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Local news
 Thurston County Chamber to host candidate forum on Sept. 11
The Thurston County Chamber will give area residents the opportunity to learn more about local candidates in a Meet the Candidates forum and reception in Lacey. The Thurston County Chamber will …
Annual ‘Cuffs N Trucks’ golf tournament honors legacy of fallen RHS alumnus
The annual “Cuffs N Trucks” golf tournament, hosted at the Capitol City Golf Course on Friday, Aug. 23, honored the life of former Rainier High School student Justin Norton and raised …
Woman injured in shooting south of Yelm
A female in her mid-30s was shot and injured in a shooting Sunday, Sept. 1, at approximately 7:25 a.m. in the 16900 block of 148th Avenue Southeast south of Yelm. Upon arrival, Thurston County …
Yelm football athletes voice support for teachers outside YCS district office
Days before a tentative agreement was reached between Yelm Education Association (YEA) and Yelm Community Schools (YCS), Yelm High School football athletes, joined by parents and program supporters, …
Yelm council OK’s agreement for Longmire Park plan
Longmire Park, named after one of Yelm’s pioneers, James Longmire, is due for a facelift in the future as Yelm City Council members approved a professional services agreement with RWD Landscape …
City Council approves amendments to 2023-24 biennial budget
The Yelm City Council approved several amendments to its 2023-24 budget during its council meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 27. Stephanie Nanavich, Yelm’s finance director, said the city is …
Longtime resident appointed to Civil Service Commission
The Yelm City Council unanimously approved Mayor Joe DePinto’s appointment of longtime Yelm resident Kayla Russell to the City’s Civil Service Commission during a council meeting on …
Lacey man dies in crash on state Route 507
A 38-year-old Lacey man died in a two-vehicle crash near Tenino in the morning of Monday, Sept. 2, according to the Washington State Patrol. The man, who has not been publicly identified pending …
New Thurston County assistant manager looks forward to continuing to serve the community
Joshua Cummings believes the last 11 years of work in Thurston County have been a job interview for his new role as the county’s assistant manager. Cummings, the current Community Planning …
Yelm educators ratify new agreement with school district
The Yelm Education Association (YEA) members ratified the collective bargaining agreement with Yelm Community Schools (YCS) Tuesday, Sept. 3, with 84.5% approval, staving off a potential strike. …
What's Happening: Yelm Football, Yelm Volleyball, Candidates Forum
Thursday, Sept. 5 Yelm football hosts Mount Tahoma Yelm High School will kick off its 2024 football season at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 5, at home in a non-conference matchup against the …
Yelm district, YEA reach tentative agreement
Yelm Community Schools (YCS) and the Yelm Education Association (YEA) reached a tentative agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement Monday, Sept. 2, YCS Superintendent Chris Woods announced …
State & Regional News
 New Bucoda councilor, improvement club president joins effort to enhance South Thurston County town
As summer nears its end, many residents in Bucoda are looking toward the future with hope as they seek to improve their small South Thurston County community amid the appointment of a new mayor and …
Multiple local agencies launch free 'Wildfire Ready Neighbors' program for homeowners
In efforts to combat local property, structure and brush fires, several local agencies are offering free home visits to survey potential fire hazards and offer fire prevention methods to home and …
Southeast Thurston Fire stays busy this summer dispatching mobilization crews
Southeast Thurston Fire Authority (SETFA) has been active since the start of the summer season, dispatching several crews to combat non-local fires as part of the wildland mobilization team under the …
South Puget Sound Community College awarded best community college by Showcase Magazine
South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) was recognized as the “Best Community College” in Showcase Magazine’s Best of 2024. According to a news release, this award reflects …
Thurston County assistant manager announces retirement, replacement set
Robin Campbell, Thurston County assistant county manager, announced her retirement Friday, Aug. 23, after 41 years of public service with the state of Washington and the county. She will end her …
Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge celebrates 50 years
Community members gathered to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge in a commemoration Thursday, Aug. 15. The event honored partnerships …
Local fire trucks struggling to serve Yelm residents across Centralia Canal bridges
Yelm residents living across the Centralia Canal have expressed concerns after the Southeast Thurston Fire Authority sent them a letter regarding its reduced ability to combat fires across the …
State Department of Labor & Industries uncovers safety violations in Fish and Wildlife incidents
The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) identified multiple workplace safety violations linked to two recent incidents involving the Washington Department of Fish and …
Mount Rainier National Park seeks public input on timed entry reservation pilot program
Mount Rainier National Park is asking the public for feedback on the timed entry reservation pilot program for visits to the Paradise and Sunrise corridors that was unveiled this summer and will last …
Life
Boy scouts and cub scouts toss candy to spectators at the Rainier Round-Up Days Parade on Aug. 24.

