Klog

A line foreman who has more than 30 years of experience with the Cowlitz PUD is in the hospital this morning, after being seriously injured when a piece of a utility pole fell on him yesterday afternoon. Dave Andrew with the Cowlitz PUD says that Paul “Cole” Wade, 56, was injured shortly after 2 pm yesterday, as a crew was replacing a 70-foot pole on Industrial Way, near the main gate at Weyerhaeuser. Andrew says that the crew was completing the process of removing the old pole, where a new pole and line transfer had been done about a year ago. A 50-foot section had been safely removed, but then there was some sort of problem with the chain saw as they were trying to deal with that last 20-foot section. It looked like the pole could fall the wrong way, and as they were re-adjusting, the pole fell and hit Wade in the back. Those on the scene started providing first aid as emergency crews were called in; aid personnel stabilized Wade, then transported him a short distance to where LifeFlight was waiting. Wade was flown to Southwest Washington Medical Center with facial injuries and several broken bones. He’s listed in critical condition this morning, but he is expected to survive. An investigation into the incident is getting under way.

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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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