Local news
Washington State Parks says budget cuts won’t undermine visitor access or services this summer
Though Washington State Parks, like other parts of state government, did not make it through this year’s legislative session with its budget unscathed, park visitors shouldn’t notice any …
Washington state officials warn of wildfire risks from Fourth of July fireworks
Firefighters and public lands managers are urging Washington residents to use extra caution when setting off fireworks this Fourth of July due to dry conditions.  “We’ve already …
Thurston County commissioner assists at scene of rollover crash in Centralia
Thurston County Commissioner Wayne Fournier, who is also a full-time firefighter in Grays Harbor County, found himself in the right place at the right time to assist victims of a crash in Centralia …
‘Butter Sweet’ bakery gaining popularity in Rainier
Local baker Grace Robinson needed something to do. The Michigan native was living at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in 2019 with her husband and firstborn when she got the idea to start making sugar …
Rainier School District celebrates two retirements
Last month, the Rainier School District celebrated the retirements of Chris Rearden and Sue White after their combined 54 years of service to the district. Rearden, a special education teacher at the …
Ballots for Thurston County primary election mailed to military and overseas voters
Attention military members and overseas voters: The Thurston County Auditor’s Elections Division recently mailed over 8,000 primary election ballots for county districts that have a primary. To …
Marriage license fee to increase by $100 starting July 27; couples encouraged to apply early
The cost to get hitched in Thurston County is about to go up. On July 27, a newly approved $100 state surcharge will go into effect for all marriage licenses in the county, increasing the total cost …
Rosemont celebrates third annual prom for senior residents
In what has become a budding tradition, Prestige Senior Living Rosemont held its third annual prom for senior residents on Saturday, June 21. Dubbed “A Night to Remember,” this …
Yelm Senior Center director expresses appreciation for support from city
During a Yelm City Council meeting on Tuesday, June 24, Jeanie James, volunteer executive director at Yelm Senior Center, took to the podium for a special presentation and to thank the City of Yelm …
Runners flock to Yelm-Rainier-Tenino Trail for YARD color run
The second annual color run, hosted by Youth Athletics Recreation Development (YARD), was a massive success for the local athletic organization as 118 runners hit the Yelm-Rainier-Tenino trail on …
Yelm City Council approves appointment of Robert Bailey to planning commission
With the appointment of David Johnstone to the Yelm City Council last month, Mayor Joe DePinto has officially filled Johnstone’s vacancy on the Yelm Planning Commission as city councilors …
Rising food insecurity in Lewis, Mason and Thurston counties drives record demand for local agency’s Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program
Farmers market season just started, but older adults in Lewis, Mason and Thurston counties have already claimed every available benefit card for Lewis-Mason-Thurston Area Agency on Aging’s …
State & Regional News
Dueling Democrats: Washington state House member looks to unseat senator from her own party
Two Democratic state lawmakers are set to clash in 2026 in one of the party’s strongholds in western Washington. State Rep. Cindy Ryu has launched a campaign to unseat Sen. Jesse Salomon, …
July’s new and increased taxes and fees just the start for Washington state residents
As of Tuesday, a slew of new and increased charges, taxes and fees went into effect in Washington state. This year’s legislative session saw lawmakers approve a tax increase package …
With approval of GOP megabill, Washington state braces for food stamp cuts
About 170,000 Washingtonians stand to lose food stamp benefits under the Republican megabill that passed Congress Thursday, state officials estimate. Of those, 137,000 face obstacles from more …
Washington’s historian closes the book on a storied career in a melancholy mood
John C. Hughes is, at root, a storyteller. As he marks the end of a nearly six-decade career that spanned hot-type newspapering on the coast to crafting the biographical record of Washington’s …
Over 600 fires spark urgent warning ahead of Independence Day
With the Fourth of July just days away, Public Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove urged caution on Wednesday after some 600 fires in Washington state have already started this season.  The …
Washington state forest health survey finds 545,000 acres of stressed or dead trees
More than half a million acres of trees spread across Washington were sick, struggling, or dead last year, according to the results of an aerial survey of forests by the state’s Department of …
Feds look at new way to get food stamp data from Washington and other states
The Trump administration is taking a new approach in its attempt to snatch personal data of food stamp recipients from states.  The latest move has renewed worries from advocates that the …
ICE transfers detainees from Alaska prison back to Washington state
The Alaska Department of Corrections announced that 35 men arrested and detained by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement from out of state and held at the Anchorage Correctional Complex were …
Report: Washington state has third-highest childcare costs in the U.S.
Child care is a significant expense for families nationwide, but a new report from personal finance website and app WalletHub finds it especially challenging in Washington state. “For …
Life

Rising food insecurity in Lewis, Mason and Thurston counties drives record demand for local agency’s Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program

Farmers market season just started, but older adults in Lewis, Mason and Thurston counties have already claimed every available benefit card for Lewis-Mason-Thurston Area Agency on Aging’s …
Swerve Strickland is one of eight total AEW wrestlers included on a promotional poster for tapings of Collision and Dynamite in Kent.

