News
The Chronicle - Centralia
|
In focus: 'Speeders' take to the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad
If you thought you saw railcars, or speeders, at railroad crossings along the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad and Museum’s tracks Thursday, you thought right. Eighteen railcars chugged 9 miles along the railway from the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad and Museum’s station and back twice. Members of the Pacific Railcar Operators (PRO) and North American Railcars Association (NARCOA), a nonprofit organization, travel around with the group to different railroads across the Pacific Northwest. PRO is a NARCOA affiliate and the newest railcar club in the West, according to a news release. “Railroad motorcars or ‘speeders’ were used by the railroads to inspect the many miles of track for defects and to handle track maintenance. Speeders have been phased out by the railroads in favor of Hy-Rail Vehicles. Railfans bought the scrap speeders and organized NARCOA in the mid 1980’s,” according to the news release. “It’s a fun hobby,” event organizer Richard Wilkins said. “I’m retired from the railroad and, if you grow up in a railroad family, you kind of lean toward that … I sort of fell right into it.” Railfans like Dorothy Roberts, of Jefferson, Oregon, customized her railcar to be purple with a purple pinwheel on the front and named it “The Betsy.” “It’s like a railroad motorcar family,” Roberts said as she went around hugging other operators. After the Mt. Rainier Scenic railroad excursion on May 17, they will head out on the Mount Hood railroad on May 21. Learn more about the PRO at https://www.pro-online.org/. For more information on NARCOA, visit https://narcoa.org/. |
|
Sirens: Paramedics revive woman who overdosed; caller says 'no one listens to him because he's a man'; kittens abandoned; teen daughter slaps father
CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT Vehicle theft • A blue 2015 Ford F-150 with the Washington license plate C07380K was reported stolen from the 1200 block of Mellen Street just after 9:35 a.m. on May 15. The case is under investigation.
Theft • A wallet was reported stolen from a store in the 1100 block of Harrison Avenue just after 1:20 p.m. on May 15. The case is under investigation. • A chain saw was reported stolen from a business in the 600 block of Harrison Avenue just before 1:25 p.m. on May 16. The case is under investigation. • A purse containing identification and credit cards was reported stolen from the 100 block of meridian Avenue at approximately 3:30 p.m. on May 16. The case is under investigation.
Vehicle accidents • A non-injury, two-vehicle collision was reported at the intersection of Harrison and View avenues just after 1:35 p.m. on May 15. • A non-injury, two-vehicle collision was reported at the intersection of West Reynolds Avenue and Johnson Road just after 10 p.m. on May 15. • A non-injury, two-vehicle collision was reported at the intersection of Harrison Avenue and Aurora Street just after 2:25 p.m. on May 16. • A non-injury, two-vehicle collision was reported at the intersection of North Pearl Street and West Oakview Avenue just after 3:35 p.m. on May 16.
Drug violations • A 43-year-old Centralia woman was arrested at the intersection of Ellsbury and Alder streets at approximately 5:05 p.m. on May 15 and was booked into the Chehalis Tribal Jail on an outstanding Centralia Municipal Court warrant. She was also cited for knowingly possessing a controlled substance after the officer located suspected fentanyl and meth in her property during the arrest. • A 29-year-old Chehalis woman was investigated for a drug violation in the 1000 block of Belmont Avenue just after 8:05 a.m. on May 16 during an arrest on outstanding Centralia Municipal Court warrants.
Overdose • Officers responded to a fentanyl overdose involving a woman who was unresponsive and not breathing in the 800 block of Hamilton Avenue at 5:10 p.m. on May 16. AMR paramedics rendered aid to the woman, who regained consciousness at the scene.
Assault • A 20-year-old Centralia woman was arrested in the 900 block of South Pearl Street at approximately 3:55 p.m. on May 16 and was booked into the Lewis County Jail for fourth-degree assault, domestic violence and reckless endangerment, domestic violence.
