Enjoy these snapshots of articles written in past issues of the Nisqually Valley News from 45, 35, 25 and 15 years ago, respectively.
A Look Back at This Week,
45 Years Ago
- High winds and driving rains lashed the area for two straight days. While flooding was expected to be minor, the high winds toppled three trees on a trailer at Lawrence Lake.
- John Wolf, Vail Loop Road, was getting ready to retire for the night when movement outside his home attracted his attention. He observed two figures sneaking around his welding shop and entering his garage where two motor bikes were stored. He apprehended the youths, ages 12 and 13, trying to run off with the bikes.
- Laura Myers, McKenna Elementary, Troy Coulter, Yelm Middle School, and Sandy Lester, Yelm Middle School, were among the rural youngsters who won the Parks Department hoop shoot contest at Rainier’s gym.
- The Yelm Tornados boys wrestling team captured the Tenino wrestling tournament behind four first-place finishes, including Joe Cannalla, 101 pounds; Dale Easkin, 122; Charlie Brewer, 158; and Troy Mires, 168.
A Look Back at This Week,
35 Years Ago
- United Way of Thurston County announced another record-breaking campaign at its victory celebration Dec. 14, 1989. The total amount raised was $839,752, just $34,752 over the goal and $72,428 more than was raised during the 1988 campaign.
- An eye-catching roadside advertisement reading “Caution: Tree Crossing” drew Christmas tree buyers to a McKenna tree lot.
- The Rainier School District accepted a new bid for construction on Rainier High School for $1,897,000. The bid was made by the Dawson Construction Company based in Bellingham, and construction was set to begin in January, starting with a new septic system.
- Members of the Yelm Prairie Kiwanis Club were joined by the North Thurston Kiwanis Club and St. Martin’s College Circle K Club when they took a Christmas dinner and small gifts to the residents of the Nisqually Valley Care Center Dec. 14, 1989.
A Look Back at This Week,
25 Years Ago
- The Yelm-Tenino Rail Trail began its first phase in becoming a reality as the Yelm Planning Commission agreed to recommend the project to the City Council. The council was set to vote to approve a special use permit to the Thurston County Parks and Recreation Department Jan. 12, 1990, to begin grading the land for the trail.
- Yelm’s own Santa Claus, who looked curiously like retired postmaster Al Prigge, was one of thousands of people that took time every Christmas to answer children’s letters and wish lists. He responded to letters for the last seven years in Yelm.
- County grant money was slated to allow the City of Roy to extend sidewalks down a section of state Route 507 running through the middle of town, and additional grants would let Roy improve roads and create a community plaza off Fourth Street within a year.
- Ruth Hawkinson, 1999 Yelm High School graduate, helped Seattle Pacific University’s cross country team place sixth at the NCAA Division II National Championships in Missouri.
A Look Back at This Week,
15 Years Ago
- Thirty-six Yelm High School students auditioned Dec. 10, 2009, for “MADE,” an MTV reality show that followed high schoolers who wanted to be “made” into things such as athletes, dancers and singers.
- A woman nearly lost her rented home after attempting to thaw frozen pipes with a heater. The fire broke out just before 5 p.m. Dec. 11, 2009, at a residence located on Second Street behind Prairie Lanes in Yelm, and it started in a crawl space under the house.
- McKenna Elementary School went into a modified lockdown Dec. 15, 2009, with staff covering windows and locking all the doors. Yelm Community Schools officials said the lockdown was in response to security concerns resulting from a family crisis involving a McKenna student.
- A 26-year-old man told police he was walking in downtown Yelm when he was struck in the head from behind and robbed. He allegedly was walking from a downtown bar around 2:40 a.m. Dec. 11, 2009, when he was hit on the head, fell to the ground and the person took $200 out of his pocket, saying nothing. When questioned by police, the man changed his story and said it occurred near Tim’s Pharmacy instead. Police had a potential suspect who was set to be questioned.
