Week of January 16, 2025
Week of January 16, 2025
The Journal encourages Announcements and News Releases of local, timely interest to our readers. Local photo submissions are also welcome. Include information on the who, what, when, where, why and how of your news lead. Deadline is each Monday by 5 PM. All submissions should include the sender's name, address and daytime phone number which will be used for verification purposes only. Submissions are subject to editing for length, grammar and clarity. To submit your Announcement or News Release: • Email [email protected] (preferred)...
A Shelton High School graduate serving in the U.S. Space Force will have an out-of-this-world assignment at Monday's presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C. Sgt. Nicholas Ames "will make history by bearing the Space Force flag in its inaugural debut as part of the Joint Service Colorguard," according to a military news release. Ames, 24, joined the Air Force after his graduation from SHS in 2019 and has served in the Space Force for five years. Space Force was established as a branch of...
On Tuesday evening, the Shelton School Board voted to reduce the number of classified and nonrepresented employees to help erase a $2.3 million budget deficit. In a 4-1 vote, the board authorized Superintendent Wyeth Jessee to prepare a plan to reduce employees to save the district about $750,000 this school year. Becky Cronquist cast the dissenting vote. In the resolution, the district states it doesn’t yet know how many vacancies will be created by retirements, resignations, leaves and discharges. The number of available certified...
On March 28, 1985, the Shelton-Mason County Journal published a special edition celebrating Shelton's first 100 years. This story is from the section of that paper that covered the years 1955 to 1964. In early 1957, Shelton's downtown area was getting used to its new dimensions. Evergreen Square, which had replaced the old railroad yards, was finally completed and included a large parking lot. Businesses included Sprouse-Reitz variety store, McConkey's Drugs, Heinie's Broiler, Mode O'Day...
Three reappointed to advisory boards The Shelton City Council on Jan. 7 gave preliminary approval to reappointing three residents to two city advisory groups. The appointments can be made official with a vote by the council at its meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Shelton Civic Center. The city filled one of three openings on the Shelton Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. Kathy McDowell, a former member of the Shelton City Commission and the Shelton City Council, was fulfilling a partial...
A group of Mason County firefighters is in Los Angeles helping battle wildfires. Central Mason Fire & EMS sent an engine Jan. 9 with three firefighters from CMFE and one crew member from North Mason Regional Fire Authority, CMFE Chief Jeff Snyder told the Journal in an email. They will be deployed for 14 days, along with travel time, and the total deployment will be 18 days, Snyder said. "Central Mason Fire & EMS Engine 57 has been assigned to a five-engine strike team out of Central Region...
Belfair State Park is closed for emergency repairs at the Herald's press time Wednesday with a reopening date uncertain, according to park officials. A waterline leak has caused the shutdown, Washington State Parks Area Manager for South Sound Olyvia Buday told the Herald in an email. "At this time, we are in the process of locating a substantial leak in our waterline system. We believe we have located the source and are hoping to get the park up and running quickly but do not have a timeframe...
Gov. Bob Ferguson unveiled a budget-cutting plan to ease a projected $12 billion budget deficit during a 2025 legislative preview in Olympia on Jan. 9. "Washingtonians expect that we will increase revenue as a last resort. I will not contemplate additional revenue options until we have exhausted efforts to improve efficiency," Ferguson said. Estimates of the deficit vary, from $7 billion to $15 billion. To make up the deficit, Ferguson proposes cutting spending by 6% across most state agencies...
The Journal of Record is produced using 911 call information Mason County Emergency Communications, the Mason County Sheriff’s Office, the Shelton Police Department and tribal police provide. MACECOM does not provide the Shelton-Mason County Journal with specific details about each call. For more information about MACECOM, call 360-426-4441. JAN. 5 Alarm activity was reported on Northeast State Route 3 in Belfair. Vehicle theft was reported on South 7th Street in Shelton. Trespassing was reported on Turner Avenue in Shelton. Threats were...
