Local news
20th Legislative District Lawmakers Talk Guns, a ‘Bad Bill,’ Taxes and More During Virtual Town Hall
During a virtual town hall on Tuesday night, the 20th Legislative District’s three lawmakers answered questions from constituents about a wide array of issues.  State Sen. John Braun, …
Washington Deadline to Remove Studded Tires Approaches 
The deadline to remove studded tires in Washington is before the end of day on Friday, March 31.  In a news release, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) encouraged all …
WDFW Accepting Public Comment on Status Review for Mardon Skipper Butterfly
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is seeking public input on a draft periodic status review for the mardon skipper, a species of butterfly classified as endangered by the …
Researchers Using Drones to Collect Habitat Data at Scatter Creek Wildlife Area
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) staff and researchers will fly drones over WDFW–managed westside prairie habitat at the Scatter Creek Wildlife Area in Thurston County to …
PIT Census Counts 58 Homeless Individuals Living in Yelm, Surrounding Areas
Love Abounds Here recently carried out its annual Point in Time census (PIT) of the homeless population in Yelm and the surrounding areas. The PIT census found 58 individuals who are experiencing …
Construction on Roundabout at Vail Road Southeast Set to Begin in 2024
The Washington State Department of Transportation opened an online open house on March 9 so people could learn more about its plans to replace the intersection at state Route 507 at Vail Road …
Residents Search for Gnomes During Third Park and Recreation Sticker Stop Event
The City of Yelm’s Parks and Recreation Department hosted its third sticker shop of the year on Monday, March 20, to celebrate the first day of spring as residents went out to …
Registration for Charity Mushball Tournament Is Now Open
Registration for the Prairie Days annual Charity Mushball Tournament has opened as the event will return for its third year at Longmire Park in Yelm on June 25. The tournament winners can choose …
South Sound Mounted Shooters Competition Set for Next Month at T90 Ranch   
The South Sound Mounted Shooters will host a three day competition at the T90 Ranch in Tenino starting at 4 p.m. on April 28, 10 a.m. on April 29 and 9:30 a.m. on April 30. Admission is free and …
Jean Marie Trucking Hauls Product for Customers in Three-County Range
For Justin Vanwinkle, owning his own business is something he dreamed about since he started working in the construction field when he was 18 years old. Vanwinkle grew up in Yelm and has lived in …
Library Manager Provides Update on Last Year’s Activities, Reach to Yelm City Council
The Yelm Timberland Library signed up 3,000 new patrons and reached an active patron count of over 7,000 people last year, according to an update provided to the Yelm City Council on March …
American Red Cross Month Recognized Through Mayoral Proclamation
Yelm Mayor Joe DePinto recognized March as American Red Cross month and honored the organization through a mayoral proclamation at the Yelm City Council meeting on March 14. The American Red …
State & Regional News
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 requiring …
Washington Wolf Bill Likely Dead in Legislature
A bill that would have given local governments in Eastern Washington more authority to kill and move wolves is likely dead. House Bill 1674 was introduced to the Washington Legislature earlier …
Washington May Make It Easier to Build Backyard Cottages in a Bid to Ease the Housing Crisis
OLYMPIA — More backyard cottages could soon pop up across Washington. So-called accessory dwelling units, often referred to as in-law suites, provide independent living  on the same lot …
Washington Legislature Looks to Bar Qualified Immunity for Police
OLYMPIA — Law enforcement officers in Washington may soon have less legal protection if they engage in unconstitutional behavior. A bill making its way through the Legislature aims to tackle …
State Senate Unanimously Approves Bill Making State Nickname Official
The state Senate on Monday approved Senate Bill 5595, officially making “The Evergreen State” Washington’s nickname. The nickname had already been the state’s unofficial …
Legislature Moves to Tighten Drunk Driving Laws
Ashley Bonus said she began her fight against impaired driving after her sister, Stacy Gammons-Ankerfelt, died in an accident in 2012.  Now, she wants a new law that lowers the blood alcohol …
New Nickname, Same as the Old Nickname, Proposed in State Legislature
Washington state might have an official nickname if a bill that passed a Senate committee becomes law, but it’s not really “new.” You’ve seen it on everything from license …
Legalizing Fentanyl Test Strips Proposed in State Legislature
Allisone McClanahan suffered from severe chronic pain and fibromyalgia. To ease her pain, the 26-year-old took a pain pill from a friend she thought contained oxycodone. Instead, she died of a drug …
Washington Bill Would Lead to Standards for Police Dogs to Be Trained to Find Fentanyl
The war against the use of illegal fentanyl will get some extra help in the future from drug sniffing dogs trained to detect the substance. That’s the intent of House Bill 1635, introduced …
Life

Nisqually Valley Happenings: Community Calendar for March 23

Thursday, March 23 Food Bank The Yelm Community Services food bank, at 624 Crystal Springs St. NW in Yelm, will hold a food giveaway from 1 to 3:45 p.m. on Thursday, March 23. Clients cannot …

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 • Royalty for …

Nisqually Valley Happenings: Community Calendar for March 16

Thursday, March 16 Swing Into Spring Fashion Show Iron Works Boutique and Sandstone Cafe will present the “Swing Into Spring 2023” fashion show on Thursday, March 16. It will …

