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 goals of the National Alliance on Mental Illness’ NAMIWalks Thurston-Mason fundraiser June 1 in Shelton are to promote awareness of mental health and reduce the stigma, raise money for NAMI’s free mental health programs and to build community and let people know they are not alone. NAMI Thurston-Mason is seeking volunteers to collect donations and participate in the walk that begins and ends at Shelton High School at 3737 N. Shelton Springs Road. Registration and check-in is at 8 a.m., the opening ceremony at 9:30 a.m., and the walk beg...
Come celebrate four decades of CHOICE CHOICE High School celebrates graduates and employees from the past 40 years from 5 to 7 p.m. May 10 in the school’s auditorium at 807 West Pine St. in downtown Shelton. Everyone is welcome to attend. Matlock fair hosts Southside’s Primary Choir Southside School’s Primary Choir, under the direction of Andrea Maplica, will honor local heroes at a concert at 10 a.m. Sunday at the Matlock Old Timers Historical Fair at Mary M. Knight Schools, 2987 W. Matlock-Brady Road in Matlock. Shelton native excel...
Taylor Shellfish break-in A man discovered inside Taylor Shellfish’s fenced property by Taylor Town Restaurant was arrested April 23 for allegedly stealing fuel cans. Mason County Sheriff’s Office Deputy J. Ogden said he received a dispatch call after Taylor employee Carl Goldsby saw a man walking inside the restricted area. “I approached the alleged suspect vehicle and noted a male, later identified as Edgar Mendoza Castillo, 29, lying down at the front of the vehicle, and appearing to be looking up under the vehicle. I also noted two gas c...
Six people will be inducted into the Shelton School District & Community Hall of Fame at a ceremony from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Shelton High School Performing Arts Center. The inductees are Sheryal Balding, Brian Fairbrother, Mike Fox, Dann Gagnon, Leslie Orme and Dick Wentz. Everyone is invited to attend. Translation services are available. The hall recognizes students, alumni, faculty, staff, friends, benefactors and residents who have contributed to the success, tradition, integrity,...
Increased fecal bacteria may cause harvest changes in Annas Bay and the Hood Canal 6 area near Hoodsport, according to the state Department of Health. The state analyzed water sample data and found increased levels, the DOH said in a news release April 25. High fecal bacteria levels can prompt the state to change “harvest classification which could lead to a seasonal, environmental, or year-round closure,” the release says. Fecal bacteria come from “many different sources throughout the watershed,” Kara Kostanich, with the DOH, told the Jou...
The Olympic National Forest opened seasonal forest service road vehicle access gates in the southern part of the forest on Wednesday. The seasonal openings provide vehicle access to the following forest road systems and areas: ■ FSR-2451 access to North Fork Skokomish River Watershed. ■ FSR-2354, FSR-2353 and FSR-2361 access to South Fork Skokomish River Watershed. ■ FSR-2294 and FSR-2270 access to Wynoochee River Watershed. The access gates will remain open to vehicle traffic until Sept. 30. The closing of vehicle access between Oct. 1 and Apr...
Did you know that harmful metals such as lead and arsenic could be in your garden, yard or play- area soils? As we transition from spring to summer, the increase in hot, dry and windy weather can increase your risk of exposure to those contaminants. The Mason County WSU Master Gardener Program is excited to join with staff from the state Department of Health to offer free soil and toy screening for lead and arsenic at our upcoming Master Gardener Foundation of Mason County Plant Sale from 9...
The annual Matlock Old Timers Historical Fair is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Mary M. Knight School in Matlock. Engine enthusiasts can check out a steam donkey and antique tractors. Inside the gym, patrons can find bargains at the swap meet tables, listen to live music, and create crafts. Fun-seekers can plummet down a pink slide. The selection of food offerings includes homemade pies. Take a ride in a horse-drawn wagon and watch a chainsaw artist create...
Shelton Police Chief Chris Kostad told a Shelton-Mason County Chamber of Commerce audience he wants to re-establish a bond between his department and residents during a presentation April 18 in the Olympic College Shelton library meeting room. “I think in the last few years, a partnership with the community has become disconnected, and I want to mend that bridge,” said Kostad, who in November replaced Carole Beason as chief. In his state of the department address, Kostad pointed out that the number of calls to the police department has bee...
The U.S. Postal Service has withdrawn from discussions to sell Post Office Park to the City of Shelton or to trade it for the city's Brewer Park. The city has leased the quarter-acre park on West Railroad Avenue from the federal government since 1999 in exchange for 20 parking stalls designated for USPS employees on adjacent city streets and all maintenance and upkeep of the park grounds. But a March 22 letter from the U.S. Postal Service to Shelton City Manager Mark Ziegler states the agency "w...
Public defenders receive honors Mason County commissioners recognized two county public defenders who have received the Washington Defender Association President’s Award at the April 23 commission meeting. The award singles out the state’s best public defender, according to Mason County Chief Public Defender Peter Jones. Rose Boughton was named this year’s recipient and Ron Sergi won the award in 2018, but was not recognized by the county at the time, Commissioner Randy Neatherlin said. “This is pretty huge for Mason County public defense...
Mason County’s Assessor’s Office mailed renewal applications this week to exempt recipients of the Senior Citizens and People with Disabilities Exemption from Real Property Taxes program. The intended recipients reside in the current inspection area, which includes Lake Limerick, Brockdale, McReavy, Hanks Lake, Eells Hill, California Road, Highland Road, Dayton Trails, Fawn Lake, Lynch Road, Kamilche, Cloquallum Road, Isabella Lake, Lost Lake, Lake Arrowhead, Star Lake, and Lake Nahwatzel out to Matlock, as well as parts of Tahuya, Belfair and...
