Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886

Articles from the April 25, 2024 edition


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  • 'I want to mend that bridge'

    Gordon Weeks|Apr 25, 2024

    Shelton Police Chief Chris Kostad told a Shelton-Mason County Chamber of Commerce audience he wants to re-establish a bond between his department and residents during a presentation April 18 in the Olympic College Shelton library meeting room. “I think in the last few years, a partnership with the community has become disconnected, and I want to mend that bridge,” said Kostad, who in November replaced Carole Beason as chief. In his state of the department address, Kostad pointed out that the number of calls to the police department has bee...

  • Daniel Earl Isaacson

    Apr 25, 2024

    Daniel "Dan" Earl Isaacson, 57, of Shelton, Washington, passed away on April 7, 2024. Dan was always full of life, always looking for his next adventure! There wasn't anybody that was going to stop him from living how he wanted to live! Dan had a smile you could see from a mile away! And charm, boy did Dan have his fair share of that! He was absolutely a charmer; he was a force of nature, if you will. Dan is survived by his mother, Glenda Veach, stepfather Arthur Veach, mother-in-law Penny... Full story

  • Clinton Twomey Randall

    Apr 25, 2024

    Clinton "Clint" Twomey Randall, aka "Hat," of Shelton, WA, passed away in Olympia, WA on April 8, 2024. He was 58 years old. He was born in Denver, CO, on July 16, 1966. His father Robert W. "Bob" Randall and his mother Ida Mae Twomey-Randall were residents of Cheyenne, WY. Clint's mother and father met in a snowstorm at Stapleton International Airport in Denver, CO, in 1963. They had never met before this day and were both returning to their respective homes after work-related field training. They ultimately reunited and were married in... Full story

  • Recently Passed

    Apr 25, 2024

    Gaspar Nolasco Gaspar Gervacio, 16, a resident of Shelton, passed away April 13, 2024, in Shelton, WA. Arrangements are by Forest Funeral Home and Crematory. Carley Mendiola, 33, a resident of Tumwater, passed away April 16 at UW Medical Center, Seattle. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory. David Waller, 69, a resident of Belfair, passed away April 18, 2024, at Haven in Allyn, WA. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory. Kevin Christensen, 75, a resident of Shelton, passed away... Full story

  • City won't get Post Office Park

    Gordon Weeks|Apr 25, 2024

    The U.S. Postal Service has withdrawn from discussions to sell Post Office Park to the City of Shelton or to trade it for the city's Brewer Park. The city has leased the quarter-acre park on West Railroad Avenue from the federal government since 1999 in exchange for 20 parking stalls designated for USPS employees on adjacent city streets and all maintenance and upkeep of the park grounds. But a March 22 letter from the U.S. Postal Service to Shelton City Manager Mark Ziegler states the agency "w...

  • Commission Briefs

    Compiled by reporter June Williams|Apr 25, 2024

    Public defenders receive honors Mason County commissioners recognized two county public defenders who have received the Washington Defender Association President’s Award at the April 23 commission meeting. The award singles out the state’s best public defender, according to Mason County Chief Public Defender Peter Jones. Rose Boughton was named this year’s recipient and Ron Sergi won the award in 2018, but was not recognized by the county at the time, Commissioner Randy Neatherlin said. “This is pretty huge for Mason County public defense...

  • Assessor's Office mails exemption renewal applications

    Staff report|Apr 25, 2024

    Mason County’s Assessor’s Office mailed renewal applications this week to exempt recipients of the Senior Citizens and People with Disabilities Exemption from Real Property Taxes program. The intended recipients reside in the current inspection area, which includes Lake Limerick, Brockdale, McReavy, Hanks Lake, Eells Hill, California Road, Highland Road, Dayton Trails, Fawn Lake, Lynch Road, Kamilche, Cloquallum Road, Isabella Lake, Lost Lake, Lake Arrowhead, Star Lake, and Lake Nahwatzel out to Matlock, as well as parts of Tahuya, Belfair and...

  • These Times

    Kirk Ericson|Apr 25, 2024

    From “Gloria and the Riddle,” an episode that aired on CBS in October 1972: Gloria: There’s this father and his son and they’re driving along in the car. The car crashes and the father is killed. Edith (Gloria’s mother): Oh, that’s so sad. Archie (Gloria’s father): Oh, geez. It’s only a story Edith. Gloria: Anyway, the father is killed, and the little boy is badly injured so they rush him to a hospital and take him into the operating room. The surgeon walks in and says, ‘I can’t operate on this...

