Local news
Rainier superintendent addresses school funding as board details reduction in force
Rainier School District Superintendent Bryon Bahr addressed the district’s financial challenges in a presentation titled “School Funding in Washington State” at the Rainier School …
‘Largest we’ve ever had’: Yelm Farmers Market returns this Saturday through end of September
As the beautiful weather continues to roll into the Nisqually Valley region, the Yelm Farmers Market is gearing up to return from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Saturday, May 3, at its location near Yelm …
Nisqually Valley Spring Expo packs YMS for weekend of fun
Any nerves surrounding the new venue for the Yelm Chamber of Commerce’s Nisqually Valley Spring Expo event on Saturday, April 26, and Sunday, April 27, were alleviated by the amount of …
Nisqually Valley Spring Expo welcomes auto enthusiasts with two car shows
Car enthusiasts and collectors flocked to Yelm Middle School on Saturday, April 26, and Sunday, April 27, for two car shows coinciding with the annual Nisqually Valley Spring Expo event. On Saturday, …
Mayor apologizes to veteran organizations after removal of Yelm City Park memorial
Yelm Mayor Joe DePinto opened up the public comment portion of the Tuesday, April 22, Yelm City Council meeting by issuing an apology to local veteran organizations. His apology came after the City …
Thurston County anticipating $5.5 million in state funding for Rights of Way Initiative
Three months after the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners found that critical funding for its Rights of Way (ROW) Initiative appeared to be excluded from Gov. Bob Ferguson’s budget, …
Thurston County commissioners dive into lingering jail space needs
An issue in Thurston County that was on the minds of county commissioners well before the current board members took office has begun to resurface. The county has grappled with growing inmate …
WIAA sanctions girls flag football to become an official statewide sport
As high school girls flag football continues to rise in popularity throughout Washington and the United States, on Monday, April 21, the WIAA officially sanctioned the winter sport effective Aug. 1. …
City of Roy to hold annual Community Cleanup and Hometown Hero Celebration
The City of Roy will hold its annual community cleanup at the local park on Saturday, May 3, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. As part of the cleanup, the city will provide its dumpsters for use at Roy City …
Community Calendar for May 2-June 28: Murder at the Short Stump Saloon, City of Yelm Spring Cleanup, Color Fun Run
Friday, May 2 Murder at the Short Stump Saloon Standing Room Only Theater will present its annual murder mystery game from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Friday, May 2, at Farrelli’s Pizza in Yelm. Tickets …
Four YHS careers in education students travel to Arizona for state contest
Four Yelm High School students, along with YHS teacher Hillary Hull, recently returned from the trip of a lifetime at Arizona State University where they competed in the Arizona State Educators …
Rochester High School to host professional wrestling fundraiser May 15
A night of professional wrestling, food and family fun is coming to the Rochester High School gymnasium in a fundraiser called the Rochester Rumble, set for Thursday, May 15, at 7 p.m., with doors …
State & Regional News
Full funding for Yelm Loop and roundabouts included on final budget on last day of Legislative session
On sine die, the last day of the Legislative session in Washington state, a major victory was achieved for the City of Yelm, its residents and those who commute through the region. State Rep. Andrew …
Thousands of Oregon, Washington children at risk if Head Start ends, lawsuit alleges
More than 25,000 children in Oregon and Washington will lose the child care and early education their families rely on if the Trump administration continues its attempts to dismantle Head Start, say …
Five tax bills lawmakers passed to underpin Washington state’s next state budget
A small pile of significant tax bills is getting delivered to Gov. Bob Ferguson.   Collectively, they form the financial linchpin to the state’s next budget and would generate …
Nearly $78 billion budget sent to Gov. Ferguson to close out legislative session
Will he sign it into law? That’s the question for Washington state Gov. Bob Ferguson now that lawmakers have sent him a two-year $77.8 billion operating budget. On Sunday, the last day of …
Washington state lawmakers mourn a pair of deaths as session ends
Washington state lawmakers found themselves united in mourning on the last day of session Sunday. A week after the sudden death of Sen. Bill Ramos, D-Issaquah, legislators were also grappling …
Washington state lawmakers shift approach on closing center for people with disabilities
A highly contested bill around the closure of a residential center for people with disabilities passed the Washington state House and Senate this weekend with mixed support from lawmakers and some …
Rent increase cap proposal heads to Washington governor
Washington is poised to limit annual residential rent increases with legislation now headed to the governor’s desk. The House and Senate on Sunday, the last day of the legislative session, …
Striking worker unemployment benefit bill headed to Washington governor
Unemployment benefits for striking workers are close to becoming law in Washington after a compromise proposal cleared the state House and Senate.  Striking workers could expect to receive …
Procedural snag delays votes on bill to cap Washington state rent increases
Democrats were moments away from passing a cap on residential rent increases off the Washington state Senate floor Friday night.  But a challenge from the Senate Republican leader, upheld …
Life

Food, books for children donations increase for Well Fed, Well Read campaign

Washington state employees increased their donation levels of non-perishable food, books and money during the Washington state Combined Fund Drive’s (CFD) 2025 Well Fed, Well Read campaign. …

‘Homegrown and Handmade’: Thurston County launches second annual art contest

The Thurston County Art Contest is back for a second round in 2025. This opportunity is open to county residents of all ages to showcase their artistic talents. The contest is open to youth and …
Emma Mathson, her friend and their three dogs pose for a photo with their search and rescue team while on a hike to Coldwater Lake on April 10.

