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 Yelm City Council Rejects 1% Property Tax Levy Increase
The Yelm City Council opted not to increase its property tax levy by the 1% allowed for by law at its Nov. 23 council meeting, following the conclusion of a public hearing on the matter. Yelm …
Thurston Chamber Celebrates 2021 Boss of the Year Honorees
The Nisqually Indian Tribe’s Bob Iyall, of Medicine Creek Enterprise Corporation, was recognized as one of the Thurston County Chamber 2021 Boss of the Year honorees. The chamber announced …
Application Period for WSU Master Gardeners of Thurston County Now Open
The application period for the 2022 Washington State University Master Gardener Volunteer Training program is now open. The training is presented by the Thurston County WSU Extension Master …
Nisqually Indian Tribe Works to Transform Learning Spaces
With the completion of Yelm Middle School, Yelm Community Schools has partnered with the Nisqually Indian Tribe to infuse tribal art, culture and significance into the very fabric of the building, …
Yelm Community Schools Addresses Learning Loss During Pandemic
The Yelm Community Schools (YCS) board of directors discussed learning recovery, or loss, at the Nov. 23 school board meeting in an effort to dissect the challenges students will face coming out of …
Thurston County Sees a Decrease of More Than 200 Week-Over-Week COVID Cases
There were 295 new COVID-19 cases and five new deaths associated with the virus were reported in Thurston County during the period of Nov. 22 to Nov. 28. The prior week there were 536 COVID-19 …
Nisqually Valley Happenings: Community Calendar for Dec. 2
Editor’s Note: Events and meetings in this list are compiled by Nisqually Valley News staff on a periodic basis, oftentimes weeks in advance. Email event and meeting submissions to …
Yelm To Light Up Tree, Menorah in Holiday Gatherings
Yelm will hold two separate events to brighten up the holiday season this year at Yelm City Park, as it lights up the community Christmas tree and a giant menorah. The Lights at Night and …
Take a Trip Through Our Community’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 - University of …
Sirens: Catalytic Converter Stolen at Auto Store; Yelm Police Respond to Domestic Violence Call; Shoplifting Reported at Walmart; Wallet Found and Returned to Police
Sirens - Yelm Police Department Catalytic Converter Stolen at Auto Store Emerald City Car Care reported a theft at their store on Tuesday, Nov. 23 at 10:30 a.m. According to the responding …
S.E. Thurston Fire Authority to Hold Practice Burn on Residence in Yelm
The S.E. Thurston Fire Authority will conduct a practice burn on a house located at Tahoma Boulevard and Berry Valley Drive in Yelm on Saturday, Dec. 4. Volunteer coordinator Dan Stewart, who is …
Thurston County History Book ‘Water, Woods & Prairies’ Reprint Now For Sale
The popular “Thurston County: Water, Woods & Prairies” book, which sold out last year, has been reprinted. This version includes a new introduction, dedication and updates and is now …
In Focus: Maytown’s Christmas Island Lights Up
South Thurston Fire and EMS Fire Protection District 12 to Build New Station
The South Thurston Fire and EMS Fire Protection District 12’s bond measure to replace its current headquarters tallied up 61.61% of voters in favor of the measure, or 1,056 votes, as tabulated …
Holiday Donations Wish List Offers Joy to Senior and Disabled Residents
During the holiday season, the Lewis-Mason-Thurston Area Agency on Aging produces a wish list for senior citizens and disabled clients. Traditionally, donors shop for items on the wish list and …
Christmas in the Park Parade Canceled
The Christmas in the Park parade has been canceled this year due to lack of interest from potential participants. The Christmas in the Park Facebook page posted an update detailing the change in …
Woman Arrested After Stabbing Boyfriend on East Yelm Avenue
A woman was arrested and booked into the Thurston County Jail for assault in the second degree after allegedly stabbing her boyfriend in the back with a knife near the 1400 block of East Yelm Avenue on …
Following Interviews, Tenino Mayor Expects to Have Decision on Police Chief This Week
