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Jeff Slakey sits down at Shelton Veterans Village on North 13th with Executive Director Colleen Carmichael and Program Support Specialist Tamra Ingwaldson for a wide-ranging conversation about what's really happening inside this unique community of 30 veterans — and why the data says permanent supportive housing is one of the smartest investments a community can make. In this episode:• Who lives at Shelton Veterans Village, how residents are selected, and what 'permanent supportive housing' actually means• Why 85% of homeless individuals in any area were born or raised there — and the data behind the misinformation• How the village uses Saint Martin's University and Olympic College interns to provide behavioral health and nursing services• The real cost of homelessness vs. housing someone — and why leaving people on the streets costs taxpayers twice as much• A new dog training / behavioral support animal pilot program launching in 2024• What expansion could look like — and what it would mean for Mason County's chronically homeless population Shelton Veterans Village is located at N. 13th Street in Shelton, WA and serves disabled veterans experiencing chronic homelessness. The village operates as permanent supportive housing funded through HUD, with case management provided by Michael, Sondra, and supervisor Dave on site. Want to learn more or schedule a tour? Contact through the village directly. Resources and data mentioned in this episode — including research from the National Alliance to End Homelessness and Colleen's LinkedIn data posts — are linked below.National Alliance to End Homelessness- endhomelessness.org Colleen's LinkedIn data posts MASON COUNTY LOCAL HOMELESS HOUSING PLAN 2025-2030 Email for scheduling a village tour - [email protected] Focus on Shelton airs on KMAS Radio in Shelton, Washington. New episodes at kmas.com and wherever you get your podcasts.#SheltonWA #MasonCounty #VeteransVillage #SheltonVeteransVillage #WashingtonState #HomelessVeterans #AffordableHousing #PermanentSupportiveHousing #HousingCrisis #KMASRadio #FocusOnShelton #CommunityRadio #SheltonWashington #TinyHomes #VeteranSupport #HousingFirst #MasonCountyWA #WashingtonHomeless #ShelterNews #PublicAffairs

Mason Health and Mason General Hospital have several scholarship opportunities available for 2026 — including a brand-new $10,000 award from the Hospitalist Group designed to help Mason County students pursue careers in health care. In this episode of Focus on Shelton, Jeff Slakey sits down with Dr. Doug Lindahl and Dr. Jacqueline Gorzynski from the Mason Health Hospitalist Group, along with Dr. Darren Cuevas and Jennifer Capps, to break down everything students and career-changers need to know. Scholarships covered in this episode: • Mason Health Hospitalist Group Scholarship — $10,000, deadline April 30, 2026 (NEW) • Shelton High School Health Science Academy Nursing Scholarship • Mason Health Foundation Auxiliary Healthcare Scholarship •Centennial Guilds Scholarship These scholarships are open to students entering a wide range of health care fields, including medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, nursing, pharmacy, nutritional science, behavioral health, and healthcare administration. They are not limited to graduating seniors — anyone looking to enter or advance in the health care field may be eligible. #MasonCounty #SheltonWA #MasonHealth #MasonGeneralHospital #HealthCareScholarship #FocusOnShelton #KMAS #CommunityRadio #WashingtonState #HealthCareEducation #NursingScholarship #AlliedHealth #CollegeScholarship #MasonCountySchools #SheltonHighSchool #HealthScience #HospitalistGroup #MasonHealthFoundation #CareerChange #LocalHealthCare

They started meeting in living rooms. Now they've been shaping civic life in Shelton and Mason County, Washington for more than 55 years.In this Focus on Shelton conversation recorded at the historic Mason Hotel, Jeff Slakey sits down with Leslie Peterson, April Pooler, and Jayni Kamin of the Mason County Republican Women's Club to talk history, community, and what it actually looks like to build bridges across political lines in a small town.From Peggy Johnson's grassroots campaigns and her trip to meet President Reagan, to candidate forums in the park that invited every party, to a brand-new blood drive being co-organized with Democratic women under the banner of the Peacemakers, this is a conversation about what community service looks like when you set the partisan stuff aside and focus on the people in front of you.You'll also hear about the club's expanded speaker program, their presence at the Mason County Expo, charitable giving to Gethsemane Ministries and Care Net, and the upcoming Liberty Dinner on May 16th at Ridge Motorsports Park.If you've ever wondered what actually happens at a local civic organization meeting, or if you've been curious about getting involved, this is a good place to start.MEETINGS: 1st Friday 12:30-2pm | 3rd Wednesday 6pm @ The Mason Hotel, Shelton WALIBERTY DINNER — May 16 | Ridge Motorsports Park | https://mcrwclub.wixsite.com/mcwcPEACEMAKERS BLOOD DRIVE — March 31st#SheltonWA #MasonCounty #MasonCountyRepublicanWomen #FocusOnShelton #KMAS #CommunityRadio #WomensHistoryMonth #CivicEngagement #LocalPolitics #PNWCommunity #WashingtonState #CommonGround #Peacemakers #LibertyDinner #MasonHotel #SheltonWashington #GetThingsDone #CommunityService #GrassrootsOrganizingMore local conversations at KMAS.com

