2023 Best of Nisqually Finalists
Local news
Roy City Council member resigns, effective immediately
Roy City Council member Clayton Grubb resigned from the council on Monday, Sept. 25. The council learned of his resignation hours before its Monday …
Yelm center to see $70K in federal funds for veteran equine therapy
On Friday, U.S. Reps. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Washougal, and Marilyn Strickland, D-Tacoma, announced $70,000 in federal funding for the Hope for Heroes Horsemanship Center in Yelm. The center …
Yelm Lions Club members and volunteers pack food bags for ‘All Kids Win’ program
Yelm Lions Club members and volunteers packed over 800 bags for the “All Kids Win” program. During the 2022-23 school year, over 28,000 bags were donated to 48 schools in Thurston …
Roy city planner reflects on 15-year tenure as retirement nears
By Dylan Reubenking dylan@yelmonline.com Jeff Boers wasn’t quite familiar with Roy before he received a call in 2008 about helping with a potential new subdivision in the city. …
Lady L bringing scares to Yelm community for Halloween
As the air turns cooler and fall begins to creep in, Halloween enthusiasts eagerly prepare for the year’s spookiest season. While costumes and candy are a staple of the holiday, many love …
Ballots mailed to military and overseas voters for the Nov. 7 general election
The Thurston County Auditor’s Elections Division mailed more than 8,500 general election ballots to military and overseas voters registered in Thurston County. Ballot envelopes must be …
Tenino Silo Shop to celebrate grand opening at Fall on the Farm event
Wanderlust Cupcake Co., a sweets shop in Tenino, is set for an expansion on Saturday, Oct. 14 as the locally owned small business celebrates the grand opening of its Silo Shop storefront. From …
What's Happening: Watershed festival, Dog Days, high school sports
Thursday, Sept. 28 Family Storytime Join the Yelm Timberland Library from 10:30 to 11 a.m. every Thursday for family storytime. The event includes music, movement, books and activities for …
Yelm council approves construction for phase two of dog park
Local dog owners will soon have a local, off-leash dog park for their four-legged companions to run, play and socialize as the Yelm City Council voted 6-1 in favor of a new contract bid for the …
YHS graduate returns from Germany to teach cooking class
Youth Athletics Recreation Development (YARD) is adding a culinary program to its menu of services in Yelm. In the first class on Saturday, Sept. 23, students ages 7 and up will learn how to …
‘We Love Rainier WA’ to donate dictionaries to local third graders
In its continuous efforts to give back to the community, “We Love Rainier WA,” a local community enrichment organization, has provided local third graders with dictionaries for three …
Yelm Community Schools superintendent discusses current state of the district
Newly appointed Yelm Community Schools Superintendent Chris Woods wants to give every student within the school district the opportunity to succeed. He expressed that goal on Sept. 12 at Yelm …
State & Regional News
Bail set at $1 million for man found with up to 5,000 fentanyl pills in Chehalis during JNET bust
A man is facing felony charges in Lewis County Superior Court after members of the Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team (JNET), Thurston County Narcotics Task Force (TNT) and the federal Drug Enforcement …
Day-use fees to be waived for Saturday, Sept. 23 for National Public Lands Day
Visits to most day-use land managed by the Pacific Northwest region of the U.S. Forest Service will be free on Saturday, Sept. 23 to celebrate the 30th annual National Public Lands Day. The day …
Application window opens for wildfire defense grant
Local governments, nonprofits and tribes face an Oct. 31 deadline to apply for a Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. The …
SPSCC welcomes five full-time faculty members
South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) kicked off its 2023-24 academic year by welcoming five new full-time tenure-track faculty members to the college. Megan Connell, nursing professor …
Nisqually Tribe receives funding for expanded internet access
The Nisqually Tribe is one of three recipients awarded grants from the Washington State Department of Commerce to expand access to the internet through digital navigator services. The tribe will …
Tenino sculptor’s book to feature 15-year struggle to place 9/11 memorial
Wherever you were on Sept. 11, 2001, Americans from coast to coast were affected by the terrorist attacks unleashed on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, even if they had no personal connection. …
News in brief: Fire, state parks
Twin Firs fire contained in Mount Rainier National Park Nisqually Valley News staff Mount Rainier National Park officials announced that the Twin Firs Fire has been successfully contained. …
Dolly Parton celebrates Imagination Library going statewide
Growing up in the mountains of east Tennessee with a father who couldn’t read or write, Dolly Parton’s most valuable possession was the “coat of many colors” her mother sewed …
New smoke management plan approved for Washington state, allowing more freedom for controlled burns
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved Washington State’s smoke management plan, allowing for more planning time and a longer burning season for controlled burns to prevent …
Life

Student honors: Nisqually Valley residents earn SNHU honors

Ten Nisqually Valley residents were named to Southern New Hampshire University’s Summer 2023 President’s List. Another, Tanya DeVore of McKenna, was named to the Dean’s List. …

Finding Reason: God never ‘shows up’ but is already always with us

Recently, I had to fill out a typical application to volunteer for a Christian camp I’ve been serving for some 20 years. The past couple of years it has included a question like this, …

Finding Reason: If you're feeling overwhelmed, this just might be what you need to read

Everybody messes up. Sometimes it makes little difference to hear encouraging words when we’ve messed up so badly, and anticipate more bad consequences. We keep things to ourselves out of …

