Mason County led the South Sound housing market during January, posting increases in both sales and median prices compared to a year earlier, according to the latest data from Northwest Multiple Listing Service.

Home sales in Mason County increased from 34 during January 2011 to 40 last month. The median price rose 3.99 percent, from $154,250 to $160,400.

Small, nonfarm businesses in 35 Washington counties and eight neighboring Oregon counties, are now eligible to apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U. S. Small Business Administration.  

"These loans offset economic losses because of reduced revenue caused by the combined effects of excessive rain, flooding, below normal temperatures, high winds, frosts and freezes occurring Jan. 1 through July, 31, 2011," said Alfred E. Judd, director of SBA's Disaster Field Operations Center – West.

The Washington State Department of Health has revoked or suspended the licenses, certifications or registrations of the following South Sound health care providers.

Mason County

In December, the Chemical Dependency Professional Program indefinitely suspended the credential of Steven Michael Dorland. Dorland failed to comply with a previous agreement.

The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following South Sound health care providers.

Lewis County

In December, the Nursing Assistant Program denied the application of registered nursing assistant applicant Lisa J. Sipe. She was convicted of child molestation.

Walmart's Washington State Giving Council has awarded 10 grants totaling $375,000 to nonprofit organizations across the state. The grantees are all focused on addressing basic needs, including hunger and job training.

Organizations receiving grants include:

Joyce McDonald has been elected chair of the Pierce County Council. She represents District 2. Rick Talbert, who represents District 5 was named vice chair and Dick Muri, who represents District 6, was chose to serve as executive pro teem for a fourth consecutive year.

Mike Davis CSI, CDT, AACE, has joined Rush Commercial as business development manager/chief estimator. He has 26 years of design-build construction experience and has taught construction management at the post-secondary level.

Unemployment was higher throughout the South Sound during December, according to the latest data from the state Employment Security Department.

The jobless rate in Pierce County rose from 8.8 percent during November to 9.1 percent last month.

Mason General Hospital & Family of Clinics has named its medical officers and appointed its chiefs of service for 2012. Officers include: Kevin  J. Roscoe M.D., board-certified in radiology, chief of staff; Dean E. Gushee M.D., board-certified in emergency medicine, assistant chief of staff; Albert Michael Keep M.D., board-certified in family medicine, secretary;  and Timothy J. Weber M.D., board-certified in family medicine, past chief of staff. Clinical chief of service department heads include: Anesthesia – Deborah A. Hartley CRNA;  Intensive Care Unit – Mark L. Schlauderaff M.D.;  Emergency Services – Dean E. Gushee M.D.;  Infant and Children's Services – Maria Rowena Carreon Ramirez M.D.;  Laboratory Services – J. Michael Odell M.D.;  Medical/Surgical – Christopher W. Penoyar D.O.;  Nutritional Services – Douglas F. Lindahl D.O.;  Obstetrics – Nkemdilium Nwosa M.D.;  Physical Therapy – Frederick J. Davis M.D.;  Respiratory Therapy – Douglas F. Lindahl D.O.;  Surgery – Eldie L. Cruz M.D.;  and Radiology – Kevin  J. Roscoe M.D.

Public Hospital District No. 1, the governing body of Mason General Hospital & Family of Clinics – MGH Ankle & Foot, MGH Eye Clinic, MGH Family Health, MGH Shelton Orthopedics, MGH Surgery Clinic, Mountain View Women's Health Clinic, Oakland Bay Pediatrics and Shelton Family Medicine has elected officers for its 2012 Board of Hospital Commissioners. Nancy Trucksess of Shelton was selected as president. Scott Hilburn of Shelton is secretary and Don Wilson of Potlatch is a trustee.

Women owned businesses are playing an ever larger role in our community. The Alliance of Women Owned Businesses wants to recognize the tremendous difference these leaders can make.

The organization is accepting nomination applications for its 2012 Crystal Star awards. The alliance intends to recognize Kitsap, Pierce and Mason county women business owners who inspire, open doors, and make a difference today and tomorrow.

