News

It’s not uncommon to see high school students working part-time as baristas, but it’s rare to see those same high schoolers managing the business as well.

That’s what you see at Crimson & Gray Powered by Lewis County Coffee at W.F. West High School: an in-school coffee shop fully run by the school’s business and marketing students. 

Students in business and marketing teacher Kristin Ciolli’s classes split their class time between the coffee shop, where they take all the orders and make the drinks, and the classroom itself, where they go over the business’s finances and other managerial tasks. 

After working out the kinks of running the shop last spring, Coilli’s Business and Marketing II students are planning to expand their product line and the business hours. Business and Marketing I students are currently working on obtaining their food handler’s licenses and will start working in the coffee shop in the spring semester. 

Almost all of Ciolli’s Business and Marketing II students have been involved with Crimson & Gray since it opened in March and said they feel good about how the business is running. 

“I feel like we’re really ready and we really know what we’re doing,” said sophomore and store treasurer Aubrey Prigmore.

“We’re ready to expand our product. We’re just about to put cookies out next week or the week after and we’re starting opening on mornings next week,” said sophomore Hailey Sturdevant. 

As part of the business and marketing classes, students have the opportunity to take part in Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA), an association of marketing students that encourages the development of business and leadership skills through academic conferences and competitions.

“It helps students build their leadership skills, 21st century skills, all of those things that we work on in the store but also in the classroom,” Ciolli said of DECA. 

Ciolli was hired in the spring of 2022 as the first business and marketing teacher W.F. West has had in several years. 

Last school year, Ciolli formed a partnership with Lewis County Coffee owners Samantha and Spike Magnuson and Angie Twining to open a coffee shop at W.F. West as a school-based business enterprise, defined by DECA as “a hands-on learning laboratory that provides practical learning experiences to reinforce classroom instruction.”

“They’re a great partner to work with and they’re willing to help with lots of different things,” Ciolli said of Lewis County Coffee.

Several of Ciolli’s students are currently putting together a 40-page report about the coffee shop to present at the next DECA conference in April. 

In addition to presentations, DECA participants compete in tests on a variety of business skills, including marketing, finances and hospitality. 

“This is my second year so I have a little more experience (with DECA), which is nice,” Ciolli said, later adding, “I feel like we’re ahead of the game on a few things this year.” 

Students typically have to pay a fee to participate in DECA, but the coffee shop covers the expenses for all of Ciolli’s students. 

“DECA is completely free because we do this,” Sturdevant said of the coffee shop. 

Sturdevant is the vice president of marketing W.F. West’s DECA chapter. Mackenzie Bishop is the chapter’s vice president of hospitality, and senior Sophia Ruelas is the chapter president. 

For more information on DECA, visit https://www.deca.org/.   

To learn more about career and technical education at W.F. West, visit https://chehalisschools.org/cte/.  

• TIG A. HOLMES, 44, Napavine, died Sept. 26 in Chehalis. Arrangements are under the care of Cattermole Funeral Home.

• SHARON R. HEGGENES, 80, Winlock, died Sept. 26 at her residence. Arrangements are under the care of Cattermole Funeral Home.

• DAVID D. FISH, 74, Ethel, died Sept. 27 at his residence. Arrangements are under the care of Cattermole Funeral Home.

• STEPHEN L. NITTEL,  81, Winlock, died Sept. 27 at his residence. Arrangements are under the care of Cattermole Funeral Home.

CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT 

Assault 

• A second-degree assault was reported in the 900 block of East Locust Street just after 4:35 p.m. on Sept. 27. The suspect left the scene before officers arrived. The case is under investigation. 

• A fourth-degree domestic violence assault reported in the 1000 block of Eckerson Road at 9:10 p.m. on Sept. 28 is under investigation. 

Recovered vehicle 

• A vehicle that was reported stolen out of Tacoma was found abandoned in the 1000 block of North Scheuber Road just after 4:55 p.m. on Sept. 27. The vehicle was recovered and its owner was notified. 

Vehicle accident 

• A non-injury, two-vehicle collision was reported at the intersection of Harrison Avenue and Galvin Road just before 6:10 p.m. on Sept. 27. 

Theft 

• At approximately 6:55 p.m. on Sept. 27, a 2003 white Cadillac Escalade with the Washington license plate 606ZJF was reported stolen sometime between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. that day. 

