Cowlitz County Police Blotter 1/09/2026 – 1/15/2026

Our police got a bit of a reprieve this week; there were only 41 arrests, compared with 49 last week. There are some ugly charges, though. We all know about the former school superintendent charged with possession and distribution of child pornography, but there are lots of others. Criminal Impersonations, unlawful imprisonment, fugitive from justice, along with lots of DUIs, and even vehicular assault.

This week’s dumbest award goes to Christopher Lee La Baum. Three contempt of court charges, possession, making false statements, and obstructing a public servant…dude, when you know you’ve been caught, sheesh…his antics landed him in jail with an $11,000 bail.

This week’s worst award, hands down, belongs to Greggery Ray Teel. There just aren’t enough words to describe how awful it is for someone who was a former middle school principal, and now a school district superintendent, to be allegedly manufacturing, possessing, and distributing child pornography. There are two runner-ups below. Their charges must be serious behind their charges in order for them to receive a higher bail amount than Teel.

This week’s highest bail, you’d think it would go to the pornography superintendent, but it goes to Dontae Blake Marquez Todd for two protection order violation charges and a 1st degree assault charge. Marquez-Todd’s bail was set at $105,000.00. 2nd runner up goes to Arnold Nathanil Jones Jr. His bail was set at $102,000.00 for contempt of court and two counts of possession of a controlled substance charges. The former superintendent came in third with a $100,000 bail.

Castle Rock – Driver taken into custody after vehicle incident. Officers in Castle Rock responded to a possible vehicle-related incident near 5th Ave Southwest. A suspect driver was reportedly involved and later taken into custody. No injuries were reported in connection with the event. 1/15/2026 04:41 PM

Castle Rock – Deputies investigate possible bestiality in Castle Rock. Deputies responded to a report of possible sexual activity involving a person and a dog near Happy Trails Rd in Castle Rock. The details were unconfirmed at the time of the dispatch and may require further investigation. 1/12/2026 08:16 PM

Castle Rock – Multi-vehicle collision on I-5 near Castle Rock. Emergency units responded to a possible multi-vehicle traffic collision on northbound I-5 near Castle Rock, Washington. The incident reportedly involved heavy front-end damage and airbag deployment. No mention of occupants or injuries was confirmed over the radio. 1/17/2026 02:32 AM

Kalama – Deputies check on unusual activity near Cedar St. Officers were sent to a residence near Cedar Street in Kalama after a caller reported hearing repeated knocking at both the front and back doors. The situation involved possible suspicious activity, and further verification was needed to determine the cause. 1/16/2026 07:39 PM

Kalama – Radar trailer setup planned near Kalama River Rd. An officer requested an event to document the setup of a radar trailer in the 1100 block area near Kalama River Road in Kalama, Washington. This appears to be a non-crime event, a routine equipment deployment. 1/14/2026 03:40 PM

Kelso – Possible fight involving security guards near Pacific Ave. Radio communication indicated a possible fight involving two security guards near South Pacific Avenue in Kelso. 1/18/2026 02:16 AM

Kelso – Fire crews battle barn blaze near Ranch Road, Rose Valley. Firefighters responded to a working barn fire along Ranch Road in Washington. Crews found flames inside a two-story wood-frame barn containing hay, with smoke visible from the attic. The incident was designated a full working fire under Maple Hill command. No mention of injuries or evacuations was made in the initial transmissions. 1/14/2026 10:58 PM

Kelso – Burglary alarm near South Pacific Ave. Emergency personnel discussed multiple possible burglary alarms near South Pacific Avenue in Kelso, including one involving a glass-break detector at a public facility. The situation may involve commercial properties, and responders were confirming locations and response status. 1/18/2026 08:22 AM

Kelso – authorities reported a large culvert collapse near Rose Valley Road in Kelso, Washington, resulting in a sinkhole approximately eight feet deep. The area may present a road hazard and require attention from county personnel. 1/4/2026 01:51 PM

Lexington – Panic alarm triggers at pizza restaurant on West Side Hwy.  A panic or holdup alarm was activated at a pizza restaurant near West Side Hwy in Kelso. Dispatchers noted a duress emergency signal and were awaiting further information about what may have caused the alarm. 1/13/2026 09:19 AM

Longview – Intoxicated woman with child seen near 15th Ave and Douglas. An apparent welfare check involves an intoxicated woman carrying a two-year-old child near 15th Ave and Douglas. She reportedly left the hospital and was seen arguing with the reporting party. The woman may be attempting to cross in a traffic break. The situation involves possible safety concerns for both the woman and the child. 1/13/2026 08:14 PM

Longview – Pedestrian struck near Ocean Beach Hwy. Emergency responders were dispatched to a possible vehicle versus pedestrian collision near 30th Avenue and Ocean Beach Highway in Longview. Initial radio reports indicated minor injuries. 1/18/2026 01:56 PM

Longview – Vehicle found in “quite a ways” in the river near Tennant Way. Emergency personnel discussed a possible vehicle or object that had gone into the river near Tennant Way and Third Avenue in Longview. It appeared to be inaccessible by land and would require assistance from county resources for recovery, potentially using multiple tow trucks to retrieve it. 1/16/2026 08:03 AM

Longview – Possible break-in attempt at Trinity Lutheran Church. Deputies investigated a possible attempted break-in at Trinity Lutheran Church near Washington Way in Longview. A caller reported two people hiding behind a sign, one possibly trying to open a door or light an object on fire. The individuals reportedly wore an orange jacket, a yellow hoodie, and a dark jacket. The subject wearing the dark jacket possibly tried to light something on fire. 1/11/2026 01:24 PM

Rainier – emergency responders discussed a possible suicide attempt involving a female subject traveling eastbound on Highway 30 near Rainier. Initial reports indicated she was alone. A call was also received from a family member seeking contact following a welfare check. Units monitored the subject’s phone signal as she appeared to approach viewpoints in the Lewis and Clark Bridge area. 1/11/2026 07:13 PM

Woodland – Deputies respond to abandoned cats near Washington St. Deputies responded to a non-vicious animal complaint near Washington Street in Woodland involving approximately eight abandoned cats, reportedly left behind by a possible former tenant. 1/12/2026 12:50 PM

Woodland – Traffic stop leads to custody near Washington St. Officers conducted a traffic stop near Keline Wood Street and Washington Street in Woodland, where one person was taken into custody. The situation appears to have been handled safely with no further issues reported. 1/10/2026 10:00 PM

Woodland – Suspect vehicle returns after hit-and-run in Woodland. Officers responded to a hit-and-run at Lewis River Road and Millard Street in Woodland. A white Jeep suspected of involvement reportedly returned to the scene. 1/5/2026 05:37 PM

Woodland – Structure Fire Reported at 116 Mimi Road, Woodland. Dispatch initiated a code three response to a structure fire in the Woodland area. Crews were informed that residents were attempting to evacuate from the scene. The incident was identified as being under District One’s jurisdiction, operating on radio control one. The reported address was 116 Mimi Road. Later in the incident, dispatch communicated that Water Tender 71 could cancel its response, suggesting that the situation was under control or reassigned.

Woodland – Hit-and-run near Goerig St. Deputies responded to a possible hit-and-run incident near Goerig Street in Woodland. A maroon pickup truck or SUV reportedly struck another vehicle in a parking lot and fled westbound, possibly near the corner store. The suspect vehicle may have front-end damage, while the other vehicle had extensive damage to the rear. Units searched the area, including nearby blocks, but there were no confirmed identifications of the involved vehicle. 1/17/2026 06:16 PM