Shelton School District Superintendent Wyeth Jessee joins Jeff Slakey on Focus on Shelton for a candid, wide-ranging conversation about the state of public education in Mason County — and across Washington State.Shelton voters delivered a resounding 62% approval on the district's levy — one of the strongest showings for any comparable school district in the February election cycle. But that win has been complicated by enrollment decline, rising costs, and a state legislature that just cut the levy equalization dollars that high-needs districts like Shelton depend on.Jessee breaks down how every student lost equals $18,000 in revenue — and how a drop of roughly 170 students translates to a $350,000 gap and the equivalent of three to four teaching positions. He explains the compounding pressure of lower birth rates, reduced immigration, rising fuel costs, and now a state legislature trimming the very funds designed to support lower-income districts.Despite the financial headwinds, Jessee is emphatic that Shelton continues to outperform comparable districts on literacy, discipline, attendance, and graduation rates. He spotlights NJROTC, student athletes placing at state championships, students reading obsessively, and a local effort to rename the high school softball field in honor of a beloved community figure.This is an essential listen for any Mason County resident who wants to understand the real pressures facing Shelton's schools — and the remarkable things still being accomplished inside them.#SheltonWA #SheltonSchools #MasonCounty #FocusOnShelton #KMAS #PublicEducation #WashingtonState #SheltonCommunity #WyethJesse #SchoolFunding #LevyElection #SheltonAthletics #WashingtonSchools #EducationFunding #SheltonHighclimbers

Jeff Slakey sits down with Molly Wheat Baker inside her studio at Graffiti Community Art Space in downtown Shelton, Washington—and what starts as a conversation about her library exhibit quickly turns into a window on everything that’s growing in the Shelton arts scene right now.Molly’s work is everywhere in Shelton—murals on Cota Street, stickers and shirts, commission paintings, and now a solo show at the Shelton Timberland Library through the end of March 2025. She talks about what it’s been like to find her community here, how organizations like Mason County Blue Zones and spaces like Marmo have knit Shelton’s creatives together, and what it means to go from “living in the woods” to being part of a movement working toward official state Creative District designation.Oh—and she’s painting a bus.📍 Graffiti Community Art Space | Railroad Ave, Shelton WA (across from Tolley’s)🎨 Library Show: Shelton Timberland Library | Through end of March 2025🗓️ Tue March 24 | 2:45–4:45pm — Live painting session🗓️ Thu March 26 | 2:00–3:30pm — Artist talk (Tea Talk & Time Out)🌐 mollywheatbaker.com | 📧 [email protected]#SheltonWA #MasonCounty #FocusOnShelton #KMAS#SheltonArt #CommunityArt #LocalArtist #MuralArt #PNWArt #WashingtonArt#SheltonArtsWalk #CreativeDistrict #DowntownShelton #SheltonLibrary#PNWCommunity #SmallTownArt #PublicArt #WashingtonState #CommunityRadioFocus on Shelton is produced by KMAS Radio, your community radio station for the Shelton and Mason County area. New episodes drop regularly—subscribe so you never miss a conversation.

In this episode of Focus on Shelton on KMAS, host Jeff Slakey sits down with Jordanne Krumpols from the City of Shelton Parks & Recreation Department to talk about two exciting community initiatives. First: the PROST Plan — Shelton's Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Trails six-year master plan is in the community input phase RIGHT NOW. The survey is live online and via QR code on posters throughout the city. Jordanne shares what the city is hoping to learn, what trends are emerging (spoiler: pickleball courts and a splash pad are leading the wishlist), and how you can get involved — including an in-person open house at the Civic Center in May. Second: Empty Bowls is returning to Shelton for three consecutive Wednesdays starting March 11. Come in and create your handmade clay bowl (free!), come back to glaze it on the 18th, and join your neighbors on March 25th for soup and bread donated by local Shelton restaurants — with all donations benefiting the Saints Pantry food bank. 🔗 PROST Survey: https://sheltonwa.gov/government/departments/parks_and_recreation/parks,_recreation,_open_space_and_trails_plan.php 🍲 Empty Bowls Info: https://sheltonwa.gov/government/departments/parks_and_recreation/shelton_arts_commission.php 📧 Contact Jordan: [email protected]#SheltonWA #FocusOnShelton #KMAS #SheltonParks #SheltonPROST #SheltonRecreationKMAS is the local radio station in Mason County Washington.