  • Letters to the Editor

    Apr 25, 2024

    I'm OK paying property tax bill Editor, the Journal, Last year I purchased my first home, after over 15 years of renting and five years of saving. It hurt to pay nearly double the price the house sold for previously in 2017, but that pain is dulled by the facts that I can even afford to buy due to the circumstances afforded to me being a childless 30-something with marketable skills. I recently got my first tax bill, and the assessor definitely paid attention to the sale price and adjusted my...

  • From the Publisher

    John Lester|Apr 25, 2024

    "Distinguished or different from what is ordinary or usual" is the Random House Dictionary definition of special. My mom, Jean Lester, is special and has the gift of making those around her feel special. My first memory of how special she made me feel was while I was in second grade in Mrs. Whipple's class at Chief Kamiakin Elementary in Sunnyside. In the office, rings were for sale prior to Mother's Day. I gathered my pennies, nickels and perhaps a dime and bought the pink sparkly one at the...

  • History at a Glance

    Jan Parker|Apr 25, 2024

    In 1909, H. Enzo Loop, age 28, somewhat reluctantly traveled by steamship from Tacoma to Shelton at the recommendation of his mentor, Mr. Layhue, the deputy state superintendent of schools, to be interviewed for the position of superintendent of Shelton Schools. Loop had a Teacher's Elementary School certificate, after studying for a year at Whatcom Normal School, and had taught for one year at Eastsound School in San Juan County. In the waters near Olympia, Loop transferred to the boat going on...

  • Central Mason-Grapeview fire merger, FD16 levy passing

    Gordon Weeks|Apr 25, 2024

    Two fire and medical service measures on Tuesday’s special election ballot were passing overwhelmingly on the first count. Grapeview Fire District 3’s proposed merger with Central Mason Fire District 5 to provide fire and emergency medical services to areas covered by the two districts had 545 approval votes for 77.86%, and 155 rejection votes for 22.14%. West Mason Fire District 16’s proposed property tax levy of 50 cents or less per $1,000 of assessed valuation for six years, beginning this year, for emergency medical services received 437 “y...

  • Judge rules court lawfully appointed Seattle lawyer

    June Williams|Apr 25, 2024

    Mason County Superior Court Judge David Stevens on April 22 denied a writ of mandamus filed by a Seattle-area attorney suing a Mason County District Court judge for appointing him to defend a local man charged with DUI. Jonathan Lewis, who has a legal practice in Seattle, sued Mason County District Court and Judge George Steele on Feb. 27, saying Steele improperly appointed him to defend Martin Andres Alonzo, who was being charged with DUI for the third time and whose primary language is Kanjobal. Lewis said the appointment violated GR 42, a...

  • Couple allegedly threatened by man painting Ukraine flag

    June Williams|Apr 25, 2024

    A husband and wife who confronted a group of men allegedly spray painting a Ukrainian flag with a heart symbol in the middle of Forest Road 23 say a man from the group threatened them with a gun. Reuben and Leila Bashans were driving down West Govey Road, known as Forest Service Road 23, near Browns Creek on April 14 when they came upon a group of men “actively spray painting something in the road,” according to a Mason County Sheriff probable cause document. Reuben Bashans said the men “were not moving out of the way, and he told them they...

  • City Briefs

    Compiled by reporter Gordon Weeks|Apr 25, 2024

    May 3 is deadline to apply for vacant council seat The City of Shelton is accepting applications to fill a vacant seat on the Shelton City Council. Deputy Mayor Joe Schmit on April 2 announced he is resigning from the council in the middle of his second term. Applicants must be a registered voter in the city and have continuously resided within the city limits for a minimum of one year to be eligible to fill the vacancy. The deadline to apply is 1 p.m. May 3. Applications and more information about the appointment process is at the city’s w...

  • Community Briefs

    Compiled by reporter Gordon Weeks|Apr 25, 2024

    Empty Bowls begins May 1 The Shelton Arts Commission hosts the annual Empty Bowls fundraiser starting May 1 at the Shelton Civic Center. The event is open to all ages and materials will be provided. Create a bowl from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday. Glaze your bowl from 5 to 7 p.m. May 8. From 5 to 7 p.m. May 15, patrons for a $10 donation can buy a bowl with soup from a local restaurant and help feed local people in need. No one is required to show up on all three dates. Harstine talk spotlights 1947 UFO sighting Des Moines author Steve Edmiston will t...

