Lewis County Sirens.com

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Multiple law enforcement officers responded to a report of an armed robbery at the Handi store in Winlock last night, but they suspect the thief got away in a car before they arrived.

Toledo Police Department Sgt. Sam Patrick said they arrived to the convenience store on Kerron Avenue following the approximately 10:30 p.m. call and brought a K-9 in to conduct a track.

“The dog got a pretty good scent, and then all the sudden it disappeared,” Patrick said.

The female clerk who was working alone was not injured, he said.

The robber walked inside, displayed a handgun, apparently demanded money from the till and she handed it over, he said.

The robber was wearing gloves and dark clothing and a disguise, consisting of a black and white mask which was a cross between a Scream mask and skeleton mask, Patrick said.

Four units with the Toledo department arrived, according to Patrick. They serve the city of Winlock.

They were assisted by officers with the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office and the Washington State Patrol.

No suspect had been located as of this afternoon.

Brian Marshall Jones
Sept. 23, 1968 – Aug. 12, 2016

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – It wasn’t even one of the more difficult hikes they’d done.

Brian Marshall Jones, his wife Brenda Cyrus and their 9-year-old granddaughter Athena were on their way out of a five-day trek on part of the Pacific Crest Trail when his 47 years on this earth came to an end.

They’d taken the East Crater Trail to Lake Sahalee Tyee in Skamania County, Cyrus said.

“It was very sudden, very unexpected,” she said.

Jones, a Toledo native who relocated to Battle Ground, had coronary disease, he wife said.

It happened on Aug. 12 and she recalls with warmth the “wonderful souls” on the trail who stayed with them until search and rescue could reach them.

A celebration of life is set for Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Woodland Grange. The address is 404 Davidson Ave.

The information technology specialist is known to many as the bass player with the Winlock-based band, Two Minute Miracle.

The group is coordinating a memorial poker run on Sept. 24, which begins at 10 a.m. at The Club tavern in Winlock. All are welcome. The proceeds will assist Jones’ family.
•••

• See Brian Marshall Jones’ obituary here
• Find details for memorial poker run, here

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Four people were injured when a passenger fell off the back of a motorcycle onto U.S. Highway 12 near Randle, amongst a group of motorcycles heading eastbound today.

Sebastian S. Miller, 25, from Tacoma, was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, according to the Washington State Patrol.

Miller was struck by another Kawasaki, which was then hit from behind by a third one. The driver of the second motorcycle, Donald W. Braddock, 25, of Lakewood, was flown to St. Joseph Hospital in Tacoma, according to the state patrol.

Braddock’s passenger was transported to Morton General Hospital. The third motorcycle operator was hurt but not hospitalized, the investigating trooper reports.

Troopers called just before 1 p.m. to the scene near Peter’s Creek Road indicate all were wearing helmets.

Updated at 1:50 p.m.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – While the ban on outdoor burning continues, those who live in unincorporated Lewis County may once again light up campfires beginning at 5 p.m. today.

“After careful review, of the current and extended weather forecast for the upcoming Labor Day Weekend, the Lewis County community development director and the fire marshal have determined that weather conditions within Lewis County have improved and will modify the burn restriction to allow recreational campfires in designated campgrounds and on private lands if built in the following manner,” Lewis County officials stated in a news release.

“The campfire shall be no greater than three-feet in diameter and have a ring constructed of metal, stone, or brick 8-inches above the surface with a 2-foot wide area cleared down to exposed soil surrounding the outside of the pit;

• The campfire shall have an area at least 10-feet around it cleared of all flammable material and at least 20-feet of clearance from overhead flammable materials or fuels;

• The campfire must be attended at all times by a responsible person at least 16-years old with the ability to extinguish the fire with a shovel and a 5-gallon bucket of water or with a connected and charged water hose;

• Completely extinguish campfires by pouring water or moist soil in them and stirring with a shovel until all parts are cool to the touch. The use of self-contained camp stoves is encouraged as an alternative.”

In other words, be cautious.

The Lewis County fire marshal, in coordination with the chiefs of local fire districts strongly urge all county residents and visitors to be attentive to the conditions of their properties through proactive fire prevention measures, Lewis County Community Development Director Lee Napier stated.

The cities of Centralia and Chehalis today issued similar statements, saying recreational fires and outdoor cooking are okay now, in approved fire pits and/or if using devices with lids.

“The use of liquid gas camp stoves and propane barbecues with on/off controls and charcoal barbecues are also permitted in all city parks and campgrounds,” both cities noted.

They recommend keeping a fire extinguisher nearby.

“Please be safe and enjoy the remainder of the summer,” Chehalis Fire Department Ken Cardinale wrote.

The state Department of Natural Resources eased its burn ban in Western Washington as well.

“Recent rains and cooler temperatures across Western Washington are prompting DNR to reduce campfire restrictions west of the Cascade Mountains,” the state agency wrote.

Effective today, campfires will be allowed within approved fire pits in designated campgrounds in state parks, state forests and on other lands protected by DNR.

Individual jurisdictions may have their own continued campfire bans. Check local restrictions, campground signs or with campground hosts before starting a campfire.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The former head of the Chehalis Tribal Housing Authority was sentenced yesterday to 30 days in jail and two years of supervised release following his conviction for collecting downpayment assistance from the authority knowing he didn’t qualify because he already owned a home.

Hector Ray Canales, Sr., 55, had pleaded guilty to conversion of tribal funds in May, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington.

At Monday’s sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Ronald B. Leighton in Tacoma said Canales had betrayed the trust of his tribe, according to office spokesperson Emily Langlie.

According to records filed in the case, Canales engaged in a “sham” transaction to transfer his existing ownership to a relative, so that he could collect $37,400 from the program which he used to pay for a second home in the Chehalis area.

Langlie stated that Canales used his position in the tribe and his knowledge of the internal fiscal controls to illegally collect the down payment funds. The fraud meant that other eligible Chehalis Tribal members did not get down payment assistance, Langlie stated.

Canales was the chairman of the board of the  Chehalis Tribal Housing Authority.

The case was investigated by the Chehalis Tribal Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The judge ordered him to pay $37,400 in restitution. Canales has since repaid just over $24,000 to the tribe.