Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886

Articles from the June 1, 2023 edition


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  • Matlock fire district hires ex-chief's husband

    Matt Baide|Jun 1, 2023

    Mason County Fire District 12 commissioners John Pais, Albert Wilder and Brian Jutson hired Bryan Walsworth, the husband of the ex-chief, as pro-tem fire chief starting today. Kelli Walsworth was relieved of her duties Wednesday. The hiring comes a year after the department said it began searching for a new fire chief. “Bryan is the most qualified of any applicant,” Pais said during the May 23 meeting at the district’s station in Matlock. “He’s been through fire academy, he’s an EMT. He’s a...

  • Yard Sale Fundraiser

    Jun 1, 2023

    There will be a Yard Sale Fundraiser for a Belize Mission Trip, starting Wednesday, June 7th thru Friday, June 9th opening each morning at 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m....

  • Richard Knight

    Jun 1, 2023

    Richard Abbott Knight from Allyn was born July 28, 1935 in Seattle to James R. and Sarah (Best) Knight. He and his brother Emmett moved to Allyn in 1943 with their mom, and lived there all his life. He passed on May 20, 2023 at his home with his family after a battle with cancer. Those who knew “Chief” Knight knew he never gave up and he fought a valiant struggle right to the end. Richard loved to dance, travel and explore new places. He and Bonnie toured extensively and he never lost his cur...

  • A family affair

    Gordon Weeks|Jun 1, 2023

    Singing Christmas carols as a second-grader at a Mason County Forest Festival Christmas event, Brooke Sheetz' gaze fell on the teenage girl in the glittery gown waving to the crowd. "I remember seeing the queen in her cape, and it was cool," she recalled. Sheetz now sports a cape and the title of Queen of the Forest. On Saturday, she and the rest of the court - Princess of Douglas Fir Madilyne Nelsen, Princess of Hemlock Madeline Allred, Timber Nevaeh Haskins and Paul Bunyan Zachary Peach -...

  • Reworking U.S. 101 to restore Duckabush estuary

    Bill Lucia, Washington State Standard|Jun 1, 2023

    On a sunny day in late April, the Duckabush River glistened as it neared the end of its journey from its Olympic Mountain headwaters to the breezy tide flats on the edge of Hood Canal. Flowing clear over cobbly stones in the shallows, steel blue in deeper parts, the current moved swiftly, fed by warm-weather snow melt on peaks up the river valley, some of which could be glimpsed on the horizon. Between 50 and 100 feet wide in places, the river was not roaring but was moving fast enough to maybe...

  • Allyn-area Sherwood Forest timber sold at auction

    Matt Baide|Jun 1, 2023

    The state Department of Natural Resources sold logging rights in the Sherwood Forest to the Stella-Jones Corporation on May 23 as part of the Sure Wood Timber Sale. According to a photo from Mason County Climate Justice’s Julianne Gale, Stella-Jones Corp. based in Tacoma had the highest bid for the timber at $3,622,843.50. Bell Timber Co. had the second-highest bid at $3,451,926.56 and the Murphy Co. had the third highest bid of $3,031,765.10. “I’m deeply disappointed that the Department of Na...

  • EDITOR'S CHAIR

    Justin Johnson, Editor|Jun 1, 2023

    When I took over as editor of the Shelton-Mason County Journal in the second half of 2020, it wasn't a role I'd ever had before. Nearly all of my journalism career had been spent as a sports reporter and page designer, and I'm not sure I ever saw myself taking over the top job in a newsroom. When the position opened that year, I decided that if I was ever going to take a shot at it, it was the time and place to do it. I was fortunate to have a supportive owner in Tom Mullen and publisher in...

  • THESE TIMES

    Kirk Ericson|Jun 1, 2023

    This is what I saw and what I heard. Two young men, who appeared to be in their mid-20s, were exceedingly drunk, judging from their muttering and their full use of the sidewalk's width to accommodate their lateral staggers. I was maybe 30 steps away, walking toward them. It was 10:30 on a Thursday night, May 18, and I was a quarter-mile from my son's apartment at the north end of Green Lake. I was at the end of a 5-mile walk from South Lake Union. Sanctuary was at hand and no one was around but...

  • LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

    Jun 1, 2023

    Wonderful article Editor, the Journal, Wonderful article by Justin Johnson, featuring Erin Ranney, the young wildlife photographer from Mason County. She is certainly becoming an elite member of her profession. Her passion for helping other young women to reach their career goals is outstanding. Tim Sheldon, Potlatch Bathrooms, locker rooms Editor, the Journal, Ms. Holliday asked for definitions of diversity, equity, gender and inclusion. Webster’s New Third International Dictionary defines diversity: being different or having differences. B...

  • Memorial Day at Shelton Memorial Park

    Jun 1, 2023

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  • COUNTY BRIEFS

    Compiled by reporter Matt Baide|Jun 1, 2023

    Girls Who Click workshop on June 10 Girls Who Click, an event for girls age 13-18 who want to learn the basics of wildlife filming and photography, will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 10 at the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually Wildlife Refuge. The event will be led by Erin Ranney, a wildlife cinematographer who has worked on many projects. For more information about the workshop, go to www.girlswhoclick.com. Wildfire Ready Neighbors Saturday The state Department of Natural Resources will be a part of the Mason County Forest Festival to talk to...

  • Making plans to address downtown trees

    Gordon Weeks|Jun 1, 2023

    The City of Shelton staff is recommending the city remove or replace up to nine trees, permanently remove three more, and add five missing trees to the downtown corridor, mostly on West Railroad Avenue. The Shelton City Council discussed the trees May 23 at a study session. In September 2021, Sound Urban Forestry of Olympia completed an assessment of Shelton's downtown street trees. The assessment recommended the city develop a removal and replacement plan, because root cutting and sidewalk...

  • Bear in a tree

    Jun 1, 2023

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  • EDUCATION BRIEFS

    Compiled by reporter Gordon Weeks|Jun 1, 2023

    Money for women returning to college Shelton’s Chapter B of the Philanthropic Education Organization is offering three $1,000 scholarships to women who have returned to college to continue or finish their education. The Mary M. Knight Achievement Award honors the Mason County pioneer educator who was a member of Chapter B. The award has supported women’s education in Mason County since 1936. To qualify, a student must have graduated from high school or earned a GED; be a Mason County resident; plan to obtain a degree or certification; and be...

  • COMMUNITY BRIEFS

    Compiled by reporter Gordon Weeks|Jun 1, 2023

    Ferguson featured at Mason Democrats Kennedy dinner Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson, state Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti and Democratic State Party Chair Shasti Conrad are the featured speakers at the Mason County Democratic Party’s annual Kennedy dinner and fundraiser June 11 at the Lucky Dog Casino Event Center, 19330 U.S. Highway 101, Shelton. A no-host social hour begins at 3 p.m., followed by a buffet dinner. Tickets are $75, or $125 with benefits. Checks to the MCDCC can be mailed to P.O. Box 1271, Shelton 98584, or purchased at w...

  • 'Showing Up' spotlights artists dreams

    Kirk Boxleitner|Jun 1, 2023

    After her unexpected but characteristically meditative revisionist Western "First Cow" in 2019, Oregon filmmaker Kelly Reichardt returned yet again to her stomping grounds with "Showing Up" in 2022, which I finally had a chance to catch in the Rose Theatre's Starlight Room in Port Townsend. This film could have been subtitled "The Portland Scene," because not only does it capture the subculture of working-class artists and the murmuring, occasionally circular conversations that define their...

  • Shelton Cinemas' summer festival back for 10-week run

    Kirk Boxleitner|Jun 1, 2023

    It’s a tradition that has been put on pause just once, during the first year of the pandemic. Shelton Cinemas’ Summer Movie Mondays returns June 26, starting with the musical comedy “Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile.” Brittney Kick, head manager of Shelton Cinemas, recalled how the event got started in 2013 as “our gift to the community,” with prices to match. “It’s a milestone for this program, but we hope we can continue it for many more years to come,” Kick said. “Regardless of the pandemic or the eco...

