Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886
Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886
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It’s the end of November, and for the decade before this, it usually meant fans of the Seattle Seahawks watching the team jockey for playoff position and getting ready for a postseason game. But this year, fans have seen a much different product on the field. Seattle is 3-8 and even with a Washington Football Team in the seventh and final playoff spot at 5-6, the playoff chances for Seattle are slim, especially after a 17-15 loss to the Football Team. As a lifelong Seahawks fan, this season h...
Mason County Fire District 12 addressed public concerns that the district has violated state law that turned heated during public comment before the state Auditor’s office spoke to the fire district commissioners Nov. 18 at the fire station in Matlock. The meeting was held as people are growing frustrated with the department’s lack of communication and transparency with the public, according to several people at the meeting. Members of the state Auditor’s office were in attendance and spoke...
COVID cases declining in Mason County Mason County recorded 230 COVID-19 cases in the past 13 days and the case rates have dropped in recent weeks. According to the Mason County Emergency Management data, the county has seen four additional deaths in the past 13 days, including women in their 40’s, 60’s and 80’s and a man in his 60’s, bringing the pandemic total to 72. The 14-day case rate per 100,000 is 288 and the seven-day case rate is 108. The county is 53.8% vaccinated. The U.S. authorized COVID booster shots for all adults Nov. 19 and...
The North Mason School Board levy is passing by 34 votes as of the Nov. 22 count. In Mason County, the levy is passing by 28 votes, 2,561 to 2,533. In Kitsap County, the levy is passing by six votes, 64 to 58. The election results were scheduled to be certified Tuesday. North Mason tried to pass levies in February and April of 2020 but was unsuccessful. The projected tax rate per $1,000 assessed property value is estimated to be $1.32 in 2022, meaning a home worth $300,000 would pay $396 in...
Arla Shephard Bull leads Michael Curtin by 22 votes in the race for Mason School Board Director No. 5 in Monday’s tally. In Mason County, Shephard Bull leads by 34 votes, 2,242 to 2,208, with 64 votes for write-in candidates. In Kitsap County, Curtin leads by 12 votes, 53 to 41, with one vote for a write-in candidate. In the Nov. 10 tally, Shephard Bull led by 21 votes, 2,259 to 2,238. On Nov. 2, Shephard Bull led by 66 votes, 1,836 to 1,770. There were 49 votes for write-in candidates for a t...
County awarded Public Services community development block grant Mason County commissioners signed a sub-recipient agreement with Community Action Council of Lewis, Mason and Thurston counties at the Nov. 8 commissioner’s meeting. According to the information packet, the county was awarded a public services community block development grant through the state Department of Commerce, and it will allow the county to provide referrals or direct client services to eligible participants through the partnership with Community Action Council. The contr...
Timberland Regional Libraries in Belfair, Shelton and Hoodsport are welcoming patrons back to the building and there are more programs offered than ever. "We are all now fully open, which we love," North Mason Timberland Library Manager Mary Halterman said. "We get to see folks come in now that we missed seeing for a year." Even though the buildings are open, the libraries are still not offering in-person programs. The pandemic forced the adaptation of virtual and take-home programs, including T...
After working for Mason County for a decade, Frank Pinter has decided it is time to spend more time with his friends and family. Pinter started working for the county in October 2011. He started as finance manager for the Mason County Sheriff’s Office before moving to budget manager for the county. He then became the Support Services Director before taking over as interim County Administrator prior to his retirement. He joined the county because he wanted to work close to home and work for t...
The North Mason School Board levy is passing as of Thursday’s afternoon by just 42 votes. In Mason County, the levy is passing with a vote of 2,516 to 2,479. In Kitsap County, the levy is passing by eight votes, 56-51. In Tuesday’s initial count, the levy was failing. “We are very grateful that our school levy is now passing,” North Mason School District Superintendent Dana Rosenbach said in an email. “This vote was so important to ensuring that we are able to support the needs of our students....
Lake Cushman Maintenance Company has been the victim of theft twice in the span of a week. According to General Manager Aaron Nix, the company has had people cutting off the catalytic converters to some of their vehicles, along with stealing some tools and truck battery. There were two separate incidents of theft in the early morning hours of Oct. 25 and Oct. 30. The thefts occurred at its maintenance shops and both instances have been reported to the Mason County Sheriff’s Office and i...
Mason County Public Works discovers loss of funds The Mason County Public Works and Utilities department discovered a loss of funds relating to refuse transfer stations. According to a news release from County Administrator Mark Neary, the county has notified the state Auditor’s Office and are working with the Mason County Sheriff’s Office on an investigation. Full details will be released when the investigation is complete. Mason County Sheriff’s Office tracks down truck responsible for damage The Mason County Sheriff’s Office tracked down a...