Former AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland talks PNW roots, historic three-year run 

Since Swerve Strickland signed with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and made his debut at AEW Revolution, a pay-per-view on March 6, 2022, he’s quickly climbed the ranks of the promotion and become …
Mark Schult's scratchboard water color piece "Twilight at the Liberty Theater" is displayed at The Atrium on Tuesday, June 17.

Thurston County recognizes winners of second annual art contest

Thurston County announced and recognized the winners of its second annual art contest during its Tuesday board meeting. Winning artwork for the contest, which was themed “Homegrown and …
Keith Phillips of the Tenino Stone Carvers works on a piece at the Tenino Stone City Arts Festival on Saturday, June 14.

In focus: Local culture on display at Tenino Stone City Arts Festival

Families cool off at the newly reopened Tenino Quarry Pool during Tenino Family Fun Day held at Tenino City Park on Saturday, June 22, 2024.

Tenino Quarry Pool set to open for summer season Saturday

City of Tenino staff are preparing to open the Tenino Quarry Pool for the summer season this Saturday, June 21, from noon to 6 p.m., coinciding with the Tenino Family Fun Day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., …

  • 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
About 10 years ago, Wayne Fournier, Michael Cade and Aslan Meade had nothing but a napkin and a dream. The trio met at the Sandstone Cafe & Quarry Bar in Tenino and discussed the future of …
Olympia Artesian Vodka is far from a typical vodka, according to a news release from Olympia Distilling Co. It’s a smooth, refined spirit with a story that stretches back more than a …
Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad is still reeling from the fire that destroyed its 28-span wooden trestle bridge between Mineral and Morton on April 30, but the railroad hasn’t lost any steam. …
The Dollar General Literacy Foundation has announced the award of $14,000 in literacy grants to Washington nonprofit organizations, libraries and schools. The funds are a part of a donation of …
Songbird Haven Farm, a King County incubator farm, will expand to include the Chehalis Farmers Market in June and the Southwest Washington Food Hub for its seventh season of farming. Songbird …
Sports

Rainier youth football franchise looking to fill spots before registration ends

The Rainier Jr. Mountaineers of the Thurston County Youth Football League are looking to fill spots for its tackle football teams before regular registration closes on July 15. Specifically, the club …
Former Yelm High School athletic director, Rob Hill, soaks in the environment at Husky Stadium prior to YHS football's 3A state championship matchup with Bellevue in December of 2023.

Longtime FFA adviser Matt Mounts hired as YHS athletic director

A new era is underway in Yelm High School’s athletic department, as longtime FFA adviser and agriculture teacher Matt Mounts has been hired as the new YHS athletic director and will oversee …

‘Both feet in’: Yelm football coach holds meet and greet with public

The Rex Norris era at Yelm High School has officially begun. After spending a week with players and current assistant coaches, including a jamboree at Pacific Lutheran that served as the finale to …
Yelm athlete Quinten Loomis breaks a tackle during a spring scrimmage against Sumner at Pacific Lutheran University on Thursday, June 19.

Tornados test their spring progress at Pacific Lutheran University

Just days after announcing Rex Norris as head football coach, the Yelm High School Tornados traveled up the road to Pacific Lutheran University to conclude spring practices with a jamboree showcase …

Tenino student grows as athlete, teammate and leader in Nyastrong Warriors Academy

Incoming Tenino Elementary School fifth grader Kora Hadaller has played a big part in the Nyastrong Warriors Academy’s (NWA) success as a youth basketball team. The NWA program aims to honor …
Rex Norris

YCS selects Rex Norris as Tornados head football coach

Yelm High School has chosen its next football coach, the Nisqually Valley News has confirmed. Rex Norris, who served as head coach for the Eatonville Cruisers the past two seasons, will take over a …
A Yelm defensive back awaits the next play during spring football practice at Yelm High School on Thursday, June 5.

