Tygart Media

Category: Belfair

Hyper-local coverage of Belfair, Washington — the North Mason community, PSNS commuter life, Hood Canal access, and neighborhood news.

  • Hood Canal Shellfish Season Opens with New 2026 Rules — Tahuya Trail Closure and What’s Coming This Summer

    Spring is here and so is shellfish season along Hood Canal! If you’re heading out to dig clams or harvest oysters, take note of the new 2026 rules that kicked in April 1 — the minimum size for cockles is now 2½ inches, and geoduck limits have dropped to one per person per day. Potlatch State Park’s clam, mussel, and oyster season is open through May 31, so grab your shellfish license and your Discover Pass and get out there.

    Over at Tahuya State Forest, heads up that portions of the Howell Lake Loop Trail remain temporarily closed due to a washed-out bridge. Plenty of other trails are open for ORV riding, mountain biking, and hiking — just stick to marked routes and remember your Discover Pass.

    Looking ahead, the Theler Wetlands trail system is getting a major upgrade this summer. Construction begins on a new pedestrian boardwalk in the footprint of the removed levees, fully reconnecting the estuary trail loop. And Belfair State Park’s Tree Loop campground opens for reservations May 15 — start planning those summer weekends on the water.

    • Shellfish 2026 Rule Changes (April 1): Cockle minimum size 2½ inches; geoduck limit 1/person/day
    • Potlatch State Park shellfish season: Open through May 31
    • Tahuya Howell Lake Loop: Partial closure — bridge washout; other trails open
    • Theler Wetlands boardwalk: Construction starting summer 2026
    • Belfair State Park Tree Loop: Reservations open May 15

  • Belfair Business Beat: Sweetwater Creek Ribbon Cutting April 10, Industrial Development on the Horizon

    Something new is opening in Belfair this week — and it’s been a long time coming.

    The Sweetwater Creek Waterwheel Park holds its official ribbon-cutting celebration on Thursday, April 10 at 1 p.m., hosted by the North Mason Chamber of Commerce. The park sits just off Highway 3, right next to Belfair Elementary School and across from the Theler Wetlands.

    The Sweetwater Creek project was developed through a partnership between the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group (PNW Salmon Center) and the Port of Allyn. It features the only freshwater ADA-accessible fishing access in Mason County, along with new bridges, trails, a nature playground built from natural materials like boulders and logs, native plant installations, solar panels, and a small hydropower system. It’s free and open to the public — and opened March 31.

    • Ribbon Cutting: Thursday, April 10 at 1:00 PM
    • Location: Next to Belfair Elementary School, across Hwy 3 from Mary E. Theler Wetlands
    • Developer: Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group + Port of Allyn
    • Admission: Free

    Also on the radar: Puget Sound West Industrial Development at 25400 SR-3 — a Class A industrial project at the Mason/Kitsap county line with up to 1.4 million square feet planned. Watch for leasing news.

  • Sweetwater Creek Waterwheel Park Opens in Belfair — Ribbon Cutting April 10

    Something special is happening right in the heart of Belfair — and if you’ve driven past Belfair Elementary on Highway 3, you may have already spotted it. Sweetwater Creek Waterwheel Park is opening its gates, and the North Mason Chamber of Commerce is hosting a ribbon-cutting celebration on Thursday, April 10 at 1 p.m.

    This isn’t just another park. Sweetwater Creek Waterwheel Park is a years-in-the-making community vision brought to life by the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group (also known as the PNW Salmon Center, right off NE Roessel Road in Belfair). Tucked just across Highway 3 from the Theler Wetlands, the park features the only freshwater ADA fishing access in all of Mason County — a real game-changer for families and anglers of all abilities.

    The park also includes native plant gardens, a nature playground, solar panels, and interpretive trails connecting people to the salmon that make Hood Canal country so special. It officially opened to the public on March 31 and is free and open to all.

    The Salmon Center has been a quiet pillar of North Mason life for years — running Salmon in the Classroom, hosting story-time events for babies at their Belfair campus, and stewarding Hood Canal’s watershed one stream at a time. This park is their love letter to Belfair, and the whole community is invited to the celebration Thursday.

