Regional briefs for July 19

• Published July 18, 2008

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Fort Lewis

'Dragonslayers' to return from Iraq mission

The 170th Military Police Company "Dragonslayers" will return from a 15-month deployment to Iraq on Monday.

About 150 soldiers will be reunited with their families at a ceremony scheduled for 4 a.m.

The company deployed in May 2007 to Iraq's western Al Anbar province, to train and mentor Iraqi police.

The Dragonslayers founded a police academy, the Hammurabi Training Center, to develop the country's expanding police force.

At the center's Iraq facility, they conducted classes, while the military police provided advisory and administrative support.

The company also trained Iraqi police at other locations.

Washington

Flags will be lowered for slain Army corporal

Gov. Chris Gregoire has directed that flags at all Washington state agency buildings be lowered to half-staff Monday in memory of U.S. Army Cpl. Jason M. Bogar.

Bogar was killed in action in Wanat, Afghanistan, on July 13. Bogar began his military career as a member of the Washington National Guard.

First gentleman Mike Gregoire will attend the July 25 funeral service for Bogar. Flags will remain at half-staff until sunset Monday or first thing Tuesday morning.

Lewis County

Sheriff says five linked to 65 copper thefts

Authorities say the arrest of five people has smashed a copper wire theft ring in Lewis County.

Sheriff Steve Mansfield said 45-year-old Brian K. Bradley of Winlock was arrested Thursday and 35-year-old Daniel M. McEwen, 35, of Selah, a day earlier.

Investigators believe the pair worked with three others arrested last week -- 41-year-old Myndee J. Kelly of Winlock, and 34-year-old Charles T. Tanner and 30-year-old Clayton S. Fraley, both of Toledo.

Mansfield said they have been linked to almost all of the 65 thefts of copper wire from the Lewis County Public Utility District since January.

Potential charges include theft, malicious mischief, possession of stolen property and trafficking in stolen property.

Olympia

Retirement community, church to help food bank

Residents and staff at Capital Place retirement community in Olympia are joining with Evergreen Christian Community for a food drive Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The seniors will accept donations of nonperishable food items on behalf of Thurston County Food Bank in the Safeway parking lot at Cooper Point Road and Harrison Avenue.

The seniors usually hold their food drive in November at the start of the holiday season. But they have chosen to reschedule for a time when food banks traditionally suffer with depleted reserves.

For more information, call 360-357-9922.

The Olympian