COUNTY BRIEFS

Brinnon man hurt in U.S. 101 crash

A 41-year-old Brinnon man was injured in a two-vehicle crash Saturday evening on U.S. Highway 101 just south of Lilliwaup.

According to a Washington State Patrol news release, the Brinnon man was driving a 2001 Isuzu northbound and a 49-year-old Hoquiam man in a semitruck was driving south.

The Isuzu crossed the centerline and struck the Hoquiam man’s vehicle, blocking the highway.

The Brinnon man was transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for his injuries. He was also charged with driving under the influence.

State Route 3 crash victim dies

A July 31 crash on state Route 3 involving two injured Neah Bay residents resulted in the death of the male passenger.

According to a Washington State Patrol news release, Paul A. Hayte, 75, of Neah Bay, died Aug. 2 at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. The next of kin was notified by Harborview staff.

Passenger airlifted after truck hits tree

A truck ran off the road and hit a tree Friday on U.S. Highway 101 just north of Hoodsport.

According to Washington State Patrol’s Katherine Weatherwax, the passenger was airlifted for medical attention with a broken leg and a skull fracture.

The cause of the accident is unknown.

PUD 3 office closed for part of Aug. 22

The Belfair and Shelton offices of Mason PUD 3 will be closed Tuesday to allow employees to attend a function at the Johns Prairie Operation Center in Shelton.

According to a news release, the Belfair Office will be closed from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and the Johns Prairie operations center will be closed from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the employee event.

During the closure, customers can pay electric bills by using SmartHub, at my.pud3.org, at a kiosk in downtown Shelton or Belfair payment center or through the drop box at the Johns Prairie Operations Center. Cash should not be left in drop boxes. Customers can also pay by phone by calling 1-844-255-3683.

Forest improvement proposals sought

Olympic National Forest is accepting proposals for forest improvement projects, funded by the Secure Rural Schools program, through Aug. 21.

According to a Olympic National Park news release, project proposals can be submitted by volunteer organizations, interest groups, local governments and others for projects that meet requirements of the program.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there are multiple years of funding available for forest improvement projects in all four counties on the peninsula.

The Title II money available for forest improvement projects are $36,757 from 2020, $47,601 from 2021 and $24,713 from 2022.

Projects must occur on national forest land or benefit the national forest.

Projects selected in the past include trailhead relocation, noxious weed control projects, road stabilization, trail maintenance and construction on trail bridges, roadside brush cutting, forest road resurfacing, enhancing wildlife habitat, toilet replacements and portable toilet rentals, litter and abandoned vehicle removal, herbicide treatments, culvert replacement and youth-oriented conservation crews.

Projects will be reviewed and recommended by the Forest’s citizen Resource Advisory Committee at the Sept. 18 meeting.

For more information about the program, go to http://www.tinyurl.com/4dup2c8t. For more information about the project submissions, call Jennifer Garcia Santiago at 554-669-9623.