Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886
Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 1955
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...
The U.S. Postal Service has withdrawn from discussions to sell Post Office Park to the City of Shelton or to trade it for the city's Brewer Park.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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
The Journal encourages Announcements and News Releases of local, timely interest to our readers. Local photo submissions are also welcome. Include information on the who, what, when, where, why and how of your news lead. Deadline is each Monday by 5 PM. All submissions should include the sender's name, address and daytime phone number which will be used for verification purposes only. Submissions are subject to editing for length, grammar and clarity. To submit your Announcement or News Release: • Email [email protected] (preferred)... Full story
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Tuesday is the deadline to cast votes for two fire district measures in Mason County on the special election ballot. Grapeview Fire District 3 is proposing to merge with Central Mason Fire District 5 to provide fire and emergency medical services to areas served by the two districts. West Mason Fire District 16 is proposing a property tax levy of 50 cents or less per $1,000 of assessed valuation for six years, beginning this year, for emergency medical services. Both need a simple majority to pass. Ballot drop boxes for the special election...
Mason County Commissioner Kevin Shutty will be the new executive director of the Economic Development Council of Mason County. Shutty replaces Jennifer Baria. He assumes his position May 1 and will continue in his role with the County Commission until his term expires at the end of this year. The Shelton-based organization provides consultation to businesses establishing or relocating in Mason County. The agency states that its mission is "to expand and diversify the economy throughout Mason...
Fire District 12 Commissioner Nick Jones accused Chief Brian Walsworth of “dereliction of duty” at the April 9 commission meeting after Jones saw the state of disrepair in fire station 12-3, on Beeville Loop Road, he said. Community members told him April 3 that the station was left open, so Jones went to take a look with three witnesses. Jones said they went inside the open building after notifying the sheriff. “All I could smell was mouse feces and urine,” he said. There was a dead mouse in a fire engine compartment, rodent nests, and “a...
In the Olympia School District, 65% of students a year out of high school are attending colleges. In the Shelton School District, it's 31%. That's the statistic quoted by Sandra Kaiser, director for government relations with The Evergreen State College, at the League of Women Voters of Mason County's forum "Why College? Challenges to Seeking a College Education for Mason County Youth" on Tuesday in the Olympic College Shelton library meeting room. The other speakers were Riva Villa, director of...
Ten-year-old Lin Spichiger of Shelton is the winner of the state Department of Health's 2024 Northwest Radon Poster Contest. According to a news release, the contest is an opportunity for youths ages 9 to 14 to creatively raise awareness of the harmful effects of elevated indoor radon levels and promote testing and mitigation of radon gas. "We appreciate each student who participated," Gary Garrety, the radon program director for DOH, said in the release. "Special thanks to the teachers, youth...
City moves forward on new police car The Shelton City Council on Tuesday evening gave preliminary approval to buying a new police patrol car for $86,000. The move can become official with a second vote at the council's May 7 meeting. The police department requested the vehicle in its 2024 budget to replace a 2013 Dodge Charger police vehicle with 117,000 miles on it. The new 2024 model Ford Interceptor SUV AWD vehicle is priced at $70,212, and it will be fitted to become a police vehicle. May 3...
Mason County Sheriff's Office deputies seized more than 60 dogs and one horse from a woman in Grapeview during an animal cruelty investigation, according to a MCSO news release. Deputies confiscated animals on the property Sunday, April 14, with support from the Humane Society of Mason County volunteers. "This incident occurred in the Grapeview area. We are currently serving a search warrant at the location and working with outside agencies, including the Humane Society, to ensure these animals...
Free Healthy Kids Day at Shelton YMCA The South Sound YMCA is hosting its annual Healthy Kids Day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Shelton YMCA. The free event offers activities that encourage good health. Events include face painting, yard games, swimming, a demonstration in synchronized swimming, slime making and photo opportunities. Information: Claudia Suastegui at 360-918-0304 or [email protected]. Help plant a garden at Shelton Veterans Village Everyone is invited to celebrate Earth Day by joining members of the Mason...
Couple sue Harstine Island HOA over wheelchair modifications A Grays Harbor County couple is suing the Harstene Pointe Maintenance Association for improperly denying them a building permit that includes Americans with Disabilities Act modifications, according to a complaint filed in Mason County Superior Court April 9. Daniel and Jolene Tupper want to add wheelchair access features to their home on Harstine Island that’s subject to the nonprofit homeowners association covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs). The Tuppers submitted t...
