Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886
Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886
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Mason County Fire District 12 in Matlock says it is conducting an internal investigation into the allegations of fraud and misappropriation of public money by the state Auditor’s Office. The accountability audit and the fraud investigation reports were released Sept. 20 at the fire commissioners’ regular monthly meeting. The fraud investigation report alleges the district misappropriated almost $70,000, and had $95,000 in questionable spending. Mason County Sheriff’s Office Chief Criminal Deput...
Children who are victims of or have witnessed domestic violence have more space to play, learn social-emotional skills, and connect with their peers at the Turning Pointe Survivor Advocacy Center shelter in Shelton. On Friday, the nonprofit organization celebrated the completion of a 400-square-foot addition to accommodate its growing youth programs with a ribbon-cutting ceremony with employees, board members, donors and public officials. The two new offices will be the focal point for youth...
City downtown homeless forum Oct. 11 The City of Shelton hosts a “Spotlight Shelton” community forum on homelessness from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 11 in the Shelton Civic Center. Some of the nonprofit groups that partner with the city will give presentations, and residents can share their thoughts. The city’s new task force on homelessness, which includes members of the council, business owners, Mason County Commissioner Sharon Trask and others, met on Tuesday to hear from a Jefferson County commissioner to talk about what’s worked for the county....
Welcome to the circus. This week marks the beginning of the 2022 general election season here at the Shelton-Mason County Journal. Starting with this week’s edition of the paper, the Journal will begin running a series of question-and-answer pages with the candidates in the Nov. 8 election. This week, we look at the races for Mason County assessor, Mason County sheriff and the 6th Congressional District. You can see the planned schedule in the breakout box. Both candidates in each race are asked...
I was at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting many years ago when a fellow shared a story about baseball and beer. The guy said that before watching a ballgame, he would buy a case of beer (24 containers) and then drink one at the top and one at the bottom of each inning, making for a minimum of 17 beers consumed per ball game. Someone asked what he would do with the extra beers, and the man replied, “In case of extra innings.” When he quit drinking alcohol and tried to watch a baseball game sober, t...
Editor's Note: Steve Duenkel is a candidate for Mason County auditor. This letter is being published as a rebuttal to a previous letter. Letters by candidates for public office in Mason County will generally not be published except in response to previous letters. Rebuttal to Ericson's column Editor, the Journal, I would like to respond to several points in Journal columnist Kirk Ericson's column in the Sept. 22 edition of the Journal. Washington state law mandates use of U.S. Elections...
1. Why did you decide to run for Sheriff? There are five main reasons that I am running for Sheriff. I love our Communities in Mason County and I am committed to seeing your Sheriff’s Office meet the ever-changing challenges that society has placed on Law Enforcement (LE). I believe that attaining a peaceful society is the responsibility of every citizen as they partner with those who are called to the profession of Law Enforcement. I have been serving in LE for 34+ years and I know this is what I have been called to do. My training and e...
Elmer passed away peacefully on September 21, 2022 in White Bear Township, Minnesota. Elmer was born the eldest of 12 children in St. Paul, MN on August 19, 1931. He grew up in Rush City, MN and joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1950. He survived the Chosin Reservoir battle in Korea and served on the DMZ (border) in Vietnam in 1968. His communications work took him and the family to Okinawa and the Philippines and he was located in Camp Lejeune, NC for much of his career. Elmer retired to... Full story
David Leonard Bilodeau passed away at home in Belfair, following a short illness, with his wife Sally and daughter, Niki, by his side. He was born on December 28th, 1949 in Westfield, Massachusetts. David is survived by siblings Amy, Danny, Eileen, Gary, Karen, and Laurie. He moved to Washington State in the early 80's, fell in love with the Northwest, and never left. David retired from the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard after 30 years of service. His greatest joys were hiking, climbing, fishing,... Full story
Myrtle Belle Hawthorne was called to her heavenly home on September 20, 2022, from her home in Maple Glen Senior Living Facility in Shelton, WA at the age of 91. Myrtle was born April 5, 1931, to Jessie and Earl Knight in Milesville, SD. She graduated from Phillip (SD) High School in 1949. In 1955 she married Joe Glaser. That marriage ended in divorce. She then married Robert Hawthorne in 1982. Myrtle was an active member of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church and the in the Lydia Ruth Circle in Shelton.... Full story
Born November 22, 1970, in Harlan, Iowa, to Leslie Laver, Marlys Soll, and big sister, April, Bill graduated from Timpanogos High School in Provo, Utah in 1988, and immediately joined the U.S. Navy. He married twice before landing in San Diego and marrying lucky number three. The family moved to Washington in 2006. After his 2010 retirement from service, he went to work for BNSF and joined the CVMA in 2021. Bill was tragically killed on September 16, 2022. He is preceded in death by his grandpar... Full story
Myrtle Belle Hawthorne was called to her heavenly home on September 20, 2022, from her home in Maple Glen Senior Living Facility in Shelton, WA at the age of 91. Myrtle was born April 5, 1931, to Jessie and Earl Knight in Milesville, SD. She graduated from Phillip (SD) High School in 1949. In 1955 she married Joe Glaser. That marriage ended in divorce. She then married Robert Hawthorne in 1982. Myrtle was an active member of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church and the in the Lydia Ruth Circle in Shelton.... Full story
Viola Jane Ihrig, 76, a resident of Olympia, WA passed away September 10, 2022, at Tacoma General Hospital in Tacoma, WA. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory. Ted J. Benedict, 67, a resident of Port Hadlock, WA passed away September 18, 2022, at St. Michaels Medical Center in Silverdale, WA. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory. Robert H. Center, 90, a resident of Hoodsport, WA passed away September 20, 2022, at home. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and... Full story
Viola Jane Ihrig, 76, a resident of Olympia, WA passed away September 10, 2022, at Tacoma General Hospital in Tacoma, WA. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory. Ted J. Benedict, 67, a resident of Port Hadlock, WA passed away September 18, 2022, at St. Michaels Medical Center in Silverdale, WA. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory. Robert H. Center, 90, a resident of Hoodsport, WA passed away September 20, 2022, at home. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and... Full story
Mason County Assessor Patti McLean, who states no party preference, faces Republican challenger George Blush for another term in the office. George Blush What qualifications would you bring to the job of Mason County Assessor? I have many years of business management and nonprofit leadership and as a result I bring a completely different perspective to the Assessor’s office. The math and how the values are assessed cannot be changed by the assessor’s office, but the assessor should be doing so much more. Regular meetings with the leg...
