Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886
Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886
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The Shelton City Council gave preliminary clearance to selling 10.5 acres of land it leased to the Shelton YMCA for $123,200. The council can make the move official at its meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday. The city declared the property at the intersection of Shelton Springs Road and East Wallace Kneeland Boulevard surplus. In July 2017, the Shelton City Council approved leasing the site to the YMCA for $1 a year, for 100 years. The facility opened in March 2021. At the council’s April 19 meeting, City Manager Jeff Niten said the lease agreement r...
The Shelton City Council is scheduled to vote Tuesday on proposed code changes in neighborhood residential zones that could open the door to more single-family homes, triplexes and accessory dwellings. The council gave preliminary approval to the changes at its April 19 meeting. Tuesday’s Zoom meeting begins at 6 p.m., and can be viewed on MasonWebTV. According to a report by the city’s community development department, “The existing code does not meet, in many instances, modern needs in housing and development standards … Staff believe...
People associated with a group called the Mason County Election Integrity Committee have been canvassing door-to-door in the county and aren’t associated with the Mason County Auditor’s Office or any other official government office, the state Auditor’s Office and Secretary of State’s Office said in separate news releases Monday. Despite the official-sounding title, the Mason County Election Integrity Committee is a group of private individuals who have no recognized authority, officia...
After three months of being closed, the Shelton Timberland Library reopened its doors Monday with that new building smell. While the building was closed, the library operated out of the Shelton Civic Center and the Shelton YMCA. "As chaotic as it's been, I think having a good team to work with has helped out a lot," Library assistant Joe Alessi told the Journal. "I would say that it's gone as good as it could have. As far as being able to pack up a van and move it to another building, I think...
The City of Shelton, Hands on Personal Empowerment (HOPE) Garden and the Mason Conservation District celebrated Earth Day on Friday by officially opening its new community garden at Callanan Park in Shelton. Twenty raised garden beds are available to low-income families who want to grow their own fruits and vegetables. The garden beds are available first-come, first-served. Application forms are at [email protected] or masoncd.org/callanan-community-garden. Four or five of them are...
In October, Turning Pointe Advocacy Center Executive Director Gina Finley received a letter from the local Margery Jones Charitable Trust. Finley anticipated a check of $40,000 or $50,000 in the tiny white envelope, the usual annual amount the agency receives in the memory of the Mason County native and teacher. Instead, she said she was astonished to find a check for $1 million. Placing that $1 million in the bank allowed Turning Pointe to open an agency endowment fund with the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation. While accumulating about a...
Every couple of months, I go to the Bloodworks Northwest office in Olympia to get a vein tapped. I enjoy these visits. I get to check the “no” box to the extensive list of circumstances that can befall humans, including “Have you ever received a dura mater (or brain covering) graft?” and “Have you ever had a positive test for babesia?” Before the blood flows, you get a little medical check — an employee tests your blood pressure and the iron level in your blood, and feels your pulse to ensu...
A big thank you Editor, the Journal, The Grapeview School District would like to thank Green Diamond and Green Diamond's public affairs coordinator, Natalie Marshall, for their generosity in removing approximately 15 trees on the school district property line. The trees were causing a potential safety issue, which was ultimately alleviated by the thoughtful actions of Green Diamond. Thank you again, Green Diamond, for your wonderful community partnership. Kurt H. Hilyard, Grapeview School...
Mason County Fire District 12 decided to retain Fire Chief Kelli Walsworth through May 19 after fire commissioners voted unanimously April 19 to dismiss Walsworth. According to an announcement on Fire District 12's website, the district will function "as normal" and commissioners Albert Wilder, John Pais and Brian Jutson are reviewing other options. Following the April 19 vote, the district posted an announcement that all volunteers had resigned effective immediately, temporarily suspending...
Andrew Bertrand is appealing his conviction in Mason County Superior Court to two counts of first-degree child molestation. Bertrand was sentenced to 83 months in prison April 6. According to Bertrand’s counsel Mick Woynarowski of Seattle, “Mr. Bertrand maintains his innocence, and he remains grateful for the continued support of his family and friends.” Bertrand’s motion for bail on appeal was denied by Mason County Superior Court on April 12. Woynarowski is the second lawyer for Bertran...
