Column: Rain, rain, go away; and other stuff

October 25th, 2010

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

The rain this weekend got me thinking about river levels.

Personally, I keep my eye on the Newaukum River, even though my neighbors tell me it’s never gotten so high as to cross the road where my house is.

A quick look this morning eased my mind, and reminded me I ought to share the web address to the National Weather Service’s river level observation and forecasts for Western Washington.

So I’ve added, under “Other useful web links” a new link called “River levels”

It has super good information. You can click on “Centralia-Mellon Street” for example and bring up a graph that shows you the Chehalis River at that spot has risen over the past two days to just over 51 feet and is expected to peak Tuesday afternoon at just under 54 feet.

But not to worry, since flood stage there is 65 feet.

It’s a great resource. You can of course see the same information about the Cowlitz River, the Skookumchuck River and more.

Right now, the only river showing near flood stage is the Skokomish northwest of here.

Another of my favorite places to check when mother nature starts getting squirrelly is the National Weather Service’s forecast office in Seattle.

Similarly is a map of Western Washington with colored areas for such things as winter storm warnings and flood advisories. Just click on your town and you can see a detailed seven-day forecast.

Today? Chehalis, rain. Morton, rain.

But also, in the east end, you’ll see a “winter storm warning” and see that very early this morning, the weather people posted an urgent message about the central and north Cascades seeing the first significant snowfall of the season.

So under “Other useful web links” on the right-hand column of Lewis County Sirens I’ve added “Weather forecasts”

Enjoy.

By the way, if my news stories have captivated you to the point you’ve never looked at the right-hand sidebar on this web site, take a looksie.

You can link to places to check who’s in the Lewis County Jail, the Thurston County Jail and even look up basic information about Superior Court cases.

You can jump to read local newspapers that surround Lewis County, plus a couple more.

If you have an idea about a web link you think would be useful, shoot me an email – sharyn.decker@lewiscountysirens.com

One more thing: my postings get stored under four basic categories; Top story of the day, Sharyn’s Sirens roundup, News briefs and Columns and commentary.

I rarely write anything like a column, but do publish occasional guest columns and commentary. If you have something to say that seems worthwhile and interesting for readers, let me know.

News brief: Benefit for Chehalis Police Department family brings in more than $2,000

October 25th, 2010
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Firefighters Jay Birley, left and Rob Gebhart brought Vancouver Firefighters Pipes and Drums to the Eagles on Saturday night.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

A huge crowd gathered Saturday night to support the Jeff and Angie Elder family and listen to Chehalis firefighters Jay Birley and Rob Gebhart play their bagpipes.

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Jeff and Keeton Elder

The fundraiser was held at the Chehalis Eagles to help the couple with medical expenses for their daughter, 9-year-old Keeton Elder who has an undiagnosed condition.

Donations came to more than $1,600, and then the Chehalis firefighters union added $100 and the Lewis County Corrections Officers Guild gave $500, according to Chehalis Police Department Officer Jeff Elder.

Read about deal to house Olympia inmates in Lewis County …

October 25th, 2010

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

The Olympian reports an agreement has been reached for excess inmates from the Olympia City Jail to stay at the Lewis County Jail.

Chandra Brady – formerly Wrzesinski – manager at the Olympia facility, was the chief administrator at the Lewis County Jail as it was enlarged some six years ago with the idea of renting out some of its 358 beds to local governments outside the county.

Read news reporter Matt Batcheldor’s story here.

News brief: Oakville woman hurt in morning wreck

October 24th, 2010

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

An 55-year-old woman was hospitalized after a single-vehicle collision this morning on U.S. Highway 12 four miles east of Oakville.

Ruby K. Grunenfelder of Oakville was traveling eastbound when her Honda CRV struck debris in the roadway and veered down an embankment hitting a tree, according to the Washington State Patrol. A trooper called just after 5 a.m. to the scene reported she was injured and taken by ambulance to Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia.

Grunenfelder’s vehicle was described as totaled. The object in the road she hit was not specified.

News brief: Randle woman hospitalized after U.S. Highway 12 crash

October 24th, 2010

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

A Randle resident was injured in a two-car wreck on U.S. Highway 12 in Silver Creek yesterday, according to the Washington State Patrol.

Heather L. Barnes, 20, was transported to Morton General Hospital with back pain after the collision near Fischer Road, the state patrol reported.

A trooper called about 12:30 p.m. reported the Toyota Camry in which Barnes was a passenger was headed west but stopped to make a left turn when a westbound Toyota Rave4 struck the rear of the Camry.

The Camry was totaled and the Rave 4 sustained an estimated $5,000 damage, according to the investigating trooper.

The driver of the Camry, Connor F. Green, 19, of Onalaska, was reportedly uninjured as was the driver of the Rave, according to the patrol.

The driver of the Rave, Barbara A. Eastman, 61, of Silver Creek, was to be cited for failure to yield, according to the trooper.

Read about Chehalis resident hurt in wreck near Toutle …

October 22nd, 2010

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

The (Longview) Daily News is reporting a 22-year-old Chehalis man is hospitalized after his car rolled over and pinned his head against the ground near Toutle.

Read their story from  3 p.m. today here

News brief: Fire departments issue challenge to Bearcats, Tigers

October 22nd, 2010

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

Firefighters are hoping to capitalize on the rivalry between high schools in Centralia and Chehalis during tonight’s big football game at Tiger stadium to raise money to send a child to camp with the Northwest Burn Foundation.

Members of the Chehalis Fire Department and Riverside Fire Authority will be on hand at Tiger stadium beginning at 5:30 p.m. when the gates open, according to a news release.

“Show your team spirit by donating to the boot of your choice,” the challenge reads. “Whichever team raises the most funds will get the honor of putting a pie in the face of the opposition.” The pie in the face is set to occur at the end of the third quarter.