Higher court agrees with Judge Buzzard’s order that dog should be euthanized

September 8th, 2017
2017.0908.hankincarcerated

Hank’s family visits him at the Lewis County Animal Shelter

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The attorney working to save the life of Hank the pit bull terrier announced today a judge agreed with a lower court which ruled Hank is a dangerous dog who should be put down.

“Today, Judge Edwards affirmed Judge Buzzard’s ruling,” Bellingham animal lawyer Adam Karp stated. “However, he did not enter an order at this time.”

The appeal of Lewis County District Court Judge R.W. Buzzard’s June decision was heard in Grays Harbor County Superior Court because all three Lewis County Superior Court judge’s recused themselves.

The 2-year-old pet belonged to a Centralia family which adopted him in January from the Lewis County Animal Shelter. Jan Propp-Estimo, her son and grandson lost him when local authorities realized Hank was actually a dog named Tank which the county had previously designated a dangerous dog because he was implicated with his mother in the killing of two goats in Winlock last year.

The county took him back in May. He remains locked up at the shelter.

Karp said that the judge today basically said it’s not his job to second guess Judge Buzzard.

Presently there is no order mandating Hank’s euthanasia by any date certain.

The parties will return to Grays Harbor County Superior Court at 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 25 to enter the written order of today’s oral conclusions of the judge, Karp said.

Karp said his plan is to appeal today’s decision to the state Court of Appeals, trying to expedite it, for Hank’s sake, he said.

Separately, an action Karp filed on Propp-Estimo’s behalf against Lewis County and some of its personnel seeking damages and other relief was removed to federal court and continues.

Karp this afternoon said something he’s learned in nearly 20 years of practice is, if first you don’t succeed, keep on trying because often one finds justice at higher levels.

“We’re not going to let this dog die, it’s just not going to happen,” he said. “If it requires the Ninth Circuit or the Washington Supreme Court, that’s what we’ll do.

“I feel for Hank, being incarcerated for this period of time; I hope he’ll have the spirit to continue on.”
•••

For background, read “Hank: Judge declines to declassify dangerous dog” from Monday June 19, 2017, here

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

September 8th, 2017
2015.0518.2013.1113.sirenslights5860.secondone

•••

BURGLARY TOLEDO

• A deputy was called the 100 block of Hopp Road North in Toledo yesterday after a resident arrived home to find his front door open and valuables missing. It happened sometime between 6 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Stolen was an Apple iPad II and a speaker, according to the sheriff’s office.

BURGLARY CENTRALIA

• Centralia police were called just before 11 a.m. yesterday to the 1400 block of Harrison Avenue where they took a report that someone broke into a warehouse and stole a chainsaw and a Tote coat. No suspect information is known, according to the Centralia Police Department.

AUTO THEFT

• Chehalis police were called about 8:25 a.m. yesterday by an individual who reported the theft of black 1998 Ford Contour which had last been seen parked at the 200 block of North Market Boulevard about 8:30 a.m. the day before. The victim had the keys and said the car had been locked, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

DRUGS

• A 38-year-old Winlock woman was arrested for possession of methamphetamine when she was picked up on an outstanding warrant following a traffic stop about 3:45 p.m. yesterday at the 600 block of Koontz Road outside of Chehalis. A search turned up a small bindle of a white crystalized substances in her jeans’ pocket, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Michelle R. Holt was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the sheriff’s office.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, trespassing, fourth-degree assault, probation violation, driving with suspended license; responses for alarm, dispute, civil issue, vandalism, vehicle collision, misdemeanor theft, suspicious circumstances … and more among 163 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

