KMAS Radio
by Jeff Slakey
Long-form interviews and conversations from Mason County, Washington. Host Jeff Slakey sits down with local leaders, legislators, small business owners, and community voices for unhurried conversations about what's shaping the Hood Canal region — government, education, healthcare, the outdoors, and the people making a difference.New episodes drop throughout the week. For daily local headlines, subscribe to KMAS Morning News with Jeff Slakey.
Episodes
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Mason County Sheriff Ryan Spurling on Fentanyl, Overdose Rankings and Washington's 19 New Sheriffs | Sheriff Sit-Down, November 2026
This month on the Sheriff Sit-Down, presented by Our Community Credit Union, I caught up with Mason County Sheriff Ryan Spurling just after the November election — and we covered a lot of ground. We started with the person of interest the Sheriff's Office is looking for in connection with a…
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Reading Is Up, Money Is Tight, Math Is Next: Shelton Schools' Next 5-Year Plan | Mason County, WA
How do you keep schools improving when the money's tight? Shelton School District Superintendent Wyeth Jessee sits down with Jeff Slakey on Focus on Shelton as the district wraps up Shelton Success, its five-year strategic plan, and starts gathering input for the next one. Jessee explains why his...
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A Skokomish Longhouse on Hwy 106: sm3tcoom Delbert Miller on Ceremony, Family and the Twana People
Just off Highway 106, about a mile from the Hood Canal School, stands a longhouse that sm3tcoom Delbert Miller of the Skokomish Tribe spent more than seven years of weekends building by hand. In this conversation, recorded inside the Skabob House, Miller tells KMAS’s Jeff Slakey how a…
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Coats for Kids 2026: Inside Taylor Station's Sept. 25 Fundraiser for South Mason Fire
Ahead of the September 25 Coats for Kids fundraiser at Taylor Station, Jeff sits down with Amber Anderson of South Mason Fire and Stephanie Bronson of Taylor Station to walk through what the night looks like and why the program matters. Amber explains how the fundraiser — last held in 2023 — has...
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Mike Tice on Hard Knocks, the Seahawks' Opener, and Giving Back to Thurston County
Taped on 9/8/2026 at the 1889 Prime Steakhouse in Downtown Olympia, Washington, Jeff Slakey talked with Mike Tice, former Seahawk and former Minnesota Vikings head coach, as the Seahawks open the regular season at Lumen Field in a rematch of last year's Super Bowl. Kickoff's at 5:20, with our...
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"We May Be Going Backwards in Time": Mason County's Public Health Director on Rural Health Funding Cuts
Mason County Public Health Director Dave Windom sits down with Jeff Slakey from KMAS for an update after weeks of budget discussions in front of the county commissioners, and the picture is a difficult one. Windom lays out where his department's money actually comes from, and why state-level...
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Olympia Author Joe Fuller on "8th Street," His Own Recovery, and the Musical Born From Intervention
Author and playwright Joe Fuller joins Jeff Slakey at Lions Park in Olympia for two conversations in one. First: his book "8th Street," a collection of short stories and poetry about growing up in a big Catholic family in Olympia, Knights of Columbus, St. Michael’s School, and the kind of...
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"How Do They Get Out of Their Own Way?" Outgoing Mason County EDC Director Kevin Shutty on What the New County Commission Has to Fix
Kevin Shutty is leaving the Mason County Economic Development Council at the end of the month, and before he goes he sits down with Jeff Slakey from KMAS for a wide-ranging look back at two and a half years, and a pointed look forward at what the county has to get right next. Shutty, who came to...
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Mason County Sheriff Ryan Spurling: Summer Growth, Restructuring & a 50% Drop in Neighborhood Crime
This month's Sheriff Sit-Down, brought to you by Our Community Credit Union, finds Mason County Sheriff Ryan Spurling walking through the biggest changes the department has faced in generations. With the county's population reportedly tripling each summer, Sperling starts with how deputies are...