Tenino’s next police chief will likely be named later this week. That’s according to Mayor Wayne Fournier, who said Friday that the city was wrapping up the process to select the …
Providence Expands Visitation at Southwest Washington Facilities
In response to lower COVID-19 hospitalizations at the facility and an ample supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Providence has expanded its visitation policies at facilities in Southwest …
Yelm Community Services Serves Up Thanksgiving With Plentiful Bounty
Yelm Community Services stuffed Thanksgiving full of fresh food and turkey this year at a Tuesday, Nov. 22 special Thanksgiving distribution. Cindy Marchand-Cecil, the executive director of Yelm …
State & Regional News
 Survey: More Than 6,000 Nurses are Needed in Hospitals Throughout Washington
The nursing shortage is a pressing reality for hospitals across Washington. A recent survey from the Washington State Hospital Association, which included responses from 80 hospitals that have 85% …
As Opposition Grows, Washington's Long-Term Care Tax to See Fixes in Legislature This Session
Support for Washington state's long-term care benefit program is divisive, but 51% of Washington residents support the program, according to an AARP poll published this fall. A third of residents …
As Winter Approaches, Health Officials Likely Won't Lift Pandemic-Related Restrictions Anytime Soon
OLYMPIA — State health officials won't be lifting pandemic-related mandates anytime soon, but Gov. Jay Inslee hinted Thursday at what the end might look like. The biggest things Inslee is …
Bridges, Roads Likely to Hold Up During Cascadia Earthquake, But May Take Time to Fully Reopen
OLYMPIA — The big one. The 9.0 magnitude Cascadia earthquake that experts say will change the West Coast forever. No one knows when, but scientists are pretty certain it will hit. Since the …
Thousands of Pounds of Pot Destroyed in Washington State
(The Center Square) – Officials in Washington state this week destroyed some 13,000 pounds of marijuana plants in Touchet, a rural area southeast of Yakima. The state Liquor and Cannabis Board …
Outdoor Recreation's Contribution to Washington, National Economy Dips During Pandemic
The outdoor recreation's contribution to the U.S. economy shrank 19%  from 2019 to 2020 and employment in that sector fell by 17.1%, according to a report conducted by the Bureau of Economic …
More Than 10 Million COVID-19 Doses Administered in Washington
Washington state's public health system has administered more than 10 million COVID-19 vaccine doses this year, with those numbers continuing to increase as children ages 5 to 11 can now get …
State Sen. Hobbs To Replace Wyman as Secretary of State
OLYMPIA — State Sen. Steve Hobbs will be the new Washington Secretary of State. Hobbs, a Democrat from Snohomish County, will take over for Kim Wyman Nov. 22 as she begins her job in the …
Staffing Shortages at DOT Could Mean Closed Roads, Decreased Service This Winter
OLYMPIA — This winter,  cold, snowy weather is in the forecast. Now add long road closures. Staff shortages have hit the Department of Transportation, which is down about 300 people. …
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Business
There are good solid reasons to sell your house in January rather than waiting until the spring and summer seasons. Prices are still low for the next house you’ll buy.  If you’re …
The Nisqually Moose Lodge has been the site of several pop-up vendor events recently since the small business Pop Up Vendors Galore moved to Yelm. The business offers space for home-creators and …
After nearly 17 years in business, Tenino’s Scatter Creek Winery and Brewery is closing its doors on Dec. 23. Andrea Keary opened the business with her husband in February of 2005, but said …
Harbor Freight Tools plans to open a new location in Yelm, with a targeted soft opening set for late December, followed by a grand opening at the beginning of 2022. The planned location is in the …
Adam Cunningham, 46, of Yelm, is in the process of growing his part-time photography business, a venture that started in wildland firefighting, but has spanned to a second generation of Cunningham …
Sports

