Archive for May, 2014

Sharyn’s Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Thursday, May 29th, 2014

CLOSE CALL IN COW FIELD

• A 48-year-old Chehalis-area man used one of his cat lives last night when his ATV wrecked into a water-filled drainage ditch while he was riding alone after dark. “He’s very fortunate he didn’t die,” Lewis County Fire District 6 Firefighter-paramedic Matt McCoy said. “The quad was on top of him and it took him 10 to 15 seconds to get it off of himself.” The man was out in a cow pasture off Highway 603 near Tune Road and suffered fairly minor injuries, except he also apparently dislocated his hip, McCoy said. “It took him more than an hour to crawl back to the house,” McCoy said. “As he was getting closer, he was yelling for help.” The 911 call from a housemate came at about 11:30 p.m., McCoy said. The patient was put in an ambulance and transported to Providence Centralia Hospital, he said.

UNDERAGE PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS

• A 15-year-old Centralia boy who boarded an out-of-town school bus yesterday evening near the Centralia Middle School was talked to by police and taken away in an aid car because he was so highly intoxicated. Officers responding about 6:35 p.m. to the 2500 block of Pioneer Way also found some suspected marijuana in his pocket,  according to the Centralia Police Department. Police were called about an hour and a half later to Rotary Riverside Park about a male urinating in public and then called an ambulance for the same reason for a 16-year-old there. Neither were passed out unconscious but police describe the reason for the trip to the hospital as possible alcohol poisoning. Both face potential court cases for minor in possession / consumption of alcohol, according to police. Seattlepi.com publishes a report today that initial findings from a study conducted by health officials shows people are making more alcohol related trips to emergency rooms, since broader hard liquor sales went into affect following the 2011 voter initiative closing state run stores. For example, the Associated Press writer notes, during the first 13 months of private-sector spirit sales, people younger than 21 on Medicaid made a third more visits to emergency rooms for alcohol-related reasons.

SPECIAL UN-DELIVERY

• Centralia police were called about 4:35 p.m. yesterday to the 1500 block of Lewis Street regarding the theft of a package that was left on the door step.

VEHICLE PROWL

• An iPod was taken from a vehicle parked at the 1000 block of West Chestnut Street in Centralia, according to a report made to police about 5 p.m. yesterday.

• Chehalis police were called just before 6 o’clock this morning about a car prowl on Southwest Olympic Drive.

VANDALISM

• A 32-year-old Centralia man was arrested late last night after he allegedly broke the windshield out of a vehicle at the 500 block of South Pearl Street. Juan E. Mejia was booked into the Lewis County Jail for third-degree malicious mischief, according to the Centralia Police Department.

AND MORE

• And as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, driving with suspended license, marijuana possession; responses for alarm, dispute, reckless driver, collision on city street, suspicious circumstances including female walking a small horse around a parking lot in the dark … and more.

Pair of Centralians awake to intruder leaving home

Thursday, May 29th, 2014

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

Centralia police were called just before 4:30 a.m. today after someone burglarized an apartment while its occupants were sleeping.

Officers arriving to the 400 block of West Main Street called for a police dog to conduct a track, but no suspect was found, according to the Centralia Police Department.

A 19-year-old man who lives there told police he awoke from a recliner chair in the living room to see a person in a dark hooded garment walking out the front door, according to police.

“He yells at the person and last saw him running down the hallway,” Officer John Panco said.

Missing from the living room were a television and a guitar, Panco said. The 24-year-old roommate said he’d left the door unlocked, according to police.

The individual was described as more than 6 feet tall but less than 6-feet 4-inches tall, Panco said.

It was just three days ago when a resident at the north end of Centralia called for help as he hid in his bedroom while his home was burglarized in the night. Deputies responding to the 3000 block of Lowery Lane initially reported the victim did not see the person but there was a broken bedroom window.

