Traffic stop in Yelm leads to arrest of suspect wanted in connection to death of child last year

Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders announced on Facebook on Monday, Oct. 19, that the suspect wanted in connection to the death of a five-year-old child last year has been arrested in Yelm after a …

Former WA Rep., current Port of Tacoma Commissioner JT Wilcox voices support for YCS levy

Former Washington state Representative, and current Port of Tacoma Position No. 4 Commissioner, JT Wilcox voiced his support toward the upcoming Yelm Community Schools (YCS) levy measure — which …

Youthful Yelm girls soccer making progress under first-year head coach Temple

YELM — Dave Temple didn’t sugarcoat it. “It’s been a rough season,” he said. The first-year head coach of the Yelm girls soccer team made this declaration moments after the …

Thurston County Sheriff’s Office introduces newest K9 member

Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders, accompanied by his executive staff and senior officers, held a town hall at the Yelm Community Center on Wednesday, Oct. 7. Setting aside the usual town hall …

Local news

City of Yelm finance director highlights accomplishments, 2027-28 goals of each department

As the City of Yelm continues to prepare its 2027-2028 biennial budget for council approval, Stephanie Nanavich, Yelm Finance Director, presented a high-level budget overview of the accomplishments …

Community Calendar for October 22: 2026 Waste Reduction Series, Dia de los Muertos, City of Yelm Haunted Market

Thursday, Oct. 22 City of Yelm Haunted Market The City of Yelm is diving into the spirit of Halloween with its second annual Haunted Market, which is set for 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22. …

Thurston County issues toxic algae health advisory for Pattison Lake

Thurston County Public Health & Social Services (PHSS) is reporting a toxic algae bloom in Pattison Lake. Lab results from a sample taken from Pattison Lake on 10/16/2026 detected Microcystin …

15th annual Crossroads Pumpkin Patch returns through Oct. 31

The annual Crossroads Pumpkin Patch has returned for its 15th year, inviting families to enjoy fall activities, pick out seasonal decorations and support local students pursuing higher education. The …

Yelm City Council unanimously approves development agreement with Yelm MPC LLC

During a Yelm City Council meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 13, councilors unanimously approved a development agreement with Yelm MPC LLC to establish a long-term framework for the creation of the city’s …

Yelm City Council approves $45,000 of LTAC fund allocations to local organizations

During a Yelm City Council meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 13, councilors unanimously approved six award recipient recommendations from Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) funding in 2027, totalling …

Spending tops $20M MGP-Braun congressional race

Candidates in Washington state’s most closely watched congressional race have spent more than $10 million entering the final weeks of the campaign. Meanwhile, outside forces are shelling out …

City of Hoquiam proclaims Olympic Stadium ‘birthplace of spread offense’ in football

A historic Hoquiam football landmark received national recognition on Friday, Oct. 16, as the city proclaimed Olympic Stadium as the “birthplace of the football revolution and the spread offense. …

Yelm City Council votes 6-0 to voice support of upcoming YCS levy

During a Yelm City Council meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 13, the Yelm City Council, excluding councilor Tracey Wood, who abstained from his decision, voted 6-0 in favor of a resolution that expresses …

Girls in sports: What it takes is subject of YHS forum

The lifelong benefits of playing sports were explored at a forum for girls held at Yelm High School (YHS) on Wednesday, Oct. 14. Moderated by YHS Career and Technical Education (CTE) Director Teri …

Ballot Drop March: fourth ‘No Kings’ protest in Thurston County focuses on early voting

Dozens of Thurston County residents returned their ballots to a county drop box Saturday morning as part of an organized effort to encourage early voting in the Nov. 3 midterm election. Olympia …

Flood Awareness Week: Thurston County Emergency Management encourages residents to prepare for flood season

As fall and winter approach, Thurston County Emergency Management is reminding residents that now is the time to prepare for flooding and understand their household's risk. Flooding is one of …

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State & Regional News

Seattle, police guild in negotiations over $13M overpayment, recovery unclear

There is no telling how long it could take for Seattle to recover $13.1 million in overpayments to hundreds of police officers, Mayor Katie Wilson’s office said Monday, or if it can at all. …

Costs and permitting are barriers to nuclear-powered electricity in Idaho, utilities say

High costs and lengthy permitting processes are two of the barriers to bringing nuclear-powered electricity to customers in Idaho, officials from three electrical utilities told state regulators …

Tobacco manufacturers donate $27K to Idaho AG Labrador’s campaign, years after settlement tweaks

Republican Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador and Gov. Brad Little’s re-election campaigns received more than $20,000 each in donations from tobacco and nicotine manufacturers. The …

Oregon to increase 2027 payments to care organizations for Health Plan members

Next year, Oregon will pay an average of nearly $630 more per member every month to the organizations arranging providers for the vast majority of Oregon’s 1.4 million Medicaid members under new …

Umatilla declares emergency over lost revenue from Gov. Kotek’s data center permit pause

An eastern Oregon city that has for the last decade welcomed some of the largest data centers in the state is fighting Gov. Tina Kotek’s recent order meant to temporarily pause data center …

Washington hospitals anticipate losing billions in revenue from Medicaid cuts

SEATTLE — Washington’s hospitals anticipate losing nearly $6 billion in revenue through 2033 due to steep Medicaid cuts in the coming months. That’s according to a new report from the …

Bear killings skyrocket as garbage, bird feeders draw them into conflict

Bears are having a very bad year. Across much of the United States, a warm winter and persistent drought have decimated the natural foods that black and brown bears rely on. With nearly …

Washington panel eyes ways to ease hurdles to rebuilding homes destroyed by wildfires

Under pressure from Gov. Bob Ferguson, the Washington state Building Code Council is wrestling with how far it can bend residential energy codes to speed up rebuilding homes destroyed by wildfires …

Elbows up in Washington state over Canada’s proposed oil tanker terminal on border

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and comedian Mike Myers made the phrase “elbows up” a national rallying cry in the midst of a trade war incited by the Trump administration. …

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Life

The WET Science Center’s fall lineup brings the outdoors inside

With rain in the forecast and cooler temperatures, it’s time to find affordable ways to have fun inside. The WET Science Center is ready to help! Most middle schoolers in …

Thurston County Sheriff’s Office Detective Hannah Ritter, and one of the newer recruits to the department, Gus, arrive at Yelm Community Center — where the K9 was introduced to the community at a town hall meeting with Sheriff Derek Sanders on Wednesday, Oct. 7.

Meet Gus: Thurston County Sheriff’s Office introduces newest K9 member

Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders, accompanied by his executive staff and senior officers, held a town hall at the Yelm Community Center on Wednesday, Oct. 7. Setting aside the usual …

Lacey MakerSpace invites the community to Festival of Sparks

Creativity, innovation and community will come together as Lacey MakerSpace opens its doors for the Festival of Sparks, its annual fundraiser, from 1 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10. The event is free …

People loading onto the North Thurston Public School Buses at the Hawks Prairie Park & Ride on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, during the Nisqually Watershed Festival.

Poster contest draws hundreds of children to the 37th Annual Nisqually Watershed Festival

A vibrant crowd of young nature enthusiasts and families flooded the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge on Saturday, Sept. 26, for the 37th annual Nisqually Watershed Festival, …

Tenino High School’s new backlit aluminum sign hangs in front of the school on Monday. Sept. 28.

Tenino High School unveils new sign made by its students

Five years ago, Tenino High School took down its historic wooden sign for refurbishment, and discovered it was damaged beyond repair. Instead of simply ordering a replacement, the school decided …