  • First half 2024 property taxes are due Tuesday

    Staff report|Apr 25, 2024

    Property-tax payments for the first half of 2024 are due Tuesday, according to a news release from the Mason Couny Treasurer’s Office. Payments can be made in person at the office at 411 N 5th St., Bldg. 1 (second floor) and pay in person between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. or can be deposited in the drive-up payment drop box located in the alley. Payments must be postmarked no later than Tuesday to be considered on time and avoid interest charges. Postmarks and delivery can be delayed when using USPS to mail payment, so the Treasurer’s Off...

  • Scholarships

    Compiled by reporter Gordon Weeks|Apr 25, 2024

    Shelton Rock and Mineral Society The Shelton Rock and Mineral Society is offering one scholarship to a Mason County high school senior who is planning to attend college to study earth science. May 1 is the deadline to apply. Send a letter about yourself, your interest in earth science and where you are considering continuing your education to Shelton Rock and Mineral Society, P.O. Box 242, Shelton 98584. Hood Canal Lions Club The Hood Canal Lions Club is offering two $1,000 scholarships to Shelton High School seniors, with a preference for...

  • Getting Out

    Gordon Weeks|Apr 25, 2024

    In the 2004 movie "Mean Girls," formerly homeschooled Cady Heron (played by Lindsay Lohan) is a hit with The Plastics, the A-list girl clique at her new school - until she makes the mistake of falling for Aaron Samuels, the ex-boyfriend of the alpha Plastic, Regina George. The movie, written by former "Saturday Night Live" head writer and "30 Rock" creator Tina Fey, was transformed into a musical that debuted on Broadway in 2018. The Shelton High School Drama Club brings the story to life in...

  • In the Dark Reviews

    Kirk Boxleitner|Apr 25, 2024

    After seeing her star-making turn in Martin Scorsese's "Killers of the Flower Moon" last year, all that Hulu had to do to get me to watch its true-crime miniseries "Under the Bridge," which began streaming its first two episodes April 17, was to cast Oscar-nominated Native American actress Lily Gladstone as one of its leads. Gladstone plays Saanich Police Officer Cam Bentland, a composite character representing local law enforcement in this miniseries' dramatization of the real-life 1997 murder...

  • Two poets present works at Shelton library

    Gordon Weeks|Apr 25, 2024

    Two poets who combine poetry and their work in psychology, both residents at Hypatia-in-the-Woods in Mason County, will share their works aloud at the Shelton Timberland Library. Kripi Malviya, an existential psychologist and poet from India, reads her poems from 2 to 3 p.m. Friday. Malviya’s work has been published in World Literature Review, the Sky Island Journal, Muse and the Black Warrior Review. She is the winner of the 2017 Rhythm Divine International Poetry Chapbook contest for her first poetry collection, “ale(theia).” Malviya runs...

  • Songs about tangoing Martians and colonoscopies

    Gordon Weeks|Apr 25, 2024

    Seattle singer/songwriter Deb Seymour writes tunes about hitchhiking chickens in electric cars, tango dancing with Martians and the absurd indignities of undergoing a colonoscopy. “Life is so difficult you can’t take it seriously sometimes,” Seymour said in an interview with the Journal from her home in Ballard. The performer one fan described as a combination of Joni Mitchell and Lucille Ball brings her original tunes, a few covers and comic banter to a concert at 4 p.m. Saturday at St. Germain’s Episcopal Church, 600 N. Lake Cushman Road, H...

  • Sportsmen's Club commemorates public access

    June Williams|Apr 25, 2024

    The Bremerton's Sportsmen's Club is finally getting recognition for a good deed done in 1948. That's when the club donated waterfront properties on Wooten, Devereaux and Haven lakes in Mason County and Mission and Wildcat lakes in Kitsap County to the Department of Game, now the Department of Fish and Wildlife. The club wanted to preserve public access to the lakes at a time when shoreline property was being bought and developed for private use. Local fishers, canoers and kayakers now know who...

  • Potlatch Sunrise

    Apr 25, 2024