Lewis County Sirens.com

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

Since the National Weather Service is now predicting a phase two flood event for the Chehalis River at Centralia, the city has decided to open sandbags stations in the morning as well as activate its emergency operations center.

The river is expected to crest about four and a half feet above flood stage at Mellen Street tomorrow evening, according to a news release from Police Chief Bob Berg. The weather service currently expects it to hit minor flood stage before 8 a.m.

That’s about two feet higher than they were thinking this morning.

Sand and bags for Centralia residents only will be available starting at 8 a.m. at:

• The 100 block of West Center Street, in the northwest corner of the Destiny Christian Center parking lot.

• The 1800 block of Cooks Hill Road, in front  of the medical center

• The 200 block of East Summa Street, by the railroad tracks.

Phase two means that in addition to low-lying roads such as South Schueber, Military Road, Airport Road and possibly portions of Kresky Avenue maybe being impacted by rising waters, other residential streets in the south end of town could be affected, according to Berg.

Also, low-lying areas that traditionally flood early could experience minor to moderate flooding, Berg wrote in a news release tonight.

Changing weather patterns could change the forecast, Berg cautions.

Residents are advised to stay tuned to local radio stations for the latest weather information.
•••

Follow river levels and their forecasts here

Follow weather forecast, occurrences and warnings here (Click on your location, then click on the “flood warning” and read more)

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced today a leader of a drug trafficking ring they said used runners and dispatchers and catered to customers from Pierce, Thurston, Lewis, Kitsap, and Grays Harbor counties, was sentenced to just over 11 years in prison.

Sergio Omar Valencia Garcia, 35, previously residing in Tacoma and a citizen of Mexico was sentenced last week in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to 135 months for possession of heroin with intent to deliver and conspiracy to deliver heroin, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

In asking for a lengthy prison term, prosecutors noted the huge amount of heroin found in Valencia Garcia’s home; 55 pounds along with a large amount of cash, according to a news release.

He and other defendants were arrested June 9, 2010.

The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Thurston County Narcotics Task Force, the Grays Harbor Drug Task Force and the Lakewood Police Department. Numerous other agencies assisted.

Hundreds of thousands of dollars, proceeds of the drug trade, was shipped to Mexico in hidden compartments built into vehicles, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Valencia Garcia most likely will be deported after he is released.
•••

Read background “News brief: Sixty-five pounds of heroin “off the menu” after sweep” from Thursday June 10, 2010, here

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

A small barn used as a kennel was destroyed by fire in Winlock this morning, along with several dogs inside.

The resident was able to rescue some dogs from a nearby building when the blaze broke out on the 700 block of South Military Road.

“Those dogs were saved, those dogs will be fine,” Lewis County Fire District 15 Assistant Chief Kevin Anderson said. “It’s a pretty sad circumstance for the family, but things could have been a lot worse.”

Firefighters from three departments called about 6:30 a.m. found the barn fully involved in flames and fought it defensively, Anderson said.

They kept the second barn and a utility trailer from burning, but the main structure and its contents were a total loss, he said. Its metal roof collapsed, he said.

Anderson said the couple are dog breeders. He thought the animals were Labradors, both adults and puppies. He did not know how many perished.

The cause is under investigation.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Two days of heavy rains beginning tonight means flooding is possible around the Newaukum and Chehalis Rivers as well as others around Western Washington.

Lewis County Emergency Management Deputy Director Sgt. Ross McDowell said today he expects minor field flooding and urges folks to clean out leaves and debris from storm drains and culverts to help disperse the water.

A windstorm is also forecast to move through parts of Western Washington after 10 o’clock tonight, with winds as much as 30 mph and gusts up to 50 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

McDowell took the opportunity as flood season kicks off to remind the public that most natural disaster deaths come from walking or driving through floodwaters. November is the second most frequent month for floods in Lewis County, following February, according to McDowell.

Five such deaths occurred locally in 2006 and in 1990, according to McDowell.

Here’s what he wants people to know:

• Six inches of moving water can cause a person to fall and can cause a loss of steering control or even engine stalling.
• Twelve inches of water can float most vehicles.
• Two feet of water can carry away most vehicles, including SUVs and pickup trucks.
• Beneath a water-covered roadway, the road surface could be damaged or washed away.

McDowell also offers reminders of what to do before, during and after a flood, in hopes that preparedness will keep first responders free to deal with life-threatening emergencies:

BEFORE A FLOOD

• Gather three to five days worth of emergency supplies for home, pets and livestock, including medication and cash.
• At least one plug-in wall phone will help for emergency calls in case the power goes out.
• Learn how to purify water and how to decontaminate a well.
• Keep a tankful of gas in the car.
• Keep insurance policies in a safe place.
• Listen to your radio, television or weather radio for reports of flood danger. Check river readings, road conditions and weather alerts at the county website.

DURING A FLOOD

• Stay away from moving water. Wash hands well if you come into contact with flood water.
• Stay away from downed power lines.
• Stay away from disaster areas unless authorities ask for help.
• Keep listening to radio or television for reports of flood danger.
• Limit phone calls to keep lines clear for emergency calls; call 911 only in life-threatening emergencies.

AFTER THE FLOOD

• Wear gloves and boots when cleaning up.
• Open all doors and windows; use fans if possible to air out buildings.
• Wash all clothes and linens in hot water.
• Discard mattresses and stuffed furniture, they can’t be adequately cleaned.
• One cup of bleach per gallon of water will work for wiping and disinfecting various surfaces; use soap and water to wash mud from walls, counters and floors.
• Cans of food can be opened after they are thoroughly washed; throw out all other food that comes into contact with flood water.

•••

Check National Weather Service forecasts and their river level readings with the links on the right hand sidebar of Lewis County Sirens website.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The man captured in California last spring and brought to Lewis County to face a 25-year-old murder charge is scheduled to plead guilty tomorrow in Lewis County Superior Court.

Efren J. Triana

Carlos Vidal Guiterrez is accused in the fatal shooting of 23-year-old Efren J. Triana in downtown Centralia in October 1986.

The 54-year-old was picked up by the U.S. Marshals’ Service in San Benito County in central California.

Prosecutors allege Guiterrez shot the Rochester resident when the two stepped outside La Adalitas tavern to fight on Oct. 25, 1986.

Guiterrez is charged with second-degree murder and is expected to plead guilty to second-degree murder, Lewis County Deputy prosecutor Will Halstead said today.

Halstead said he did not know if it would be a straight guilty plea or a so-called Alford plea.

Guiterrez faces a sentence of somewhere between a little more than 10 years and almost 14 years, Halstead said.

He will go before Judge James Lawler at 1 p.m.

•••

Read background in “Accused slayer of Rochester man in 1986 faces a judge today” from Wednesday April 6, 2011, here

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

The Onalaska man found dead after he failed to return from a one-day hunting trip south of Randle died from an apparent fall of a significant distance, according to authorities.

David Sherwood, 56, was the subject of a search in the Ryan Lake area that ended on Tuesday; his body was discovered down a steep ravine. He had set out alone the Friday before hunting elk.

Lewis County Coroner Warren McLeod said an autopsy revealed Sherwood died of blunt force trauma, and the pathologist concluded his death was instantaneous, the coroner’s office said today.

Both the coroner and a spokesperson for the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office said they did not know what Sherwood fell onto.

McLeod said Sherwood died on Friday, Nov. 11, the day he went hunting in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

Some 70 family and friends were among those who searched for Sherwood, along with Skamania County authorities and at least one veteran search and rescue member of the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.
•••

Read previous story, here