Yelm resident makes dean’s list at Georgia Southwestern State University

Yelm resident Alec Kaasa made the summer 2023 dean’s list at Georgia Southwestern State University. He was among the 430 students recognized for scholastic achievement during the summer …
Business
James and Kelsey Davis first started Green Branch Ranch when they moved to Eastern Washington on 17 acres of land. Their focus has been sustainable food-growing practices and preserving them. …
Yelm is quickly growing economically, with a variety of new businesses opening around the city within the last year alone. These businesses include The Local, Munchies Plus and 507 Auto …
Kona Ice is now serving shaved ice to the Yelm, Roy, and McKenna areas, with the goal of sharing its philanthropic culture in these communities. The mobile franchise, featuring its colorful …
For those intrigued by or in need of power equipment, J&I Power Equipment is hosting a Kubota-sponsored customer appreciation day from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 26 at the business, J&I …
By Jacob Dimond jake@yelmonline.com Located at 404 First St. in Yelm, Northwest Barber Lounge aims to create a fun and friendly environment with personable and friendly barbers. After …
Sports

Bulldogs take out Beavers

The Tenino volleyball team dropped its 1A Evergreen opener Tuesday in four sets, 25-22, 25-12, 25-27, 25-19 to Montesano. Brookelynn Bratton had 14 kills, 18 digs and six assists for the …

Mountaineers go distance to beat Ducks

The Rainier volleyball team gave the crowd its money’s worth Tuesday, playing five tight sets to beat Toutle Lake 21-25, 27-25, 27-25, 19-25, 15-12 in a non-league contest. Acacia Murphy …

Tornados overpower Hawks in 59-7 South Sound Conference victory

By Jacob Dimond jake@yelmonline.com All three sides of the Yelm Tornados football team — offense, defense and special teams — played big roles in the Tornado 59-7 blowout …

Yelm volleyball swept by Timberline

One night after a 3-1 road victory against Todd Beamer, the Yelm High School volleyball team was swept by the Timberline Blazers, 3-0, Tuesday, Sept. 19 in a home conference match. The Tornados …

Tenino gets back in win column with sweep of Ilwaco

The Tenino volleyball team bounced back from a loss to Seton Catholic with a sweep of Ilwaco on Monday, winning 25-12, 25-7, 25-19. The Beavers (4-3) handily took care of business against the …

Mountaineers fend off T-Wolves

The Rainier football team defended its home turf Friday, downing Morton-White Pass 56-26 in a non-league matchup. Jake Meldrum finished 5 for 10 for 130 yards, a touchdown and an interception …

Mozingo, Rodriguez run rampant to lead Loggers over Beavers

TENINO — More often than not in Onalaska, the game plan is simple, but effective. Get the ball into the hands of Kayden Mozingo and Rodrigo Rodriguez. With those two at the helm, the …

Mountaineers football top Timberwolves 52-26 in home opener

By Dylan Reubenking dylan@yelmonline.com Following a three-game road trip to open the season, the Rainier High School football team played in front of its home crowd for the first time on …

Shorthanded Beavers lose in Vancouver

Down a couple of starters, the Tenino volleyball team lost in three sets to Seton Catholic in a non-league matchup, 25-19, 25-16, 25-9. Addyson Sutherland led the Beavers (3-3) with six kills, …

Beavers fall in non-league tuneup to Crosspoint

The Tenino girls soccer team made the long trip to Poulsbo on Thursday, losing 3-1 to Crosspoint Academy in a non-league matchup that still left it happy with the day. “To be honest, this …

Opinion

Community Column: Finding right path key to success

As the world becomes increasingly dynamic and interconnected, the importance of making informed decisions about education, training and employment has never been more evident. Yelm Community Schools …

Back to Business: Banning trucks running on diesel, natural gas is reckless

There is an axiom: Don’t let “the perfect” get in the way of the good! That is important to remember when it comes to improving our air quality. While climate activists want to …

Inslee right to support individual tutoring to help students make up for COVID learning loss

By Liv Finne Washington Policy Center Earlier this year Senator John Braun (R-Centralia) introduced SB 5248 to provide funding for individual tutoring to help students recover from the …

Letter to the editor: Green Hill School needs personnel, systemic reform

This letter is regarding the search warrant that was just executed on Green Hill School by the Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team (JNET). Green Hill School is the state of Washington’s long-term …

Being Frank: Crabbers must be accountable for their share of the harvest

Our shared natural resources are our shared responsibility. Following federal Judge Edward Rafeedie’s 1994 ruling in U.S. v. Washington, state and tribal co-managers have a legal …
Obituaries
Let's Remember Tractor Bob Rumsey 9/16/1928 - 8/15/2023
Drop in and reminisce on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. at Rainier Chapel, 206 Binghamton Street, Rainier, Washington 98576.98576.
In Loving Memory Of Alexandria “Allie” Rose Pennington: Jan. 1, 1996-July 30, 2022
We’ve had a year to process the enormity of losing our dearest Allie. As we continue discovering all of the ways in which we miss her, the thing that we — her family — keeps …
In Loving Memory of Kazuko ‘Katy’ Hicks: 1975-2023
Kazuko “Katy” Elizabeth Hicks, passed away on June 15, 2023, at her home in Rainier. She was a wonderful mother, sister, daughter and friend to many. We will miss her so very much. She …
In Loving Memory of Cathryn ‘Katie’ Lenz: 1971 - 2023
Katie (Henderson Mires) Lenz passed away on May 22, 2023, to join the angels of heaven and to be with the Lord. Born April 4, 1971, she spent all of her school years in Yelm, graduating from …
In Loving Memory of John Heymann: Feb. 4,1943 — March 29, 2023
John W. Heymann moved on to his eternal rest on March 29, 2023 at 80 years old.  He was born and grew up in Brooklyn, New York. After graduating from Archbishop Stepinac High School, he …