Sharyn’s Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Wednesday, May 28th, 2014

POLICE: BOY BULLIED OUT OF HIS CELL PHONE

• A 35-year-old Centralia man was arrested for robbery yesterday after he asked to see a 17-year-old boy’s cell phone in a homeless camp area in Centralia. Police called about 7:40 a.m. to the 2000 block of Borst Avenue found Richard A. Molina hiding in a brushy area, near the dog park where the Chehalis and Skookumchuck rivers meet,  according to the Centralia Police Department. A K-9 snuck up behind him, and he gave up, officer John Panco said. The teen told police Molina had got in his face as though he were going to assault him, and he feared if he didn’t hand the phone over, he would be hurt, according to Panco. As the two began walking, because Molina wanted the password, the boy told him he was calling for help with another cell phone he had, Panco said. Molina was booked into the Lewis County Jail for second-degree robbery, according to police.

SWITCHED LICENSE PLATES

• Police were called about 3:45 p.m. yesterday to the 600 block of North Pearl Street after a resident discovered her front license plate was missing. When the officer ran a background check on the rear plate, it turned out to belong to a vehicle from Portland,  according to the Centralia Police Department. It’s not clear when the switch could have occurred, police said.

VANDALISM

• Centralia police were called to Greenwood Cemetery on the 1800 block of Van Wormer Street yesterday regarding several headstones tipped over and damaged, according to the Centralia Police Department.

CAR PROWL

• Morton police responded to the 200 block of Hazel Street in Mossyrock at about 4 a.m. on Sunday where a resident said his vehicle alarm went off and he found the doors open, and the switch had been turned. Nothing appeared to be missing, according to the Morton Police Department.

AND MORE

• And as usual, other incidents such as arrests for driving under the influence, misdemeanor assault; responses for alarm, dispute, possible sex crime, parking lot fender bender, protection order violation via pedaling bicycle past residence … and more.

News brief: Search for Tacoma 5-year-old at river done for the day

Wednesday, May 28th, 2014

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

Deputies called it a day late this afternoon and will be reevaluating how to go about finding the 5-year-old who disappeared into the Cispus River on Monday.

“They didn’t make any progress today, as far as finding him,” Lewis County Sheriff’s Office Cmdr. Steve Aust said early this evening.

The Tacoma boy was riding his motorcycle at the family’s campsite when his parents realized they didn’t hear the motor any longer and then saw it in the water.

Search and rescue personnel have been combing the area south of Randle off Forest Service Road 23 since Monday evening, stopping at nightfall. Today, four deputies and a fish and wildlife officer – swift water rescue team members – conducted their work, putting the fire department and Packwood SAR on standby.

Aust said it would help if the water level would drop, something that has been happening over the past 24 hours.

Chief Criminal Deputy Gene Seiber will be considering conditions and resources and what to do next, he said.

River recovery efforts continue for child lost near Randle

Wednesday, May 28th, 2014

Updated at 11:23 a.m.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

Five swift water rescue team members continue to scour the Cispus River this morning in hopes of finding the 5-year-old Tacoma boy who vanished while camping with his parents on Monday.

“They’re going back over the river and looking at log jams,” Lewis County Sheriff’s Office Cmdr. Steve Aust said. “The Randle Fire Department and Packwood SAR (Search and Rescue) are on standby, if we should find anything.”

The family was staying at an unimproved campground in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest several miles south of Randle. The child was riding his motorcycle and apparently got too close to the bank and fell in, while his parents had their back to him, according to the sheriff’s office.

Search and rescue efforts yesterday went until dark, with 18 personnel, including a dive team from Thurston County. A news helicopter assisted earlier in the day, the sheriff’s office said.

They focused on several log jams, Aust said. What was thought to be the child’s helmet about a mile downstream turned out to be only its visor hung up on a log jam, according to the sheriff’s office.

The motorcycle was pulled from the river yesterday, close to the camp spot, according to Fire Chief Jeff Jaques.