Two fire and medical service measures on Tuesday’s special election ballot were passing overwhelmingly on the first count. Grapeview Fire District 3’s proposed merger with Central Mason Fire District 5 to provide fire and emergency medical services to areas covered by the two districts had 545 approval votes for 77.86%, and 155 rejection votes for 22.14%. West Mason Fire District 16’s proposed property tax levy of 50 cents or less per $1,000 of assessed valuation for six years, beginning this year, for emergency medical services received 437 “y...
Mason County Superior Court Judge David Stevens on April 22 denied a writ of mandamus filed by a Seattle-area attorney suing a Mason County District Court judge for appointing him to defend a local man charged with DUI. Jonathan Lewis, who has a legal practice in Seattle, sued Mason County District Court and Judge George Steele on Feb. 27, saying Steele improperly appointed him to defend Martin Andres Alonzo, who was being charged with DUI for the third time and whose primary language is Kanjobal. Lewis said the appointment violated GR 42, a...
A husband and wife who confronted a group of men allegedly spray painting a Ukrainian flag with a heart symbol in the middle of Forest Road 23 say a man from the group threatened them with a gun. Reuben and Leila Bashans were driving down West Govey Road, known as Forest Service Road 23, near Browns Creek on April 14 when they came upon a group of men “actively spray painting something in the road,” according to a Mason County Sheriff probable cause document. Reuben Bashans said the men “were not moving out of the way, and he told them they...
May 3 is deadline to apply for vacant council seat The City of Shelton is accepting applications to fill a vacant seat on the Shelton City Council. Deputy Mayor Joe Schmit on April 2 announced he is resigning from the council in the middle of his second term. Applicants must be a registered voter in the city and have continuously resided within the city limits for a minimum of one year to be eligible to fill the vacancy. The deadline to apply is 1 p.m. May 3. Applications and more information about the appointment process is at the city’s w...
Property-tax payments for the first half of 2024 are due Tuesday, according to a news release from the Mason Couny Treasurer’s Office. Payments can be made in person at the office at 411 N 5th St., Bldg. 1 (second floor) and pay in person between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. or can be deposited in the drive-up payment drop box located in the alley. Payments must be postmarked no later than Tuesday to be considered on time and avoid interest charges. Postmarks and delivery can be delayed when using USPS to mail payment, so the Treasurer’s Off...
Shelton Rock and Mineral Society The Shelton Rock and Mineral Society is offering one scholarship to a Mason County high school senior who is planning to attend college to study earth science. May 1 is the deadline to apply. Send a letter about yourself, your interest in earth science and where you are considering continuing your education to Shelton Rock and Mineral Society, P.O. Box 242, Shelton 98584. Hood Canal Lions Club The Hood Canal Lions Club is offering two $1,000 scholarships to Shelton High School seniors, with a preference for...
Tuesday is the deadline to cast votes for two fire district measures in Mason County on the special election ballot. Grapeview Fire District 3 is proposing to merge with Central Mason Fire District 5 to provide fire and emergency medical services to areas served by the two districts. West Mason Fire District 16 is proposing a property tax levy of 50 cents or less per $1,000 of assessed valuation for six years, beginning this year, for emergency medical services. Both need a simple majority to pass. Ballot drop boxes for the special election...
Mason County Commissioner Kevin Shutty will be the new executive director of the Economic Development Council of Mason County. Shutty replaces Jennifer Baria. He assumes his position May 1 and will continue in his role with the County Commission until his term expires at the end of this year. The Shelton-based organization provides consultation to businesses establishing or relocating in Mason County. The agency states that its mission is "to expand and diversify the economy throughout Mason...
Fire District 12 Commissioner Nick Jones accused Chief Brian Walsworth of “dereliction of duty” at the April 9 commission meeting after Jones saw the state of disrepair in fire station 12-3, on Beeville Loop Road, he said. Community members told him April 3 that the station was left open, so Jones went to take a look with three witnesses. Jones said they went inside the open building after notifying the sheriff. “All I could smell was mouse feces and urine,” he said. There was a dead mouse in a fire engine compartment, rodent nests, and “a...
City moves forward on new police car The Shelton City Council on Tuesday evening gave preliminary approval to buying a new police patrol car for $86,000. The move can become official with a second vote at the council's May 7 meeting. The police department requested the vehicle in its 2024 budget to replace a 2013 Dodge Charger police vehicle with 117,000 miles on it. The new 2024 model Ford Interceptor SUV AWD vehicle is priced at $70,212, and it will be fitted to become a police vehicle. May 3...
Mason County Sheriff's Office deputies seized more than 60 dogs and one horse from a woman in Grapeview during an animal cruelty investigation, according to a MCSO news release. Deputies confiscated animals on the property Sunday, April 14, with support from the Humane Society of Mason County volunteers. "This incident occurred in the Grapeview area. We are currently serving a search warrant at the location and working with outside agencies, including the Humane Society, to ensure these animals...
Couple sue Harstine Island HOA over wheelchair modifications A Grays Harbor County couple is suing the Harstene Pointe Maintenance Association for improperly denying them a building permit that includes Americans with Disabilities Act modifications, according to a complaint filed in Mason County Superior Court April 9. Daniel and Jolene Tupper want to add wheelchair access features to their home on Harstine Island that’s subject to the nonprofit homeowners association covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs). The Tuppers submitted t...
A horrific crash on U.S. Highway 101 at the intersection of Lynch Road 6 miles south of Shelton killed two Kitsap County residents and injured a Washington State Patrol trooper. Charles Ferree, 72, and Deolia Blandford, 49, both of Ollala, died at the scene of the accident when their vehicle collided with a southbound WSP patrol vehicle en route to an emergency April 6, according a WSP news release. The patrol vehicle was traveling south on U.S. 101 and had activated lights and siren at the time of the collision, Mason County Sheriff’s O...
