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 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 …
Pumpkin patches open across Thurston County for the 2026 Halloween season
Pumpkin patches throughout Thurston County are now open for the Halloween season, offering a wide variety of gourds and themed activities to celebrate. The best selection of pumpkins is available …
Superintendent Woods presents levy information to Yelm City Council ahead of Nov. 3 election
Less than a month ahead of Thurston County’s general election, which is set for Tuesday, Nov. 3, Chris Woods, Superintendent of Yelm Community Schools (YCS) attended a Yelm City Council study …
Yelm Kids First treasurer highlights boots-on-ground efforts to promote upcoming levy measure
During a Yelm Community Schools (YCS) Board of Directors meeting on Thursday, Oct. 8, Kathryn Cullum, Yelm Kids First treasurer, highlighted some of the citizen group’s boots-on-ground efforts to …
Yelm superintendent appears on podcast, highlights levy conversation opportunities
Yelm Community Schools (YCS) Superintendent Chris Woods gave the audience of a YCS Board of Directors meeting on Thursday, Oct. 8, an update on the district’s approach to campaign for its proposed …
Mayor DePinto provides updates on 640-acre community; acknowledges criticisms of project
Ahead of Yelm City Council’s scheduled vote on the development agreement between the City of Yelm and Blue Fern Development, Mayor Joe DePinto went online to notify the community about the progress …
Voting underway in Washington in the midterm election
The wait is over in Washington. Washington’s 5.1 million registered voters are starting to cast ballots for the Nov. 3 general election, which could see Democrats strengthen their grip on …
Cedar Creek Corrections Center inmate escapes from work crew in Lakewood
The Department of Corrections (DOC) and local law enforcement are searching for minimum-security incarcerated individual Zaquai Zekia McCray after he walked away from a facility work crew in Lakewood …
Public comment period open about proposed changes to WDFW’s listing and recovery planning processes for at-risk species
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is now accepting public comments on proposed rule changes to update or clarify the department’s process for listing and developing recovery …
WDFW: The rut is on; watch for deer on the move
Try using a little less pressure on the accelerator this fall when driving; deer are especially active in November as the rut (mating season) is at its peak. Additionally, many animals from each …
Vehicle strikes pedestrian walking on state Route 507 in Thurston County
A vehicle struck a pedestrian walking on the highway in Thurston County between Yelm and McKenna on Thursday, Oct. 8. The pedestrian, identified by the Washington State Patrol as Jonathan M. …
JJ Olson says he has the experience to change the Thurston County Assessor’s Office for the better
With longtime Thurston County Assessor Steven Drew retiring at the end of the year, JJ Olson thinks his 11 years of experience within the Thurston County Assessor’s Office makes him the most …

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State & Regional News
 Bainbridge editor rejects pro-I-638 piece, fearing lost subscribers
The editor of the Bainbridge Island Review is refusing to run an opinion piece in support of I-638 , conceding that running the op-ed could cost him subscribers. The refusal comes despite the …
Advocates debate merits of repealing Washington’s new high-earner income tax
The fall election is a test of the new 9.9% state income tax on households that bring in more than $1 million a year. Initiative 645 aims to overturn the tax before it takes effect. Championed …
Washington energy debate centers on clean energy deadlines, rising utility costs
Washington’s rising utility rates have exposed a central policy divide: Should the state make it easier for utilities to meet its clean energy mandates, or relax those mandates to contain costs and …
Seattle police staffing projected to remain below 2019 levels as hiring slows
Seattle is still recovering from the loss of hundreds of police officers years after the COVID-19 pandemic, with 1,102 deployable officers projected in 2028 compared to 1,281 in 2019.​ From …
King County homeless agency faces $17M shortfall over grant fees
King County’s embattled regional homeless authority is facing a nearly $17 million shortfall due to budgeting for unearned administrative fees on grants that were never administered, a new report …
3 children, teacher dead after shooting at Bend elementary school
Three children and a teacher are dead in Bend after a 16-year-old with a long gun shot them at Silver Rail Elementary School, police said Thursday. The suspected shooter, who has not been identified, …
Federal judge blocks Trump administration from moving Forest Service headquarters to Utah
A federal judge has issued a preliminary ruling blocking the Trump administration from moving the U.S. Forest Service’s headquarters from Washington, D.C., to Salt Lake City while the rest of the …
Advocates debate merits of repealing Washington’s new high-earner income tax
The fall election is a test of the new 9.9% state income tax on households that bring in more than $1 million a year. Initiative 645 aims to overturn the tax before it takes effect. Championed …
Citizen panel rejects pay hike for Washington state governor
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson, who did not offer raises to thousands of state workers in recent contract talks, will not get one himself for the next two years, under a recommendation adopted by a …

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Life
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 and open to all.

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 …
Durrell Bell carries a cross in his hands as it rests upon his shoulder at Harrison Avenue in Centralia on Friday, Sept. 25.