Responders called about 7 p.m. on Monday were looking for both the little boy and his 32-year-old father, who had jumped in the river. It was almost dark before the man was found, on the bank looking for his son about a half mile from the camp spot, according to Aust.

The terrain, steep embankments and heavy brush, is making the effort very challenging, the sheriff’s office said yesterday afternoon.

“The river continues to run very swift and cold making the search extremely dangerous,” the sheriff’s office said.

At the scene this morning are sheriff’s office Chief Criminal Deputy Gene Seiber and the water rescue members consisting of four deputies and a officer with Fish and Wildlife, according to Aust.

Notes from behind the news: Let’s take a time out, and have some real fun

Tuesday, May 27th, 2014
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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.

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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

Sharyn’s Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Tuesday, May 27th, 2014

Updated at 1:39 p.m.

VADER CHURCH, FLAG TARGETED BY TEENS

• Four teenagers were arrested after a vandalism spree in Vader over the weekend that involved a church and the old city jail, with one of them taking down a flag, tying it in a knot and setting it on fire before running it back up the flag pole. Deputies contacting the pastor at the  Assembly of God Church learned some of the events were captured on security video and took place between 10 p.m. and midnight on Saturday, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Chief Civil Deputy Stacy Brown said the youths broke down a door at the jail, cut phone lines at the church across the street, pried open a power box and destroyed security cameras. However, close up views of their faces were found on video images, Brown said. Two lights that shined upon the American flag were stolen as well, Brown said. The teens, all from Vader, ages 14, 15 and 16, were booked into the Lewis County Juvenile Justice Center for third-degree malicious mischief, theft and criminal conspiracy, according to the sheriff’s office.

MAN CONCEALS SELF WHILE RESIDENCE BURGLARIZED

• The sheriff’s office is investigating after an overnight break-in the north end of Centralia in which a 29-year-old resident said he hid in a bedroom while his home was burglarized. Deputies responded about 2 a.m. yesterday to the 3000 block of Lowery Lane following a 911 call in which a man was saying help me, help me repeatedly before the phone disconnected, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. There was a language barrier and it’s not clear what was taken or known who the intruder was, according to Chief Civil Deputy Stacy Brown. Evidence was collected from outside a broken bedroom window which will be analyzed, Brown said.

TENT FIRE

• A 28-year-old man from Lakewood is jailed after he allegedly tried to burn down someone’s tent during the night at a Toledo area campground early on Friday following a dispute. No injuries were reported, except the arrestee who suffered from a dog bite which had occurred earlier, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies were called about 1:15 a.m. on Friday to the Cowlitz Timber Trails Campground on the 1900 block of Spencer Road found friends of the 23-year-old victim, who is from Lynnwood, had detained the suspect who tried to run away and hide beneath a trailer, according to the sheriff’s office. A spokesperson for the sheriff’s office didn’t indicate what the disagreement was about, but said that Justin E. Roberts who was unknown to the victim came to the camp site three times earlier and each time was told to leave.  Then later, someone heard the velcro to the tent being opened and saw the same person light it on fire, Chief Civil Deputy Stacy Brown said. Roberts was taken to Providence Centralia Hospital to be treated for the bite and then booked into the Lewis County Jail for second-degree arson, she said. Brown said the sheriff’s office had no information about the dog bite.

GIRL FIGHT GOES BAD

• Centralia police are investigating a nighttime meet-up for a fight between two young women that ended with a cracked eye socket for one and a head concussion for the other. Officers were advised yesterday afternoon by Chehalis police that the incident had taken place around 2 o’clock in the morning. The injured had gone to the hospital on their own, according to the Centralia Police Department. Sgt. Kurt Reichert said the initial investigation indicates the two arranged to meet in the Seminary Hill Natural Area to fight and then six or seven others, both males and females, jumped in. As for the reason for the dispute, Reichert would only say they didn’t like each other. The victims are ages 18 and 19 and both from Chehalis, he said. Someone could be in trouble for second-degree assault, according to police.

