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
• The warning ticket phase passed and arrest citations were beginning to be issued for illegal parking, Marshal Bill Ruddell said. He explained that Yelm has been receiving complaints of illegal parking the wrong way in the street near grocery stores.
• Yelm firemen were called when the small travel trailer home of Bruce and Nancy Johnston and two children on Morris Road was destroyed by flames Feb. 16, 1980. The family had just left the area when the remote home was destroyed.
• Council members in Rainier decided to wait another month before appointing a mayor to succeed Jerry Bergman, who resigned his position.
• Yelm Prairie Kiwanis Club held its second annual St. Valentine’s ladies night dinner party in Hutnik’s Hut.
A look back at this week, 35 years ago
• Yelm residents thought they were going to escape winter’s wrath when only a small dusting of snow landed here compared to 8 inches or more in Olympia and Tacoma. Later in the week, the storm reversed its course and dumped up to 3 inches on Yelm Avenue followed by a hard freeze.
• A fire caused by a wood stove destroyed a Rainier home at 814 Tipsoo Loop Feb. 18, 1990. The fire started while the residents, Jim and Cindy Rustman, were at church.
• The Yelm School Board decided to try another bond issue in May. A total 58.8% of the voters supported the proposed $6 million bond, but 60% was needed to pass it. Superintendent Glen Nutter estimated that the bond failed by 15 votes.
• A marijuana crop in their barn on Candy Lane near Lawrence Lake resulted in the arrest of John Kuenzil, 42, and his wife Alice Kuenzil, 37. The county narcotics squad confiscated an estimated street value crop of $90,000 consisting of 156 mature plants.
A look back at this week, 25 years ago
• A 15-year-old Yelm High School student pleaded guilty Feb. 16, 2000, to three counts of threatening to bomb or injure. The girl, who was awaiting a psychiatric evaluation before sentencing, dropped four notes threatening a bombing at YHS during the week of Feb. 7 through Feb. 14, 2000.
• Lacey-based developer WWT Systems unveiled its latest sewer plan for the Town of Rainier. WWT Systems owner K. Frank Kirkbride showed the Rainier Town Council new designs for a state-of-the-art sewage treatment plant, centered around natural wetlands and a city park, boasting trails, a town plaza and amphitheater.
• Bill Hansen, deputy fire chief for Pierce County Fire District No. 17 in Roy, was placed on paid administrative leave by the Roy Fire Commission while members examine leadership challenges in his department.
• Yelm High School junior wrestler Justin Cruz finished his season at the WIAA State Wrestling Championships at the Tacoma Dome one win shy of an undefeated season and one victory shy of a state title.
A look back at this week, 15 years ago
• A string of vehicle prowls had Yelm police increasing neighborhood patrols and asking residents to report suspicious activity. Between Feb. 4 and Feb. 12, 2010, Yelm police and the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office responded to seven vehicle prowls in the northwest area of Yelm.
• Joshua Tabor, 27, pleaded not guilty in Thurston County Superior Court Feb. 16, 2010. Tabor was accused of assaulting his 4-year-old daughter and possibly torturing her by holding her head in a sink of water. He allegedly told police he did it because she was terrified of water and she wouldn’t say the alphabet.
• A burglary was reported in the 21600 block of North Terra Lane as someone broke into the victim’s garage and stole a blue wheelbarrow, moulding and two lawn chairs.
• Yelm High School sophomore wrestler Kaycee Hurd won the 135-pound regional title and was one of seven girls who advanced to the Mat Classic.