“Jesus loves ‘em”: Man with cross offers a simple message

Wind ripped through the air picking up any ungrounded objects in its path as a storm hit Lewis County on Friday, but Durrell Bell stayed anchored to the ground from the weight of the nearly 6-foot-5 …
Rob Richards, sheriff candidate Kevin Burton-Crow’s campaign manager, delivers a statement in place of Burton-Crow during the Thurston Chronicle candidate forum at the Thurston County Expo Center in Lacey on Monday, Sept. 21. Burton-Crow was unavailable to attend as he was at a law enforcement conference as part of his duties with the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office.

Candidates highlight policies at Thurston Chronicle forum

Thurston County will undergo tremendous leadership changes this coming year, as the longtime elected heads of four county departments decided to open the door to newcomers rather than run for …

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Facebook

  • Nisqually Valley News Bites Ep. 4: Ashley Brooks and Jesse Kellems talk levy efforts
  • Nisqually Valley News Bites Ep. 3: Yelm Mayor Joe DePinto talks journey to office, upcoming projects

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Business
A preview of the front news and sports pages for the first print edition of the Thurston Chronicle, printing Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026. Visit ThurstonChronicle.com to subscribe and see a growing list of locations where the weekly newspaper will be available for purchase. Call 360-245-6737 or 360-736-3311 for more details.
In January 2021, Lewis County-based CT Publishing entered the world of journalism, purchasing The Chronicle in Centralia, the Nisqually Valley News in Yelm, and The Reflector in Clark County. …
Spooner Berry Farms has operated a stand on Yelm Highway for the last 43 years. The stand is located on land currently slated to become part of Jolene Unsoeld Community Park, construction for which is scheduled to start later this fall.
With construction of Jolene Unsoeld Community Park set to begin this fall, the Olympia community is raising concerns about what the development means to a longstanding berry stand on the property. …
Talent turnover is accelerating, technology is reshaping roles, and the gap between what workers expect and what employers are offering is widening. These challenges, and the opportunities they …
The TransAlta Centralia plant is pictured on Thursday, March 12.
TransAlta Centralia is expected to begin operations generating power through burning natural gas by 2028 and cease all burning of fossil fuels by a state deadline of 2044. The Washington state …
Providence St. Peter Hospital’s heart care program recently enhanced its outpatient cardiology services as well as hospital-based interventional, electrophysiology, structural heart, cardiothoracic …

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The Nisqually Valley News - October 15, 2026

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Sports

Another first half gets away from Yelm in lopsided loss to Graham-Kapowsin

For the fourth consecutive game, the Yelm football team faced a massive deficit at halftime and started the second half looking at more than 50 points on the opponent’s scoreboard. …

Toledo wallops Rainier with first 60-burger of season

Spurred by another efficient passing night from sophomore Joaquin Acosta, the Riverhawks put up a new season-high in points with a 61-16 verdict over Rainier to remain perfect in the C2BL East …
Tenino's Kyla Watson kicks the ball against Hoquiam at Tenino High School on Thursday, Oct. 15.

Watson, Sweet make history in Tenino’s shutout over Hoquiam

TENINO — It didn’t feel like much of a historic night for Tenino senior goalkeeper Gracelyn Sweet against Hoquiam on Thursday, Oct. 15. In an 11-on-8 matchup against short-handed Hoquiam, …

Rainier sweeps Toutle Lake for third straight victory

The Rainier volleyball team picked up its third win in a row on Thursday, sweeping Toutle Lake 25-16, 25-21, 25-15. Courtney Eckroth did an excellent job facilitating the offense, as she …
Yelm's Marcos Andujar competes in the Yelm Tornado 5K at Yelm High School on Wednesday, Oct. 14.

Yelm seniors Taylor, Andujar dominate in final home meet at Yelm Tornado 5K

YELM — Marcos Andujar and Deejay Taylor are shining examples of how the Yelm cross country program’s culture is working. Yelm’s two top senior runners are barreling toward postseason …
Napavine’s Makayla Brett (9) sets the ball overhead during a game against Rainier at Napavine High School on Tuesday, Oct. 13.

Mountaineers sweep Tigers for second league win

The Rainier volleyball team picked up its second league win of the year on Tuesday, sweeping Napavine on the road 25-13, 25-11, 25-15. Allyson Ooms was a force on both sides of the ball, as she …
Yelm's Quinten Loomis carries the ball against Bonney Lake at Yelm High School on Friday, Oct. 9.

Yelm crushed by Bonney Lake in head coach Tutu Tamaalevea’s debut

YELM — In Tutu Tamaalevea’s quest to rebuild the Yelm football program in his first season as the head coach, he knew some changes needed to be made within the roots of the organization. …

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Warriors land final blow, outlast Beavers to win Scatter Creek Showdown

Rochester hoists the Scatter Creek Showdown trophy after a win against Tenino at Tenino High School on Friday, Oct. 9.

