Week of May 28, 2026
Week of May 28, 2026
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 editor@masoncounty.com (preferred)...
Welcome to the 2026 Forest Festival! Paul Bunyan Grand Parade Saturday, 11 a.m. Join fun at annual Forest Festival "Legends of the Timber" is the theme of the 82nd annual Mason County Forest Festival, which kicked off last weekend with the annual carnival in downtown Shelton and continues through Sunday with the car show on Olympic Highway North. The carnival at Grove and First streets in downtown Shelton is hosted for a second weekend today through Sunday. Tickets are $1 each or $40 for a...
A 42-year-old prison officer was arrested at his workplace in the Washington Corrections Center in Shelton on child pornography charges May 19. Shelton resident Wesley Robinson has been charged with six counts relating to child sex abuse images. Robinson is no longer in custody, but it’s unclear if he posted $250,000 bail or was released on personal recognizance. He has been placed on home assignment, the state Department of Corrections told the Journal in an email. Charges stem from an ongoing investigation in Minnesota that allegedly...
The City of Shelton is a step closer to a public/private partnership with the Humane Society of Mason County to provide animal control and shelter services. The Shelton City Council on May 19 voted unanimously to give preliminary approval to a three-year contract with the Humane Society of Mason County to provide certified animal control staffing, issue dog licenses, operate the city-owned shelter next to CHOICE High School, maintain required records and more. Humane Society of Mason County...
A 3-year-old abducted in Shelton by his father was found safe on May 20, several hours after an Amber Alert was issued. Police later arrested the father, 26-year-old Joshua Moen. At 12:30 p.m., police responded to a disturbance in the 400 block of Park Street in Shelton, according to a statement by Shelton Police Department Captain Daniel Patton. “During the incident, a 3-year-old child who had been living with relatives was taken from the residence by his biological father. The father was also identified as the suspect in the assault. A...
The Mason County Journal was established in 1886. Shelton's population in 1889 was approximately 600. May 31 - While James Madden and another man were coming to Shelton from Kamilche one day last week, they encountered a large bear in possession of a salmon berry patch on the road. Bruin walked leisurely off and kindly let them pass, for which they were truly thankful, as their only weapon of defense was a pocket knife with the large blade broken. June 7 - Big fire raging in Seattle as we go...
The Journal of Record is produced using 911 call information Mason County Emergency Communications, the Mason County Sheriff’s Office, the Shelton Police Department and tribal police provide. MACECOM does not provide the Shelton-Mason County Journal with specific details about each call. For more information about MACECOM, call 360-426-4441. MAY 17 Alarm activity was reported on East Mason Lake Drive West in Grapeview. Alarm activity was reported on East Island Lake Drive in Shelton. A runaway was reported on East Hemlock Court in Shelton....
Students from Hawkins Middle School and North Mason High School, in collaboration with the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group, volunteered after school and weekends to paint the Secret Wetlands Garden Mural, debuting at a ribbon cutting ceremony from 5:30 – 7 p.m. June 5. The “secret” is its location, behind Hood Canal Art & Gifts, 23710 state Route 3, so not visible from the highway, and also hidden frogs within the mural. Ceremony guests can guess the number of frogs, then submit to...
Scientist and artist Diana Six leads an artist exchange at 4 p.m. Friday at Marmo Gallery, 217 W. Cota St., downtown Shelton. Six is currently an artist-in-residence at Hypatia-in-the-Woods near Shelton, a local nonprofit group that provides residencies for women in the arts and academia. Six will talk about how art has helped her cope with research as a forest entomologist. "As a scientist, I study symbioses from the genetic and microbial levels to the landscape level, most often using forest...
Legends of the Timber May...
Participants sought for annual Art Walk The Downtown Shelton Creative District is seeking participants for the 2026 Shelton Art Walk, which is hosted from noon to 6 p.m. July 25. The annual festival focuses on art and creativity in the community and includes artists, vendors and performers. Apply through Saturday to showcase your art, sell your crafts or perform at the event at Shelton ArtWalk.com. Information: info@sheltonartwalk.com. Register for Goldsborough Creek Walk/Run Registration is open for the Goldsborough Creek Run and Walk, a...
By Tessa Halloran WSU Extension Mason County Mason County is the largest producer of shellfish in Washington and is home to over 700 miles of shoreline, nearly 100 freshwater lakes, and two major rivers among many other smaller creeks and tributaries. Preservation of the county’s natural resources is incredibly important for our local economy and for the health of all our residents, including our local flora and fauna. Our septic systems naturally recycle wastewater by allowing it to safely...
Candidates and ice cream The Mason County Republican Women’s Club hosts a meet the candidates event from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 7 at The Mason Hotel food truck court at 111 E. Railroad Ave. in Shelton. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the club’s endorsed candidates and sign initiatives. The event includes free ice cream, while it lasts. Incumbent 35th Legislative District representitives Dan Griffey and Travis Couture, both R-Allyn, will be on hand from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sportsman’s meeting The Mason County Sportsman’s...
Eighth graders participating at MMK graduation Mary M. Knight School District hosts its 8th Grade Move Up Ceremony at 3 p.m. June 6 in the district’s gym. Students are asked to arrive by 2:30 p.m. The eighth graders will participate in the first part of the senior graduation. A rehearsal will be staged June 5. Information: 8th grade advisor Todd Plaisance or Shantel Freeman. Families can register kindergarteners at Hood Canal The Hood Canal School District is enrolling kindergarten students for next fall. To enroll, call 360-877-5463 or go...
