Posts Tagged ‘news reporter’

News brief: Women injured in U.S. Highway 12 crash

Friday, February 16th, 2018

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS –  Two elderly drivers were hospitalized after their vehicles collided and were totaled on U.S. Highway 12 in Ethel today.

Troopers called at 11:32 a.m. to the area near Tucker Road determined the 1993 Dodge Dynasty driven by 91-year-old Mildred E. Wood, from Ethel, entered the eastbound lane from a driveway and was struck by an eastbound sport utility vehicle.

The driver of the Kia Sorento was 81-year-old Patricia M. Paxton from Pe Ell, according to the Washington State Patrol. Both women were injured and transported to Providence Centralia Hospital, according to the state patrol.

Wood was treated and has been released, according to a hospital spokesperson. Paxton is listed in fair condition this afternoon.

The women both wore seat belts and the crash is blamed on inattention.

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Thursday, February 15th, 2018
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PORCH PILFERING

• A theft of packages from a front porch of a residence was reported via the Centralia Police Department’s online reporting system yesterday morning, regarding the 500 block of Hamilton Avenue. There was not any suspect information at the time of the report, according to the Centralia Police Department.

DRUGS

• When Centralia police arrested a 32-year-old man for an outstanding warrant at the 700 block of North Tower Avenue about 9:30 p.m. yesterday, a search turned up suspected narcotics. Mic J. Banks, of Centralia, was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Centralia Police Department.

DISORDERLY PERSON

• Chehalis police were called to the 1500 block of Northwest Louisiana Avenue about 4:25 p.m. yesterday because a female inside a retail store was allegedly yelling and threatening. She was not located, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, shoplifting, possession of marijuana, driving with suspended license, driving under the influence; responses for alarm, dispute, civil issue, disorderly person, suspicious circumstances, misdemeanor theft … and more among 114 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 7 a.m.

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Wednesday, February 14th, 2018
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Updated

ASSAULT

• A 28-year-old Centralia woman was hospitalized with a head injury after she was assaulted by a female companion inside a vehicle parked at the 700 block of South Gold Street in Centralia yesterday afternoon, according to the Centralia Police Department. Police called just before 4:30 p.m. indicate the suspect is a 27-year-old Chehalis woman, but the case is being referred to prosecutors for evaluation of charges. The victim was treated and then released from the hospital last night, according to Sgt. Buddy Croy.

• An 11-year-old student was arrested about 11:45 a.m. yesterday at the 800 block of Field Avenue in Centralia for allegedly punching a teacher several times. The child was booked into the Lewis County Juvenile Detention Center for fourth-degree assault, according to the Centralia Police Department. The teacher did not have any serious injuries, according to police.

THEFT, THEFT, THEFT

• A deputy was called about 2:15 p.m. yesterday to the 600 block of state Route 506 in Toledo for an overnight burglary to an unlocked shop building in which tools as well as a 1993 Ford flatbed truck were stolen.

• Two people were removed from a vehicle and detained following a report of a burglary in progress at a business at the 2200 block of U.S. Highway 12 about 9:20 a.m. yesterday. A deputy was told a person was seen leaving with two backpacks from the store, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Chief Deputy Dusty Breen said the almost $1,600 worth of items stolen or damaged included two-way radios, a knife set, a jacket, a range finder and a GPS device. Regina Champaco, 42, Tacoma, was booked into the Lewis County Jail for second-degree burglary, second-degree theft and a violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, according to Breen. A case of second-degree possession of stolen property is being referred to prosecutors related to her 25-year-old companion from Ethel, Breen said.

• A set of four wheel and tires was stolen off of a parked vehicle at the 1000 block of South Gold Street in Centralia, according to a report made to police about 8:10 a.m. yesterday.

FRAUD

• Chehalis police were called about 3:15 p.m. yesterday by an individual who said their bank notified them an unknown person has used their credit card.

DRUGS

• A 28-year-old Rochester resident was arrested for possession of methamphetamine after being contacted about 10:50 p.m. yesterday at the 100 block of South Pearl Street for trespassing, according to the Centralia Police Department. Aaron J. Henning was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to police.

ON THE ROAD, OFF THE ROAD

• Chehalis police finally jailed a woman after three businesses along the 1200 to 1400 blocks of Northwest Louisiana Avenue called complaining about her being “disorderly” yesterday afternoon and evening. At least one caller was concerned the woman might harm herself, according to the Chehalis Police Department. The calls came at about 4:15 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. and then just after 7 p.m., someone reported she was walking down the middle of the road, according to police. Eleanor M. Poths, 47, a homeless person, was arrested for disorderly conduct and booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to police.

