County Briefs

Mason County COVID-19 cases continue to decrease

The county saw a decline in COVID-19 cases, recording 284 cases from Feb. 7 to Sunday.

According to Mason County Division of Emergency Management, the seven-day case rate per 100,000 is 1,075.4 and the 14-day case rate is 2,146.2. Only one person was hospitalized as of Sunday and the county is 57.4% vaccinated.

Several places in Mason County have COVID test kits and N95 masks. According to Mason County Director of Community Services Dave Windom, N95 masks are in Shelton at the Shelton Catholic Church, senior center, Central Mason Fire, Mason County Public Health, Our Community Credit Union, Peninsula Credit Union, Hood Canal Communications and Shelton-Mason county Chamber of Commerce. In Belfair, N95 masks are available at The Hub, North Mason Fire, Asambleas de Dios Internacional Agua Viva, Belfair Catholic Church, Belfair Chamber of Commerce and Belfair Library. In Hoodsport, N95 masks are available at PUD 1, Hoodsport Timberland Library and Lake Cushman Fire.

In Belfair, COVID rapid tests are available at The Hub, North Mason Fire, North Mason Food Bank, Asambleas de Dios Internacional Agua Viva, Belfair Catholic Church Prince of Peace, Belfair Chamber of Commerce, Belfair Library and Port of Allyn. In Shelton, COVID rapid tests can be found at the Shelton Catholic Church, senior center, Central Mason Fire, West Mason Fire, Peninsula Credit Union, Hood Canal Communications, Shelton-Mason County Chamber of Commerce, Mason County Fire District 13, 11 and 6 and the VFW. In Hoodsport, COVID tests are at PUD 1, Hoodsport Library, Fire Station, Union United, Lake Cushman Fire and Hood Canal Food Bank.

Gov. Jay Inslee announced Feb. 9 that the state outdoor mask mandate will be lifted Friday. There is no date set for the indoor mask mandate to be lifted.

Repair work completed at Lilliwaup River Bridge

Mason County residents can freely travel across the U.S. Highway 101 Lilliwaup River Bridge following the completion of structural repairs.

According to a news release, state Department of Transportation bridge maintenance crews have worked to repair damaged structural components of the bridge. The bridge was struck in September 2021 by a log truck that damaged the concrete column and railings. A temporary signal detoured travelers while repairs were being completed.

Repairs totaled $90,000 and were paid by a third-party insurance company.

North Mason schools look at modified class schedule

The North Mason School District is exploring a balanced and modified school schedule and is assembling a task force to explore the option further.

According to a North Mason School District Facebook post, the district has been awarded an Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction grant to look into a modified schedule. The balanced calendar reduces the summer break and appropriates those days into more frequent breaks and limiting long periods of in-session days and longer vacations. Both calendars feature 180 days of instruction and keeps the Thanksgiving and winter breaks intact.

The task force will look at how the balanced schedule could affect the school and community. It is just an option and no decisions have been made about the balanced schedule.

Anyone interested in joining the task force can email Sand Hill Elementary Principal Jason Swaser at [email protected].

Shelton-Mason County Chamber of Commerce earns award

The Shelton-Mason County Chamber of Commerce earned an honorable mention for its website at the Western Association of Chamber Executives Conference.

According to a Facebook post, the annual conference was Feb. 2 to 5 and Chamber CEO Heidi McCutcheon said, “It was thrilling to receive the award, especially as our website placed amid competition of much larger chambers!” Check out the award-winning website at masonchamber.com.