis man was arrested after a police chase in Centralia yesterday that ended with two occupants reportedly exited their moving car as it nearly hit a woman and child in a crosswalk, skidded into a parked vehicle and came to rest on the sidewalk in front of the post office. A deputy had begun pursuing the light blue car about 1 p.m. after getting a report two males in such a vehicle had just grabbed a Honda pressure washer from outside a home on the 2200 block of Graf Road, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Charging documents state the car ran numerous stops signs, drove through various streets including an alley and one yard before arriving to the 200 block of Centralia College Boulevard, where two males wearing ball caps took off running. Christopher D. Buck was captured a short distance away from the scene and arrested for numerous alleged offenses, as well as a warrant from the state Department of Corrections for escape from community custody, according to authorities. Suspected meth was found in his pocket. The second male wasn’t located, but there was a pressure washer in the car, sheriff’s Chief Deputy Dusty Breen said. Buck’s bail was set at $25,000 today after he was charged with eluding, possession of methamphetamine, hit and run and third-degree theft in Lewis County Superior Court.

• Two passengers sustained minor injuries and were transported to Providence Centralia Hospital after a 1998 Chevrolet 1500 struck a street sign and sheered off a power pole at the 300 block of Logan Hill Road in Chehalis yesterday morning. A deputy responding just before 7 a.m. found the driver had no apparent injuries but arrested him for first-degree driving with a suspended license and driving without required interlock device, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. The vehicle was totaled. Thomas J. Murphy, 35, from Ethel, said he thought maybe bald tires slipped on dirt along the white line and sucked them into the ditch, according to the sheriff’s office. Murphy was booked into the Lewis County Jail.

PET AND SUBARU VANISH

• A deputy was called about 9:25 p.m. yesterday by a 35-year-old Toledo area resident who reported when he returned home, he found both his car and his dog were stolen. Missing from the 300 block of Jackson Highway South is a Boston Terrier named Brady and a red 1997 Subaru Legacy, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. The victim said the keys had been left in the vehicle, according to Breen.

RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY CHEHALIS

• The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office reported today someone broke into a home on the 100 block of Alderwood Drive in Chehalis through an unsecured door while the resident was on vacation and left with more than $3,000 worth of valuables. Among the items missing are two televisions, two Mac desktop computers and assorted liquor, according to the sheriff’s office. A deputy took the report on Wednesday and determined the break-in occurred on Sept. 4, Chief Deputy Dusty Breen said.

SECOND-DEGREE THEFT

• Centralia police were called about 6:50 p.m. yesterday to a business on the 1200 block of Alder Street to take a report of the theft of a wallet.

• Chehalis police were called about 10:50 a.m. yesterday to the 2100 block of North National Avenue where an individual reported an EBT card was stolen from their trailer home.

MOTORHOME PROWLED

• A 52-year-old Castle Rock woman reported last night that her motorhome broke down on the 700 block of Toledo-Salmon Creek Road, she left and returned to find someone had stolen all kinds of her belongings. A deputy responding about 8:30 p.m. learned that missing was a Die Hard battery, an Onan generator 6500, binoculars, silverware, beaded jewelry and clothing, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

MORE VEHICLE PROWLS

• Police were called to the 1000 block of J Street in Centralia about 1:50 p.m. yesterday following the discovery someone stole change from a jar inside an unlocked car.

• Someone stole change from a car at the 100 block of L Street in Centralia, according to a report made to police about 10:20 a.m. yesterday.

ASSAULT REPORT

• Centralia police were contacted about 6:30 p.m. yesterday to take a report of a sexual assault occurring several days earlier in connection with a location on the 300 block of West Magnolia Street.

MED DIVERSION ALLEGATION

• The state Department of Health yesterday announced it suspended the registered nursing assistant credential of Jennifer K. Thayer for at least five years in connection with allegedly admitting diverting about 1,500 narcotic pills for her personal use from a resident of an adult family home she operated in Lewis County. Thayer was charged criminally with possession of a controlled substance.

RESIDENTIAL FIRE RANDLE

• One person was hospitalized with non-life threatening burns after firefighters were called to a small cabin fire on the 300 block of Cline Road in Randle today. The cabin was a total loss, according to Fire Chief Jeff Jaques. The lone occupant was taken to Morton General Hospital, according to the chief.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, shoplifting, trespass, reckless endangerment, misdemeanor domestic assault; responses for alarm, dispute, disorderly person, hit and run, third-degree theft, graffiti on a building, graffiti to a door, suspicious circumstances, collision on city street … and more among 164 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 7 a.m. today.

News brief: Gasoline sparks fire inside repair shop

September 16th, 2016

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

Centralia firefighters were joined by crews from two neighboring departments when flames broke out in a mechanic’s shop off North Tower Avenue on East Hanson Street yesterday evening.

Damage is described as moderate, but a sport utility vehicle caught fire and it spread also causing damage to a portion of the building, according to Riverside Fire Authority.

It began when the business owner was transferring gasoline out of a GMC Yukon that was in for repairs and the fuel ignited, according to Fire Capt. Terry Ternan. Nobody was hurt.

Sixteen firefighters responded to the approximately 7 p.m. call and were on scene for about two hours, according to Ternan.

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

September 15th, 2016
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Updated at 12:36 p.m.

THREATS

• Deputies were called yesterday afternoon to the 21500 block of state Route 507 in south Thurston County after three firefighters responded to a “medical alert” call from a 68-year-old woman who brandished a shotgun. They had dealt with the same woman the day before, who was new to the area and had some type of mental issues, according to Thurston County Fire District 12. They were on the porch, she was at an open window,  Chief Tina Vanderhoof said. “She was frustrated, picked it up and pointed it at one of our firefighter’s heads,” Vanderhoof said. “They retreated, they thought they heard shots.” Deputies finally after an hour or so were able to resolve the situation at the mobile home park north of Centralia peacefully. Upon searching the home, detectives recovered only a “replica” shotgun, the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office tweeted. The woman was to be booked into the Thurston County Jail for second-degree assault.

• A 23-year-old Chehalis man was arrested yesterday after allegedly threatening a family member with a knife, and advising he was going o stab her. Deputies called about 11:40 a.m. to a dispute at the 100 block of Lana Kila Lane booked Anthony L. Varga into the Lewis County Jail for felony harassment, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

• A 27-year-old Centralia man was arrested about 8:50 p.m. yesterday for felony harassment-threat to kill at the 1300 block of Belmont Avenue, according to the Centralia Police Department. Ryan G. Chapman was wanted for outstanding warrants and was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to police.

• A road rage incident involving a passenger car and two motorcyclists ended with a non-injury collision about 6:40 p.m. yesterday at the 100 block of West Maple Street in Centralia, according to the Centralia Police Department. Jason W. Shipman, 44 of Puyallup, was cited for harassment and then released pending a court date, according to the Centralia Police Department.

BURGLARY

• A person in the process of purchasing a bank-owned residence on the 1000 block of Logan Hill Road in Chehalis contacted the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office about 6:15 p.m. yesterday to report the discovery that someone had removed all the appliances and a pump from the well sometime since about 6 p.m. the day before. There were no signs of forced entry, according to the sheriff’s office.

• Chehalis police were called about 7:50 a.m. yesterday when an employee discovered a burglary at a business on the 1000 block of Northwest State Avenue. It appeared someone cut holes in a garage door to make entry and stole $200, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

VEHICLE PROWL

• A laptop computer and a pair of prescription sunglasses were reported stolen from a vehicle parked at the 500 block of Harrison Avenue in Centralia, according to a report made to police about 8:15 p.m. yesterday.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, shoplifting, trespass, misdemeanor domestic assault, driving with suspended license; responses for alarm, dispute, disorderly person, suspicious circumstances, collision on city street … and more among 153 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 7 a.m. today.

Early morning fire destroys house in Chehalis

September 15th, 2016
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Courtesy photo by Kim Lannoye

Updated at 11:43 a.m.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Crews are extinguishing a two-alarm house fire in Chehalis.

Chehalis Fire Department Chief Ken Cardinale said everyone got out alright of the two-story home at South Market Boulevard and 11th Street.

He expects they will be on scene a couple more hours.

The call came just after 5 o’clock this morning. They were joined by crews from Lewis County Fire Districts 6 and 5 as well as Riverside Fire Authority, according to Firefighter Steve Emrich.

Just before 8 a.m., the blaze was mostly put out.

“They’re going in to what’s called overhaul,” Emrich said. “Had the fire knocked down, opening up void spots, putting out spot fires.”

Emrich said the residence is still standing, but he believed at the very least sustained heavy fire damage to the second floor. It seemed to have started at the garage area and spread from there, he said.

A fire investigator is looking into the cause today.

The man and woman, in their mid-20s, along with a toddler were helped out of a second-floor dormer window by a neighbor or friend before the fire department arrived, according to Cardinale.

The chief said the house has no interior stairwell to the second level and the exterior stairs weren’t an option because of the fire.

They had been sleeping and she said she woke up to use the bathroom, heard the sound of rushing wind, saw a glow and then the fire at the back of the house.

The Red Cross was summoned to assist the residents.

Lewis County Clerk Brack stepping down

September 14th, 2016
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Kathy Brack speaks briefly at a gathering in her honor today as she prepares to retire, backed up by her Chief Deputy Clerk Lisa Conzatti.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – As many as eight individuals have expressed interest in being appointed Lewis County clerk, as the elected official holding the position is retiring before her four-year term ends.

Kathy Brack’s last day is tomorrow. Her chief deputy clerk Lisa Conzatti will take over as interim county clerk.

Brack spoke at a farewell gathering held in her honor today, at the Historic Lewis County Courthouse.

The 65-year-old Toledo resident has been under treatment for cancer, and made good on a promise to her spouse.

“I told my husband if my last doctor’s appointment came clean, then I would retire,” Brack said.

The Lewis County clerk serves as the official record keeper for the Lewis County Superior Court. The office on the second floor of the Lewis County Law and Justice Center in Chehalis has 15 employees.