• The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office reports a 29-year-old Randle resident was arrested for driving under the influence after his 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe struck a tree and came to rest in a ditch at Silverbrook and Gharet roads just before 11:55 p.m. on Monday. Brandon K. Jackson allegedly began to drive away but was subsequently contacted by a deputy, according to the sheriff’s office. He was booked into the Lewis County Jail also for hit and run, Chief Deputy Dusty Breen said.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, shoplifting, driving with suspended license, driving under the influence, misdemeanor assault, third-degree malicious mischief, ignition interlock device violation; responses for alarm, dispute, civil issue, harassment, trespassing, disorderly person, suspicious circumstances, vehicle collision, misdemeanor theft … and more among 148 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 7 a.m.

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Tuesday, February 13th, 2018
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Updated

VEHICLE THEFT

• The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office reports this morning a $30,000 truck filled with chainsaws and other equipment stolen from a logging site off milepost seven of Bunker Creek Road on Friday morning was recovered on Sunday by police in Springfield, Oregon and two men arrested. A representative of a Castle Rock logging company told a deputy he parked the red 2012 Ford F350 at the site and when he returned later it was gone, according to the sheriff’s office. Matthew A. Morgan, 38, of Shelton, and Jerrod D. Frey, 40, from Hoquiam, were booked into jail in Springfield, Chief Deputy Dusty Breen said. The investigation into the theft continues, according to Breen.

• Centralia police are investigating following a call just after 1 p.m. yesterday that a male took his girlfriend’s car and purse from the 1600 block of North Scheuber Road. The car was located, according to the Centralia Police Department.

ASSAULT

• An 18-year-old inmate at the Lewis County Jail was arrested for third-degree assault after he allegedly began throwing punches and struck a corrections deputy, causing a bruise above the eye on Saturday afternoon. It was around 3 p.m. and they were attempting to get LaRoyce E. Alexander, from Seattle, to return to his cell, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.  Alexander was subdued and re-booked for the new offense, according to the sheriff’s office.

• Centralia police were called about 3:15 a.m. on Saturday to the 1200 block of Mellen Street because an unidentified male allegedly assaulted a bus driver. He was arrested for third-degree assault and booked into the Lewis County jail as John Doe, according to the Centralia Police Department.

BURGLARY

• Decorative swords and a bicycle were taken from a shed at the 1000 block of B Street in Centralia, according to a report made to police about 1:35 p.m. on Sunday.

FRAUD

• A Chehalis resident reported to police yesterday afternoon discovering someone had opened a bank account using their identity.

• A 37-year-old Centralia woman who allegedly presented herself as her mother during a traffic stop to get out of a ticket just after 3 a.m. yesterday at the 900 block of Harrison Avenue in Centralia was arrested for identity theft. Crystal I. Aguilar was also arrested for three outstanding warrants and driving with a suspended license, according to the Centralia Police Department. She was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to police.

• A 22-year-old Centralia man allegedly used someone else’s name during a contact with police at the 1200 block of Mellen Street at about 7:45 p.m. on Saturday and was arrested for identity theft. Trevor L. Bartley also had two outstanding warrants, according to the Centralia Police Department. He was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to police.

• Centralia police were called just before 2 p.m. on Friday to investigate unauthorized bank withdrawals from checking account in a case associated with the 400 block of West Plum Street.

CAR PROWL

• Centralia police were called about 4:45 a.m. today to the 600 block of North Washington Avenue where an individual reported the theft of all four of his tires from his 1993 Honda passenger car that occurred sometime during the evening and early morning hours last night.

• Chehalis police were called just before 5 p.m. on Sunday regarding a purse that went missing from a vehicle while its owner was shopping a the 1200 block of Northwest Louisiana Avenue.

VANDALISM

• A 41-year-old Winlock man who was allegedly seen on surveillance images damaging his former spouse’s car at Winlock High School was arrested for second-degree malicious mischief, the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office reported yesterday. A deputy found multiple key scratches down the side of the vehicle, according to the sheriff’s office. It happened on Thursday and was reported on Friday. Kelly T. Gifford was booked into the Lewis County Jail,  Chief Deputy Dusty Breen said.

• Police were called to the 500 block of Southwest Chehalis Avenue in Chehalis on Friday morning to take a report of graffiti spray painted on a garage.

