County Briefs

CMFE promotes Fox to battalion chief

Central Mason Fire & EMS promoted lieutenant and paramedic Samantha Fox to battalion chief.

According to a news release, Fox joined CMFE in 2011 as a paramedic and firefighter. She is a graduate of South Puget Sound Community College and Tacoma Community College. She began her career in 2002 as a firefighter.

In 2021, Fox was promoted to lieutenant and paramedic. In her first three rotations, she commanded five fire events and managed over 100 calls.

Fox's husband is a paramedic captain, her sister is a paramedic, and her brother-in-law is a firefighter at CMFE. Prior to fire service, Fox worked in her family's restaurant managing catering at Tumwater's Pellegrino's Italian Kitchen & Catering.

Three injured in two-car crash

A two-car crash saw one person airlifted with injuries on Sunday morning on state Route 3 and Johns Prairie Road.

According to a Washington State Patrol news release, a 2013 Toyota Tundra driven by a 31-year-old Belfair man was stopped on Johns Prairie Road, trying to turn right onto state Route 3.

A 2009 Honda Fit driven by a 69-year-old Olympia man was southbound on state Route 3. The Tundra turned right in front of the Honda, and the Honda struck the Tundra, blocking both lanes of traffic. The road was blocked for an hour and a half.

The Olympia man was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. The Belfair driver was injured but not transported and was charged with failing to yield the right of way. A 10-year-old Belfair passenger was injured but not transported.

Public comment available on trail

The U.S. Forest Service is taking public comment through Nov. 14 for the proposal to develop a trail-wide comprehensive plan and environmental analysis for the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail.

According to a news release, the trail was designated by Congress as part of the National Trails System in 2009 and is one of the nation's newest national scenic trails. The trail covers 1,200 miles from the Continental Divide to the Pacific Ocean and runs through Montana, Idaho and Washington. The trail has opportunities for long distance hikers and non-motorized recreation.

The project area for the comprehensive plan includes portions of seven national forests, including Olympic National Forest. Counties encompassed in the project are Jefferson and Clallam.

Comments can be submitted at http://www.tinyurl.com/4msu73rv and selecting the "Comment on Project" link in the "Get Connected" group on the right side of the webpage.

Hit and run on U.S. 101 Friday night

Washington State Patrol is asking for information about a hit and run on U.S. Highway 101 near Hamma Hamma on Oct. 28.

According to a news release, a 68-year-old Kalama man was driving a freight truck traveling south. Two vehicles entered a narrow bridge and the northbound vehicle, which was described as a semi with a 53-foot box trailer, was close to or over the centerline. The Kalama driver swerved to the right to avoid a collision and left the road.

The box trailer did not remain on scene and continued north.

The Kalama man was injured and transported to Mason General Hospital.

Anyone with information about the collision is asked to call Trooper Hopper at 360-473-0300.

Parks free Friday

National parks, state parks and the U.S. Forest Service are recognizing Veterans Day by waiving fees for visitors.

According to a U.S. Forest Service news release, the service offers fee-free access a few times a year to encourage everyone to explore educational and recreation opportunities available in national forests and grasslands.

"Many veterans spend time with their families and connect with nature while hiking, hunting, boating and exploring the range of outdoor recreation opportunities national forests and grasslands have to offer," Tracy Calizon, regional director of recreation for the U.S. Forest Service in the Northwest, said in a news release.