The Mountain View Café at Mason Health is officially reopened — and it’s better than ever.Culinary Manager Ashlee Johnson joins Jeff Slakey on location to talk about:• The 9-month remodel • Prime Rib Fridays ($12 plates, 4:30–7pm) • Healthy, locally sourced ingredients • Partnerships with Colvin Ranch and Skokomish Valley Farms • Blue Zones and Mason Matters collaboration • Community art and gathering space • Ashlee’s inspiring journey from GED to culinary managerThe café is open to the public and serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.📍 Located inside Mason Health in Shelton, Washington 🔗 Weekly menu available at https://www.masonhealth.com/visit-us/bistro-menuIf you love supporting local food, community spaces, and Shelton businesses — this one’s for you.#SheltonWA #MasonHealth #SupportLocal #PrimeRibFriday #MasonMatters #HoodCanalLife #LocalFood #MasonCounty

Shelton City Manager Mark Ziegler sits down to talk about being named “Boss of the Year” by the Shelton Mason County Chamber of Commerce, what leadership really looks like inside city hall, and where the City of Shelton is headed next.In this conversation, we cover:Why Mark sees himself as a collaborator, not a “boss”Managing nearly 100 city employeesWorking with the Shelton City CouncilAdvocating in Olympia with 35th District legislatorsHousing growth and Olympic Heights developmentInfrastructure investments and long-term planningCommunity outreach challengesStrategic planning and performance trackingA potential partnership with the Humane Society of Mason CountyParks, trails, and the future Simpson Railway multi-modal trailWe also talk about city culture, employee recognition (the “Shelte Awards”), communication styles, and what it takes to build trust in a growing community like Shelton.If you live in Shelton or Mason County and want to understand how local decisions are made — this is a good one.#SheltonWA #MasonCounty #LocalGovernment #CityManager #CommunityLeadership #SheltonWashington #EconomicDevelopment #PublicService

Peninsula Credit Union has been named the 2025 Business of the Year by the Shelton Mason County Chamber of Commerce, marking the second time the organization has received the honor.In this conversation, CEO Jim Morrell and Shelton Branch Assistant Manager Charlie Allmendinger talk about what the award means to their team, their mission of listening, serving, educating, and caring, and how that mission shows up every day for members across Mason, Kitsap, and Jefferson counties.The discussion covers Peninsula’s focus on community development, financial education, bilingual services and outreach to the Hispanic community, leadership development from within, and real-world examples of how credit unions help members during difficult financial moments. It’s a look at how a locally rooted financial institution balances growth, inclusion, and hands-on community support.#PeninsulaCreditUnion #BusinessOfTheYear #MasonCounty #SheltonWA #CommunityBanking

Local historian and author Don Trosper joins KMAS Radio to talk about his newest book, This Can’t Be History… Or Is It?, a collection of 100 short stories from across Southwest Washington. The conversation covers Tumwater, Thurston, Lewis, Grays Harbor, Pacific, and Mason counties, touching on early settlers, logging towns, railroads, Native trails, and the small, often overlooked moments that shaped the region. Trosper shares how he researches these stories, why short-form history works, and how places like Tumwater, the Deschutes River, and Old Highway 99 connect generations through lived experience and memory.#Tumwater #SouthwestWashington #LocalHistory #WashingtonHistory #KMASRadio

Shelton School District Superintendent Wyeth Jessee joins Jeff Slakey to discuss the early results of the district’s three-year levy, currently passing with 61% of the vote.The conversation covers what that level of community support means during challenging economic times, including how gas prices and financial pressure can impact levy outcomes across Washington State.Jessee outlines measurable progress within the district, including being ranked number one in the state for early literacy growth, a 77% reduction in discipline incidents, and 53 students attending Evergreen State College tuition-free compared to just four the year prior.The discussion also explores what would have happened if the levy had failed, including potential cuts to more than 100 employees and programs such as mental health supports, arts, athletics, and student leadership opportunities.The episode closes with leadership news at Shelton High School, as Assistant Principal Jordan Stray is announced as the incoming principal, and what that transition means for the future of SHS.#SheltonWA#MasonCounty#SheltonSchools#LocalEducation#kmasradio KMAS is the local radio station in Mason County Washington.