Yelm football begins spring practice without head coach

For the first time in over a decade, the Yelm High School football team started its spring practices without the guidance of head coach Jason Ronquillo. Worse, they started without a head coach, …

AEW’s Collision and Dynamite tapings rock ShoWare Center in Kent

“Hangman” Adam Page moonsaults off the top turnbuckle in AEW Dynamite’s main event against The Beast Mortos on Wednesday, June 25 at the ShoWare Center.

For the first time in eight months, All Elite Wrestling (AEW) returned to the Evergreen State and presented three televised shows to a rowdy audience inside the ShoWare Center in Kent. The first of …

Three Yelm athletes sign to continue sports at collegiate level

Yelm High School athletes Salma DIaz (left), Austin Hitchner (center), and Layah Hicks (right) smile for a photo on Friday, June 6 as they celebrate their ceremonious signings.

Three Yelm High School seniors who excel in two different sports celebrated together on Friday, June 6, inside YHS as they each signed to their respective programs to continue athletics at the …

Yelm High School’s athletic trainer reflects on five-year tenure working with athletes

Yelm High School athletic trainer Brittany Babkirk tends to an injured Tornados football player.

Brittany Babkirk has been an unsung hero of Yelm High School athletics for five years. Beginning her role as athletic trainer during the 2020-21 school year — when COVID-19 brought the world to …

Opinion
Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, looks through documents during the legislative session at the Washington state Capitol in Olympia on Friday, April 25.

John Braun: No one likes gas tax, but it isn’t the main driver of our high fuel prices

Many people are unhappy about the recent hike in the state fuel tax, especially since the average prices for gas and diesel were already much higher here than in every state except California and …
Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez smiles during a tour of Napavine High School’s CTE program at the Tiger Sandbox on Tuesday, April 22.

Gluesenkamp Perez: With vote on big bill, Congress makes terrain more uneven for hardworking families

Editor’s note: Following is the full statement of U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, following the U.S. House passage of the budget reconciliation bill best known as the Big …

Commentary: Changes made — and not made — to the WA Cares in 2025

Let’s start with a change that was not made to the WA Cares fund in 2025. Lawmakers did not pass a law requiring recertification from people who received exemptions from WA Cares because they …
Don C. Brunell is a business analyst, writer, and columnist. He retired as president of the Association of Washington Business, the state’s oldest and largest business organization, and now lives in Vancouver. You can contact him at theBrunells@msn.com.

Commentary: Grades alone cannot measure knowledge and skill

With high school and college commencements wrapping up, employers now worry about the graduates’ preparedness to enter the work world. This year, 3.9 million students graduated from our …
Thurston District 4 Commissioner Wayne Fournier is sworn-in during a ceremony at The Atrium in Olympia on Tuesday, Dec. 17.

Fournier : Growth, planning and the Thurston County of tomorrow

Every month, more than 300 new residents move to Thurston County. You can see the impact: rooftops rising, traffic thickening and housing costs climbing. When I took office as a Thurston County …
Obituaries
In Loving Memory of Joseph Agosto: 1963-2025
Joseph Vincent Agosto II, born on January 14, 1963, in Spanaway, Washington, departed this world on May 12, 2025, in Rainier, Washington. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend, …
In Loving Memory of Ed Rhodes
Edward “Ed” Harry Rhodes was born in Seattle Washington, to Dale and Edna Rhodes. He was the eldest of two children.     Ed was predeceased by his son Wes …
In Loving Memory of David Cook: 1957-2025
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of David W. Cook on March 25, 2025, in Centralia, Washington. David was born to Laurence Cook and Lorraine (Tolliver) Cook on March 30, 1957, in Colville, …
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 …
Community
Take a trip through our area’s rich history for July 3
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 • Puget Power was granted an …
Community Calendar: Lacey Fireworks Spectacular, Yelm Farmers Market, Shiplap Street Fest
Thursday, July 3 Lacey Fireworks Spectacular The annual Lacey Fireworks Spectacular features live entertainment, rides, face painting and, of course, a night of fireworks. The free festival is …
Take a trip through our area’s rich history for June 26
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 • Valley Trading Post, located on …
Community Calendar: Civic City Pride, Jazz in the Park, Color Fun Run
Friday, June 27-29 Capital City Pride Celebrate love in all forms at the three-day Capital City Pride festival in Olympia featuring live performances, visual art, music, and over 100 booths. The …
Take a trip through our area’s rich history for June 19
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 Yelm Fire Department received …