Thurston County student details nightmare hiking trip to Coldwater Lake

Track and field teaches student athletes life lessons about pushing through when they face adversity and leaping over obstacles standing in their path to victory. For Rainier High School senior …

Mount Rainier National Park seeks public input on proposed Paradise improvement project

The National Park Service (NPS) is starting a 30-day civic engagement period to share information and gather public input on a proposed project to rehabilitate a wastewater collection system and …

Thurston County Auditor’s Office seeking artists for ‘I Voted’ art contest

The Thurston County Auditor’s Office is seeking artists to participate in a contest to design a new “I Voted” sticker for Thurston County. The winning design will be picked by the …

  • Nisqually Valley News Bites Ep. 4: Ashley Brooks and Jesse Kellems talk levy efforts
  • Nisqually Valley News Bites Ep. 3: Yelm Mayor Joe DePinto talks journey to office, upcoming projects
  • Nisqually Valley News Bites Ep. 2: Steve Harshfield talks Standing Room Only Theater
Business
Washington state Gov. Bob Ferguson will be the keynote speaker for the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce’s 120th annual meeting on Wednesday, May 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the …
Rainier Storage Lockers has a new owner. The local facility was recently acquired by Storwell Storage and renamed under its national brand. The growing West Coast-based company owns three …
After 15 years serving the Yelm community, DC’s Treasures Thrift Store will open its second location just a short distance away in McKenna, next to Worthy Coffee Co. The reason for …
Four Yelm community members will spend their April Fool’s Day voluntarily getting new ink while blindfolded at Dancing Needles Tattoo. But their reason for doing so is no joke. Line …
When tattoo enthusiasts step through the doors of Acropolis Tattoo in Yelm, they’ll likely be hit immediately with two thoughts. For longtime Yelm residents, they’ll remember Ghost …
Sports

Rainier senior breaks school record in the discus

Rainier senior Janess Blackburn celebrates her school discus record by breaking a vinyl record at practice on Thursday, April 24.
Break a record, break a record. It’s a tradition that predates Rob Henry as Rainier’s athletic director and track coach. But one, he said, that’s worth continuing. To celebrate …
Rainier's Jazzlyn Shumate wins the 400 meters at the District 4 1B/2B League Meet at Rainier High School on Tuesday, April 22.

Mountaineer girls win again at home league meet

The Rainier track and field team has hit the midway point of the 2025 outdoor season. So far, they keep improving. At the District 4 1B/2B league meet at Rainier High School on Tuesday, April 22, the …

‘I do not know of a stronger group of coaches’: Total Sports Development summer track program gearing up for second year

After a strong first year, which included activities such as Speed Night and practices for local athletes to sharpen their skills in various competitions, Total Sports Development (TSD) has announced …

Yelm baseball qualifies for postseason for the first time since 2018

One year ago, the Yelm Tornados baseball season came to a conclusion in the 3A South Sound Conference after a six-win season in head coach Dakota Hill’s first season at the helm. Fast forward …

Rainier run-rules Morton-White Pass

The Rainier baseball team earned a big win on Friday, defeating Morton-White Pass 13-2 in five innings. Six runs in the first and another half-dozen in the second put the Mountaineers up 12-0 …
Adna’s Gaby Guard (5) swings at the ball during a softball game against Rainier at Adna High School on Thursday, April 24.

Prep softball: All-around performance lifts Adna to run-rule victory

ADNA — When he’s standing in the third base coaching box, Bruce Pocklington is as direct as can be. He isn’t shy about what he expects out of Adna High School’s softball team …
Senior pitcher Kylie Minker smiles as she crosses home plate, following a solo-shot to tie Yelm's contest with Peninsula at six a piece on Friday, April 18.

YHS softball celebrates five seniors, falls to old SSC rival

Yelm and Peninsula high school softball teams revisited their old South Sound Conference rivalry on Friday, April 18, with emotions riding high for five Tornados athletes set to celebrate senior …

Mountaineers win first-ever home golf match

Elliott Drake checks out his drive at the Tahoma Valley Golf Course on Wednesday, April 16.

