Mason County News

In Olympia, Governor Jay Inslee’s State of the State Address touched on climate change, mental health, saving orcas, education and affordable housing. However, as Republicans pointed out, the governor said nothing in the address about his three-point-seven-billion dollar tax increase plan to help pay for doing more. John Sattgast with Washington House Republicans reports from the state Capitol.

[VIDEO] The League of Women Voters of Mason County discussed Mason County’s budget Tuesday. The League recently completed a study of the County’s budget and compared the current budget to their study from 2010. The League members to complete the two studies are Michelle Bell, Lynda Links and Brenda Hirschi.

Mason County Commissioners Kevin Shutty, Randy Neatherlin and Sharon Trask, Mason County Treasurer Lisa Fraser and Mason County Auditor Paddy McGuire were on hand for the discussion along with the County’s Director of Support Services, Frank Pinter, the County’s Budget Manager, Jennifer Beierle, and members of the County’s Budget Advisory Committee as Mrs. Hirschi led the discussion.

It’s a new session of the state Legislature in Olympia, and so far it looks like there’s widespread agreement about one pressing issue. Dan Frizzell from the Washington State House Democratic Caucus has more:

[LIVE VIDEO] Watch the January 15, 2019 Shelton City Council meeting. There are two ways to watch the council meeting live at 6 PM: hcc.net/news and MasonWebTV.com. You can also watch on demand on hcc.net/news or MasonWebTV.com. Rebroadcasts on Hood Canal Communications’ local channel are Thursday at 3 PM and Saturday at 9 AM.

Here is the meeting’s agenda:

[LIVE VIDEO] Watch the January 15, 2019 Mason County Commission meeting. There are three ways to watch live at 9 AM:  hcc.net/news,  MasonWebTV.com or Mason County’s website (co.mason.wa.us.) You can also watch on demand on hcc.net/news, MasonWebTV.com or Mason County’s website: co.mason.wa.us. Rebroadcasts on Hood Canal Communications’ local channel are Thursday at 6 PM, Saturday at 2 PM and Sunday at 9 AM.

Here is the meeting’s agenda:

The Shelton girls’ basketball team pulled away from Mercer Island in the second half Monday as the Highclimbers beat the Islanders 69 to 52.

Shelton started the game on a seven-oh run but Mercer Island responded with a six-oh run and led by three in the first quarter.

The 105-day session of the 71st Washington Legislature began Monday with the swearing-in of state lawmakers and the traditional ceremonies. Leaders from both parties say they face many challenging issues, as the 2019 session gets underway. John Sattgast reports from the state Capitol.

[LIVE VIDEO] Watch the Shelton girls’ basketball team play Mercer Island. Tip off for this non-conference game has been delayed at least 45 minutes. Originally scheduled for 7 PM, tip off is now anticipated around 7:45 (or 15 minutes after the JV game wraps up). Dedrick Allan will start the Maple Glen Senior Living Pregame Show ten minutes before tip off for the varsity game.

The Highclimbers are 3-and-10 on the season. The Islanders are 0-and-14.

The community is invited to attend the architect interviews for the Shelton School District’s Bond Packages D & E on Tuesday, January 15, 2019. The previously selected interview panel will ask a series of prescribed questions of potential architects from 4 – 8 pm in the Oakland Bay Junior High School library.

The Community Partner Education Grant (CPEG) committee announces that it awarded $23,850 in grants to thirty-seven teachers in both Grays Harbor and Mason Counties in Washington State.

A wide variety of unique projects and programs were funded, such as a trip to a vertical wind tunnel, digital cameras and 3D printers, and learning expeditions in the great outdoors*.  Usually teachers would have to pay for these items or programs themselves, as typically funds are not available through regular school district resources.  A complete list of approved grants is available at ourcu.com/cpeg-grants-awarded.