2024 Best of Nisqually Valley
Local news
Tenino man airlifted to Harborview, Chehalis woman hospitalized after 7-vehicle crash in Thurston County 
A Tenino man was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center and a Chehalis woman was hospitalized in Olympia following a crash involving seven vehicles in Thurston County on Wednesday, according to the …
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 …
Texas couple reconnecting military families with Yelm Salute the Kids camp
Sommer and Josh Houser, founders of a Texas-based nonprofit organization called Salute the Kids, have held over a dozen camps for military-connected children and their families across the country. …
Lackamas Elementary set to party like it’s 1914 with anniversary celebration
hool, the oldest active school in the Yelm Community Schools district, is going all out for its 110-year celebration from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3. The evening’s events …
Yelm Community Schools awarded $1.25 million grant for military-connected students
Yelm Community Schools (YCS) was awarded a $1.25 million grant from the Department of Defense (DOD) to improve literacy and support for military-connected students, Superintendent Chris Woods …
Kidder Mathews consultants present options on city-owned 640-acre property
Kidder Mathews consultants Ryan Haddock and Blair Howe spoke before the Yelm City Council and a packed Yelm City Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 24, to provide an update on the city-owned 640-acre property in …
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 …
Yelm school board swears in four student reps
Photo Courtesy of Yelm Community Schools
What's Happening: Yelm soccer, YHS class reunion, blood drive
Thursday, Oct. 3 Yelm girls soccer hosts Olympia Yelm High School’s girls soccer team is set to host the Olympia Bears girls soccer team at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 3, at Yelm High …
Nisqually Valley News Bites Ep. 2: Steve Harshfield talks Standing Room Only Theater
On the second episode of the Nisqually Valley News Bites, Standing Room Only Theater President Steve Harshfield joins reporters Dylan Reubenking and Jacob Dimond and editor Jessica Keller to discuss …
In focus: Panoramic views at Mount Fremont Lookout in Mount Rainier National Park
Chronicle photographer Ridley Hudson captured these photos from the Mount Fremont Lookout Train at Mount Rainier National Park on Sunday, Sept. 29. The Mount Fremont Lookout Trail is a 5.6-mile …
State & Regional News
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 …
Washington State Patrol to conduct statewide ‘One More Stop’ patrol in honor of fallen Trooper Christopher Gadd
On Friday, Sept. 27, the Washington State Patrol (WSP) will conduct a statewide “One More Stop” emphasis patrol in honor of fallen Trooper Christopher Gadd. The statewide emphasis …
New cases of white-nose syndrome recorded in Washington bats this year
White-nose syndrome, an often-fatal disease of hibernating bats, continues to spread in Washington. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and research partners documented white-nose …
New Thurston County assistant manager looks forward to continuing to serve the community
Joshua Cummings believes the last 11 years of work in Thurston County have been a job interview for his new role as the county’s assistant manager. Cummings, the current Community Planning …
New Bucoda councilor, improvement club president joins effort to enhance South Thurston County town
As summer nears its end, many residents in Bucoda are looking toward the future with hope as they seek to improve their small South Thurston County community amid the appointment of a new mayor and …
Multiple local agencies launch free 'Wildfire Ready Neighbors' program for homeowners
In efforts to combat local property, structure and brush fires, several local agencies are offering free home visits to survey potential fire hazards and offer fire prevention methods to home and …
Southeast Thurston Fire stays busy this summer dispatching mobilization crews
Southeast Thurston Fire Authority (SETFA) has been active since the start of the summer season, dispatching several crews to combat non-local fires as part of the wildland mobilization team under the …
Life

Yelm band director grateful for community support from ‘YHS Connects’ fundraiser

The Yelm community has shown that when things get tough, it can be relied on to help out, such as when area residents rallied in early September to raise funds for the Yelm High School band to return …

Red Baron replica jazzes up music sign

Photo by Dylan Reubenking

Mount Rainier sunrise sets off fall equinox

Courtesy photo
Drummers with the Rainier High School marching band perform at the Rainier Round-Up Days Parade on Aug. 24.

Rainier High School introduces inaugural marching band for football season

Rainier High School’s new marching band, composed of 25 students and led by director Adam Cornwall, made its debut performance at halftime of the football team’s home opener against …
Chelsea Weimer displays some of her floral skull displays at her home on Sept. 15.