Port of Allyn commissioners approved a settlement agreement with a developer at Tuesday’s regular meeting after a brief consultation in executive session with the port’s attorney. Details of the agreement between Cedarland Homes, LLC and the port are confidential, but an exchange between developer Joseph Cedarland, who operates Batjack Holdings, J & J Development and Cedarland Homes, and the commissioners at a November meeting could shed some light on the dispute. At that meeting, the port refused to sign a water connection agreement with...
The Shelton City Council on Jan. 7 gave preliminary agreement to a revised agreement with the WSU Cooperative Extension of Mason County on its Catalyst Garden. No one from the public or council commented on the proposal. The council can make the move official at its meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Shelton Civic Center. In its report, the city states that the revised agreement "is to clearly state the responsibilities of both parties regarding use of the property and operations." The proposed agreement would stay in effect "until terminated...
Free Christmas tree recycling extended Free Christmas tree recycling at the Belfair solid waste drop off, at 1611 NE Sand Hill Road in Belfair, has been extended through Jan. 25 from Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Mason County Garbage and Recycling curbside service customers can also cut up their trees and place them in their cart as part of their regular pickup, according to a county news release. The Shelton Transfer Station, at 501 West Eells Hill Road in Shelton, is also providing free tree recycling Monday through Sunday...
League plans discussion on multimember districts The League of Women Voters of Mason County host a discussion on multimember electoral districts and how they work from noon to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Olympic College Shelton library meeting room at 937 Alpine Way, Shelton. The group’s business meeting will be conducted from 11:30 a.m. to noon. Everyone is welcome. Multimember districts elect multiple representatives — usually three, five or seven — instead of one. The group states that this approach is at the heart of redistricting...
Learn about Hood Canal school levies Members of the Hood Canal School Board will talk about the district’s two levy measures on the Feb. 11 ballot and answer questions from 5:30-7 p.m. Friday at Potlatch Brewery in Hoodsport. One proposal is a six-year capital levy to pay for infrastructure and technology upgrades that would include replacing an aging transportation center and creating spaces for art, music and pre-kindergarten. The other is a four-year replacement Educational Programs levy to sustain programs and services the district...
Couture prefiles bills on fentanyl, education accounts Rep. Travis Couture, R-Allyn, prefiled two bills before the start of the legislative session in Olympia. One would create scholarships via education savings accounts, and another would require removal of children from homes with fentanyl or other dangerous drug abuse. Under House Bill 1140, parents can apply for scholarship money distributed through a state-issued debit card that “families must use to pay for educational needs such as tuition, fees, textbooks, tutoring, therapies, and...
Sale of commercial salal permits scheduled Olympic National Forest will begin selling commercial salal harvest permits starting from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday at the Quilcene office, 295142 Highway 101 S., Quilcene. Fifty permits are available to harvest areas in Mason County, the east side of Clallam County and the east side of Jefferson County, according to a Forest Service news release. Anyone harvesting salal to sell must have a commercial-use permit while picking, the release states. Permits cost $150 paid by cash or check only, with one...
The Shelton-Mason County Journal encourages original letters to the editor of local interest. Diverse and varied opinions are welcome. We will not publish letters that are deemed libelous or scurrilous in nature. We reserve the right to reject any letter for any reason. When submitting a letter, please observe the following guidelines: Writers are limited to one original letter plus one rebuttal or counter-rebuttal per calendar month; Letters should be no more than 300 words; Letters will be edited for grammar, spelling, style, clarity and...
Kathryn Frey, a resident of Portland, started her presentation at the Shelton library two weeks ago by laying about 20 stones on the table in front of her. The stones were small enough to hold in your palm. She asked the dozen or so people in the audience to come up and grab one. We fetched a rock and returned to our seats. Kathryn asked us to hold our stone, to feel its weight and dimensions, and a silence fell over the room. It's helpful to keep one's mind receptive during moments like this,...
A special tree Editor, the Journal, Every time I pass by on McEwan Prairie, I pause to look at the lovely decorated wild Christmas tree. It looked so nice; I added a Christmas ornament to it. I noticed also that other people added a Santa, and a snowman. Whoever thought of this idea should be credited for showing the Christmas spirit for a lucky little Christmas tree! Bill Dagle, Shelton Appalling Editor, the Journal, The Jan. 2 Journal reported Mason County Sheriff’s Office Deputy McCullough found a car and two people inside parked at Lake...
