County Briefs

CMFE extinguishes residential fire

Central Mason Fire and EMS extinguished a residential structure fire off of Anthony Road in Shelton early Sunday morning.

According to a news release, crews arrived on scene to find a double-wide mobile home engulfed. After an interior search and fire attack, crews were able to confine the fire and stop flames from spreading. The fire caused flame and smoke damage throughout the structure and no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

CMFE thanked Mason County Fire District 11, Fire District 3, North Mason Regional Fire Authority, PUD 3, Mason County Sheriff's Office and MACECOM for assisting CMFE.

First-half property taxes due Monday

Mason County Treasurer Lisa Frazier reminds taxpayers that first half property tax payments for this year are due by Monday.

According to a news release, people can come into the Treasurer's Office at 411 North 5th St., Building 1, and pay in person between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. or use the drive-up payment drop box in the alley.

Delinquent charges will be assessed beginning May 2. More information is available at http://www.tinyurl.com/2p8wbzxf.

Candidate filing week is May 15-19

Candidates interested in running for positions in the 2023 primary and general election can file May 15 to 19 at the Mason County Auditor's Office.

According to a news release, 72 positions are open for filing. Among the positions available include Superior Court judge for a one-year unexpired term, Shelton City Council, cemetery, fire, hospital, port, school and water districts. A complete list of offices up for election is at tinyurl.com/mws36jux.

Filing can be done online and opens at 9 a.m. Monday and will be available until 4 p.m. Friday. The link to file online is http://www.masoncountywaelections.gov. Questions can be directed to the elections department at 360-427-9679 ext. 470.

Watershed Coalition May meeting

The Lower Hood Canal Watershed Coalition's meeting from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday online will focus on recently announced shellfish growing area downgrades in Hood Canal.

According to a news release, portions of Annas Bay, and areas around Lilliwaup and Tahuya have been identified as not meeting water quality standards and shellfish harvesting must be restricted. Of the 115 shellfish growing areas in the state, the only three listed for downgrade this year are in Mason County. Jean Frost from the state Department of Health Shellfish Growing Area section will be a guest speaker to share specific information about these growing areas and the overall health of Hood Canal to support bivalve shellfish for both commercial and recreational harvest. The coalition will follow the presentation with a discussion of efforts needed to promote clean water this summer and into the future.

Lower Hood Canal Watershed Coalition was founded as an outcome of the 1993-96 nonprofit watershed action plan to support implementation and keep focus on lower Hood Canal water quality. The group consists of state, tribal and community members and meets monthly. For more information or to register for the meeting, contact Marine Water Quality and Aquaculture Specialist at [email protected].

Repair timeline changes for SR 104 at Hood Canal Bridge

A change in the weekend and weeknight schedule was made for state Route 104 Hood Canal Bridge repairs.

According to a state Department of Transportation news release, the repairs to the floating bridge will no longer require closing the bridge for four weekends during the summer. Instead, the repair work to the bridge and closures will occur at night in May, June and September.

The schedule is weather permitting. There will be nighttime construction on the weekends of May 13-17, May 20-24, June 10-14 and June 17-21.

The work in May and June will focus on restoring the pyramids on the bridge that help guide the two halves of the bridge together. Repairs will require the use of boats and cranes in the water with the draw span open.

The state Department of Transportation will announce the dates and times of September work later in the summer. For more information, go to http://www.wsdot.com/travel/real-time/hoodcanalbridgestatus.

Shelton gas pipelines being replaced

Cascade Natural Gas will replace existing natural gas main pipelines and service lines within a portion of Shelton.

According to a news release, the replacement is to ensure the safety and reliability of the natural gas system.

The Shelton project is expected to begin Monday and will take about four to five months, depending on weather conditions and other unanticipated delays. The work will require a short interruption of natural gas service for customers and a company representative will contact affected customers to schedule a brief shutoff and then relight of appliances.

For more information and a map that outlines where replacement work will occur, go to http://www.tinyurl.com/mr3bvj8h.

Disaster assistance available for severe storm effects

The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses economically impacted by severe storms, flooding and freezing conditions that occurred in late December.

According to a news release, the disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in Mason County as well as Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, Kitsap, Okanogan, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston and Whatcom counties. SBA acted under its own authority to declare a disaster following a request received from Gov. Jay Inslee on April 11.

Eligibility is based on the financial effects of the disaster only and not on any actual property damage. The loans have an interest rate of 3.305% for small businesses and 2.375% for private nonprofit organizations with terms up to 30 years and are restricted to businesses without the financial ability to offset the adverse impact without hardship.

The state Small Business Development Center is offering free, personalized counseling to help affected businesses in their recovery. Businesses can contact the state Lead Office by calling 833-492-7232, and visitors are encouraged to call first for an appointment. Applications are online at http://www.disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela.