Another town meeting: Got a question for the sheriff, the prosecutor?

May 25th, 2015

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The sheriff and the prosecutor have set aside an evening to talk with citizens, answer their questions and listen to their concerns.

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Sheriff Rob Snaza

It takes place next month in Toledo, as part of their series of town meetings around Lewis County.

Lewis County Sheriff Rob Snaza and Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer conducted their first such gathering in March in Salkum.

Meyer called the first meeting successful and indicated he enjoyed it.

“Transparency in the prosecutor’s office is important and I am happy to share our successes and challenges with the public we serve,” he stated in a news release.

Snaza called it a great opportunity to have a conversation with citizens.

“Partnering together to address community issues is paramount to keeping Lewis County a safe place to live,” Snaza stated.

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Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer

The two elected officials plan to continue with similar meetings in various other communities around the county throughout the year.

Snaza, who is just beginning a four-year term, is introducing himself and his office to the people in other ways as well.

Earlier this month, he hosted what he called “A day in the life of the sheriff’s office” by inviting 10 people to spend a Saturday touring his facilities, and engaging in hands-on activities such as lifting fingerprints and participating in a shoot-don’t shoot simulation.

What: Town Meeting with Lewis County Sheriff Rob Snaza and Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer
Where: Cowlitz Prairie Grange, 5184 Jackson Highway, Toledo.
When: Wednesday June 24, 2015
Time: 7:30 p.m.
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For background, read “Sheriff, prosecutor talk about changes in crime fighting efforts” from Sunday March 29, 2015, here

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

May 25th, 2015
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Updated

GLENOMA WOMAN LOSES HOME TO KEROSENE FIRE

• Firefighters called to a burning travel trailer in Glenoma on Saturday night extinguished the blaze but it was a total loss, according to Lewis County Fire District 18. Fire Chief Ed Lowe said they responded around 8 p.m. to the property along U.S. Highway 12 near Bowen Road and found the resident had burns to her hand or hands. She said she was lighting a kerosene lamp and it just took off, Lowe said. The trailer, in which she lived, had no electricity, according to Lowe. He called the Red Cross to help her out, he said.

THEFT

• Police were called to a burglary at a home on the 1200 block of H Street on Saturday afternoon. Missing is jewelry, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Centralia police took a report of the theft of pain medication from the 2600 block of Eureka Avenue on Friday.

WRECK

• Two cars were totaled and one person hospitalized after a collision on U.S. Highway 12 near Harms Road in Ethel on Saturday. Troopers called just before 11 a.m. determined that a Honda Accord was stopped waiting to make a left turn into a driveway when it was rear-ended by a four-door Buick. Ruth E. Smoots, 62, of Mossyrock, was transported to Morton General Hospital, according to the Washington State Patrol. Her Buick was impounded, according to the state patrol. The other driver, Thomasena Seifert, 38, from Onalaska, was reportedly injured, but not seriously enough to be taken to the hospital.

AND MORE

• And as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, assault, shoplifting, driving with under the influence, driving with suspended license; responses for stolen wallet, misdemeanor theft, parking lot fender bender … and more.

•••

CORRECTION: This has been updated to reflect that both women involved in the collision on U.S. Highway 12 were injured.

News brief: Phone service still down in Centralia

May 22nd, 2015

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

The large telephone service outage in Centralia that began on Tuesday continues with no estimate of when repairs will be finished.

A construction crew cut through CenturyLink’s communications cables affecting 1,172 customers.

Splicing of the repair cables continues around the clock, according to a spokesperson for CenturyLink. Spokesperson Brian Dalessi indicated he doesn’t know when it will be fixed.

The incident shutdown landline phone service and Internet service, but not cell phones, according to CenturyLink.

The area affected has been described in general terms only, as mostly west of Interstate 5.

Dispatchers at the Lewis County 911 center indicated on Wednesday afternoon the outage could last for 72 hours.
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For background, read “No phones, Internet for 1,172 Centralia customers” from Wednesday May 20 2015, here

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

May 22nd, 2015
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ARGUMENT OVER PET ESCALATES

• A 48-year-old man was arrested overnight following an argument about his dog running around in an RV park in Toledo that ended with words to the effect of, “Go ahead, call 911 and I’ll cut your throat,” according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. A deputy called to the 400 block of state Route 506 about 2:30 a.m. learned that a 68-year-old man got involved in a dispute with Ray S. Hoover about Hoover’s dog, and Hoover used profanity and threatened the man. The sheriff’s office reports Hoover got into his vehicle driving around and at the other man, tearing up a driveway. Hoover was booked into the Lewis County Jail for felony harassment, Chief Deputy Stacy Brown said.

ANGRY BOYFRIEND

• Deputies called about 8:30 p.m. yesterday to the 100 block of Battle Ridge Road outside Centralia ended up arresting a 50-year-old Centralia man for allegedly repeatedly kicking the doors of his girlfriend’s 2014 Chevrolet Camaro and also leaving her with a small bump on her forehead. Clay A. Core was arrested for second-degree malicious mischief because of an estimated $1,500 damage and booked him into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. The case is also being referred to prosecutors for a charge of fourth-degree assault. Core was released with no charges filed pending further investigation.

