Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886
Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886
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A draft of the Shelton School District's 2023-2024 budget projects almost $79 million in revenue and almost $78.2 million in expenditures. Brenda Trogstad, the district's assistant superintendent of finance and operations, gave an overview Tuesday evening to the Shelton School Board. Of the $78,142,795 in proposed general fund expenditures, certified salaries are 45.33%, followed by 23.12% for employee benefits, 20.06% for classified salaries, 5.91% for purchased services, 5.19% for supplies and...
Former Shelton High School counselor Samuel Martin Caffey, 30, was denied a reduction in bail at a hearing June 21 in Mason County Superior Court. Caffey was arrested June 2 on charges of third-degree rape of a child, third-degree child molestation and distribution of a controlled substance to a minor. Judge Daniel Goodell presided over the hearing. Caffey’s lawyer, Joshua Bruner, argued to the court that Caffey’s family could not afford the $300,000 bail, but could afford $100,000 bail to get...
Mason County Fire District 12 in Matlock received community pushback after the release of a report on the results of an internal investigation and the appointment of Cinda Compton to the commission. During community comments at the Fire 12 regular meeting June 20, some residents spoke up against the findings of the investigation. “It appeared to me that it was more of a prosecution defense report, not really an investigation,” a resident said during the meeting. “I didn’t see any benefit...
Four Fingered Jacks: The best name I’ve seen for a fireworks stand. One Fourth when all four kids were under one roof, our father announced we would have a safe Fourth of July. He got some of us into the backyard, had us sit in lawn chairs on the concrete patio, and then perched a road flare about 50 feet away atop a wall separating one level of the backyard from the next. He popped the cap on the flare. I can’t recall whether I said or thought this when the flare burned out: “Is that it?...
Real experience Editor, the Journal, Superior Court Judge Cadine Ferguson-Brown is being challenged by David Stevens. You should consider each candidates’ work history by reviewing their resumes and applications submitted to the Governor’s Office. Judge Cadine Ferguson-Brown is the only candidate with judicial experience – first as Mason County Superior Court commissioner and currently as judge. Her strength in civil and family law, which represents 75% to 80% of Mason County court filings, is an asset to this busy court. She is also exper...
You knew our Declaration of Independence was signed and celebrated each July 4 of our county’s history. But did you know our War of Independence started when the Minute Men skirmished with British troops in April of 1774? And that was when the people of the 13 States, (or colonies as the British preferred) decided for the first time in modern history that a colony which answered to a higher government, England, would declare a right of self-rule. So, representatives of those states convened in a Congress from September to October, 1774, and d...
City Council candidates debate at forum Mary Eagleson, Tristen Smith and George Blush, who are vying for a position on the Shelton City Council, took part in a candidate forum at the Shelton Civic Center on Monday. The forum, sponsored by the Mason County Republican Party, was moderated by Jeff Slakey. It can be viewed on www.MasonWebTV.com. The candidates answered prepared questions, as well as questions from the audience, on a range of topics including taxes, homelessness, business...
The Savannah Sipping Society Sharing drinks are, from left, are Marlafaye (Shelley Starrett), Dot (Sheryl Fellman), Jinx (Liz Brunner) and Randa (Amy Byykkonen) in the Harstine Island Theatre Club's presentation of the comedy "The Savannah Sipping Society" staged at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Harstine Island Community Hall, 3371 E. Harstine island Road N. Admission is $10. Tickets are available at the door, and at Olympic Bakery, Jarrell's Cove Marina and Williams Flowers. Bake...
Shelton High grad is teacher of the year Holly Johnson, a 1998 graduate of Shelton High School, was named by Capital Region Educational Service District 113 as the 2024 Regional Teacher of the Year. Johnson is a special education teacher in the Tenino School District. She is now a finalist for the Washington State Teacher of the Year. The state's Office of Public Instruction will announce that winner in the fall. In a news release, EDS 113 wrote "As an educator of children with disabilities, Joh...
When the Hardware Distillery and Hood Canal Events teamed up to stage the fifth annual Fjordin Crossin festival on June 17 at the Port of Hoodsport dock and marina, the community responded. Co-founder Jan Morris, who's also the co-founder of the Hardware Distillery with her husband, Chuck, said the festival drew 300 attendees, and more than 70 kayakers, paddleboarders and canoeists for the Paddle the Canal challenge, organized by Kerry Myers of Hood Canal Events. "It was our biggest turnout...
State Corrections housing contract renewed Mason County commissioners approved the state Department of Corrections contract renewal through 2025 at its June 20 meeting. According to the information packet, the current contract was set to expire Friday. The contract is a standardized state contract for prisoner housing, and the Mason County Sheriff’s Office has not housed state prisoners for years due to booking restrictions based on a lack of beds. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic a...
The Kristmas Town Kiwanis Club's 18th annual Bluegrass From the Forest features eight bands, camping, jamming, vendors and the Chick Rose School of Bluegrass from July 7 to 9 at the South Mason Youth Soccer Park at 2102 E. Johns Prairie Road. For ticket information, go to bluegrassfromtheforest.com or call 360-490-8981. The musical lineup ia Alan Bibey and Grasstowne, the Kathy Kallick Band, the Bar K Buckeroos, The Rusty Hinges, Heartbreak Pass, Terry Enyeart and the Steelhead Bluegrass Band,...
