Lewis County News May 10, 2023

Lewis County News

Covering rural communities in Southwest Washington since 1967

Dennis Korpi dedicated his life as a true public servant

sit down with Denny after his retirement from the City of Winlock Council. Denny was always the voice of reason, not getting into personal issues but always looking out for everyone he represented. Denny was a true public servant, one of the best in Winlock’s History. There will never be another Denny Korpi who cared so much about the great City of Winlock.

Denny wasn’t just a public person, he was also a neighbor. Bobbye Pennington stated,

and had a heart bigger than most people will ever have the honor of knowing. Denny was a piece of Winlock that will never be replaced!”

BY LYnnette HOFFMan

Dennis Lee Korpi passed away on March 31 at the age of 75. The Winlock community lost a great man.

Dennis Korpi was an institution in Winlock, serving the public as a Winlock City Council Member and a Winlock Reserve Officer. He was all about Winlock and Winlock is a better place because of Denny. Denny served in the Winlock Police Department as a reserve officer from 1985 to 1995. He also served in the role of Winlock City Council from 1990 to 2017.

Denny was raised in Winlock, graduated from Winlock, and stayed in town to serve the people he knew. His Parents were Frank “Fritz” and Alice. The Korpi family have been longtime Winlock residents, his brother Jerry also graduated from Winlock. Denny was preceded in death by his son Richard, his parents and brother Jerry. Denny is survived by two sons, Brandon and Theron. He had five grandchildren.

I had the opportunity to

“Great neighborhood watchman. Always letting me know if crazy people were around. He cared for Winlock like no one else I know. Winlock lost a great asset. He will be missed.”

Jodie Curtis, who served with Denny for a short time stated, “I wasn't on council long enough to know Denny very well. He was a fairly quiet man unless something roused his passion. He liked to fly under the radar and blend in. He was a wealth of information about all things Winlock

Another well known public servant is Randy Pennington, Randy had the opportunity to work with Denny, he stated, “Outstanding public servant, in multiple arenas, law enforcement, fire/EMS, local government, community involvement. Within him beat the heart of a volunteer, a commodity that is a rare special jewel in our society.....was an honor to know him, honor to serve with him.” True public servants are hard to find, ones who care about the community, that was Denny Korpi!

Before Denny retired, he worked with Connie Sneed on the Winlock City Council and they remained friends, she continued, “He was a true mentor to anyone entering city politics. You might think it should be one way but he'd explain the history and why it wasn't

as it seemed. He was my go to man when I needed advice on city matters and sometimes just life advice. He lived a life of community service which has not gone unnoticed by so many here in Winlock. He set the bar high.”

Carol Wallin, another lifetime Winlock resident and super volunteer in the community stated, “The kind of guy you were always glad to call your friend. He had no problem speaking his mind when it came to making our community a better place and helping to preserve its history.” Denny and his family had a history in Winlock and they definitely made it a better place.

Denny served 17 years on the Winlock City Council and while there, he impressed many. Barbara Lewis stated, “I was on the council with Mr. Korpi in the early 90s. He was always the voice of reason. He knew so much about the city and cared deeply about it. Winlock has lost another

Murder at Shell Station

BY LYnnette HOFFMan

On May 3 at approximately 8:46 a.m., two individuals, wearing masks and gloves, entered the Shell Station at the Vader exit to rob the store. During the robbery, a struggle ensued with the gun and 30 year old Navjot Singh was shot and killed.

The suspects in the case are Taylor K. Lenihan, age 16, and Quinton Ramey, who were identified by the Lane County Sheriff’s Office as individuals who had been on a crime spree of robbery from Florence, Oregon. The suspects then drove up the I-5 corridor where they stopped at the gas station with the intent of robbing the store. The suspects have been booked in Lewis County Superior Court on one count of first degree murder, possession of a firearm, stolen vehicle and second degree unlawful possession of a firearm. Bail was set at $5 million.

The suspects were arrested in Sumner, Washington. The Lane County Sheriff’s Office had put out a “be on the lookout (BOLO)” for these individuals. The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office had shared Lane County BOLO and residents in south county were quick to

See murder Page 3

Mrs Beesleys Burgers

Dennis Lee Korpi

friends attended a candlelight vigil for Singh on Sunday evening. Many stories were told, but his kindness is what resonated with everyone who knew him!

