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Articles from the November 3, 2022 edition


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  • City could get money

    Gordon Weeks|Nov 3, 2022

    U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell and U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer say they want the City of Shelton and Mason County to benefit from a new $1 billion federal grant program to help bring businessses to the county. On Friday, Cantwell and Kilmer met with city, county and economic leaders at the Shelton Civic Center for a roundtable discussion on economic development opportunities. They then boarded a bus to tour local development and infrastructure sites, including the Port of Shelton's industrial parks....

  • Steven Ralph Needham

    Nov 3, 2022

    Steven Ralph Needham, 75, died October 27, 2022, at Capital Medical Center in Olympia. Steve was born October 24, 1947, to Gerald and Stephana Needham. Steve's mother was a 'Look-Out operator' at Dayton Peak Look-Out; his father was a Fire Warden for the State of Washington. Steve, along with his three sisters, and one brother all lived at the look-out station. After graduation from Shelton High School, Steve joined the U.S. Army and earned an Engineer Equipment Maintenance degree, and later... Full story

  • Jessica Lauren Balzer

    Nov 3, 2022

    Jessica Lauren Balzer On September 24th, 2022, Jessica Lauren Balzer, beloved daughter, sister and aunt, passed away at the age of 25 in Cathedral City, California. Jessica was born on December 5th, 1996 in Olympia, Washington to Thomas and Kathryn Balzer. Jessica grew up in Shelton, Washington. Jessica loved the Lord Jesus Christ and was baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit on February 25th, 2007, at Shelton First Baptist Church. Jessica's education began at... Full story

  • Wanda Bernice Settle-Nordy (Ristine)

    Nov 3, 2022

    Wanda Bernice Settle-Nordy (Ristine) Wanda Bernice Settle-Nordy (Ristine), 88, passed peacefully on October 14th, 2022 surrounded by her loving family in the home she had lived in for 69 years. It just so happens that is the same day as our Dad also died, nine years ago. Mom was best known for the unrivaled support of all her son's athletic abilities. Many folks in our little town will recall her cheering and whistling in the stands, she was truly a legend. Many years later, her much younger... Full story

  • Joyce Spatz

    Nov 3, 2022

    Celebration of Life for Joyce Spatz Saturday, November 5, 2022 at 1:30 p.m., Shelton United Methodist Church.... Full story

  • Clarence Oswalt

    Nov 3, 2022

    Clarence Oswalt, 95, passed peacefully at home September 19, 2022. He was born in 1927, in Russellville, Arkansas, the eldest son of Clarence W. and Hazel L. (Dollar) Oswalt. He grew up in Russellville and Paris, Arkansas. Clarence graduated from Paris High School in 1945. The day after graduation the family moved to Bellingham, Washington. He attended Western WA State College in Bellingham. He also worked on Attu and Adak Islands, in Alaska, on military bases as a civilian, between WWII and... Full story

  • Spooky season

    Nov 3, 2022

  • Postseason bound!

    Matt Baide|Nov 3, 2022

    What a difference a year makes. The Shelton Highclimbers football team was back in a Kansas tiebreaker once again on Monday at Tumwater District Stadium with Black Hills and Aberdeen, with two spots in the district crossover playoff games on the line. Shelton defeated Black Hills in the first matchup, and then took down Aberdeen to secure the No. 4 seed out of the Evergreen Conference into the District crossover games. The Highclimbers will travel to Washougal to take on the Panthers at 7 p.m....

  • Death Notices

    Nov 3, 2022

    Steven R. Needham, 75, a resident of Shelton, passed away October 27, 2022, at Capital Medical Center. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory. Jenna Kelly-Allred, 52, a resident of Shelton, passed away October 28, 2022, in Shelton, WA. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory. Patricia Wheaton, 73, a resident of Olympia, passed away October 28, 2022, at home. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory. Alvin Michael Wilson, 81, a resident of Shelton, passed... Full story

  • North Mason investigation uncovers policy violations

    Matt Baide|Nov 3, 2022

    North Mason students and parents violated North Mason's civil conduct policy in an incident after the North Mason volleyball match against Bremerton on Oct. 18 in Belfair. North Mason School District Superintendent Dana Rosenbach said the investigation has determined "a few" students and parents violated the policy. The incident had allegations of racial harassment and intimidation. "I think our athletic director, Ray Bonnell, has done an amazing job. He spent countless hours conducting...

