Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886

Articles from the July 18, 2024 edition


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  • Olympic Dream

    Gordon Weeks|Jul 18, 2024

    C.J. Allen cleared his first hurdle as a 10-year-old at Grapeview Elementary School. Unlike the other kids, he could jump hurdles designed for college athletes. "Even in the fifth grade, I said I was going to be in the Olympics," Allen said in a telephone interview last week from his home in Georgia. "That's the pinnacle of my sport." Allen achieved that pinnacle June 30 by placing second in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 47.81 at the U.S. Olympic qualifying time trials at Hayward Field...

  • District eyes public facility use

    Gordon Weeks|Jul 18, 2024

    The Shelton School District is revising its policies on how the public uses school facilities, emphasizing that student use takes priority. The Shelton School Board discussed the proposed revisions at its regular meeting July 9. The board can make the revisions official with a vote at its next meeting Aug. 27. “It has not been touched, if the dates are correct, in 20 years,” Robert Herron, the district’s director of facilities management and construction, told the board. “And so the policy is probably outdated, as well as the procedu...

  • Testy council meeting

    Gordon Weeks|Jul 18, 2024

    Shelton City Council member Miguel Gutierrez on Tuesday evening moved to remove himself from the council meeting, and then walked out after four other council members voted for him to go following a testy exchange with two downtown business owners. His departure came 13 minutes into the meeting, following public comments by Jackie and Dean Jewett, who own Radio Fryer in downtown Shelton. Both said the city is failing to address problems caused by street people downtown, including urinating and defecating on their garbage cans. Dean suggested...

  • Law targets illegal dumping

    June Williams|Jul 18, 2024

    Green Diamond Resource Co. forest lands in Mason and Grays Harbor counties see 20 to 30 tons of garbage dumped illegally each year, and that amount keeps rising, Policy and Communications Manager Jason Callahan told the Journal. Cleanup costs for the company have also increased fivefold in the past few years, he said. Disposing of just one RV can cost $1,300, “and we get a number of those every year,” Callahan said. Green Diamond has cleaned up all types of garbage dumped on their property, including household garbage, old boats, cars, app...

  • Candidates in the Park

    Jul 18, 2024

  • These Times

    Kirk Ericson|Jul 18, 2024

    I spent three hours the other day scouring the internet for some jokes and quotes. My only criteria for judging the jokes’ worth, aside from being suitable for the newspaper, was whether they made me laugh loud enough to make the cat raise his head from his indentation on the couch. I couldn’t find any attribution for the following jokes, which shows the value we put on masterpiece jokes. I mean, Vincent Van Gogh gets credit for his paintings … ■■■ “An 8-year-old boy who had never spoken a word...

  • Letters to the Editor

    Jul 18, 2024

    Fireworks, opinions Editor, the Journal, I have two unrelated issues I’d like to address. First, 4th of July celebrations. We fought a war to win our independence. We have a national anthem that celebrates “The red glare of bombs bursting in air.” Every year, I see the looks of fear, no terror, in the eyes of my horses as they run around unable to get away from the terrible sounds coming from behind us and then from across the road. I’ve seen the trembling of a small dog as he cowers in a ball in the bathroom. When I had cats they too had fea...

  • History at a Glance

    Jan Parker|Jul 18, 2024

    In about 1905, a school was built in the Pickering area of Mason County. Because there was only one student at the time, the building may have been intended as a temporary structure. In June 1912, a new, more permanent Grant School was built on logged-off land overlooking Pickering Passage. By November 1917, 12 students attended the new school and by 1928, 28 students attended in grades one through eight. According to the Journal, on Nov. 26, 1915, "The greatest social event of the season was...

  • Burn bans in county

    June Williams|Jul 18, 2024

    Hot, dry weather has descended on Western Washington, causing a variety of burn bans for Mason County. The Department of Natural Resources has issued a statewide burn ban through Sept. 30. The DNR can extend or shorten the date depending on fire conditions, according to a news release. The Mason County Fire Marshal also implemented restrictions through that date, subject to changing conditions. All outdoor burning, including campfires in firepits, charcoal briquettes and any other equipment that creates ash is prohibited on all lands in the cou...