The Great Bend Center for Music has been named Nonprofit of the Year by the Shelton-Mason County Chamber of Commerce, and its impact stretches far beyond Mason County. In this conversation, Jeff Slakey sits down with Matt Melendez to talk about how a locally rooted music nonprofit now serves young learners in nearly every U.S. state and multiple countries through its early learning programs.They discuss Great Bend’s conservatory-style online music education for toddlers, plans to bring in-person programming back to Mason County, and new community-building efforts like the Lip Sync Battle fundraiser that supports multiple local nonprofits. Matt also breaks down the science behind group singing, how music builds connection and reduces stress, and why community-based music matters now more than ever.The conversation also previews Great Bend’s full post-pandemic concert season, including upcoming performances tied to Black History Month and American composers, along with the launch of a new CTE music and sound production pathway in partnership with Shelton School District. It’s a wide-ranging look at how music, education, and community come together in Mason County—and why Great Bend Center for Music earned statewide recognition.#GreatBendCenterForMusic #MasonCounty #SheltonWA #NonprofitOfTheYear #CommunityMusic #ArtsInEducation #LocalImpactGlobalReach #KMASRadio

Shelton School District Superintendent Wyeth Jesse joins KMAS Radio’s Jeff Slakey to recap recent school roundtables across the district, highlighting major changes at Shelton High School, Choice and Cedar, Evergreen Elementary, and Bordeaux Elementary. The conversation focuses on literacy improvements, student-centered learning, family involvement in reading, and why Shelton now leads the state in early literacy growth since COVID. Superintendent Jesse also addresses questions surrounding a recent student walkout at Shelton High School, explaining how the district prioritizes student safety while remaining nonpartisan. The discussion wraps with a reminder about the upcoming school levy and ballot drop-off deadlines in Mason County.#SheltonSchools #MasonCounty #PublicEducation #LiteracyMatters #KMASRadio

Mason County Sheriff Ryan Spurling joins Jeff Slakey at the Fjord Oyster Bank in Hoodsport to discuss proposed Washington State legislation that could impact how sheriffs are elected or removed from office. The conversation covers Senate Bill 5974, concerns from the Washington State Sheriffs Association, and what the bill could mean for voter authority. Sheriff Spurling also previews the upcoming Polar Plunge fundraiser at Alderbrook Resort and highlights 2025 life-saving and employee awards within the Mason County Sheriff’s Office.#MasonCounty #HoodsportWA #KMASRadio #SheriffSpurling #WALeg #PublicSafety #CommunityConversation #PolarPlunge #LocalGovernment #LawEnforcement

FC Olympia is hosting its fourth annual Valentine’s Gala Dinner on February 13 at the Olympia Ballroom, bringing together live comedy, community support, and South Sound soccer. The event features headlining comedian Sam Miller, along with dinner, a bar, and a silent auction with items ranging from local dining experiences to signed Sounders memorabilia.Proceeds from the gala support FC Olympia’s mission, including free ticketing for kids, scholarships for youth camps, and ongoing club operations. In this conversation, FC Olympia’s Ryan Perkins and Sam Miller talk about the purpose of the fundraiser, what makes the event unique, and what’s ahead for FC Olympia’s upcoming season as global attention turns toward soccer with the World Cup approaching the Pacific Northwest.The Valentine’s Gala takes place February 13 at 6:30 pm at the Olympia Ballroom in downtown Olympia and serves as an early kickoff to another busy and growing season for FC Olympia.#FCOlympia #OlympiaWA #ValentinesGala #SouthSound #OlympiaEvents #SupportLocalSports #LiveComedy

Washington State Representatives Dan Griffey and Travis Couture join Jeff Slakey for a wide-ranging 35th District legislative update. The conversation focuses on newly proposed income tax legislation in Olympia, concerns over constitutionality, and how a so-called “millionaire tax” could impact households, small businesses, professional sports teams, and local industries like shellfish farming. The discussion also covers state spending priorities, economic growth projections, and several public safety bills, including changes related to stalking, domestic violence services, and sheriff oversight.#35thDistrict #WALeg #WashingtonPolitics #MasonCounty #StateBudget #SmallBusiness #PublicSafety #Olympia