County Briefs

Sept. 25 is the deadline to challenge property values

The Mason County Assessor's Office states notices of values for property owners were mailed on Aug. 23, and the last day to file an appeal if an owner disagrees with the new value is Sept. 25.

The new values are based on sales of similar properties prior to Jan. 1, 2023. All sales occurring in 2023 will not be used to set assessed values until next year. Sales and statistical data are available at http://www.masoncountywa.gov/assessor/sales-data.php.

The state offers a property-tax exemption based on age or disability, ownership, residency and income requirements. To qualify, you must be at least 61, or retired from regular employment due to a disability, or a veteran of the armed forces with a disability rating of 80% or higher and own/occupy the residence with a combined disposable income of $55,000 or less (effective 2024 tax year – SHB 1355). Applications are available at the Mason County Assessor's website, at the office, or can be mailed upon request.

Overnight outages coming for Mason PUD 1 customers

Mason County PUD No. 1 has an overnight power outage scheduled for the Hoodsport and Lilliwaup areas, beginning at 11 tonight until 5 a.m. on Friday.

A release from the utility says the purpose of this overnight outage is to replace the oil and perform maintenance on the Hoodsport Substation. PUD 1's line crew will perform switching to bring customers between the Lilliwaup Post Office and Mike's Beach Resort onto the Duckabush substation for the majority of the outage time. This will result in two outage areas.

Also, from 12:30 a.m. to 5 a.m. Friday, water customers in the Union Water System will see a water outage while PUD 1 installs a cut over to a newly installed mainline.

The utility asks customers to prepare for the water outage by having extra drinking water on hand and turning off the breaker to their hot water heater until water service is restored. Customers may need to run their faucets afterward to eliminate air from the lines.

For more information on either outage, contact the utility at 360-877-5249.

Local videographer hosts film screening in Olympia

Shelton-native Erin Ranney is hosting two screenings of "My Alaskan Journey," a self-funded film by Ranney and Jack Johnston.

The films will be screened at The Olympia Center in Olympia.

The first showing is 2 p.m. Saturday, the second is at 5 p.m. Monday.

According to a release by Ranney, "My Alaskan Journey" explores four areas of Alaska's coast, revealing stunning landscapes and iconic wildlife along the way. Guided by Alaska's history, her family's stories, and her own memories, Erin's journey weaves the past with the present, and paints a hopeful future for the land and wildlife of coastal Alaska.

Following the screening, there will be a Q&A with Ranney.

Tickets for the event are available at http://www.tinyurl.com/mtbfpr74.

The release says that all donations will go to local nonprofit organizations in Alaska where the documentary was filmed - Defend Yakutat and United Tribes of Bristol Bay.