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 Additional officers, vehicles among YPD requests in 2025-26 budget
Should the City Council approve its budget requests, the Yelm Police Department (YPD) could benefit from additional vehicles, technology and manpower over the next couple years. During a Yelm …
Yelm officials begin preliminary 2025-26 budget discussions
While a finalized budget won’t be approved until later this year, city officials began preliminary discussions about the 2025/26 biennial budget at last week’s City Council meeting, with …
Notorious Yelm porch pirate detained by police
For several weeks, Yelm residents have played a high-stakes game of “Where’s Waldo?” with a porch pirate driving a white Lexus. The female suspect, whose identity has not been made …
Yelm Municipal Court requests funds for additional clerk, scanners
Over the next several years, Yelm’s Municipal Court could see multiple additions to the department in staff and equipment. At a City Council meeting last week, Yelm Court Administrator …
Rhoton Road replacement project approaching consultant and design phase
The City of Yelm will have several road and traffic projects taking place throughout the next several years, specifically the Yelm Loop. the Five Corners roundabout and Rhoton Road. Patrick …
Yelm schools a priority for community groups
Numerous local organizations have stepped up and partnered with Yelm Community Schools (YCS) to support students and programs affected by budget cuts and the loss of levy funds heading into the …
What's Happening: Volleyball, Winter Preparedness, Blood Drive
Thursday, Oct. 17 Yelm volleyball hosts South Kitsap The Yelm Tornados volleyball team will host 4A South Puget Sound League opponent South Kitsap at 7:15 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 17, inside …
In lawsuit, father of fallen Trooper Justin Schaffer alleges negligence by Thurston County during fatal pursuit in 2020
A lawsuit between the father of fallen Washington State Patrol Trooper Justin R. Schaffer and Thurston County, in which the county is accused of gross negligence for its role in Schaffer’s …
Rep. Strickland visits Nisqually Tribe to tour future projects
Rep. Marilyn Strickland took a tour of the Nisqually Indian Tribe Tuesday, Oct. 8, to visit the tribe’s existing and future projects funded by a $5.4 million grant from the Environmental …
YCS to provide literacy support with $1.25 million DOD grant
With the help of the Department of Defense (DOD), Yelm Community Schools (YCS) is working to tackle an issue that often goes overlooked: military-connected students with additional literacy needs. …
Yelm students working to relaunch community thrift store
Career and technical education (CTE) and FFA students at Yelm High School are bringing back the Yelm Community Services thrift store that had once operated for about 30 years at 624 Crystal Springs …
Yelm City Council seeks to find solution for ‘nuisance’ potholes
Though the pothole once dubbed the “Historic Yelm Canyon,” near Burger King and the Nisqually Plaza Commercial Center off of East Yelm Avenue, was filled in March, its legacy was a topic …
State & Regional News
 Legislative District 2 candidates talk race for state representative position No. 2
As JT Wilcox will retire from his position in the state Legislature at the end of his term, two local Republican candidates are on the ballot to replace the longtime politician in the state …
‘Back in the game’: Thurston County tourism promoter has successful kidney transplant
While still recovering from transplant surgery after fighting stage 5 kidney failure for more than a year, George Sharp, rural program manager for the Thurston Economic Development Council’s …
Database: More than 13,000 gender reassignment procedures on minors between 2019 and 2023
Sex reassignment procedures and surgeries on children have gained national prominence in recent years, and half of U.S. states now have laws passed either restricting or banning them. Newly …
Gluesenkamp Perez, Kent spar during first debate ahead of general election
If there was any question of the interest in the Third Congressional District, the collection of state and national media who traveled to Longview Wednesday for a debate between freshman Democratic …
National campaign committees unveil latest ads in Third Congressional District race ahead of debate
As Third Congressional District candidates U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, the Democratic incumbent, and Joe Kent, her Republican challenger, prepare to face each other in a debate at Lower …
Thurston County Commissioner District No. 2 candidates talk upcoming general election
With Gary Edwards set to retire from the Thurston County Commission following the conclusion of his second term, two new local candidates are seeking to replace the independent on the board of …
Thurston County closing in on purchase of new sheriff’s office facility
Thurston County took the first step toward enhancing its sheriff’s office services with the potential purchase of a building at 1111 Israel Road SW in Tumwater, valued at $14,250,000. The Board …
Parkwide fire ban lifted at Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier National Park has lifted the parkwide fire ban after consultation with federal fire management officials, park officials announced Friday, Sept. 20. Campfires are now permitted at …
Effort to rename Bucoda’s post office after late mayor passes U.S. House committee
At the end of August, U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, introduced a new bipartisan U.S. House resolution — HR 9421 — that if approved will officially rename the U.S. Postal …
Life