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 • Yelm High …
Business
After opening its doors in January, Mount Rainier Clock Repair has been off to a busy first month of business in Yelm. The new shop works on all sorts of clocks, which range from cuckoo to …
Mathis Bosch had a GMC truck and an idea, which he has since turned into a business. The Rainier High School student hasn’t graduated yet but Bosch has stayed busy transporting and hauling …
After opening their food truck for weekend take-out in November, Steele Barrel Barbecue has become a well-known staple for residents with a hankering for a smoky or saucy treat.  Selling …
Twenty-five years ago, someone made less than flattering comments about Jackie Wright’s painted portraits of her grandmother. As a result, she decided to focus on ceramics, which eventually …
As a new business, 507 Auto Detailing has garnered a good reputation, securing the top spot in the Best of Nisqually contest in its first year.  Co-owner Jeff Stockbridge got into car …
Sports

Tigers Blank Beavers In Non-League Tilt

Controlling possession and pace from start to finish, the Centralia boys soccer team defeated Tenino at Tiger Stadium Saturday afternoon, 7-0.  The Tigers were led by Leo Perez’s hat …

Beavers Beat Cruisers on the Court

The Tenino girls tennis team came away with a 3-1 win over Eatonville in 1A Evergreen play Tuesday. Abagail Archibald won 6-2, 6-2 at first singles, with Amelia Hayes taking her match 6-2, 6-0 at …

Beavers Fall to Eagles

The Tenino boys soccer team started out its 1A Evergreen contest against Elma on the front foot, but gave up two goals in quick succession before ultimately losing 4-0 on the Black Top. “It …

Mountaineers Win Marathon Game Against Rams

Seven innings weren’t enough to decide the Rainier softball team’s matchup with North Thurston Wednesday afternoon at home, with the Mountaineers riding out a 14-13 10-inning win over the …

Beavers Shake Off Slow Start in Win Over Rockets

In its first road game of the season, the Tenino baseball team had to fight off a lethargic start, but got off and running in the later innings to pull away and stay unbeaten on the year against …

Rainier Track Teams Prepare for League Competition After Invitational

The Rainier High School track and field teams are preparing for league competition after they hosted the Icebreaker Invitational on Saturday, March 18. After a good showing at the invitational, …

Yelm Baseball Ties With Steilacoom in Non-Conference Matchup

Yelm tied with Steilacoom High School, 3-3, after seven innings of play on Friday, March 17. After a 2-0 start to its season, the Tornados baseball team hoped to build momentum with a win against …

Tornados Fastpitch Starts Season With Two Losses at Auburn Riverside Fastpitch Invitational

Yelm’s fastpitch season officially opened on Saturday, March 18, at the Auburn Riverside Fastpitch Invitational as the team recorded two losses, but the team is looking ahead to what’s to …

Mountaineers Can’t Slow Down Chinook Offense in Loss

In a scheduled doubleheader Monday afternoon in Thurston County, the Rainier baseball team fell in back-to-back games, including a shortened second game, 12-8 and 13-5 to Kalama.  The …

Beavers Drop Four of Five to Eagles

The Tenno girls tennis team fell at home to start its week Monday, losing to White Salmon 4-1. First singles: Juliet Perez (WS) def. Rilee Jones (T90) 6-3, 6-3 Second singles: Claire Hayes (WS) …

Opinion

Braun Commentary: Supreme Court’s Income-Tax Ruling Clouds Encouraging News About Budgets

The no-new-taxes operating-budget proposal introduced in the Senate this session is a welcome turnaround. To be clear, there is no more need for new taxes this year than there was in either 2019 …

Don Brunell Commentary: Skilled Worker Shortage Could Derail the ‘Electrify Everything’ Movement

In the race to “electrify everything,” there are glitches which may derail the plan over the next 20 years.  One is a shortage of skilled electrical workers needed to rewire homes, …

Richard Stride Commentary: Research Shows Forgiveness Can Lead to a Healthier and More Meaningful Life

“It’s much more agreeable to offend and later ask for forgiveness than to be offended and grant forgiveness,” Friedrich Nietzsche once said. I would agree, wouldn’t you? …

John Braun Commentary: Expect Carbon Tax to Cost Washingtonians Much More Than Democrats Admit

After trying for more than a dozen years to impose a carbon tax in our state, legislative Democrats succeeded in 2021. That’s the now-infamous session which also gave our state a new income …

Don Brunell Commentary: Sacrifices of Medal of Honor Recipients Should Refocus America

Earlier this month when President Joe Biden fastened the Congressional Medal of Honor around retired U.S. Army Col. Paris Davis’ neck, it was a welcome pause to the endless venomous rhetoric, …
Obituaries
In Loving Memory of Casey Muxen: 1986-2023 
Casey David Muxen, 36, passed away Feb. 22, 2023, in Tenino, Washington, from a motorcycle accident. He was born Nov. 8, 1986, to Phil and Lorraine Muxen in Olympia, Washington.  Casey was …
In Loving Memory of Jason Edgington: 1982-2023 
Jason Robert Edgington was born on Sept. 21, 1982, and sadly left this earth on Jan. 22, 2023. He is and was so loved by many. Among the stars he’ll forever be, walking in the clouds his …
In Loving Memory of Harold Harding: 1957-2023 
Harold Arthur Harding, age 66, passed away Jan. 11, 2023, in Yelm, Washington, after a long battle with lung cancer and COPD. He was born on Nov. 29, 1957, in Youngstown, Ohio. His parents were Jim …
In Loving Memory of Nathan Farrell: 1983-2022
Beloved husband, son, father, brother, uncle and friend, Nathan Edward Farrell, passed into the presence of the Lord on Dec. 9, 2022, in Pace, Florida at the age of 39.  Nathan was born Nov. …
In Loving Memory of Mary Ann Graham: 1945-2022
Mary Ann Graham passed away Dec. 9, 2022, in Olympia, Washington. She was born Jan. 12, 1945, to Gertrude Wille and Duncan Chisholm in Jordan, Montana. Mary Ann was a 26-year resident of Yelm, …