  • Accident Reports

    Compiled by reporter June Williams|Jul 18, 2024

    State Route 106 blocked after crash A suspected drunken driver allegedly caused a head-on collision on state Route 106 north of Twanoh State Park Sunday, injuring three people. Bremerton woman Katharine Cuyle, 40, was driving westbound near Twanoh Tides Drive at 7:25 p.m. when she crossed the center line and struck a vehicle driven by Sergey Bezzabara, 44, of Federal Way, according to the Washington State Patrol. The accident blocked both lanes. Cuyle was taken to St. Michael Medical Center in Silverdale and Bezzabara and two of his three...

  • Community Briefs

    Compiled by reporter Gordon Weeks|Jul 18, 2024

    Patio & Bake sale hosted in Allyn St. Hugh Episcopal Church hosts its 33rd annual Patio & Bake Sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at 280 E. Wheelwright St., Allyn, off Lakeland Boulevard. Proceeds benefit Mason County agencies. The offerings will include collectibles, linens, household items, jewelry, plants, books, games, tools, sports equipment, pies, breads and fresh baked cinnamon rolls. Book sale benefits Shelton library programs The Friends of the Shelton Timberland Library host a small book sale from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at 710...

  • Harstene Point gets $14 million for sewer updates

    June Williams|Jul 18, 2024

    A $14-million state Department of Ecology loan will help Harstene Point Water and Sewer District, on Harstine Island, update 50-year-old lines and reduce operating costs, according to General Manager Jeff Palmer. “We are very excited to receive this loan, which is $14 million, but $5 million of it is forgivable principle, bringing it down to $9 million in repayable,” Palmer told the Journal. DOE provided the money from its clean water fund at 1.2% interest. “Washington’s clean water funding is a mix of state and federal funds dedicated toward...

  • Matlock area Fire 12 gets new meeting days, website

    June Williams|Jul 18, 2024

    Fire District 12 commissioners agreed to change regular business meeting days to 6 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month at a meeting July 3. Meetings are currently at the Matlock Grange, 61 West Beeville Road in Matlock. The district is also getting a new website at mason12.org, which should be up and running soon, acting Chief Mike Brown said. Brown gave an update on maintenance happening on apparatus and emergency equipment at Station 1 during the meeting. “We’re making headway,” he said. Oil filters on the vehicles haven’t be...

  • Bluegrass from the Forest

    Jul 18, 2024

    The Kristmas Town Kiwanis' 19th annual Bluegrass from the Forest music festival was Friday to Sunday at the South Mason Youth Soccer Park on Johns Prairie Road in Shelton. This year's festival featured eight bluegrass bands, camping and kids activities....

  • Community Profile

    Gordon Weeks|Jul 18, 2024

    Donn Knox splits wood, smokes salmon, kayaks and makes apple cider from the trees on his Agate property. He reads avidly, books about history and geography, but never fiction. He's built three houses, including the house he shares with his wife, Nancy, with a view of the Harstine Island bridge. "He is probably the most active person I've ever known," said his daughter, Stephanie Nichols. On Saturday, the World War II veteran turns 100 years old. A Mason County resident since 1989, he'll be...

  • In the Dark Reviews

    Kirk Boxleitner|Jul 18, 2024

    When a film includes a conspiracy theory about the Apollo 11 moon landing being staged, one wouldn't expect it to get a thumbs-up from NASA, but according to Greg Berlanti, director of "Fly Me to the Moon," NASA shared real-life footage from the Apollo program for the film. This speaks to how gravity-defying "Fly Me to the Moon" is. It entertains a long-held paranoid fantasy about the space program while wholeheartedly honoring the real achievements of the men and women who worked to get us to...