September 7th, 2017
2015.0518.2013.1113.sirenslights5860.secondone

•••

Updated

NIGHT-TIME BREAK-IN ONALASKA

• Deputies were called about 2 a.m. today to the 100 block of Hogue Road in Onalaska where an individual allegedly climbed through a bedroom window and assaulted his ex-wife and her new boyfriend. A suspect vehicle was leaving as law enforcement was responding but couldn’t be found, however the suspect was located in Port Orchard about 7:45 a.m., according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. John R. Seifert, 38, of Onalaska, allegedly grabbed the female victim by the throat and punched the male victim, according to the sheriff’s office. Chief Deputy Dusty Breen said despite a no contact order, the suspect has been calling and messaging his ex-wife non-stop for the past few weeks, threatening to kill her, her family and burn the house down. Seifert was to be transported to Chehalis to be booked into the Lewis County Jail for residential burglary, stalking, harassment and a violation of a no contact order, Breen said.

VEHICLE THEFT

• Chehalis police were called about 11:30 a.m. yesterday to take a report that a 1992 Honda Accord had been stolen from the 400 block of Northwest Park Street. Police quickly learned the car had been recovered, although it was stripped, in Clackamas County, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

• Lewis County sheriff’s deputies were able to get footage showing a suspect driving a missing van at the Lucky Eagle Casino and are referring the case of a 28-year-old Chehalis woman to prosecutors for vehicle theft. A deputy was called about 9 p.m. on Tuesday to the 3500 block of Harrison Avenue in Centralia where a 62-year-old man said he’d given his van key to a houseguest so she could retrieve something and when he woke up later, both were gone, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Stolen was a red Ford Econoline van, with a license plate reading AXV 0620, according to the sheriff’s office. The van’s owner said that since the woman had been staying at his house, two firearms and a drill have disappeared, Chief Deputy Dusty Breen said.

FRAUD

• A deputy was called yesterday by a Chehalis area man who said his credit card had been compromised between Saturday and Tuesday while he was vacationing in Oregon with withdrawals made from his account of over $2,000, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. The transactions occurred in Bothell and Kirkland, according to the sheriff’s office.

BOAT MOTOR MISSING

• Centralia police were called to the 600 block of Richmond Avenue just before 10 a.m. yesterday where sometime during the night someone cut a lock and stole a Johnson Seahorse 7.5 hp motor from a boat, according to the Centralia Police Department.

CAR PROWL

• A pair of Nike sneakers and a basketball were stolen in a vehicle prowl reported at 7:20 a.m. today at the 1400 block of Harrison Avenue in Centralia.

• Centralia police were called about 3:40 p.m. yesterday to take a report of tools stolen from a vehicle at the 1800 block of Cooks Hill Road.

• Police were called to the 700 block of West First Street in Centralia about 10:10 a.m. yesterday where during the night someone stolen a Garmin GPS device from an unlocked car, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• A GPS device and a camera were stolen during the night from a vehicle at the 1500 block of Lum Road in Centralia, according to a report made to police about 9:20 a.m. yesterday.

DRUGS

• A 28-year-old woman was arrested for possession of methamphetamine after contact with police on an outstanding warrant about 5:10 .m. today at the 1200 block of Mellen Street in Centralia. Jennie B. Young, transient, was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Centralia Police Department.

SEX CRIME

• Centralia police were contacted about 8:15 a.m. yesterday to take a report of a possible sexual assault, according to the Centralia Police Department.

LITTERING

• Dawn D. Galbreath, 59, of Centralia was cited for throwing a lit cigarette out of the window of her vehicle at Harrison Avenue and Interstate 5 about 4:40 a.m. today, according to the Centralia Police Department. She was then released, according to police.

KITCHEN FIRE INJURY

• An individual was hospitalized with burns to her chest and arms from a grease fire in the kitchen of an apartment on the 1400 block of Johnson Road in Centralia late yesterday afternoon. Firefighters called about 5:45 p.m. arrived to find a neighbor had used a fire extinguisher to put out the fire, according to Riverside Fire Authority. A crew overhauled the area to make sure flames had not spread anywhere, Lt. Rick LeBoeuf stated in a brief summary of the incident. The victim was transported to Providence Centralia Hospital’s emergency room for treatment and later transferred to Haborview Burn Center in Seattle, according to LeBoeuf.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for drugs, warrants, fourth-degree assault, probation violation, driving with suspended license, failure to transfer title, driving without required ignition interlock device; responses for alarm, dispute, civil issue, vandalism, shoplifting, hit and run, vehicle collision, misdemeanor assault, suspicious circumstances … and more among 144 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 7 a.m.