• A backpack was reported stolen from a business in the 300 block of North Gold Street just after 9:40 a.m. on Sept. 28. The suspect was not located. 

• Just after 3:25 p.m. on Sept. 28, property was reported stolen from a library in the 100 block of South Silver Street the day prior. The case is under investigation. 

• Just after 4:10 p.m. on Sept. 28, a bicycle was reported stolen from the 1100 block of West Plum Street about a week prior. A 34-year-old male suspect was referred to Centralia Municipal Court for third-degree theft. 

• A “Welcome to Edison” sign was reported stolen from the 1100 block of West First Street just before 6:15 p.m. on Sept. 28. Officers were unable to locate the suspect. 

• Just after 9:20 p.m. on Sept. 28, a subject in the 600 block of South Tower Avenue reported she gave a male suspect a ride and he took money out of her wallet.

Criminal trespass 

• A homeless man was trespassed from a business in the 1200 block of Mellen Street just after 6:10 p.m. on Sept. 28. The man was also issued a court summons for an outstanding municipal court warrant. 

• A homeless man reportedly trespassed at a business in the 600 block of Harrison Avenue at approximately 10:05 p.m. on Sept. 28. 

Malicious mischief 

• A disorderly homeless woman from Seattle was reportedly “hitting vehicles in the parking lot” of a business in the 1100 block of Harrison Avenue just after 5:50 p.m. on Sept. 28. The woman was cited for third-degree malicious mischief. She was trespassed from the property at the business’s request. 

• Vandalism to a parked vehicle in the 200 block of North Pearl Street was reported just before 1:20 p.m. on Sept. 28. An unidentified subject had reportedly “placed branches and various other debris inside the gas cap tube, causing debris to go into the gas tank.” The subject also scratched off the vehicle’s registration tabs. 

Eluding 

• At 7:30 a.m. on Sept. 28, officers received a Flock Security Camera notification of a stolen vehicle in the 600 block of Harrison Avenue. Officers located the vehicle, which was reported stolen out of Lacey, and attempted to stop it. The vehicle “immediately eluded police” by accelerating and traveling in the opposing lane of traffic on Harrison Avenue, according to the Centralia Police Department. The officer did not pursue to comply with state pursuit laws.  The vehicle was last seen accessing the southbound Interstate 5 on-ramp. The vehicle was located by Chehalis police and the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office a short time later as it fled north on I-5.  The vehicle was later located by a Thurston County Sheriff’s Office deputy, who attempted to stop the vehicle. The vehicle eluded police again, continuing into Pierce County.

Indecent exposure 

• A homeless man was reportedly “exposing his genitals to passing vehicles” at the intersection of West Cherry and South Oak streets just after 11:05 a.m. on Sept. 28. An officer searched the area for the subject but was unable to locate him. 

• Just before 3:50 p.m. on Sept. 28, there was a report of a homeless man walking down Harrison Avenue “exposing himself.” Officers contacted the male, “who had his pants sagging below the waistline without underwear on,” in the 900 block of Harrison Avenue. The officer gave the man a verbal warning for indecent exposure. 

DUI 

• Police were dispatched to a verbal dispute outside a residence in the 600 block of North Washington Avenue at 1:20 p.m. on Sept. 28. When the officer arrived, they were advised that the intoxicated male subject had departed in his vehicle.  Officer located and stopped the suspect vehicle several blocks away. The man, 64, of Centralia, was arrested and booked into the Lewis County Jail for DUI.

CHEHALIS POLICE DEPARTMENT 

Criminal trespass 

• A case of trespassing was reported in the 400 block of North Market Boulevard just before 8:20 a.m. on Sept. 26. 

• At 8:55 a.m. on Sept. 26, a business owner reported “someone (is) possibly living in the crawl space of her business” in the 100 block of South Market Boulevard. The subject wasn’t there when the call was made but the reporting party said she would call back if the person returned. 

• A subject was reportedly trespassing in a business’ shed in the 200 block of West Main Street at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 27. 

• A subject was trespassed from a property in the 1700 block of Northeast Kresky Avenue just after 3 p.m. on Sept. 27. 

• Vehicles were reporting camping in parking lots along the edge of private property in the 400 block of Northeast Washington Avenue just after 10:35 a.m. on Sept. 28. The caller reported “it’s a safety issue” and claimed the campers “watch (the) property and leave trash all over,” adding, “They cook meth in their vehicles (and) get changed in the lot.” 