Reviewing a couple of relationship dramas this week, one made by a filmmaker local to this side of the Puget Sound. The Rose Theatre in Port Townsend and the Regal Poulsbo are showing writer-director Halina Reijn's "Babygirl," starring Nicole Kidman and Antonio Banderas, which was inspired by 1992's "Basic Instinct" and 1993's "Indecent Proposal." A challenge in recreating the taboo heat of the erotic thrillers of decades past, such as those made by directors Paul Verhoeven and Adrian Lyne, is...
A novelist who uses tarot readings to unlock creative blocks in writers and a musician/musical historian who specializes in the life of folksinger Woody Guthrie stage free events this month. Harstine Island Inquiring Minds presents musician and historian Joel Underwood and part two of “That Ribbon Highway: Woody Guthrie in the Pacific Northwest” at 2 p.m. Jan. 26 at the Harstine Island Community Hall, 3371 E. Harstine Island Road North. The event is hosted by the Harstine Island Community Club and Humanities Washington. Admission is free...
Gina Whitmer, 65, a resident of McCleary, passed away December 28, 2024, at the Beehive Independent Living in McCleary, WA. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory. Reda Keller, 98, a resident of Shelton, passed away January 1, 2025, at 4 Seasons Adult Family Home in Shelton, WA. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory. Charles Bracken, 91, a resident of Grapeview, passed away January 3, 2025, at home. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory. James...
Betty Jean Mirka passed away peacefully at her home on December 8, 2024, surrounded by her family. The memories of a beloved mother, grandmother, and friend are the treasures that continue to shine brightly for those who were fortunate to know Betty Jean. Her life was a beautiful embodiment of Southern grace, kindness, and an unwavering devotion to family, faith, and community. Her legacy of love, spirituality, and generosity will forever remain in the hearts of all who had the privilege of...
Martha Harrell passed away December 22nd, 2024 peacefully after a brief illness at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, WA. She was born July 17th, 1937 in Mount Vernon, WA to George and Laura Mae Hermes. Martha moved to Shelton, WA with her family in 1944, in 1955 she graduated from Irene S. Reed High School where her father George was the principal for 27 years. After attending Seattle University, she married Ernest Harrell in 1957. They lived in the Seattle area, later moving to Federal...
Jim began his next journey on January 4, 2025. He was born January 24, 1954 to James Byrd Sr. and Joan Pell (Adams). He was enrolled member and lifelong resident of Skokomish Nation. He married his wife Laurie Byrd in Potlatch November 24, 1979, who preceded him in death in 2021. In the past, Jim worked for Manke Logging Co. He was also a lifelong commercial fisherman and seafood harvester. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, mushroom picking, anything in nature and being out on the water. He also...
Colleen Sue Harlow (Kenney), aged 79, passed away unexpectedly on January 8, 2025 at Eisenhower Health in Palm Desert, California. Colleen was born on July 15, 1945, in Hillsboro, Illinois, to Quentin and Myrle Kenney. She was the second and final child to join the Kenney family. On April 9, 1965, she married Richard Harlow, and together they built a life filled with love, family, and community. Colleen will be remembered for her strength of character, the nurture she provided to her family,...
Reda began her journey in Startup, Washington. She was the fourth of seven children born to Hugh D. and Dora I. Daniels. After a few years, the family moved to Sultan, Washington where Reda attended school. She loved playing sports, and lettering during her high school years. Upon graduating High School in 1944, she moved to Everett, Washington where she was employed as a Riveter for Boeing building B-17 Flying Fortresses. Following the end of WWII, Reda, like many women of that time, was...
Sunrise: December 13th, 1938 Sunset December 20th, 2024 has gained her angel wings. Born in Harrisburg, Oregon, the family moved to Longview, Washington when she was a child and she attended school in the Longview area. Char became a resident of Shelton, Washington in 1981. She raised her family proudly here in Shelton, Washington, She was a beloved and full pledge Eagles Member, a community enthusiast, she was an amazing lady with a beautiful soul and a smile that was contagious to all. Char...
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