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Local news
 Thurston, Grays Harbor groups get funding as Medina Foundation sunsets
After almost 80 years of giving in Western Washington, the Medina Foundation announced Tuesday it has nearly reached its goal of spending down its remaining resources. A final round of …
Board unanimously approves increase in DNR management rates
The Washington state Board of Natural Resources has unanimously approved an increase in Department of Natural Resources (DNR) rates to manage state trust lands, a news release from the state agency …
WDFW: Get outdoors on Black Friday with trout fishing opportunities
The Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is stocking more than 82,000 jumbo rainbow trout in 30 lakes statewide ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, offering anglers a chance …
Olympia Regional Airport’s neighbors concerned about noise, pollution increase from new Spokane to Olympia route
As the Olympia Regional Airport prepares to welcome direct flights to and from Spokane for the 2027 legislative session, area residents are reiterating concerns about noise and air pollution.  …
SPSCC presents three December concerts
The South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) Music Department will perform three concerts featuring SPSCC students this December at the Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts Main Stage: Spirits …
Gov. Ferguson chooses Jimi Hendrix for Washington’s U.S. Mint Innovation Coin
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson on Tuesday announced he has chosen Jimi Hendrix as Washington’s submission to the U.S. Mint American Innovation $1 Coin Program. The program, first launched by the …
Parents, groups sue over Washington transgender student athletes initiative
One week after Washington voters approved an initiative to bar transgender girls from competing in girls’ sports, parents are suing to block it. The legal challenge, filed Monday, argues …
Senior Center of Rainier in need of kitchen volunteers
The Senior Center of Rainier is looking for volunteers to help in its kitchen.  The senior center is hoping to sign on at least three new volunteers so it can continue preparing and serving …
Yelm man injured after speeding, crashing into tree
A Yelm man crashed his car into a tree while speeding on state Route 510 in Thurston County on Sunday.  Andrew Juarez, 34,  was transported to Providence St. Peter Hospital for …
Air taxi to Legislature: Spokane-Olympia direct flights to launch in 2027
Traveling from eastern Washington to Olympia for the state’s Legislative session just got easier. SeaPort Airlines announced a new air service between Spokane and the state capital on …
Two projects on Interstate 5 in Thurston County now complete
Two projects to improve the driving surface of Interstate 5 in Thurston County are complete, a news release from the Washington state Department of Transportation (WSDOT) announced this week. …
Pierce County man sentenced to 15 years for sex crimes involving children
A federal judge sentenced a Pierce County man to 15 years in prison Monday after he was convicted of multiple sex crimes involving children. Randy Lee Young, 40, was arrested Nov. 16, 2024, and …

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State & Regional News
 O’Donnell declares victory in tight Washington Supreme Court race
After a week of ballot tallying, Washington’s closest race for state Supreme Court has a winner. King County Superior Court Judge Sean O’Donnell claimed victory Wednesday morning over …
Are Washington’s rules for bail unfair? Washington Supreme Court hears arguments
Washington’s state Supreme Court is considering major rule changes that could lead to lower, and less, bail set for criminal defendants.  Public defenders support the changes. Public …
Wildfire season officially ends in Washington — state Lands Commissioner seeks future funding
The wildfire season in Washington state is officially over.  In 2026, “more than 1,500 fires ignited and nearly 1 million acres burned across the state,” Public Lands Commissioner Dave …
Washington state Senate staff estimates $654M Health Care Authority error
Non-partisan legislative staff in the Washington state Senate estimate an accounting error at the Washington Health Care Authority could cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars. The …
Audit finds Washington agency failed to respond in time to vulnerable adult safety concerns
Washington's Adult Protective Services was too slow to respond to thousands of reports of potential abuse, neglect or exploitation in fiscal year 2025, possibly leaving vulnerable adults without …
Auditor closely reviews just 11 of 17,000 vendors to justify billions in increased spending
Annual vendor spending at Washington’s Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) jumped $2.9 billion in four years, but a state audit assuring taxpayers that the surge was “valid” relied …
Feds award $10B to states in second year of rural health grants
Federal officials on Monday announced $10 billion in awards across all 50 states in the second year of the Rural Health Transformation Fund, grants created by Congress to bolster rural health in …
Is the honeymoon over for data centers in Washington?
Data center regulations are the event horizon that communities across the nation, including in Washington state, are calling on their elected officials to achieve.  The blue wave that …
Washington state schools chief won’t seek re-election in 2028
Chris Reykdal, who has led Washington state’s public school system through a period of financial and political upheaval, and a pandemic, announced Monday that he will not seek re-election to a …

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Life

“Nineteenth Century Mail to Olympia”: Schmidt House History Talk to cover stamps, mail

History Talks continue at the Schmidt House in Tumwater, with the next one set to be held at noon Thursday, Nov. 5. In this history talk, stamp collector Gerry Smith will present a program on …
Contestants and scholarship winners who participated in the Miss Thurston County Scholarship Organization's 52nd annual competition at South Puget Sound Community College on Sunday, Oct. 25, pose for a photo.

Miss Thurston County Scholarship Organization crowns four new titleholders for the new year

The Miss Thurston County Scholarship Organization crowned four new titleholders on Sunday, Oct. 25. Sophina Wheeler, a 17-year-old senior at Olympia High School, is Miss Capital City 2027. …
The sun sets at Mount Rainier National Park as seen from the Skyline Loop Trail on Monday, Sept. 22.

Mount Rainier National Park voted Washington’s No.1 ‘Spiritual Home’

“Where is your natural spiritual home? Some places have a way of putting a bad week in perspective. A mountain makes the office politics seem smaller. A familiar stretch of water brings back …
Bonnie and Jordan Burt's 11-year-old son, Nathan, has been diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), a rare form of cancer that currently has no cure. 

