Illegal marijuana growing by Chinese nationals targeted in Grays Harbor County

November 28th, 2017
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One indoor marijuana cultivating scene. / Courtesy photo by Grays Harbor County Drug Task Force

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Members of more than a dozen law enforcement agencies, including from Lewis County, joined up with state and federal agents to serve search warrants in three counties today following an investigation into illegal marijuana growing operations by Chinese nationals.

The Grays Harbor County Drug Task Force oversaw today’s activities after a months-long investigation in which they learned of numerous homes being purchased for that purpose, primarily for cash, by people involved in organized crime, according to Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office Chief Criminal Deputy Steve Shumate.

“The proceeds from these illegal grows appear to be funding other criminal enterprises,” Shumate said in a press release. “Those investigations are on-going.”

With the citizen’s passage of Initiative 502, the law enforcement community supports the legal operations of marijuana producers, processors and retailers in this state, according to Shumate. They are required by Washington state law to be licensed and follow strict guidelines, he stated.

Teams today are processing the scenes and removing for destruction any illegal marijuana. Personnel from the Lewis County Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team and Lewis County Sheriff’s Office were among those assisting.

Shumate said the search warrants were served throughout Grays Harbor County as well as in related locations in Thurston and King counties, but did not reveal specific places, the number of arrests or the quantity of marijuana found.

He did say the investigation originated with citizen reports of possible illegal grows outside of Elma, in McCleary, Aberdeen and Hoquiam.

Also part of today’s operation were members of agencies such as the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Marshals Office, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board and Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

November 28th, 2017
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Updated

SENIOR CITIZENS VICTIMIZED IN BURGLARY

• A deputy was called about 10:50 p.m. yesterday to the home of a 95-year-old woman and a 70-year-old woman after the discovery their residence on the 200 block of Joppish Road in Centralia had been ransacked. Both garage doors were found open and among the missing property were a Samsung 42-inch flat screen television, a purple suitcase with afghans and medication, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. One of the victims said everything was fine when she left at 9 o’clock that morning, according to the sheriff’s office.

FIREARMS STOLEN IN BREAK-IN

• A deputy was called to the 300 block of Davis Lake Road in Morton about 10:30 a.m. yesterday where an individual found a door forced open and an estimated $5,000 worth of guns and car parts missing from a residence and garage. He said he had last been there about 1 p.m. on Wednesday, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

OTHER CRIME

• An attempted burglary to a fenced area was discovered and reported to police yesterday just before 4 p.m. at the 900 block of South Gold Street in Centralia.

• Chehalis police were called about 3:45 p.m. yesterday to take a report of an assault involving a male and a female at Northwest Chehalis Avenue and Park Street. The incident is under investigation, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

VEHICLE PROWL

• Centralia police were called to the 1200 block of Mellen Street about 4:45 p.m. yesterday where a business reported  the theft of gasoline from a vehicle during the night.

DRUGS

• Centralia police arrested two people for possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver about 10:15 a.m. yesterday at the the 1100 block of Harrison Avenue in Centralia. Tavryn L. Lindsey, 22, of Toledo, and Shelby N. McCory, 25, a homeless person, were both booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Centralia Police Department.

ON THE ROAD, OFF THE ROAD

• Centralia police were called about 1:10 p.m. yesterday to Tower Avenue and Pear Street where a car collided with a tree, sheering the tree off at the trunk and totaling the car.

RESPONDERS LET GARAGE BURN

• Centralia area firefighters called about 10:10 a.m. yesterday to a burning garage building known for sometimes being used by homeless people allowed it to burn, for firefighter safety reasons, according to Riverside Fire Authority. The location with the two-car garage and an attached storage room at the end of Alexander Street has had fires in the past, according to Fire Capt. Tim Adolphsen. The captain indicated that after everything was mostly consumed, they extinguished the flames. Nobody was injured, according to Adolphsen.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, trespassing, third-degree theft, probation violation, fourth-degree assault; responses for alarm, dispute, civil issue, misdemeanor theft, vehicle collision, suspicious circumstances … and more among 156 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 7 a.m.