Winlock News

by Lynnette Hoffman 785-3151

This column sponsored by:

Winlock Hardware

515 NE First, Winlock 360.785-3251

I just looked at my weather app for this coming weekend and it says 85-90 degrees, seriously. If this is May and we are looking

Toledo News

at 90 degree weather, what is August going to hold? I had a suspicion this could be a very hot summer, so over the Winter I put in a

Gee Cee’s Truck Stop Exit 57 & I-5 Toledo, WA (360) 864-4300 www.geeceestruckstop.com

Hey Toledo, next weekend is going to be a warm one.

It’s the Kids Fishing Derby, hope to see everyone out at the South County Park. This is an event by the Toledo Lions Club. It starts at 8:00 a.m. and goes to about 1:00 p.m. South County Park, which is also known as Wallace Pond. This is a great event for the kids. They have different age groups, etc. Bring the kids and your fishing poles

and have a great time.

Don’t forget to sign up for the May 20 Father Daughter Dance at the Toledo Senior Center. This is the second year. Last year was a smash and it was great to see the pictures of dad’s dancing with their daughters. Hope you can attend!

Rachel Phillips with Cafe Aromaz has got her place ready for outside coffee chats and she spruced up the inside as well. With the weekend being nice, it is a

new heat pump and tossed out the old. I will be ready for whatever heat there is! You might want to make sure your heat pump is in Summer ready mode.

Winlock Egg Days is just around the corner and the Winlock Egg Day Committee is hard at work.

See wi N lock Page 4

great way to enjoy the day!

Mothers Day Market is at Jesters Auto Museum on Saturday May 13 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Over 40 local vendors and artisans available.

The Cheese Day Committee is as busy as ever with Cheese Days just a few months away. If you have never attended Cheese Days, you are truly missing out. It is the biggest event in south county. It takes place over four days and it is the best event in south county. Plus, I am related to all of the Sorensen’s so it’s a way for us to catch up.

Classifieds

- Help Wanted -

Lewis County PUD #1

Come join our Dynamic team!

Staff Accountant I: The Staff Accountant I will provide accounting services relating to the District’s Electric and Fiber Systems, as well as to the Cowlitz Falls Hydroelectric Project. Duties involve all facets of communication, planning and accounting for the District’s operations and programs.

For a complete listing of qualifications and how to apply, visit www.lcpud.org.

Please take your business to those that are advertising in this paper. They are the reason you are getting it in your mail every week.

A&J Bookworks Bargain Barn

Caregivers 4 Mom and Dad

Cedar Village

Centralia General Agencies

Chehalis Sheet Metal

Diego's Landscaping

Special Yard Waste Recycling Event

Now through May 13 (except for Sunday, May 7), Lewis County Transfer Stations in Centralia and Morton will offer a special yard waste collection event.

CENTRALIA

1411 S. Tower Ave.

Mon.-Sat. 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Gates close at 5:15 p.m.

In Centralia, yard waste material will need to be separated into two different areas. Grass clippings and leaves will be dropped off in a collection container in the recycling area. Chippable wood debris, such as branches, will be dropped off in a different area. The scale attendant will direct customers to the appropriate drop-off areas.

MORTON

6745 US Hwy 12

Mon.-Sat. 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Gates close at 4:45 p.m.

In Morton, yard waste will be dropped off all in the same container. It doesn’t need to be separated. The scale attendant will direct customers where to drop off the material.

Please stop by the scales and get weighed before dropping off your yard waste material.

Noxious weeds, such as blackberries and Scotch Broom, are not accepted in the yard waste collection programs at the transfer stations. Noxious weeds must be disposed of in the regular garbage. Additional information on noxious weeds can be found at https://lewiscountywa.gov/departments/weed-control/identification/weed-list/.

Sponsors: Lewis Co. Department of Public Works, and Solid Waste Utility Division. Funding provided in part by Department of Ecology. Have questions? Call 360-740-1451 or email swu@lewiscountywa.gov.