• Chehalis police took a report from the 2200 block of Jackson Highway about 1:20 p.m. on Friday regarding domestic malicious mischief.

DRUGS

• Chehalis police called regarding someone inside an apartment complex laundry room at the 200 block of Southwest 11th Street last night found a 21-year-old Chehalis resident with an outstanding warrant and suspected heroin in his possession, according to the Chehalis Police Department. Elias A. Galaviz was booked into the Lewis County Jail for the warrant and case referred to prosecutors for drug possession, according to police.

• A 25-year-old Yelm man contacted just before 9 p.m. yesterday for riding his bike without a light near Borst Avenue and Allen Street in Centralia allegedly gave police a fake name and then was found in possession of methamphetamine. Calvin M. Dubois was booked into the Lewis County Jail for the drug violation and for identity theft, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• A 40-year-old Olympia man arrested for a violation of a no contact order about 6:10 p.m. on Sunday at the 1000 block of Eckerson Road in Centralia was also arrested for possession of methamphetamine. Timothy N. Rogge was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• A 26-year-old Centralia woman was arrested for warrants and possession of methamphetamine after contact with police at the 100 block of Harrison Avenue in Centralia at about 6:10 p.m. on Friday. Sabrina Towne was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Centralia Police Department.

DOG ABUSE

• A 28-year-old Centralia resident who was allegedly abusive towards a dog was arrested about 10 a.m. on Sunday following an investigation associated with the 2800 block of Russell Road. Brady M. Ward was booked into the Lewis County Jail for second-degree animal cruelty, according to the Centralia Police Department.

FIRE INVESTIGATION

• The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office began investigating a suspicious fire just before 1 a.m. on Saturday that destroyed a garage filled with used restaurant equipment at the 100 block of Foster Creek Road outside of Toledo. There was no electricity to the building and a witness reported seeing a male wearing a dark hoodie in the area a few minutes before flames broke out, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

NOT A BOMB

• The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office reports the school was searched and nothing was found after a call at mid-day on Friday to the 200 block of North Military Road regarding a message written and then scratched out in a bathroom stall at Winlock Middle School suggesting a possible bomb threat. Students had been removed and school closed early, according to the sheriff’s office.

ON THE ROAD, OFF THE ROAD

• Police and firefighters were called just before 5 p.m. yesterday to a motorcycle wreck at the 500 block of Chamber of Commerce Way in Chehalis in which the rider made an unexpected turn, hit the curb and flipped over the bridge railing, dropping about 15 feet down into some brush. The bike stayed behind and its driver walked back up to meet responders, according to the Chehalis Fire Department. The 28-year-old Toledo man had a cut above his eye but declined aid. He was cited for second-degree negligent driving, not having a motorcycle endorsement and not having a valid driver’s license, according to police.

• Centralia police began investigating an incident about 5:45 p.m. on Saturday in which a driver lost control of their vehicle and struck three parked cars at the 100 block of West Main Street.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, disorderly conduct, driving with suspended license, driving under the influence, misdemeanor assault, minor in possession and/or consumption of alcohol; responses for alarm, dispute, civil issue, vandalism, harassment, hit and run, disorderly person, suspicious circumstances, vehicle collision, misdemeanor theft … and more among 578 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 96-hour period ending about 7 a.m.

News brief: Rochester area rescue by boat

Tuesday, February 13th, 2018
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Numerous responders assisted in retrieving the man from the river bank. / Courtesy photo by West Thurston Regional Fire Authority

Updated

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A 42-year-old man who said he was without food or water for three days was rescued last night from the area of the Black River near 173rd Avenue Southwest outside of Rochester.

Firefighters were searching at about 6:45 p.m. after someone was heard calling for help but needed boats to assist because of underbrush and swampy conditions, according to West Thurston Regional Fire Authority.

Members of the Thurston County Dive Team reached the man by boat by 7:40 p.m.

“Victim is alert but will be unable to move under his own power,” the fire department stated on its Facebook page.

Fire Chief Robert Scott said the man was hypothermic and wet and had been in the river, but was on the bank when he was located.

He was treated and transported to Providence St. Peter Hospital, according to the fire department.

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Friday, February 9th, 2018
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Updated at 2:12 p.m.