Welfare check • Officers conducted a welfare check on a man, woman and child in the 1200 block of Lum Road at approximately 8:10 p.m. on May 16 after the man was found passed out in a business’ restroom.
CHEHALIS POLICE DEPARTMENT Vehicle accident • A car crashed over an embankment in the 1100 block of South Market Boulevard just after 9:05 a.m. on May 15. No injuries were reported.
Suspicious circumstances • The grandfather of a W.F. West High School student called just after 11 a.m. on May 15 to report his grandson was assaulted in Lacey. He was advised to contact the Lacey Police Department. • An “agitated male” in the 400 block of Northeast Alaskan Way called regarding “his mom driving him into the dirt” at 11:55 a.m. on May 15. The dispatcher noted the man was “rambling” about various topics, including “possibly becoming homeless,” how he “didn’t want cops coming in a blaze” and how “no one listens to him because he’s a man.”
Disputes • A father reported his 17-year-old daughter slapped him in the face after he found empty bottles of alcohol in her room in the 1300 block of Southwest Wilson Avenue just after 12:35 p.m. on May 15. • A physical dispute between a man and a woman in a vehicle in the 1600 block of Northwest Louisiana Avenue was reported just before 8:20 p.m. on May 15.
Overdose • A man overdosed on fentanyl in the 200 block of Northwest State Avenue just after 1:50 p.m. on May 15. One subject was cited for possession of meth.
Drug violation • A subject was arrested for a narcotics violation in the 300 block of Southwest Third Street at approximately 2:10 p.m. on May 15 after a caller reported someone was passed out inside a vehicle with a flat tire.
Animal negligence/abuse • A woman reportedly abandoned five kittens in the 600 block of Northwest State Avenue at approximately 5:20 p.m. on May 15.
Criminal trespass • A subject who was found camping at the intersection of Northwest Chamber of Commerce Way and North National Avenue at 8:25 a.m. on May 16 was advised of the city’s camping ordinance. • A subject who was selling oranges on airport property in the 1700 block of Northwest Louisiana Avenue at 12:10 p.m. on May 16 was trespassed from the property.
Theft • Clothes were reported stolen from the 100 block of North Market Boulevard just after 3:45 p.m. on May 16. • Packages were reported stolen from an apartment building in the 200 block of Southeast Washington Avenue just after 9 p.m. on May 16.
FIRE AND EMS CALLS • Between Wednesday morning and Friday morning, Lewis County 911 Communications logged approximately 46 illness-related calls, 15 injury-related calls, 12 fire-related calls, seven non-emergency service calls, six vehicle accidents, four overdoses, one suicide-related call, one ambulance request, one medical helicopter request, two Lifeline medical alerts, one 911 hangup and five other calls.
JAIL STATISTICS • As of Friday morning, the Lewis County Jail had a total system population of 127 inmates, including 114 in the general population and 13 in the Work Ethic and Restitution Center (WERC). Of general population inmates, 90 were reported male and 24 were reported female. Of the WERC inmates, 11 were reported male and two were reported female. • As of Friday morning, the Chehalis Tribal Jail had a total system population of 19 inmates, including seven booked by the Centralia Police Department, 10 booked by the state Department of Corrections, one booked by the City of Elma and one booked by the Lummi Nation. ••• Sirens are compiled by assistant editor Emily Fitzgerald, who can be reached at emily@chronline.com. The Centralia Police Department can be reached at 360-330-7680, the Chehalis Police Department can be reached at 360-748-8605. If you were a victim of physical or sexual abuse, domestic violence or sexual assault, call Hope Alliance at 360-748-6601 or the Youth Advocacy Center of Lewis County at 360-623-1990. |
|
Death notices: May 17, 2024
