Local news
Woods says public records requests will be shared in board meeting packets going forward
Chris Woods, Yelm Community Schools (YCS) Superintendent, announced during a YCS Board of Directors meeting on Thursday, Oct. 22, that all public records requests toward the district would be shared …
YHS Performing Arts Booster Club donates $7,500 to supplement stipend for choir director
The Yelm High School Performing Arts Booster Club provided Yelm Community Schools (YCS) and Yelm High School (YHS) with some good and generous news during a YCS Board of Directors meeting on …
Yelm Parks and Recreation to host first annual Día de los Muertos event at Yelm City Park
The City of Yelm’s Parks and Recreation team will partner with The Crystal Chronicles Company to host their first ever Día de los Muertos celebration on Sunday, Nov. 1, bringing a tradition rooted …
YCS Superintendent says flashing safety beacons near RMS, YHS are up and operational
Measures to correct “significant safety issues” for Yelm Community Schools (YCS) students who walk to school at Yelm High School (YHS) or Ridgeline Middle School (RMS) have been made as of …
E. Wyatt Mendel calls on YCS to give the public an answer about bus footage sent to YPD
Community member E. Wyatt Mendel has frequented the podium during the community comment portion of Yelm Community Schools (YCS) Board of Director meetings, and did such once again on Thursday, Oct. …
Two juveniles in custody after football games canceled in Thurston County Friday
Two juveniles are now in custody after a pair of high school football games were canceled in Thurston County Friday amid threats of violence, according to information provided by school district and …
Mount Rainier National Park voted Washington’s No.1 ‘Spiritual Home’
“Where is your natural spiritual home? Some places have a way of putting a bad week in perspective. A mountain makes the office politics seem smaller. A familiar stretch of water brings back …
Washington suicide rate rises in 2025, with increases among youth, older adults and rural communities
At least 1,352 Washington residents died by suicide in 2025, at a rate of 15.5 deaths per 100,000 people, according to new data from the Washington state Department of Health (DOH). Adults 65 …
Thurston County Auditor’s Office has updated 58,000 voter registration records so far this year
The Thurston County Auditor’s Office is hard at work preparing for the Nov. 3 general election in Thurston County.  One aspect of that work that takes place year-round is updating voter …
Support sought for Thurston County boy, 11, diagnosed with aggressive cancer 
An 11-year-old Yelm boy was recently diagnosed with a terminal and aggressive form of cancer, and his family is now seeking support from the community to assist with medical costs, missed wages and …
Lacey driver injured in crash on I-5 in Thurston County
A driver was injured when he struck a ditch and a sign on southbound Interstate 5 in Lacey on Friday, Oct. 23.  The driver, identified by the Washington State Patrol as Cameron C. Grunberg, …
FESS seeks community partners to bring holiday hope to local families
For many families, the holiday season is a time of excitement, traditions and making memories together. “But for families facing financial hardship, the holidays can also bring a painful …
State & Regional News
Trump administration to send election monitors to Idaho’s largest county
The Trump administration is sending election monitors to Idaho’s largest county on Election Day next week, the state’s top election official confirmed Wednesday. The decision comes as the …
Business group pushes to open Oregon land for industry ahead of 2027 session
Oregon should open up a “phantom supply” of land in the state for economic development by creating a $250 million industrial site readiness fund, expanding local programs allowing industries to …
More than a third of western states’ glacial cover has been lost since 1950s as planet warms
Seven western states, including Oregon, have lost more than one-third of their glacial cover since 1950 and more than 300 glaciers in those states have disappeared entirely as the earth has rapidly …
Bird flu spreads to Washington dairy farms
Bird flu is hitting Washington dairy farms and it’s spreading fast.  The Washington State Department of Agriculture confirmed the first detections in two Yakima County dairy herds in …
Washington’s election chief says federal noncitizen voting list includes citizens
Washington’s top election official is calling on federal authorities to provide more evidence that the state’s voter rolls include hundreds of noncitizens, as a preliminary investigation reveals …
Gov. Bob Ferguson appoints fraud prevention officer, GOP criticizes timing
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson signed an executive order Tuesday creating the state’s first Chief Fraud Prevention Officer and a statewide fraud prevention workgroup to coordinate and expand on …
Amid legal concerns, Washington suspends contribution limits for candidates and PACs
Washington state’s campaign finance enforcers are allowing candidates for legislative and Supreme Court seats to spend as much of their own money on their campaigns in the final days of this …
Pierce County weighs appointed sheriff in major shift for law enforcement
One week until Election Day and Pierce County voters are considering several amendments, including two that would dramatically change the office of the sheriff. Amendment 53 asks Pierce County …
‘Capitulation to dark money’: Critics slam Washington PDC decision to suspend donation caps
A recent decision from Washington's regulatory body for campaign donations is drawing criticism from both sides of the political spectrum. The chair of the Washington State Republican party says …
Life

Providence Swedish Mobile Health Clinic brings care to residents displaced by Tumwater apartment blaze

When an apartment fire in Tumwater occurred Oct. 15, it left dozens of residents unable to return home. Some of the residents also lost access to essentials like oxygen, insulin and heart medications …

In Focus: Fire and Ice charity basketball game pits the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office against local firefighters

On Saturday night, a matchup between Thurston County Sheriff's Office employees and local firefighters — better known as the Fire and Ice charity basketball game — was held at Tumwater High …
Rory Aldana drives into the lane against Tony Dominguez during the Fire and Ice charity basketball game at Tumwater High School on Saturday, Nov. 22.

