Tenino’s own Adam Craig rocks in first concerts at new Stone City Event Center

Adam Craig has checked off plenty of boxes from his bucket list since moving to Nashville from his hometown of Tenino in 2004. Write a radio hit? Check. Perform at the iconic Grand Ole Opry? …

Liquor Control Board serves search warrant on ‘Tad’s in Tenino’

Following an undercover investigation, Washington state Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) officers on Monday July 7, executed a search warrant at 3135 184 th Ave. SE in Tenino, known locally as …

County prosecutor’s office embraces transparency with new online tool

In an effort to promote data transparency and accountability, the Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, along with Measures for Justice, a national nonprofit, unveiled a new data tool …

Rainier celebrates second annual All-American Jubilee

Rainier residents gathered under sunny blue skies Sunday afternoon, June 29, for the second annual All-American Jubilee at Wilkowski Park. The family-friendly event, hosted by We Love Rainier WA, …

Local news

Over $200,000 raised by supporters after Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad trestle bridge burns down

Back at the end of April, the Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad’s wooden trestle bridge located between Mineral and Morton burned down in a fire that was believed to have been deliberately started. …

Washington state government spending surges 116% since 2015

Washington state faces deficit spending by 2028 as lawmakers just hit taxpayers with the state's largest combined tax increase – all driven by massive state spending increases over the past …

More crisis care beds coming to Thurston County thanks to Department of Commerce partnership

A new 16-bed crisis triage and stabilization facility is coming to Thurston County, thanks in part to a $4.95 million grant from the Washington state Department of Commerce, a recent news release …

WDFW accepting master hunter applications

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is inviting new applicants to join the ranks of over 1,200 certified master hunters across the state, a news release from the WDFW stated. …

Thurston County issues burn ban on yard waste and land clearing

Thurston County commissioners recently approved a temporary ban on residential yard waste burning and all land clearing burns in unincorporated areas of Thurston County, a news release from the …

Yelm Distance Running to host second ‘Speed Night’ for local athletes

As head coach for the Yelm High School boys cross country team and a long distance coach on YHS’s track team, Alex McIntire has long had a vision of creating a culture of running. His efforts …

Adam Craig to headline first outdoor concerts at Tenino’s Ag Park

Tenino native and Nashville rising star Adam Craig will return to his hometown for two performances at the new Stone City Event Center on Friday, July 11, and Saturday, July 12, for the first outdoor …

Police pursuit through Yelm ends in fatality in Pierce County

A police pursuit that began in Thurston County Sunday night, July 6, and continued to Pierce County ended in a fatality after the driver was ejected from his fleeing vehicle upon collision with …

City of Yelm holds first ever ‘Brass on the Grass’ concert

To close out the Fourth of July weekend, the City of Yelm hosted its first ever “Brass on the Grass” concert at Yelm City Park on a sunny Sunday afternoon, July 6. Over 100 Yelm residents …

Yelm resident inspired to serve the community through fresh, home-cooked meals

Erin Sunshine, a longtime Yelm resident and former business owner in the community, believes nobody deserves to go hungry. Her actions have backed her beliefs throughout 2025, as earlier in the year …

Yelm FFA Alumni Association reflects on over 20 years of supporting YHS program

In Yelm, you know you’re officially approaching the Fourth of July when the Yelm FFA Alumni Association sets its trailer up in the parking lot of the 507 Taproom, just off Yelm Avenue. For over …

Senior-focused “Lakefair 50+ in the Park” set for July 18 at Heritage Park

Senior Action Network (SAN) and its member businesses are calling all seniors. SAN will host its annual “Lakefair 50+ in the Park” from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Friday, July 18, at Heritage …

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State & Regional News

Measure would make Washington residents prove they are citizens when they register to vote

A Republican-led effort to make Washington residents prove they are U.S. citizens before receiving a ballot is hitting the streets. Backers of an initiative requiring a person to provide proof …

How Latinos in Washington state are coping with ICE crackdowns: ‘I don’t really have time for therapy’

Alejandra Guzman-Mercado was just weeks away from graduating college – the first in her family to do so – when a judge denied her father’s request to remain in the United States and …