Support sought for Thurston County boy, 11, diagnosed with aggressive cancer 

An 11-year-old Yelm boy was recently diagnosed with a terminal and aggressive form of cancer, and his family is now seeking support from the community to assist with medical costs, missed wages and …

Providence Swedish Mobile Health Clinic brings care to residents displaced by Tumwater apartment blaze

When an apartment fire in Tumwater occurred Oct. 15, it left dozens of residents unable to return home. Some of the residents also lost access to essentials like oxygen, insulin and heart medications …

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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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Nisqually Valley News - November 5, 2026

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Sports

2A/1A State XC: Tumwater’s Alexandra Broome notches top-25 finish in final state meet

Tumwater's Alexandra Broome competes at the 2A girls state championship meet at Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco on Saturday, Nov. 7.
PASCO — Alexandra Broome made a living in the 40s at the 2A state meet the past three years. The Tumwater senior never finished higher than 40th or lower than 49th in her three state …
Centralia Christian's Wyatt Oliver competes at the 2B boys state championship meet at Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco on Saturday, Nov. 7.

2B Boys State XC: Toledo’s Conner Hill redeems himself with 6th-place state finish

PASCO — As Conner Hill sat behind the awards tent on Saturday, Nov. 7, sixth-place state medal around his neck, he reflected on the past two trips to the 2B state meet in Pasco. Nearly one …
Toledo's Ellie Fallon digs the ball during a district 4 semi-final game against Rainier at Adna High School on Wednesday, Oct. 4.

Prep volleyball: Rainier throws block party, celebrates fourth consecutive state bid

ADNA — Defense wins championships. The old moniker can be applied to football, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, water polo, etc. Truly whatever sport the heart desires. Ask the Rainier High …

Prep football: Crossover week is upon us, ladies and gentlemen

November football is finally here. And the sprint to Husky Stadium is officially underway. Week 10 unveiled the “unofficial” seeds for the top four classifications and in Class 2B and 1B, a …
Rainier's Alexis Myers (left) compete in the Yelm Tornado 5K at Yelm High School on Wednesday, Oct. 14.

Robles, Myers fuel Mountaineers to another district championship

The 1-2 punch of Komaire Robles and Alexis Myers proved to be exactly what the Rainier High School girls cross country team needed on Saturday afternoon. On their home course and in a dogfight …
The Olympia girls cross country team poses for a photo with its district championship trophy at the Westside Classic at Chambers Creek in University Place on Saturday, Oct. 31.

Olympia girls cross country claims district title at Westside Classic

UNIVERSITY PLACE — There’s not much you can throw at Cris Violette that he hasn’t already seen in the world of prep cross country. In his 37 years of coaching at Olympia High School, with …
Rainier's Ellie Pringle (2), Lexi Beckman (12), and Jessica Adamski (21) celebrate after a point during Day 1 of the 2B District 4 Tournament in Toledo on Oct. 31.

Rainier sweeps Mossyrock to advance to district semis

TOLEDO — Rainier started its postseason run on a positive note on Saturday in Toledo, where the Mountaineers swept Mossyrock 25-15, 25-17, 25-17 in a 2B District 4 Quarterfinal. “It’s a …

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Yelm scores season-high in points again, but falls to Rogers in SPSL crossover

For the second week in a row, the Yelm football team earned a season-high on the scoreboard in a losing effort, falling to Rogers 49-34 at Sparks Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 29 in a South Puget Sound …

Yelm boys cross country team finishes in fourth place at SPSL championship race

Yelm

Quenton Lanese accomplished the first of what he hopes is three consecutive championships in his sophomore postseason. The Olympia cross country phenom earned his first career South Puget Sound …

Yelm blows out Bethel for David Temple’s first win as head coach

Yelm

The Yelm girls soccer team finished its regular season with a bang, routing Bethel 7-1 at home on Tuesday, Oct. 28 to give first-year head coach David Temple his first victory. Yelm had scored …

Opinion

Opinion: Here we go again — Washington's education establishment wants more cash

This is not a reprint of a story 10 or even 20 years ago — although it sure could be. Washington state's education establishment is getting ready to file yet another lawsuit demanding …
The courtroom in the Temple of Justice is pictured on Thursday, Feb. 19, in Olympia.

Opinion: Washington state needs to reform judicial election process

Yes, I have run multiple times for the Washington Supreme Court. I have no regrets. Anyone paying attention to reality knows that my campaigns were always run from the right place for the right …
Thurston County Commissioner Wayne Fournier speaks during a grand opening celebration for the Nisqually Indian Tribe Generations Health Center in Olympia on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026.

Wayne Fournier: Let’s remember that, in politics, winning is only the beginning

One of the most interesting things I've heard throughout my political career is a sentence that usually comes from someone who approaches me a little cautiously. "You're the first Democrat I've …

Opinion: Here’s a plan for growing Washington’s economy

Maybe it’s time to just — take a pause. After several years of tax increases and steep growth in state spending, Washington employers — and taxpayers — could use some time to adjust to …

Opinion: The voters have spoken. What did they say about taxes?

Though ballots are still being counted in several states, enough votes are in to project the outcome for several tax proposals that were considered across the country this election. It appears that …

Read more about: Opinion

Obituaries
In loving memory of Christine Schneider: 1957 - 2026
  The beloved daughter of Shirley Rodger, Christine Schneider, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. Christine was born Feb. 4, 1957, to Larry and Shirley Rodger in …
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

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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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