  • State meets wrap up prep season

    Matt Baide|Jun 1, 2023

    Shelton senior Jacob Miller ended his prep running career with a fourth-place finish Saturday in the 3,200-meter race in the state 2A track and field championships at Mount Tahoma High School in Tacoma. Miller finished the race in 9 minutes, 19.57 seconds. He also finished sixth in the 1,600-meter race in 4:18.31. Shelton senior Jaydon Blackburn placed 17th in the 3,200-meter race in 9:49.26. Shelton junior Anthony Sanchelli finished seventh in the discus with a throw of 143 feet, 3 inches. In...

  • North Mason's Mathews signs to wrestle in Colorado

    Matt Baide|Jun 1, 2023

    North Mason wrestler Jake Mathews will continue to wrestle in college after signing a letter of intent May 23 with Colorado State University-Pueblo. Mathews was the Olympic League MVP, the Journal's All-County boys wrestler of the year, league champion and district champion. Mathews finished fifth at 152 pounds in the 2A state boys wrestling tournament in February at the Tacoma Dome. "I'm stoked for Jake; he's a kid who didn't necessarily think college was a pathway for him and wrestling has...

  • Wysocki, Mertsch win Cascade Challenge in Shelton

    Matt Baide|Jun 1, 2023

    Kat Mertsch won the women's pro open and Richard Wysocki won the mixed pro open in the Disc Golf Pro Tour's Silver Cascade Challenge from Friday to Sunday at Shelton Springs Disc Golf Course. Mertsch of Rose Bud, Arkansas, won the women's pro open tournament at 11-under, three shots clear of second-place Sai Ananda of Spokane Valley. Wysocki of Scottsdale, Arizona, won the mixed pro open with a score of 29-under par, three shots ahead of second-place Matt Bell of Hopatcong, New Jersey. The...

  • Mason County Forest Festival begins today

    Gordon Weeks|Jun 1, 2023

    The first Mason County Forest Festival was staged in May 1945 to celebrate timber and the future of second growth, the same month World War II ended. Thousands of locals and tourists will descend on Shelton starting today for the 79th annual festival, which continues through Sunday. "Tall Timbers" is this year's theme. The festival kicks off at noon today with the carnival at the corner of First and Grove streets, and continues through Sunday. Saturday's lineup includes the Goldsborough Creek...

  • Logging show features regional talent

    Matt Baide|Jun 1, 2023

    The Mason County Forest Festival is hosting the Men's Open Super Six and the Women's Featured Four logging competitions at 1 p.m. Saturday at Loop Field in Shelton. According to Forest Festival board president Mick Sprouffske, the opening ceremony is at 12:45 p.m. The men's competition will feature six events, including three chopping events - the springboard chop, standing block chop and the underhand chop, and three sawing events - the single buck, stocksaw and hotsaw competitions. The women's...

  • Forest Festival court

    Jun 1, 2023

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  • Goldsborough Creek Run/Walk Saturday morning

    Gordon Weeks|Jun 1, 2023

    Runners, walkers and "senior stretchers" can sign up for the annual Goldsborough Creek Run/Walk, staged Saturday as part of the Mason County Forest Festival. To register, go to www.runsignup.com. Participants can also sign up the day of the event starting at 6:30 a.m. The Centennial Guild of Mason General Hospital Foundation stages the event, with proceeds going to scholarships. The event includes a 7-mile walk, a 7-mile run, a 2-mile walk or run, a quarter-mile junior jog, and a quarter-mile ev...

  • Runway ready

    Kirk Boxleitner|Jun 1, 2023

    The return of the HUB Center for Seniors’ semiannual fundraising runway show May 13 drew 75 attendees, 19 models and raised $1,700 for the HUB. A significant portion of money came from a sponsorship by the Haven In Allyn Assisted Living, courtesy of founders and co-owners Debra and Ron Jamerson. The event included Belfair Self-Storage manager Barbara Treick’s BABS (Barbara’s Accessories and Bags Store), Birdi Nagy’s Birdi Designs, Jess Tomato’s Silver Crucible and Grace Wagner, who teaches j...

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