In 1892, a journalist for the Seattle Press Times wrote, "Captain Miller of the tug Biz and owner of that antediluvian ark the Ajax, is one of the old landmarks on the waterfront, weighs something over 200 pounds, and is short, exceedingly short. A better-hearted man never lived, and if he does run slightly to flesh, he is one of the keenest and most pleasant tugboat men on the Sound. He is always in a rush and his short and heavy legs carry him over the ground in remarkably quick time. He is...
Club offers scholarships to Pioneer grads The Pioneer Kiwanis Club is offering scholarships to high school graduates and GED earners who live in, or have lived in, the Pioneer School District, and are continuing their education at college or a trade school. Applications are available at the office of school counselors. For more information, call Pamela Harrell at 360-426-2344. Scholarships available to Harstine residents The Harstine Island Women’s Club and the Judy and Charles Chase Memorial Endowment are offering scholarships to full-time r...
County records 2 COVID-19 deaths Mason County recorded two COVID-19 deaths last week. According to the Division of Emergency Management the deaths were a man in his 70s and a man in his 80s. The county recorded 17 cases on April 20 and 21. The seven-day case rate per 100,000 people is 28.9 and the 14-day case rate is 62.5. The county is 58.8% vaccinated and no one is hospitalized with COVID. Kilmer issues statement on Biden’s Executive Order U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, attended President Joe Biden’s signing of an executive order at Se...
County requests architectural professional services Mason County commissioners approved allowing the county to issue a request for qualifications for architectural engineering professional services at their April 26 meeting. According to the information packet, the county seeks services for design and construction management, including all civil engineering and permitting requirements for county owned property in Mason County. The professional services contract is not budgeted. Public hearing for community development grant County...
Most of the artichokes you find in grocery stores are grown in the central coastal valleys of California. The town of Castroville in Monterey County calls itself the "The Artichoke Capital of the World" and hosts a huge artichoke festival in June. But did you know you can grow artichokes successfully in Mason County? Growing them is relatively simple by following a few guidelines. They are perennials so it is important to grow them in a spot in your garden that has good drainage, loamy soil and...
Spring gift fair at Alderbrook course The Alderbrook Golf Course Activities Committee sponsors a spring gift fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at 330 E. Country Club Drive E., Union. Offerings include jewelry, yard art, photography, woodworking and home décor. Crazy Love celebrates fifth anniversary May 3-5 Crazy Love Ministries is celebrating its 5-year anniversary as a local nonprofit that provides services to the homeless and those in need in Shelton. Anyone interested in visiting the Mason County Warming Center (street parking only on...
Hoodsport business owner Jan Morris offered an update on the May 15 Fjordin Crossin event to Port of Hoodsport commissioners April 13. Morris, owner of The Hardware Distillery, said event organizers are trying to enlist local and regional politicians. She’s landed a commitment from U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor. “He’s going to lead our little parade, and be on the boat,” Morris said. As of April 13, Morris was still searching for a bus to provide transportation from the school. She’s discussed it with Mason Transit Authority, but the M...
Tell me a tale of the past, and I'll often spot what you're saying about the present. The first two "Godfather" films ostensibly chronicle the ascendance of the Mafia in American culture in the 20th century, but they're as much about our country questioning its faith in its own institutions in the wake of Watergate. Steven Spielberg and George Lucas created Indiana Jones and "Star Wars" as tributes to the Saturday morning adventure movie serials they grew up with, but they prophesied how their...
The Shelton powerlifting team is pumping the iron in anticipation for the state championship meet May 7 at Northwest Christian High School in Lacey. Shelton hosted a home meet April 16, and coach Josh Munro said the meet went well. It was the first full meet with all teams and spectators since the COVID-19 pandemic began. “This has been a tough year,” Munro said in an email to the Journal. “For one reason or another we have not been able to go to the meets/ the meets have been canceled so this...