“Secret Invasion” began its six-episode run June 21 on Disney+, with new episodes dropping Wednesdays. Welcome back, Nick Fury. The Marvel Cinematic Universe wasn’t the same without you. While Samuel L. Jackson still brings the same fire to the role, he’s visibly a different Fury. He walks with a limp. His beard has gone gray. And he no longer bothers to wear an eyepatch to cover his scarred face and cloudy eye. These changes are verbally reinforced by the former spymaster being told he’s lo...
Shelton High School student Madison McClanahan is preparing to compete in the National High School Rodeo Association's Reined Cow Horse Championships from July 16 to 22 in Gillette, Wyoming. In reined cow horse competition riders must control the horses' movements while in the ring. Midway through the allotted time, a cow is released into the rodeo ring and the rider must control the horse to control the cow. Riders are scored on the reining part, which is how well you know a pattern and how...
North Mason School District Superintendent Dana Rosenbach summed up the 2022-23 school year by declaring the district had ended the year "strategically, financially and systemically sound," while "keeping true to our mission, to educate, empower, inspire and prepare all our students to graduate, confident in their abilities to meet life's challenges and opportunities." Rosenbach deemed it "a tremendous year of growth" for North Mason, with high enrollment, which appears on track to continue, as...
Mary enjoys the sun. She goes swimming and works in the garden. Watering is a biggy in the evenings. She attends a Grand Chapter in Seattle and has a great time. Sunday, June 19, 1949 Today was very warm in the a.m., but at 12:30 up came another of those dry winds. By 12:30 the washing was done, cabin and upstairs clean and a lot of watering done. Very clear out and so lovely. Made a date with the dentist for Tuesday. In the afternoon I watered all the corners that were dry and lay out in the...
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On June 16, 2023, Frank Gray took an evening walk, came home, sat down to rest and quietly passed away without struggle, at the age of 86. Frank was born to Grover and Lucile Gray on February 18, 1937 in Kent, WA. His family moved to Hoodsport, WA in 1939. On June 1st he celebrated his 60th anniversary of marriage to Barbara (Hays) Gray. Frank is survived by: Barbara, their three children, Carl Gray, Gina Lindblom, and Katie Hall, his five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, with one on... Full story
Paul Brown died at home with family April 8, 2023. Paul was born to Kenneth and Dora Brown in Shelton, December 11, 1944. He grew up with five brothers and one sister. His parents and his brothers preceded him in death. He was an avid hunter and hiker when he was young. His greatest love outside of his family was the mountains. He grew up fishing in local lakes and tromping around mountain trails. He excelled in sports, especially track and wrestling. He began working at a local tire shop while... Full story
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Laurie Kathryn Olenik, 67, due to heart failure on June 12th, 2023.Laurie was a longtime Shelton resident moving to Mason County in 1989 'til present. Laurie was a wonderful, loving, big-hearted person who touched many lives. She was a kind and loving wife, mother and grandmother who was always there for her family and friends. Her grace, warmth and humor made her the best friend, and mother anyone could ask for. Laurie was an active, in... Full story
Cy was a rascal from rural Pennsylvania born in 1934. He was encouraged by the judge to join the U.S. Army in 1957. He married Kathleen (Blitz) Simpson from Shelton in 1958; they had three daughters, Kathy, Sandy and Kelly. Cy worked for the Kirk Christmas Tree Company for over 20 years. He loved the Northwest and enjoyed boating, diving, fishing and hunting. He and Blitz divorced in 1977, he re-married in 1985 to Susie Grande (she probably saved his life) who had two young children, Donna and... Full story
Ervin Michael LaPlante, born in 1943, and passed away June 21, 2023. He was a lifelong resident of Shelton and graduated in 1961 from Shelton High School. He joined the U.S. Coast Guard and served 3 1/2 years. He is survived by his daughter Correna LaPlante Secena and husband Ray Secena, grandchildren Bobby Young and Nicole Young. Ervin was a loving, caring, gentle man. He treated everyone with respect. All of the kids that came into Dads life were like his own; Terry, Frank, Tommy Sherrill,... Full story
Jesus welcomed William Howard Spear, 83, into his heavenly room on June 21, 2023, fulfilling His promise of preparing a place in His Father's home for those who believe in Him (John 14:1). Howard invested his life in telling others the best Love Story: that sinless Jesus took on Himself our debt of sin, paying with His very lifeblood; He rose from His grave triumphant over death; and He alone can remove our life's sin to bring us back into warm fellowship with His Father. Howard's pastoral... Full story
Jerry M. Forrester born May 25, 1941, died on May 30, 2023. He had been in Hospice care at Alpine Way. His favorite Scottish pipes were playing in the background as he gently slipped away. He was proud of his Scottish heritage. As a young man in Canada he served in Princess Mary's Scottish Regiment. Jerry was an Inspector and Adjudicator for Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, working out of Tacoma in Pierce County. He was a past Battalion Chief for Lake Bay Fire Department and... Full story