  • Random thoughts for a day in November

    Kirk Ericson|Nov 3, 2022

    Isn’t it odd to tell people who feel achy after getting a COVID vaccination that it shows that the vaccine is working? If that’s true, wouldn’t the contrary be true — if you don’t feel achy after a COVID shot it’s a sign the shot’s not working? Isn’t it also odd that people take the time and effort to mention that they hate being in traffic jams? Are they trying to distinguish themselves from people who do like being in traffic jams? We’d all be happier if everyone else was happier. Nothing...

  • Letters to the Editor

    Nov 3, 2022

    Editor’s note: The following two letters are from current political candidates rebutting previously published letters. The Journal did not allow new endorsement or candidate letters in this week’s paper. Mandated function Editor, the Journal, I am writing in response to a letter published in last week’s Shelton-Mason County Journal from Ginger Brooks. The letter seeks to defend the incumbent’s record in office by using the statements made by the incumbent to support Ms. Brooks’ comments. In contrast, the issues I’ve addressed throughout...

  • Larry Lewis Seaward

    Nov 3, 2022

    Larry Lewis Seaward May 10, 1930- October 5, 2022 Larry Seaward died peacefully in his sleep on Oct. 5, 2022, at home in Belfair, WA at the age of 92. His aging heart and body belied his youthful zest for life. A man with a passion for life, he pursued a life extraordinary, embracing and thriving on challenges. Born in Kamas, Utah, Larry was the first child of Lewis Seaward and Mabel Carnall. He was raised in Missoula, MT and Spokane, WA. On graduating from Lewis and Clark HS in Spokane in... Full story

  • County Briefs

    Compiled by reporter Matt Baide|Nov 3, 2022

    CMFE promotes Fox to battalion chief Central Mason Fire & EMS promoted lieutenant and paramedic Samantha Fox to battalion chief. According to a news release, Fox joined CMFE in 2011 as a paramedic and firefighter. She is a graduate of South Puget Sound Community College and Tacoma Community College. She began her career in 2002 as a firefighter. In 2021, Fox was promoted to lieutenant and paramedic. In her first three rotations, she commanded five fire events and managed over 100 calls. Fox's...

  • Better managing your private forest

    Gordon Weeks|Nov 3, 2022

    In 1993, Leslie Coulter and Bruce Santy bought 10 acres of woods and wetlands at the end of a dirt road near Cranberry Lake. They started building on the property two years later. The couple, who moved to Mason County from King County, say they felt "overwhelmed" when it came to managing the land. "Our forest is not here for making money," Coulter said. "It's here to create something that's healthy and happy. "We wanted to be in the woods, but what can we do to not to screw things up?" A few...

  • Commission Briefs

    Compiled by reporter Matt Baide|Nov 3, 2022

    ARPA money allocations approved Mason County commissioners approved the American Rescue Plan Act money allocations at the Oct. 25 meeting. According to the information packet, the commissioners allocated a total of $6,238,667 to 13 projects from 34 requests sent in for ARPA funding. The projects and dollar allocations are $1,500,000 for the Belfair Sewer extension, $425,000 for Mason County Fiber Optic Infrastructure upgrade, $300,000 for Belfair Water backup generators and $750,000 for PUD 1 Vuecrest storage phase 3. Other projects and dollar...

  • Conservation District provides project updates

    Matt Baide|Nov 3, 2022

    The Mason Conservation District updated the public on nine upcoming Skokomish Habitat projects, with two projects planning to begin construction in the summer. The Skokomish Valley Road "Dips" project is in the permitting phase and is planned to be constructed in the summer. The project will build a new bridge over Skokomish Valley Road, high enough to be above 100-year flood levels. The road elevation will be set so water will not go over it below a 1.4-year flood event. The project includes...

