Mason County News

The COVID-19 report from Mason County Public Health for Tuesday, October 20, 2020 includes one death and two new cases. This is the ninth Mason County resident to succumb to the virus and specific information on the deceased has not been released. However, this death does appear to be connected to the outbreak at Fir Lane Health & Rehabilitation in Shelton. The number of active COVID-19 cases is currently 47 with no one hospitalized.

The October 20th, 2020 – 4:00 p.m. news release says: “Since the last release (10/19/20), Mason County Public Health was notified of Two (2) additional Mason County residents that tested positive for COVID-19. This brings the total to Five Hundred Thirty-Eight (538) positive cases in Mason County. Mason County received the unfortunate news of an additional death related to COVID-19. Our condolences go out to the family during this sad time.”

The City of Shelton outperformed initial estimates to ultimately save a little over $3 million with successful completion of the bond refunding process.

The bond sale took place on October 14 and exceeded the City’s savings estimates. The number of orders for City bonds was well in excess of the number available for sale, which allowed the City’s underwriters and financial advisor to make some adjustments to maximize savings.

[LIVE VIDEO] Watch the October 20, 2020 Shelton City Council budget work session, Shelton Metropolitan Park District and business meetings. Council members and City staff are meeting via Zoom video conferencing. MasonWebTV Powered by HCC is providing a live video stream of that Zoom meeting beginning at 5 PM for the budget work session, 5:50 PM for the Park District meeting and 6 PM for the business meeting. If you would like to provide public comment please email jeff.niten@sheltonwa.gov or call (360) 432-5105. Your comments will be relayed directly to the Council.  There are two ways to watch the council meeting live: hcc.net/news and MasonWebTV.com. You can also watch on demand on hcc.net/news or MasonWebTV.com. Rebroadcasts of the business meeting on Hood Canal Communications’ local channel are Thursday at 3 PM and Saturday at 9 AM.

Click here for the Shelton Metropolitan Park District meeting’s agenda.

Click here for the Shelton City Council budget work session and business meetings’ agendas.

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The Port of Grapeview has earned the Washington Public Ports Association (WPPA) 2020 Creative Partnership award. The WPPA produced the video below.

The Port won the award for its partnership with volunteers, community leaders, and the Recreation and Conservation Office to improve the boat launch at Fair Harbor and the upland improvements in the works.

Mason County’s unemployment rate dropped slightly in September. Preliminary numbers from the Washington State Employment Security Department say the County’s unemployment rate last month dropped six-tenths of a percentage point to 9.2 percent, down from August’s revised rate of 9.8 percent. Last month’s unemployment rate was nearly four percent (3.8%) higher than September 2019’s rate of 5.4 percent.

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Data from the Washington State Department of Health show that case numbers in western Washington counties are climbing at an alarming rate, near or beyond previous peaks in some areas. As cases in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties continue to trend sharply upward, health officials warn we may now be entering the fall surge.

[LIVE VIDEO] Watch the October 20, 2020 Mason County Commission meeting. Commissioners and staff are meeting via Zoom video conferencing. MasonWebTV Powered by HCC is providing a live video stream of that Zoom meeting beginning at 9 AM. There are three ways to watch live: 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:

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Mason County Public Health reported nine new cases of COVID-19 in the County on Monday, October 19, 2020. There are 59 active cases in Mason County with no one currently hospitalized.

The October 19th, 2020 – 4:00 p.m. news release says: “Since the last release (10/16/20), Mason County Public Health was notified of Nine (9) additional Mason County residents that tested positive for COVID-19. This brings the total to Five Hundred Thirty-Six (536) positive cases in Mason County.”

[LIVE VIDEO] Watch the Mason County Commission October 19, 2020 briefings and 2021 budget workshops. Commissioners and staff are meeting via Zoom video conferencing. MasonWebTV Powered by HCC is providing a live video streams of those Zoom meetings.

Briefings begin at 9 AM (schedule subject to change):

9:00 A.M. Support Services – Frank Pinter
9:30 A.M. Community Services/Support Services – Dave Windom/Frank Pinter – Discussion of Housing Authority
9:50 A.M. Community Services – Dave Windom
10:20 A.M. Economic Development Council – Jennifer Baria
10:45 A.M. Mason Transit Authority- Danette Brannin
10:50 A.M. Public Works – Loretta Swanson – Utilities & Waste Management

Budget Workshops start at 2 PM (schedule subject to change):

2 PM Community Development – Dave Windom
2:30 PM Support Services – Frank Pinter
3 PM Public Works/Utilities – Loretta Swanson
4 PM Review of 2021 budget requests to date

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The following is a summary of road construction and maintenance scheduled on state highways around Mason County and adjacent areas from October 18, 2020 to October 24, 2020.

US 101 – Coffee Creek – Remove Fish Barrier
Highway: US 101 Region: Olympic County: Mason Location: Milepost(s) 346.8
Description:  Crews are finalizing work on the Coffee Creek fish barrier removal project. All work is expected to be complete by early November. 
Work Schedule:  7 a.m. to 7 p.m. each weekday.