  • Fore a good cause

    Jul 18, 2024

  • State emphasizes safety on the water

    Staff report|Jul 18, 2024

    Next week is “Paddle Safe Week,” as proclaimed by Gov. Jay Inslee July 22 – 28, with support from Washington State Parks. “Paddle Safe Week is a great opportunity to help reduce paddle sports-related fatalities by sharing resources and educating the community on how to recreate safely,” Boating Program Manager Rob Sendak said in a news release. The best way to stay safe while paddling is to wear a life jacket, according to WSP, and having at least one Coast Guard-approved life jacket for each person on board all vessels, including canoes, k...

  • Allyn Days set to kick off Friday at Waterfront Park

    June Williams|Jul 18, 2024

    The three-day Allyn Days Salmon Bake and Geoduck Festival begins Friday with Music in the Park, a free event on the main stage at Port of Allyn Waterfront Park, where all the events take place. The Allyn Community Association will have a hamburger and hot dog stand and Bent Bine Brewery will be serving “new, fresh summer beers,” according to the association. The lineup: 4 to 4:30 p.m.: Samuel and the Band Who Knows, a local country-rock band. 5 to 6 p.m.: Jason Rogers, a Grapeview guitar player/singer performing classic rock. 7 to 8 p.m.: King...

  • Mary's Memoirs

    Clydene Hostetler|Jul 18, 2024

    Must be hot because the water supply from the well ran low. Two more deaths this week. Girl Scouts came out for the day and enjoyed the canal. Mary went swimming several times. End of the raspberry season and the beginning of the wild blackberry season. Baking was done. Monday, July 10, 1950 This was a cold windy day and I got up early and ironed. Then at 9 a.m. ran up to Mae Housen's where I called on the phone for about 45 minutes. To Belfair, got my money orders and home. They had breakfast...

  • Jo Ann Lewis

    Jul 18, 2024

    Jo Ann Lewis, 77, a resident of Shelton, died June 24th, 2024, at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia. Arrangements are by Forest Funeral Home in Shelton. A service will be held at 12:00 p.m. Sunday, July 21, 2024 at 210 W. Shelton Valley Rd., Shelton, WA 98584.... Full story

  • Brad Lee Marcy

    Jul 18, 2024

    Brad Lee Marcy passed away on February 17, 2024, in Port St. Lucie, Florida. A Celebration of Life Memorial will be held at Shelton Memorial Park on August 3, 2024 at 1:00 p.m.... Full story

  • Edwin Roller

    Jul 18, 2024

    It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Edwin Roller, who left us on July 3, 2024, at the age of 77. He was a retired Lieutenant Firefighter for the City of Shelton and an U.S. Air Force Veteran. He is survived by his wife, Nancy; daughters, Tammy Roller and Kim Albaugh; son in law Gary Albaugh; and two grandchildren Lea and Ana Albaugh. Anyone wishing to honor Edwin's life of service as a firefighter, please make a donation to Fred Hutch Cancer Center.... Full story

  • Billy G. Bartee

    Jul 18, 2024

    Billy G. Bartee passed away on July 8, 2024, at Mason General Hospital in Shelton, WA. He was born on January 7, 1928 in Wickenburg, AZ, and graduated from high school there. He was preceded in death by his father, Frank Bartee, his mother, Esse Bartee, and his two brothers, Frank and Kenneth Bartee. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1946 and was discharged February 1948. He married Jocelyn Judith Morse in March of 1949 and raised four boys. He worked in Phoenix at Western Electric Bell Telephone... Full story

  • Richard "Otto" Field

    Jul 18, 2024

    Richard "Otto" Field, 75, owner operator of Bayshore Sand & Gravel, "Otto" Field Construction and Mason County Septic, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on November 25, 2023. Please join us for an open house celebration of life on Saturday, July 20th, 2024. Located off of Hwy 3, 90 E. Cranberry Creek. Rd., Shelton, WA 98584. Share memories, laughter and a potluck style meal. Stop by any time from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.... Full story

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