County clerk election: Too close to call without a recount

November 28th, 2017

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The sitting Lewis County clerk edged out his opponent by just 38 votes, but because the race is so close, a recount will be conducted, according to officials.

Scott Tinney was appointed to the position a year ago after Lewis County Clerk Kathy Brack vacated the elected office two years into a four-year term.

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Scott Tinney

Carla Shannon, a deputy clerk in the Lewis County Clerk’s Office, ran against him. Both are Republicans.

The results of the November election were certified today.

The final tally shows Tinney with 7,318 votes and Shannon with 7,280.

Lewis County Auditor Larry Grove said today that because the number of votes separating the two candidates is so small, a machine recount has been scheduled for next Tuesday, at 10 a.m.

Because Brack served as a Republican, her party got a role in the process of replacing her after her retirement in September of 2016. The local party’s first choice was Shannon, but the Lewis County Board of Commissioners selected the party’s third choice, Tinney, when they made the appointment last year.

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Carla Shannon

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

Shannon has worked in Lewis County as a deputy clerk in Lewis County about six years. Tinney previously worked as a deputy clerk in Thurston County.

The position will again be on the ballot in November 2018 for a normal four-year term.
•••

For background, read “Primary voters favor Tinney, Shannon for county clerk” from Wednesday August 2, 2017, here

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

November 27th, 2017
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•••

Updated at 1:48 p.m.

BITING ASSAULT

• Deputies were called about 8:10 a.m. on Saturday to the Lewis County Jail where a 27-year-old Olympia area woman allegedly bit the finger of a corrections deputy as staff was trying to restrain her. Stacie L. Wilson was arrested for custodial assault and re-booked, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

SHOOTING THREAT

• A 61-year-old Chehalis area man upset about possibly being evicted was arrested for four counts of felony harassment as he allegedly threatened to put a bullet in the back of victims’ heads on Wednesday at the 1500 block of Middle Fork Road. Harry Lauster was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. The alleged victims are men ages 20 through 35, according to the sheriff’s office.

BURGLARY

• Chehalis police were called about 11:45 a.m. yesterday for a burglary to a business at the 100 block of North Market Boulevard in which receipts and cash had been stolen while the business was closed. The money was taken out of an honor system payment box for trees, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

• A deputy was called on Thursday to take a report from a woman who discovered about noon the lock on her storage unit was missing at the 2200 block of Southwest Salsbury Avenue in Chehalis. Taken sometime since 7 p.m. the night before were two televisions and a drill, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

MISSING MONEY

• A woman called police about 12:45 p.m. on Wednesday to report she had an envelope with several hundred dollars inside which was either lost or stolen while she was out and about in Chehalis.

AUTO THEFT

• An individual reported about 7:30 p.m. yesterday that sometime during the previous week someone stole her black 1997 Honda Accord, from the 700 block of South Ash Street in Centralia. It has a license plate of 616 YFB,  according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Centralia police were called about 11:45 a.m. yesterday to take a report of a Dodge pickup stolen which was later recovered in a case associated with a location near South Iron and Pear streets.

• A deputy was called about 7:30 a.m. yesterday to take a report that a 1995 Honda Accord had been stolen from the 1600 block of Windsor Avenue in Centralia sometime after 9:30 p.m. the day before. It was found about noon, undamaged, in a parking lot at the 1300 block of Grand Avenue, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

• Police were called about 5:50 p.m. on Saturday to the 1600 block of Northwest Louisiana Avenue after an individual’s co-worker reported seeing their vehicle leave the parking lot. Stolen was a blue 1989 Honda Civic wagon with black rims, two stickers in the rear window and black seat covers, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

VEHICLE PROWL

• Centralia police were called just before 7 a.m. today to take a report of gasoline siphoned from a vehicle parked  at the 300 block of South King Street.

