Podcast
KMAS Radio
Hosted by Jeff Slakey · EN
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.
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Episodes
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Shelton's Citizen of the Year on Bridging Divides, Community Service & the 'We Need the Village' Mindset — Tamra Ingwaldson
Apr 400:18:12Tap to summarizeJeff 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 sports she wasn't allowed to play planted the seed for a lifetime of civic engagement. As a single mother of two daughters in the mid-90s, she figured out how to model citizenship even when time and resources were thin — bringing her girls to board meetings with Happy Meals and coloring books, turning every community interaction into a teaching moment.She and Jeff dig into one of Shelton's most persistent challenges: how to get factions and silos talking to each other. Tamra's answer draws on 20+ years of nonprofit work — United Way of Kitsap and Mason counties, the Home Builders Association, and now New Horizon Communities and Shelton Veterans Village. She also introduces 'The Peacekeepers,' a local group of equal numbers of Democratic and Republican women who break bread together, do service projects together, and work to prove that compromise isn't a dirty word.Plus: her philosophy on volunteering for families who feel too stretched or unqualified to give back, the 'time, talent, or treasure' framework for finding your contribution, and a personal story about stepping into a church where she was the only person who looked like her — and what she found there.Recorded six years to the day from the COVID lockdowns, the conversation is a timely reminder that community is built one small act at a time — and that none of us can do it alone.#FocusOnShelton #SheltonWA #MasonCountyWA #CitizenOfTheYear #KMASRadio #CommunityService #CivicEngagement #Volunteerism #SheltonVeteransVillage #UnitedWay #ThePeacekeepers #LocalLeadership #PNWCommunity #WashingtonState #NonprofitLife #ServiceAboveSelf #NeighborhoodPodcast #CommunityRadio #MasonCounty #WesternWashingtonKMAS is the local radio station in Mason County Washington.
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Shelton Veterans Village: Inside the Tiny Home Community Changing Lives in Mason County, WA
Apr 100:49:27Tap to summarizeJeff 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 - info@nhcommunities.org 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
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New Scholarship Opportunities Available From Mason Health For Health Care Field
Mar 3100:07:46Tap to summarizeMason 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
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Mason County Republican Women: 55+ Years of Community, Common Ground & Civic Life in Shelton, WA
Mar 2900:15:19Tap to summarizeThey 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
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'It Breaks My Heart': Shelton School Superintendent on Levy Wins, State Cuts & the Fight for Shelton Kids
Mar 2500:22:13Tap to summarizeShelton 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
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Live Murals, Community Art & What’s Growing in Downtown Shelton | Molly Wheat Baker
Mar 2400:07:56Tap to summarizeJeff 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 | 📧 mollywheatbaker@gmail.com#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.
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Shelton's 6-Year Parks Plan + Empty Bowls Returns March 2025 | Focus on Shelton
Mar 700:09:24Tap to summarizeIn 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: jordanne.krumpols@sheltonwa.gov#SheltonWA #FocusOnShelton #KMAS #SheltonParks #SheltonPROST #SheltonRecreationKMAS is the local radio station in Mason County Washington.
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Mountain View Café Reopens at Mason Health | Prime Rib Fridays Are Back in Shelton
Mar 400:10:00Tap to summarizeThe 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
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Shelton City Manager Mark Ziegler Named Boss of the Year | Leadership, Growth & What’s Next for Shelton WA
Feb 2700:38:15Tap to summarizeShelton 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
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Peninsula Credit Union Named 2025 Business of the Year by Shelton Mason County Chamber
Feb 1600:21:00Tap to summarizePeninsula 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
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