Shelton’s beloved Mistletoe Mile is back!
Jeff talks with organizer Matt Lowe about bringing this community fun run back to downtown Shelton right before the Christmastown parade. It’s one mile, all ages, tons of holiday spirit, costumes, dogs, strollers — and yes, hot chocolate at the finish.

Matt also shares the race history, how to register online, and a little about his new coaching business, PPRC Running.

Event Details:
• Saturday, December 6
• Day-of registration: 3:00–3:45 PM
• Kids 100m dash: 3:50 PM
• Mile race: 4:00 PM
• Route: Railroad Ave — the full Christmastown parade route lit up for the season

Register: RunSignUp → Shelton Mistletoe Mile
Coaching Info: PPRCRunning.com

#SheltonWA #Christmastown #MistletoeMile #MasonCounty #FunRun #HolidayRun #SheltonParade #RunWA #CommunityRun #ExploreHoodCanal

In this episode, we’re at Mountain View Elementary for another community forum in the Shelton School District. Superintendent Wyeth Jessee joins Principal Lysandra Ness, kindergarten teacher JoAnna Bielec, and school board director James Dale for an open conversation about what’s happening on campus, how students are learning, and how the school supports families.

We cover a wide range of topics: how Mountain View builds strong reading foundations starting in kindergarten, why the staff leans heavily on data to understand student needs, and how attendance plays a big role in student growth. You’ll hear stories about student leadership, day-to-day moments in classrooms, and how simple routines help build a positive school culture.

The team also talks about parent volunteers, student jobs, literacy events, and the push to build independence and confidence across grade levels. Wyeth breaks down levy dollars and the impact they have on the basics like staffing, athletics, utilities, and classroom support. Listeners get a look at how academic goals are set, why consistency across elementary schools matters, and how early skills carry students through middle school and beyond.

Community questions touch on everything from teachers managing multiple responsibilities to how testing can feel less stressful, and even how groups like Shelton FC can partner with schools to keep kids active.

If you want a clear picture of the work happening inside Mountain View Elementary and the direction the district is moving, this conversation gives you that view straight from the people doing the work every day.

#SheltonSchools #MountainViewElementary #SheltonWA #EducationPodcast #CTE #SheltonCommunity #PublicSchools #StudentSuccess #EarlyLearning #SchoolCulture

Mason County Sheriff Ryan Spurling joins Jeff in his office for a wide-ranging sit-down on youth outreach, crime trends, and what’s new at the sheriff’s office. They talk about the return of the DARE program in local schools, how it’s been updated for today’s kids, and why decision-making and mental health are at the center of the curriculum.

Sheriff Spurling explains how a donated 2024 Mustang GT is about to become the new DARE patrol car, why community partners stepped up to make it happen, and how students will see it at parades and events across Mason County. He also breaks down the sheriff’s new enforcement team (SET), recent felony arrests, work around local encampments, and how state law guides the office’s response to immigration and ICE concerns.

The conversation wraps up with an update on jail staffing, the hiring of a new jail chief, and what it means to build a culture of service in a rural county that covers more than a thousand square miles.

#MasonCounty

#SheltonWA

#MasonCountySheriff

#DAREProgram

#YouthSafety

#CommunityPolicing

#PublicSafety

#FentanylAwareness

#KMASRadio

#OurCommunityCreditUnion

Shelton, Washington turns into Christmas Town every December, and this year brings even more ways to celebrate. Amy Cooper joins Jeff to talk through everything happening downtown — Shop Shelton First, Best Friends Friday, tree lighting night, the return of the Mistletoe Mile, and the annual nighttime Christmas Parade.

They also cover the expanded Festival of the Firs, the 12 Ways of Christmas across Mason County, and the third annual Cookie Stroll featuring local bakers and the Shelton High School culinary program.

If you’re planning a visit to Shelton, Union, Hoodsport, or Belfair this holiday season, this conversation is your roadmap for events, shopping, live music, downtown lights, and family traditions that make Christmas Town Washington a destination.

#SheltonWA
#ChristmasTownWA
#MasonCountyWA
#HolidayEvents
#ShopLocalShelton
#FestivalOfTheFirs
#12WaysOfChristmas
#CookieStroll
#SheltonParade
#HoodsportWA
#UnionWA

Singer-songwriter Mel Dalton is back on KMAS after more than a decade, and she’s got a lot of stories to tell. In this conversation from the North Mason Chamber of Commerce office, Mel shares how she went from growing up in Bremerton to playing full-time in Coeur d’Alene, why she keeps coming back every year for the Healing Hearts Fund fundraiser, and how everyday moments—a lottery billboard, a long drive, a season of grief—turn into songs.

Mel talks about her new single “Chameleon,” a song about dropping the disguise and finally being yourself, and gives a powerful live performance in the room. She also opens up about “Key of H,” written years after losing her fiancé, and the moment another musician quietly recognized the loss hidden in the lyrics.

