Archive for September, 2017

Centralia cop saves life, with newly acquired skill, tool

Tuesday, September 26th, 2017

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS –  Centralia police just recently trained to carry and use doses of Narcan administered the opiate antidote to a woman found not breathing and without a pulse last night and she was revived.

An officer responded to a 12:46 a.m. call for a reported drug overdose at the 800 block of Euclid Way, according to the Centralia Police Department. The 36-year-old woman appeared to be overdosing on heroin, according to police.

The officer administered Narcan and began CPR. The woman became responsive and was transported to the emergency room at Providence Centralia Hospital.

It was just last month when the Lewis County Department of Public Health and Social Services announced it had received a grant which would provide the specialized training for law enforcement officers from the Centralia Police Department, the Chehalis Police Department and the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

“Officers often see overdose patients before emergency medical aid arrives or has even been summoned,” LCPHSS employee Katie Strozyk stated in a press release. “With this training, they will be able to administer Narcan to those found in severe distress from an apparent opioid overdose.”

Officers are being deployed with the nasal spray form of the drug Naloxone, which counteracts and reverses the life-threatening effects of an opioid overdose, according to Strozyk.

Opioids include both prescription and illicit drugs, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, heroin, and fentanyl. Opioids cause death by slowing, and eventually stopping the victim’s breathing.

Strozyk says there are no ill effects on the patient if Narcan is administered and no opioids are present.

The new tool is part of a strategy to combat the opioid epidemic and reduce overdose deaths in Lewis County, according to Strozyk.

Strozyk said that in Lewis County, 42 overdose deaths from opioids occurred between 2011 and 2015. Nationwide 33,091 people died in 2015 from an opioid overdose, she said.

The opioid epidemic was declared a national emergency on August 10, following the recommendation of the President’s Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and Opioid Crisis.

President Donald J. Trump instructed his administration to use all appropriate emergency and other authorities to respond to the crisis caused by the opioid epidemic.

The local program was made possible by a $3,000 grant awarded to Lewis County Department of Public Health and Social Services by the West Region EMS Trauma & Care Council and in collaboration with the University of Washington’s Alcohol & Drug Abuse Institute.

Strozyk notes that Narcan may also be used by officers who have been exposed to a high-potency drug, such as fentanyl, which can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled if it becomes airborne.

“Law enforcement agencies nationwide have seen an increase in accidental exposures to the opiate drug fentanyl which can have lethal consequences if not treated immediately,” Washington State Patrol Lt. Mike Eggleston said earlier this month.

The state patrol is distributing Narcan to Washington State crime labs in case of accidental exposures.

The state patrol also recently began issuing Narcan to troopers, and eventually all troopers will have it in their patrol cars.

Drug overdose is the leading cause of unintentional injury death in Washington state, ahead of motor vehicle-related deaths.

The Good Samaritan drug overdose law protects persons who seek medical assistance for someone experiencing a drug-related overdose, and the patient,  from being charged or prosecuted for possession of a controlled substance.

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Tuesday, September 26th, 2017
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•••

TRICKED IN PHONE SCAM

• A 65-year-old woman called Chehalis police yesterday after discovering money had been removed from her bank account. The victim had gotten a phone call about applying for a loan, gave all her information and was told to go purchase gift cards – with money which would be deposited into her account – and send the gift cards to California, according to the Chehalis Police Department. She checked to see if the money was in her account and learned she was overdrawn by $800, according to police. The case has been suspended because police have no information to go on, department spokesperson Linda Bailey said.

WINLOCK HOME BURGLED

• A 31-year-old Winlock man was arrested yesterday following an investigation that began on Thursday with a call to a store in Vader about someone trying cash a personal check that appeared to have been stolen, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. The investigation led a deputy to a home on the 200 block of Awmiller Road where a burglary was discovered with numerous items missing including an air compressor, horse shoes and checks, Chief Deputy Dusty Breen said. Evan Kranz was contacted and booked into the Lewis County Jail for residential burglary, Breen said.

CHEHALIS BUSINESS BURGLED

• Deputies called about 9:30 p.m. yesterday for suspicious circumstances at a business on the 100 block of Labree Road in Chehalis found what appeared to be forced entry to an outbuilding on the property. The initial information indicated male subjects leaving the area of the business in a vehicle, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s office is waiting for a list of stolen items, Chief Deputy Dusty Breen said.

VEHICLE THEFT

• Centralia police were called at 6:34 a.m. today to the 1100 block of Eckerson Road where a white 1999 Ford F250 pickup truck was reported stolen. It has a license plate reading B19176F, according to the Centralia Police Department.