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James Berkley Band at Hoodstock 2026: Story-Driven Singer-Songwriter Sets at the Robin Hood Saturday Night
Hoodstock 2026's Saturday night turns ticketed and 21+ at Robin Hood Village in Union, WA — and the James Berkley Band is one of two acts closing out the weekend on land, alongside the Stephanie Anne Johnson Band (6–10pm; James Berkley Band on around 8). Singer-songwriter James Berkley, born in…
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The Georgetown Orbits at Hoodstock 2026: Seattle Ska & Reggae Lights Up the Water Stage
Hoodstock 2026's Saturday Water Concert gets a full-horn dance party in the middle of the day when Seattle ska and reggae mainstays The Georgetown Orbits take the Water Stage at the Union Marina on Hood Canal. Guitarist and founder Orion and bassist Cale join KMAS by phone to talk about the…
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Queen of Hearts at Hoodstock 2026: Cinematic Soul on the Free Saturday Land Stage at the Robin Hood
Hoodstock 2026 opens up a free, all-ages afternoon on land — and Seattle–Tacoma band Queen of Hearts is one of the standouts. On Saturday, August 15 from noon to 5pm, the Robin Hood Village in Union hosts a free Land Concert with vendors and food trucks, a newer addition to a festival that has...
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Santa Poco Opens Hoodstock 2026: Honky-Tonk Kicks Off the Saturday Water Stage on Hood Canal
Hoodstock 2026's Saturday Water Concert kicks off at noon with Pacific-Northwest honky-tonk band Santa Poco opening the day on Hood Canal — the first act on the Water Stage at the Union Marina boat launch. Founder and songwriter Pat McHenry joins KMAS by phone to preview the set and tell the…
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Petty Thief at Hoodstock 2026: Seattle's Tom Petty Tribute Headlines the Saturday Water Stage
Hoodstock 2026 closes out its Saturday on the water with Seattle's premier Tom Petty tribute, Petty Thief, headlining the Water Concert / Water Stage at the Union Marina boat launch on Hood Canal. Founder and frontman Andy Volmer joins KMAS by phone to preview a set built for a one-of-a-kind…
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Champagne Sunday at Hoodstock 2026: Glam-Folk Duo Playing the Friday Kickoff at Robin Hood Village
Hoodstock 2026 kicks off Friday, August 14 with a 21+ night at Robin Hood Village Resort in Union, WA on Hood Canal — and glam-folk duo Champagne Sunday is one of three bands opening the weekend, alongside Moon Music and 5 Guys 1 Flute (6–10pm, tickets $30). Married multi-instrumentalists Jessi…
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Shelton Art Walk 2026: Downtown Art Market, Live Music & Beer Garden — Saturday July 25
The Shelton Art Walk returns to downtown Shelton on Saturday, July 25, 2026, from noon to 6 p.m., and KMAS gets the full preview from one of the participating artists. Presented by the Downtown Shelton Creative District, this year's walk centers on Cota Street with 40+ artists and makers at the…
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Allyn Days 2026: Salmon Bake, Live Music & the Geoduck Festival in Allyn, WA
Allyn Days is back at Allyn Waterfront Park for a full weekend on the bay, and new Allyn Community Association president Alyssa joins KMAS with everything you need to plan your visit. Friday kicks off with Music in the Park and a BBQ as Jerry Hutchins plays at 6pm. Saturday brings the famous…
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National Night Out 2025: Mason County First Responders Gear Up for August 4th
National Night Out is back in Mason County and this year, more agencies than ever are coming together. Jeff Slakey sits down with leaders from South Mason Fire, North Mason Fire, Central Mason Fire & EMS, the Mason County Sheriff's Office, and Shelton Police to talk about what's planned for…
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Free Summer Camp Returns to Shelton - Kids Camp at Shelton Presbyterian Church
Every summer, Shelton Presbyterian Church opens its doors to the whole community for Kids Camp, a free, week-long vacation Bible study program that's been running for nearly two decades. In this conversation, Jeff Slakey sits down with Eileen Bailey to talk about what makes Kids Camp special…
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Shelton Pride's Party in the Park: Rainbow Extravaganza at Kneeland Park
Jeff Slakey sits down with Fae from Shelton Pride to talk about Party in the Park, a free, family-friendly event at Kneeland Park on Friday, June 26 from 5 to 8 p.m. Expect collaborative art booths, face painting, balloon animals, a short pride parade (ADA accessible), and a costume contest with...