13th annual Crossroads Community Covenant Church pumpkin patch to benefit local students

One of the community pillars in the Nisqually Valley region, the Crossroads Community Covenant Church, is continuing to give back to local students in a big way. The Yelm-based church, located …

Numerous fall activities planned for October throughout the Nisqually Valley

As the warm weather begins to cool and leaves start to fall off trees, leaving the once green scenery barren, numerous people and businesses throughout the Nisqually Valley are set to celebrate the …
Student artwork celebrating Lackamas Elementary School's 110-year anniversary are displayed in a classroom on Oct. 3.

Lackamas Elementary celebrates 110 years

Photos by Dylan Reubenking
Caleb Howell, left, and Jay Stumpf, right, compete in the American Cornhole League Interstate Championships at 23 Kitchens in Lacey on Oct. 5.

Rainier Cornhole kicks off season with interstate championships

By Dylan Reubenking dylan@yelmonline.com Rainier Cornhole, a competitive cornhole club featuring 150 athletes, began its sixth season with the American Cornhole League (ACL) Interstate …

YHS FFA student bound for Indianapolis to compete in national convention

Kyla Poland, a Yelm High School senior and president of the YHS FFA chapter, is taking her talents to Indianapolis, Indiana, for the National FFA Convention Oct. 23 through Oct. 26. The state …
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  • Nisqually Valley News Bites Ep. 2: Steve Harshfield talks Standing Room Only Theater
  • Nisqually Valley News Bites Ep. 1: Chris Woods previews Yelm school year
  • Nisqually Valley News Bites Ep. 1: Chris Woods previews Yelm school year

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Business
La Vida Alpaca and Tahoma Vista Fiber Mill hosted its portion of the National Alpaca Farm Days event on Saturday, Sept. 28 and Sunday, Sept. 29.
Just down Vail Road in Yelm, slightly beyond the “Mackey’s” convenience store, more than 40 alpacas spend their days grazing, playing and having their fibers turned into luxurious …
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 …

The Nisqually Valley News - July 11, 2024

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Sports

Mountaineer girls triumph again in meet at Castle Rock

Madison Ingram leads the pack at the start of the league meet at Castle Rock High School on Oct. 16.
The Rainier High School girls cross country team racked up one final victory before the postseason begins next week. Their victory at the 1B/2B/1A meet at Castle Rock High School marked their fifth …
Rochester's Wesley Dahl lines up a putt on the green during the 1A Evergreen League Championships at Tumwater Valley on Oct. 16.

Tenino’s Gore earns top-5 finish at 1A Evergreen Championships

Tenino's Jaxson Gore was one of the best golfers on the course Tuesday in Tumwater Valley, as the senior finished tied for fourth at the 1A Evergreen Championships. Gore finished the day with an …
Ellie Pringle celebrates after recording the final point via ace as Rainier sweeps Toutle Lake on Oct. 15.

Rejuvenated Mountaineers roll past Ducks for season sweep

The Rainier High School volleyball team built on the momentum sparked from its Adna Invitational championship win with a sweep of Central 2B League foe Toutle Lake 25-18, 25-21, 25-20 Tuesday, Oct. …

Tenino drops first set, but rallies to top Centralia in four

The Tenino and Centralia volleyball teams took a brief break from league action to face each other on Ron Brown Court on Monday, and the Beavers bounced back from an opening-set loss to win 19-25, …
The Yelm Tornados defense celebrates after Ethan Owens, 22, forces and recovers a fumble against Bonney Lake on Oct. 11.

