$1 Weekend Edition Saturday, Sept. 7, 2013 Reaching 110,000 Readers in Print and Online — www.chronline.com Rochester Girl Filmed Second Commercial with Mariners Prep Football Area High Football Roundup / Sports Pitcher, Mascot / Main 6 Lightning Storm Thursday Night Sheriff ’s Causes Outages, Minor Fires Office Leader Abruptly Demotes Himself AFTER MORE THAN EIGHT YEARS: Patrol Commander Steve Aust Resigned and Will Rejoin Ranks As Patrol Sergeant; Sheriff Quiet About Reason Why By Stephanie Schendel [email protected] A long-time administrator for the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office abruptly resigned last month and Lewis County Sheriff Steve Man- sfield refused to answer ques- Jesse Smith / For The Chronicle tions as to why an employee the The skies above Lewis County put on a show Thursday night, as seen here above downtown Chehalis. Lightning lit up the sky for hours, and caused power loss sheriff described as “loyal” and around town for several hours. “fantastic” requested a demotion. FORECAST: National County area. ington, with the strikes peaking day is expected to be mostly sunny Patrol Com- The severe weather brought on Thursday evening. with a high of 79, according to the mander Steve Weather Service Predicts on by the rare regional thunder- “It was definitely an unusual National Weather Service. Aust resigned by Monday, Region Will storm Thursday appears to be a event,” said Mass. “We don’t get “It’s going to get nice now,” in early August and took a sev- be Sunny and Warm fluke, as the National Weather a lot of lightning around here said Mass about the upcoming Service anticipates warm Sep- and this was one of the greatest weekend’s weather. “(Thurs- en-week vaca- By Stephanie Schendel tember weather to return on lightning events we’ve had in day’s severe weather) was not tion, Mansfield Saturday and Sunday. the last decade.” some premonition of a terrible said. Upon his [email protected] According to Cliff Mass, an Mass attributed the light- return from his fall or anything.” Steve Aust The heavy rain and thun- atmospheric scientist at the ning storm to the unstable air The National Weather extended paid leave, he will requested derstorm that ravaged through University of Washington, there in the area mixed with a bout of Service issued a precaution- join the patrol demotion Western Washington Thursday were tens of thousands of light- low pressure. ary flood watch for the region division as a senior sergeant. Aust evening caused multiple small ning strikes across Washington Saturday and Sunday will like- Wednesday evening, as the fires and temporary power state on Thursday. Thousands ly be mostly sunny, with tempera- did not return messages seeking outages throughout the Lewis occurred across Western Wash- tures in the mid to high 70s. Mon- please see STORM, page Main 16 comment. The sheriff refused to answer why after eight years in his office’s administration, Aust opted to take Tenino Man on Motorcycle Survives Lightning Strike a pay cut. The sheriff said, in a de- fensive tone of voice, that the mat- HOSPITALIZED: A 59-year- Seattle where he remained as of ing, talking and didn’t crash his ter was a “personnel issue” within Friday morning. However it ap- motorcycle,” Emrich said. old Tenino Man his office, and not of public interest. pears he will be fine, said State The man sustained burns to Mansfield also refused to an- Sustained Minor Injuries Trooper Will Finn. his skin and hair and suffered swer whether or not he was sur- The man was riding a Hon- some hearing loss because of After a Lightning Bolt prised by Aust’s resignation or ex- da road bike northbound on In- the noise, Emrich said. tended vacation. He also said it was Strikes His Helmet terstate 5 near Exit 76 when he “It was basically a direct hit possible Aust could return to an was hit by lightning, said Che- right through the helmet,” the By Stephanie Schendel administrative position in the fu- halis firefighter Steve Emrich. firefighter said, adding that the ture, adding that Aust’s self-demo- [email protected] Witnesses to the incident helmet had a burn mark on its tion was “the best thing right now.” said the man “glowed” when he right side and was missing its A bolt of lightning struck a was hit, said Detective Sgt. Gary face mask. THE SHERIFF SAID HE appointed 