COUNTY BRIEFS

Unemployment rate in county drops

The Mason County unemployment rate dropped in September to 4.6%, according to the Washington Employment Security Department.

That’s lower than the 5.1% rate in August, but higher than June’s 3.9% and July’s 4.3%. The county’s highest unemployment this year was 8.1% in February. The county numbers are not seasonally adjusted because the sample size is too small, according to the state website.

One dead in U.S. 101 collision

Shelton resident Elliott Madea, 32, died in a car accident Oct. 26 after attempting to pass another car on the shoulder of U.S. Highway 101...