News Briefs

Driver injured in wreck near Victor

A single-car rollover Dec. 28 on state Route 302 south of Victor sent the driver to Mason General Hospital.

Lacey resident Gideon Senono, 23, was eastbound at milepost 4 when he failed to negotiate a curve, lost control of his Toyota Corolla and crashed, according to the Washington State Patrol.

Senono was speeding and charged with reckless driving, the WSP stated in a news release.

Senono’s car was totaled.

Goodell retires, Butler begins term

Former Mason County Superior Court Commissioner Tirsa Butler began her new term as a Mason County Superior Court judge Jan. 1, after Gov. Jay Inslee granted her request for a short-term appointment.

Butler was elected in November to replace retiring Judge Daniel Goodell.

Goodell retired Dec. 31 and Butler’s term was set to begin Jan. 13.

The short-term appointment runs from Jan. 1 through Jan. 12.

Butler told the Journal that although she has been a commissioner in Mason County, in that position she was an employee. As a judge, she’s elected by the people and her responsibility is “quite high,” she said.

Butler said commissioners and judges have some similar duties, but commissioners can’t preside over certain matters such as jury trials.

“The mechanics of the job are different,” she said.

As a commissioner, judges would review Butler’s contested rulings. As a judge, the state Court of Appeals weighs in.

Mason County Superior Court judges currently have a four-month rotation with Judge Monty Cobb now hearing criminal cases and Butler attending civil matters.

In May, Butler will switch to the criminal docket.

“It’s never boring,” she said.