Tornados bounce back, blast Panthers 44-7 in homecoming game

It was a bad day to be standing in the way of the Yelm Tornados on homecoming night. After a 57-36 loss last week at home to Graham-Kapowsin, Yelm made the necessary adjustments and routed Bonney …
Madison Ingram, with Komaire Robles right behind her, finishes in first place at the Rainier Invitational at Rainier Elementary School on Oct. 10.

Mountaineer girls overcome laborious course to win Rainier Invitational

The Rainier High School girls and boys cross country teams’ strength and conditioning were tested during the 2B/1B Rainier Invitational at Rainier Elementary School on Thursday, Oct. 10.  …
Janess Blackburn squares up for a dig against Toledo on Oct. 10.

Mountaineers bounce back with commanding victory over Riverhawks

The Rainier High School volleyball team’s run of dominance over Toledo continued Thursday, Oct. 10 as the Mountaineers swept the Riverhawks for the sixth straight time, amounting to 17 straight …

Pirates sweep Mountaineers in state quarterfinals rematch

Adna’s Karsyn Freeman spikes through two defenders during the Pirates' sweep over Rainier at Adna High School on Tuesday, Oct. 8.

While revenge wasn’t on the minds of Adna head volleyball coach Wendie Dotson and the Pirates, a Central 2B League-opening sweep over the Rainier Mountaineers Tuesday, Oct. 8 was a sweeter …

Rainier football improves to 3-2 with 54-34 C2BL victory over Winlock

Rainier quarterback Jake Meldrum uses lead blocker Dorien Cano to rush upfield against Tenino on Sept. 6.

It wasn’t an ordinary Friday night for the Rainier Mountaineers or the Winlock Cardinals, as the Central 2B League matchup was rescheduled as an eight-man football game on Monday, Sept. 30, …

Yelm girls soccer loses 5-0 to Rogers, looks to bounce back as SPSL play continues

Yelm senior Sienna Venuto dribbles the soccer ball past a defender in a home contest last month.

Picking up its second South Puget Sound League loss of the season, the Yelm High School girls soccer team was defeated, 5-0, by the Rogers Rams on Tuesday, Oct. 1, in Puyallup. Dealing with a …

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

Capitol Lake Estuary project does more harm than good

Editor, Mr. Halverson has his facts straight concerning the Capitol Lake Estuary — Capitol Lake Deschutes Estuary project good or bad? | Nisqually Valley News (yelmonline.com) . I …
Letters to the editor can be submitted to yelmnews@yelmonline.com.

For quality, integrity, accountability, vote Republican

Editor, In a previous letter, Ms. Vincent claims, without giving reference to sources,  essentially, “red states bad, blue states not as bad.”  As someone familiar with the …
Letters to the editor can be submitted to yelmnews@yelmonline.com.

Democrats have historically left the country in better shape

Editor, Many Nisqually Valley News voters are busy with their lives and haven't had a chance to remember history.  Economy: Bill Clinton (D) left the federal budget balanced and erased …
Letters to the editor can be submitted to yelmnews@yelmonline.com.

Dreon right choice for county commissioner

Editor, As we approach the upcoming election, I want to express my strong support for Rachel Dreon for Thurston County Commissioner. Rachel’s priorities and vision for our community truly …

Manufacturing Week bus tour highlights reasons to support state’s makers

On the first day of the Association of Washington Business’s (AWB) annual bus tour celebrating manufacturers, we visited a family-owned company in the Vancouver area called TigerStop …

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Obituaries
In loving memory of Annette Ivey: 12/17/1943 - 10/1/2024
Annette Ivey, a beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend, lost her short battle with lung cancer on the morning of Oct. 1, 2024. She was born to Glen and Esther Beymer in Klamath Falls, Oregon, …
In Loving Memory Of Duane Gore: 1939 ~ 2024
Duane Harold Gore passed away peacefully at home on Sept. 16, 2024, surrounded by his family.  He was born to Harold and Bernice Gore in Port Angeles, Washington, on May 11, 1939. He is …
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.

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