Archive for August, 2016

News brief: Forest fire visible from Rochester, Tumwater contained

Tuesday, August 30th, 2016

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Members of West Thurston Regional Fire Authority are assisting with water support this morning as firefighters with the state Department of Natural Resources mop up after a blaze in the Capitol Forest that grew to about three acres.

Crews were dispatched about 9:40 p.m. yesterday on reports a large fire could be seen from Rochester and Tumwater, according to Fire Chief Robert Scott.

“Crews arrived to find the fire located off the 8200 Road north of Capitol Peak near the Noshka area,” Scott stated in a news release. “The fire was initially one and a half acres in heavy logging slash and grew to approximately three acres before containment.”

Local firefighters worked the scene until the early morning hours and turned it over to DNR, according to Scott.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. There were no injuries reported.

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Monday, August 29th, 2016
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•••

Updated at 7:11 p.m.

ON THE ROAD, OFF THE ROAD

• A 55-year-old Winlock resident who wrecked his motorcycle off the 200 block of Knowles Road in Winlock early Saturday morning sustained head injuries, broken bones and abrasions along his body, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. A deputy responding about 1:35 a.m. cited Corey L. Smith for driving under the influence but he was released at the hospital so he could be treated, according to the sheriff’s office. His 1992 Harley Davidson sustained major damage, Chief Deputy Stacy Brown said.

• A 20-year-old Toledo resident sustained minor injuries but was arrested for driving under the influence after his 1999 BMW 323 came to rest on its side against a tree along the 700 block of Tucker Road outside Toledo. A deputy responding just after midnight on Friday noted Edgar B. Clairez had been wearing a seatbelt but his car had rolled and was totaled, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. He was taken to the hospital for medical clearance and not booked into jail, Chief Deputy Stacy Brown said.

• A 39-year-old Centralia woman was arrested for driving under the influence as well as hit and run after allegedly crossing lanes and striking an oncoming vehicle at the 1700 block of Cooks Hill Road in Centralia. Officers responding to the approximately 9:30 p.m. call on Friday report Consuelo Paulin-Garcia fled the scene but was located a short time later, according to the Centralia Police Department. Two victims were injured, according to police, with one treated for labor contractions and the other for neck pain. Paulin-Garcia was booked into the Lewis County Jail, but is being released with no felony charges filed pending further investigation.

• Centralia police were called about 11:30 a.m. on Friday about a hit and run accident at Harrison Avenue and Interstate 5 in which the fleeing vehicle was described as a gold-colored pickup towing a trailer full of lawn care equipment.

• An officer called about 11:20 a.m. on Friday about a car versus bicyclist accident at the 200 block of West Main Street in Chehalis was unable to locate the suspect vehicle but did find a male pushing a bicycle who said he didn’t know anything about it, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

PROSECUTORS: DETAINEE SPITS, KICKS OFFICER

• A 43-year-old Bucoda man put in the back of a patrol car for an outstanding warrant was arrested for third-degree assault after allegedly kicking a Napavine police officer in the lower stomach and belt area. The incident occurred after the man allegedly spit on the side of the police vehicle and was “escorted to the ground” when Officer Noel Shields believed he was about to spit on him, according to court documents. John P. Beck was booked into the Lewis County Jail on Friday night, according to its online roster, but charging documents state the incident near McDonalds on Kirkland Road happened yesterday. Beck was charged today in Lewis County Superior Court with third-degree assault and his bail was set at $10,000

MAN IN ROAD, COVERED WITH SHEET

• Centralia officers called just before 1 o’clock this morning about a man standing in the roadway blocking traffic, with a large sheet covering himself, ended up using a Taser to take him in to custody. Police arriving to the area at North Pearl and West Fourth streets report he charged them and when they tried to talk with him, he made threats and was aggressive, according to the Centralia Police Department. A Taser was deployed and Shane M. Schafer, 45, of Centralia, was arrested for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest and booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to police.

WATER BALLOON INCIDENTS PROMPT CHASE

• An 18-year-old Centralia resident was arrested for reckless driving last night after allegedly attempting to flee a victim of a water-ballooning. Officers called about 10:35 p.m. to Main and Silver streets in Centralia detained Hodges C. Bailey and two under-18 youth for allegedly striking numerous vehicles in both Centralia and Chehalis with the water-filled balloons, according to the Centralia Police Department.

AUTO THEFT

• A gold 1998 Mazda 626 was reported stolen about 8:35 a.m. on Saturday from the 1400 block of Harrison Avenue in Centralia.

FIREARMS THEFT

• Centralia police were called about 11:15 a.m. yesterday to a home on the 800 block of West Plum Street to take a report of a stolen pistol.

