KMAS Morning News with Jeff Slakey

In today's headlines: Candidate filing week wrapped up Friday with seven candidates running for Mason County Commissioner District 3, the seat being vacated by Commissioner Sharon Trask. Mason County races are now set for the August 4th primary ballot, with contested races for Auditor, Clerk, Treasurer, and PUD 3 Commissioner District 2. Shelton Police Chief Chris Kostad will retire May 31st after...

In today's headlines: Shelton Police Chief Chris Kostad will retire May 31st after a 25-year career in law enforcement, including 20 years with the Shelton Police Department. Captain Dan Patton steps in as the next Chief of Police on June 1st, bringing 25 years of law enforcement experience and credentials from the FBI National Academy and the University of Virginia. Today is the final day to file...

In today's headlines: Six candidates have filed for Mason County Commissioner District 3, the seat being left open by Sharon Trask, with filing continuing through Friday at 5 PM. Three people — Jeff Neely, Jim Murphy, and Ned Wilson — have submitted letters of interest for the vacant Port of Shelton Commissioner position, and the Port is still accepting applications. Shelton City Council moved sev...

The race for Mason County Commissioner District 3 now has six candidates after Shelton City Councilmember Eric Inesko filed with GOP as his preferred party, while incumbents Patty McLean (Assessor), Jamie Taylor (Coroner), and Michael Dorsey (Prosecutor) all filed yesterday to retain their seats. A structure fire at a home on the 1500 block of Fairmont Avenue in the Hillcrest neighborhood was knoc...

In today's headlines: Candidate filing week is underway in Mason County, with the County Commissioner District 3 race drawing five candidates as Sharon Trask steps aside. Incumbents and challengers have filed for races including Auditor, Clerk, Sheriff, Treasurer, PUD commissioners, and District Court Judge, with filing open until 5 p.m. Friday. In the 35th Legislative District, Drew McEwen and Ca...

In today's headlines: Candidate filing week opens today across Mason County, with residents able to file their Declaration of Candidacy with the Mason County Auditor through 5 PM Friday for races ranging from precinct committee officer up to the 6th Congressional District seat. Drivers should plan an alternate route today as Mason County Public Works fully closes Shelton Valley Road between Deegan...

In today's headlines: A Mason County man, Roswin N. Villegas Blanco, has been identified as the victim of a fatal crash on US Highway 101, with the Washington State Patrol investigation ongoing. Shelton City Council reviewed the city's updated six-year PROST plan this week, with more than 200 residents ranking walking and biking trails, nature trails, and water access as top priorities. Council al...

In today's headlines: State Patrol is investigating a fatal head-on crash on US Highway 101 near the C Street overpass in Shelton, where a 32-year-old Tacoma man was pronounced dead at the scene Tuesday afternoon. The North Mason School District's replacement education programs and operations levy is passing in initial returns with 53.5% in favor, though more ballots remain to be counted. Mason Co...

In today's headlines: Mason County commissioners continued the South Mason Fire and Rescue hearing on withdrawing Squaxin Island Tribe territory from Fire District 4 to Tuesday, May 12 at 9:15 a.m., giving both sides two more weeks to negotiate. Commissioners set a May 26 public hearing on a proposed wake-enhanced motorboat ordinance after complaints about shoreline damage on local lakes. North Ma...

Your Mason County news briefing for Tuesday, April 28, 2026. In today's headlines: Timberland Regional Library will revise hours at 17 of its 29 branches by May 19, with Hoodsport, North Mason, and Shelton among four branches seeing the biggest cuts of 10 to 16 fewer staffed hours per week. Shelton Parks and Recreation hosts a community open house on May 11 from 6 to 8 PM at the Shelton Civic Cent...

In today's headlines: Port of Shelton Commission holds a special meeting tomorrow at 2 PM at 21 West Sanderson Way to nominate a candidate to fill the vacancy left by Dale Elmond's resignation last week. Central Mason Fire and EMS will conduct a live fire training burn at 130 East Lighthouse Road on Wednesday and Thursday from 8 to 5, with heaviest smoke and fire activity expected between noon and...

Your Mason County news briefing for Friday, April 24, 2026. In today's headlines: Port of Shelton Commissioner Dale Elmland has resigned from his Position 1 seat effective April 22, citing family needs and a permanent relocation out of state. The Port Commission accepted the resignation Tuesday and will hold a special meeting at 2 p.m. Tuesday to begin accepting letters of interest from Port Distr...

Your Mason County news briefing for Thursday, April 23, 2026. In today's headlines: Port of Shelton Commissioner Dale Elmlund has resigned from his Position 1 seat effective April 22nd, citing family needs and an out-of-state relocation. The Port Commission has 90 days to fill the vacancy and will hold a special meeting Tuesday, April 28th at 2 p.m. to begin accepting letters of interest from Port...

In today's headlines: Safe and Sober Graduation fundraiser for the Shelton High School Class of 2026 is this Saturday at the Mason Hotel in downtown Shelton, with activities starting at 2, silent auction at 4, and live auction at 6. Mason Health is spotlighting dozens of volunteers during National Volunteer Week, April 19th through the 25th, recognizing the people who help run Mason General Hospit...

Your Mason County news briefing for Tuesday, April 21, 2026. In today's headlines: Mason County's Economic Development Council landed a USDA Farmers Market Promotion Program grant worth nearly $375,000 over three years to support expanding farmers markets in Shelton and Belfair. The EDC also secured a University of Washington grant fellow for a two-year position helping ports in Mason and Pacific...

Your Mason County news briefing for Monday, April 20, 2026. In today's headlines: - A big weekend for Mason County — the Olympus Rally and Hama Hama Oyster Rama both drew crowds, and the Denim and    Diamonds event was a resounding success for the Karen Hilburn Cancer Fund. - Mariners picked up a solid home win Sunday, beating the Rangers 5-2 at T-Mobile Park. Tonight they host the    Athletics —...

Your Mason County news briefing for Friday, April 17, 2026. In today's headlines: - Timberland Regional Library and union leaders reach a revised agreement that rescinds 36 of 44 planned involuntary layoffs, leaving 25 staff affected system-wide. - Central Mason Fire and EMS will conduct a live fire training burn at 130 East Lighthouse Road in Shelton on April 29 and 30, with heaviest smoke and fi...