59-year-old Tenino man who Wilson, with the Chehalis Po- The man said he did not re- was riding his motorcycle on Aust eight and a half years ago, lice Department. member getting hit by the light- adding that Aust has done “fan- Interstate 5 through Chehalis Courtesy photo The man managed to pull over ning, Emrich said. tastic” work and that he was a early Thursday morning. and went to the AM/PM gas sta- It appears the man’s motor- This photo shows a 59-year-old Teni- “loyal” employee. The man was transported to tion on 13th Street, Wilson said. cycle insulated him from the elec- no man’s damaged helmet after he Harborview Medical Center in “It is amazing he is alive, walk- tricity, the police sergeant said. was struck by lightning. please see LEADER, page Main 16 Weather Deaths The Chronicle, Serving The Greater United Way of Lewis County Area Since 1889 TONIGHT: Low 52 Rhoads, Richard L., Follow Us on Twitter TOMORROW: High 75 64, Centralia @chronline Mostly Cloudy Lewis County Kicks Towne, Walter E., see details on page Main 2 62, Centralia Find Us on Facebook Off Fundraising McClellan, Donna, www.facebook.com/ Weather picture by Lanie 81, Napavine thecentraliachronicle McLaughlin, Onalaska Elementary, Fifth Grade Campaign / Main 5 LOOKING FOR YOUR PERFECT COLOR? YOU'VE COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE. 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Most salons independantly owned and operated. ©2012 Fantastic Sams Franchise Corporation www.FantasticSams.com Main 2 • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, Wash., Saturday, Sept. 7, 2013 COMMUNITY CALENDAR / WEATHER Community Editor’s Best Bet Optimists Plan Second Annual Motorcycle Ride Calendar The Chehalis/Centralia Op- ride is included for both rider timists will be holding their and fender fluff. Saturday, Sept. 7 second annual motorcycle ride The public is invited to attend WHAT’S HAPPENING? Golf tournament, fundraiser for Roxy today. the breakfast, and look over the Theatre digital projector, 10 a.m., shot- If you have an event you The ride will begin and end motorcycles before they take off. gun start, Ironwood Green, Glenoma, would like included in the at the Chehalis Moose Lodge, Proceeds from the ride will $40 per person, teams of four, register Community Calendar, please 1400 Grand Ave., Centralia. be used to fund the Optimists’ with Ron Field, roan57@lewiscounty. email your information to At 10 a.m. there is a call for scholarship fund for eighth-grade com [email protected]. “kickstands up” and the ride on graduates in Centralia, Chehalis Tenino Farmers Market, 10 a.m.-3 Include a daytime telephone p.m., Tenino Elementary School, (360) all paved country roads begins. and Adna middle schools. 515-0501 number where you can be Cost for the ride is $20; fend- For more information, (360) Dancing, Country Four, 7-10 p.m., reached. er fluff is $10. A lunch after the 807-4733 or (360) 262-9647. South Union Grange, 10030 Tilley Road There is no charge for these S., Olympia, (360) 352-2135 listings. Games Day, traditional and modern For questions about board games, card games, 1 p.m., Matrix calendar items, call Doug Coffeehouse, Chehalis, (360) 740-0492 Blosser at The Chronicle, (360) Chehalis-Centralia Railroad, coach 807-8238. trains, excursion to Milburn, 1 and 3 p.m., 1.25 hours, 1101 Sylvenus St., Chehalis, 748-9593, www.steamtrainride.com Community meal, 1-3 p.m., Rotary $1.50, other menu items, (360) 736-1146 market.net. Chehalis-Centralia Railroad, coach Riverside Park, Centralia, free, spon- and dinner train, excursion to Ruth, 5 sored by Jesus Name Pentecostal Membership appreciation barbecue, Bingo, Chehalis Moose Lodge, doors p.m., 1.75 hours, 1101 Sylvenus St., Che- Church, Chehalis, (360) 623-9438 Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Com- open at 4:30 p.m., game starts at 6:30 merce, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Penny Play- halis, 748-9593, www.steamtrainride. Regular excursion steam train ride p.m., food available, (360) 736-9030 ground, Chehalis com\ and museum tour, Mt. Rainier Scenic Public Agencies Regular excursion steam train ride Railroad, 10 a.m., 12:45 p.m. and 3:30 Public Agencies and museum tour, Mt. Rainier Scenic p.m., Elbe-Mineral, (360) 492-5588, res- Centralia City Council, 7 p.m., City Railroad, 10 a.m., 12:45 p.m.