We wrap with where to find Mel online, details on her upcoming love-songs EP, and how fans can catch her weekly Monday morning livestream. If you love heartfelt Americana, honest storytelling, and supporting music that gives back to the community, this one’s for you.

https://meldaltonmusic.com/
https://www.patreon.com/MelDaltonMusic
https://www.youtube.com/MelDaltonMusic
https://www.facebook.com/TheMidnightJuliets

#MelDaltonMusic

#AmericanaMusic

#CountryFolk

#CoeurDAlene

#PNWMusic

#IndependentArtist

#WomenInMusic

#SupportLiveMusic

Congresswoman Emily Randall (WA-06) joins Jeff to talk about the 44-day federal government shutdown, its impact on workers across the Sixth District, and why she voted no on the reopening bill. She shares what she heard from Shipyard employees, small business owners, and families facing rising healthcare premiums.

They also dig into rural hospital challenges, small business loans, bipartisan possibilities in Congress, and concerns about blurred lines between the legislative and executive branches.

It’s a full breakdown of how national decisions hit home in Mason, Kitsap, Jefferson, and Grays Harbor counties — and what comes next for Washington’s Sixth District.

As food insecurity rises, one Mason County resident turned concern into community. Angela Leander founded Together We Eat — a grassroots group helping local families through shared meals, cooking classes, and fresh-food partnerships with organizations like Salish Roots and Community Lifeline. In this conversation with Jeff Slakey, Angela shares how small acts of love and action are bringing Shelton closer together.

#TogetherWeEat #MasonCounty #SheltonWA #CommunityLifeline #FoodSecurity #LocalLove #NeighborsHelpingNeighbors #VolunteerMasonCounty #ExploreHoodCanal #KMASRadio

Evergreen Elementary’s community forum dives deep into the district’s 50/50 Dual Language model (Spanish/English), early-literacy gains, and how families, staff, and students are teaming up for success. Hosted by KMAS’s Jeff Slakey with Principal Paula Canady, Academic Assistant Principal & Multilingual Coordinator Cat Kelly, and Superintendent Wyeth Jessee.

What you’ll hear

• How Evergreen’s 50/50 dual language works (half-day Spanish, half-day English by content area), and why it’s open district-wide via lottery and parent transport.
• Real growth data: third-grade reading moving from 15.4% to 21.4%, with a 30% near-term goal—and momentum building across all grades.
• Classroom culture: daily morning meetings, integrated supports, and how staff build confidence so students can take academic risks in both languages.
• Secondary pathways: World Languages, STAMP testing, and students earning the Seal of Biliteracy.
• Staffing realities: recruiting bilingual/bi-literate educators and supporting visas/certification to maintain program continuity.
• Levy basics (February ballot): what local dollars cover at Evergreen—after-school sports, paraeducators, the assistant principal role, integrated supports, custodial/maintenance, and utilities.
• Family engagement: literacy nights, classroom writing shares, acceleration team celebrations, PTSO, and volunteer opportunities.

Upcoming forum: Mountain View Elementary — Nov. 18 @ 5:00 PM (Shelton School District). Bring questions; replays are posted for those who can’t attend.

#SheltonSchools #EvergreenElementary #DualLanguage #EarlyLiteracy #FamilyEngagement #MasonCountyWA #SheltonWA

The Shelton School District’s Career and Technical Education team is redefining how students prepare for life after graduation.
 Director Gretchen Maliska, Academy Coach Wendy Burr, and Business & Hospitality Lead Tye Ramos join Jeff Slakey to talk about the district’s academy model, hands-on learning, and internships connecting students directly to Mason County employers like Mason Health and Sierra Pacific.
From 7th-grade career exploration to industry-recognized certifications, this behind-the-scenes look at CTE shows how Shelton is building confident, work-ready graduates.

https://www.sheltonschools.org/departments/college___career_readiness/career___technical_education___c_t_e_

#SheltonSchoolDistrict
#CTE
#CareerEducation
#MasonCountyWA
#SheltonHighSchool
#WorkforceReady
#HandsOnLearning
#EducationMatters
#FutureReadyStudents
#SheltonCommunity

Shelton School District Superintendent Wyeth Jessee joins Jeff Slakey to explain how each school sets measurable goals for student growth, reading achievement, and attendance.
 They also discuss the district’s upcoming levy renewal, how those funds sustain classrooms, and why consistent attendance makes such a difference after COVID.
 A transparent look inside the plans guiding Shelton’s schools—and the community teamwork that makes them succeed.

#SheltonSchoolDistrict #SheltonWA #EducationMatters #StudentSuccess #AttendanceMatters #MasonCounty #PublicEducation #KMASRadio #VoiceOfMasonCounty #SchoolImprovement #CommunityStrong