Sheriff's Office v. Firefighters: Fire and Ice charity basketball game is Oct. 24

Local firefighters and Thurston County Sheriff’s Office employees will hit the hardwood on Saturday, Oct. 24, for the fourth annual Fire and Ice charity basketball game at Tumwater High School. …

The WET Science Center’s fall lineup brings the outdoors inside

With rain in the forecast and cooler temperatures, it’s time to find affordable ways to have fun inside.  The WET Science Center is ready to help!  Most middle schoolers in …
Thurston County Sheriff’s Office Detective Hannah Ritter, and one of the newer recruits to the department, Gus, arrive at Yelm Community Center — where the K9 was introduced to the community at a town hall meeting with Sheriff Derek Sanders on Wednesday, Oct. 7.

Meet Gus: Thurston County Sheriff’s Office introduces newest K9 member

Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders, accompanied by his executive staff and senior officers, held a town hall at the Yelm Community Center on Wednesday, Oct. 7.  Setting aside the usual …

  • 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
Business
In January 2021, Lewis County-based CT Publishing entered the world of journalism, purchasing The Chronicle in Centralia, the Nisqually Valley News in Yelm, and The Reflector in Clark County. …
With construction of Jolene Unsoeld Community Park set to begin this fall, the Olympia community is raising concerns about what the development means to a longstanding berry stand on the property. …
Talent turnover is accelerating, technology is reshaping roles, and the gap between what workers expect and what employers are offering is widening. These challenges, and the opportunities they …
TransAlta Centralia is expected to begin operations generating power through burning natural gas by 2028 and cease all burning of fossil fuels by a state deadline of 2044. The Washington state …
Providence St. Peter Hospital’s heart care program recently enhanced its outpatient cardiology services as well as hospital-based interventional, electrophysiology, structural heart, cardiothoracic …
Sports

Yelm boys cross country team finishes in fourth place at SPSL championship race

Yelm's Marcos Andujar crosses the finish line at the South Puget Sound League Championships at Fort Steilacoom Park on Thursday, Oct. 22.
Quenton Lanese accomplished the first of what he hopes is three consecutive championships in his sophomore postseason. The Olympia cross country phenom earned his first career South Puget Sound …

Yelm blows out Bethel for David Temple’s first win as head coach

The Yelm girls soccer team finished its regular season with a bang, routing Bethel 7-1 at home on Tuesday, Oct. 28 to give first-year head coach David Temple his first victory. Yelm had scored …

Yelm swept by Puyallup in season finale

The Yelm volleyball team was swept by Puyallup 25-13, 25-19, 25-11, at home in its regular season finale on Tuesday, Oct. 27. Yelm celebrated its six seniors on senior night: Riley Smith, …

Mountaineers sweep Pirates to cap regular season

The Rainier volleyball team picked up a victory on its Senior Night on Monday night, as the Mountaineers swept Adna 25-8, 25-17, 25-11. “They played great as a team and we finished our season …

Rainier clinches crossover berth with win over Toutle Lake

The Rainier football team clinched a postseason berth on Saturday, when the Mountaineers defeated Toutle Lake 62-24. The Mountaineers were rolling on offense throughout the first half, as they …

Yelm can’t complete rally in loss to Spanaway Lake

The Yelm football team put forth its best effort of the season, falling just short on the road to Spanaway Lake 28-21 on Thursday, Oct. 22. After Spanaway Lake took a 14-0 lead in the second …

Yelm swept by Spanaway Lake

The Yelm volleyball team fell to Spanaway Lake in a sweep (25-19, 25-15, 25-21) in its penultimate game of the regular season. Yelm was led by Riley Smith with 11 digs and four aces, while Kora …

Toledo’s Hill, Rainier’s Robles triumph for second straight league titles

Toledo’s Conner Hill competes in the 3,200 run during the state track and field championships at Zaepfel Stadium in Yakima on Saturday, May 30.

Two of the area’s biggest stars continued their quest for state hardware with some bragging rights amongst their C2BL competition. Conner Hill of Toledo and Komaire Robles from Rainier both …

Loggers keep pace atop standings with sweep of Mountaineers

Onalaska

In one of the most highly anticipated C2BL contests this season, the Onalaska High School volleyball team brought out the brooms and posted a 25-15, 26-24, 25-20 sweep versus Rainier on Thursday …

Yelm seniors Taylor, Andujar dominate in final home meet at Yelm Tornado 5K

Yelm

Marcos Andujar and Deejay Taylor are shining examples of how the Yelm cross country program’s culture is working. Yelm’s two top senior runners are barreling toward postseason success in the …

Opinion
Letters to the editor can be submitted to news@thurstonchronicle.com.