Community ignores rain for Rainier Round-Up Days Parade

Photos by Dylan Reubenking/The Nisqually Valley News

Yelm’s parks and recreation department boasts lineup of fall activities

As city-hosted summer-time events have come to a conclusion, area residents won’t have to wait long as the City of Yelm’s Parks and Recreation Department will roll out a plethora of …
Free Range performs at the Rainier Bluegrass Festival on Aug. 24.

Bands entertain fans at Rainier Bluegrass Festival

Photos by Dylan Reubenking/Nisqually Valley News

Nisqually Valley News launches first podcast episode

The Nisqually Valley News unveiled its first-ever podcast, titled “The Nisqually Valley News Bites,” with the first episode launching on Monday, Aug. 19 at the NVN’s website, …
Myrna Morey and her husband, Paul Morey, give a speech after being named prom queen and king at the Prestige Senior Living Rosemont Prom on Aug. 10.

Yelm seniors honored as Rosemont prom king and queen

Myrna and Paul Morey never went to their senior proms in high school. Paul was already out of high school by the time Myrna graduated, and the couple were preparing to wed rather than attending her …
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Business
Joe DePinto, donning his mayor top hat and sash, cuts the ribbon to mark the grand opening of Quark & Odo's Escape Room Experience on Aug. 16.
Joe DePinto is now serving the City of Yelm’s mayor in two capacities. Aside from leading the city’s government, he also acts as the fabricated mayor and game master of Yelm’s new …
Holly Kappert (left) and Terry Kaminski (right) smile on Thursday, Aug. 15, at Windermere Real Estate's ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Yelm’s Windermere Real Estate celebrated a new chapter in the business’s history on Thursday, Aug. 15, as community members and leaders joined Terry Kaminski and Holly Kappert to …
Yelm High School coaches and Dinsmore Auto Group representatives pose for a photo at YHS at Yelm High School Tuesday, Aug. 13, after donating $20,000 in the fundraiser to save C-sports.
Just one week after Total Sports Development (TSD) announced a $50,000 fundraiser to help to save C-team sports at Yelm High School, the organization not only reached its goal but surpassed it by …
A conceptual design displays what the downtown activated alleyway may look like. Designs are subject to change, however.
In efforts to enhance the downtown experience behind businesses near First, Second and Third streets through the activated alleyway project, the City of Yelm is currently in the right-of-way …
Noah Aden, Yelm Cinemas general manager, was recently honored on South Sound Business 40 Under 40 list.
Noah Aden, general manager of Yelm Cinemas, earned a spot on the South Sound Business annual 40 Under 40 list, which highlights the top young business people in the region. He is the lone honoree on …

The Nisqually Valley News - July 11, 2024

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Sports

Beavers trounce Mountaineers 43-7 in contentious season opener

Tenino’s Michael Vassar runs with the ball during a week one football game at Rainier High School on Friday, Sept. 6.
While the Route 507 Rivalry hasn’t seen a football contest in 11 years, the Rainier Mountaineers and the Tenino Beavers treated each other like bitter enemies during their Week 1 contest in …
Zach Hamilton approaches the finish line during Rainier High School cross country practice on Aug. 29.

Mountaineers ready to make state title run after strong summer

Rainier High School cross country head coach Rob Henry is convinced his 2024 group of athletes is entering the season in better condition than any he has ever seen. With that in mind, Henry sees …

Seven Yelm High School powerlifting athletes qualify for nationals

After competing in a USA Powerlifting (USAPL) competition on Aug. 17 at Spanaway Fitness, seven Tornados punched their tickets to the national powerlifting competition next year from March 20 through …
Tenino players run through drills during the first week of football practice at Tenino High School on Friday, Aug. 23.

Returning coaching staff allow Tenino to implement culture

TENINO – By the time Darren Tinnerstet was running his first practice last fall, he was still learning names. He took the job as Tenino High School football’s coach a month before …
Clayton Waldron competes in kata during his final competition at the Nisqually Valley Martial Arts Championship on Aug. 24.