• A homeless man was reportedly camping near a carport in the 200 block of Southwest Second Street just before 1:40 p.m. on Sept. 28. 

• A subject was reportedly “laying down in the gazebo” in the 200 block of West Main Street just before 6:15 p.m. on Sept. 28. The reporting party requested “anyone in there from here on out be trespassed.”

• A customer reportedly refused to leave a store in the 100 block of Southwest Interstate Avenue at approximately 7:55 p.m. on Sept. 28. 

Scams 

• At 11:35 a.m. on Sept. 26, a homeowner in the 10 block of Southwest Ninth Street reported “someone (is) continually posting her house for sale on Craigslist” and she has been having people contact her repeatedly about the sale. The house is not for sale. 

• A scam resulting in the theft of between $750 and $5,000 was reported in the 1300 block of Northwest State Avenue at approximately 5 p.m. on Sept. 28. 

Other theft 

• At approximately 12:15 p.m. on Sept. 27, a theft that occurred in the 1600 block of Northwest Louisiana Avenue the day prior was reported. 

• A male subject was cited for trying to shoplift a “basket full of groceries” from a business in the 1600 block of Northwest Louisiana Avenue just after 7:45 p.m. on Sept. 27.

• A subject was cited for shoplifting groceries and other merchandise from a business in the 1600 block of Northwest Louisiana Avenue just after 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 28.  

Vehicle accidents 

• Possible injuries caused by airbag deployment were reported following a two-vehicle collision that occurred in the 1500 block of Northwest Louisiana Avenue just before 12:20 p.m. on Sept. 26. The injured party declined aid. 

• A car reportedly “coasted” into another car in the 300 block of Southwest McFadden Avenue just after 1 a.m. on Sept. 28. No injuries were reported. 

• A non-injury, two-vehicle collision was reported in the 700 block of North National Avenue just before 11:30 a.m. on Sept. 28. 

Hit-and-run 

• A hit-and-run that occurred in the 1600 block of Northwest Louisiana Avenue earlier this month was reported just after 2:10 p.m. on Sept. 28. 

Malicious mischief 

• Just before 3:10 p.m. on Sept. 26, a caller reported someone siphoned gas from their vehicle at the intersection of Northeast Washington Avenue and Northeast Boistfort Street. The suspect also damaged the vehicle’s gas door. 

• A 14-year-old student was reportedly “destroying a school van” in the 100 block of Northeast Hampe Way just after 11:10 a.m. on Sept. 27. School staff confirmed the student was having a meltdown and the parents were enroute. 

• A subject accused of damaging a car in the 300 block of Southwest McFadden Avenue at approximately 6:05 p.m. on Sept. 27 was arrested and booked into the Lewis County Jail for third-degree malicious mischief, domestic violence. 

Drug violations 

• A subject was cited for possession of a controlled substance in the 100 block of South Market Boulevard just after 4:55 p.m. on Sept. 26. Officers had responded to a report a homeless man “took a swing” at a property manager who asked him to leave the property. 

• At approximately 3:40 p.m. on Sept. 27, a caller reported they think a subject in the 10 block of Southwest Fourth Street is “selling drugs out of his house again.” 

Assault 

• A juvenile was hit in the face several times during a “play fight” between juveniles in the 1000 block of Southwest 20th Street just before 5:50 p.m. on Sept. 26. 

• A 16-year-old male was reportedly “threatening to assault his mother” in the 1900 block of Rice Road just before 7:30 p.m. An officer determined the juvenile was “upset about not getting to borrow the car” and no damage, assault or threats had occurred. The officer spoke to the juvenile “about better communication with his mother.” 

• First-degree assault charges were referred to the prosecutor’s office after a 22-year-old male subject reportedly “tried to stab” a relative in the 100 block of North Market Boulevard just after 12:15 a.m. on Sept. 27. 

• A 37-year-old woman was arrested in the 300 block of Southwest Third Street just after 10:50 a.m. on Sept. 28 and was booked into the Lewis County Jail for fourth-degree assault, domestic violence. 

Burglary 

• A burglary to a residence in the 1400 block of Southwest Kelly Avenue was reported just after 9:25 a.m. on Sept. 27. 

