CRIME & SAFETY

This week in Cowlitz County, Washington, two incidents occurred that required emergency response. In the first incident, Longview police and staff from the Cowlitz County Humane Society successfully calmed a suicidal dog owner who had threatened to harm themselves while dropping off their dogs. The second incident involved a motorhome fire in Kelso, resulting in the displacement of a woman and the unfortunate death of three dogs. Firefighters quickly responded to the scene and were able to control the fire within ten minutes, preventing further damage to nearby RVs.

A pedestrian was killed in a hit and run crash in Vancouver early Saturday morning, according to the Clark County Sheriff's Office. At around 12:45 a.m., CCSO states a witness called 911 to report the collision on Northeast Highway 99 near the intersection with Northeast 82nd Street in Vancouver.

The Vancouver Police Department, along with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, carried out a Stolen Vehicle Operation (SVO) on November 29, 2023. This operation was part of a broader initiative involving multiple law enforcement agencies in the Portland metro area. The operation targeted west and central Vancouver, using stolen vehicle data to guide their actions. The main goal was to locate and recover stolen vehicles and address larger crime and public safety concerns.

The police blotter relates to the public record of incidents as reported by law enforcement agencies. All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Information printed is preliminary and subject to change. For specific details about cases listed, contact the appropriate law enforcement agency. St. Helens Police November 13 ...

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office and other local law enforcement agencies will hold a training from Friday, Dec. 1 to Sunday, Dec. 3. The training will take place at the Public Service Center parking garage and some meeting rooms at 1300 Franklin St.

The Oregon State Police Fish & Wildlife Division is seeking information from the public following the discovery near Scappoose of a Roosevelt bull elk that had been left to waste. State police say the unlawfully taken elk was left to waste sometime between 5 p.m. Nov. 28 and 7 a.m. Nov. 29 on Dutch Canyon Road. Authorities said there appeared to be no effort made to remove any meat from...

Columbia County will see 24-hour patrol coverage by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) beginning Dec. 15, according to Sheriff Brian Pixley. “This will be the first time in over 25 years that the Sheriff’s Office has had the resources to deliver 24/7 patrol coverage in Columbia County,” Pixley said in the statement. “The Sheriff’s Office will be able to provide better service to the residents of Columbia County and make our county a safer place to live, work, and recreate.” ...

VANCOUVER, Wash. — In late October, a Clark County jury convicted Michael Bortolini of second-degree rape, and a woman said she's relieved to finally get justice in her rape attack. The victim, who we are identifying only by her first name – Erin, said she reported the crime the...

A Cowlitz County nurse accused of felony crimes in Oregon and Washington has now lost her license in both states, the Washington Department of Health reports. According to the Department of Health (DOH), the Board of Nursing denied Melissa L. Gibson's petition to reinstate her registered nurse license in October after she returned from Oregon where she was also denied a license to practice nursing for undisclosed crimes committed in Washington.

Columbia County Neighbors, There are several inaccuracies in the Spotlight’s recent article “Death in Confinement” that I feel must be addressed. The first inaccuracy I need to clarify pertains to the cause of death of Brian Lee Miles. I emailed Ms. Biggers on November 1, 2023, informing her that the Oregon State Medical Examiner listed the cause of death for Mr. Miles as natural causes—a far stretch from “died of causes that remain unclear” that the Spotlight’s article reported. ...

The case of JoAnna Speaks, one of at least five women who went missing under suspicious circumstances and turned up dead across the metro area earlier this year, has been transferred to the Portland

Since 2020, three people have died in Columbia County’s jail. Bryan Lee Miles died in January. But for months, authorities resisted the Pamplin Media Group’s attempts to get information about how he died. On Jan. 11, deputies found 55-year-old Miles unresponsive in his cell. After several months of investigating, the Oregon State Police told Pamplin Media Group that Miles had died from natural causes. ...

A homicide case out of Clark County possibly linked to a local serial killer has been transferred to the jurisdiction of the Portland Police Bureau. Joanna K. Speaks, 32, is one of five young women whose bodies were found within three months earlier this year in the greater Portland area. Investigators previously announced that the other four have been linked to a single person of interest. Speaks’ case now has been transferred to a law enforcement agency investigating one of the other cases. ...

VANCOUVER Wash. (KPTV) - Gary Van Dyne has been found. Clark County Sheriff thanks the community for their assistance. A 77-year-old man went missing from his care home on Tuesday morning. Gary Van Dyne left his home at 5:45 a.m., wearing a light brown coat, sweatpants, light-colored shoes and was...

This week in St. Helens, Oregon, there were a total of nine arrests made by the police. The incidents included charges of ID theft, a fugitive warrant, tampering with evidence, false information, and other crimes. Please note that all individuals arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty, and the information provided is preliminary and subject to change. For specific details about each case, please contact the appropriate law enforcement agency.

LONGVIEW Wash. (KPTV) - A wrecked car was found burning at the base of a 20-foot embankment in Longview, Wash. Saturday morning, according to Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue. At about 7:30 a.m., people reported seeing a car burning below Alpha Drive near the Cedar Valley mobile home park. The callers were unsure if anyone was inside.

VANCOUVER Wash. (KPTV) - Community members in the Pacific Park area called Clark County police officers to report a child running in and out of traffic on Thursday. Just before 3 p.m., Clark Regional Emergency Services (9-1-1) got a call from a community member regarding a child in danger. While a deputy was dispatching, several people called to describe the child. A boy, 11 or 12 years old, wearing socks, sweatpants and a t-shirt, darting in and out of traffic on northeast 172nd avenue.

PORTLAND, Ore. — The man accused of committing multiple crimes spanning several counties on Monday — including carjacking and shooting at a person — pleaded not guilty to charges during his court appearance Wednesday. The defendant, Buokuoth John Chuol, pleaded not guilty to all three charges: unlawful...

The police blotter relates to the public record of incidents as reported by law enforcement agencies. All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Information printed is preliminary and subject to change. For specific details about cases listed, contact the appropriate law enforcement agency. Rainier Police Department ...