Week of March 5, 2026
Week of March 5, 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)...
The Hoodsport community is rallying to help 11 employees of the Model T Pub & Eatery after a Feb. 1 fire put them out of work indefinitely. Hoodsport Ace & Lumber has raised $10,101 of its $11,000 goal in a GoFundMe campaign for the pub workers, as of the Journal's press time. "The employees of The Model T are hardworking, dedicated individuals who show up every day to serve our town. While the business works toward reopening, many staff members are facing unexpected financial strain due to...
A Shelton man has been arrested for possession of child pornography, two sawed-off shotguns and an improvised explosive device after Mason County Sheriff’s Office deputies and a Naval Criminal Investigative Service investigator searched the man’s house on East Pickering Drive, according to court documents. A cybertip through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children led MCSO detectives to Trystan Nydegger, according to court documents. More than 25 files of children being sexually assaulted were attached to the cybertip,...
Last October, I shared how Commissioner Randy Neatherlin expressed concerns about the county’s financial position in commissioners’ meetings throughout 2025. I audited the numbers behind those concerns and stated them publicly during the commissioners’ work to finalize and adopt the 2026 budget. Both Commissioner Neatherlin and I anticipated that the general fund cash balance at the end of 2025 would be a few million dollars lower than what was posted. What happened? In the Feb. 23...
Mason Health failed to provide hourly employees with required meal and rest breaks and didn’t pay the employees for working through the missed breaks, a class-action lawsuit filed Feb. 24 in Mason County Superior Court claims. Lead plaintiff Kathryn Johannson represents more than 40 current and former hourly paid or nonexempt workers “who have been victimized by Defendant’s unlawful compensation practices,” according to the suit. Mason Health didn’t let the employees take required ten-minute rest breaks for every four hours worked,...
Grapeview resident Steven D. Thomas, 45, was killed around 3:45 p.m. Feb. 27 when a vehicle struck his bicycle. Thomas was riding north on the right shoulder of state Route 3 at Anthony Road. Shelton resident Matthew Van Horn, 44, was driving north and moved to the left to pass Thomas, according to a Washington State Patrol news release. Thomas moved into the northbound lane and was struck by Van Horn, the release states. Thomas, who was not wearing a helmet, died at the scene, WSP said. WSP is investigating the incident. Belfair man involved...
ICE activities Editor, the Journal, On Feb. 18, I decided to participate in the online town hall given by our three 35th Legislative District legislators. One by one, Drew MacEwen, Dan Griffey and Travis Couture each gave a talk about how this year’s legislative session has been going so far, and what each of them hoped to accomplish by the end of the session. Then it was time for questions. So, when I was called on, I mentioned that earlier that same day, I had attended a community meeting where ICE’s treatment of our immigrant community...
This story, from the 1985 Journal supplement, "Shelton, 100 years," was written by lifelong Shelton resident Richard Angle, grandson of Journal founder Grant Angle. Richard, known as Dick, was born in Shelton in 1929, and, except for his college years at the University of Washington, spent his entire life in his hometown. Some of my recollections of Shelton go back to the early 1930s, when my twin brother Herb, Jr. and I had tricycles at father's insurance office in the Angle building. We rode...
Sean Harris, accused of murdering Mallory Barbour, has posted $250,000 bail and is confined to his mother’s home on electronic monitoring with GPS. Harris posted bail Feb. 25 after Judge David Stevens reversed course from holding Harris without bail since Harris’ arrest Jan. 7. At Harris’ initial arraignment, Stevens ordered Harris held pending trial, writing there was “clear and convincing evidence, that the defendant shows a propensity for violence that creates a substantial likelihood of danger to the community or any persons, and...
Mason County Fire District 12 Fire Association 7.0 presented its quarterly volunteer award to Scott Taylor. Taylor moved to Matlock after retiring from Boeing and began volunteering with Fire 12. "After the MCFD 12 disaster declaration on May 17, 2024, volunteers for CERT teams were requested of the community. Scott was one of the first to step up and volunteer. After we regained our insurance and license to respond, August 8, 2024, Scott continued as an EMR," according to a fire association...