FAKE BILL

• Centralia police were called just after 9 a.m. yesterday to the 1100 block of Harrison Avenue where a counterfeit $100 bill had been used. The item was collected and placed into evidence, according to the Centralia Police Department.

VANDALISM

• Centralia police took a report yesterday about graffiti left over the weekend at the 800 block of North Tower Avenue.

LOST AND FOUND NEAR PACKWOOD

• Deputies notified about 2:45 p.m. yesterday of a pair of overdue hikers located their vehicle at the Packwood Lake trailhead and then made contact with the men coming off the trail about 4 p.m., according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. The 27-year-old Kelso resident and 23-year-old Randle resident had set out on Saturday to walk to Packwood Lake and then planned a one-day hike to Lost Lake, according to the sheriff’s office. They said they’d gotten lost on the return trip from Lost Lake and because it got dark, decided to stay over another night, Chief Deputy Dusty Breen said. They were in good spirits and were not injured, Breen said.

ON THE ROAD, OFF THE ROAD

• Centralia police arrested two people after a road rage incident yesterday, a 58-year-old man for allegedly assaulting a woman and the 26-year-old woman for allegedly damaging his vehicle. Officer called about 11:50 a.m. to Reynolds Avenue and North Pearl Street arrested Mark S. Folden, 58, of Centralia, for fourth-degree assault and arrested Tina L. Bell, 26, of Centralia, for malicious mischief, according to the Centralia Police Department.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, misdemeanor domestic assault, driving with suspended license, operating motor vehicle without required ignition interlock device; responses for alarm, dispute, civil issue, vandalism, vehicle collision, suspicious circumstances, no-contact order violation … and more among 154 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 7 a.m.

News brief: Tuesday deemed “Police K-9 Lobo Appreciation Day” for retiree

Monday, September 25th, 2017

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS –  The Centralia Police Department announced today the retirement of K-9 Lobo, after seven years with the city.

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Lobo

The German Shepherd is leaving the department as of the end of the month due to an unforeseen medical condition, according to a press release.

Lobo joined the department in June 2010 at age 1 and completed his certification that December. He is partnered with Officer Ruben Ramirez, a 16-year veteran of the department.

He will be honored at tomorrow’s Centralia City Council meeting. Tomorrow is deemed “Police K-9 Lobo Appreciation Day”, according to detective Patty Finch.

During his career, Lobo was deployed 197 times for various kinds of searches and tracking, making successful captures of people 84 times, according to Finch.

The police dog didn’t become certified to detect narcotics until May 2016, but has assisted in the seizure of approximately $100,000 in drug related cash, according to Finch. Lobo’s most notable “sniff” was 24 pounds of methamphetamine, concealed in a gas tank of a vehicle, Finch stated.

The police dog has participated in 24 public demonstrations throughout the community.

Finch states that while Lobo cannot be replaced, the department is seeking to  purchase another K9 and appoint another K9 handler. Officer Ramirez is one of two who have applied, according to Finch.

The Centralia Police Department K-9 program is funded by donations from the public.

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Monday, September 25th, 2017
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•••

ASSAULT

• A 22-year-old man who allegedly threatened a patron at a Centralia drinking establishment with a pistol during a dispute was arrested for second-degree assault over the weekend. Officers called about 12:50 a.m. on Sunday to the 100 block of South Tower Avenue booked Gustavo A. Ayala, of Chehalis, into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Chehalis police were called to the 200 block of Southeast Washington Avenue about 8 p.m. on Friday when a man in his mid-20s reported his roommate stole his prescription medication, bit him and threw a knife at him. The victim left, and officers contacted the 31-year-old suspect but did not book him into jail, according to the Chehalis Police Department. A case is being referred to prosecutors for second-degree assault, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and third-degree theft, according to police. The injuries were very minor, according to police.

TORTOISE TAKEN, RETURNED

• Centralia police were called at 4:40 p.m. yesterday when someone stole a tortoise from a store on the 700 block of North Tower Avenue. A 30-year-old Centralia resident was subsequently arrested for third-degree theft and the animal was returned unharmed, according to the Centralia Police Department. The suspect, Anthony S. Lawson, was then released pending court, according to police.

BURGLARY

• A deputy was called last night to the 300 block of Zandecki Road south of Chehalis where they were told someone had stolen property from a garage sometime between noon last Tuesday and 8 p.m. yesterday. Among the items missing are a Husqvarna chainsaw, a Stihl chainsaw, a bicycle, an ax and a tool box, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

• A resident at the 2200 block of Wildwood Road in Curtis who stepped out for a short time on Saturday afternoon returned home to find someone had made forced entry and gone through her house, leaving with a Toshiba Chromebook tablet. It happened between 4 p.m. and 4:40 p.m., according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. The loss is $150, according to the sheriff’s office.