Local fire danger not letting up

September 6th, 2017

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The Gifford Pinchot National Forest announced yesterday it is banning not only campfires, but also smoking throughout the forest, effective immediately.

Restrictions will remain in place until there is significant moisture to lower the fire danger.

2015.0806.final.nocampfire-001

•••

The restrictions apply also to the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument area.

The ban includes any stove fires including briquette fires. Smoking is not prohibited within an enclosed vehicle or building.

At the same time, the state Department of Natural Resources expanded its outdoor burn ban to include the entire state, meaning no campfires in any state parks or any land protected by DNR.

“Wildfire and smoke is affecting every community around the state as we see the hot, dry summer take its toll on our forests,” Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz stated in a press release. “Without any relief from this weather in the foreseeable future and with our firefighters spread across the Northwest, we can no longer allow outdoor burning anywhere in Washington.”

Anyone caught violating the burn ban can face fines.

On Monday, Labor Day, DNR firefighters responded to 21 new fire starts.

Fireworks and incendiary devices, such as exploding targets, sky lanterns, or tracer ammunition, are always illegal on all DNR-protected forestlands.

Lewis County enacted a total outdoor burn ban at the beginning of August.

At its peak, there were 200 personnel battling a wildfire in Rochester that began a little over two weeks ago and consumed 384 acres, two residences, a historical home and its barn as well as a business, outbuildings, heavy equipment and vehicles, with most of the fire burning through the Scatter Creek Wildlife Area. West Thurston Regional Fire Authority announced Thursday the fire was finally out.

A red flag warning about critical fire weather is in place until 11 p.m. tomorrow in Pacific County as well as the Pe Ell area and the westernmost strip of Lewis County, down through Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties and also Skamania County.

Expected lightning and especially dry fuels are the reason.

Smoke from wildfires across the region will continue to linger over Western Washington through at least Thursday morning, according to the National Weather Service.

An air quality alert remains in place for all of Western Washington through mid-day tomorrow.

“Children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory illnesses are most at risk of serious health effects,” NWS states in its alert. “These groups should limit or avoid spending time outdoors.”

Morton police investigate “present of dead kittens”

September 6th, 2017

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A 20-year-old Morton resident is charged for his role in allegedly leaving a taped-shut box of kittens in the yard of his 15-year-old companion’s ex-girlfriend and sending taunting social media messages.

The little cats were inside a cardboard diaper box, with no air holes or water on a very hot day, and placed in a location where they would not be easy to find, according to authorities.

An adult who discovered them told the Morton Police Department the felines appeared dehydrated, sick and hungry, court documents relate.

The two suspects allegedly told the 15-year-old girl via an audio Facebook message, there was a present of dead kittens waiting for her.

Brandon M. McIntyre, 20, of Morton, was arrested on Saturday and was  brought before a judge on yesterday afternoon in Lewis County Superior Court. The 15-year-old boy’s case is being handled in Lewis County Juvenile Court.

When McIntyre’s bail was discussed, Lewis County Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor Brad Meagher called the case alarming. Judge Joely O’Rourke called the allegations extremely alarming and agreed to the recommendation of $10,000.

Charging documents state the incident occurred on June 23 and 24 and came to the attention of police from a girl who learned about it on Facebook. A Morton police officer began investigating at the end of July and interviewed those involved, according to the documents.

The 15-year-old girl said the two suspects did it to get back at her for breaking up with her boyfriend, the younger of the two suspects.