The Shelton High School girls cross country teams wins back-to-back conference titles....
Sheriff’s Office gets approval for interview room video recording system The Mason County commissioners approved the purchase of a new interview room video recording system for the Mason County Sheriff’s Office at Tuesday’s meeting. According to the information packet, House Bill 1223 was passed during the 2021 legislative session and takes effect. Jan. 1, which requires recordings to be made for most interviews. The current equipment at the Sheriff’s Office was purchased in 2013 and needed to be replaced. The office recently purchased body an...
One injured in two-car accident near Hoodsport A 61-year-old Seattle man was injured in a two-car accident Sunday near Hoodsport. According to a news release, the Seattle man was driving south and crossed the center line and struck a car with a 42-year-old Raymond man driving north. The Seattle man was taken to Providence St. Peter Hospital while the Raymond man was not injured. The road was blocked for 3.5 hours. Car rollover on state Route 300 injures one A car rolled over Saturday on state Route 300 near Belfair and injured a passenger....
Team chemistry is something that is not easily produced. It must have the right ingredients of competitiveness, selflessness and personalities to work. The Shelton girls cross country team achieves a near perfect blend of team chemistry, and that has resulted in team and individual success, as well as some lifelong friendships. The girls team consists of four seniors and one sophomore. The top runner of the group is Alauna Carstens. Carstens has won six races this season, including the...
Siblings Christopher Floe and Caroline Harris were arrested in connection with the Oct. 7 shooting in the 500 block of North 4th Street in downtown Shelton. Floe, who was the victim of the shooting, was booked into Mason County Jail for first-degree assault, first-degree criminal conspiracy assault, false reporting and criminal conspiracy to commit a drive-by shooting. Harris was arrested for first-degree assault, first-degree criminal conspiracy assault, and criminal conspiracy to commit a...
The North Mason School Board is hoping that the third time is the charm for passing a levy on the Nov. 2 ballot. North Mason tried to pass levies in February and April of 2020, but was unsuccessful, which prompted the formation of a levy committee to allow for community input to produce the best levy for the community. “Our levy committee is an outstanding group of individuals that represent all different facets of our community,” North Mason School District Superintendent Dana Rosenbach sai...
County commissioners approved Primitive Road designations at the Oct. 12 meeting. According to the information packet, the designation provides lower liability for warning signing on low volume unpaved access roads. Roads with 100 vehicles or fewer per day are eligible. Public works staff reviewed the current list to update the list. The list of primitive roads includes Ford Loop Road, Kelly Hall Road, Beerbower Road, White Road, Rock Creek Road, Waldrip Road, Ellis Road, Cove Drive, Squaxin Drive, Maples Road, Cemetery Road, Yates Road, Four...
Seven bridges had designation changes at the Oct. 12 commissioners meeting after Mason County Public Works inspections. According to the information, Stretch Island and Rossmaier bridges each had maximum load limits established. Hliboki, Gosnell Creek, Eich Road, Eich and Carlson bridges each were established as one-lane travel bridges....
Mason County property owners have until Nov. 1 to pay their second half property taxes. According to a news release, Mason County Treasurer Lisa Frazier noted there are options to make property tax payments. There is a drive-up property tax payment drop box located in the alley next to 411 N 5th St., building 1. Taxpayers can mail their payments and it must be postmarked no later than Nov. 1 to avoid interest charges. Taxpayers can pay online or over the phone with a credit or debit card or an E-check. in-person property tax payment...
Travelers who use U.S. Highway 101 near Hoodsport may see a workzone in separate locations, possibly delaying travel. At milepost 331.4 in Hoodsport, there will be one-way alternating traffic during daylight hours each weekday until Friday, Oct. 29. Crews will be repairing a section of debris fence. For traffic updates, download the WSDOT app or visit the regional Twitter account....
Restrooms are closed in the day-use area at Potlatch State Park until further notice, according to the Washington State Parks Twitter account. Restrooms in the campground area are still available....
Mason County saw a slight uptick in COVID-19 cases last week, increasing six cases to 207. There were five deaths in the last week, including three men, a 50-, 60- and 80-year old and two women, a 70- and 80-year old. The county death toll is 64. The state cases are dropping but Mason County cases are holding, according to Mason County Area Command. Director of Community Services Dave Windom said he is scratching his head about why this is occurring. "I'm wondering if we're a micropolitan...
Thelma Winger was found guilty on four counts of first-degree animal cruelty and one count of second-degree animal cruelty in Mason County Superior Court on Oct. 8. The sentencing trial is scheduled for Nov. 18. According to court documents, three first-degree counts are related to animal cruelty at dogs named Fred, Baby and Buddy. One first-degree count is related to a horse named Kissy and the second-degree count relates to a cat named Pearl. On April 17, 2018, Mason County Sheriff Deputy...