• Chehalis police were called about 9:40 p.m. on Friday to the 700 block of Northwest State Avenue where they were told a shed had been broken into. Police are waiting for a list of missing property from the victim, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

BLACKMAIL

• Chehalis police were called to a residence on Southeast Washington Avenue yesterday afternoon for a young man who was allegedly being blackmailed by a female who wanted him to pay $1,500 or she would post video she got while they video chatted on the Internet, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

DRUGS

• A 27-year-old Centralia man was arrested for possession of heroin after police were called about 4:30 p.m. on Saturday because a witness reported seeing him spray painting graffiti on a building at the 600 block of West Main Street in Centralia. The suspect ran off but officers caught him a few blocks away and discovered he had an outstanding warrant, according to police. Genaro M. Rivas was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Centralia Police Department.

DRINKS

• Deputies working a detail at a dance at Centralia High School on Friday night arrested two 14-year-old boys in separate incidents for minor in possession and/or consumption of alcohol. They were released to parents at the scene, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

WALLET MISSING

• An individual called Chehalis police yesterday afternoon to report losing their wallet at one of two different places on Northwest Louisiana Avenue.

AUTO THEFT

• Centralia police took a report about 1:10 a.m. on Saturday of a vehicle taken from a business in the 300 block of South Tower Avenue. Later it was discovered the vehicle was involved in a hit and run in Thurston County, according to the Centralia Police Department.

STARS SPIRITED AWAY

• Two red decorative stars were stolen off of a fence during the night at the 100 block of North Ash Street in Centralia, according to a report made to police about 12:20 p.m. on Friday.

CAR PROWL

• Centralia police were called just before 8 a.m. on Saturday to the 400 block of North Ash Street to take a report of multiple items stolen from an unlocked vehicle.

• A backpack was reported stolen from a vehicle at the 1400 block of Lewis Street in Centralia at about 7:35 a.m. on Saturday.

• Centralia police were called to the 900 block of Old Airport Way at 11:30 p.m. on Friday for a vehicle prowl.

• A wallet and cell phone were stolen from a vehicle parked at the 400 block of Lakeshore Drive in Centralia, according to a report made to police just before 4 p.m. on Friday.

• Police were called about 3:30 p.m. on Friday for a vehicle prowl at the 300 block of Lowe Street in Centralia in which a laptop computer and hard drives were taken.

• A chainsaw was stolen from a vehicle during the night at the 1300 block of Belmont Avenue in Centralia, according to a report made to police about 10:15 a.m. on Friday.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, obstructing, third-degree theft, rendering criminal assistance, misdemeanor domestic assault, driving under the influence, protection order violation, driving with suspended license; responses for alarm, dispute, civil issue, vehicle collision, malicious mischief, disorderly person, suspicious circumstances, misdemeanor theft … and more among 437 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 72-hour period ending about 7 a.m.

Firefighter hurt when fire engine wrecks near Cinebar

Sunday, September 24th, 2017

Updated at 7:16 p.m.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS –  A volunteer firefighter was airlifted after a fire engine rolled off a roadway as it responded to a call for a smoke investigation last night in central Lewis County.

The driver of the Lewis County Fire District 8 engine was on his way to a 9:34 p.m. call and traveling on the 700 block of Cinebar Road, according to Lewis County Fire District 1.

“He contacted dispatch at 9:43 p.m. saying he had wrecked and needed help,” District 1 Assistant Chief Rhonda Volk said.

She and six others from the Onalaska department responded, Volk said. A District 8 crew responded as well.

They found the truck a ways down a heavily wooded and steep embankment, where it was laying on its side, having crashed into a large maple tree, Volk said.

They had to use a chainsaw to get access to the driver, but he was conscious and still talking, according to Volk.

He was airlifted from District 8’s main station in Salkum, but Volk didn’t know what hospital he was flown to. District 8 Chief Duran McDaniel, who was out of town, said later today the injured firefighter was life-flighted to St. Joseph Hospital in Tacoma.

They plan to keep him for a couple more days, McDaniel said.

“We know he’s bruised, but no other complications other than majorly bruised up,” he said.

The chief spoke to the injured firefighter, who is one of his lieutenants, this evening; he said an elk walked out in front of him, he said.