A female author, a multidisciplinary artist and a chef showcase their talents at events during Women’s History Month at the Shelton Timberland Library. During March, the library at 710 W. Alder St. hosts an exhibit by the League of Women Voters of Mason County called “Women Leaders of Mason County.” Everyone is also invited to share the story of a woman who has made an impact on their lives for a collaborative community zine that will be added to the library’s local author collection...
During December and January, the City of Shelton’s public works water department produced almost 28.8 million gallons of water and used 284 gallons of chlorine for disinfection. The sewer department spent an average of 20 hours per week hauling sludge and 10 hours flushing sewer lines. Those are among the numbers offered at a Shelton City Council study session Feb. 24 in the Shelton Civic Center. For the second study session in a row, city departments gave lists of services performed. Those numbers will change throughout the year, Brent...
City expanding behavioral heath The City of Shelton is advancing two strategic partnerships to strengthen behavioral health coordination and expand community-based care, building on recent funding awarded through the Association of Washington Cities, according to a city news release. In partnership with the Thurston Mason Behavioral Health Administrative Service Organization, the city is supporting the establishment of a position of behavioral health system of care coordinator. The person in the position will serve as the central point of...
Area kids can perform in musical Missoula Children's Theatre will host auditions for kids in kindergarten through 12th grade for the musical "Sleeping Beauty" from 3 to 5 p.m. March 23 at the Performing Arts Center at Shelton High School, N. 3737 Shelton Springs Road, No experience is required. Parts for 64 are available. The participation fee is $20 and no one will be turned away. Shelton High School Thespians present the program. Following the audition, a rehearsal will be staged that day...
North Mason High School students experienced a Bite of Reality financial education fair last week that provided a taste of adult budgeting. In its sixth year at NMHS, the Bite of Reality is an app-based simulation that assigns teens an occupation, salary, credit score, spouse and child, student loan debt, credit card debt and medical insurance payments. Students then walk around to various tables where they purchase vehicles, housing, entertainment and other items, while trying to stay within...
Storytime for Grown-ups The HUB Center for Seniors in Belfair hosts Storytime for Grown-ups from noon to 12:45 p.m. Friday at the HUB, 111 NE Old Belfair Highway, during the Belfair library remodeling closure. “Why should kids have all the fun? People of all ages love being read to. If you thought you were too old for story time at the library, now you can enjoy silly picture books and brief excerpts from serious adult books,” according to a library news release. Get help with tech The HUB Center for Seniors in Belfair hosts drop-in tech...
A funny line I was recently told by my 6-year-old grandniece: “That’s exactly what I wasn’t thinking!” I entered a tax-preparer’s office last week when a young couple with a newborn in a car seat carrier entered behind me. I looked at the baby and my spontaneous thought was, “Ah. A deduction.” I’ve never looked at a baby and thought anything but “Ah, a baby.” I have since seen a couple of babies outside of that tax office, and my thought is now, “Ah, it’s a baby, not a...
SHS BASEBALL Date Opponent Time March 11 Klahowya 4:15 p.m. March 13 Shelton 4:15 p.m. March 16 Eatonville 4:15 p.m. March 17 Port Angeles 4:15 p.m. March 19 at Port Angeles 4:15 p.m. March 24 at Sequim 4:15 p.m. March 26 Sequim 4:15 p.m. March 28 East Jefferson 4:15 p.m. March 31 North Kitsap 4:15 p.m. April 1 at North Kitsap 4:15 p.m. April 14 at Kingston 4 p.m. April 16 Kingston 4:15 p.m. April 20 Cascade Christian 4:15 p.m. April 21 Bremerton 4:15 p.m. April 23 at Bremerton 4:15 p.m. April...
The 2026 high school spring sports seasons begin next week around Mason County, with rivals Shelton and North Mason set to meet in boys soccer, Tuesday and softball and baseball...
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...
IF YOU GO: WHO: The Brothers Doobie WHAT: Mason County Concert Associationshow WHEN: 3 p.m. March 15 WHERE: Performing Arts Center at Shelton High School, 3737 N. Shelton Springs Road ADMISSION: $30 If you were a teenager in the late 1970s, you probably owned the album "Best of the Doobie Brothers." Formed in San Jose, California, in 1970, the Doobie Brothers created hits through their versatility in performing different genres and their vocal harmonies. The band's hits include "Listen to the...
