News brief: Laundry room focus of house fire investigation

June 29th, 2017
2017.0628.chilverroadfire95170726

View through window into laundry room on Chilvers Road. / Courtesy photo by Lewis County Fire District 6

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Nobody was hurt but an Adna home is uninhabitable after fire broke out there yesterday afternoon.

Firefighters called about 2:40 p.m. to the single-story house on the 500 block of Chilvers Road were joined by four other fire departments, according to Lewis County Fire District 6.

One of the residents had come home and discovered it and called it in, Fire Chief Tim Kinder said.

It took about 25 minutes to bring the fire under control, he said.

“It appears it might have started in the laundry room,” Kinder said. “There was significant damage there and heavy smoke and heat damage in the rest of the residence.”

Chehalis Fire Department Chief Ken Cardinale was the first chief on the scene and took over incident command, Kinder said.

Crews were on the scene about three and a half hours, he said.

Red Cross was contacted to assist the family, according to Kinder. The cause is under investigation.

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

June 29th, 2017
2015.0518.2013.1113.sirenslights5860.secondone

•••

Updated at 2:31 p.m.

DOMESTIC THREAT

• A 19-year-old Mossyrock resident who allegedly assaulted and threatened to kill three family members during an argument about a cell phone was arrested and booked into the Lewis County Jail yesterday. Deputies called just before 4 p.m. to the 800 block of Salmon Creek Road took Aaron Z. Workman into custody for three counts of felony harassment and planned to refer the case to prosecutors also for three counts of fourth-degree assault, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

• A 27-year-old Ethel resident was arrested for felony harassment after allegedly threatening to kill his mother during a dispute yesterday at the 100 block of Mountain View Lane in Ethel. Deputies called about 5:25 p.m. found Ryan A. Norton with several rifles laid out on a cot in a shop, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. He was booked into the Lewis County Jail.

VEHICLE THEFT

• A Dodge Ram pickup stolen sometime after 4 p.m. yesterday from where it was parked at the 1500 block of Northwest Louisiana Avenue in Chehalis was recovered this morning parked behind Safeway in Chehalis, locked with the keys inside, according to the Chehalis Police Department. Missing however were a Samsung Galaxy tablet, a Lorax 5 camera and a DVR security system, according to police.

MISSING MEDS

• Chehalis police were called about 4:50 p.m. yesterday to take a report from the 300 block of Southwest Third Street about the theft of 12 hydrocodine pills.

FRAUD

• Centralia police were called to a business on the 900 block of Harrison Avenue about 1:50 p.m. yesterday where someone had passed a check written on a “frozen” account, according to the Centralia Police Department.

DRUGS

• A 38-year-old Centralia man detained for alleged shoplifting at the 1600 block of Northwest Louisiana Avenue about 8:40 a.m. yesterday was subsequently arrested for a violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act when a baggie found on him tested positive for amphetamine, according to the Chehalis Police Department. Ryan D. Rayburn was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

ALCOHOL OVERDOSE

• Centralia police called just before 2 o’clock this morning to the 1400 block of Belmont Avenue report that one juvenile was hospitalized for alcohol overdose and another was booked for minor in possession and/or consumption of alcohol.

ON THE ROAD, OFF THE ROAD

• A deputy responding to a possible motorcycle accident about 9:44 p.m. yesterday at the 100 block of Salkum Road learned that its operator had stopped at the intersection for a stop sign and fallen over, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Robert S. Miller, 73, of Salkum, was arrested for driving under the influence and booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the sheriff’s office.

• The Washington State Patrol reports one passenger was injured and a car totaled when its driver fell asleep at the wheel heading southbound on Interstate 5 yesterday afternoon about two miles north of Centralia. Troopers called to the scene just after 4 p.m. report the Honda CRV struck a sign. John A. Stimek, 64, of Bothell, was unhurt but was arrested for second-degree negligent driving, according to the state patrol. Barbara S. Stimek, also 64 and from Bothell, was transported to Providence Centralia Hospital, according to the investigating trooper. The third occupant, a 65-year-old woman was reportedly uninjured.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for drugs, warrants, obstructing, trespassing, driving with suspended license, malicious mischief, driving under the influence; responses for alarm, dispute, civil issue, third-degree theft, vehicle collision, misdemeanor assault, disorderly conduct, suspicious circumstances … and more among 168 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 7 a.m. today.

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

June 28th, 2017
2015.0518.2013.1113.sirenslights5860.secondone

•••

LEWIS COUNTY JOY RIDE

• A 20-year-old Toledo resident was arrested yesterday after allegedly engaging in a physical dispute with his father over a stolen ATV. Deputies were called about 1:20 p.m. to the altercation at the 400 block of state Route 506, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. While enroute, a call came in from the same area from a 60-year-old man whose ATV had been stolen the night before by two males, according to the sheriff’s office. Gregory S. D’Adda, 20, and a 17-year-old boy had allegedly been riding the vehicle during the night and into the morning, sheriff’s Capt. Curt Spahn said. The two were arrested for second-degree theft, Spahn said. D’Adda was booked into the Lewis County Jail and the teen taken to the Lewis County Juvenile Detention Center, according to Spahn. The case will be referred to prosecutors to consider an additional charge of fourth-degree assault for D’Adda.

