KMAS Morning News with Jeff Slakey

In today's headlines: State Parks crews begin replacing marine mooring buoys at Hood Canal parks including Hope Island, Jarrels Cove, and McMicken starting next week. Voters got a preview of the August primary ballot this week, with a North Mason Community Voice candidates forum in Belfair and a chamber open house for Mason County commissioner candidates. Jeff Slakey will be moderating a candidate...

In today's headlines: Shelton City Council advanced a resolution to put the Transportation Benefit District renewal on the November 3rd ballot, with a one-tenth of one percent sales tax increase for street maintenance heading to the July 21st action agenda. More than a dozen residents spoke on food truck regulations and the Mason Food Court, prompting council members to schedule a study session fo...

In today's headlines: Olympic National Forest and Olympic National Park reopen Forest Service Road 24, the Lake Cushman recreation sites and the Staircase Developed Area today, nearly a year after the Bear Gulch fire. Mason County Commissioners approved a rezone of just over two acres near Olympic Highway South from mixed-use to general commercial and signed a letter of support for the Hood Canal...

In today's headlines: - Mason County Commissioners heard an update from Habitat for Humanity's Stephen Hufford on the nonprofit's 30 years and 41 homes built, plus early plans for a community land trust that drew pushback from at least one commissioner over homeowner equity - Commissioners opened a 2027 budget workshop, projecting a year-end fund balance of $19 to $24 million and looking for $2 to...

Morning News — Friday, July 3, 2026 Your Mason County news briefing for Friday, July 3, 2026. In today's headlines: - The Washington State Department of Health has closed all of Hood Canal from Foulweather Bluff south, plus Port Townsend, Oak Bay, and Marrowstone Island, to recreational shellfish harvesting after lab tests found dangerous levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning near Hoodsport. - O...

In today's headlines: - Mason County's Economic Development Council says a lack of affordable child care is holding back local employers, and it's seeking community input on a new child care partnership grant. - A Belfair man, 21-year-old William Lee Spartacus Falkner, is charged with conspiracy to commit murder in an alleged plot to attack a UFC event at the White House using explosive-laden dron...

Your Mason County news briefing for Wednesday, July 1, 2026. In today's headlines: - A 21-year-old Belfair man, William Lee Spartacus Falkner, is facing a federal conspiracy to commit murder charge, accused of taking part in a plot to attack a UFC event at the White House using explosive-laden drones and snipers; he's presumed innocent unless proven guilty. - Mason County commissioners set an init...

In today's headlines: Mason County Commissioners backed a $90,000 request to replace a failing courtroom recording system, with the item heading to the June 23rd action agenda. The county's Noxious Weed Program is seeking a state grant of up to $5,000 to combat giant hogweed, false broom, and perennial pepperweed. Public Health brought forward homeless service contract amendments covering Crossroa...

In today's headlines: A heat advisory is in effect through tomorrow morning, with temperatures expected to reach the 90s and possibly near 100 degrees today. The State Department of Health has closed all recreational shellfish harvesting on Hood Canal due to dangerous levels of paralytic shellfish poison. State Route 3 is closed near Gorst and Sunny Slope Road for fish passage construction through...

In today's headlines: Mason County is receiving a share of $37.3 million in state EV charging grants, with funds going to Mason County PUD 1, the Skokomish Tribe, and the Squaxin Island Tribe for a combined 43 new charging ports. Governor Ferguson announced a phone-free school day will be a top legislative priority, with a formal proposal expected by September 15th following statewide input sessio...

In today's headlines: Shelton School Board heard public testimony urging protection of music and performing arts programs amid budget discussions. Mason County Commissioners approved a letter of support for a historic preservation grant for the Mason County Courthouse and authorized exterior restoration research with Helix Design Group. Trails Road closes today from 7 AM to 4 PM for repair work —...

In today's headlines: Mason Health earned two Excellence in Healthcare Awards from Professional Research Consultants, with the Mason General Hospital birth center ranking in the top 10% nationally and inpatient services in the top 25%. Mason County Commissioners approved a temporary wakeboard advisory committee to review a potential ordinance on wake-enhanced motorboat operations in Mason County w...

In today's headlines: Mason County Commissioners received a legislative wrap-up showing the 2026 session cut child care, education transition programs, and GMA planning grants while passing an $80 billion budget amid a multi-billion dollar deficit — and approved no new public defense funding. A new state millionaire's tax on incomes over $1 million is already facing a referendum push, with organiz...