The long tail of the COVID pandemic has had a knock-on effect on a number of streaming genre shows, so it's refreshing that Hulu's "Paradise" has returned so quickly. The recently returned "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters" had a two-year pause between seasons, as did "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds," and as will "For All Mankind" when it returns later this month, but the second season of "Paradise" has premiered only a year after its first season concluded. Even better for binge viewers, Hulu has...
Master Sgt. Sandford Clyde Silvernail, Sr., a U.S. Army Veteran, passed away April 5, 2025, at St. Joseph Hospital in Tacoma, WA. A memorial service was held at Mt. Tahoma National Cemetery on April 23rd. Barbara Ann Perritt, 90, a resident of Skokomish Nation, passed away February 23, 2026, at home. Arrangements are by Forest Funeral Home and Crematory in Shelton, WA. Terry Henry, 79, a resident of Shelton, passed away February 25, 2026, at Mason General Hospital in Shelton. Arrangements are by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and...
David Brent Johnson of Shelton Washington passed away on Monday, February 10, 2026; he had wandered outside and was found about five minutes from his home. David had fallen and broke his neck, causing paralysis and leading to hypothermia. He had been reported missing, but was found after he had passed away. David was born on March 23, 1950, to Philip and Yvonne Johnson in Pasadena, California and has been a resident of Shelton for the past 19 years. Before he came to Shelton, David lived in San...
September 5, 1951 – February 20, 2026 James Alex Okonek, Jr., "Jim", passed away on February 20, 2026, in Olympia, Washington. He spent nearly his entire life in Shelton, where he was born on September 5, 1951. The son of James Alex Okonek, Sr. and Augusta "Babe" Okonek (Niemann), both deceased, Jim spent a lot of his young life in nearby Grapeview on his grandparents' farm on Okonek Road. Hilda and Al Okonek played a meaningful role in his early life, and farm life helped shape the steady,...
Surrounded by his beloved family and friends, Dennis Bowerman passed away peacefully at his home in Shelton, Washington, on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. Dennis was born in Seattle, Washington, on August 20, 1954 to Ken and Jean Bowerman. He served as an U.S. Army Ranger, Special Forces Weapons Sgt. and Washington National Guardsman, including doing tours in both Iraq wars and being stationed in Germany. He loved the military more than anything and was often heard to say, "I'd do it again, if...
In loving memory of Carol Ann Miller, born March 12th, 1933 in Hoquiam, WA to Fred and Dorothy Snow, passed away peacefully at her home on February 17, 2026. She was surrounded by her family, just as she wished, as they had done for her husband years before. After graduating from Hoquiam High School in 1951, Carol was proposed to by Veryl Franklin Miller at a Valentine's Dance, and were married on June 14th for nearly 60 years. They moved to Seattle, WA where they raised four children before...
Larry Eugene Ryan, formerly of Union WA and most recently of Tiverton, RI, passed away on February 4, 2026. Born in Deadwood, South Dakota, on February 16, 1938. A proud graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Class of 1960, Larry devoted 31 years to the United States Navy. Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Alice Ryan. He leaves behind his daughter, Paige Goulart and her husband Mark of Portsmouth, RI; his son, Michael Ryan and his wife Maggie of Honolulu, HI, his...
Carrie Lou Wright Boardman, 76, of Everett, Washington, was promoted to presence with her Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, on Thursday, January 15, 2026, following a brief confrontation with pancreatic cancer. She was born December 14, 1949, in Shelton, Washington. Carrie married Brad Boardman on August 4, 1988, and together they shared 37 happy years of marriage. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend-known for her sure faith, warmth, and constancy in helping others....
Gary Maurer, 78, peacefully passed away on February 23, 2026. Born and raised in Bremerton, Washington, son of Perl and Ida Mae Maurer and brother of Darlene Pendley. He was a devoted husband, best friend, and "pal" to his wife, Helen, sharing 50 wonderful years. They built a life rooted in love, loyalty, laughter, and family, raising five children-Lisa (Jerol), Chad, Christy, Jeremy (Jillian), and Dustin (Kelsey)-and welcoming eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild, all of whom brought...
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