    Ribbon Cutting: Thursday, April 10 at 1:00 PM
    Location: Sweetwater Creek Waterwheel Park, next to Belfair Elementary, across Hwy 3 from Mary E. Theler Wetlands
    Hosted by: North Mason Chamber of Commerce — Free and open to the public

  • North Mason Schools & Youth Update — April 8, 2026

    The biggest date on the North Mason School District calendar right now isn’t a school dance — it’s April 28. That’s when ballots are due for the district’s replacement levy, the third attempt after voters turned it down in both February and November 2025. The four-year levy would authorize up to $5.5 million per year to fund music programs, middle and high school athletics, school security officers, after-school activities, and help replace the aging community gymnasium roof.

    After the levy failures, Superintendent Kristine Michael told the Mason County Journal the district has been “squeezing every dollar,” with an estimated $1 million-plus shortfall from lower-than-projected enrollment already forcing staff reductions. Ballots should be arriving in mailboxes soon — registration deadline is April 20.

    On a brighter note, your NMHS Bulldogs baseball squad is off to a solid 4-2 start this spring. The ‘Dogs blanked East Jefferson 2-0 in Belfair on Saturday before topping North Kitsap on Monday. Spring sports are rolling, and it’s a great time to get out to Phil Pugh Stadium and cheer on North Mason’s student athletes.

    Looking ahead: Sand Hill Elementary hosts Future Cougar Night on April 14 for families with kids entering kindergarten this fall — a fun evening to meet teachers and tour the school. And mark your calendars for NMHS’s production of Mean Girls on May 29–30 at the Toni M. Smith Auditorium (6:30 PM, $10 w/ASB or $12 general admission).

    • April 20 — Voter registration deadline for April 28 levy election
    • April 14 — Future Cougar Night at Sand Hill Elementary
    • April 28 — NMSD replacement levy ballot deadline
    • May 29–30 — NMHS Mean Girls production, Toni M. Smith Auditorium

  • Commuter Alert: 6:20 AM Bremerton Ferry Cancelled, SR-3 Clear — Belfair Bugle

    Heads up, commuters — the 6:20 AM ferry from Bremerton is CANCELLED this morning due to a crew shortage on the Kaleetan. Next boat out of Seattle is the 7:35 AM. Plan accordingly if you connect through Colman Dock.

    SR-3 and Gorst are clear this morning — no active closures. WSDOT has started early utility work with nighttime lane closures on SR-3 and SR-16 ahead of the big fish barrier project this spring, but nothing is hitting your morning drive yet.

    Weather is on your side: sunny, mid-50s, light north wind. Safe travels out there.

    Morning Commute Snapshot — April 8, 2026

    • Ferry Alert: 6:20 AM Bremerton sailing CANCELLED (crew shortage, Kaleetan). Next departure: 7:35 AM from Seattle.
    • Colman Dock: Occasional off-peak lane closures through April 17 for sign installation. No rush-hour impact.
    • SR-3: Clear. Nighttime utility work only (WSDOT fish barrier project).
    • Gorst: Clear. No daytime impacts from fish barrier/roundabout project yet.
    • PSNS/Bangor: No gate changes or security posture changes announced.
    • Weather: Sunny, mid-50s to low 60s, light north wind. No commute impact.

    Coming soon: Watch for the announcement of the 16-day SR-3 full closure near Sunnyslope Rd SW — expected late spring/early summer 2026. We’ll flag it the moment WSDOT confirms dates.

    Sources: WSF Alerts Bulletin (wsdot.com/ferries), NWS Eastern Kitsap County, WSDOT SR-3/SR-16 Gorst Fish Barrier Project

  • Schools & Youth: North Mason Levy Vote April 28, Bulldogs Baseball 4-2, Future Cougar Night — Belfair Bugle

    The biggest date on the North Mason School District calendar right now isn’t a school dance — it’s April 28. That’s when ballots are due for the district’s replacement levy, the third attempt after voters turned it down in both February and November 2025.

    The four-year levy would authorize up to $5.5 million per year to fund music programs, middle and high school athletics, school security officers, after-school activities, and help replace the aging community gymnasium roof. After the levy failures, Superintendent Kristine Michael told the Mason County Journal the district has been “squeezing every dollar,” with an estimated $1 million-plus shortfall from lower-than-projected enrollment already forcing staff reductions. Ballots should be arriving in mailboxes soon — voter registration deadline is April 20.

    On a brighter note, your NMHS Bulldogs baseball squad is off to a solid 4-2 start this spring. The ‘Dogs blanked East Jefferson 2-0 in Belfair on Saturday before topping North Kitsap on Monday. Spring sports are rolling, and it’s a great time to get out to Phil Pugh Stadium and cheer on North Mason’s student athletes.

    Key Dates & Updates

    • April 20: Voter registration deadline for April 28 levy election
    • April 28: Ballot due — North Mason School District replacement levy ($5.5M/year, 4 years)
    • April 14: Future Cougar Night at Sand Hill Elementary (791 NE Sand Hill Rd, Belfair) — for families with kids entering kindergarten in fall 2026
    • Bulldogs Baseball: 4-2 on the season. Recent wins over East Jefferson (2-0) and North Kitsap.
    • May 29-30: NMHS production of Mean Girls at the Toni M. Smith Auditorium, 6:30 PM. $10 with ASB card, $12 general admission.

    Sources: WA Secretary of State April 2026 Fact Sheet, Mason County Journal, NMHS Bulldogs Athletic Website, NMSD Events Calendar

  • Belfair Business Pulse: Library Remodel Nearly Done, Chamber Opens New Visitor Center — Belfair Bugle

    Big things are happening in Belfair — and your library is getting a fresh start.

    The North Mason Timberland Library remodel is nearly done and coming in under budget. The library closed back in January for a full interior refresh — new paint, flooring, furniture, and a completely reimagined children’s area designed to be more welcoming for families. Timberland Regional Library reports the project is on track to reopen this spring, likely by May or June. In the meantime, hold pickups, printing, and a small browsing collection are still available at the Mason Transit Authority building off the roundabout on SR 3 (25250 SR 3, Belfair, Tue–Fri 10am–6pm).

    Meanwhile, the North Mason Chamber of Commerce is setting up a brand-new visitor center at the Salmon Center near the Theler Wetlands — a beautiful spot that showcases exactly what makes North Mason special. The Chamber received $45,000 in funding this year to make it happen, and plans to have part-time staff there five days a week. If you haven’t visited the Salmon Center yet, you’ll have another great reason to soon.

    Business & Community Updates

    • North Mason Timberland Library (23081 NE SR 3, Belfair): Remodel nearly complete, under budget. Reopening expected May or June 2026. Temporary services at Mason Transit Authority building (25250 SR 3, Tue–Fri 10am–6pm).
    • North Mason Chamber Visitor Center: Moving to PNW Salmon Center, 600 NE Roessel Rd, Belfair. $45,000 in 2026 funding secured. Part-time staffing planned noon–5pm, five days/week.

    Sources: Mason County Journal (April 2 and March 19, 2026), Timberland Regional Library, North Mason Chamber of Commerce

  • Commuter Alert: SR-3, Ferry Schedule & Gorst Construction Update — Belfair Bugle

    Heads up, North Mason commuters — a few things to know before you hit SR-3 this week.

    Construction is ramping up at Gorst as WSDOT kicks off early work on the fish barrier removal project on SR-3 and SR-16. Expect nighttime lane closures at two locations for utility work — check the WSDOT app or sign up for alerts at the project page. No confirmed full closures are active yet, but the major 16-day full closure of SR-3 near Sunnyslope Rd SW is expected late spring/early summer 2026 — plan ahead.

    Ferry riders: the Bremerton–Seattle run is on an alternate spring schedule with the smaller Salish vessel (64 cars) through mid-April, so book ahead if you can. Colman Dock may have occasional off-peak lane closures through April 17 for sign installation work — nothing that should affect the morning rush. The Kingston terminal seismic retrofit continues through July 2026, with the 9:40 PM Kingston→Edmonds sailing running 20–30 minutes late on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings.

    This Week’s Commute Summary

    • SR-3/Gorst: Nighttime utility lane closures have begun (WSDOT fish barrier project). No daytime full closures yet. 16-day closure expected late spring/early summer — watch for announcement.
    • Bremerton–Seattle Ferry: Alternate spring schedule, Salish vessel (64 cars) through mid-April. Book ahead. ADA alert: elevator out of service on vessel.
    • Colman Dock: Off-peak lane closures April 6–17 for sign installation — no rush-hour impact expected.
    • Kingston–Edmonds: Seismic retrofit ongoing through July 2026. 9:40 PM Kingston→Edmonds delayed 20–30 min Tue/Wed/Thu.
    • PSNS/Bangor: No gate closures or public access changes announced.
    • Weather: Mostly sunny, mid-60s to low 70s, light SW winds. No weather impact on commute.