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Inside Hoodstock 2026: Floating Concert, Vendor Village & Community Giving | Union WA
Hoodstock is back — and bigger than ever. Jeff Slakey heads to the Robin Hood Resort in Union, Washington to sit down with the Hoodstock organizing committee ahead of the August 14–15 weekend on Hood Canal. Last year, Hoodstock raised $50,000 for the Salmon Center and Hood Canal School —…
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Shelton's Next 3–5 Years: City Manager Mark Ziegler on Growth, Walkability & Your Voice in the Plan
Shelton is growing, and the city wants to make sure the community has a voice in what that looks like. City Manager Mark Ziegler joins Jeff Slakey on Focus on Shelton to break down the strategic planning work underway at City Hall, what the City Council identified as Shelton's strengths and...
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Shelton's Next 3–5 Years: City Manager Mark Ziegler on Growth, Walkability & Your Voice in the Plan
Shelton is growing, and the city wants to make sure the community has a voice in what that looks like. City Manager Mark Ziegler joins Jeff Slakey on Focus on Shelton to break down the strategic planning work underway at City Hall, what the City Council identified as Shelton's strengths and...
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Whitworth Graduate Isaac Dorcy Composes Paul Bunyan Brass Quintet | Shelton WA
If you check out this week's Shelton Mason County Journal, you will see Isaac Dorcy on the front page. Isaac just graduated from Whitworth University in Spokane with a degree in music composition, and for his senior recital, he composed an original piece for brass quintet called "Ode to Paul...
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"Too Many Kids Land on a Couch" — Shelton Superintendent on What's Next After Graduation
Shelton School District Superintendent Wyeth Jessee joins Jeff Slakey for an end-of-year conversation covering what families in Mason County and need to know about local education heading into summer. This week: the Class of 2025 earned nearly half a million dollars in scholarships. Third-grade...
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Firewise, Fireworks, and the Fight to Keep Elected Sheriffs — Ryan Spurling | KMAS
Mason County Sheriff Ryan Spurling joins Jeff Slakey for their monthly conversation, recorded at the Fjord Oyster Bank ahead of the Sheriff's Luncheon. This episode covers the full range of what's on the Sheriff's radar heading into summer 2026. Topics include: the leadership transition at the...
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Glow Golf, Fireworks & The #1 Pros in the World — Cascade Challenge Returns to Mason County
One of the top 100 disc golf courses in the entire United States is tucked into the forest on Shelton Springs Road in Shelton, Washington, and unlike almost every other top-ranked course in the country, you can play it for free, any day of the year, on the same pads the pros throw. This weekend...
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Inside Mason Matters: Rural Health, the Charlie Cart, and a USDA Grant | Shelton, WA
Mason County is sitting in the lowest quartile in Washington state for community health — and Mason Matters, the local 501(c)(3) that quieted down during COVID, has come back online with a plan to move that number twenty percent. In this conversation, host Jeff Slakey sits down at the Economic...
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Free Car Seat Checks + Mother's Day Pancakes at South Mason Fire | Amber Anderson
Amber Anderson from South Mason Fire & Rescue joins Jeff Slakey to preview a Mother's Day weekend full of community events on Arcadia Road in Shelton, Washington. First up: a FREE car seat checkup event Friday, May 8, from 11 AM to 2 PM at the South Mason Fire station on Arcadia. Certified car…
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KHCF's 2nd Annual Mother's Day Dash: Cancer Screenings, Community, and a 4-Mile Run
In this conversation, host Jeff Slakey sits down with Katie Arnold, treasurer of the Karen Hilburn Cancer Fund, to talk about the second annual Mother's Day Dash — a 4-mile run/walk that supports cancer screenings and treatment for uninsured and underinsured women right here in Mason County. For...
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Meet the Mason County Peacemakers: Republican & Democrat Women Teaming Up in Shelton
In a national climate where political divides feel impossible to bridge, something different is happening in Shelton. The Mason County Peacemakers — six women from the Mason County Republican Women's Club and six from the Mason County Democrat Women — have been meeting since last fall to do one...