Beavers Put Up Offensive Showcase in Season Opener

Tenino had three players score in double digits as the Beavers used a potent offensive night to put away visiting Rochester 63-29 in the annual Scatter Creek Showdown at home on Thursday. Central …

Vikings Complete Comeback Over Mountaineers

Payton Torrey hit the go-ahead shot with two minutes left and Caelynn Marshall sealed the victory with a steal and breakaway layup with 11 seconds remaining as Mossyrock came back from an eight-point …

Beavers Edge Rainier for Second-Straight Win

Two games in a row now, the Tenino boys basketball team has not made it easy for coach Joe Chirhart’s blood pressure. But for the second-consecutive game, the Beavers gutted out a win, this …

Nyastrong Warriors Gear Up for New Season

Coach Richard Durham, now heading into his sixth year of coaching in Yelm and 12th year overall, believes in creating leaders through athletics. Durham is currently the head coach for the …

Beavers Pull Off Thrilling Comeback Over Warriors

TENINO — It was about the worst start Tenino could have wanted — and the best finish it could ask for. Tenino fell into a 12-3 hole to start the game then exploded for a 20-4 run in …

Brodzinski to Play Soccer at University of Minnesota-Crookston

Tayettin Brodzinski is a Yelm High School senior who defines what it means to be a student-athlete that goes above and beyond. Brodzinski plays a plethora of defensive positions for the girls …

Tornados End Season After Quarter Finals Loss to Tomahawks

The Tornados football team ended its season, and 10-game winning streak, in a state quarter finals loss to Marysville-Pilchuck High School, 39-21, on Saturday, Nov. 20 at home. Yelm High …

The Nisqually Valley News - December 2, 2021

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Life
The cafe in this old mining town in the Midwest opens at 6:30 a.m. weekday mornings. Three groups of locals cycle through every morning for breakfast and sit at the big dining area in the middle of …
Everyone could legitimately be “in recovery” for something. Not one of us goes through life without bumping into something or someone that hurts us. There are emotional burns, bruises, …
Our friend, David had an interesting Friday night. Husband and I were hoping to see him at a meeting, but at the last minute David realized his wallet was missing.  If you are like me, my …
Opinion
 Our Views: Supreme Court Must Approve Bipartisan Redistricting Maps
It’s not every day that the editorial boards of The Seattle Times and CT Publishing, the parent company of the Nisqually Valley News, are on the same page, but we find ourselves in full …
Commentary: State Is Painting Lipstick on Its One-of-a-Kind, Long-Term-Care Law
The more people hear about Washington’s coming long-term-care law and payroll tax, the less people like it — and for good reason.  A class-action lawsuit has been filed against it, an …
Brian Mittge Commentary: Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Advent
As I write this on Friday morning of Thanksgiving week (some noir fans call it Black Friday), our house is awaft with delicious smells and our family is already five hours into preparing to host the …
Letter to the Editor: I Thank Molly Carmody for her Public Service
The city of Yelm has lost an outstanding public servant with the resignation of council member Molly Carmody. Mayor-elect and fellow councilmember Joe DePinto said on his Facebook tribute, …
Brian Mittge Commentary: Join Lincoln and Washington in Giving Thanks
It’s no surprise to longtime readers of this column that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It’s not because of the food, although I love turkey as much as the next guy. (White meat, …
John McCroskey Commentary: Glaring Hypocrisy, From Vaccine Mandates to Glasgow
I’m not a fan of the mandatory vaccine push, but that doesn’t mean I’m anti-vaccination either.    But I’m a real fan of letting my doctor and I decide if …
Obituaries
In Loving Memory of Benjamin K. Charles Sr.: 1938-2021
Benjamin K. Charles Sr. died at the age of 83 years old on Oct. 28, 2021. He was born in Physt, Washington, to Phillip Lane and Rosalie (Thomas) Charles on March 22, 1938. Benjamin graduated from …
In Loving Memory of Linda Lou Edwards: 1949-2021
Linda Lou Edwards, loving wife, sister, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away from natural causes on Wednesday evening, Sept. 29, 2021 at home surrounded by family in Yelm, …
In Loving Memory of Janet Mercier Patrick: 1957-2021
On the morning of Oct. 18, 2021, Janet Mercier Patrick passed away with her family by her side in Spokane, Washington.  Janet was born to August and Darlene Mercier in 1957 in Olympia, …
Death notices

Death Notices: March 27, 2021

• KAMI SUE SILVA, 51, Vancouver, died March 20 at the Ray Hickey Hospice House, Vancouver. Arrangements are under the care of Fir lawn Funeral Chapel. • EDWIN MAYNARD WALLACE, 73, …

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