  • Nonprofit Briefs

    Compiled by reporter Gordon Weeks|Nov 3, 2022

    Churches accept donations of gifts for children Calvary Fellowship of Shelton and The Bridge Church in Belfair are accepting donations of gifts packed in shoe boxes for the annual international Operation Christmas Child drive. Calvary Fellowship of Shelton is at 50 E. Island Lake Road. Donation times are 2 to 4 p.m. Nov. 14, 3 to 5 p.m. Nov. 15, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 16 and 17, noon to 3 p.m. Nov. 18, 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 19, noon to 3 p.m. Nov. 20, and 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 21. The Bridge Churc...

  • School Briefs

    Compiled by reporter Gordon Weeks|Nov 3, 2022

    Pioneer schools host dinner, science fair The Pioneer School District hosts a Community Dinner and Science and Engineering Fair Nov. 9 in the middle school commons. Dinner is served beginning at 5 p.m. Attendees can meet the student scientists from 6 to 6:30 p.m. The awards ceremony is staged at 6:30 p.m. The winning students at each grade level will advance to compete at both the regional and state science fairs. For more information, call Brenda Roth or Jeff Davis at 360-42...

  • 'Cabinet of Curiosities,' 'Devil's Hour' perfect Halloween

    Kirk Boxleitner|Nov 3, 2022

    We're closing out this year's spooky season with two engagingly suspenseful streaming series that premiered during the final full week of October 2022. "Cabinet of Curiosities" on Netflix Part of what makes Guillermo del Toro such an appealing figure is his effusive enthusiasm for the art of onscreen storytelling itself, which manifests not only in the craftsmanship and ideas inherent in his own films, but also in his frequent tributes to the works of other filmmakers. "Guillermo del Toro's Cabi...

  • Flying high

    Justin Johnson|Nov 3, 2022

    The mark of the best teams is that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. It's the philosophy that has guided the Mary M. Knight High School volleyball team to one of its best seasons in recent history. "I think one of the biggest things is, in the program, we really work hard," Owls coach Kitty Brehmeyer said. "I mean from day one, even at the junior high level, we stress that you need to go out there and be the best teammate you can be. When you are the best teammate for someone else...

  • Shelton boys qualify for state cross country meet

    Matt Baide|Nov 3, 2022

    The Shelton boys cross country team qualified for the state tournament with a fourth-place finish at the District IV cross country meet Oct. 27 at Lewis River Golf Course in Woodland. Jacob Miller was the highest finisher for the Highclimbers in third place, completing the race in 16 minutes, 9 seconds. Jaydon Blackburn took ninth place in 16:43. Carson Bursch took 21st place in 17:10, Landon Bursch finished 39th in 17:55 and Jack Parker ended in 51st place with a time of 18:32. Richard Beckman...

  • Prep Roundup

    Compiled by reporter Matt Baide|Nov 3, 2022

    Shelton boys tennis Shelton’s Jayden Lovingfoss and Wyatt Wagner finished fourth in the District 4 boys tennis tournament Oct. 27 and 28 at Club Green Meadows in Vancouver to earn a state tournament berth. The duo started the tournament as the top seed out of the Evergreen Conference. Lovingfoss and Wagner defeated the Greater St. Helens League’s No. 4 seed, 6-0, 6-1. Shelton was upset in the semifinals by Columbia River’s Cole Benner and Alex Harris, 6-3, 6-2. Wagner and Lovingfoss bounced back with a 6-2, 6-4 win against Columbia River...

  • Relabeling racist names on Tahuya lakes

    Gordon Weeks|Nov 3, 2022

    The state is proposing renaming a lake and a slough north of Tahuya, changing names derogatory to Black people to new monikers celebrating two former slaves who lived in the area. The Washington State Committee on Geographic Names last week approved nine proposals to rename features bearing a derogatory term that refers to Indigenous women. The proposals from tribes came in the wake of the U.S. Department of Interior's orders last year to rename geographic features throughout the country. The...

  • Commissioner appointed to Clean Water Committee

    Kirk Boxleitner|Nov 3, 2022

    Art Whitson, District 1 commissioner for the Port of Grapeview, was appointed Oct. 25 by Mason County commissioners to fill an open slot on the Mason County Clean Water Advisory Committee. The committee’s purpose is to implement laws designed to protect and improve water quality. Whitson’s responsibilities include establishing programs and projects to reduce nonpoint source pollution that threatens surface water quality in Mason County. He’s one of the committee’s nine stakeholder members...

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