Lewis County Sirens.com

Vicci Martinez, a finalist on The Voice, is among the entertainers who will take to three different stages when the DB Cooper Music Festival touches down at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds on Aug. 2.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Ready for a Sunday sirens music break?

Last week, news of another drowning, this time a 17-year-old boy, and then a tragic and deadly explosion at a fireworks business … Let’s turn it off for a few.

I’m going to listen to Vicci Martinez, one of the performing artists who will take the main stage at the upcoming all-day party at the fairgrounds that is the DB Cooper Music Festival.

Lewis County Sirens.com is co-media sponsor of the event, in part because I think we all need a time out where we simply have fun.

I’m working my way up to be able to take a day-long break, by practicing five minutes at a time, periodically.

Described as a pop singer-songwriter grounded in acoustic rock, Martinez graduated from Stadium High School in Tacoma.

She was a finalist on NBC’s The Voice in its first season, and before that appeared on CBS’s Star Search and won the regional tryouts for the first season of American Idol.

The phantom writer for DB Cooper’s festival promotional materials says she’s the daughter of a Mexican plumber dad and an ESL teacher mom, who first took the stage at the age of 16.

She’s performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, had a hit that reached #12 on VH1, with more than 250,000 singles sold. Her latest single is called Otra Cancion.

She’s good, let’s just listen to her.

This is her song, “Come Along” featuring Cee-Lo Green, here
•••

Hey, it looks like early bird ticket prices were extended to June 30.
DB Cooper Music Festival
Two dozen or so acts – enough for three different stages – featuring blues, folk, funk, soul, rock, jazz, bluegrass, southern rock, beachy and more.
When: Saturday, Aug 2, 2014 doors open at around 11 a.m.
Where: Southwest Washington Fairgrounds, 2555 North National Avenue, Chehalis, Wash.
Ticket Price: $25 – $40
Early Bird Tickets $25: – Price good until June 30, 2014
Show Type: Festival
Restrictions: 21 & over, ID required
Parking: $5 per vehicle
For all the details: http://dbcoopermusicfestival.com/index.shtm
Tickets sales online, here

Coming to our town; early bird tickets still available.

The following is a preview from the quarterly newsletter from Riverside Fire Authority sent to those in its district in and around Centralia.

By Chief Mike Kytta
Riverside Fire Authority

August maintenance and operations levy to determine number of firefighters on staff with the RFA

A great deal has happened since our last publication in March where Chief Jim Walkowski made mention of the financial challenges faced by the RFA. Since that time, several important changes have been made to meet those challenges.

Chief Mike Kytta

We have reduced the work force by one chief officer; one fire captain has retired and will not be replaced, and three firefighter paramedics have been laid off. We plan to lay off two more firefighters this summer which will leave approximately 20 firefighters to answer emergencies around the clock. The operations budget that funds our day-to-day activities has been reduced, leaving  limited funds to pay for vehicle repairs and basic facility maintenance. All planned firefighting equipment replacements are suspended.

Why is this occurring?

Declining home values and the rapid reduction of assessed value at TransAlta’s power plant since the plant closure announcement have combined to create a perfect storm.

The RFA is almost entirely funded by property taxes. When values go down, so do tax collections. Property tax revenue at the RFA has dropped approximately 18 percent, $700,000 in just two years, and the forecast for next year predicts even greater loss. Lower property values and tax revenues being diverted to other local government entities may reduce RFA funding by another $600,000, bringing the total RFA revenue reduction since 2013 to approximately $1.3 million dollars – approximately 30 percent of our total budget.

How will it affect service?

The direct impact to emergency services is reduced staffing. Last year at this time there were six firefighters between the Pearl Street and Harrison Avenue stations on duty around the clock; this year there are four. The 2014 budget cannot fund overtime to replace firefighters who are on leave so it is predictable that occasional station closures will be necessary this year when staffing drops to three firefighters on duty. The budget forecast for next year could routinely bring staffing down to only three on duty.

What is the proposed future action?

With this in mind, the RFA Board of Fire Commissioners has determined that the quality and reliability of fire and rescue services will be reduced to an unacceptable level before the end of 2014 and therefore the RFA must ask the citizens to consider a new maintenance and operations levy at the primary election in August. The new levy, if approved by the voters, will be collected in 2015 at the same time the next drop in property tax revenue is expected. The intent of the levy is to stabilize the budget at the current reduced funding level.

