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Articles from the March 7, 2024 edition


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  • Citizen initiatives become law

    June Williams|Mar 7, 2024

    The Washington Legislature passed three citizen initiatives in the waning days of the session — I-2111, which prohibits the state, counties, cities and other local jurisdictions from imposing or collecting income taxes, I-2081, a parental bill of rights relating to their children’s public school education and I-2113, which lifts restrictions on police pursuits. Rep. Travis Couture, R-Allyn, celebrated the “historic victories,” in a post on the social media site X. While he was happy about the outcome, Couture was frustrated about the limited...

  • Leap Day babies

    June Williams|Mar 7, 2024

    Two Leap Day babies were born at Mason General Hospital, Braxton Krippelcz and Jackson Turner Hageman. Feb. 29 is the rarest birthday, occurring only every four years. Braxton's parents, Madison Crossan and Quinnton Krippelcz, plan on celebrating his birthday March 1. "And then a bigger party every four years," Crossan told the Journal. Jackson's mom, Alyssa Brooks, said his birthday celebration will be the Feb. 28 and March 1. "It adds up to 29!" she said....

  • Sign size proposal fizzles

    Gordon Weeks|Mar 7, 2024

    A proposal to increase the maximum allowable size of temporary signs, including political campaign signs, from 16 to 32 square feet failed to move beyond a Shelton City Council study session. At the council's session Feb. 27, the council debated the proposal by council member George Blush, who introduced the subject at its Feb. 20 meeting. The council doesn't vote on any resolutions at its study sessions. The proposal required four of the seven council votes to move forward to the business...

  • Belfair Clinic future uncertain

    June Williams|Mar 7, 2024

    Belfair Clinic’s primary care patients are struggling with the loss of their doctor while the clinic’s future is being debated by Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. Belfair resident Monna Haugen told the Journal her partner had an appointment with Dr. Raul Dominguiano on Jan. 6, but received a call the morning of the visit saying “Dr. D was gone,” Haugen said. They had no notice Dominguiano was leaving. Now the only option for primary care at the clinic is Dawn Galvez, ARNP, according to the clinic’s website. Haugen said her and her partner w...

  • Woodrow Anthony Apple

    Mar 7, 2024

    Woodrow Anthony Apple was born March 8th, 1945, on Pine Ridge, SD tribal lands and passed away on February 3rd, 2024, surrounded by family and friends in Shelton, Washington. His service will be held privately with family on March 9th, 2024. Woodrow, known to loved ones as Woody or Sonny, served in the United States Navy from 1962 to 1966, as well as serving his country overseas in the Vietnam War. His primary occupations included road construction and roofing, and he spent part of his career... Full story

  • John "Jack" Valley

    Mar 7, 2024

    John "Jack" Valley of Chicopee, MA passed peacefully in the company of his loving family on February 2, 2024. Jack was born in Shelton, Washington on March 22, 1932 to William S. and Marjorie A. (Swan) Valley. He graduated from Washington State University with a degree in Business Administration. He subsequently served in the U.S. Air Force, which brought him to his permanent home in Chicopee. Jack was known for his deep, caring nature and an innate curiosity that made everyone he came across... Full story

  • Bud Smilanich

    Mar 7, 2024

    In loving memory of Bud Smilanich, beloved husband, father, grandpa, papa, brother, uncle, and friend, who soared through life with the adventurous spirit of a pilot. He earned his Commercial Pilots license at a young age. He had the opportunity to fly many aircraft, including WWII B-17's, TBMs carrying fire retardant, and most recently his Cessna, he referred to as his mid-life sports car. Whether transporting passengers, seeding fog, flying the Idaho Back Country, or tinkering with engines,... Full story

  • Recently Passed

    Mar 7, 2024

    Bud Smilanich, 78, a resident of Shelton, passed away February 23, 2024, at home. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory. James Anderson, 77, a resident of Olympia, passed away February 26, 2024, at Garden Court Memory Care in Olympia, WA. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory. Shamana Hutsell, 77, a resident of Belfair, passed away February 28, 2024, at home. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory. Tawna Grace Van Allen, 66, a resident of Grapeview,... Full story

  • Mason General honors 'extraordinary nurses'

    Gordon Weeks|Mar 7, 2024

    Traci Wiley, a registered nurse in the birth center at Mason Health, is the first winner of the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. Wiley and the other 10 nominees were celebrated at an award event Feb. 29 at Mason General Hospital. The other registered nurses who were nominees for the award are Becky Bingham, resource; Leah Coleman, PACA; Rosalyn Griffin, MSP; Joss Meagley,emergency department; Bronwyn Kennedy, wound care; Kim Nicewonger, walk-in clinic; Taylor Rebh, emergency department;...

  • Satire, murder mystery on North Mason stage

    Gordon Weeks|Mar 7, 2024

    North Mason High School Drama Club students perform two one-act plays - "Sorry, Wrong Number" and "The Still Alarm" - at 7 tonight, Friday and Saturday in the school's theater at 71 E. Campus Drive in Belfair. Regular admission is $8, with students with an ASB card admitted for $5. Both one-act plays are old-time classics: "The Still Alarm" is 99 years old and "Sorry, Wrong Number" debuted during World War II. Drama Club Advisor Hilary Gennaro said she considered modern one-act plays for the...

  • 'Dune: Part Two' finally delivers what Herbert's novel deserves

    Kirk Boxleitner|Mar 7, 2024

    Denis Villeneuve stuck the landing. I've only followed Villeneuve's filmmaking career since "Sicario" in 2015 - he's been directing feature films since 1998 - but every film he's made from "Sicario" forward, including 2016's "Arrival," 2017's "Blade Runner 2049" and 2021's "Dune," has been virtually flawless. "Dune: Part Two" is no exception, as Villeneuve gives Frank Herbert's 1965 epic science fiction novel the cinematic adaptation it's always deserved. Even brilliant auteurs that include...

  • Spring Training

    Mar 7, 2024

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