Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886
Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886
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Members of the Shelton City Council on Tuesday evening officially received their assignments representing the city on boards and committees. The assignments are made each January. They were last updated June 4. The council devoted a study session Jan. 14 to talk about the assignments. Mayor Eric Onisko will represent the council on the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee. The mayor is required to be a member of that group. He has been representing the city on the Mason Transit Authority Board, but at the council’s Jan. 14 study session, traded that...
North Mason School District Superintendent Dana Rosenbach spoke to community members about the education programs and operations replacement levy on the Feb. 11 ballot at an information meeting at Hawkins Middle School on Jan. 14. Rosenbach began by talking about the McCleary decision, a ruling by the state Supreme Court ordering the state to fully fund K-12 public education. "Didn't the McCleary decision mean the state would fully fund basic education? The short answer is no," she said. Washing...
Three appointments to advisory boards The Shelton City Council on Tuesday evening approved appointing three residents to two city advisory groups. The city filled one of three openings on the Shelton Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. Kathy McDowell, a former member of the Shelton City Commission and the Shelton City Council, was fulfilling a partial term on the group. She submitted a letter volunteering for another three-year term. Two other positions remain open. At the end of 2024, the...
Mason County firefighters helping with the Los Angeles area fires continue to work long days and have remained safe so far, according to recent Facebook posts from Central Mason Fire & EMS. CMFE sent an engine Jan. 9 with three firefighters from CMFE and one crew member from North Mason Regional Fire Authority. Firefighter and EMT Beau Ward, Capt. Mark Frazier and Lt. Brandon Heggie are the crew from Central Mason Fire, and firefighter and paramedic Kyle Severance is from North Mason Fire, CMFE...
Mason County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Belfair shooting suspect Michael Beyer, 45, collaring him as a passenger after a police pursuit and spike strip deployment stopped a fleeing vehicle Jan. 9 near Allyn. Beyer had an outstanding warrant for first-degree assault and unlawful possession of a firearm in connection with a Belfair shooting Jan. 6, according to MCSO. “This incident underscores the importance of recent updates to Washington State law allowing law enforcement to pursue vehicles in specific situations. Without the abi...
Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council CEO William Westmoreland presented the group’s annual report to commissioners at a briefing Jan. 13. PacMtn is a regional Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act administrator and directs programs and activities using WIOA funding. In 2014, President Barack Obama signed the act into law as the first major reform of the public workforce system in 15 years, creating a streamlined workforce training and employment program, according to PacMtn’s website. When residents collect unemployment, they are r...
Mike Gettle has worked for five local law enforcement agencies and one prison. He said he found his "niche" as a detective with the Shelton Police Department. "Being a detective is what I always wanted to do," he said. On Tuesday evening, Gettle was awarded the department's Officer of the Year award at the meeting of the Shelton City Council in the Shelton Civic Center. Friends and family watched as Capt. Dan Patton presented the award. An audience member handed him a blackberry pie. "It's very...
The New Horizons Communities - Shelton Veterans Village, the Marmo Caffe & Gallery and KMAS Radio were among the winners at the Shelton-Mason County Chamber of Commerce's annual Awards Gala on Jan. 17 at the Little Creek Casino Resort in Shelton. KMAS Radio was named Business of the Year and Kendall Lowe of Exceptional Foresters Inc. was named Boss of the Year. Marmo Caffe & Gallery was honored as the Rookie of the Year and the New Horizons Communities - Shelton Veterans Village the Nonprofit of...
A Shelton High School graduate serving in the U.S. Space Force will have an out-of-this-world assignment at Monday's presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C. Sgt. Nicholas Ames "will make history by bearing the Space Force flag in its inaugural debut as part of the Joint Service Colorguard," according to a military news release. Ames, 24, joined the Air Force after his graduation from SHS in 2019 and has served in the Space Force for five years. Space Force was established as a branch of U....
A group of Mason County firefighters is in Los Angeles helping battle wildfires. Central Mason Fire & EMS sent an engine Jan. 9 with three firefighters from CMFE and one crew member from North Mason Regional Fire Authority, CMFE Chief Jeff Snyder told the Journal in an email. They will be deployed for 14 days, along with travel time, and the total deployment will be 18 days, Snyder said. "Central Mason Fire & EMS Engine 57 has been assigned to a five-engine strike team out of Central Region...
On Tuesday evening, the Shelton School Board voted to reduce the number of classified and nonrepresented employees to help erase a $2.3 million budget deficit. In a 4-1 vote, the board authorized Superintendent Wyeth Jessee to prepare a plan to reduce employees to save the district about $750,000 this school year. Becky Cronquist cast the dissenting vote. In the resolution, the district states it doesn’t yet know how many vacancies will be created by retirements, resignations, leaves and discharges. The number of available certified positions f...
Three reappointed to advisory boards The Shelton City Council on Jan. 7 gave preliminary approval to reappointing three residents to two city advisory groups. The appointments can be made official with a vote by the council at its meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Shelton Civic Center. The city filled one of three openings on the Shelton Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. Kathy McDowell, a former member of the Shelton City Commission and the Shelton City Council, was fulfilling a partial...
The Shelton City Council on Jan. 7 gave preliminary agreement to a revised agreement with the WSU Cooperative Extension of Mason County on its Catalyst Garden. No one from the public or council commented on the proposal. The council can make the move official at its meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Shelton Civic Center. In its report, the city states that the revised agreement "is to clearly state the responsibilities of both parties regarding use of the property and operations." The proposed agreement would stay in effect "until terminated by...