The Rainier High School girls and boys golf teams won their respective matches on Wednesday, April 16, at the Tahoma Valley Golf Course in Yelm. For the Rainier girls, Lily Peralta finished first …

Mountaineers run-rule Toutle Lake and Morton-White Pass

Keira Anderson slides into third against Toutle Lake at Rainier Elementary School on Thursday, April 17.

Make that eight in a row for the Mountaineers. After a walk-off win against Toledo on Monday, April 14, the Rainier softball team kept its streak alive with a 12-2 run-rule victory over the Toutle …

Mountaineers stun Riverhawks behind Sheaffer’s complete-game gem

Rainier

Entering the seventh inning, Rainier Mountaineers pitcher Peyton Sheaffer was up to 80 pitches and had no desire to take a seat for the seventh inning with a 5-1 lead against Toledo Wednesday, April …

Opinion
Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, stands in the wings of the Senate floor at the Washington state Capitol in Olympia on Friday, April 25.

John Braun: Just what we don’t need — a property tax hike that’s also bad for rural schools

The expression about a wolf in sheep’s clothing stems from Matthew 7:15, recounting Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, …
John McCroskey was Lewis County sheriff from 1995 to 2005. He lives outside Chehalis and can be contacted at musingsonthemiddlefork@gmail.com.

John McCroskey: Taxpayers are an endangered species in Washington state

Earlier this week, The Chronicle published an article online about yet one another reason for us to lose sleep at night. If it's not the end of the world due to global climate change, now we …

Our Views: Remembering Pope Francis, a shepherd who never walked away

The world feels quieter today. Not because a man has died, but because a voice — steady, grounded and full of grace — has gone silent. Pope Francis is gone, and for those of us who …

Cargill: Washington state Supreme Court ignores voters, makes homeless challenge worse

The United States Supreme Court ruled. Voters decided. Other states have acted. But all of this wasn’t enough for justices on the Washington state Supreme Court. That court on Thursday brazenly …
State Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia, speaks during the 93 day of the legislative session on the House floor of the Washington state Capitol on Tuesday, April 15.

Abbarno: Why transparency matters when everything is on the line in Olympia

Washington families are facing real and growing challenges. The cost of living in Washington is among the highest in the nation. We pay more for groceries, ranking fourth in the country. Fuel prices …
Obituaries
In loving memory of Lester Reichel: 1931-2025
Lester Rice Reichel, 94 years old, passed away on April 9, 2025, while in the home of his daughter, Sherri Anderson. His other two daughters, Jenny and Linda, were present. Born Feb. 7, 1931, in …
In Loving Memory of Michael Brown: 1961-2025
Michael Brown lived his life for adventure. After traveling as a young boy with his dad cross-country to pick up a fire truck for the Yelm Fire Department, he fell in love with the road. After …
In Loving Memory of Lois & Larry Sickles: 1941-2025
In December 2024, Lois Ann Sickles preceded her beloved husband, Laren “Larry” James Sickles, who joined her in February 2025, as they crossed from this life to the next. Lois was born in 1941 …
In Loving Memory of Gary Vallandingham: 1943-2025
Gary Paul Vallandingham lived a wonderful life with his family and passed away on March 16, 2025. Gary is survived by his wife, Sharon Vallandingham; daughters Kara Clary (Matthew Clary) and …
In Loving Memory of Dorothy Rhodes: 1938-2025
Dorothy (Dottie) Lea Rhodes was born on Oct. 12, 1938, in Stratton, Colorado, and was one of four children to Everett and Anna Joy. Dottie was in the comfort of family during her passing on Feb. 16, …
Community
Take a trip through our area’s rich history for May 1, 2025
Enjoy these snapshots of articles written in past issues of the Nisqually Valley News from 45, 35, 25 and 15 years ago. A look back at this week, 45 years ago • Reverend David E. Monsen was to …
Take a trip through our area’s rich history for April 24
Enjoy these snapshots of articles written in past issues of the Nisqually Valley News from 45, 35, 25 and 15 years ago. A look back at this week, 45 years ago • The U.S. District Court of Nevada …
Community Calendar: Olympia Arts Walk, 507 Taproom’s six-year anniversary, Wildfire Ready Event, Ro’Ro’s Disco: Raise for Rowyn 2025 auction celebration
Thursday, April 24 Yelm FFA Plant Sale Yelm FFA will host its annual plant sale from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 24, at Yelm High School. Friday, April 25 Yelm baseball hosts Puyallup Yelm …
Take a trip through our area’s rich history for April 17
Enjoy these snapshots of articles written in past issues of the Nisqually Valley News from 45, 35, 25 and 15 years ago. A look back at this week, 45 years ago • Pat Bryne, the Yelm town …
Community Calendar: Yelm FFA Plant Sale, 507 Taproom’s six-year anniversary, Nisqually Valley Spring Expo 2025
Thursday, April 17 Rainier softball hosts Toutle Lake Rainier High School’s softball team will host C2BL opponent Toutle Lake at 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 17, at Rainier Elementary School. …