FAMILY JEWELRY THEFT

• A Chehalis area woman who said she discovered her $5,000 wedding ring had been sold by her teenage daughter for $120 called 911 last night to report the loss. She got the ring back but now deputies are looking for the 18-year-old to arrest her for first-degree theft, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

JEEP PROWLED

• Chehalis police responded to an approximately 6:30 p.m. call yesterday regarding a vehicle prowl in the parking lot at Wal-Mart. The Jeeps’ windows were not closed and stolen were identification cards for the victim and other family members, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

TRESPASSING

• Centralia police arrested two individuals for charging their cell phone behind a closed business last night. Adam T. Kay, 32, and Hannah G. Kay, 34, both of Centralia, were issued citations for second-degree criminal trespass after contact with an officer about 1:20 a.m. at the 600 block of West Main Street, according to the Centralia Police Department. They were then released, according to police.

VANDALISM

• Centralia police yesterday morning got a report of a window broken on the 1000 block of West Main Street.

AND MORE

• And as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, shoplifting, driving with suspended license; responses for dispute, misdemeanor  theft … and more.

News brief: S’more safety

May 22nd, 2015

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – There’s almost nothing better than sitting around a campfire, but officials are worried that forests on both sides of the state are more more vulnerable than usual to catastrophe this weekend.

2015.0522.smorecampfireIn Western Washington, the snowpack is a fraction of normal, and much of Eastern Washington has endured years of persistent drought, according to the state Department of Natural Resources.

DNR urges everyone to be careful and please help prevent wildland fires over the upcoming Memorial Day weekend and throughout the summer.

Simple steps to do your part include: before leaving home, check to find out what the campfire restrictions are for the area you plan to visit.

And then, authorities advise:

If campfires are allowed; extinguish them properly before leaving:
• Never leave a campfire unattended at any time.
• Drown fire thoroughly with water.
• Stir until cold.
• Drown fire again and stir.
• Never leave a campfire until it is completely out and cool to the touch.

Already this year, the state agency has responded to 124 wildland fires.

Stay connected during the wildfire season through DNR’s Twitter at http://twitter.com/waDNR_fire

Prison awaits Vader heroin dealer, girlfriend’s case dropped

May 21st, 2015

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The Vader man arrested following an investigation into what police called a large supplier of heroin in Lewis and Cowlitz counties was sentenced yesterday to 20 months in prison.

Francisco “Poncho” Guerrero, 36, was charged in March in Lewis County Superior Court in connection with a search of his home on Alpine Court in which police seized several thousands of dollars in cash, about nine ounces of pure heroin and approximately 20 grams of cocaine.

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Francisco Guerrero

Guerrero pleaded guilty yesterday to delivery of heroin, as well as possession with intent to deliver heroin.

Lewis County Deputy Prosecutor Paul Masiello said as part of a plea deal, he dropped a charge of possession with intent to deliver of cocaine because it wouldn’t change the amount of time the defendant faced. Masiello said he also dropped a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm, because he didn’t have evidence Guerrero actually possessed the weapon.

The investigation was conducted by the Centralia Police Department’s special Anti-Crime Team, Chehalis police detectives and the federal Drug Enforcement Administration.

The search of the residence took place back in December, and for unspecified reasons police did not make any arrest until March 3. Arrested at the same time was Guerrero’s 33-year-old girlfriend Jennifer M. Hayes who also lived in the home.

Her lawyer in mid-March filed a demand for so-called discovery materials, and by the end of March, prosecutors dropped the case against her.

Masiello asked for and was granted a dismissal of the charges, noting a lack of evidence against Hayes. They were dismissed without prejudice, leaving open the possibility they could be filed again in the future, he said.

Masiello said today the girlfriend was present, but in order to be an accomplice, one has to do more than just be present.
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For background, read “Accused Vader drug dealers plead not guilty” from Friday March 13, 2015, here

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

May 21st, 2015
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BOOZE, BOOZE, BOOZE

• Centralia police were called to Safeway about 8:30 a.m. yesterday about a 17-year-old boy who allegedly stole a bottle of hard liquor. The case is being referred to prosecutors for a charge of third-degree theft, according to the Centralia Police Department. An officer was called back to the same grocery on the 1100 block of Harrison Avenue about 7:30 p.m. after two females were reportedly seen stuffing bottles of hard liquor into bags, according to police. They were gone when officers arrived, police said.

• Twice police and firefighters were called yesterday in Chehalis regarding juveniles who had drank too much alcohol. It wasn’t clear yet if the incidents would result in citations, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

ATTEMPTED THEFT

• Chehalis police were called about 6 p.m. yesterday to the 1800 block of Southwest Snively Avenue following the discovery that someone had broken a door handle to a church’s shed.

VANDALISM

• Police were called about 11 p.m. yesterday regarding a rock thrown through the window of a business at the 100 block of North Rock Street in Centralia.

• Centralia police yesterday evening got a report of a window broken on a business at the 800 block of West Main Street.

• Graffiti on a fence at the 700 block of West Main Street in Centralia was reported to police just before 9 p.m. yesterday.

AMBER ALERTS WORK

• A trooper and a Castle Rock police officer caught up to a vehicle identified in an Amber ALERT on northbound Interstate 5 near Vader yesterday afternoon, following an approximately  2:45 p.m. call to 911 from a motorist who heard the alert and spotted the vehicle, according to the Washington State Patrol. A father wanted for custodial interference out of Idaho was taken into custody and a pair of children ages 2 and 3 recovered safely, according to authorities. The state patrol reports it had responded to a 2 p.m. request from the Nampa Police Department to extend the alert to Washington and Oregon and the motorist heard the alert broadcast on a Portland radio station.

AND MORE

• And as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, misdemeanor domestic assault, driving under the influence, reckless endangerment; responses for alarm, dispute, found credit card, suspicious circumstances, report of a child sexual assault from several years ago, an inmate at the jail who said he needed a shower so he “popped” the fire sprinkler head in a cell … and more.