Timberland Regional Library services make our region stronger and a better place to call home

My first memory of a library is from when I was maybe 3 years old. My hometown library was small, and I remember one particular shelf — it was low to the ground, and the books had yellow spines, …
Letters to the editor can be submitted to news@thurstonchronicle.com.

Letter to the Editor: Ratepayers need a watchdog, not another utility insider

This March, my aunt, a senior on a fixed income, handed me her Thurston PUD water bill. The mandatory base charges and fees on her statement were 14 times the cost of the actual water she consumed. …
The Washington state Capitol is pictured from Heritage Park in Olympia on Tuesday, Feb. 3.

Opinion: How to get Washington’s business climate back on track

The check engine light for Washington’s business climate is flashing. In July, the Association of Washington Businesses (AWB) held a summit with small businesses, policymakers, and …
Wayne Fournier is a firefighter, Thurston County commissioner and former mayor who has spent more than three decades working in public safety.

Wayne Fournier: Considering the most important thing a law enforcement officer carries

When I first took office as a 32-year-old city council member, I immediately had a problem sitting on my desk that I didn't fully understand. It was 2012. We had a brash, unprepared new mayor …
The possibility of removing four Snake River dams — Ice Harbor Dam, Lower Monumental Dam, Little Goose Dam and Lower Granite Dam — has long been a contentious one that has generally split along party lines. Shown is the Ice Harbor Lock and Dam, the first of four dams constructed as part of the Lower Snake River Project, authorized in the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1945. (Photo by Columbia River System Operations EIS)

Commentary: What people and computers say about the Northwest power supply

When you use an artificial intelligence system like ChatGPT, what it gives you depends on the prompt you enter. The answer is likely to be most useful if the prompt is carefully crafted. This …
Obituaries
In loving memory of Christine Schneider: 1957 - 2026
  The beloved daughter of Shirley Rodger, Christine Schneider, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. Christine was born Feb. 4, 1957, to Larry and Shirley Rodger in …
In loving memory of Garry James Brown: 1952-2026
Garry James Brown, D.O., born Sept. 22, 1952, in Olympia, Washington, passed away Sept. 19, 2026, at the age of 73 in Olympia after living with pancreatic cancer for two years. Garry lived a …
In Loving Memory of Robert Pape: 1939 - 2025
Robert A. Pape was born Oct. 11, 1939, and passed away Dec. 17, 2025. A celebration of life will be held Sept. 19, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. The service will be held at Mills & Mills Funeral …
In Loving Memory of Steven Demich: 1957 - 2026
Though he will be deeply missed, Steve’s spirit lives on in the countless lives he touched over the years. “A smile costs nothing, but gives so much.” Those who knew Steve know that he …
In loving memory of David Edwards: 1950 - 2025
Celebration of Life  David Edwards 11/9/1950 - 12/25/2025 Saturday, May 2nd, 2026 5 p.m. Yelm Moose Lodge
Community
Community Calendar for Dec. 18: Worthy Coffee Co. Santa photos, Souper Sunday at Yelm Lions Club, YARD’s ‘Level Up Lounge’ grand opening
Friday, Dec. 19 Yelm boys basketball hosts Puyallup Yelm High School’s boys basketball team will host the 4A SPSL’s Puyallup High School at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 19, inside the YHS gymnasium. …
Community Calendar for Dec. 4: Free pictures with Santa, Christmas in the Park activities, 14th annual Yelm Lions Christmas Store, Santa Story and Ice Cream Social
Friday, Dec. 5 Free pictures with Santa The City of Yelm’s parks and recreation department will host free pictures with Santa from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5, at the Yelm Community …
Community Calendar for November 27: Tenino Holiday Market, Christmas in the Park tree lighting ceremony, Free pictures with Santa
Friday, Nov. 28 to Sunday Nov. 30 Tenino Holiday Market The 2025 Tenino Holiday Market will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 28, Saturday, Nov. 29, and Sunday, Nov. 30, at The Kodiak …
Community Calendar for November 20: Prestige Senior Living Rosemont’s Christmas Bazaar, Tenino Holiday Market, Christmas in the Park tree lighting ceremony
Saturday, Nov. 22 Prestige Senior Living Rosemont’s Christmas Bazaar Prestige Senior Living Rosemont, located 215 Killion Rd NW, will host its Christmas Bazaar event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on …
Community Calendar for November 13: Prestige Senior Living Rosemont’s Christmas Bazaar, Tenino Holiday Market, Christmas in the Park tree lighting ceremony, Free pictures with Santa
Saturday, Nov. 22 Prestige Senior Living Rosemont’s Christmas Bazaar Prestige Senior Living Rosemont, located 215 Killion Rd NW, will host its Christmas Bazaar event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on …