Yelm multimedia artist ‘bringing the creepy and pretty together’ with business

Chelsea Weimer has always had a hard time calling herself an artist because, in her mind, nature is the creator. The Yelm resident and owner of The Crystal Chronicles Company uses findings from …

  • Nisqually Valley News Bites Ep. 1: Chris Woods previews Yelm school year
  • Nisqually Valley News Bites Ep. 1: Chris Woods previews Yelm school year
Business
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Noah Aden, general manager of Yelm Cinemas, earned a spot on the South Sound Business annual 40 Under 40 list, which highlights the top young business people in the region. He is the lone honoree on …
Sports

Mountaineers handle Loggers in league opening-sweep

Anika Plowman, 5, celebrates with Brooklynn Swenson, 3, after Plowman makes a key block against Onalaska on Oct. 3.
The Rainier High School volleyball team made quick work of its first Central 2B League opponent by sweeping Onalaska on Thursday, Oct. 3. Rainier earned its fifth win via sweep this season, …

Tenino pulls away to top Elma in four

The Tenino volleyball team seemingly got better as the game went along on Tuesday, as the Beavers took the final two sets in a 25-16, 20-25, 25-20, 25-10 win in Elma. Macy Griffis went 20 for 20 …
Allyson Ooms leaps to serve the ball against Mossyrock on Oct. 1.

Mountaineers triumph over Vikings in five-set thriller

It took until the eighth match of the season for the Rainier High School volleyball team to face its first five-setter, but the Mountaineers staved off Mossyrock, 3-2, at home on Tuesday, Oct. 1. …

Tenino announces inaugural Athletics Hall of Fame class

Tenino High School announced its inaugural Athletic Hall of Fame Class on Tuesday, a class that includes five individuals and two state title teams. The inductees will be honored and inducted at …

Yelm girls soccer off to blazing 5-1 start to 2024 campaign

By Jacob Dimond jake@yelmonline.com Following a one-win season in 2023, the Yelm High School girls soccer team came out of the gates with an impressive 5-1 start to the 2024 season. Behind …

Mountaineers bounce back from first loss with non-league wins

The Rainier High School volleyball team’s 4-0 start to the season, which included three sweeps, came to a crashing halt against Cascade Christian School in a road non-league contest on …

Onalaska races past Rainier in blowout win

It didn’t take Onalaska long to get rolling on Friday, as Rodrigo Rodriguez returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown to set the stage of a dominant 70-0 win over Rainier. …

Tornados demolish Sentinels 52-14 in 4A SPSL opener

Ethan Owens (22) celebrates Marcus Ronquillo's touchdown run against Kamiakin on Sept. 20.

When the Yelm High School football team’s classification elevated to the 4A level, so did the expectations for head coach Jason Ronquillo. The Tornados opened 4A South Puget Sound League …

Mountaineers score early and often in win over T-Wolves

Rainier’s Thomas Roland holds his hand over his heart during the National Anthem during a week one football game at Rainier High School on Friday, Sept. 6.

The Rainier football team started league play off on a high note on Friday, as the Mountaineers toppled Morton-White Pass, 64-34, in Morton. The Mountaineers had no problem scoring throughout …

Yelm volleyball handed first loss of season in 3-0 sweep by Emerald Ridge

Junior Ellie Sloan, 3, warms up with teammate Eliana Lewis, 4, a junior, on Monday, Sept. 23, prior to the matchup with Emerald Ridge.

After a hot start to the season by the Yelm’s volleyball program, which included a pair of wins against Stadium and WF West along with a 4-0 record in the Fort Vancouver tournament, Emerald …

Opinion

I-2124 is wrong for Washington women

It’s easy to think it won’t happen to us — until it does. For me, it was when my mother had an unexpected massive stroke. We were both caught totally unprepared. I was …
Rep. Peter Abbarno speaks at the East Lewis County Candidate Forum at the Mossyrock Community Center on Wednesday, July 24.

‘Yes’ for long-term care choice in Washington

This year, Washington state voters will have the historic opportunity to vote on four initiatives at the top of their ballot. One of those initiatives, Initiative 2124, would give workers the ability …

Capping food prices will not fix grocery bills

The current election cycle made a headline out of price gouging in grocery stores and setting caps on certain staple foods. Contrary to insinuation that farmers and others in agriculture are …
Sen. John Braun in Olympia from the Capitol on Friday, Feb. 15, 2024.

As students return, campuses must prevent return of antisemitic behavior

Eighty years ago, a lawyer who had fled to the United States from Poland a few years earlier combined an ancient Greek word and a Latin word to make a new term: genocide. The word was coined …
Rep. Peter Abbarno speaks at the East Lewis County Candidate Forum at the Mossyrock Community Center on Wednesday, July 24.

Commentary: ‘Yes’ for long-term care choice in Washington

This year, Washington state voters will have the historic opportunity to vote on four initiatives at the top of their ballot. One of those initiatives, Initiative 2124, would give workers the ability …
Obituaries
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.
In loving memory of Kristi Marie Cichon Spark
Kristi Marie Cichon Spark (nee Bircher) passed away on May 22, 2024, in Olympia, Washington, at the age of 50. She was born on Dec. 6, 1973, in Tacoma, Washington, to Vern and Linda Bircher. Kristi …