Local news
Thurston County Emergency Management Officials Worry About Gloomy Summer Wildfire Season Forecast
With winter rain in the rearview mirror and summer set to officially start in just under two weeks, Thurston County Emergency Management held an executive seminar for county and city officials from …
Body Matching Description of Acclaimed Climber Dawes Eddy Recovered at Mount Rainier
On Tuesday, a man matching the description of missing solo climber Dawes Eddy, 80, of Spokane, was recovered from 11,500 feet on the Ingraham Direct climbing route at Mount Rainier. Eddy …
Rainier and Yelm High Schools to Host Graduation Ceremonies This Week
As the end of the school year approaches, the soon-to-be graduating classes of Yelm and Rainier are preparing to embark on the next chapter of their lives. A graduation ceremony for the seniors …
‘Fill The Boot’ Fundraiser in McKenna Brings in Donations for Muscular Dystrophy Association
Members of the International Association of Firefighters were hard at work in McKenna over the weekend as they accepted donations for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Volunteers were present …
Free Fishing Weekend Returns to Washington June 10-11, With Changes Limiting Catches
Washington’s Free Fishing Weekend — the annual event when anglers across the state can fish without a license — will have a new look this year. In past years, nearly any …
Yelm High School Students Organize Car Show Fundraiser
With Sunday’s picturesque weather, gearheads congregated in the parking lot of Yelm High School for a car show fundraiser as approximately 70 contestants from around the area came to …
Yelm Parks and Rec Department Gears Up for Busy Summer of Events
The Yelm Parks and Recreation department is ready for a busy summer as it plans to hold events like sticker stops, the Prairie Days spirit week and street dance, and its new Yelm Junior Readers …
‘Picnics And Parties’ Business Provides Luxurious Picnics for a Variety of Occasions
Being outside for the summer is fun, but what if you could picnic in style? That is what Picnics and Parties By Liz aims to do. The company, owned by Fort Lewis resident Elizabeth Rivera, …
Ma and Pa’s Family Diner Impacted by String of Burglaries
For the second time since March, Ma and Pa’s Family Diner in Yelm was burglarized at around 3 a.m. on Tuesday, May 23. The restaurant, located at 203 W. Yelm Ave., is owned by Jenny Smith …
Take a Trip Through Our Area’s Rich History
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 • Jim Lohr, …
Fourth Annual Nisqually Valley Barbecue Rally to Return in July
Lovers of food and barbecue should mark their calendars for Saturday, July 22, as the fourth annual Nisqually Valley Barbecue Rally is set to return to Yelm City Park. The event will run from 10 …
State & Regional News
Vaccine Requirement Dropped by State of Washington
Employees will no longer need the COVID-19 vaccine to work for state agencies in Washington after Gov. Jay Inslee last week rescinded the previous directive requiring the vaccination series during …
WDFW to Discontinue Online-Only Hunter Education 
Starting June 1, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will no longer offer fully remote hunter education courses. The department will continue to offer in-person hunter education …
Bill Addressing Overdoses by Banning Private Use of Pill Presses Signed Into Law
In a statement released last week, state Rep. Dan Griffey, R-Allyn, announced Washington state would join Mississippi and British Columbia in July as the only three jurisdictions to ban the private …
Washington Legislature Adjourns Without ‘Blake Bill’ Solution
The Washington State Legislature adjourned on Sunday, April 23 after failing to approve a controversial bill to set drug possession penalties, raising the possibility of a special session in the …
Police Pursuit Law Rules Modified, Approved by Both Chambers of Legislature
Police may pursue suspects that pose long-term serious risk to others under revisions of a more restrictive 2022 vehicle chase law that has now passed both chambers of this year’s Legislature. …
Statewide Litter Prevention Initiative Encourages Residents to Keep Washington Clean
April is Earth Month and the Washington Department of Ecology will mark the occasion with an emphasis on keeping the state litter free. In a news release, Ecology noted roadside litter affects …
Republicans Lawmakers Criticize Bill Limiting ‘Assault Weapons’ After State Senate Passage
Republicans across the state issued statements in opposition to Washington legislation banning a number of firearms that was passed by the state Senate over the weekend. State Sen. Jeff Wilson, …
WDFW Approves Coastal Razor Clam Digs in April as Daily Limit Increases to 20 Clams
Shellfish managers with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) confirmed the next round of coastal razor clam digging can proceed as planned from April 6 to April 12 with an increased …
State House Passes Bills to Ban Assault Weapons and Require Background Checks, Safety Training for Gun Purchases
After years of attempts, Democrats in the Washington House of Representatives passed a ban on assault weapons late Wednesday. The measure was approved one day after the House voted 52-44 …
Life

Take a Trip Through Our Area’s Rich History

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 …

Finding Reason: He Thought He Couldn't Cope, But a Seed Planted in Him Helped Him Overcome

“No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be …

Nisqually Valley Happenings: Community Calendar for May 25

Thursday, May 25 Pollinator Palooza Honey Tasting A honey tasting event will start at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 25, during the “Pollinator Palooza” event. It will be held at the …