When the adult confronted the boy about it on Facebook, he allegedly denied involvement but made several threats, including “I hope you die,” charging documents allege.

The audio Facebook message between the suspects and the 15-year-old girl allegedly include calling her vulgar names and also McIntyre threatening to “put a hit out” on the adult.

The adult and the girl reside in the same home where the kittens were found, though its location in Morton, or Mossyrock, is not mentioned. Charging documents don’t offer any update as to the kittens’ conditions.

McIntyre’s arraignment is scheduled for tomorrow in Lewis County Superior Court. He is charged with one count of first-degree animal cruelty and one count of cyberstalking.

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

September 6th, 2017
2015.0518.2013.1113.sirenslights5860.secondone

•••

Updated

AUTO THEFT

• Centralia police were called about 4:30 p.m. yesterday regarding a car stolen from the 1100 block of South Tower Avenue. Missing is a  1999 Nissan Altima, according to the Centralia Police Department. Police have a suspect.

OTHER THEFT

• Chehalis police were called to the 200 block of Southwest 16th Street about 5:40 p.m. yesterday where a worm drive skill saw had been stolen out of an unlocked garage in previous days. It was black and red and almost new, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

• Chehalis police were called yesterday afternoon to the 2100 block of North National Avenue to take a report that a Penske tow dolly had been stolen. It is silver with gray fenders, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

• A red delivery shopping cart was reported stolen about 3:15 p.m. yesterday from the 1000 block of Belmont Avenue in Centralia, according to the Centralia Police Department.

CAR PROWL

• Centralia police were called at 5:20 a.m. today to the 900 block of South Scheuber Road where someone had cut a fuel line and siphoned gas from a vehicle.

ON THE ROAD, OFF THE ROAD

• Officers were called about 9:20 p.m. yesterday about an assault at the 1200 block of Mellen Street in Centralia which led to one vehicle chasing another and a hit and run collision, according to the Centralia Police Department.

FROM THE COURTHOUSE

• A 25-year-old Centralia man was charged yesterday in Lewis County Superior Court with allegedly having sex with a 15-year-old neighbor girl. Lewis County Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor Brad Meagher was surprised the suspect was not in the courtroom yesterday afternoon, saying he had been in the jail over the weekend on another matter, and Meagher had asked an officer to book him that morning. According to charging documents, the girl’s mother contacted the sheriff’s office on Thursday and deputies interviewed the mother, the teen and the suspect. The deputies learned the suspect had recently moved in and the mom began to see her daughter hanging out in front of his house smoking cigarettes. The girl allegedly said that earlier in the week, he made advances, convinced her to go with him and the two had sex, according to charging documents. It wasn’t clear at the end of the court hearing when the suspect would appear in court to face the charge, of third-degree rape of a child.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for drugs, warrants, hit and run, reckless driving, driving under the influence, driving with suspended license; responses for alarm, dispute, civil issue, vandalism, vehicle collision, suspicious circumstances, misdemeanor assault, unfounded report … and more among 195 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

September 5th, 2017
2015.0518.2013.1113.sirenslights5860.secondone

•••

Updated

ASSAULT

• The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office reports this morning they are looking for a 52-year-old Tacoma man who got into a physical altercation with a woman in their vehicle at the flea market in Packwood on Saturday afternoon, but fled on foot when passersby heard what was happening and approached the vehicle. The suspect allegedly had said he was going to take her into the woods and kill her and then tried to drag her out of the vehicle, according to the sheriff’s office. The woman had minor injuries, Chief Deputy Dusty Breen said.

• Chehalis police are investigating a possible assault after being contacted about 5:20 a.m. on Sunday regarding a woman with a head injury at the hospital.

BREAK-IN CHEHALIS

• Chehalis police were called just before 10:30 a.m. yesterday to a marijuana store at the 1100 block of Northwest State Avenue for a burglary. They don’t know yet what was taken, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

VEHICLE THEFT

• Chehalis police were contacted just before 7 a.m. on Saturday by an individual who said he found his vehicle which had been stolen a month or so earlier.

