Sheriff's Report, December 14, 2023

December 4 12:15 a.m. A resident in a Cathlamet apartment said the whole building was shaking and believed it might be from a washing machine located downstairs. 12:52 a.m. The gate to a cell tower in Rosedale was found unlocked. A deputy responded and secured the site. 7:34 p.m. A caller reported that the Department of Natural Resources was implementing slash burns on KM. 8:36 a.m. A caller said that a tree branch and other debris were blocking the westbound lane of SR 4 east of Nassa Point. 11:59 a.m. A caller said he lost a handgun, holster, and ammo while hunting. 5:08 p.m. A Deep River resident reported a power outage. 5:20 p.m. A fire alarm was activated at a Cathlamet residence. 7:05 p.m. The Cathlamet ambulance aided a Rosedale resident who fell. 9:50 p.m. A representative from an outside agency requested a deputy at a Cathlamet home. 10:27 p.m. A caller requested a jump start. 10:38 p.m. A tree was reported to be down and blocking both lanes of SR 4 near the western base of KM. The Washington State Department of Transportation responded at 11:40 p.m., just after a deputy and state patrol cleared one lane.

December 5 7:05 a.m. Several roads in the Westend and Skamokawa were closed throughout the morning because of high water including Altoona/Pillar Rock Road, West Valley Road, Petersen Road, Loop Road, Covered Bridge Road, North and South Satterlund Roads, Wirkkala Road, and SR 4 at milepost 17. 7:33 a.m. A caller reported a large DNR slash burn on KM. 7:38 a.m. A Deep River resident reported a power outage. The PUD was notified. 9:27 a.m. Assistance was requested when four people needed to be evacuated from a Rosburg home because of extremely high water. There was reported to be four feet of water over the road, making it impossible for vehicles to travel to the location. The Grays River Fire Department, Skamokawa Fire Department, the sheriff’s department, the Cathlamet ambulance, the Grays River ambulance, state patrol, and Search and Rescue responded. A boat was en route. A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter responded but was redirected at 11:07 a.m., when a caller said a person was on an overturned vehicle in a flooded field along Covered Bridge Road. The Coast Guard assisted that person before returning to pick up the four residents from their roof. 12:06 p.m. A caller became concerned about her boyfriend when he did not return from hunting in the Skamokawa Valley. At 1:12 p.m., she called to say he made contact and he was safe. Dispatch asked the caller to have her boyfriend meet with responders so they could check his welfare. She said he was no longer in the area and on his way home to Bellingham. A deputy passed the hunter on SR 4 and said he appeared well. 12:18 p.m. A possible stolen vehicle was found on a logging road near Mill Creek Road. Deputies responded and a tow was called. The registered owner was contacted and asked to provide a list of items that were in the vehicle at the time it was stolen. 2:43 p.m. The Cathlamet ambulance transported a Rosedale resident to the hospital. 3:13 p.m. A caller requested a welfare check on a Puget Island resident. The caller said the person was ill, did not have water or power, and that there were dead cats in the house because the person was unable to bury them. A deputy responded and spoke with another person in the home. He said he paid the power bill and that the subject of the welfare check had gone into town that day and was fine. 6:35 p.m. A caller reported a possible abandoned vehicle near the ferry. A deputy responded and found the registered owner on scene. 7:59 p.m. A deputy responded to a Puget Island home after dispatch received a 911 call with only static and dead air, and multiple call backs were met with static or a busy tone. The deputy learned that there was no one currently at the address with that number. It belonged to a previous renter who moved out two years earlier. 9:04 p.m. A caller reported hearing rocks falling in the Eagle Cliff area. State patrol contacted WSDOT to alert them to possible unstble land. A deputy responded to the area and found the roadway clear.

December 6 12:20 a.m. Dispatch continued to received 911 calls from an abandoned Puget Island number. 7:51 a.m. A landlord said a renter in Deep River reported finding evidence of a fire in her house during the night. She said the renter was concerned about a possible fire in the walls and asked if the fire department would take a look at the structure. The Grays River Fire Department investigated and reported a small electrical issue. 8:52 a.m. The Cathlamet ambulance aided an east county resident with possible pneumonia. 5:12 p.m. A caller reported possible financial abuse of a Wahkiakum County person. 5:49 p.m. A caller reported that a Rosedale resident may be suffering a mental health issue. He suspected the person may have a handgun. A deputy responded.

December 7 7:16 a.m. A large tree was down and blocking both lanes of Hull Creek Road. The county road department responded. 3:20 p.m. A caller requested assistance after getting locked out of a vehicle while it was running. 9:58 p.m. A caller said an electric vehicle was dead and on SR 4 east of Rosedale. The vehicle was moved to private property where it was beingncharged. 10:07 p.m. A caller reported a burning smell in a Rosedale business. The District 4 Fire Department responded. There was no fire, but there appeared to be a problem with a soda dispenser.

December 8 5 a.m. A caller reported some kind of rabid animal, possibly a cat, in the rafters of a building on a Puget Island property. The Department of Fish and Wildlife was notified. 5:03 a.m. The Cathlamet ambulance aided a Rosedale resident who fell. 2:11 p.m. A caller was

concerned that the PUD was blocking one lane of traffic while working on Salmon Creek Road, without traffic control and possibly without traffic control permits. 3:56 p.m. A caller asked to speak to a deputy about a custody issue. 3:59 p.m. A caller hung up after dialing 911. Dispatch called back. The person requested a welfare check on a person in Pacific County. 4:30 p.m. A caller reported an erratic eastbound driver speeding and swerving into both lanes on SR 4 east of Skamokawa. Deputies responded but were unable to locate the vehicle. 5:16 p.m. The Cathlamet ambulance aided a Puget Island resident who was complaining of numbness in her legs and hands and ringing in her ears.

December 9 7:59 a.m. The Cathlamet ambulance aided an East Valley resident who was having trouble breathing. 12:40 a.m. Power outages were reported in the Elochoman Valley area. The PUD responded. A tree was down and blocking NelsonCreek and Risk roads. The county road department was notified. 3:40 p.m. A caller reported that his mirror was hit by another driver’s mirror as they passed each other on the Puget Island bridge. The other vehicle did not stop and continued south. State patrol requested that the next ferry crossing be delayed. 4:40 p.m. A sexual assault from 2019 was reported. 6:57 p.m. An Elochoman Valley resident reported a power outage. The PUD responded. 8:55 p.m. A caller reported that a truck went off of East Valley Road and into a ditch. A deputy found the vehicle unoccupied and down a steep embankment. 10 p.m. A driver was stopped and given a warning for failure to update his current address with the Department of Licensing, present proof of valid insurance and an equipment violation. 10:16 p.m. A driver was cited for lack of registration and insurance.

December 10 — 3:15 p.m. The Cathlamet ambulance aided a Cathlamet resident who was having trouble breathing. 4:13 p.m. The Cathlamet ambulance aided an east county resident with high blood pressure and headaches. 4:21 p.m. A caller requested assistance after getting locked out of a vehicle. 5:18 p.m. Power outages were reported in the Middle Valley area. The PUD responded.