Readers Lens: Severe Thunderstorm Lights Up the Sky Last Week

Business
Funtime Toys has relocated its business to a larger location, which will provide people with an opportunity to play more games at the store and will also allow people to host events in the new …
Pecos Pit Bar-B-Que announced on Wednesday, May 10, that a restaurant location is coming to the Nisqually Plaza in Yelm this summer.   Customers describe its slow-roasted, wood-smoked …
When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains of food, residents could more clearly see the value of local resources, said Aslan Meade, director of strategic alliances for the Thurston County …
The Shiplap Shop and Coffee House in Yelm recently received a facelift and an expansion. On Sunday, April 9, the business opened its doors for the first time since the renovations. Gary …
The Washington Department of Commerce announced the approval of $2 million worth of Evergreen Manufacturing grants designed to create new manufacturing, research and development jobs statewide, …
Sports

Yelm Boys Track Team Reflects on 3A State Championship Victory

After four Tornados claimed individual state championships at the 2A/3A/4A state championship track meet at Mount Tahoma High School last month, helping the boys team earn a state title, members of …

WIAA Announces State Football Championships to be Played at Husky Stadium

Agreeing to a one-year contract with the University of Washington this week, the WIAA announced Tuesday that all six football state championships will be played at Husky Stadium in Seattle this …

Rivals Become Teammates, Teammates Face Off at SWW Senior All-Star Game

LONGVIEW — Players in white, gray, black, red, orange, blue, and more colors to boot took to the turf at David Story Field on Wednesday, as some of the best senior ballplayers in Lewis, …

Yelm’s Isaiah Patterson Announces Commitment to UCLA

Isaiah Patterson, an upcoming senior linebacker at Yelm High School, announced his commitment to the University of California Los Angeles on Wednesday, May 24. UCLA finished with a 9-4 record in …

Mountaineers Pick Up Two State Champion Wins in Yakima

The Rainier track team sent athletes to the 1A/2B/1B state track and field meet in Yakima over the weekend as two Mountaineers were crowned champions. The team picked up a state championship on …

Yelm Fastpitch Routed by Juanita in Opening Round of State Tournament

Yelm High School’s fastpitch season came to an end on May 25 after the team was defeated 12-2 by Juanita High School in the opening round of the 3A state tournament. The Tornados finished …

Riverhawk Repeat: Toledo Boys Win 4x400 State Title

YAKIMA — A few of the faces may have changed, but the result remained the same.  For the second year in a row, the Toledo boys 4x400 team ended the 2B track season with a state title, …

1A Evergreen Boys Soccer All-League Teams

After its 2023 boys soccer campaign, Tenino finished with a pair of first team honors for the 1A Evergreen boys soccer all-league squads, as voted on by coaches.  Montesano’s Mateo …

Rainier’s Marvin, Toledo’s Olmstead Win State Titles

YAKIMA — Two local athletes got to the top of the podium Friday, winning individual state titles at the 1B/2B/1A championships at Zaepfel Field in Yakima. On the girls’ side, …

Eight Local Medalists, Eight More Qualifiers in Day 1 at 1B/2B/1A Track and Field State

YAKIMA — When he’s on the mat, Rainier’s Zander Peck is trying to manhandle his opponent. Whenever he’s at the track, he’s holding a literal weapon. But his mind is …

Opinion

Kris Johnson Commentary: Washington’s Long-Term Care Program Still Flawed as New Tax Looms

Brace yourself. Your paycheck in July will probably be a little smaller. That’s when the state will begin collecting premium payments for its long-term care insurance program, called WA …

Richard Stride Commentary: A Look Back on the Mafia and How One Mobster Helped the War Effort

Americans have always had a fascination with the mafia.  Just recall the popularity of the movie “The Godfather” and the television series, “The Sopranos.”  …

Letter to the Editor: Robbery, Theft and Property Damage in Yelm Causes Concerns

Again, there was another break in at Mariachi Alegre. The first break-in smashed the front door glass and some items were stolen. The second break-in happened at 4 a.m. on a past Saturday. The person …

Commentary: McCarthy-Biden Agreement Only a Start for Tackling Nation’s Debt

The deal reached between President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to increase our nation’s debt limit was a welcome compromise.   It appears to avert our nation’s …

Bill Moeller Commentary: Searching For Lost Artists of the Great Depression Era

In one of the columns I started to write — prior to my taking a rest from 15 years of writing columns for newspapers — I touched on the topic of artists who found their own way of dealing …
Obituaries
 In Loving Memory of Drew Kepner: 1981-2023
Drew DeAmicis Kepner was born in Lancaster, California on Oct. 5, 1981 to his mother, Sharon Kepner. He passed away on April 30, 2023, in Roy, Washington. Drew will forever be remembered by all who …
In Loving Memory of  Kathryn Beavers Eagle: 1954-2023
Kathryn "Kitty" Beavers was born to Robert Alden and Frances Hurford Beavers on March 12, 1954 in Seattle, Washington. She spent most of her childhood and teen years in California. Kitty …
In Loving Memory of Joshua Holmes: 1975-2023
Joshua Anders Holmes left his earthly body on the morning of May 3, 2023, peacefully at home, in the arms of his wife and daughters.  At the young age of 46, Josh was diagnosed with stage …
In Loving Memory of Robert Corl: 1947-2023
Robert W. Corl, fondly known as Bob, died peacefully on Saturday evening, May 6, 2023, at the age of 75. He had a long struggle with congestive heart failure.  He served in Vietnam in 1970 …
In Loving Memory of  Kimberly Gorman 
Kimberly Ann Lynne Gorman graduated from Bellarmine in 1991. She graduated from Hawaii Pacific University as a registered nurse in 2001. As a Navy spouse, Kim lived in Hawaii, Italy, Spain, Maryland, …