The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office and the Washington State Patrol both responded to the scene.

It was their second-newest engine that was damaged, but the department has a reserve engine it can use, according to McDaniel.

Volk said she believed the smoke or fire investigation call the driver was headed to was for a bonfire.

McDaniel said the injured firefighter was going out to deal with someone who was violating the burn ban, a chore that has caused the chief increasing frustration.

Early last week, McDaniel said he’d been called out every day during the previous week for people in the district burning campfires, something currently prohibited.

He knows the subject of last night’s call didn’t cause the fire truck to crash, but it was an otherwise unnecessary dispatch.

“If people would just follow the rules, we don’t have to put the trucks on the road,” McDaniel said.

News brief: Centralia man dead following crash near Pe Ell

Friday, September 22nd, 2017

Updated

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS –  A 68-year-old Centralia man is dead after a single-vehicle wreck this morning on state Route 6 one mile west of Pe Ell.

Troopers called at 10:40 a.m. report Leonard D. Bridges was deceased at the scene.

Bridges was traveling westbound when his truck left the roadway to the right and struck some brush before re-entering the roadway and coming to rest blocking the westbound lane, according to the Washington State Patrol

His Ford Ranger pickup truck was described as totaled, but he had been wearing a seat belt, according to the state patrol. Bridges’ next-of-kin has been notified by the Lewis County Coroner’s Office, according to the investigating trooper.

Trooper Will Finn stated that all lanes were blocked near milepost 27, but the highway was cleared just about 3 p.m., according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.

The cause of the collision is under investigation.

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Friday, September 22nd, 2017
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•••

DOMESTIC ASSAULT

• A 59-year-old rural Chehalis man was arrested last night after deputies were called at 7:17 p.m. about a dispute in progress on Deep Creek Road and learned he had earlier allegedly thrown his significant other into a door frame causing her to hit her head, had even earlier allegedly choked her and had allegedly threatened to kill her. The victim had bruising on the side of her face and the front of her neck, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Howard E. Runyan was booked into the Lewis County Jail for felony harassment, according to the sheriff’s office. A possible charge also of fourth-degree assault is being referred to prosecutors, according to Chief Deputy Dusty Breen.

OTHER ASSAULT

• Chehalis police called at 2:50 p.m. yesterday by a person who said they witnessed someone getting jumped at Southwest Seventh Street and Cascade Avenue subsequently made contact with a 33-year-old Centralia man who wouldn’t share information at the time but wanted to be taken to the hospital, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

BREAK-IN CENTRALIA

• Centralia police were called about 9:25 a.m. yesterday for a burglary to a business office at the 900 block of South Gold Street. A safe was damaged and “items” were stolen, according to the Centralia Police Department.

VEHICLE THEFT

• A blue 2006 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck was stolen overnight from the 900 block of Yew Street in Centralia, according to  report made to police about 6:20 a.m. yesterday. The license plate reads B62394V, according to the Centralia Police Department.

FORGERY

• A 33-year-old Chehalis resident was arrested yesterday for forgery and possession of methamphetamine in a case associated with the 1300 block of South Gold Street in Centralia. Aaron M. Lopez was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Centralia police were called just before 6 p.m. yesterday to the 1200 block of Harrison Avenue in Centralia where a counterfeit $10 dollar bill was received as part of a purchase. The customer advised that they had received it as change from another establishment, according to the Centralia Police Department. No arrest was made.

OTHER THEFT

• Someone stole a package that had been left by the post office at the 1300 block of Central Boulevard in Centralia, according to a report made to police about 5:35 p.m. yesterday.

CAR PROWL

• Police were called about a vehicle prowl at the 800 block of West Main Street in Centralia about 3:40 p.m. yesterday. A wallet was taken, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Centralia police were called just before 10 a.m. yesterday to take a report of a vehicle prowl at the 2200 block of Sirkka Avenue.

KICKED OUT

• Chehalis police were called about 10:40 a.m. yesterday after a man removing an impounded travel trailer from the 1600 block of Northwest Louisiana Avenue stopped on Northwest Pennsylvania Avenue to double check that there was nobody inside found a 35-year-old Centralia woman inside who would not get out. Rachel J. Rider owned the trailer before it got “tagged” and then impounded, according to the Chehalis Police Department. Rider was arrested and booked for second-degree trespassing and for “residing in a recreational vehicle,” according to police.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, hit and run, trespassing, misdemeanor domestic assault, driving with suspended license; responses for alarm, dispute, civil issue, suspicious circumstances, misdemeanor theft … and more among 194 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 7 a.m.