• Police were called about a 30.06 rifle stolen in a burglary at a residence on the 700 block of Vienna Street in Centralia, according to a report made to police about 11 p.m. on Saturday.

CANDLE TAKEN

• A 32-year-old Winlock woman allegedly stole an LED candle from a chapel at the 900 block of South Scheuber Road in Centralia on Friday afternoon. Lucia D. Spross was arrested for third-degree theft and then released, according to the Centralia Police Department.

TIRES TAKEN

• Chehalis police were called to the 500 block of Southwest William Avenue at about 2 p.m. on Friday to take a report that five tires were stolen from behind the home early that morning or during the night.

FUNNY MONEY

• A counterfeit $100 bill was spent at a retail store on the 1100 block of Harrison Avenue in Centralia, according to a report made to police about 7:10 a.m. on Saturday. A report of a similar instance at the same location was made on Friday afternoon, according to the Centralia Police Department.

CAR PROWL

• An officer was called about 8:10 .m. yesterday for a vehicle prowl at the 1700 block of Ham Hill Road in Centralia. Missing was a GPS unit, tools and binoculars, according to the Centralia Police Department.

VANDALISM

• Centralia police were called about 10:15 a.m. yesterday to the 100 block of North Washington Avenue for a broken window to a vehicle. Just before 10:30 a.m., a report of a broken windshield was made from the 1300 block of Rose Street, and just before 11 a.m., a victim reported the same at the 200 block of North Washington Avenue, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Centralia police were called for malicious mischief to a vehicle on Saturday night at the 200 block of West Second Street, the 400 block of West Hanson Street, the 1400 block of Belmont Avenue and the 900 block of Marion Street.

DRUGS

• Austin J. Hines, 20 of Centralia, was arrested and booked for felony possession of marijuana after contact with police about 11:25 p.m. on Saturday at Centralia College Boulevard and Cedar Street in Centralia, according to the Centralia Police Department. He was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to police.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, underage drinking, driving under the influence, driving with suspended license, possession of marijuana, possession of liquor by minor; responses for alarm, dispute, civil issue, third-degree theft, hit and run, harassment, suspicious circumstances, collision on city street, graffiti to a fence and tree and locomotive … and more among 477 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 72-hour period ending about 7 a.m. today.

Centralia resident booked for allegedly shooting at moving truck on Main Street

Monday, August 29th, 2016

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Police believe a 27-year-old man fired a shot from a gas station parking lot at a passing vehicle on Main Street, which missed but may have lodged in a building across the street early yesterday morning in Chehalis.

Officers were called to the report of a shooting about 3:20 a.m. yesterday, located the suspect truck and stopped it at the 400 block of North Market Boulevard, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

Department spokesperson Linda Bailey said the motive is unclear but police are interviewing the occupants of the targeted vehicle and have arrested the passenger of the suspect vehicle.

He is Matthew W. Harader, age 27, of Centralia, according to police. He was booked into the Lewis County Jail for first-degree assault and for possession of methamphetamine.

The driver of the truck he was in, an adult male, was not arrested, Bailey said.

Officers believe Harder fired from the parking lot of the 76 gas station at the 600 block of Main Street, according to Bailey. No injuries were reported, according to Bailey.

The case is still under investigation, but Harder is tentatively scheduled to go before a judge this afternoon to face criminal charges.

Read about optimism for Thurston Sheriff Snaza’s long road to recovery …

Saturday, August 27th, 2016

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

The Olympian reports Thurston County Sheriff John Snaza remains in critical condition following the motorcycle accident that left him with a punctured lung, a lacerated kidney, a severely broken left arm and a damaged right hand.

Snaza underwent surgery Wednesday to fuse a bone in his neck.

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Sheriff John Snaza

Undersheriff Tim Braniff said at a press conference yesterday afternoon the 51-year-old is strong and “he’ll be back, according to Olympian news reporter Amelia Dickson.

The sheriff’s office informed the public on Wednesday morning they learned Snaza the evening before was involved in a single-vehicle accident in Sanders County, Montana, while off duty. The sheriff sustained life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to a hospital in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

He is the twin brother of Lewis County Sheriff Rob Snaza.

By Thursday, there were positive responses to the doctor’s request of movement, according to sheriff’s Lt. Tim Rudloff.

Rudloff has been keeping the public informed throughout by posting news releases on the department’s Facebook page.

Braniff told the gathering Snaza has made significant improvements with breathing on his own, but was still being assisted by a ventilator because of the internal injuries.

“He has a long road to recovery, and that recovery will be aided by the outpouring of support shown thus far,” the undersheriff said.

Braniff is second-in command and running the office in the sheriff’s absence.