• ANTHONY F. BOONE, 34, Chehalis, died May 8 in Portland, Oregon. A viewing will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at Cattermole Funeral Home, 203 NW Kerron St., Winlock. A celebration of life will follow at 3 p.m. at Cattermole Funeral Home. Arrangements are under the care of Cattermole Funeral Home. • LESTER W. WATTS, 80, Winlock, died on May 13 at Providence Centralia Hospital. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, June 7, at Napavine Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care of Cattermole Funeral Home. • THOMAS J. SLATER, 84, Rochester, died May 6 at Providence Centralia Hospital. Arrangements are under the care of Cattermole Funeral Home. • JOHN E. ZAPALAC, 90, Morton, died May 7 at Providence St. Peter Hospital. A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 15, at Coleman Cemetery in Glenoma. Arrangements are under the care of Cattermole Funeral Home. • GREGORY G. WHITE, 46, Chehalis, died May 7 at his residence. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, June 14, at the Boistfort Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care of Cattermole Funeral Home. • SHIRLEY M. MAESTAS, 89, Rochester, died on May 7 at Providence Centralia Hospital. Arrangements are under the care of Cattermole Funeral Home. • MARLENE C. AHMANN, 88, Centralia, died on May 5 at Sharon Care Center in Centralia. A Rosary will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, May 24, at St. Francis Xavier Mission with a Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. and a graveside following at noon. Arrangements are under the care of Cattermole Funeral Home. • VIRGINIA D. HENDRY, 81, Chehalis, died on May 13 at Brenda’s Elder Care. Arrangements are under the care of Cattermole Funeral Home. |
|
Toledo man injured in three-vehicle crash on Interstate 5 near Toutle River Rest Area on Thursday
A 40-year-old Toledo man was transported to a hospital following a three-vehicle crash on southbound Interstate 5 near the Toutle River Rest Area in Cowlitz County early Thursday morning. A red 2002 Honda Accord driven by 22-year-old Sorenson M. Walker, of Toledo, reportedly struck the back of a green 2000 Jeep Cheroke driven by the 40-year-old while both vehicles were traveling southbound on I-5, according to the Washington State Patrol. The Jeep came to rest in two of the southbound lanes while the Jeep lost control, rolled over the center median and came to rest in two of the northbound lanes, where it was struck by a northbound semi-truck. The driver of the semi and the driver of the Honda were not injured. Speed was the cause of the crash, according to the Washington State Patrol, which responded to the crash just after 4:10 a.m. on May 16. |
|
Brian Mittge: It's the perfect time for a walkabout
What happens when you walk a route that you’ve driven for decades? You see your world in a new and better way. I recently set out on such a trek, strolling from Stan Hedwall Park in Chehalis to W.F. West High School. I’m a little embarrassed to say that I’ve never walked this short route before. (In fact, maybe I did back in high school, but I don’t remember it.) Smartphone maps say it’s about 1.3 miles each way. From the time I left the picnic shelter at the park until the time I touched the post outside the gym entrance to the high school was 19 minutes and 30 seconds. The sun was bright and the weather was perfect. I highly recommend such a walk. If you have an hour or so free, just step out in any direction. You won’t know until you take that first step what all you’ll notice. I guarantee it’ll be a whole different experience than driving. I got a kick out of a large pine tree along my route with a sign labeled “free” on it — presumably referring to items placed on an empty table nearby. I’d rather think of the tree itself being up for grabs, like U-pick strawberries. Just bring your own shovel, and make it a big one. A slightly harrowing part of the trip was crossing the freeway at the 13th Street overpass. While there are sidewalks, at least technically, it would be inaccurate to call them generously wide. In fact, they’re more like catwalks. As cars and trucks rumble by on one side, the freeway traffic zooms below you. It’s not a place where one wants to linger. Someday, if and when that vintage 1950s-style overpass is replaced, I look forward to wide modern sidewalks. The route from the city to the park and out Rice Road is gorgeous and I think would be well-traveled if good sidewalks were available. For now, it’s a constriction that, I think, presents a barrier to Chehalis and its glorious nearby countryside. If you’re not convinced, get out and take a catwalk across it.
