Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886
Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886
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Are the men and women living on the streets of downtown Shelton natives of Mason County or transients bused in from Thurston County to take advantage of homeless services? And do those services "enable" homeless people, or help them move on to more stable lives and housing? Downtown business owners, service providers and others shared their thoughts during the public comment period Aug. 16 at the Shelton City Council meeting. The comments came two weeks after the council voted 6-1 to approve...
The North Mason community shared its feelings with the state Department of Transportation at a community forum Aug. 11 in Belair. Most of the almost-two-hour forum focused on one intersection in particular: state Route 3 and Northeast Ridgepoint Road. The intersection next to McDonald’s, NAPA Auto Parts and the U.S. Post Office will soon see more traffic with the intersection being the only point of entry to the Olympic Sunset View apartments and the Olympic Ridge housing project, which are b...
As part of the third generation of a newspaper family, Stephen Gay helped bring the present into focus as a printer and advertising manager at the Shelton-Mason County Journal. But his passion in his spare time was bringing the past back to life, re-enacting settlers’ battles with Native Americans of the 1870s as a founder of the Frontier Soldiers Association, and World War II battles as a co-founder of Friends of Willie & Joe. “In my mind’s eye I shall always remember Stephen driving around Shelton in his World War II-era Jeep,” Jeff Green,...
Shelton schools pass $78M budget The Shelton School District on Tuesday evening approved a $78-million budget for the 2022-2023 school year. The district is required to approve its budget by Wednesday. The budget is based on the district's projected enrollment of 4,125 full-time equivalency students. The budget projects $78,766,889 in revenue, and $78,087,902 in expenditures. The expenditures are $3.6 million higher than the 2021-22 budget. Of the $78 million, $64.8 million is for personnel,...
Mason County Fire District 12 won’t look for a new fire chief until after the State Auditor’s Office completes its audit. At the Mason County Fire District 12’s commissioner meeting Aug. 16, commissioner John Pais said, “At this point, we’re not going to actively search for a fire chief until the audit is complete because the chief needs to stay on until that is all done.” The commissioners voted at the April 19 meeting to dismiss fire chief Kelli Walsworth without cause. The district posted an...
Heinrich resigns from Union Fire Mason County Fire District 6 commission chair Richard Heinrich has resigned with the intent to retire Aug. 31 at midnight. According to Mason County Fire District 6, he gave his resignation verbally Aug. 16 at the regular commissioner meeting. “Commissioner Richard Heinrich has served the citizens of Mason County for over 40 years as a member of the fire service,” Chief Clint Volk said in an email to the Journal. “Starting as a volunteer firefighter with Mason County Fire District 5, next as a career firef...
I was walking alone on a sidewalk in downtown Olympia one evening a couple of weeks ago when a man who looked to be in his 20s approached me. He asked whether I had any “white.” “Huh?” I said. “White,” he said. “White? What’s that?” I asked. “It’s, you know, white.” “Oh. White,” I said, patting my pants pockets. “I don’t have any white.” I called a friend whose job requires spending a lot of time around criminals and he said “white” probably refers to heroin. ■■■ I was at a funeral recent...
Election stories Editor, the Journal, I have noticed what appears to be biased political reporting in the Journal in every issue published this month. This possible partiality seems to be focused on one particular local race: that for the position of state senator representing the 35th District. In each issue of the Journal this month, Republican candidate Drew MacEwan is consistently mentioned in the same sentence as lame duck Tim Sheldon. Mr. Sheldon insists on identifying as a Democrat,...
Enthusiasm about black garlic made me a garlic nerd. This wonderful and versatile condiment is made by fermenting whole-bulb garlic at 180 degrees Fahrenheit for two weeks, during which time it becomes something like a sweet balsamic vinegar taffy. It goes great with cheese and makes fine sauces and spreads. I wanted to experiment with garlic of all types from all over the world. This desire led me to Garlicana, a boutique garlic farm in southwest Oregon that practices soil conservation and...
After 32 years, new cobblers are restoring soles and patching holes in downtown Shelton. Halsey and Thad Kallinen purchased Todd's Shoe Repair at 207 West Railroad Ave. and have renamed it Kallinen Company Shoe Repair & More. The couple is having a ribbon-cutting event from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. Former owner Paul Todd will be among the guests. Thad's father knows Todd, who told him he was looking for an apprentice to learn the shoe repair trade and take over the longtime business. Both...