STOLEN CAR RECOVERED IN CHEHALIS

• Chehalis police were called just before 5 p.m. yesterday and advised a vehicle stolen in Sumner was parked in a parking lot at the 1600 block of Northwest Louisiana Avenue, according to GPS information. The caller said they had remotely disabled the starter on the 2007 Dodge Charger, according to the Chehalis Police Department. An officer confirmed the car was there, police said.

CENTRALIA MOTEL FIGHT

• Centralia police were called about 1:05 a.m. today to a motel at the 700 block of Harrison Avenue to take a report of a possible misdemeanor assault occurring between a man and two of his employees. The investigation is ongoing, according to the Centralia Police Department.

DOMESTIC INCIDENT

• A 63-year-old Centralia man was arrested yesterday for domestic residential burglary following an approximately 2 p.m. call related to the 900 block of North Washington Avenue in Centralia. Steven G. Friese was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Centralia Police Department.

FRAUD INQUIRY

• Chehalis police were called about 1:45 p.m. yesterday regarding potential fraudulent charges on an account, in a case associated with the 1500 block of South Market Boulevard.

• Centralia police are investigating possible forgery and theft associated with the 2700 block of Colonial Drive which was reported at 9:40 a.m. yesterday.

CAR PROWL

• Police were called about 5:25 a.m. today about a vehicle prowl at the 1300 block of Belmont Avenue in Centralia. A a high-end spot light was taken off the front of a vehicle during the night, according to the Centralia Police Department.

ICE CREAM TRUCK TROUBLES

• Someone called Chehalis police at 3:50 p.m. yesterday to report an ice cream truck was parked illegally by the spray fountain at the pool on Southwest Parkland Street. A warning was given, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, driving with suspended license, malicious mischief; responses for alarm, dispute, civil issue, third-degree theft, suspicious circumstances … and more among 146 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 7 a.m. today.

Chehalis police dog passes away unexpectedly

June 28th, 2017
2017.0628.reign.portrait.cropped

Portrait of Chehalis police dog Reign

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Chehalis Police Department’s K-9 Reign died suddenly last night while on duty.

His partner Officer Warren Ayers was conducting routine training while on duty when his dog suffered an unexpected medical event, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

Despite first aid attempts, Reign passed away almost immediately, according to police.

The Belgian Malinois came to the department when he was a year old and put into active duty in May 2013, according to department spokesperson Linda Bailey.

“Reign and Officer Ayers were paired together and became a very effective canine team, working closely with the other teams in Lewis and surrounding counties,” Bailey stated in a press release this morning.

The K-9 is credited with multiple suspect apprehensions, successful article and evidence searches, and for alerting on and finding impressive quantities of narcotics during his tenure, according to Bailey.

“Reign was an important member of our law enforcement family and will be dearly missed,” Bailey wrote. ” Our hearts go out to Officer Ayers’ family today as well, for their loss.”

Reign will be taken to Washington State University today so an exam can be performed to determine exactly what caused his death.

News brief: Pe Ell house fire cause not yet known

June 27th, 2017
2017.0626.peellhousefireLC2017026 (1)

Fire started in the garage on South Third Street in Pe Ell / Courtesy photo

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The cause of the fire that erupted in a Pe Ell house early yesterday morning remains under investigation.

Crews from three fire departments responded to the approximately 1 a.m. call to the 500 block of South Third Street.

Fire Investigator Jay Birley said the owner said he had heard a small explosion that drew his attention to the attached garage, but when he opened the man door to the garage, he saw a lot of fire, so he shut the door.

He grabbed his cell phone and his dog, got out and called 911, Birley said. He was also able to move his travel trailer and vehicle away from the home so they didn’t catch fire, he said. He was uninjured.

“I think he’s in his 80s and his dog is like 18 years old,” Birley said.

Closing that door helped slow the fire from spreading somewhat, but what wasn’t damaged by fire was damaged by water, Birley said.

The resident will be able to stay temporarily in his trailer, according to Birley.
•••

For background, read “News brief: Pe Ell home burns” from Monday June 26, 2017, here

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

June 27th, 2017
2015.0518.2013.1113.sirenslights5860.secondone

•••

Updated at 4:02 p.m.