Gov. Bob Ferguson unveiled a budget-cutting plan to ease a projected $12 billion budget deficit during a 2025 legislative preview in Olympia on Jan. 9. "Washingtonians expect that we will increase revenue as a last resort. I will not contemplate additional revenue options until we have exhausted efforts to improve efficiency," Ferguson said. Estimates of the deficit vary, from $7 billion to $15 billion. To make up the deficit, Ferguson proposes cutting spending by 6% across most state agencies...
Sale of commercial salal permits scheduled Olympic National Forest will begin selling commercial salal harvest permits starting from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday at the Quilcene office, 295142 Highway 101 S., Quilcene. Fifty permits are available to harvest areas in Mason County, the east side of Clallam County and the east side of Jefferson County, according to a Forest Service news release. Anyone harvesting salal to sell must have a commercial-use permit while picking, the release states. Permits cost $150 paid by cash or check only, with one...
Last Thursday morning, toddlers and their parents and guardians enjoyed music, movement and art during Toddler Storytime at the Shelton Timberland Library. An hour later, they were invited to head downstairs to twirl in colorful lights during the Cosmic Library event. Forty-five minutes later, Storytime for Grownups was underway, and 15 minutes after that, the Teen Art Club gathered. Then came the canines for Dog Tales, read to them by children. "We have 92 events for the month," said Erin...
Mason County commissioners are set to approve almost half a million dollars for the purchase of a road striping machine after "contractors failed us," leaving miles of county roads without new paint in 2024, according to Commissioner Randy Neatherlin. Commissioners will vote on the proposed $410,626 paint striping truck Jan. 21 at the regular commission meeting. Mason County Public Works Director Loretta Swanson and County Engineer Mike Collins briefed commissioners Monday and also Dec. 16...
At Mason Health, Kelly North has been promoted to director of clinic operations, overseeing all Mason Clinic operations, including Mason Clinic-Hoodsport. North, who joined Mason Health in November 2019, has been a pivotal figure in the organization's growth and success, bringing a wealth of experience and a deep passion for patient and operational excellence, Mason Health wrote in a news release. "I am incredibly excited to take on this new role," North said in the release. "This is a career...
Put out trees for recycling Shelton Public Works crew on Monday will begin picking up Christmas trees for recycling. Trees must be at the curb by 8 a.m. Trees should be clear of all decorations, including stands, lights, ornaments and tinsel. City crews will collect trees within the Shelton city limits only. Crews run the recycled trees through a chipper to create mulch. Collecting the trees usually takes the crews a couple of days to complete, so if your tree is still at the curb at the end of the day on Monday, leave it and crews will pick...
Editor’s note: A previous version of this brief incorrectly said that inspections were limited to December. The Journal apologizes for the error. Appraisers making visits County appraisers will be visiting property in Area 2, which includes the Shelton city limits and Shelton Matlock Road to Dayton, Shelton Valley Road, Brockdale Road to just before McEwan Prairie Road, Shelton Springs Road, Johns Prairie Road and state Highway 3 out to Bayshore, Arcadia out to Totten Shores, a portion of the beginning of Cole Road and the Mill Creek area. I...
Driver injured in wreck near Victor A single-car rollover Dec. 28 on state Route 302 south of Victor sent the driver to Mason General Hospital. Lacey resident Gideon Senono, 23, was eastbound at milepost 4 when he failed to negotiate a curve, lost control of his Toyota Corolla and crashed, according to the Washington State Patrol. Senono was speeding and charged with reckless driving, the WSP stated in a news release. Senono’s car was totaled. Goodell retires, Butler begins term Former Mason County Superior Court Commissioner Tirsa Butler began...
The Wild Felid Advocacy Center for big cats on Harstine Island suffered a devastating loss of at least 20 animals due to avian influenza. "We are heartbroken to share that animal health officials have confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) among over half of our wild felids as of December 2024. This devastating viral infection, carried by wild birds, spreads primarily through respiratory secretions and bird-to-bird contact and can also be contracted by carnivorous...
The City of Shelton's wastewater treatment plant lost power during a major storm Dec. 18, which led to contaminants seeping into Hammersley Inlet and closing some shellfish growing areas. "The issue that occurred at the wastewater treatment plant (WTTP) was that an internal transfer switch did not engage our backup source (generator) when the power went out during the storm," Aaron Nix, the city's assistant public works director, wrote to the Journal on Monday. "The power was out at the main...
Last month's tsunami warning for the Northern California and Southern Oregon coasts, issued after a 7.0 earthquake struck west of Ferndale, California, saw panicked motorists lining the Pacific Coast Highway before the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration canceled the alarm. The devastating effects of a tsunami are easy to imagine on coastal communities, but what about Hood Canal? While Mason County doesn't have oceanfront land, our local fjord could face catastrophic flooding from a...
Kyle Lauderdale, the chief experience officer for Peninsula Credit Union, recently was honored as a "Patriotic Employer" by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. According to a news release, the award recognizes supervisors and employees who demonstrate exceptional support for employees serving in the National Guard or Reserve. The award was presented at PCU's headquarters branch, where Lauderdale was celebrated by his peers and members of the community. Lauderdale was nominated by...