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Mason County Sheriff Spurling: 25 Cases Dismissed, Injunction Granted, Watch Revived
Mason County Sheriff Ryan Spurling joined Jeff Slakey at The Fjord Oyster Bank in Hoodsport for the monthly sit-down just before he met with the community for the monthly luncheon. Spurling walks through the Sheriff's Office's Neighborhood Watch revival under Deputy Matt Colbenson, why Mason…
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Shelton Schools Superintendent: "Put a Book in Kids' Hands, Not a Phone"
Shelton School District Superintendent Wyeth Jesse joins Jeff Slakey for a wide-ranging conversation about what's happening in Mason County classrooms — and what's coming next. On this episode: a look back at the latest school board meeting and the marimba performance from Mountain View…
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South Mason Fire's Double Push-In: A Fire Tradition That Started With The Horse & Buggy
In this conversation, Jeff Slakey is on the line with Amber Anderson of South Mason Fire as the department prepares for a rare double push-in ceremony on Arcadia Road. Two new pieces of apparatus — a new fire engine and a new water tender — are heading into service tonight, and the community is...
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Shelton Farmers Market Returns May 2 — Tammy Ramsey on What's New for 2026
The Shelton Farmers Market is back in downtown Shelton for the 2026 season, opening Saturday, May 2 in the Civic Center parking lot and running every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. through October. Market manager Tammy Ramsey joined Jeff Slakey on Focus on Shelton to preview what's new this…
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Half a Cow, Hawaii, and a Hot Food Truck Lineup: Shelton's Saturday Fundraiser for Safe Grad Night
Downtown Shelton is about to get loud, full, and fired-up for a good cause. On Saturday at 2 p.m., the Mason Hotel parking lot at 111 East Railroad Avenue becomes home to a food truck rodeo, a silent auction that runs all afternoon, and a live auction starting at 6 p.m. — all benefiting the…
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Mason County Sheriff Spurling: WA Decertification Law, 911 Center Grant & the DARE Car
In this month's check-in, Jeff Slakey sits down with Mason County Sheriff Ryan Spurling for a wide-ranging conversation covering some of the most significant issues facing local law enforcement and the Mason County community right now. Governor Ferguson has signed the controversial law…
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35th District Legislators React: Income Tax Signed, Budget Cuts, and What's Next for Mason County | 2026 Session Wrap-Up
One day after Governor Ferguson signed Washington's new 9.9% income tax into law, State Senator Drew MacEwen and Representatives Dan Griffey and Travis Couture sat down with KMAS Radio's Jeff Slakey at the annual 35th District Legislative Wrap-Up breakfast in Shelton. In this candid hour-long...
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Shelton's Citizen of the Year on Bridging Divides, Community Service & the 'We Need the Village' Mindset — Tamra Ingwaldson
Jeff Slakey sits down with Tamra Ingwaldson, named the 2025 Citizen of the Year by the Shelton Mason County Chamber of Commerce. Over nearly 20 minutes, they explore what it means to truly serve a community — and what keeps Tamra showing up. Tamra shares how growing up watching her parents coach...
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Shelton Veterans Village: Inside the Tiny Home Community Changing Lives in Mason County, WA
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...
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New Scholarship Opportunities Available From Mason Health For Health Care Field
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...
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Mason County Republican Women: 55+ Years of Community, Common Ground & Civic Life in Shelton, WA
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...
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'It Breaks My Heart': Shelton School Superintendent on Levy Wins, State Cuts & the Fight for Shelton Kids
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…
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Live Murals, Community Art & What’s Growing in Downtown Shelton | Molly Wheat Baker
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...
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Shelton's 6-Year Parks Plan + Empty Bowls Returns March 2025 | Focus on Shelton
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…
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Mountain View Café Reopens at Mason Health | Prime Rib Fridays Are Back in Shelton
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…
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Shelton City Manager Mark Ziegler Named Boss of the Year | Leadership, Growth & What’s Next for Shelton WA
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...
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Peninsula Credit Union Named 2025 Business of the Year by Shelton Mason County Chamber
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...
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This Can’t Be History… Or Is It? | Don Trosper on Southwest Washington’s Hidden Stories
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...
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Shelton Schools Levy Passing at 61%: What It Means for Students, Staff, and the Future of SHS
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...
About this show
Long-form interviews and conversations from Mason County, Washington. Host Jeff Slakey sits down with local leaders, legislators, small business owners, and community voices for unhurried conversations about what's shaping the Hood Canal region — government, education, healthcare, the outdoors, and the people making a difference.New episodes drop throughout the week. For daily local headlines, subscribe to KMAS Morning News with Jeff Slakey.
Hosted by
Jeff Slakey