The levy will not return the RFA budget to the higher amount of taxes collected in 2013. Levy dollars will be used for fire protection and rescue services, facilities, maintenance, staffing and operations. The estimated levy rate is $0.49 cents per $1,000 of value, collecting $800,000 annually. For a $150,000 home and property, the estimated annual tax is $73, which comes out to just over $6 per month. By state law, maintenance and operation levies are limited to one year; all future levy requests will be subject to a vote of the people. We believe that with the combination of downsizing the RFA, utilizing cost saving strategies, and the addition of the annual maintenance and operations levy, an acceptable, but not optimal level of service can be provided.

Public meetings to discuss the proposed maintenance and operations levy are scheduled for:
July 9, 6:30 p.m. at the Lincoln Creek Grange
July 16, 6:30 p.m. at the Stillwater Estates Club House
July 23, 6:30 p.m. at the 1818 Harrison Avenue Fire Station.

I am available for your questions at 736-3975 and my office is located at the Harrison Avenue Fire Station.

Curtis Salgado, 2013 International Blues Entertainer of the Year, will take the big stage at the end of the night, when the DB Cooper Music Festival touches down at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – How about taking a Sunday sirens mini-break with me?

A week of watching and waiting for an east end river to give up the body of a 5-year-old, a super serious wreck in Centralia on Friday night that left two people critically hurt, and then news this morning that an arson investigation team is looking into a house fire that destroyed much of a family’s belongings …

I’m not waiting all the way to Aug. 2 for the sirens break, the all-day party at the fairgrounds that is the DB Cooper Music Festival.

Lewis County Sirens.com is co-media sponsor of the event, in part because I think we all need a time out where we simply have fun.

I’m taking five minutes right now to turn off the trauma, drama and disaster and listen to a tune, taking my mind elsewhere, at least briefly.

The 2013 International Blues Entertainer of the Year, Curtis Salgado, who inspired John Belushi to create The Blues Brothers, has some good ones.

Salgado will take the big stage at the end of the night, when the festival touches down at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds.

His people call him a harmonica icon who plays each and every show like it’s the most important gig of his career.

He’s been playing professionally since the late 1960s, his band touring with the likes of Santana and The Steve Miller Band. His bio describes some of his musical and vocal influences as Otis Redding, O.V. Wright, Johnnie Taylor and Muddy Waters.

Born in Everett, Wash., and raised in Eugene, Ore., one of his early groups called the Nighthawks toured the Northwest; next he was with The Robert Cray Band, and then it just kept getting better, his people say.

Check out Salgado’s “Born All Over” with me, now, for just a few moments.

We can listen to more from him on Aug. 2, in person, at the festival that is stacking up to be THE event of the summer for those from Seattle to Portland and beyond.

Tickets are available now, here. See the line up that will play three stages, here

P.S. If you’re a Blues Brothers fan, you can find out more about how the two met when Belushi was in Eugene filming Animal House, and how that all transpired, here

Coming to our town; early bird tickets until Friday.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – News reporting is a blast.

Chasing down stories of crimes, rescues, near misses and what-have-you and following how justice plays out can keep a person going, with an endless stream of intriguing stories.

But I have to confess, sometimes the cops, courts and fire beat gets seriously depressing. When you’re focused on the latest, looking for what’s new, it seems sometimes the trauma, drama and disaster will never end.

I even heard from one reader who took a little break from Lewis County Sirens.com, because the gloom got overwhelming. Heck, I’ve wanted to turn it off at times.

Saturday, Aug 2, 2014

So, in the interest of the well-being of all of us, I say, let’s take a time out. How about one day where we can turn our attention to something uplifting, even … fun?

It’s time for a party.

That’s why Lewis County Sirens.com is co-media sponsor for a music festival this summer that should knock your socks off.

The DB Cooper Music Festival has decided to touch down this year in Chehalis / Centralia with its all-day event, at the mid-point of the famed 1971 Portland to Seattle flight skyjacking.

The gathering made its debut last year, somewhere up north, with one stage and seven or eight musical groups in the lineup. But its organizers found this year’s two dozen or so acts – enough for three different stages – are best suited for the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds.

It’s blues, it’s folk, it’s funk and some other upbeat types I’m sure I don’t know. But I’ve led a sheltered musical life.

I’m told the acts are top notch.