    Sources: WSDOT SR-3/SR-16 Gorst Fish Barrier Project, WSF Bulletin Board, NWS Eastern Kitsap County

  • Belfair Business Beat: Sweetwater Creek Park Ribbon Cutting April 10 & Industrial Growth on SR-3 — Belfair Bugle

    Something new is opening in Belfair this week — and it’s been a long time coming.

    The Sweetwater Creek Waterwheel Park will hold its official ribbon-cutting celebration on Thursday, April 10 at 1 p.m., hosted by the North Mason Chamber of Commerce. The park sits just off Highway 3, right next to Belfair Elementary School and across from the Theler Wetlands — a spot many of you drive past every day.

    This isn’t your average park. The Sweetwater Creek project, developed through a partnership between the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group (PNW Salmon Center) and the Port of Allyn, features the only freshwater ADA-accessible fishing access in Mason County, along with new bridges, trails, a nature playground built from natural materials like boulders and logs, native plant installations, and even solar panels and a small hydropower system. It’s free and open to the public.

    After years of planning, grant compliance work, and community effort, the park officially opened to the public on March 31 — and now it’s time to celebrate. Mark your calendars for April 10 and come say hi to your neighbors. North Mason does community right.

    What’s Opening & What’s Coming

    • Sweetwater Creek Waterwheel Park: Open since March 31. Ribbon cutting April 10 at 1 PM. Free, ADA accessible. Only freshwater ADA fishing access in Mason County.
    • Puget Sound West Industrial (25400 SR-3): Class A industrial development at the Mason/Kitsap county line, up to 1.4 million SF planned. Phase I underway. Sewer capacity expansion along Hwy 3 corridor is in progress to support growth.
    • Port of Allyn: Development partner on Sweetwater Creek and a longtime Mason County economic anchor (18560 E. SR-3, Allyn WA).

    Sources: Mason County Journal, PNW Salmon Center, Port of Allyn, North Mason Chamber of Commerce

  • Community Spotlight: Sweetwater Creek Waterwheel Park Opens — Ribbon Cutting April 10 — Belfair Bugle

    Something special is happening right in the heart of Belfair this week — and if you’ve driven past Belfair Elementary on Highway 3, you may have already spotted it. Sweetwater Creek Waterwheel Park is opening its gates, and the North Mason Chamber of Commerce is hosting a ribbon-cutting celebration on Thursday, April 10 at 1 p.m. to mark the moment.

    This isn’t just another park. Sweetwater Creek Waterwheel Park is a years-in-the-making community vision brought to life by the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group (also known as the PNW Salmon Center, right off NE Roessel Road in Belfair). Tucked just across Highway 3 from the Theler Wetlands, the park features the only freshwater ADA fishing access in all of Mason County — a real game-changer for families and anglers of all abilities. Plans also include native plant gardens, a nature playground, solar panels, and interpretive trails connecting people to the salmon that make Hood Canal country so special.

    The Salmon Center has been a quiet pillar of North Mason life for years — running Salmon in the Classroom, hosting story-time events for families at their Belfair campus, and stewarding Hood Canal’s watershed one stream at a time. This park is their love letter to Belfair, and the whole community is invited to the celebration Thursday.

    Park Details

    • Location: Next to Belfair Elementary School, across Highway 3 from Theler Wetlands
    • Operated by: Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group / PNW Salmon Center (600 NE Roessel Rd, Belfair)
    • Features: Only freshwater ADA fishing access in Mason County, native plant gardens, nature playground, solar panels, interpretive trails
    • Admission: Free and open to the public
    • Ribbon Cutting: April 10, 2026 at 1:00 PM — hosted by North Mason Chamber of Commerce

    If you’re proud of what North Mason is building — come out April 10, shake some hands, and see what your neighbors have been working on. This is what community looks like.

    Sources: PNW Salmon Center (pnwsalmoncenter.org), Mason County Journal, North Mason Chamber of Commerce