Mason County PUD No. 3's annual report on its sources of electricity shows the utility is maximizing its non-fossil fuel mix of energy sources.

According to the report, which is based on the Washington State Department of Commerce's "Utility Fuel Mix Report for 2011," 77 percent of the wholesale electricity purchased by the PUD comes from renewable sources and qualifying energy sources under the Washington State Energy Independence Act. Nearly 12 percent of the electricity comes from the Columbia Generating Station, a nuclear power plant in south-central Washington.

Taxable retail sales increased statewide 3.2 percent to $27.3 billion during the third quarter of 2011 compared to year-earlier results, according to the Department of Revenue. Retail trade, a subset of all sales that counts only retail store sales and excludes other sectors such as construction and services, was up 2.4 percent to $12.2 billion.

Taxable retail sales fell 3.3 percent in Pierce County to $2.7 billion and were off 5.1 percent in Thurston County to $952 million. In Lewis County, taxable retail sales rose 9.4 percent to $276 million. Taxable retail sales in Mason County were up 0.2 percent to $135 million.

Olympia Federal Savings opened its branch in Belfair a year ago this month, and now the environmentally friendly designed building has been awarded a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold Certification.

LEED is an internationally recognized mark of excellence in green building and provides building owners with a framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable sustainable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions.

Mason County PUD No. 3 received notification this week that it has won a seventh consecutive award for the quality of its financial reporting.

PUD 3 was awarded the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting for its 2010 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada. The PUD is one of only three public utility districts in Washington to apply for such recognition for its financial reporting.

Home sales during December were mixed in the South Sound, but median prices fell throughout the region, according to the latest numbers from Northwest Multiple Listing Service.

In Pierce County, sales rose 12.84 percent compared to December 2010 (791 vs. 701) but the median price fell 18.68 percent ($175,199 vs. $213,450).

Jenny Duffy has been selected as Mason General Hospital & Family of Clinics' December Employee of the Month. She is a registered nurse  and works in the Emergency Department at Mason General Hospital. Duffy has bachelor's degree in nursing from the University of Phoenix.

Tula Mollas has been selected to receive the 2012 National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Excellence in Teaching award. She is a developmental education instructor in English and math at Clover Park Technical College.

The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following South Sound health care providers.

Mason County

In November, the Nursing Assistant Program reinstated the certification of certified nursing assistant Crystal K. Medina. She is also known as Crystal K. Hardie.

Jeff Kraft has joined Kidder Mathews' Tacoma brokerage division as a vice president. He will specialize in retail leasing, development and acquisitions. Kraft previously worked for Neil Walter Co.

Frederick Mendoza has been appointed to the Highline Community College Board of Trustees. After 30 years of public and private law practice, Mendoza founded Mendoza Law Center, PLLC in 2007. Prior to entering the private law sector, Mendoza served as King County deputy prosecuting attorney in the criminal and fraud divisions. He is a graduate of the University of Washington School of Law.

Unemployment rates were mostly lower throughout the South Sound during November, according to the latest numbers released by the state Employment Security Department.



Pierce County posted a jobless rate of 8.8 percent, down from 9.1 percent during October.

Mason County PUD No. 3 Commissioners today adopted a $57 million budget for 2012 which reflects the financial impact of the mandated purchase of renewable energy and an increase in price for wholesale electricity supplies purchased from the Bonneville Power Administration.

The 2012 budget, which is 6.5 percent higher than 201, anticipates a retail electricity rate increase in 2012, which may include a 3 percent change in the cost for energy consumption and a 10-cent per day increase in the daily customer charge.

Olympia Master Builders honored members during its annual Awards Banquet and Christmas Party last week. The following individuals and entities were recognized for outstanding performance during 2011:

• 2011 President's Awards: Ross Irwin – Cabinets by Trivonna; The Olympian

• Builder of the Year: Scott Nolan – MDK Construction Inc.