Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 - Week 41
Bulldog pride
North Mason High School’s Antonio Francisco-Juan carries a school flag during a cross-country meet Oct. 2 at the Belfair school.
Journal photo by Justin Johnson
Journal photo by Justin Johnson
Mental health facility almost done
By MICHAEL HEINBACH
michael@masoncounty.com A downtown Shelton mental health triage building that law enforcement, behavioral health and local government officials agree is much needed and long overdue could open in about a month. That was the word Tuesday afternoon, when Mark Freedman, CEO of Thurston-Mason Behavioral Health Organization, toured the former Mason PUD 3 building on the corner of West Alder and South Third streets. Freedman joined Shelton Police Chief Darrin Moody and Board of Mason County Commissioners chair Kevin Shutty, who is the vice chair of the behavioral health board. “It’s taken longer than expected,” Freedman said. “It’s been a combination of a number of factors, including familiarizing permit folks on what this building is about. It’s also discovery on the building — when it was purchased, how much we knew or understood — and as we go through construction, new things crop up that take time to fix.” The behavioral health organization purchased the building after PUD 3 commissioners agreed to sell the long-dormant structure in December 2016 for $275,000. That sale was assisted by former organization board member and Mason County Commissioner Terri Drexler. Grant funding to the organization facilitated the building’s purchase. For more of the Shelton-Mason County Journal, subscribe to our weekly edition. |
Shelton cold weather shelter opens a month early
By GORDON WEEKS
gordon@masoncounty.com At 7:30 Tuesday evening, rolling black clouds release cold raindrops as six people huddle on the porch outside Community Lifeline’s cold weather shelter in downtown Shelton. The temperature plummets toward freezing. Karin Kaye is already inside the brick building at 218 N. Third St. She will stay in the 35-bed facility for the eighth consecutive night, since the shelter opened for the season a month earlier than usual on Oct. 1. Kaye became homeless for the first time last year, at the age of 60. “This is a good place for me,” said Kaye, a native of Wisconsin. “They’re good to me.” Three falls ago, the wind chill factor needed to hit 35 degrees or lower to open the doors to the shelter. In October 2017, a hearings examiner ruled the nonprofit organization could open the shelter every night between Nov. 1 and April 30. That sixth-month window recently was expanded to seven months; seven homeless people spent the night on Oct. 1. Barbra Weza, executive director of Community Lifeline, said the City of Shelton will allow the shelter to be open year-round after a buildingwide sprinkler system is installed. The overnight guests range in age from 18 into the 70s, and more seniors are using the services, Weza said. “Many of them are homeless for the first time,” she said. About 45% of the clients are seniors who are on fixed incomes and have been priced out of long-term housing, Weza said. Mental health problems, and drug or alcohol abuse affect about 65% of the patrons, Weza said. Many have been evicted from houses and apartments, which is “a huge barrier” to getting housing, For more of the Shelton-Mason County Journal, subscribe to our weekly edition. |
Shelton High School wide receivers coach Dave Evans, left, talks with junior quarterback Danny Mendiola-Lopez on Friday at Jack Stark Field in Shelton after the Climbers fell 13-7 to Central Kitsap. See game story on Page B-2. Journal photo by Justin Johnson
Strong turnout for Shuck N Share
By JUSTIN JOHNSON
justin@masoncounty.com
A light fog and brisk early-morning temperatures greeted participants of the sixth annual Shuck N Share 5K road race Sunday at the Huff ‘N’ Puff trail in Shelton.
The race began at the Huff ‘N’ Puff trailhead, with participants heading along North Shelton Springs Road toward East Wallace Kneeland Boulevard, then north on Brockdale Road before turning west on East Island Lake Drive, going around Island Lake and then returning to the finish line at Huff ‘N’ Puff via East Island Lake Road and North Shelton Springs Road.
“I am so pleased that we had such enthusiastic participation in the event,” said Wendi Kirk, race coordinator and Mason PUD 3’s Belfair customer service supervisor. “Money raised will go directly to Mason PUD 3’s Project Share program, to assist those who may need a little help with their electricity bill. I’m especially grateful to businesses and individuals who donated prizes for the occasion. It made it that much more special for those who walked or ran on Sunday.”
The men’s overall winner was 38-year-old Seth Miller of Olympia, who completed the course in 17 minutes, 55 seconds — an average speed of 10.4 MPH.
Chris Carpenter, a 38-year-old Shelton resident, was second with a time of 18:25, and Lake Limerick resident Cory Woodard, 51, was third with a time of 18:52.
Twenty-seven-year-old Sheltonite Sarah Lowe, formerly Sarah Johnson, won the women’s division of the race with a time of 21:39. Laura Parker, 33, was the second women’s finisher at 24:25.
In all, 138 people registered for the race and 110 crossed the finish line.
PUD 3 said more than $3,000 was raised from this year’s event, and in the previous five years Project Share has raised almost $15,000.
For more of the Shelton-Mason County Journal, subscribe to our weekly edition.
justin@masoncounty.com
A light fog and brisk early-morning temperatures greeted participants of the sixth annual Shuck N Share 5K road race Sunday at the Huff ‘N’ Puff trail in Shelton.
The race began at the Huff ‘N’ Puff trailhead, with participants heading along North Shelton Springs Road toward East Wallace Kneeland Boulevard, then north on Brockdale Road before turning west on East Island Lake Drive, going around Island Lake and then returning to the finish line at Huff ‘N’ Puff via East Island Lake Road and North Shelton Springs Road.
“I am so pleased that we had such enthusiastic participation in the event,” said Wendi Kirk, race coordinator and Mason PUD 3’s Belfair customer service supervisor. “Money raised will go directly to Mason PUD 3’s Project Share program, to assist those who may need a little help with their electricity bill. I’m especially grateful to businesses and individuals who donated prizes for the occasion. It made it that much more special for those who walked or ran on Sunday.”
The men’s overall winner was 38-year-old Seth Miller of Olympia, who completed the course in 17 minutes, 55 seconds — an average speed of 10.4 MPH.
Chris Carpenter, a 38-year-old Shelton resident, was second with a time of 18:25, and Lake Limerick resident Cory Woodard, 51, was third with a time of 18:52.
Twenty-seven-year-old Sheltonite Sarah Lowe, formerly Sarah Johnson, won the women’s division of the race with a time of 21:39. Laura Parker, 33, was the second women’s finisher at 24:25.
In all, 138 people registered for the race and 110 crossed the finish line.
PUD 3 said more than $3,000 was raised from this year’s event, and in the previous five years Project Share has raised almost $15,000.
For more of the Shelton-Mason County Journal, subscribe to our weekly edition.
