County Briefs

Chamber candidate forum Monday

The Shelton-Mason County Chamber of Commerce hosts a candidate forum at 6 p.m. Monday at the Colonial House in Shelton.

The chamber is hosting the event along with the Journal and MasonWebTV for candidates to discuss their platforms and answer questions. The event will be in-person and streamed through MasonWebTV.

Candidates who have been invited to participate are 35th Legislative District state senator candidates Julianne Gale and Drew MacEwen, 35th District representative Position 1 candidates James DeHart and Daniel Griffey, Position 2 candidates Travis Couture and Sandy Kaiser, county commissioner candidates Sharon Trask and Miguel Gutierrez, and PUD 3 commissioner candidates Juli Tuson and Randy Lewis.

There is no cost to attend. For more information, contact the chamber at 360-426-2021.

Missouri man dies in U.S. 101 accident

A 29-year-old man was killed in a two-car accident Friday night on U.S. Highway 101 just south of Brinnon.

According to a Washington State Patrol news release, Edward A. Avery, 29, of Independence, Missouri, was declared dead at the scene. Avery was southbound on U.S. 101 when a Jeep driven by a 48-year-old Vancouver, Washington, woman was struck by Avery’s vehicle. Avery’s vehicle, also a Jeep, crossed the centerline into the northbound lane on a curve and struck the left side of the Vancouver woman’s vehicle. Both cars ended up in a ditch. The road was blocked for almost four hours.

The Vancouver woman and her passenger, a 41-year-old Copalis Beach woman, were each airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for injuries.

One dead in state Route 3 crash

A 62-year-old woman from Index died Friday night in a two-car accident on state Route 3 between East Pickering Road and East Grapeview Loop Road.

According to a Washington State Patrol news release, Karen N. Sample died at the scene.

A box truck, driven by a 28-year-old Normandy Park man, was driving north when a Crown Victoria passed the truck and hit its brakes, forcing the truck to swerve into the southbound lane. The truck hit a southbound Mercedes van head-on, and the vehicles ended up in the southbound ditch.

A 62-year-old Index man was driving the van. The man and a passenger, a 31-year-old Index woman, were each injured and transported to Tacoma General. Sample was the other passenger in the van.

The Normandy Park man had minor injuries. A 35-year-old truck passenger was injured and airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. The cause of the accident is under investigation.

Appraisers inspecting area 6

Appraisers have begun physically inspecting area 6 of Mason County this month.

According to a news release, the area includes Harstine Island, Pickering and Grapeview Loops, Emerald, Spencer and Phillips Lakes, Timberlake’s, Agate and Shorecrest and a portion of state Route 3 near Deer Creek.

A physical inspection is required by state law and routinely includes an outside observation of the property in order to verify any changes, which includes an addition of improvements and reviewing for signs of depreciation outside the normal age of the property.

The Assessor’s Office relies on property owners for information and taxpayers are encouraged to help by providing updated and accurate property information whenever possible. Current physical inspections are part of the 2023 assessment process, which will be for property taxes payable in 2024.

The appraiser will try to make contact upon arrival by knocking on the door of an improved parcel and will encourage taxpayers who do not have contact with appraisers to discuss any issues with their homes or property in general. The last time homes were inspected in the area was six years ago.

Appraisers will be wearing orange vests with a Mason County badge and will be driving white Ford Escapes with the Mason County Assessor logo on the side. Call the Assessor’s Office with questions at 360-427-9670 ext. 491.

Repeta resigns from Alderbrook

Alderbrook Golf and Yacht Club General Manager Jim Repeta submitted his resignation and his last day is Dec. 4.

According to an email from Alderbrook, the board of directors will work on a transition plan and appoint a search team to find a replacement general manager.

“We are fortunate to have a strong management group to lead our key departments while we search for our next general manager,” Tim Micek said in an email.

Sheriff’s Office warns of scams

The Mason County Sheriff’s Office is warning the public about scam calls.

According to a MCSO Facebook post, people are being called and said they are the victim of a warrant or fine and need to make payment over the phone or meet at the Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office wanted to remind people that they will not call you to collect any fines or warrant fees.

If you receive a call from a Mason County business telephone number and if it sounds suspicious, do not give them any information and tell the caller you will call back at the official listed phone number.

Shooting in Jefferson County

Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office deputies were involved in a shooting incident at 2:44 p.m. Sept. 23 on U.S. Highway 101 and Dosewallips Road.

According to a news release, officer-involved shootings are investigated by an Independent Investigation Team due to state law.

At the request of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the Washington State Patrol will be the primary investigating agency. WSP has requested the assistance of the Region II IIT agencies including Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office and Mason County Sheriff’s Office.