GREEN HILL SCHOOL EMPLOYEE ATTACKED

• Chehalis police are investigating an assault at Green Hill School in which a staff member was attacked from behind, losing consciousness when he was kicked and punched in the head. Chehalis Police Department Deputy Chief Randy Kaut said the episode occurred on Jan. 26. The victim was talking to some juveniles and had turned his back, Kaut said. He sought treatment at the hospital, according to police.

AUTO THEFT

•  An unoccupied stolen vehicle from Seattle was located abandoned about 10:30 a.m. yesterday at the 900 block of B Street in Centralia.

FRAUD

• Chehalis police were called about 1:25 p.m. yesterday to the 1700 block of North National Avenue regarding the receipt of approximately $500 worth of checks written on a closed account.

CAR PROWL

• Centralia police were called about 10:30 a.m. yesterday regarding an attempted vehicle prowl at the 400 block of South Rock Street. Someone damaged the lock, according to the Centralia Police Department.

DINE AND DASH

•  Four females came in and left without paying $71 for their food, according to a report made to Centralia police about 8:20 p.m. yesterday from the 1000 block of Harrison Avenue. They were last seen in a white sport utility vehicle, according to the Centralia Police Department.

SIGN MISSING

• Police were called to the 500 block of North Tower Avenue in Centralia just before 10 a.m. yesterday to take a report of the theft of a sign.

VANDALISM

• Chehalis police were called just after 7 o’clock this morning to the 200 block of Southwest 13th Street where a vehicle in a parking lot had been spray painted.

ROLLOVER WRECK

• Passersby and deputies on the scene of a rollover accident yesterday performed lifesaving measures on an injured driver, who was subsequently airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Lewis County Fire District 5 Acting Chief Laura Hanson said a crew was called about noon to the southbound lanes of Interstate 5 near milepost 68, but was on another call. Nearby fire departments from Winlock, rural Chehalis and the city of Chehalis responded to assist, according to Hanson. The female driver was the sole occupant of the pickup truck, Hanson said. “I understand there was a tourniquet applied, that was necessary,” Hanson said. Further details were not readily available.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, third-degree theft, driving with suspended license, protection order violation, unlawful transit conduct; responses for alarm, dispute, shoplifting, vehicle collision, disorderly person, suspicious circumstances … and more among 131 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 7 a.m.

Charge: Juvenile rehab counselor engaged in sexual misconduct with minor

Thursday, February 8th, 2018
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•••

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – An arraignment is scheduled for next week for a Centralia woman accused of having a sexual relationship with a male 20 years her junior while he was a resident of Green Hill School and she was employed as a juvenile rehabilitation counselor.

The complaint was made by the alleged victim in the summer of 2016, but criminal charges were just filed last month in Lewis County Superior Court.

Katherine M. Kimbrel, 41, was summonsed to appear before a judge on Tuesday and was allowed release pending trial on a $5,000 unsecured bond.

The alleged incidents occurred between Jan. 1, 2013, when the alleged victim was 15 years old, and continued through Dec. 31, 2015 after he turned 18, according to charging documents.

Green Hill in Chehalis is run by the Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration, a division of the Department of Social and Health Services. It’s a secure facility in Chehalis that provides older, male offenders education and vocational training.

The alleged victim, now 20, said he and Kimbrel had sexual contact which continued when he was in custody at the the juvenile detection center’s Touchstone Community facility in Olympia, according to charging documents. Touchstone is a transitional facility.

He said on several occasions she picked him up from his workplace in Olympia and took him to her apartment, Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer wrote in the court documents.

Kimbrel allegedly admitted to an unprofessional sexual relationship with the teen both inside and outside the Green Hill School facility, but denied any physical contact inside the facility, according to Meyer. She was interviewed by a detective Bjorkman and by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Meyer wrote.

Meyer indicates she said she did not report some actions, because she was afraid she would be blamed and lose her job. Numerous incomplete sentences in the charging documents leave it unclear which facility is the setting related to some of the various statements.

Meyer states in the charging documents that prior to the alleged victim coming forward on Aug. 13, 2016, three additional allegations regarding Kimbrel were investigated but screened out for lack of evidence.

She was charged on Jan. 9 with first-degree sexual misconduct with a minor and first-degree custodial sexual misconduct, both of which are offenses with a maximum penalty of five years in prison. She was also charged with communication with a minor for immoral purposes, a gross misdemeanor.

Kimbrel was ordered to undergo administrative booking at the Lewis County Jail. Defense attorney Jacob Clark was appointed to represent her.

The arraignment is set for next Thursday in Lewis County Superior Court.