DEAD MAN’S HOME BURGLED

• A deputy was called about 1:30 p.m. yesterday for a residential burglary on the 2000 block of Rice Road south of Chehalis where numerous valuables were missing from the caller’s deceased father’s home. Among the stolen goods are a Fender guitar, golf clubs, an HP laptop, a bicycle and several pieces of identification, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. The theft occurred sometime since December, according to the sheriff’s office.

ENGINE COMPONENTS LIFTED

• An estimated $10,000 worth of engine parts were removed from an older car sitting in a business parking lot at the 500 block of Harrison Avenue in Centralia, according to a report made to police about 9:45 .m. yesterday.

THREAT INSIDE COURTHOUSE

• A 60-year-old man was arrested yesterday afternoon by sheriff’s detectives for allegedly looking right at another individual and saying he would kill him, in the hallway outside Lewis County Superior Court. An anti-harassment order had been served earlier in the day on the suspect, Delbert L. Nichols, regarding the victim, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Nichols was booked into the Lewis County Jail for felony harassment, Capt. Curt Spahn said.

FRAUD

• Chehalis police are investigating after getting a call yesterday from a woman who has been victimized in a case related to fraudulent checks or bank account information used at the 1700 block of North National Avenue and possibly other stores. The loss is just over $1,000, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

• A Chehalis resident on the 400 block of Southwest William Avenue called police about 3:25 p.m. yesterday to report that his wallet had been stolen and fraudulent charges had been made using his bank card in Thurston County. A knife was missing as well, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

PORCH THEFT

• Chehalis police were called to the 600 block of Southwest William Avenue about 9:30 a.m. yesterday where a black car battery charger had been stolen from the front porch of a residence.

MISSING MAIL

• Mail was reported stolen late yesterday afternoon from the 200 block of North Oak Street in Centralia, according to the Centralia Police Department.

VANDALISM

• A 27-year-old Centralia resident whop allegedly was caught tagging private property at Pear Street and Washington Avenue in Centralia at about 5:40 a.m. today was arrested for third-degree malicious mischief. Jesse R. Bartley was booked into the Lewis County Jail,  according to the Centralia Police Department.

DRUGS

• A 35-year-old Chehalis man pulled over just after 2 a.m. yesterday at the 2000 block of North Pearl Street in Centralia was found to be driving with a suspended license and then suspected methamphetamine was located in his wallet, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Jesse F. Bowen was arrested for possession of meth and booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the sheriff’s office.

AND FROM MORTON

• The Morton Police Department reported yesterday they arrested 49-year-old Robert J. Johnson, of Morton, for burglary on Saturday in a case involving a weed eater missing from the 200 block of Adams Avenue.

HELPING WITH WILDFIRE

• Lewis County Fire District 5 sent a crew of three on a brush truck out last night to assist with the Spartan Fire in Chelan County.

ON THE ROAD, OFF THE ROAD

• A 53-year-old motorcyclist heading east on U.S. Highway 12 was hit by a vehicle entering the roadway from a parking lot just east of Interstate 5 last night. Troopers and aid called to the scene just before 8:30 p.m. found David Pariso, 53, from Olympia, was injured, according to the Washington State Patrol. He suffered trauma and was transported to Providence Centralia Hospital before being transferred to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, according to Lewis County Fire District 5. The driver of the sport utility vehicle, Earl Miller, 41, of Toledo, was reportedly uninjured. Miller was cited for failing to yield, according to the state patrol. Fire Lt. Laura Hanson said it’s super important for motorists to keep an eye out for motorcycles on the road, especially during this nice weather.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, obstructing, shoplifting, indecent exposure, driving with suspended license, domestic malicious mischief; responses for alarm, dispute, civil issue,  vehicle collision, suicidal person, third-degree theft, misdemeanor assault, suspicious circumstances … 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. today.

News brief: Lewis County man dead after wreck in Eastern Oregon

June 27th, 2017
2017.0624.fatal.oregon.wreck

Volkswagen Jetta at scene of deadly crash. / Courtesy photo by Oregon State Police

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Oregon State Police report they are continuing to investigate a single-vehicle collision in which a Centralia man died and his passenger was seriously injured.

It happened on Saturday afternoon in Baker County in Eastern Oregon.

Troopers and emergency personnel responded about 3:37 p.m. to the crash on Highway 245 near milepost 11 in Hereford, according to OSP.

Preliminary investigation revealed a 2001 Volkswagen Jetta was traveling northbound when it drifted out of its lane, crossed the oncoming lane and continued off the roadway, where it struck a tree, according to a press release issued yesterday. The driver, Luis A. Barrera Mendez, age 29, of Centralia, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The passenger, Octavio Castro Valdez, 25, of Centralia was transported by Life Flight to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise for treatment of his serious injuries, according to OSP.

Assisting were Baker County Sheriff’s Office, Baker City Fire Department, Blue Mountain Ambulance and Oregon Department of Transportation.

OSP indicates further information will be released as it becomes available.