News Briefs

National LGBTQ+ Pride Month proclamation

Mason County commissioners signed a National LGBTQ+ Pride Month proclamation at their June 7 meeting.

According to the information packet, the proclamation recognizes the diverse LGBTQ+ community in Mason County and is committed to supporting visibility, dignity and equity for all people in the community. The proclamation states the commissioners observe June as a time to celebrate the dynamic LGBTQ+ community, raise awareness of quality services and foster a dialogue to promote healthy, safe and prosperous school climates and communities for all.

Public Works amends program

Mason County commissioners approved an amendment to the 2022 annual construction program at the June 7 meeting.

According to the information packet, the amendment adds the Mason Lake Road Improvement Project 2, which is road resurfacing and shoulder improvements, road striping and other safety improvements. Engineering will cost $35,000 and the construction will cost $1,800,400 for a total of $1,835,400. The project would be paid for with Surface Transportation Program money.

The project is an extension of the same project on Mason Lake Road and construction will occur from milepost 6.23 to 10.13 and will improve almost 5 miles of the road.

The commissioners hosted a public hearing on the amendments, but no one spoke at the public hearing.

2022 budget amendments approved

Mason County commissioners approved budget supplemental appropriations and amendments to the 2022 budget.

According to the information packet, the total adjustments to the authorized expenditure appropriations in the general fund was $395,719. The total adjustments to authorized expenditure appropriations in funds other than the general fund was $4,673,822.

North Mason High senior struck by car

A North Mason senior was struck by a car June 9 on state Route 3 in a two-car accident.

According to a Washington State Patrol news release, two vehicles were traveling south on state Route 3 near Alta Drive. Vehicle two, driven by a 48-year-old Allyn female, slowed down for the 18-year-old North Mason senior on the shoulder of the road. Vehicle one, driven by a 36-year-old Shelton woman, struck the rear passenger side of vehicle two, which pushed it onto the shoulder into the pedestrian.

The cause was speeds too fast for conditions, according to the WSP release.

According to a North Mason School District Facebook post, the North Mason senior was struck while participating in a tradition of painting the trestle on state Route 3.

“Most importantly, our student did not sustain serious injuries and we are hopeful she will be able to attend graduation this evening,” the post states. “As a district we do not endorse these extra-curricular traditions but understand that they do happen. We ask our students and surrounding community to be extra vigilant when driving during the busy graduation season.”

Skokomish restoration project closes roads

The Upper South Fork Skokomish restoration project work began Monday and will continue to June 24, closing some roads to the public.

According to a news release, the Olympic National Forest in collaboration with the Skokomish Tribe and Mason Conservation District, will implement the next steps of restoration to promote habitat for steelhead and other aquatic species. This restoration will include trees being delivered to the river channel by helicopter in preparation for the construction of logjams scheduled for later this summer.

The trees will be placed in fish-bearing streams within the Upper South Fork Skokomish that were identified as high priority habitat restoration areas by local, state and federal entities. Placement of large woody material in streams will support natural processes by creating complex river channels and increasing habitat for aquatic species both in the stream channel and floodplains.

Roads that will be closed include NF-2361 from milepost 0.0 to 5.1, NF-873 from milepost 6.5 to 10.3 including the Lower South Fork Skokomish Trail, NF-873.1 from milepost 0 to 4.9 including the Upper South Fork Skokomish Trail, NF-870 from milepost 0 to 0.5 including Church Creek Shelter Trail and South Fork Skokomish River from river mile 21.4 to 24.2, and Church Creek from river mile 0 to 0.5.

For more information from the Skokomish Tribe, go to Skokomish.org. More information about the Mason County Conservation District is at masoncd.org and the project website is fs.usda.gov/project/?project=53001. Any questions can be directed to Marc McHenry at [email protected].