Archive for June, 2017

Chehalis police dog passes away unexpectedly

Wednesday, June 28th, 2017
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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

Tuesday, June 27th, 2017
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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.
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For background, read “News brief: Pe Ell home burns” from Monday June 26, 2017, here

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Tuesday, June 27th, 2017
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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

Tuesday, June 27th, 2017
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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.

News brief: Golden anniversary for Civil Service civil servant

Monday, June 26th, 2017
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Gerald Grill, left, accepts the recognition from Lewis County Commissioners Edna Fund, Bobby Jackson and Gary Stamper

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Adna resident Jerry Grill was honored today for serving 50 years as the secretary-examiner for the Lewis County Civil Service Commission.

Grill, 77, was recognized with a certificate of appreciation at the start of the Lewis County Board of County Commissioners weekly business meeting held in the historic courthouse in Chehalis.

The three-member commission oversees the examination process for hiring and promotions of employees at the sheriff’s office – other than the sheriff and his appointees – and sometimes for appeals of personnel actions.

Grill said the civil service commission system was created in Washington state by initiative in the 1960s.

Grill retired as fire chief of Lewis County Fire District 12 in 1997 after 36 years of service there.

He was accompanied this morning by his wife Luanne Grill. The couple celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary yesterday.

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Monday, June 26th, 2017
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Updated at 2:57 p.m.

ARSON INVESTIGATION LEADS TO ARREST

• A 39-year-old Chehalis man was arrested for second-degree arson and second-degree burglary following an early morning fire that affected two sheds at the 200 block of U.S. Highway 12. Firefighters were called to the fire about 4 a.m. on Saturday, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. The victim reported some information on social media that led to contact with a suspect in Astoria, according to the sheriff’s office. When Joshua L. Nichols returned to the area, he was booked into the Lewis County Jail, Capt. Curt Spahn said. The damage is estimated at $5,000.

ASSAULT WITH CROCHET HOOK

• A 59-year-old Centralia woman was arrested on Saturday for allegedly stabbing her sister in the hand with a crotchet needle, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies called about 12:20 p.m. to the 100 block of Sawall Avenue West booked Kim R. Keevy into the Lewis County Jail for third-degree assault, according to the sheriff’s office.

TARGET SHOOTER WOUNDED BY FIREARM

• Lewis County Sheriff’s deputies contacted about 1 p.m. on Sunday about a gunshot victim at Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup learned that a 21-year-old man from Kent and his friend had been target shooting in the Mineral area, when he accidentally fired a round from a 22 caliber gun into his own right foot. The two drove to the hospital, according to the sherif’s office.

TWO BIT IN CANINE INCIDENT

• A Chehalis officer called just after 1 p.m. on Saturday to Southeast Fairview Avenue and Magnolia Drive for a male bit on the finger by a neighbor dog ended up getting bit on the arm by one of a pair of dogs. The officer used pepper spray and the dogs ran off, according to the Chehalis Police Department. The owner was asked to quarantine the animals until animal control could investigate, according to police. Both bites broke the skin, but only the officer went to the hospital to be checked out, according to police.

CIGARETTE ASSAULT

• Centralia police were called about 1:10 p.m. on Friday to a rehabilitation center on the 1300 block of Alexander Street where a 71-year-old Onalaska man allegedly tried to burn a health care worker with a cigarette. A case is being referred to prosecutors for a possible charge of second-degree assault, according to the Centralia Police Department.

BAT ATTACK IN TOLEDO

• A 54-year-old Toledo woman was arrested after allegedly taking a baseball bat to two cars belonging to her neighbors on Friday. Deputies called about 7:35 p.m. to the 400 block of state Route 506 contacted Christi C. Law who had the bat in hand but dropped it when asked to do so, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. The damage to the neighbor women’s Ford Taurus and Honda Civic is estimated at $1,200, according to the sheriff’ office. Law was booked into the Lewis County Jail for second-degree malicious mischief, Capt. Curt Spahn said.

VEHICLE THEFT

• Centralia police were called about 9:50 a.m. on Friday about a 1989 Toyota Corolla stolen from the 1800 block of North Pearl Street which was discovered later abandoned by Tacoma police.

• A deputy took a report of the theft of a 19-foot Prowler RV trailer from an area along state Route 131 in Randle on Friday. It happened sometime during the previous three weeks, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

CAR PROWL

• Medication and a journal were reported stolen from a vehicle at the 2000 block of Borst Avenue in Centralia, according to a report made to police just before 7 p.m. on Saturday.

• Centralia police were called about 8:50 a.m. on Saturday for an overnight vehicle prowl at the 200 block of North Tower Avenue. A wallet was missing, according to the Centralia Police Department.

OTHER THEFT

• Medication was reported stolen from the 1100 block of South Pearl Street in Centralia, according to a report made to police about 11:40 p.m. on Saturday.

• Centralia police are investigating possible fraud on a credit card account associated with a location on the 2800 block of Russell Road which was reported on Friday afternoon.

VANDALISM

• Centralia police took a report about 2:35 a.m. on Saturday of tires slashed on a vehicle at the 200 block of North Rock Street.

ON THE ROAD, OFF THE ROAD

• A woman was struck by a vehicle at low speed in the parking lot at Wal-Mart about 10:45 a.m. on Saturday and taken to Providence Centralia Hospital, according to the Chehalis Fire Department.

• A 30-year-old Centralia man was arrested after reportedly crashing into three vehicles in Tenino following a pursuit that began about 3:40 a.m. today when a deputy attempted to pull over an erratically driven vehicle at the 1500 block of Northwest Louisiana Avenue in Chehalis. The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office reports the vehicle headed north on Interstate 5 and exited at the milepost 88 interchange. Henry Herrera-Montealgre was taken into custody by the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office for driving under the influence, unlawful possession of a firearm and resisting arrest, sheriff’s Capt. Curt Spahn said. Lewis County plans to refer the case to prosecutors for charges of eluding and reckless driving, Spahn said.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, trespassing, misdemeanor assault, probation violation, protection order violation, reckless endangerment, driving under the influence, driving with suspended license, malicious mischief; responses for alarm, dispute, civil issue, hit and run, vehicle collision, suicidal person, suspicious circumstances, dogs alone inside an otherwise empty parked vehicle … and more among 527 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 72-hour period ending about 7 a.m. today.

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Police pursuit ends in Tenino. / Courtesy photo by Thurston County Sheriff’s Office

News brief: Pe Ell home burns

Monday, June 26th, 2017

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A house in Pe Ell is a total loss after it caught fire during the night.

Personnel from three fire departments responded after the approximately 1 a.m. call to the blaze on Third Street, according to Lewis County Fire District 11.

Chief Michael Krafczyk said everyone got out okay.

The fire appeared to have started in the garage but is under investigation, according to the chief.