High pay, low test scores: Washington state teachers earn most when adjusted for cost of living

Washington state ranks highest in the nation for adjusted pay among elementary, middle and high school teachers, according to USAFacts , based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. …

Washington state Republican convicted over Election Day refusal to wear a mask

An Island County, Wash., election observer has been convicted of a felony over his refusal to wear a mask last year when policy was established by the county auditor due to a high rate of COVID-19 …

After suing, Washington gets carveout from Trump administration plan to return gun conversion devices

The Trump administration has agreed to not distribute devices that turn semi-automatic rifles into machine guns in Washington and other states where they are illegal. More than a dozen states …

U.S. Senate Dems from Western states blast Trump budget for cutting federal aid

Members of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee differed along party lines at a Thursday hearing about how the U.S. Forest Service should partner with states and how the federal …

Megabill’s elimination of tax credits for clean energy projects could cost Washington state $8.7 billion

Officials are warning that the megabill passed last week will likely raise Washington households’ electricity costs and eliminate thousands of jobs in Washington’s clean energy and …

Supporters, critics weigh in on Trump scrapping Biden’s Snake River dam deal

Less than a month after President Donald Trump issued a presidential memorandum revoking a Biden-era agreement regarding the potential removal of the Lower Snake River dams in southeastern Washington …

Alaska governor’s office says state has no plans to build ‘Bear Alcatraz’ to jail ICE detainees

After a Fox News interview raised the possibility of Alaska building a “Bear Alcatraz” Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility, the office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy said on …

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Life

Adam Craig to headline first outdoor concerts at Tenino’s Ag Park

Tenino native and Nashville rising star Adam Craig will return to his hometown for two performances at the new Stone City Event Center on Friday, July 11, and Saturday, July 12, for the first outdoor …

High Rock Lookout closed to public for construction

The High Rock Lookout and surrounding area have been closed to the public for the construction and renovation of the High Rock Lookout on the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District. This closure order will …

Rising food insecurity in Lewis, Mason and Thurston counties drives record demand for local agency’s Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program

Farmers market season just started, but older adults in Lewis, Mason and Thurston counties have already claimed every available benefit card for Lewis-Mason-Thurston Area Agency on Aging’s …

Swerve Strickland is one of eight total AEW wrestlers included on a promotional poster for tapings of Collision and Dynamite in Kent.

Former AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland talks PNW roots, historic three-year run

Since Swerve Strickland signed with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and made his debut at AEW Revolution, a pay-per-view on March 6, 2022, he’s quickly climbed the ranks of the promotion and become …

Mark Schult's scratchboard water color piece "Twilight at the Liberty Theater" is displayed at The Atrium on Tuesday, June 17.

Thurston County recognizes winners of second annual art contest

Thurston County announced and recognized the winners of its second annual art contest during its Tuesday board meeting. Winning artwork for the contest, which was themed “Homegrown and …

The Nisqually Valley News - July 10, 2025

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Brooklynn Bell, a homeschooled student from Rainier, poses for a photo with her horse Shirley.

Rainier teen claims reserve world championship at national junior rodeo

8.99 seconds. Brooklynn Bell traveled over 1,800 miles and over 28 hours from Rainier to Des Moines, Iowa, for just that seemingly miniscule amount of time. But in the junior high breakaway roping …

Rainier head coach Andy Bartell instructs his team during a practice at Rainier Elementary School on July 2.

Mountaineers spend early July prepping for fall camp

On Wednesday morning, July 2, the Rainier football team continued its string of practices in preparation for fall camp by taking on a formidable, yet instructive, foe — the Fisher Hedgehog. The …

Rainier youth football franchise looking to fill spots before registration ends

The Rainier Jr. Mountaineers of the Thurston County Youth Football League are looking to fill spots for its tackle football teams before regular registration closes on July 15. Specifically, the club …

Former Yelm High School athletic director, Rob Hill, soaks in the environment at Husky Stadium prior to YHS football's 3A state championship matchup with Bellevue in December of 2023.