Brack’s retirement brings to an end 44 years of public service. She was the Lewis County District Court administrator beginning in 1972 and then in 1986 took over the same position in Cowlitz County District Court.

In 2002, the Republican ran against the incumbent Lewis County clerk, and won, running unopposed three times since then.

Because her term hasn’t ended, the Lewis County Board of Commissioners will select a replacement, who will have to run for the office in a November 2017 special election if they want to continue. And then run again in November 2018 for a normal four-year term.

The commissioners will have a slate of three candidates to choose from, names given to them by the Lewis County Republican party, since the outgoing clerk is a Republican.

Local party Chairman Mark Anders said today he’s got six people on his list who have expressed interest and he’s happy to share information about the steps to being considered to anyone who is interested.

“This is a political process, it’s a partisan position,” Anders said. “One thing the precinct committee officers will be looking at, is we want to elect someone, get someone appointed, that could win that seat and hold that seat as a Republican.

“It’s not just this is the best, most qualified person for the job, though we want that too.”

Anders said there are 45 to 50 precinct committee officers who will come together on a Saturday not yet selected in October to make nominations, hear from the nominees and choose three potential appointees.

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

September 14th, 2016
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AUTO THEFT

• Police were called about 10:30 a.m. yesterday about the theft of a blue 2002 Ford Escort from the 900 block of South Gold Street in Centralia. The car had no license plates, according to the Centralia Police Department.

CAR PROWL

• Centralia police responded to an approximately 5:15 a.m. call today of a vehicle prowl at the 1100 block of South Pearl Street. A window was broken and a vacuum cleaner and clothes were taken, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Police were called at about 12:30 a.m. today to the 900 block of South Scheuber Road in Centralia where an individual reported someone got inside their unlocked vehicle and stole change, cigarettes and medication.

• An officer was called just after 9 p.m. yesterday about a vehicle prowl at the 1700 block of South Market Boulevard in Chehalis. Among the missing items were a bottle of cologne and a Ruger pistol, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

• Chehalis police were called about 4:30 p.m. yesterday to the 100 block of Southwest McFadden Avenue where a vehicle had been prowled. Thirty dollars in change was missing, according to the Chehalis Police Department. It occurred sometime since Sunday morning, according to police.

BREAK-IN

• Police were notified just after 8 o’clock yesterday morning that a door was found kicked in at the baseball field area of Stan Hedwall Park on the 1500 block of Rice Road. Nothing appeared to be missing, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, shoplifting, probation violation, misdemeanor assault, driving with suspended license; responses for alarm, civil issue, hit and run, trespassing, third-degree theft, suspicious circumstances, disorderly person, collision on city street … and more among 181 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 7 a.m. today.

Lewis County: Looking to replace another sheriff’s office chief

September 13th, 2016

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The Lewis County County Sheriff’s Office is hoping to name a new jail chief in the not too distant future, following the resignation of Chief Kevin Hanson.

Hanson left after more than 25 years with the agency at the end of August, to take a job as head of the jail in Mason County.

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Kevin Hanson

“We’re still searching, we’ve met with some people,” Sheriff Rob Snaza said this morning. “We should have something out in a couple of weeks.”

Lt. Chris Tawes has been promoted to acting captain and is currently overseeing the facility.

Undersheriff Wes Rethwill said Hanson went to Mason County to help them with the kinds of issues he’s already dealt with at the Lewis County Jail. He was chief here for six years.

They for example are looking to build a new jail, something Hanson has experience with, he said.

“The unfortunate thing is, we lost a lot of institutional knowledge,” Rethwill said.

The sheriff said they will be meeting tomorrow with the Civil Service Commission to talk about filling the captain position, which has been vacant since Capt. Jim Pea retired last year.

The Lewis County Jail, which has an average daily population of around 200 inmates, continues to struggle with vacant corrections officer positions. The facility brings in over $1 million a year in revenue from law enforcement agencies both inside and outside the county who use its accommodations for their arrestees.

The sheriff’s office administration has been talking with county commissioners for months about the desire to contract with a new entity for medical services at the jail, and the intricacies surrounding one of its most cost intensive responsibilities.

During his time at the Lewis County Jail, Hanson was part of the team which helped design and oversee the construction of the new jail, completed in 2003. He has served on the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs jail accreditation team.

Chief Hanson partnered with others to create the Mental Health Alternative, a post-sentence treatment program designed to address mentally ill persons with a high rate of recidivism in the criminal justice system. He currently serves as a board member of Cascade Mental Health Services.

Hanson’s departure came just two weeks before the resignation of another chief at the sheriff’s office. Chief Deputy Stacy Brown who headed the special services bureau, took a job as chief of police services at Evergreen State College in Olympia.

Sheriff Snaza promoted Cmdr. Dusty Breen to chief of the bureau, an appointed position, last week.

Today Rethwill said the detective division has been moved from the operations bureau to the special services bureau. The head of the evidence division, previously part of the special services bureau, will now report directly to the undersheriff.
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For background, read “Top ranking deputy to lead Evergreen college’s police force” from Tuesday August 30, 2016, here