Derek Kilmer 1. Why are you running for office? I’ve been recognized as one of the Representatives most committed to bringing people together, even working with people with whom I disagree. But a lot of people in our area are suffering now because Mitch McConnell and Trump Republicans in Congress believe that blocking progress may help them win elections. Rather than focusing on political games, I’m focused on helping folks in our community. People in our area are being squeezed by inflation. I’ve voted to crack down on price gouging by oil com...
Outstanding warrants canceled Mason County commissioners approved the cancellation of outstanding warrants at the Tuesday meeting. According to the information packet, RCW 39.56.040 states “warrants not presented within one year of their issue shall be canceled by passage of a resolution of the governing body of the municipal corporation.” The Treasurer’s Office reviews the county financial records to determine outstanding warrants that have not been presented for payment and creates a list, which is sent to the auditor’s financial service...
Motorcycle rider injured on state Route 106 A 56-year-old Eugene, Oregon, man was injured while riding a motorcycle in a two-vehicle accident on state Route 106 near Belfair on Monday. According to a Washington State Patrol news release, the motorcycle was eastbound when a 76-year-old Belfair man turned left in front of the motorcycle, causing the motorcycle rider to be launched off the bike and land in a ditch. The rider was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center. The Belfair man was cited for...
I attended the Port Townsend Film Festival from 2016 to 2019, and wrote reviews of its films that were published in The Port Townsend Leader from 2017-19. After 2 years of COVID-prompted cancellations, followed by virtual screenings, the Port Townsend Film Festival has returned, under new management, to offer both virtual and in-person screenings for 2022. So, from Sept. 22 through Sept. 25, I planned to screen 12 feature-length films - eight documentaries and four narratives - plus two short...
Shelton scored 14 points in the third quarter to pull away for a 21-7 victory against Rochester in an Evergreen Conference football game Sept. 23 at Jack Stark Field at Highclimber Stadium. The Warriors scored first with a Braden Hartley 3-yard run and a 7-0 lead. Shelton responded on the next drive and tied the game, with Shelton quarterback Mason Goos pump-faking a pass before throwing a 22-yard touchdown pass to Gabe Menefee. The game was tied at 7 at halftime. Goos completed his second...
I don’t want to jinx it, curse it, whatever you want to call it, but after 21 years of involuntary abstinence, the Seattle Mariners should break the longest playoff drought in pro sports. It’s been a long time since the Mariners were in the playoffs. To put it in context for you, it was the same year as 9/11, and I’m sure many people reading this remember where they were that day. I was 11 years old that day. I remember attending opening day and watching Ichiro play and my mom bought me matching...
Shelton High School Girls swimming Shelton won its opening swim meet of the season on the road against Tumwater on Sept. 20 and followed it up with a victory on the road against Black Hills on Sept. 22 in Evergreen Conference meets. The Highclimbers defeated the Thunderbirds 96-83. Shelton’s Lelia Ollenburg won the 200-yard freestyle race with a time of 2 minutes, 20 seconds. Kaylin Mutoli won the 200-yard individual medley with a time of 2:37. Madeline Allred won the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 26 seconds and the 100-yard freestyle w...
The North Mason Chamber of Commerce celebrated the best of business and people in 2021 at its annual gala Sept. 17 at Alderbrook Resort in Union. Five awards were handed out at the gala, including citizen of the year going to Dr. Don LePere of Kiwanis Club of North Mason. LePere has been a member of North Mason Kiwanis Club since 1985 and has been the secretary for 34 years. In the business of the year category, Peninsula Community Federal Credit Union won. The credit union offered PPP loans to...
