Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886
Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886
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Ballots for the Aug. 6 primary election were mailed Monday to Mason County voters. In the two Mason County Commission contests, the two candidates who receive the most votes will square off in the November general election. Mason County Commissioner Randy Neatherlin, an independent, is seeking a fourth four-year term representing District 1 on the commission. He faces two Republican challengers, Ted Jackson and William Harris, both of Allyn. Republicans Richard Beckman and Pat Tarzwell, and Tom Beben, who states no party preference, are seeking...
The Shelton School District is proposing a $81.8 million budget for the 2024-25 school year that includes $2.9 million in reductions, mostly to staff cuts. Brenda Trogstad, the district's assistant superintendent of finances and operations, and Superintendent Wyeth Jessee gave a presentation on the proposed budget Tuesday evening to the Shelton School Board. Following a closed executive session, the board also voted unanimously to approve the superintendent's contract through 2027. Trogstad comp...
Fire crews are monitoring the area underneath the High Steel Bridge after a wildfire started there July 4, according to the U.S. Forest Service. No active suppression is happening now because the terrain is too dangerous for firefighters, but the Vincent Creek fire appears to be out, Keith Alholm, public affairs specialist with Olympic National Forest, told the Journal. “There are no active flames or smoke,” Alholm said. A helicopter dumped water on the fire and engines sprayed water down at the flames from the bridge, according to the For...
City receives zero library project bids No contractors offered bids to repair the Shelton Timberland Library deck. The Shelton City Council was scheduled to give preliminary approval at its July 2 meeting to awarding a contract to install a new waterproof membrane and steel safety railing to meet building and safety codes and "provide a more aesthetically pleasing public space." But City Manager Mark Ziegler announced that the city hadn't received any bids yet for the project. The invitation to...
Our five-day heat siege made me worry about Ron, a friend who’s in his mid-60s and lives without several 21st-century conveniences, like electricity. He has a residence, but barely. Maybe you, too, had someone you worried about during our sweat dome. It was that kind of hot. Ron lives alone in the sticks in Thurston County, and he makes money by manual labor, and by selling the art he makes and the treasures he finds. He fishes most of his food from dumpsters and his winter heat comes from w...
Independence Day 2024 in Shelton Editor, the Journal, Pyrotechnics have become quite prevalent in my home town. The day’s first explosion was heard at 0535 hours. Then occasional detonations until evening when the frequency increased, then nightfall and the explosions were unceasing. Yes, few lulls, they served as a suggestion and a hopeful but unrewarded tease. There was nolet up until midnight when the detonations became less frequent and then toward dawn, then ceased for the day just after sunrise. Do I need to repeat the “why not to do thi...
Bluegrass from the Forest this weekend Eight bands, the Chick Rose School of Bluegrass and campground jams are among the musical offerings at the Kristmas Town Kiwanis' 19th annual Bluegrass from the Forest music festival Friday through Sunday at the South Mason Youth Soccer Park in Shelton. A weekend pass is $45 and includes admission to all events Friday through Sunday. A family weekend pass, which includes two adults and as many as four children, is $90. Passes for specific afternoons or...
Central Mason Fire & EMS Chief Jeff Snyder joined state Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz on July 2 at the site of last year's McEwan Fire to talk about fire safety on forest lands. Snyder gave a brief history of the McEwan Fire that started on the Fourth of July last year around 2 p.m. Central Mason was dispatched to a possible brush fire behind Rainbow Lake and units arrived within minutes, he said. The fire was about one-fourth of an acre but there was "rapid fire growth," Snyder...
Open position on Shelton School Board The deadline is 5 p.m. July 16 to apply for an open position representing District 1 on the Shelton School Board. The appointment to the five-member board extends to November 2025, when the position will appear on the ballot to fulfill the rest of the two-year unexpired term through 2027. At the June 25 Shelton School Board meeting, Karla Knudsen-Johnston announced she was resigning. The Shelton School Board appointed Knudsen-Johnston to replace Marilyn Ward after Ward moved out of her district in June...
Police have arrested an Elma man in connection with the death of a woman whose decomposing body was found in a ravine near Schafer State Park. Joshua Morris, 43, was seen on video surveillance May 22 leaving the Lucky Dog Casino with Joanna Ruth Saunders, 29, according to court documents. Saunders was later identified as the body found June 11 on West Beerbower Road in Elma, about 1 mile away from the state park. Mason County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Morris on July 3 for manslaughter. Deputies discovered Saunders June 11, after gravel pit em...