• Someone stole a green 2009 Kawasaki dirt bike from a garage at the 300 block of Southwest Eighth Street in Chehalis, according to a report made to police just after 9 a.m. on Friday. The model is KLX 140L, the bike has Monster Energy drink stickers on it, and a bent rear fender, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

• Chehalis police were called at 8:40 a.m. on Friday to take a report that a business’s truck had been stolen during the night from the 200 block of Northwest Quincy Place. It was later recovered in Pierce County, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

SHOPLIFTING

• Centralia police were called just before 11 a.m. yesterday after a male allegedly stole 12 bottles of liquor from a store at the 1100 block of Harrison Avenue. The items were recovered when he was confronted by employees, according to the Centralia Police Department. It appears no arrest was made.

• Centralia police were called about 1:05 p.m. on Sunday after a female allegedly stole items from a store at the 1100 block of Harrison Avenue and as she was leaving struck another vehicle and nearly struck pedestrians. Nobody was hurt, according to the Centralia Police Department. The vehicle was later located at the suspect’s residence and was seized as evidence, according to police.

OTHER THEFT

• Centralia police were called about 4:35 p.m. yesterday to Borst Park where an individual said that while she and her family floated the river, their vehicle parked near the boat launch was prowled. A window was broken out and a small purse stolen, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• A 58-year-old Centralia man was arrested after police were called about 2:35 p.m. yesterday about a person passing a counterfeit $10 bill in the pharmacy area at a store on the 1600 block of Northwest Louisiana Avenue. Charles E. Wiegard was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Chehalis Police Department. He was released after prosecutors today declined to file the felony charge.

• Chehalis police were called about noon on Sunday about a purse taken while a woman was unloading groceries in a parking lot at the 1600 block of Northwest Louisiana Avenue.

• Centralia police took a report from the 1000 block of Belmont Avenue on Saturday regarding a purse stolen the day before.

• Centralia police were called to the 2000 block of Ahlers Avenue in Centralia at about 7:15 p.m. on Sunday to take a report that a set of 34-inch tires and Weld wheels had been stolen.

DRUGS

• A Winlock resident arrested on an outstanding warrant just before 1 o’clock this morning at the 800 block of Harrison Avenue in Centralia was also arrested for possession of methamphetamine. Joshua A.P. Leblanc, 34, was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• A 54-year-old man was arrested for possession of methamphetamine after being contacted by officers called to the park at the 2000 block of Borst Avenue about 4:25 p.m. yesterday about a dispute. William Sacks Jr., a homeless person, was contacted in a portable bathroom in which an item or items containing suspected meth was located, according to the Centralia Police Department. He was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to police. Prosecutors today declined to file the criminal charge.

• A 25-year-old Randle woman contacted about 4 p.m. yesterday at a shopping center at the 9700 block of U.S. Highway 12 was arrested and then when she was searched, a deputy allegedly found a small bag of a crystal substance, multiple syringes and then sour cream, pizza bites and a Mountain Dew she said she hadn’t paid for, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Maranda Griffith was booked into the Lewis County Jail for possession of methamphetamine and charges related to paraphernalia and third-degree theft were going to be referred to prosecutors, according to the sheriff’s office. Prosecutors today declined to file the felony charge pending further investigation.

VANDALISM

• Centralia police took a report on Sunday afternoon of air being let out of tires in the area of the 1000 block of West Walnut Street.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, failure to transfer title, third-degree theft, public urination, protection order violation, driving under the influence, driving with suspended license; responses for alarm, dispute, civil issue, shoplifting, trespassing, vehicle collision, suspicious circumstances, noisy neighbor music, dogs alone in parked vehicle, helping people put out their campfire … and more among lots of calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 72-hour period ending about 7 a.m.