Klog

Longview Police are investigating a car fire reported early this morning in the area of 20th and Hudson, an incident that may have been an arson. Fire crews were called out around 1:40 am, when it was reported that a car was on fire, and had actually exploded. The 911 caller reported seeing a gas can next to the car, also reporting that there was a “heavy-set” man in the area around the time that the fire was spotted. The fire damaged another car parked nearby. No injuries were reported, as Longview Police continue to follow up.

The Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office is sending out an alert, saying that a local realtor is being victimized in a rental property scam. They say that one of the realtor’s listings has been copied, changed and posted on Craigslist as a rental property, with a false e-mail address to contact. The listing offers to rent a $400,000 home for $1,000 a month. Captain Corey Huffhine says that they’ve notified Craigslist that the ad is false, and advised them to pull the ad. Huffhine says that these type of scams are common, and he urges everyone to exercise extreme care when dealing with people over the internet, especially when the deal seems too good to be true. Huffhine says “due diligence” is the key when being involved in transactions of this type.

A lawsuit has been filed in federal court in Spokane to prevent garbage from being shipped from Hawaii to a landfill in the Eastern Washington town of Roosevelt, transferred from ship to ground transport at the Port of Longview. The lawsuit was filed yesterday by the Yakama Nation and several environmental groups against the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which approved plans for shipments of plastic-wrapped bales of waste. The plaintiffs say that a full environmental review should have been done, saying that there’s a threat of contamination by exotic species from the tropical trash. The first shipment of trash is scheduled to leave Oahu tomorrow, and it’s unclear at this time if the suit will prevent that shipment. An attorney for the plaintiffs says that they expect a hearing this week on a request for a temporary restraining order. The first shipment had been scheduled for July 8th, but that was put off when punctures and tears were found in a number of bales. Officials with Hawaiian Waste and the federal government say those bales will be re-wrapped before they’re shipped.

Troy Stariha, 39, has been selected to succeed Fred Swanstrom on the Port of Kalama Commission. Stariha was chosen to fill the slot opened up when Swanstrom suddenly died in May. Stariha owns Kalama Auto Supply and Repair, and this is his first time in serving in an elected position. Port Commissioner Randy Sweet tells the Daily News that Stariha will bring a good connection to the Kalama business community and the downtown core. Stariha was chosen out of six candidates for the position. He’ll serve in the post through November of next year, filling out the remainder of Swanstrom’s term.

The Cowlitz County Prosecutor’s Office confirms that they’re now reviewing the results of the autopsy done on Emanuel “Wes” Wesley, 48, of Longview, to see if murder charges should be filed against the four people involved in his shooting. Chief Criminal Deputy Michelle Schaffer spoke yesterday with the Daily News, reporting that the Constitution’s double jeopardy provision doesn’t apply in cases like this, and that prosecutors are allowed to re-open cases where a defendant is convicted of attempted murder, then the victim dies later.

CUBS continues its series of Community Input sessions on Transit Alternatives for the local area, with two sessions planned for today. The first will run from noon until 2 pm in the Parkway Cafeteria at St. John Medical Center, then the second will run from 3 to 5 pm at the Wal-Mart store at 38th and Ocean Beach Highway in Longview. The last one of these sessions is planned for Sunday at the Kelso Bridge Market, running from 10 am until noon. If you’re not able to attend one of the input sessions, you can visit the project website at www.cubstransitplan.com, or call Amy Asher at the Council of Governments, her number is 577-3041.

There’s a Bunco Night planned for this evening at the Heron Point Rec Center, raising money for LCC Global Medical Brigades. They’re planning to use the funds raised at tonight’s event to purchase medications for the Brigades’ medical mission to Honduras later this summer. Tonight’s Bunco Night fundraiser runs from 7 to 9 pm; the Heron Point Rec Center is located at 5815 Ocean Beach Highway. Call 430-9241 for more information.

The Summer Concerts at the Lake continue this evening, with a John Denver tribute by Ted Vigil. Those who’ve been at his shows say that they’re amazed by how much Vigil looks and sounds like the original. Tonight’s free concert at Martin’s Dock runs from 6 to 8 pm; you can bring a picnic dinner, but food will also be available for purchase.