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Newspaper Archive of
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
July 26, 2012     Shelton Mason County Journal
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July 26, 2012
 
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...... ~. • ....... ° ° , By NATALIE JOHNSON natalie@masoncounty.com On April 30. 2012, the Mason County Transportation Authority (MTA) launched a pilot program to expand service past Hoodsport to Lake Cushman. Already, the extra service has earned dedicated riders. "The second month it started picking up," said MTA Operations Manager Mike Oliver. "The folks are becoming dependent on it al- ready." The program is funded through a Federal Transit Administra- tion (FTA) grant obtained by the Skokomish Tribe. Since 2010, MTA and the Skokomish Tribe have been trying to find a way to form a partnership to bring transit up to Lake Cush- man, and tribal members there. said Gordon Neilson, transporta- tion planner and grant writer for the Skokomish Tribe. Early this year, the tribe learned that it had received a one-year, $73,000 grant to do a pilot pro- gram, and both organizations ~ot the opportunity td work toget'heE On April 30, a special extended MTA Route 8 traveled up to. stops near Lake Cushman and picked up six passengers. In May that number grew to 183 and in June, it jumped again to 357. Normally, Oliver said it takes about 18 months to establish a bus route. "To me I would say "they had good insight that the need was for continued funding." shuttle from north of Brinnon on there and that's bearing out," MTA Neilson said tribal members are U.S. Highway 106 to Olympia. General Manager Brad Patterson making use of the new transporta-, This route could make it easier said. "Planning for ridership and tion opportunity, for young tribal members to travel route service is extremely difficult. "Tribal members need access to to The Evergreen State College, It's hard to know how many people Shelton," he said. "I think that's a Neilson said. are going to take advantage of the demand that's only going to grow." "That's what we'd like to see," he service." Neilson said many of the tribal said. "What we're working toward Now that the route is generating members using the new bus route is getting our kids in schools and ridership, Oliver said MTA's goal need it to get to medical appoint- providing transportation." is to smooth out any problems in ments in the Shelton area. For MTA, the added route could the service, and find out what stops The tribe's community develop- take pressure off an already crowd- have the most riders, ment office has already applied for ed Route 6, which runs from Shel- Once the route becomes routine, an extension of the grant for an- ton south to Kamilche. Little Creek Patterson believes a greater num- other year. The grants are awarded Casino and Olympia. This route ber of people will take advantage on a year-to-year basis and do not regularly sees 120 percent capac- of it. cover the cost of the buses,ity. "Assuming service is safe and "These are operational dollars "It's an opportunity for the two reliable, the drivers of getting rid- only," Neilson said tribes, the Skokomish and Squax- ership are frequency and coverage. In the future, both the Skokom- in, to partner because both these That hits right at what gets people ish Tribe and MTA hope to expand tribes would benefit from that ser- on buses," he said. "This bodes well the service and create an express vice," Patterson said. Union man drowns in Hood Canal He was seen working on his dock earlier that day STAFF REPORT pr@masoncounty.com Union resident Robert S. Hoit, 91, drowned in Hood Canal July 20 at ap- proximately 2:30 p.m., according to a re- port from Mason County Coroner Wes Stockwell. Hoit lived in the 9000 block of State Route 106 on South Shore Road. He was found floating in the canal by his neigh- bors Friday afternoon. First responders attempted CPR. Hoit was transported to Mason Gen- eral Hospital after he was pulled from the water, and was pronounced dead at 3:30 p.m. According to the coroner's report, neighbors had noticed Hoit working on his dock earlier on Friday. A forensic pathologist confirmed Hoit died as a result of drowning in saltwa- ter, which may have been preceded by a cardiac event. Work scheduled for Hurricane Ridge Road, minor delays expected STAFF REPORT the intersection with ask the public for their pKCmasoncounly.com Mount Angeles Road understanding and pa- to the top of Hurricane tience," said Olympic Ridge. Hurricane RidgeNational Park Acting Delays are expected Road will remain open Superintendent Todd on Hurricane Ridge throughout the work pe- Suess. "We urge people Road while repair work riod, but traffic will be to use caution and to is done. restricted to one lanecall our recorded hotline Work was done July through work zones andfor current road condi- 24-26 to repair damaged delays of up to 20 rain- tions." guardrails on the lower utes should be expected. The hotline number five miles of Hurricane Work will only occur on is 565-3131. Ridge Road between theweekdays; no holiday or Olympic National intersection with Mount weekend work is sched- Park visitors can check Angeles Road and Heartuled. on the status of park O' the Hills. "We recognize the in-roads online by ac- On Monday and Tues- convenience this workcessing nps.gov/olym/ day, workers will brush may represent to someplanyourvisit/current- and stripe the road from of our visitors and we road-condtions.htm. ]ourtesy pnoto Isaiah Cordero, 20 months old, the youngest cancer survivor at the Shelton Relay for Life, cut the ribbon at the start of the relay on June 22 with some assistance from his mother Michelle Simpson while his father Phil Cordero looked on and held his brother Tristan. :on lOOK By EMILY HANSON p.m. luminary ceremony during which the emily@masoncounty.com names of cancer victims and survivors are read while the track is aglow with candle- light from luminary bags decorated with the The totals are not official yet, but the names of victims and survivors of cancer. Shelton Relay for Life organization is well "The rest of the relay is entertainment on its way to raising $100,000 for cancer re- with raffles and drawings." Gonzales said. search this year. She said Masor~ County is a supportive As of July 19, Shelton relay team devel- community when it comes to raising money opment chair Vickie Gonzales said the orga- for this and other fundraisers. nization had raised $99,609 and the money "We were blessed to have as many teams is still coming in. and as much money as we raised," Gonzales "We raise money until the end of Au- said. "It was pretty amazing and we're ex- gust." Gonzales said. "The money we raise cited about that, especially with the state of provides funds for advocacy at the state lev- the economy." el and to improve the lives of Shelton cancer She said the organzation "absolutely" victims." would break the $100,000 mark before the Close to 200 survivors and caregivers at- end of August. tended the 12tb annual Shelton Relay for "I'm pretty confident about that," she Life on June 22 and 23 for the survivor lap said. "Then we start up again in September with 42 teams at the Shelton High School planning next year's relay." track. After the money is donated to the Ameriz "The premise behind the 24-hour event can Cancer Society, Gonzales said the Shel- is 'cancer never sleeps' so one team member ton total will be combined with the Belfair is on the track at all times," Gonzales said. total for the Mason County total donations. "This year's relay really was a success." "Mason County has been recognized in The most powerful moment during thethe top 10 fundraisers several times," Gon- relay every year, Gonzales said, is the 10 zales said. inc. Serving Western Washington for 41 years Superior quality workmanship at an affordable price! RESIDENTIAL " COMMERCIAL " MOBILE HOMES ** Our Roofs Are Hand Nailed ** 30 YEAR WORKMANSHIP WARRANTY TODAY AND A COMPLETE ROOF SYSTEM (1500 sq. ft. minimum) ** Not valid with any other offer** o•. 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