Klog

At this time, a hearing is scheduled for 3 pm in Columbia County Circuit Court, where Judge Ted Grove could issue his findings in regard to the mental competency of the man accused of killing Rainier Police Chief Ralph Painter. Daniel Butts, 22, of Kalama is accused of shooting and killing Painter on January 5th of last year, as the chief responded to a car theft report at a shop at the base of the Lewis and Clark Bridge. Butts has been undergoing mental evaluations since he became disruptive at his first arraignment hearing. Butts’ attorneys contend that he is deeply psychotic, and is unable to assist in his case. After several examinations, mental health experts for the state find that Butts is faking his mental illness. Last month, Grove delayed his ruling in the case, saying that he needed to review additional exhibits submitted by the defense. Grove will be deciding if Butts is competent to stand trial. If he finds that Butts is not mentally competent, then the defendant would be sent to Oregon State Hospital in Salem, where he would be treated until he is competent to stand trial.

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Residents of the Beacon Hill-Alpha Drive area are the latest ones who report being victims of car prowlers. The Sheriff’s Office responded to five separate calls that came in yesterday morning and early afternoon, with at least eleven vehicles being entered. In most cases, little or nothing was taken, though one resident reports that a GPS device was taken, and another says that a laptop computer was stolen. One other person says two pairs of running shoes were stolen. Deputies say that it appears that the five separate incidents are related, but they haven’t been able to identify any suspects at this time.

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Long-time Cowlitz County employee Martin Carty is dead at the age of 78. Family members report that Carty passed away on the 29th of last month, dying of natural causes at Salem Hospital. Carty started as a county employee in 1970, working on the County Road Crew. In 1972, he was promoted to be the head of the County Parks Department. In 1979, Carty picked up another hat as he was named to be the Community Development Director, then in 1983, he was selected as the Director of Public Works. Carty gets praise for helping to coordinate the local response to the devastation from Mount St. Helens. At one point, Carty led over 140 Cowlitz County employees, even though he never attended college, and had no previous managerial experience, prior to joining the county. Nelson Graham tells the Daily News that Carty understood what made people tick, with the ability to assess people’s abilities, and get them in the right place at the right time. Carty retired in 2001, heading up to his property near Lexington, where he had planted more than 1,200 trees. Memorial services are planned at noon on Friday at St. Mary of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Ridgefield, not far from the Carty family farm, property that was sold to the Federal government as part of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge.

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The Forest Service and the Gifford Pinchot Task Force are jointly announcing an agreement that settles an appeal of a Federal court ruling on a timber sale in the forest. The Task Force had filed a lawsuit, challenging the Wildcat Thin Timber Sale Project. The sale covers about 2,800 acres south and east of Mount St. Helens, looking to thin some previously replanted timberland. The Task Force raised concerns about the impacts that logging in that area would have on endangered Bull Trout, along with other sensitive environmental areas. Bob Dingenthal with the Gifford Pinchot Task Force says that they were able to meet with the Forest Service in the field, and were able to find ways to protect those more sensitive areas. The Forest Service is agreeing to reduce thinning in and near riparian areas, and will eliminate five temporary stream crossings. They also pledge to improve two degraded stream crossings after the thinning is completed. Forest Service officials say that they’re pleased that this agreement has been developed, and that this project will get to move forward this year.

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Rainier’s manufacturing output looks to be growing, as Columbia County announces a three-year property tax abatement for Rightline Equipment, Incorporated, a manufacturer of “world-class” lift truck attachments. County officials say that Rightline qualifies for the tax break, because of its location in the Lower Columbia Maritime Enterprise Zone, along with a pledge to expand its workforce by at least ten percent. Company officials say that this tax abatement will help as the company plans a significant expansion of its plant and its workforce in the coming year. Rightline Equipment has been in business since 1971, producing attachments and other equipment for lift truck users all over the world. Located on Dike Road in Rainier, they currently employ between 20 and 49 people, depending on demand. The Lower Columbia Maritime Enterprise Zone was created over the past few years, with a goal of using tax breaks to stimulate private investments and job creation.

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This week’s installment of the Community Conversation lecture series could be a bit spooky, as Doctor Adam Wolfer presents “Stephen King: Stories Not for the Timid.” The theme for this term’s lecture series is “Guilty Pleasures: Authors We Love to Read.” The free lecture in the Rose Center’s Wollenberg Auditorium starts at noon, and all are invited to attend.

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The Sheriff’s Office reports no progress in the search for Evan Byman, 15, of Longview. Chief Administrative Deputy Corey Huffhine says that yesterday’s search effort was concentrated in the area of Eufala Heights and Haryu Road, following up on several tips that had come in. There was also work done in the area off the end of Mill Creek Road, after a witness said that he’d seen two boys walking in that area on Monday morning, around 10 am. The man spoke to the boys, who said that they were taking a day hike. He also claims that one of the boys matched Byman’s description. The witness also reported seeing a maroon Honda in that area, but that car is no longer in the area. Huffhine says that they will continue the search this morning, as the Mark Morris High School student has not yet been found. Longview’s School Police Officer interviewed some of Byman’s friends yesterday, to see if they might have some information on where he might have gone. The search effort started Monday morning, after Byman’s parents reported finding a note, saying that the teen was going on a week-long camping trip, also saying that they shouldn’t look for him. Huffhine says they’re also releasing a photo of Byman, as they continue to ask for your help in tracking him down. Call 911 if you know where he might be, or leave a tip on the CrimeStoppers Hotline, 577-1206.

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Updating the story that we first ran late last week, the Cowlitz County Prosecutor’s Office is dropping the child molestation and child rape charges that had been filed last week against former Cellular Connections owner Kenneth Merrell of Longview, saying that further investigation into the case needs to be done. Chief Deputy Prosecutor Michelle Schaffer says that they’re returned the case to the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office, and have withdrawn the charges that led to Merrell’s arrest on the 25th. They’re also rescinding no-contact orders that were issued at that time. Merrell calls the claims that were made against him completely unfounded, saying that they are the product of a personal vendetta against him. Merrell says that he’s disappointed that such scurrilous and heinous claims would be made against him, and he’s hopeful that this ugly incident can be put to rest.

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Deputies report that the body of a man was found yesterday afternoon on the Cowlitz River bank in the 300 block of Imboden Road, at the far northern end of the county. A local resident reported seeing the man at about 4:20 yesterday, sprawled on the ground off the roadway. They also report that a pickup was parked nearby. Deputies and aid crews from Cowlitz Fire District 6 responded, confirming that the man was dead. Deputies report that a handgun was found in the man’s truck, but an examination of the area and an autopsy confirm that the man died from natural causes. The victim has been identified as James Williams, 77, of Kalama. The Coroner’s Office says that Williams had a well-established history of heart trouble, and an autopsy shows that he suffered a fatal heart attack. Williams’ family in Kalama has been notified, and work is beginning on memorial arrangements.

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Officials with Weyerhaeuser say that the failure of a “water mist eliminator” caused a cloud of calcium carbonate to escape the Longview mill site, dusting nearby homes and cars. Anthony Chavez with Weyerhaeuser says that the release took place yesterday morning, and several residents of the Highlands reported finding a white powder on their cars and houses. Chavez says that the powder, which is a main component of over-the-counter antacid tablets, is not toxic, but it can do damage to car finishes. Anyone who’s had damage to their car after yesterday’s incident should get in touch with Weyerhaeuser, who will then refer them to their insurance company. The release was also reported to the Department of Ecology and the Southwest Washington Clean Air Agency.

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