Fir Lawn Funeral Chapel

Gee Cee's Truck Stop

Hamilton Corner #1, LLC

Heritage Masonry

Lewis County Economic Alliance

Lewis County Solid Waste

Mrs Beesleys Burgers

R&J Automotive

Red's Desire Adult Store Trailer Station

Tyler Rental

Village Winlock Building

West Side Home Improvement Winlock Hardware

Established 1967 News lynnetteh@flannerypubs.com

Sales melissaa@flannerypubs.com

Classifieds janc@flannerypubs.com

Legals, Obituararies flanneryads@yahoo.com

Lewis County News is glad to print the views and interests of our readers and will accept letters to the editor, photographs, and community announcements received by email or post the Friday before publication. We will decline to print submissions which are inaccurate, misleading, anonymous, or for profit. 202B NE First St. • PO Box 10 Winlock, WA 98596

www.hometowndebate.com • 360-785-3151

Lewis County News

a Flannery Publication product

Vader May Day kicks off event season

By Lynnette Hoffman

Vader May Day is the first event of the summer fun and it did not disappoint. At first, there were overcast clouds and then a little rain, but a little rain has never stopped a parade. Vader May Day volunteers did a great job with the event, it’s not easy to plan an event of this size.

The parade was smaller this year than in the past, but it is always a treat to watch the kids at the Win-

murder

Continued from page 1

identify these individuals in connection to the murder in Toledo. Because of south county residents’ hard work, many knew these were the suspects and reached out to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. One individual called Lewis County Dispatch to let the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office know that the suspects were in Sumner and this individual was told to “call someone else, this is dispatch.” Lane County called Lewis County Sheriff’s Office to inform them that they should contact the Sumner Police Department.

Sumner Police Department had arrested the individuals for possession of stolen

property, after law enforcement identified their vehicle. The vehicle was a match in the crime at the Shell Station. The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office was able to speak with Sumner Police and take custody of three teens. Two of those teens were booked for murder and are residing at the Lewis County Juvenile Facility.

People in the community have organized a candlelight vigil for Navjot Singh which was held on Sunday evening at 6:00 p.m. Our condolences to the family, the family at the Toledo/Vader exit and friends.

lock Dance Center put on their performance. They poured their little hearts out, even in the rain.

The Boy Scouts were there, walking with them was Mayor Joe Schey. There were also a few members of the Toledo High School Band.

The Winlock Egg Day Royalty Court was there. There were a few classic cars as well.

After the parade, there were vendors set up and

See vader Page 4

The Winlock Dance Center put on a show to entertain parade goers.

dennis

Continued from page 1 part of its history with him gone.”

Holly Orbino, who also served with Denny stated, “Dennis taught me

so much. I feel blessed to have been able to sit on the council with him!”

If you had the chance to talk to Denny, you would

winloCk

Continued from page 2

find that he never minced words. He said what he meant and he was honest, always one to look for the best for the citizens who live in the city. He cared deeply for our community. Denny was one of the very last true public servants Winlock has seen and he will be missed by everyone!

Misty Mayo has been a busy bee, leading the committee as she does and she always has a smile. If you have not met Misty, you are missing out. She and Dean Hendrickson have been the leaders for years! Thank you Misty and the rest of the crew for everything you do!

Angela Patching is busy

getting the car show ready for Egg Days. She is looking for sponsors for trophies. If you would like to sponsor a trophy for the car show, she can be reached via Facebook.

JJ’s Tip of the Week:

vader

frozen baby back ribs $3.99 lb. all week long. Come and get them.

The Stein Family Bargain Barn is here! They had their opening weekend in Winlock and the reviews were a smash!

Advertise Here

Continued from page 3 available for shopping. I was determined to get my coffee and I finally found Kindra with Awaken and got my fabulous coffee. Unfortunately, her mobile espresso machine had malfunctioned so she was only able to serve cold brew coffee. Let’s show her a little extra love this week for not being able to sell her hot brew.

The Little Crane was there, offering their fabulous hot dogs and hamburgers for a donation. If you have ever experienced one of their hot dogs on May Day, it’s worth coming home with one just to eat.

There were several vendors who offered household goods and different crafts. Many are small independent home crafters.

Thank you to the Vader May Day Committee for a fun event, we look forward to next year!