Productive students The mid-point of my back-and-forth journey was the W.F. West Home and Garden Show. Students were showing off a wide variety of products they had made and grown. I picked up some T-shirts with creative designs that were thought up, laid out and screen printed by students. I bought some gorgeous flower starts grown by students in the school’s greenhouses. There were adirondack chairs made by the wood shop. Kids were selling jewelry. And so much more. It was really inspiring to see how so many teenagers in our public schools are learning practical skills. No matter what trade they end up pursuing, their practice in growing or building something for sale or use by the people of their community will be a huge benefit for them. While the sunshine of my walk was beautiful, seeing the bright light of these students building a brighter future for themselves was even more heartwarming.
Music and art Speaking of creation with collaboration in mind, I enjoyed a great partnership this week at my son’s middle school jazz band concert in Chehalis. I have to offer kudos to the Chehalis Middle School art teacher, J. Travis Williams, for having his students create music-themed artwork to advertise and accompany the concert. As the middle and high school bands played, artwork from the middle school students rotated on display above them. The art took many forms, from abstract colors to curling keyboards to animals playing instruments. My favorite was the lamb in the top hat and bow tie playing a saxophone. Helping students in art or any other class see that they have an opportunity to create something cool as part of a bigger endeavor is a big part of what education, at its best, can do. The best answer to the perennial question students have of “why are we learning this?” is a project showing them how their education has a real-life purpose. I look forward to even more practical projects from our students as we teach them to see the potential in themselves to serve others through what they are learning. If you step out on a great walk this week, Brian Mittge would like to hear about it. Contact him at brianmittge@hotmail.com. |
|
Sen. John Braun: Campus protests call for decisive leadership
During the first half of May, administrators at the University of Washington patiently negotiated with pro-Hamas protesters about voluntarily dismantling their illegal encampment at the center of the Seattle campus. Despite more than a week of engaging, the encampment remained. Then the situation escalated. On May 12, the student newspaper reported, pro-Hamas protesters grabbed Israeli flags from pro-Israel demonstrators, then ripped or burned them. Three days later, antisemitic graffiti appeared on many major buildings on the main campus. While the UW protesters were still establishing their so-called “liberation zone” and issuing their demands to university administrators, appeasers at The Evergreen State College’s (TESC) Olympia campus were already capitulating to that school’s protesters. The concessions TESC made include a vow to quickly create an “Investment Policy Disappearing Task Force” to address “divestment from companies that profit from gross human rights violations and/or the occupation of Palestinian Territories.” Somehow, the “Evergreen Gaza Solidarity Encampment” even managed to negotiate about oversight of the campus police. Unbelievably, TESC administrators agreed. Now a protest and encampment has sprung up at Western Washington University in Bellingham, with its own list of demands. Compare these situations to how the University of Florida is dealing with pro-Hamas protestors. Florida president Ben Sasse put it clearly: “We will always defend your rights to free speech and free assembly — but if you cross the line on clearly prohibited activities, you will be thrown off campus and suspended.” That is decisive leadership. It provides guardrails to students so they know what will and will not be allowed. The First Amendment means you won’t be jailed for standing in the public square and airing your grievances against the government. It does not protect lawless behavior. There is nothing new about unrest on college campuses. UW’s own website proclaims the university’s “rich history of… radical activism.” But that doesn't justify the costly damage to the central campus. On May 10 the UW administration had properly declared its “response to students’ call for change will not be based on an encampment.” According to UW President Cauce, protesters admitted the graffiti attack several days later was meant to up the ante – an “intentional escalation.” Destructive actions deserve meaningful consequences. Let's remember what those of college age who have lived in our state for the past several years have likely learned about consequences. They’ve seen how Gov. Jay Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson and others stood by during the civil unrest of 2020. Want to occupy a park and burn a police precinct? Sure, we'll stay out of the way. These young people watched as sidewalks and other parks and public