OUT-OF-CONTROL GROWN SON

• Deputies arrested a 43-year-old Ethel man on Sunday afternoon after a call to the 100 block of Pinkerton Road where his mother and sister advised he was in the house freaking out and broke a window. The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office says that during the arrest, Lynn K. Jorgensen injured a deputy’s finger, grabbing it and squeezing it until it “popped.” Jorgensen was arrested and booked into the Lewis County Jail for third-degree assault and disorderly conduct, according to the sheriff’s office.

JAIL ASSAULT

• A 24-year-old inmate at the Lewis County Jail found himself in further trouble when he was queried about a broken broom and responded by punching a corrections officer in the face on Sunday afternoon, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s office says the jail employee was told Drake A. Lorber had busted the tip off the broom handle and wanted to retrieve it for safety reasons. When the guard told Lorber to come out of the shower, Lorber reportedly jumped out flexing his arms, puffing his chest and screaming “insanity”, the sheriff’s office reports. Staff managed to restrain Lorber who now faces a possible charge of custodial assault, according to Chief Civil Deputy Stacy Brown. The 24-year-old employee suffered soreness to his left cheek, she said. Staff indicated they tried to learn why Lorber acted the way he did, but couldn’t, Brown said.

CAT BURGLAR ENTERS FROM ROOF

• Chehalis police were called about 1:30 p.m. yesterday by the owner of a building on the 1200 block of Northwest Cedar Way after the discovery someone broken in by removing panels from the roof to get inside. Missing are automotive parts; it’s a structure used for storage, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

THEFT IN CHEHALIS

• A woman who was in the process of moving called police yesterday after finding while she was gone someone came into the residence near Southwest Seventh Street and Market Boulevard in Chehalis and went through her belongings, taking small items, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

THEFT FROM SELF STORAGE BUSINESS

• Padlocks were cut from three customer’s storage units in Randle and multiple items stolen including three ring-type crab pots and a Lincoln wire feed welder sometime between 2 p.m. on Thursday and 2 p.m. on Saturday. A deputy contacted on Saturday afternoon about the burglaries at CVS Storage on the 9400 block of U.S. Highway 12 noted the victims, all Randle residents ages 28, 57 and 80, also lost a rototiller, a Craftsman pressure washer and a chainsaw, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. The loss is estimated at $710.

FIREARMS TAKEN IN BURGLARY

• A deputy was called to a home on the 300 block of Howe Road outside Toledo about 6:20 p.m. on Friday where a 32-year-old man said while he was working out of town, someone broke in and stole a Remington 12-gauge shotgun and a Stevens 12-gauge pump-action shotgun, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

DRUGS

• A traffic stop and a warrant led to an arrest for possession of methamphetamine on Saturday afternoon on South Market and Main Street in Chehalis. When Levi G. Edmonds, 24, of Centralia, was booked into the Lewis County Jail, some suspected drugs were found, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

WRECK TAKES OUT TWO POWER POLES

• A 16-year-old driver from Chehalis was reportedly uninjured when she collided with two utility poles on Sunday morning, sheering one off at its base and coming to rest against the second one. A deputy responding just after 8 a.m. to the 500 block of Highway 603 west of Chehalis found the 1997 Ford F150 pickup truck totaled and learned the girl had taken her eyes off the road when she reached for something on the passenger seat, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. She was cited for speeds too fast for conditions, according to the sheriff’s office.

AND MORE

• And as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, driving with suspended license, negligent driving, misdemeanor assault; responses for alarms, disputes, shoplifting groceries; complaints of barking dog, house and cars egged, penis drawn onto a car with a grease pen, young women pulling their pants down in public, tent pitched in gully across from mint factory, an energetic medium-sized dog repeatedly running into a retirement home … and more.

•••

CORRECTION: This has been updated to reflect the correct location for the nighttime break-in at the north end of Centralia in which a resident hid in a bedroom while his home was burglarized. It occurred on the the 3000 block of Lowery Lane.