TENINO — Last year, Rochester rolled to a dominant victory over Tenino, regaining control of the Scatter Creek Showdown trophy.  Through 40 minutes in Tenino in this year’s matchup, …

Rainier captures first C2BL win, sweeps Mossyrock

The Mountaineers bounced back from a five-set heartbreaker earlier in the week to cruise by the Vikings 25-16, 25-8, 25-12 at home on Thursday night to claim their first league win of the fall. …

Northwest Christian holds its own in loss to Tenino

The Northwest Christian volleyball team went toe to toe with Tenino in a 3-1 home loss on Wednesday, Oct. 7. Northwest Christian made an early statement with a dominant first-set victory 25-13. …

Opinion
More than half of the Camas girls team — 13 of the 24 cross-country runners who took the starting line that day — refused to compete in their most recent race on Tuesday. They walked for the first 50 meters of the course, some with arms linked in solidarity, before leaving the race in protest. Another five girls from the Battle Ground team also refused to compete.

Brian Mittge: When walking off the playing field is the only move left

Something happened in Camas this week that was unsurprisingly bleak and yet also inspiringly hopeful. The story is the now all-too familiar tale of a boy competing in a girls’ sport, taking …

Opinion: Olympia must help schools live within their means

Last year, during difficult contract talks, Mead had to make a fair offer to staff without making promises our schools could not afford. That meant weighing costs, holding our ground, and saying no …
Letters to the editor can be submitted to yelmnews@yelmonline.com.

Letter to the editor: A levy lid lift 20 years overdue

I left the Olympia Timberland Regional Library earlier this year. The administration at the time broke our union contract in order to lay me off. I felt targeted. When community pressure forced them …
Letters to the editor can be submitted to yelmnews@yelmonline.com.

Letter to the editor: Yelm’s school crisis started long before the levy

The conversation about Yelm Community Schools keeps stopping at the levy. But the levy is not where this story starts. It’s a snowball. When Congress passed the federal special education law in …
Alex Van Hine

Van Hine: A line is being drawn on the Chehalis, and it shouldn’t be between the tribe and fishermen

There is a line being drawn on the Chehalis River. But I don’t believe that line should be drawn between the Chehalis Tribe and recreational fishermen. The current dispute over recreational fishing …

Read more about: Opinion

Obituaries
In loving memory of Garry James Brown: 1952-2026
Garry James Brown, D.O., born Sept. 22, 1952, in Olympia, Washington, passed away Sept. 19, 2026, at the age of 73 in Olympia after living with pancreatic cancer for two years. Garry lived a …
In Loving Memory of Robert Pape: 1939 - 2025
Robert A. Pape was born Oct. 11, 1939, and passed away Dec. 17, 2025. A celebration of life will be held Sept. 19, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. The service will be held at Mills & Mills Funeral …
In Loving Memory of Steven Demich: 1957 - 2026
Though he will be deeply missed, Steve’s spirit lives on in the countless lives he touched over the years. “A smile costs nothing, but gives so much.” Those who knew Steve know that he …
In loving memory of David Edwards: 1950 - 2025
Celebration of Life  David Edwards 11/9/1950 - 12/25/2025 Saturday, May 2nd, 2026 5 p.m. Yelm Moose Lodge
In loving memory of Mariel Lindblad: 1939-2026
Mariel Louise Lindblad (Price), 86, of Yelm, Washington, passed away on March 13, 2026. Born in Vancouver, Washington, Mariel spent most of her life in Humboldt County, California, before moving …

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Community
Community Calendar for Dec. 18: Worthy Coffee Co. Santa photos, Souper Sunday at Yelm Lions Club, YARD’s ‘Level Up Lounge’ grand opening
Friday, Dec. 19 Yelm boys basketball hosts Puyallup Yelm High School’s boys basketball team will host the 4A SPSL’s Puyallup High School at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 19, inside the YHS gymnasium. …
Community Calendar for Dec. 4: Free pictures with Santa, Christmas in the Park activities, 14th annual Yelm Lions Christmas Store, Santa Story and Ice Cream Social
Friday, Dec. 5 Free pictures with Santa The City of Yelm’s parks and recreation department will host free pictures with Santa from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5, at the Yelm Community …
Community Calendar for November 27: Tenino Holiday Market, Christmas in the Park tree lighting ceremony, Free pictures with Santa
Friday, Nov. 28 to Sunday Nov. 30 Tenino Holiday Market The 2025 Tenino Holiday Market will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 28, Saturday, Nov. 29, and Sunday, Nov. 30, at The Kodiak …
Community Calendar for November 20: Prestige Senior Living Rosemont’s Christmas Bazaar, Tenino Holiday Market, Christmas in the Park tree lighting ceremony
Saturday, Nov. 22 Prestige Senior Living Rosemont’s Christmas Bazaar Prestige Senior Living Rosemont, located 215 Killion Rd NW, will host its Christmas Bazaar event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on …
Community Calendar for November 13: Prestige Senior Living Rosemont’s Christmas Bazaar, Tenino Holiday Market, Christmas in the Park tree lighting ceremony, Free pictures with Santa
Saturday, Nov. 22 Prestige Senior Living Rosemont’s Christmas Bazaar Prestige Senior Living Rosemont, located 215 Killion Rd NW, will host its Christmas Bazaar event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on …
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