• Police were called about 8:40 a.m. yesterday for a vehicle prowl at the 3000 block of Borst Avenue in Centralia in which a social security card was taken.

• Police were called to the 1500 block of Snively Avenue in Chehalis about 8:25 a.m. on Wednesday where someone had broken into a truck and stole several tools.

DRUGS

• A suspected shoplifter detained at the the 1600 block of Northwest Louisiana Avenue at about 1:35 p.m. yesterday was allegedly subsequently found in possession of a pipe, a scale and suspected drugs, according to the Chehalis Police Department. Angie M. Benzshawel, 44, of McCleary, was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to police.

• A Centralia area resident contacted about 6:45 p.m. on Thursday because of an outstanding warrant was subsequently found in possession of suspected methamphetamine. Terry R. Strong, 49, was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

OTHER CRIMES

• A 38-year-old Centralia area woman contacted by a deputy early on Friday was arrested for an incident on Nov. 11 in Morton in which she allegedly provided her sister’s name as her own to a deputy. Jessica R. Gladue was booked into the Lewis County Jail for criminal impersonation, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

VANDALISM

• A 19-year-old Centralia resident was arrested for third-degree malicious mischief after police were called to the 2800 block of Russell Road in Centralia about 11:40 p.m. yesterday where he had allegedly slashed the tire of the victim’s vehicle with a knife. Tyler M. Hall, of Centralia, was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Chehalis police were called about 10:15 a.m. on Saturday to the 600 block of Southwest Cascade Avenue where someone had punctured and flattened all four tires on a vehicle belonging to someone else.

• A deputy was called to the Lewis County Jail about 11 a.m. on Friday to take a report of an inmate who allegedly damaged a kiosk and phone, amounting to $1,750. Joel L. Kaech, 27, from Seattle, was arrested and re-booked for second-degree malicious mischief, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

• An officer was called about 8 a.m. on Friday to a business at the Twin City Town Center on the 1400 block of  Northwest Louisiana Avenue regarding damage to a  window which appeared to have been shot at.

• Chehalis police were called about 9:50 p.m. on Thursday to the 1600 block of Northwest Louisiana Avenue where the rear window of a vehicle was shattered, possibly with a BB gun. Police say they will happily accept anonymous tips about who the suspect is.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, trespassing, resisting arrest, third-degree theft, probation violation, driving with suspended license, protection order violation, fourth-degree domestic assault, possession of marijuana, third-degree malicious mischief, operating motor vehicle without required ignition interlock device; responses for alarm, dispute, civil issue, hit and run, shoplifting, vehicle collision, possible fraud, suspicious circumstances … and more among 129 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 7 a.m.

Bald eagles land on I-5, during a presumed fight

November 26th, 2017
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Angel Davison snapped a picture from her vehicle before the two eagles moved off the roadway

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A pair of bald eagles fighting on the ground in the middle of Interstate 5 in Chehalis today drew the attention of motorists and then law enforcement.

Troopers called to the area near the Wal-Mart exit just before 2 p.m. arrived about six minutes later to find one of the birds had moved to the northbound shoulder and the other to a ditch adjacent to the southbound lanes.

“A trooper was (on the southbound side) looking for him and he got up and flew away,” Trooper Jacob Payne said.

The eagle on the northbound shoulder succumbed to his injuries shortly after they arrived, Payne said.

They don’t know if either of the eagles were struck by any vehicles, but the deceased bird didn’t appear to have any exterior trauma, Payne said.

The dead bald eagle was taken by an officer with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, he said.

Payne said he was told by the wildlife officer this type of incident is not uncommon, and since it’s not mating season, they were probably fighting.

•••

CORRECTION: The caption below the photo with this news story has been updated to reflect the correct name of the motorist and photographer.

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

November 26th, 2017
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SURVEILLANCE IMAGES

• A homeowner reported just after 11 p.m. yesterday a suspect was seen on video attempting to steal items from the 300 block of Courtland Street in Centralia. The suspect fled, according to the Centralia Police Department.