Shelton lost to Kennewick 7-1 on May 21 in the opening round of the 3A state softball tournament at the Regional Athletic Complex in Lacey to end the season for the Highclimbers. Highclimbers' senior Hailey Schuffenhauer hit a home run in the game for Shelton's only run of the afternoon. Mt. Spokane won the 3A state championship, defeating Sedro-Woolley 7-5 in the title game. Track Shelton is sending three athletes to the 3A state track and field championship meet at Mount Tahoma High School...
The Shelton-Mason County Journal encourages original letters to the editor of local interest. Diverse and varied opinions are welcome. We will not publish letters that are deemed libelous or scurrilous in nature. We reserve the right to reject any letter for any reason. When submitting a letter, please observe the following guidelines: Writers are limited to one original letter plus one rebuttal or counter-rebuttal per calendar month; Letters should be no more than 300 words; Letters will be edited for grammar, spelling, style, clarity and...
Lack of transparency Editor, the Journal, In 2022, then-candidate Steve Duenkel ran for Mason County Auditor based on rampant voter registration errors combined with election fraud. He talked about dead people voting and showed pictures of individuals holding a dozen ballots at election drop boxes. I fully support accurate voter registration and election integrity because the vote is the voice of the people. About nine months after Steve took office, he and I met in the County Auditor’s Office. I asked, have you been able to confirm the...
A story in the May 21 issue of the Journal on Pride Month in Shelton contained two errors. The proclamation passed by a 5-2 vote, with Melissa Stearns voting yes. The story incorrectly quoted a word in a statement by council member Miguel Gutierrez. The correct quote is “This country was based on taking land away from the natives, so if you’re going to be talking about divisiveness, you’re going to be talking about the whole founding of our nation,” and not the “failing” of our nation. The Journal regrets the...
I’m taking May off, so it’s reruns for three weeks. This one is from Aug. 4, 2022. I’ll be back in June. Salesman on train: “How far you going, friend?” Harold Hill: “Wherever the people are as green as the money, friend.” — “The Music Man” Writing a newspaper column sometimes requires fishing. You hear fish are biting 20 yards off the point during the outgoing tide, so you go there. You sit in a boat. And you wait. And you wait. I’m no fisherman, but I’ve heard this is...
Memorial Day weekend marked the debut of two science fiction films, one sedate and safe for all ages, the other wild and well-suited to a highly specific subset of the audience. MANDALORIAN AND GROGU I enjoyed all three seasons of "The Mandalorian" on Disney+. Until "Andor," it was easily the best "Star Wars" of the 21st century. But the strengths of "The Mandalorian," as a streaming series, are what make "The Mandalorian and Grogu," now out in theaters, feel like an extended episode of the TV...
Jack passed away at the age of 89 on May 21, 2026. Born on May 10, 1937, Jack lived a full and hardworking life marked by dedication to his family, service to his country, and pride in his accomplishments. He was born in Bloomington, Minnesota and enlisted in the United States Navy in 1955, ending up in Bremerton, WA, where he served honorably during his early adult years. His time in the Navy reflected his strong sense of duty and discipline-qualities that would guide him throughout his life....
Helen "Maxine" Neese passed away peacefully of natural causes in her home in Shelton, WA surrounded by her children, son-in-law and a niece on May 11, 2026 at the age of 82. She was born on November 2, 1943 to Gladys and Stanley Hefti in Forks, WA. She graduated in 1962 from Irene S. Reed High School in Shelton, WA. She married Michael E. Neese, Sr. on June 15, 1963 in California. They moved to Nashville, Tennessee until returning to Shelton in 1967. Together they had four children. This...
Parker Aston, 47, a resident of Grapeview, passed away May 13, 2026, at home. Arrangements are by Cedar Cremation and Funeral Services in Shelton, WA. Andy Fritz, 61, a resident of Shelton, passed away May 19, 2026, at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, WA. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory in Shelton, WA. Julie Ann Cox, 66, a resident of Harstine Island in Shelton, WA, passed away May 21, 2026, at home. Arrangements are by Cedar Cremation and Funeral Services in Shelton, WA. Warren Frost, 89, a...
Sally Sayan Jones of Shelton passed away on May 5, 2026, at St. Peter's Hospital in Olympia. She was 90 years old. Sally was born in Seattle, the only daughter of James Arnold Sayan and Bernice Brighton and was raised with her brothers Douglas, Donald and Michael. During her early years, the family lived in many places within Washington to accommodate her parents' job locations. Sally married Phil Young and welcomed two sons, Scott and Loren while in West Seattle. After divorce, she lived in...
Terry Lee Robertson, 77 of Shelton, WA, passed away on May 8, 2026, surrounded by loving family. Born on August 26, 1948, in Winchester Kansas to Jack and Willamena Robertson. As a young man he answered the call to serve his country, Terry proudly enlisted in the United States Navy in 1965, where he achieved the rank of Engineman Chief Petty Officer. Throughout his extensive career, he served aboard the USS Renshaw, T 131-9 in Vietnam, U.S. Coast Guard Cutters Cheyenne, Scioto, Staten Island...
To submit a Public Notice/Legal advertisement, please email a Word file to legals@masoncounty.com, along with your phone number, and someone will contact you for payment. Thank you, Shelton-Mason County...