property in many Washington communities were taken over by drug havens masquerading as encampments – again without action from the state’s chief executive and Washington's top-ranking law-enforcement officer. The fact that pro-Hamas protesters are concealing their identities suggests they fear their reprehensible “from the river to the sea” rhetoric could bring unwelcome consequences in the real world. Let me be clear. That jihadist Hamas rhetoric calls for the elimination of the state of Israel – from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea. It is antisemitic. Full stop. Unless protesters want to be remembered as ideological allies of the Nazis they should cease and denounce this hateful chant. Still, it's no wonder they feel entitled to occupy public property, harass onlookers and spray paint news-media cameras. They have no respect for authority. Over the years I have introduced legislation to protect free speech on our state’s higher-education campuses. The most recent examples are SB 6103 and SB 6104, from this year. The latter bill would require Washington’s colleges and universities to commit to promoting and protecting a “completely free and open discussion of ideas that maintains a climate of mutual respect.” All of these bills were ignored by the current legislative majority. But now that we see the intolerance and aggression of the pro-Hamas crowd — I won’t call them students because not all of them are — maybe the next set of legislators will actually consider the idea. The most effective protest I've seen as a legislator happened in January 2019, when hundreds of hairstylists and barbers converged on the state Capitol building to vocally oppose a labor bill that would have threatened their businesses. No one camped, no one wore masks, no one broke anything. And it worked. The bill didn't pass. “We’re a university, not a daycare. We don’t coddle emotions, we wrestle with ideas,” says the University of Florida president. Absolutely right. He goes on to explain that universities need to differentiate between speech and violence, and draw a hard line at unlawful action, because appeasing mobs emboldens agitators elsewhere. They also must say what they mean and then do what they say. Don't make threats then fail to follow through. Back in 1970, according to the UW’s website, university administrators became tired of the activists and unrest to the point that the president authorized faculty members to invoke the state’s trespassing law to deal with disrupters. As of this writing, UW President Cauce had not followed a similar path – but she should be willing to, if that’s what it takes to end an illegal encampment. The Washington Administrative Code includes the Student Conduct Code for the University of Washington. Under the “prohibited conduct” section you'll find WAC 478-121-123, titled “discriminatory harassment.” It absolutely applies to what we have seen on the UW main campus. If people want to protest for or against a war, fine. They have that freedom, which Republican legislators have all sworn an oath to protect. But when protests become vandalism and harassment, it's no longer fine. The guilty parties should expect consequences. Minds are changed by reason, not force, Ben Sasse writes. The UW protesters don't seem to get that, perhaps because they are being manipulated by others with an anti-Jewish and anti-American agenda. There's too much lawless behavior in our communities already. Let's keep it off of our college campuses. This is a time for decisive leadership. Speech must be protected, but illegal encampments on Washington’s university campuses must go. ••• Sen. John Braun of Centralia serves the 20th Legislative District, which spans parts of four counties from Yelm to Vancouver. He became Senate Republican leader in 2020. |
Seattle Times Opinion
|
Israel-Hamas war: Hamas hampers hope of development
Re: “Even as Gaza is under siege, some imagine how to develop it” [May 12, Business]: Tens of billions of dollars have flowed into Gaza over the last 15 years, almost all of which went into developing several hundred miles of tunnels from which to fight Israel rather than developing an industrial base, hotels and […] |
Portland Business News
|
ZoomInfo puts nearly half its new Vancouver HQ up for sublease
The company had originally planned to occupy the entire space.
|
Columbian Newspaper
|
Four women suing chiropractic clinic in Vancouver and its owner for alleged sexual harassment
Four female former employees of a Vancouver chiropractic clinic are suing their former employer and an Arizona-based chiropractic consultant for alleged sexual harassment and sex discrimination. They accuse the clinic’s owner of commenting on their weight, whipping them with a riding crop and dismissing inappropriate patient behavior toward employees. |
|
Dabney Coleman, actor who specialized in curmudgeons, dies at 92
NEW YORK — Dabney Coleman, the mustachioed character actor who specialized in smarmy villains like the chauvinist boss in “9 to 5” and the nasty TV director in “Tootsie,” has died. He was 92. |