OUTBUILDING BURGLED

• A bicycle was stolen out of storage shed at the 1100 block of South Pearl Street in Centralia, according to a report made to police about 10:40 a.m. on Friday.

FRAUD

• A 47-year-old Centralia resident was arrested for forgery in a case associated with a call about 5:50 p.m. yesterday to the 1100 block of Harrison Avenue, according to the Centralia Police Department. John A. Schamel was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to police.

AUTO THEFT

• An abandoned stolen vehicle was located in the parking lot of a business at the 1600 block of Gold Street in Centralia, just after 11 a.m. yesterday, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• A Centralia police officer located a stolen Honda in an alley way at the 1000 block of North Pearl Street in Centralia at about 10:50 a.m. on Friday. The vehicle had been reported stolen out of Olympia, according to the Centralia Police Department.

FUNNY MONEY

• Police were called to the 1100 block of Harrison Avenue in Centralia just after 6 p.m. on Friday where an individual attempted to pass two counterfeit $100 bills.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, driving with suspended license, fourth-degree domestic assault, third-degree malicious mischief, operating motor vehicle without required ignition interlock device; responses for alarm, dispute, civil issue, hit and run, shoplifting, vehicle collision, suspicious circumstances … and more among 323 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 48-hour period ending about 7 a.m.

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

November 24th, 2017
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•••

THREAT WITH KNIFE

• Centralia police called about 6:40 p.m. yesterday regarding an individual who allegedly charged two people with a knife in his hand and threatened to stab them at the 800 block of West Pine Street. Officers subsequently arrested  Larry R. Lamson, 49, of Centralia, for two counts of first-degree assault and booked him into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Centralia Police Department.

STUDENT ASSAULT

• Centralia police called to the 900 block of Johnson Road at about 12:25 p.m. on Wednesday are referring a case to prosecutors for second-degree assault involving a 14-year-old boy and another student.

VEHICLE THEFT

•  A maroon Honda Accord with a green left fender was stolen sometime during the night from the 1400 block of Lewis Street in Centralia, according to a report made to police about 7:10 a.m. today. It has a license plate reading AEZ 0901, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Centralia police were called just after 5 o’clock this morning to take a report of a red Honda Civic hatchback stolen from the 100 block of Virginia Drive sometime after 2 a.m. The car has a bright yellow smiley face sticker on the back window.

• A stolen vehicle was located abandoned at the 1600 block of Kresky Avenue in Centralia at about 11:50 a.m. on Wednesday.

CAR PROWL

• A purse was reported stolen from a vehicle at the 500 block of Courtland Street in Centralia, according to a report made to police about 2:20 a.m. today.

• Centralia police were called to the 200 block of South Cedar Street about 7:35 p.m. yesterday where a a wallet and flashlight were stolen from an unlocked vehicle.

OTHER THEFT

• Centralia police were called to the 1600 block of South Gold Street about 2:40 p.m. on Wednesday where a display mattress had been stolen from a parking lot.

• Centralia police were called to the 1300 block of South Gold Street at 10 a.m. on Wednesday to take a report that an unknown male attempted to cash a stolen check at a bank.

ON THE ROAD, OFF THE ROAD

• Centralia police were called about 7:15 a.m. yesterday when a vehicle traveling eastbound on Mellen Street failed to negotiate the left hand corner and left the roadway, striking a parked car, shoving it into two other parked cars. There was minor damage to the front porch of a residence as well, according to the Centralia Police Department. Speed and inattention may have been factors and the driver was issued an infraction, according to police.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for drugs, obstructing, warrants, harassment, driving with suspended license, driving under the influence, fourth-degree assault; responses for alarm, dispute, civil issue, hit and run, vehicle collision, misdemeanor theft, suspicious circumstances … and more among 336 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 48-hour period ending about 7 a.m.