County Briefs

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 firefighter for the Shelton Fire Department. Rich was then promoted to Assistant Chief with Mason County Fire District No. 2 and in 1998 was hired as the fire chief of Mason County Fire District No. 6 (aka Union Fire Department). After his retirement in 2009; Rich returned as a volunteer firefighter and continued to serve the community of Union. In 2015, Rich ran and was elected as a Mason County Fire District No. 6 fire commissioner; where he used his vast experience to ensure the citizens of Union always received high quality emergency service. Richard Heinrich is an example to us all. He put community first and has lived a life of service to others. Congratulations Rich and enjoy your retirement!”

Overdose awareness events in Shelton, Belfair next week

Mason County Community Resources honors the memory of lives lost to overdose and offers hopes to people who are struggling with a resource fair and walks Aug. 31 in Shelton, and Sept. 1 in Belfair.

The Shelton event begins with the resource fair at 3 p.m. Aug. 31 at Kneeland Park at 100 Turner Ave. Participants gather for the walk at 5:45 p.m., and the walk begins at 6:05 p.m.

The Belfair event begins with the resource fair at 3 p.m. Sept. 1 at the Belfair Timberland Library at 23081 N.E. state Route 3. Participants gather for the walk at 5:45 p.m., and the walk begins at 6:05 p.m.

The events are part of an international Overdose Awareness Day.

Two COVID deaths

Mason County reported two COVID-19 deaths last week as case counts remain high.

According to the Division of Emergency Management, the two deaths were a man in his 90s and a woman in her 70s. The deaths were reported Aug. 16.

The seven-day case rate per 100,000 people is 135.6 and the 14-day case rate is 310.7 per 100,000 people as of the Tuesday report. There were 37 reported cases from Aug. 19 to Sunday and one person was hospitalized as of Tuesday.

The rates are down from the beginning of August, when the seven-day case rate was 166 and the 14-day case rate was 371.7.

The vaccination rate increased in August from 59.7% to 59.9%.

Tacoma Narrows Bridge toll reduced

The state Transportation Commission passed a toll rate reduction for the Tacoma Narrows Bridge on Tuesday.

The commission passed an option that reduces the toll rate 75 cents for two-axle vehicles with a per axle multiplier applied for vehicles with 3-plus axles. It treats all vehicles equally with consistent percentage toll rate reductions and is consistent with historic rate setting methodology for all toll facilities.

The new toll rates will begin Oct. 1, with a two-axle vehicle paying $4.50 with a Good to Go! Pass, $4.75 for pay by plate, $5.50 for cash at toll booths and $6.50 for pay by mail.

To view all of the new rates, go to http://www.tinyurl.com/mr47j8f7 and view the PowerPoint slide 10.

Nominations open for chamber awards

The Shelton-Mason County Chamber of Commerce has opened community nominations online for its annual awards.

According to a news release, nominations can be submitted online at masonchamber.com/nominate through Sept. 30. Award categories, guidelines and the complete list of past winners are all on the website.