Martial artists of all ages compete for trophies at Nisqually Valley championship

The Rainier High School volleyball team believes that improved communication can lift it from a great team into a championship team. The Mountaineers enjoyed their best postseason run in school …
Katelyn Eckroth practices her setting during Rainier volleyball practice on Aug. 26.

Mountaineers keeping expectations high after historic season

The Rainier High School volleyball team believes that improved communication can lift it from a great team into a championship team. The Mountaineers enjoyed their best postseason run in school …

NyaStrong Warriors Academy finishes summer season with tournament victory

The NyaStrong Warriors Academy (NWA) concluded its summer 3-on-3 basketball season by outlasting five other teams to win the NWA Summer 3-on-3 tournament at Tenino Middle School. The field of …

Athletes tear up track at Total Sports Development Speed Night

Jayden Weeks-Goodoien attempts the long jump as Courtney Hickman watches at the Total Sports Development Speed Night at Yelm High School on Aug. 14.

Dozens of athletes from ages 2 to 52 flocked to the Yelm High School track for the inaugural Total Sports Development (TSD) Speed Night Wednesday, Aug. 14. Student athletes traveled from …

Young athletes raise money on Yelm Avenue in efforts to save C-team sports

Yelm High School athletes wore big smiles while raising money to save C-team sports at the school.

In efforts to raise the money needed to fund C-team sports at Yelm High School, freshmen athletes and their parents trekked the sidewalks of Yelm Avenue and First Street on Friday, Aug. 9, in search …

Champion crowned in inaugural Yelm kickball league

Jacob Nolan strikes the ball during the Yelm kickball championship on Aug. 7.

Longmire Park played host to a fierce competition between two teams vying for the first City of Yelm Parks and Recreation Department summer kickball league championship Wednesday, Aug. 7. Balls …

Opinion
Letters to the editor can be submitted to yelmnews@yelmonline.com.

There are no Trump-proof Republicans running for public office

Editor, John Sununu, Republican governor of New Hampshire, is a guy I could vote for. In interviews he is likable, energetic and gives straight knowledgeable answers to questions — …
Letters to the editor can be submitted to yelmnews@yelmonline.com.

School property taxes need to be capped

Editor, We all got our tax assessment from the Thurston County Assessor Office this month. We paid 36.54% for local school taxes and another 23.32% for state school taxes. That is a total of …
Letters to the editor can be submitted to yelmnews@yelmonline.com.

Both Yelm Community Schools district, teachers at fault

Editor, Yelm schools and teachers: Both sides waited for the week before school started to begin negotiations on what would be acceptable to both parties to resume work. This is a …

Paralympics offer a truly unique opportunity to see disabilities in another way

The United States recently competed in the Summer Olympic Games in Paris. Team U.S., for the eighth consecutive Olympic Games, won more medals than any other country. In Paris, the overall …

Record national debt harms forest restoration efforts

Our national debt is spreading out of control like a raging wildfire. Among other things, that added liability impacts our ability to fight those fires and reforest those scorched woods and range …

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Obituaries
In Loving Memory Of Leslie "Earl" Bachus: June 1, 1957 ~ Aug. 5, 2024
Leslie “Earl” Bachus, 67, passed away on August 5, 2024, at his home in Tenino, Washington. He was born in Arkansas on June 1, 1957, to Lois Wixson and John Bachus. He was a beloved …
In loving memory of Delbert Lyle Lazelle April 16, 1934- July 10, 2024
Delbert Lyle Lazelle, 90, passed away peacefully at home July 10, 2024. He was born April 16, 1934, in Olympia, Washington.  He is survived by his daughters, Terese’ …
Death Notice: Mary Page
Mary Page, 93, of Olympia, died March 30 at Brich Creek Post Acute & and Rehabilitation.
In loving memory of Kristi Marie Cichon Spark
Kristi Marie Cichon Spark (nee Bircher) passed away on May 22, 2024, in Olympia, Washington, at the age of 50. She was born on Dec. 6, 1973, in Tacoma, Washington, to Vern and Linda Bircher. Kristi …
In loving memory of John Reeves: Feb. 3, 1947 - May 17, 2024
It is with great sadness that we announce John “Papa” Reeves, of Yelm, passed away peacefully on May 17, 2024, at his home in Lake Lawrence, exactly as he wished it to be. He joins …

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