The "We're open" signs beckon from the sidewalk along the southern side of the 400 block of West Railroad Avenue in downtown Shelton. So does the water glistening in the metal dishes for dogs. Three new businesses have opened on the block in recent months: Shelton Candy Shoppe, Mestizos Latin Food next door, and the Wilde Irish Pub. They join an already eclectic lineup: Fat Cat Coffee Shop, Cooper Studios, My Favorite Things Resale Shop, Cottontail Baby & Kids Resale, and the Mason County...
"Can you sell?" Henry Gay asked. "Yes," I answered. That was my job interview. The work-wanted ad I ran to find a new job in my field had succeeded. Barb Nelson, Gay's retired ad manager of 40 years, had set everything up. That day, I said I could see myself working here for that long. Little did I know that 30 years later I would be just 10 years away from 40 years. When I started at the Shelton-Mason County Journal in mid-August 1992, Stephen Gay was the pressroom manager. His dad, Henry, ran...
Commissioners honor Tim Sheldon Mason County commissioners honored state Sen. Tim Sheldon at the Aug. 16 regular meeting. Commissioners signed a proclamation to declare the day ‘Tim Sheldon Day” in Mason County. Commissioner Kevin Shutty thanked Sheldon for his years of service and said it was a pleasure to work with Sheldon while he was a staff member in the Legislature. “You were very gracious to me as I considered running for this seat in 2016 as you retired from the county and I’ll always have a soft spot in my heart for the conversation yo...
This week's reviews are densely packed, including two well-received streaming shows and ... a book of poems? 'She-Hulk' Disney+ continues to expand the Marvel Cinematic Universe through surprisingly societally conscious streaming series. And now that Bruce Banner's cousin, up-and-coming career lawyer Jennifer Walters (Tatiana Maslany from "Orphan Black"), has acquired Hulk powers of her own from accidental exposure to Bruce's gamma-irradiated blood, I look forward to the office sitcom promised...
The Aug. 18 meeting of the North Mason School Board saw Superintendent Dana Rosenbach congratulate Director of Transportation Maurine Simons and her crew for being recognized by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction for their annual inspections over the past two years. She also shared details about OSPI’s 2022-23 education requirements and Inclusionary Practices Project. State school chief Chris Reykdal and State Patrol Chief John Batiste cosigned a July 22 letter lauding the N...
The Dewatto yard sale, barbecue and potluck scheduled for Saturday has been canceled because not enough people signed up to participate. During their Aug. 10 meeting, Port of Dewatto commissioners acknowledged the lack of interest in the event, with “only a couple of people” wanting to take part, in spite of the efforts of Port of Dewatto neighbors Rich and Kathy Kroll to stage the gathering. When Kathy Kroll asked port Manager Jeana Crosby what it would take to stage such an event, Crosby tol...
Mary and Sam loved the outdoors. When I am not in Bremerton or Belfair, I live on my 1968 30-foot Chris-Craft in a marina outside of Longview on the Columbia River. A lot of fishermen keep their boats there during fishing season. My neighbor goes out every chance he can get and this year he has been lucky. He even gave me a beautiful salmon weighing about 20 pounds. Better enjoy this weather, folk. It's not going to last much longer. Friday, Aug. 20, 1948 Today Dick and Clara were gone home...
Are you looking to serve your community in a way that will truly make a difference? The Mason County Fire Chiefs Association is seeking applications for its Volunteer Fire Chaplain Program. Fire chaplains meet emotional and spiritual needs in times of crisis. They provide comfort, reassurance and guidance to those in Mason County who are displaced by fire or experience a traumatic event. Additional duties include assisting with contacting family members or pastors as needed, as well as...
Eric Craig Hansen passed away at the age of 51 on July 23, 2022 at Swedish Hospital in Seattle. He was born on May 5, 1971 to Steven Craig Hansen and Janet (Brown) Hansen. Eric graduated in 1989 from North Mason High School and lived in Belfair most of his life. After high school, he started painting boats as an independent contractor. This led to a 25- year career in the marine industry. His skill and reputation earned him employment all over the US as well as in several foreign countries.... Full story
Michael Robert Rutter, 44, was born in Long Beach, California, September 27, 1977, passed away August 6, 2022, in Shelton, WA. He attended Shelton High School and served in the U.S. Navy. Mike is survived by his parents Mike and Maggie Rutter, previously of Shelton, WA, now of Springfield, MO; son, River Dean Rutter, daughter, Treah Marie Rutter, both of Shelton; sister, Kim (Frank) Sevier of Camus, WA; sister, Gail (Scott) Jones of Marshfield, MO; brother, Scott Kluka of Camus, WA. Mike was a... Full story
A Memorial Service for John Dunlap is being held on Saturday, August 27, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at the Harstine Island Community Hall. Light lunch to follow.... Full story