Author and healer Heather Hawk, an artist in residence at Hypatia-in-the-Woods outside Shelton, will read from her memoir "What is Still Wild" at 4:30 p.m. July 25 at the Shelton Timberland Library, W. 710 Alder St., Shelton. In her book, Hawk chronicles her diagnosis of a massive uterine fibroid and three-year healing experience while navigating grief and divorce. Her story also illustrates larger social issues related to the body, such as menstruation, virginity, female agency, pleasure and...
Streaming shows for fans of mature legal thrillers and all-ages superhero adventures are reaching the peaks of their season arcs. "Presumed Innocent" on Apple TV+ When I was in high school, I saw the 1990 big-screen adaptation of Scott Turow's novel, which boasted acting heavyweights Harrison Ford, Brian Dennehy and Raul Julia, so this latest adaptation was up against stiff competition to impress me. Fortunately, legal dramas lend themselves to expanded treatments, as Steven Bochco proved when...
Explore the Fjord Summer Camp for youths ages 12 - 16, sponsored by the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group, starts Friday. Activities include hiking, learning about shellfish, exploring tide pools and kayaking, according to HCSEG. Sessions are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays from July 12 to Aug. 16 for a $10 donation per camp session and financial assistance is available. Kids can register for the whole camp or just a single session. Campers meet at the Salmon Center, 600 Roessel Road, Belfair, where...
Just a pleasant summer week. It did rain a bit one day. Mary mentions that it would be nice to put the fires out, so they had fires back in 1950, too. Blackberries are in season, so they bought some for Clara to can. Mary and Sam had lots of company during the week. Monday, July 3, 1950 Very warm all day. It was 77 in the garage. We baked the ham and have potatoes ready for salad. The Jell-O is made. So, we are all set for the 4th. Sam rode with Pink Williams to Port Orchard so was gone part of...
Michael John Logan, affectionately known as Mike, passed away on June 24, 2024, at the age of 84 in Olympia, Washington. Born on January 9, 1940, in Emmett, ID, Mike spent his formative years in Port Townsend, WA, where he attended Lincoln Grade School and Port Townsend High School. His pursuit of higher education led him to The Evergreen State College. Mike dedicated his professional life to the Department of Juvenile Corrections, where he began his career as a cottage counselor and rose to... Full story
Paul William Peterson, Jr. "Sondawgg" a resident of the Skokomish Rez, was born July 21, 1987 to Paul Peterson, Sr. and Anita Andrews, and began his journey, June 25, 2024. He enjoyed sports and watching basketball tournaments. He loved music; Sondawgg was a very talented rapper. He was a longtime geoduck diver and commercial fisherman. Our brother was extremely respected by everyone. He was a devoted father, son, brother, uncle and friend. He was kind hearted, thoughtful, loving, caring, and... Full story
God saw you getting tired, when a cure was not to be. So He wrapped His arms around you and He whispered, "Come to me." You didn't deserve what you went through, so He gave you needed rest. God's garden must be beautiful. He only takes the best. Lester Marshall Johnson, born May 3, 1948 in Brekenridge, Minnesota to Armand (deceased) and Cora (Heideman) Johnson (deceased). Les passed away on Monday, June 17, 2024 with Sandy by his side. Lester was raised on his family farm in Doran, Minnesota... Full story
Darrel Ray Williams, "Ray Ray", also known as son, brother, uncle, dad, and Binks. Sunrise October 30th, 1989, and sunset June 22nd, 2024. A service was held on June 26th, 2024 at the Skokomish Community Center. Head cooks were Myranda Andrews and Xavier Allen-Johns. He was laid to rest on Skokomish at the "Y" cemetery. Survived by grandmother Georgie Johns, mother and father Mary and Benny Williams, siblings, Michelle Williams, Nathan Williams, Jenna Adams, William "Brother" Williams, Heidi... Full story
Edith Edwards, 83, a resident of Shelton, passed away June 26, 2024, at home. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory. Bonnie Russell, 84, a resident of Shelton, passed away June 28, at home. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory. Deborah Coppinger, 73, a resident of Bremerton, passed away June 29, 2024, at home. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory. Doris Ellertsen, 89, a resident of Shelton, passed away June 29, 2024, at Virginia Medical Center in... Full story