Your Mason County news briefing for Monday, June 8, 2026. In today's headlines: Major road work begins this weekend near Gorst on State Route 3 for a fish passage culvert project, with detours expected to last about two weeks. Additional road work on State Route 106 in Mason County is also starting next week. Sunshine this morning gives way to afternoon clouds, with a high of 66 degrees today and...

In today's headlines: Shelton City Council met this week without its Mayor or Deputy Mayor present, requiring members to appoint an Acting Mayor before the meeting could begin. The council also heard a proposal to purchase asset management software for Public Works, and discussed expanding the city's Equipment Reserve Fund study to include the police fleet. Jeff Neely was sworn in earlier this wee...

In today's headlines: Jeff Neely was sworn in as Port of Shelton Commissioner Position One, filling the vacancy left when Dale Elmund resigned in April — he'll serve through 2027 and must run next year to keep the seat. Commissioners also approved a $260,000 change order to renovate a building at the Port's Peste Business Park for Olympic Mountain Ice Cream. Mason County Auditor's Office Chief Dep...

Your Mason County news briefing for Wednesday, May 27, 2026. In today's headlines: Mason County Commissioners approved updates to the county's Group B water system regulations, aligning local code with state rules and adding regular water quality monitoring requirements. Commissioners also approved a rewrite of the county's outdoor burning ordinance, Chapter 9.48, giving the fire marshal new tools...

In today's headlines: A 3-year-old child is safe after a multi-agency search in Shelton this week, with the biological father in custody following an assault and brief pursuit. Police, FBI, canine teams, drones, and King County's Guardian One helicopter all joined the search before a homeowner on southeast Binswiger Loop Road located and secured the child Wednesday afternoon. The child was evaluat...

In today's headlines: Timberland Regional Library named Andrea Heisel as Interim Executive Director, effective May 21st, with a full search for a permanent director beginning immediately. The Shelton City Council passed a Pride Proclamation declaring June as Pride Month in Shelton by a 5-2 vote following more than two hours of public comment from over 50 residents. Mason County PUD No. 1 was award...

In today's headlines: Shelton City Council voted 5-2 last night to approve a proclamation declaring June as Pride Month, following two and a half hours of public comment from more than 55 community members. Our Community Credit Union awarded $50,000 in scholarships to 10 area high school seniors, with Shelton High recipients including Aubrey Coutts, William Webb, and Giselle Ruby Nunez Acosta. Mar...

In today's headlines: The Port of Shelton Commission has appointed Jeff Neely to fill the vacancy left by former Commissioner Dale Ellman, with Neely to be sworn in June 2nd and serve through 2027. WSDOT is urging drivers to plan ahead for heavier than usual traffic on I-5, I-90, and US-2 over Memorial Day weekend, with early mornings and late evenings the best bet to beat crowds. Law enforcement...

In today's headlines: The Port of Shelton Commission appointed Jeff Neely to fill the vacant seat left by Dale Elmlund, with Neely to be sworn in June 2nd. A divided Shelton City Council declined to advance a Pride Month proclamation during a tense study session, while a separate America 250 proclamation moves to the June 2nd agenda. Mason County PUD No. 1 celebrated the completion of its new Manz...

In today's headlines: Mason Health honored nearly 20 nurses at a reception celebrating the 2026 DAISY Awards, with Amanda Diaz of the Birth Center and Patricia Agnese of Medical Surgical Pediatrics sharing this year's honor. Mason County Commissioners received a large stack of public correspondence on a potential wakeboard ordinance, and a proposed amendment requiring property survey documentation...

Your Mason County news briefing for Wednesday, May 13, 2026. In today's headlines: Mason Clinic welcomes Candice Osmundson as specialty care manager, bringing nearly two decades of health care experience including roles at MultiCare Cancer Institute and Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. Mason County commissioners unanimously approved nine consent agenda items including a $62,980 increase to Crossr...

In today's headlines: Candidate filing has wrapped up in Mason County, with seven candidates running for Mason County Commissioner District 3 — the seat being vacated by Commissioner Sharon Trask Confirmed candidates include Eric Anisko, Daniel Cameron, Miguel Gutierrez, Rick Lee, Karen Sullivan, George Blush, and Lovejoy Schaefer Races are also set for county auditor, clerk, treasurer, and assess...