Snaza was first elected sheriff in 2010.
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Read “Undersheriff on Sheriff Snaza: ‘He is strong, and he’ll be back’” from The Olympian on Friday August 26, 2016, here

For background, read “Breaking news: Thurston Sheriff Snaza seriously hurt in motorcycle wreck” from Wednesday August 24, 2016, here

Two of spooked horse victims on the mend, after fair accident

Saturday, August 27th, 2016
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Helen Morgan at her father Jake Morgan’s bedside. / Courtesy photo

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Lewis County officials went silent about the spooked carriage horse that took off running down the midway at the Southwest Washington Fair, injuring five people.

The designated spokesperson about the incident talked with news organizations the day it occurred, offering sparse details.

By early this week, the spokesperson, Lewis County Risk Manager Paulette Young, said nothing more would be said.

“We’re not providing any more information on that, we are no commenting,” Young said Tuesday.

The day before, the three-member Lewis County Board of Commissioners issued a formal statement:

“Because of potential litigation that could arise in the future, and upon advice of counsel, Lewis County will not be making any further comments on this matter,” they wrote. “Our thoughts and well wishes continue to be with those affected by this incident.”

It happened about 2:30 p.m. a week ago Friday.

Young on that afternoon said she knew only that five people were hurt and four of them were hospitalized, after a vendor’s horse with buggy ran through the fairgrounds.

The chief of the fire department whose jurisdiction includes the fairgrounds in between the cities of Centralia and Chehalis said he didn’t know much more. Riverside Fire Authority Chief Mike Kytta referred questions to Young.

We don’t have a whole lot,” Kytta said earlier this week. “With our fairground crew there, we had the whole thing turned around in 18 minutes.”

Kytta said four individuals were put into AMR ambulances and transported to Providence Centralia Hospital. The fifth person went there in a private vehicle, he said.

Although ordinarily Riverside Fire Authority records and shares such basics as the age and sex of accident victims, Kytta said he did not have that information.

“Now we know, from the news, a father and daughter were flown to Harborview with head injuries,” he said earlier this week.

Jake Morgan of Toledo and his daughter Helen were airlifted to the Seattle trauma center. A GoFundMe page posted the following day included words from the mother, Emily Owen, who said they expected a long healing road ahead.

“They have been overwhelmed with prayers and wishes,” the statement read. “Due to the severity of Jake and Helen’s injuries Emily won’t be able to go back to work immediately.

“If you feel moved please join me in donating what you can to offset their cost of living during their stay here in Seattle, and in the time home.”

Now, fellow Toledo resident Brandie Devine is busy organizing assistance for the family.

A benefit spaghetti dinner and auction is planned for Sept. 30 at Toledo High School. It will run from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m.

“Emily will move from primary provider to caregiver,” Devine wrote. “As this family heals, let’s do what we can as a community to ‘make life a little easier’. ”

The cost is $5 per child and $7 for adults.

To donate auction items, Devine can be reached at 360-880-7331

To donate food or supplies for the spaghetti feed, please contact Catrina Mathis at 360-703-1716 or Cara Buswell at 206-303-9472 or 360-864-4291.

Also, Devine notes that in the meantime for anyone who would like to contribute money to help family members with fuel costs for their trips to and from the hospital, an account is set up at the Toledo Flying K Gas Mart.
•••

For background, read “Chehalis: Spooked horse injures several fairgoers” from Friday August 19, 2016, here

Insurance on $322 million highway project will pay for $18.5 million collision settlement for Rochester man

Friday, August 26th, 2016

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Washington State Department of Transportation issued a formal statement yesterday, the day after a settlement of $18.5 million was approved for a Rochester motorcyclist severely injured last year when he collided with a dump truck working on the Interstate 5 construction project in Centralia.

“This was a tragic and serious incident for Mr. Bliss and our thoughts remain with him, ” the state agency wrote. “Safety is a top priority for WSDOT and we work diligently with our contractors to reduce the risk of roadway incidents.”

Scott R. Bliss was 44 years old when the early morning wreck occurred on April 17, 2015 at the northbound Harrison Avenue entrance to Interstate 5. A Mac truck was turning on to the ramp from an adjacent area and Bliss was entering the freeway when Bliss’s motorcycle struck its trailer, leaving him with a brain injury.

Bliss just finally returned home about a month ago from a rehabilitation center.

The settlement is the largest amount paid to a single person in a Lewis County Superior Court case, as far as Bliss’s attorneys could find.

The lawsuit filed on his behalf named Washington state, the state Department of Transportation’s contractor Scarsella Brothers Inc. and the driver, Wesley G. Snelson, from Galvin.

The judge’s approval came on the same day local and state officials met for a ceremonial ribbon cutting to celebrate the nine year highway construction project coming to a close.