Suspicious circumstances 

• Just after 4:10 a.m. on Sept. 28, an employee at a business in the 1400 block of Northwest Louisiana Avenue reported several male subjects called the store multiple times “posing as the owner, telling her they are going to pick up the ATM and (asking) how much they have in the till.” The employee asked if a police unit could “sit in the area for a little while.” 

• Just after 10 a.m. on Sept. 28, a caller reported a male was knocking on the window of her vehicle and “making threats to her.” The caller advised the male “hit the curb and tried blaming it on her.” 

• At 10:40 a.m. on Sept. 28, a caller reported the driver of a vehicle “pointed (a) black handgun” at the reporting party while they were taking Exit 79 off of southbound Interstate 5. 

Disputes 

• A physical dispute between a group of kids in the 300 block of Southwest 11th Street that occurred on Aug. 12 was reported at 11:50 a.m. on Sept. 28. 

• A possible physical dispute was reported in the 100 block of North Market Boulevard at approximately 5:05 p.m. on Sept. 28. 

• A dispute involving a “person harassing a female and a child” was reported in the 1700 block of Northwest Louisiana Avenue at approximately 6:45 p.m. on Sept. 28. During the dispute, the woman began “punching herself in the face.” A responding officer “observed no injuries on the female” and gave the male a mobile crisis card. 

• A verbal dispute was reported in the 100 block of Southwest Interstate Avenue at approximately 2:15 a.m. on Sept. 29. 

Traffic issue 

• At 8:25 a.m. on Sept. 28, a caller reported a recurring issue of traffic not stopping when the crosswalk lights are flashing at the intersection of Northeast Cascade and Northeast Washington avenues. 

LEWIS COUNTY JAIL STATISTICS

As of Friday morning, the Lewis County Jail had a total system population of 155 inmates, including 143 in the general population and 12 in the Work Ethic and Restitution Center (WERC). Of general population inmates, 115 were reported male and 28 were reported female. Of the WERC inmates, 10 were reported male and two were reported female. 

This is addressed to Chronicle Publisher Chad Taylor. You recently wrote a commentary about some claims being made by Mike Hadaller and his attempt to paint a picture of corruption when it comes to your business dealing with the Silver Agency (see commentary at the top of this page). I appreciated your editorial and your explanation of the business you have conducted between the Silver Agency and others.

On Thursday morning, Lewis County News shared what they purported to be documents that proved you lied in your article. They are claiming that you have done business with the Economic Alliance of Lewis County to the tune of $85,000, not the “less than $20,000” you stated in your article. I looked at the documents they shared. The total for those transactions came to $10,551.54 I believe. So, I asked them to clarify. They then edited their post and included an invoice from Silver Agency for $30,000 that was made out to the Economic Alliance. After looking at it and digging into other readily available information I could see that it was a “pass through” transaction from the Lewis County .09 fund for spending related to flooding efforts and outreach. You may not know, but I sit on the .09 committee. As a member of that committee, I am aware of this type of transaction where the Economic Alliance helps administer these .09 funds. It is not uncommon, and I personally do not consider these transactions to be solely between the Economic Alliance and the recipient, but the .09 fund and the recipient.

I will say that I wish you had thought to clarify this “pass through” in your article, but I can easily see (and rightfully so) how this was overlooked as a transaction with the Lewis County .09 fund and not the Economic Alliance. This transaction was voted on and unanimously approved by the Lewis County Commission in an open public meeting Oct. 25, 2022. There is very easily available documentation, so any claim that there was an attempt to hide this transaction is silly to me.

There is a clear pattern of Mike Hadaller claiming conspiracy to try to discredit a project he disagrees with. I made the mistake of engaging Mr. Hadaller in discussion on the Lewis County News Facebook post. I shared with him that I am not either for or against the project and that I wish it was just debated on its own merits and not used to sling mud in long standing personal disagreements. He then proceeded to say that I was somehow financially benefiting and was a “good old boy.” I had to Google Fortescue, to make sure I knew how to spell their name. I want to make sure I don’t miss their check in my mailbox!

The Lewis County News's attempt to declare this some sort of smoking gun is — I don’t even know. Not anything that resembles journalism.

As I have said, I am not for or against this project. I want to hear all the facts and decide for myself. But when one side of an argument resorts to hurling insults and peddling outright lies about conspiracy it makes it really hard to hear anything else they have to say.

Kyle Markstrom 

Centralia