County Briefs

Matt Baide | Dec 29, 20220

PUDs deal with power outages

Mason County PUD 3 and 1 dealt with power outages throughout the Christmas weekend.

According to PUD 3’s Facebook page, the power was out Dec. 22 at Fawn Lake, but was restored in the evening. There was an outage affecting 300 customers in Belfair on Dec. 23 and an outage in the Matlock area affecting 145 customers in the morning before crews came out and restored power.

A tree fell near the Collins Lake Substation on the Tahuya Peninsula and knocked out power poles. Line crew were able to get the power restored by the morning of Christmas Eve. Customers on North Shore Road and View Ridge Heights had their power knocked out, but restored by Christmas Eve morning.

More customers were affected by power outages Monday. Customers in Matlock and Lake Nahwatzel were affected Monday morning, and line crews had to de-energize a main feeder in the Lake Nahwatzel area to remove a tree and make repairs safely. Power was restored around 11 a.m., and other customers around Belfair and along state Route 3 lost power Monday.

According to PUD 1’s Facebook page, Hoodsport, Lilliwaup and Colony Surf lost power Dec. 23. Power was out at Beacon Point and the surrounding area due to a tree falling on a power pole. Union lost power and all hands were on deck while power was restored by the evening.

Power was lost Christmas Eve in Brinnon.

Hoodsport lost power again Monday morning, but PUD 1 crews were able to fix the power within a couple hours. The Canal View Water system experienced a leak Monday morning, but the system was fixed and back to full service by early afternoon. A tree caused power problems in Lilliwaup Monday morning, but the issue was fixed by the early afternoon.

For outage information, go to PUD 3’s outage map at http://www.tinyurl.com/3yh4d5s7. For PUD 1 outage information, search Mason County PUD No. 1 on Facebook.

Vacancies on Noxious Weed board

County commissioners need to fill four vacancies on the Noxious Weed Control Board.

According to a news release, the commissioners appoint members to four-year terms. The board consists of five voting members representing five weed control districts in the county. At least three of five members must be engaged in primary production of agricultural products such as livestock, crops, shellfish, timber or Christmas trees. The vacancies are for District 4, which includes the Belfair and North Mason area and District 5, which is west of Hood Canal and north of Potlatch. District 1 will have a vacancy soon, which is the Shelton area and west of Matlock and District 3, which includes the Skokomish Valley and Union.

To apply, contact the commissioners’ office at 360-427-9670, ext. 419, or online at http://www.masoncountywa.gov.

Aging advisory council openings

Mason County is looking for residents to serve on the Lewis-Mason-Thurston Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council.

According to a news release, the council is a local governmental agency that provides home and community services for seniors and adults with disabilities. The advisory council makes recommendations to the board and staff.

Members serve a two-year term and meet the first Wednesday of the month at 2404 Heritage Court SW Suite A in Olympia. For more information, contact Jessica Hodges at 360-664-2168, ext. 108. For an application, contact the commissioner’s office at 360-427-9670, ext. 419.

Free Christmas tree recycling

The Mason County Christmas tree recycling program is available until Jan. 7.

According to a news release, trees can be brought to the Shelton Transfer Station at 501 W Eells Hill Road in Shelton from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The Belfair Solid Waste drop off facility at 2001 NE Sand Hill Road is accepting trees from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Customers of Mason County Garbage and Recycling curbside service can cut up trees and put them in their cart as part of regular pickup.

Trees must be free of decorations. Wreaths and garlands will not be accepted for free recycling because they contain wires and cannot be recycled.

Solid Waste Facility operations change

The Eells Hill Transfer Station and the Belfair, Hoodsport and Union drop box stations will have new hours in 2023.

According to a news release, the Eells Hill Transfer Station will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. The Belfair Drop Box Station will be open 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday.

The Hoodsport Drop Box Station will be open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday and the Union Drop Box Station is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday to Monday.

Ingwaldson reappointed to council

Tamra Ingwaldson was reappointed to the Lewis-Mason-Thurston Area Agency on the Aging Advisory Council at the Dec. 20 meeting.

According to the information packet, Ingwaldson was appointed to a two-year term ending Dec. 31, 2024.