The $322 million project encompassed an 18-mile stretch, adding and modifying interchanges, adding lanes and building new connections that parallel the freeway to carry local traffic, among other improvements.

The $18.5 million in settlement money will be put in a trust for Bliss.

Most of it, $13.5 million, is being paid through Scarsella’s private insurance, according to a WSDOT spokesperson.

The other $5 million comes from a liability insurance policy required under the construction contract paid for by Scarsella but taken out in WSDOT’s name, according to Lars Erickson, communications director for the state agency.

The Interstate 5 work, which began in 2007, was done between Maytown and Napavine.

“This work will help drive down collisions and improve travel times on this portion of the West Coast’s busiest highway,” WSDOT Assistant Regional Administrator Bart Gernhart stated in a news release. “By partnering with local community members, we incorporated their vision of a safer and more efficient I-5 corridor that will have lasting benefits for all travelers.”

The most visible difference are the connectors between the Mellen Street and Harrison Avenue interchanges, meant to improve safety by reducing merge weaving and preventing backups onto the interstate.

Drivers should expect occasional nighttime single-lane closures during the next few weeks as WSDOT’s contractor, Scarsella Brothers, Inc., finishes guardrail installation and striping work, according to WSDOT spokesperson Bart Treece.

Additional roadside landscaping and erosion control work will be completed during the fall and winter months.
•••

For background, read “Multi-million settlement reached for motorcyclist’s injuries at I-5 onramp during construction” from Wednesday August 24, 2016, here

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Friday, August 26th, 2016
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BASEBALL BAT ATTACK

• Police were called to a motel room at the 1300 block of Belmont Avenue in Centralia about 12:40 a.m. today where an uncle allegedly punched his niece and another family member was hit with a baseball bat and knocked unconscious. Johnaton M. Simien, 39, from Eunice, Louisiana, was arrested and booked into the Lewis County Jail for first-degree assault, according to the Centralia Police Department.

BUTTER KNIFE DEFENSE

• A 27-year-old Centralia man was arrested yesterday after he contacted police and said his girlfriend stabbed him with a butter knife and chipped his tooth with a mug at the 600 block of North Washington Avenue in Centralia.. Officers called about 1 p.m. found the girlfriend with a black eye, several bruises on her upper arms and red marks around her neck, according to court documents and police. Robert E. Chandler was booked into the Lewis County Jail for second-degree assault, according to police.

THEFT OF MAIL

• Centralia police were called just before 1 p.m. yesterday to take a report of mail being stolen from the 2600 block of Eureka Avenue.

DRUGS

• A 33-year-old Centralia resident was arrested for possession of methamphetamine after contact with an officer about an outstanding warrant at the 400 block of Girard Street in Centralia about 4:50 a.m. today. Treston D. Zimmerman was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• A 26-year-old Onalaska man contacted about 3 o’clock this morning about an outstanding warrant the the 700 block of Harrison Avenue in Centralia was subsequently arrested for possession of methamphetamine. Zacharey J. Hanley was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

• A 24-year-old Centralia woman was arrested for possession of heroin after a man reported finding drug paraphernalia and what field-tested positive for the drug among his daughter’s belongings at the 1200 block of Centralia Avenue just before 1 p.m. yesterday. Kayla M. Burleson was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

• A 21-year-old Centralia resident was arrested for unlawful possession of a controlled substance at about 10:20 a.m. yesterday at the 1000 block of Belmont Avenue in Centralia. Chris M. Yates, was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Centralia Police Department.

POSSIBLE ‘HOUDINI HOUND’  HEADS TO GROCERY STORE

• A Chehalis woman called police about 10 p.m. yesterday after returning home from work and finding her dog which had been inside a kennel inside her house was gone, even though the home was still locked up. “We’re not sure if the dog figured out how to get out or someone let it out,” Chehalis Police Department Deputy Chief Randy Kaut said. A citizen at about noon time had found the Labrador mix wandering at Safeway on the 1100 block of South Market Boulevard, according to police. It was taken to the shelter, Kaut said. A bedroom window was possibly open, according to Kaut.

ON THE ROAD, OFF THE ROAD

• Centralia police report they responded to a car versus bicycle accident at the 600 block of Harrison Avenue at about 6:30 p.m. yesterday. It involved minor injury, according to the Centralia Police Department.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, driving under the influence, driving with suspended license; responses for alarm, dispute, civil issue, third-degree theft, suicide threat, suspicious circumstances, collision on city street, dog left alone in vehicle … and more among 180 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 7 a.m. today.

•••

CORRECTION: The item involving Robert E. Chandler has been updated to correctly reflect who used the butter knife and whose tooth was chipped.