Longtime FFA adviser Matt Mounts hired as YHS athletic director

A new era is underway in Yelm High School’s athletic department, as longtime FFA adviser and agriculture teacher Matt Mounts has been hired as the new YHS athletic director and will oversee …

‘Both feet in’: Yelm football coach holds meet and greet with public

The Rex Norris era at Yelm High School has officially begun. After spending a week with players and current assistant coaches, including a jamboree at Pacific Lutheran that served as the finale to …

Yelm athlete Quinten Loomis breaks a tackle during a spring scrimmage against Sumner at Pacific Lutheran University on Thursday, June 19.

Tornados test their spring progress at Pacific Lutheran University

Just days after announcing Rex Norris as head football coach, the Yelm High School Tornados traveled up the road to Pacific Lutheran University to conclude spring practices with a jamboree showcase …

Tenino student grows as athlete, teammate and leader in Nyastrong Warriors Academy

Incoming Tenino Elementary School fifth grader Kora Hadaller has played a big part in the Nyastrong Warriors Academy’s (NWA) success as a youth basketball team. The NWA program aims to honor …

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Washington State Parks says budget cuts won’t undermine visitor access or services this summer

Though Washington State Parks, like other parts of state government, did not make it through this year’s legislative session with its budget unscathed, park visitors shouldn’t notice any …

AEW’s Collision and Dynamite tapings rock ShoWare Center in Kent

For the first time in eight months, All Elite Wrestling (AEW) returned to the Evergreen State and presented three televised shows to a rowdy audience inside the ShoWare Center in Kent. The first of …

YCS selects Rex Norris as Tornados head football coach

Yelm High School has chosen its next football coach, the Nisqually Valley News has confirmed. Rex Norris, who served as head coach for the Eatonville Cruisers the past two seasons, will take over a …

Opinion

Wayne Fournier is a Thurston County commissioner, former Tenino mayor, firefighter and lifelong community advocate. He believes that small towns are the last frontier of big ideas. He shares stories of civic creativity, leadership and community-building in his regular newspaper column.

Wayne Fournier: That time the mayor threw a chair and Danny Bonaduce called me ‘Councilmember D-bag’ (Yes, really, I can’t make this stuff up)

Local government isn’t often glamorous; sometimes, it’s downright messy. But every leadership lesson has a story, and this one happens to involve that guy from The Partridge Family and a …

Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, stands in the wings of the Senate floor at the Washington state Capitol in Olympia on Friday, April 25.

Tenino’s own Adam Craig rocks in first concerts at new Stone City Event Center

Liquor Control Board serves search warrant on ‘Tad’s in Tenino’

County prosecutor’s office embraces transparency with new online tool

Rainier celebrates second annual All-American Jubilee

Adam Craig to headline first outdoor concerts at Tenino’s Ag Park

High Rock Lookout closed to public for construction

Rising food insecurity in Lewis, Mason and Thurston counties drives record demand for local agency’s Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program

Former AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland talks PNW roots, historic three-year run

Thurston County recognizes winners of second annual art contest

The Nisqually Valley News - July 10, 2025

Rainier teen claims reserve world championship at national junior rodeo

Mountaineers spend early July prepping for fall camp

Rainier youth football franchise looking to fill spots before registration ends

Longtime FFA adviser Matt Mounts hired as YHS athletic director

‘Both feet in’: Yelm football coach holds meet and greet with public

Tornados test their spring progress at Pacific Lutheran University

Tenino student grows as athlete, teammate and leader in Nyastrong Warriors Academy

Washington State Parks says budget cuts won’t undermine visitor access or services this summer

AEW’s Collision and Dynamite tapings rock ShoWare Center in Kent

YCS selects Rex Norris as Tornados head football coach

Wayne Fournier: That time the mayor threw a chair and Danny Bonaduce called me ‘Councilmember D-bag’ (Yes, really, I can’t make this stuff up)

John Braun: Deal in facts when reacting to federal budget actions, not partisan fiction

Peter Abbarno: Washington state’s child care crisis demands real solutions

Richard Stride: Baseball, hot dogs and American dreams — a Seattle Mariners story

Commentary: Washington state Supreme Court hides the ball on state employee compensation offers