They range from the 2013 International Blues Entertainer of the Year Curtis Salgado who inspired John Belushi to create The Blues Brothers to The Voice finalist Vicci Martinez, whose acoustic-rock music comes out of Tacoma.

They include six-time grammy nominee Maria Muldaur best known for her 1974 huge hit Midnight at the Oasis, and Brittany Kingery out of McCleary whose tropical acoustic sounds were among those at last year’s festival.

There’s more. Blues pioneer Alice Stewart; Independent Music Awards winners The Brown Edition; an Olympia band; Capitol Records Rising Star Ethan Tucker, a Washington born singer-songwriter; Puget Sounds masters of funk Bump Kitchen; Mudcat, an Aberdeen native; Rick Ranum whose band during its early days opened for performers like Joe Cocker and BB King.

Soul, rock, jazz, bluegrass, blues, folk, funk, southern rock, beachy and more all mixed up in one place. Singer-songwriters who live to entertain.

These are people who’ve toured the country, toured the world.

And they’re gonna play our town.

All day on a Saturday.

It’s a 21 and over event, with food, merriment and a suggestion by one artist that people should plan to dance their behinds off.

The day is brought to you by the local Exit 104 Media Inc.

Why is it named for the historic outlaw who vanished with a parachute and gobs of cash from an airplane more than four decades ago? I’m not certain, though it almost seems as though Cooper – or possibly some intermediary – is like a behind-the-scenes host.

We can plan on so much amazing music, there won’t be one moment to spare for thoughts about sirens. For one day.

Early bird ticket prices are available until Friday.

Get yours now. I’m gonna be there. Why don’t you join me?

DB Cooper Music Festival
When: Saturday, Aug 2, 2014 doors open at 11 a.m. until it’s over
Where: Southwest Washington Fairgrounds, 2555 North National Avenue, Chehalis, Wash.
Ticket Price: $25 – $40
Early Bird Tickets $25: – Price good until May 31, 2014
Show Type: Festival
Restrictions: 21 & over, ID required
Parking: $5 per vehicle
For all the details: http://dbcoopermusicfestival.com/index.shtm
Tickets sales online, here

Eric Linn, the fire chief for the department serving Napavine and surrounding area submitted his resignation last night. Lewis County Fire District 5’s Chair of the Board of Commissioners Jamie Guenther says Assistant Chief Jeff Lee resigned yesterday as well. In a prepared statement, Guenther states: “The District wishes both Mr. Linn and Lee well in their future endeavors. The constituents of District 5 are very fortunate to have a dedicated, well trained group of men and women who will continue to selflessly volunteer their time to protect life and property.” Linn was the 15th chief the mostly volunteer district has had in a little more than a decade. – Sharyn Decker

By Eric A. Linn
Former Fire Chief, Lewis County Fire District 5

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the residents of Lewis County Fire District 5. For the past five years I have served as your fire chief with pride. My service to you ends leaving a very well trained and qualified team of firefighters and EMT’s that will continue to serve you.

Eric Linn

I would like to thank the families of the firefighters that have sacrificed their time with their loved ones to allow and encourage them to invest in training and countless hours of duty to insure the safety of the community.

I would like thank my administrative assistant and office manager Linda Wolfe, Deputy Chief Jim Bridges (Retired), Assistant Chief Jeff Lee, Public information Officer Laura Hanson, Medical Services Officer Vikki Bolden, Training Officer Joel Swecker and Assistant MSO Megan Van Egdom for their leadership and support.

I would like to thank the firefighters, those that have been committed to insure the safety of their community. Each of you know how proud I am of you.

I would like to thank Chaplain Grant Kistler and Special Services member Norm Kendig for your never ending support of the membership.

I would like to thank my fire service partners, Chief Jim Walkowski, Assistant Chief Mike Kytta and Assistant Chief Rick Mack from the Riverside Fire Authority for their never ending encouragement.

I would like to thank Chief Russ Larson and Assistant Chief Kevin Anderson from Lewis County Fire District 15 for their partnerships that have led to stronger training and operating opportunities.

I would like to thank Paramedic Supervisor Steve Katenbracher for his leadership and partnership in improving the level of service to those that need our help most.

In closing, I would to thank former fire commissioner’s Rob Snaza, Kevin Hanson and Terry Bartley for their progressive leadership and confidence that allowed the district to grow and meet the needs of those they serve.

Yours in Fire and Life Safety,
Eric A. Linn

From Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter