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 Republicans blast Dems’ proposal for new taxes to solve budget shortfall
Washington state Senate and House Democrats held news conferences to announce operations and transportation budget proposals on Monday, March 24. Republicans quickly condemned the budget …
Washington State Parks expands same-day camping reservations to all campgrounds
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is expanding its same-day reservation option to all parks with reservable campgrounds, according to a news release. Beginning this week, …
Former Roy police officer who shot two suspects in 2019 returns in reserve position
Former Roy police officer Christopher Johnson was sworn in as a reserve officer by Police Chief Paul Antista during a Roy City Council meeting on Monday, March 10. Johnson, along with former Roy …
Storwell Storage takes over Rainier Storage Lockers
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 …
Rep. Matt Marshall says he’s passionate about finding solutions for veteran depression, suicide
Republican Washington state Rep. Matt Marshall, a U.S. Army veteran, spoke to community members on Thursday, March 20, at Yelm’s town hall event and provided an update on what he’s been …
Rachel Grant finding her way as Thurston County Commissioner, looking for transportation solutions
Since being sworn in as a Thurston County commissioner on Tuesday, Dec. 17, Rachel Grant has been busy learning the duties of her role and finding solutions for ongoing issues in Yelm and elsewhere …
Community Calendar: Yelm, Rainier baseball and softball games; Dakota Poorman performs at 507 Taproom; Yelm FFA Plant Sale
Friday, March 28 Yelm baseball hosts Rogers The Yelm Tornados baseball team will host its second SPSL matchup of the season as the Rogers Rams are in town for a 4 p.m. matchup on Friday, …
Take a trip through our area’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 • …
Yelm student Riley Essenburg serves as page for Sen. Jim McCune
Riley Essenburg, a homeschooled student from Yelm, was one of 19 students who served as a Washington state Senate page for the eighth week of the 2025 legislative session. She spent the week working …
Olympia Film Society to screen ‘Fish War’; 80-minute documentary explores tribes’ fight for fishing rights
The Olympia Film Society will screen the documentary film “Fish War” at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 19. The 80-minute documentary concerning Native American fishing rights in the …
Former Yelm student and United States airman arrested on federal murder charges
Former Yelm Community Schools student and U.S. Airman Quinterius Charles Chappelle was arrested on Saturday, March 15, on federal charges for the murder of 21-year-old Indigenous woman Sahela …
Tornado outfielder named Washington Prep Baseball Report Hitter of the Week
Barrett Schnetz, a Yelm High School outfielder, started his final campaign in red and black on fire. After a week of baseball where he collected a hit in nearly every at-bat, the Tornado athlete is …

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State & Regional News
 Washington state lawmakers condemn protest at home of Democratic legislator
Lawmakers have sprung to the defense of a Washington state lawmaker who faced a protest at her home over the weekend. Rep. Tarra Simmons estimated 20-25 protesters showed up at her Bremerton …
Gov. Bob Ferguson cancels parole for man convicted of murdering three people
Washington state Gov. Bob Ferguson issued an order Tuesday afternoon canceling the planned release of convicted triple murderer Timothy Pauley. Ferguson’s decision reversed an order made …
Bill to amend parents’ bill of rights draws more criticism, some support in state Legislature
Monday’s public hearing on Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5181 before the House Education Committee saw supporters and detractors make their respective cases for and against the controversial …
Natural gas initiative backers plan to take their case to Washington state Supreme Court
Backers of Initiative 2066, which protects natural gas as an energy choice in Washington state, say they will take their case to the Washington Supreme Court after a judge’s ruling last week …
Republican-backed Washington state bill addresses ‘vexing problem’ of unlawful gun possession
A Republican-backed bill that cleared the Washington State Senate with a unanimous vote would impose mandatory community custody for anyone guilty of unlawful firearm possession. Community …
Washington state bill would speed up pardon reviews for immigrants facing deportation
Federal immigration law allows the government to deport a person for a decades-old criminal conviction, regardless of their ties to the United States and whether they’ve completed their …
Democrats in Washington state Legislature pitch competing budget plans
Democrats in Washington’s House and Senate agree on one thing when it comes to the state’s budget shortfall: it’ll take hefty taxes on wealthy individuals and companies to solve. …
Gov. Bob Ferguson cancels parole for man convicted of triple murder
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson on Tuesday reversed a decision by former Gov. Jay Inslee to allow a man convicted of a triple murder more than four decades ago to be released from state prison. …
Debate lingers over Washington state bill's impact on public health policies
Proponents and critics of a Washington state bill regarding public health continue to argue over the exact impacts it will have on matters such as vaccine mandates or restrictions in response to the …

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Life
Members of six local women's groups and small business owners pose for a photo with the Thurston County Board of Commissioners and county staff to celebrate Women's History Month at The Atrium on Tuesday, March 18.

Board of Thurston County Commissioners proclaim March as Women’s History Month

As part of increased efforts for community engagement, the Thurston County Board of Commissioners proclaimed March as Women’s History Month during its Tuesday, March 18, meeting. …
Just over a week after the groundbreaking ceremony was held for the Tenino Veterans Honor Roll Memorial Wall, work begins on laying the wall's foundation on Tuesday, March 18, at the Tenino City Park. Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 5878 in Tenino has partnered with the City of Tenino to build the new memorial, and sitll gathering donations to help pay for the wall's construction - $100 for a paving brick in the memorial and $1,000 for an honor-donor brick which will be in the wall itself. VFW Post 5878 Surgeon Frank Hicks, who has been heading up efforts to build the memorial for almost a decade, estimates the project will cost around $30,000 to complete. Those interested in purchasing either a paving brick or honor-donor brick to help fund the new monument can visit VFW Post 5878 in Tenino to fill out the donation form and make their donation, or contact the post for information on mailing a donation in. VFW Post 5878 is located at 285 Sussex Ave. E. in downtown Tenino. For more information, call VFW Post 5878 at 360-264-5420 or join the Friends of VFW Post 5878 Tenino, WA Facebook group at https://tinyurl.com/26ch7unr.

Work begins on Tenino Veterans Honor Roll Memorial Wall as organizers continue to seek donations

Preparation to lay the foundation for the new Tenino Veterans Honor Roll Memorial Wall officially began on the morning of Tuesday, March 18, as those involved with the project took measurements and …

Yelm High School choir previews Carnegie Hall performance in front of packed house

It was standing room only inside of the Yelm High School Performing Arts Center (PAC) during the evening hours of Wednesday, March 12, as the YHS choir previewed several of its movements in the …
Yelm Public Works Director Cody Colt provided community members with an update regarding a potential veterans memorial park in Yelm on Wednesday, March 12.

City working to secure funding for a veterans memorial park in Yelm

Cody Colt, Yelm’s public works director, is working diligently to secure funding to bring a Veterans Memorial Park into the city in order to honor the area’s veterans who’ve served …

Driving class for senior citizens to be held in Rainier

The Rainier Senior Center is hosting a senior driving class for residents 55 and older on Wednesday, March 26. The class will run from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and costs $15 to attend. Lunch will be …

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  • 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

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Business
Kasey Cartledge will support One Net Yelm in the Dancing Needles Tattoo fundraiser.
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 …
From left, Terry Gunter, Jacob Rodstrom and Steven Gamez pose for a photo at Acropolis Tattoo on Feb. 27.
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 …
America Arellano and Amador Rodriguez, right, pose with their children, left, in front of DARA Mexican Food in Rainier on Feb. 24.
Rainier has a new food option with the opening of DARA Mexican Food, a trailer located at 112 Binghamton St. next to Design N Signs. Upon opening on Feb. 10, owners Amador Rodriguez and America …
A community member drives an RC truck through the rocks at the Yelm RC park on Feb. 23.
When Casey Dobbins posted in the Yelm and Surrounding Areas Facebook group asking if anyone would be interested in seeing a park for remote control cars in town, he didn’t expect to see …
A group works on dry brushing during a class at Out Back Ceramics and Art Studio.
Jacqueline Wright has never considered Out Back Ceramics and Art Studio in Roy to be a business. When she moved to Roy in 1979 and the shop was built and opened a year later, she used it as a …

The Nisqually Valley News - March 20, 2025

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Sports

Anderson, Cruse ignite Mountaineers past Tigers

Three runs in the top of the fifth – all with two outs and all by Keira Anderson and Ryleigh Cruse – the Rainier High School softball team secured a 10-7 non-league win over Napavine on …
Yelm baseball second baseman Parker Myers awaits a pitch against the Camas Papermakers on Saturday, March 22.

Yelm baseball looks to build confidence early in SPSL season

Yelm High School’s head baseball coach Dakota Hill knows that iron sharpens iron, and with three competitive ball clubs on the non-conference schedule, he knew the Tornados’ early season …
Yelm High School's softball team defeated the Olympia Bears 18-4 on Thursday, March 20.

Yelm softball team gains momentum with walk-off win, blowout victories over Oly, Bethel

The pouring rain during the Yelm softball team’s last two home contests wasn’t enough to put out the Tornados’ offensive fire, as the team outscored the Olympia Bears and the Bethel …
Rainier's Josh Meldrum runs during the 4x100 relay at the Rainier Icebreaker at Rainier High School on Saturday, March 22.

Rainier track and golf teams start strong, baseball and softball notch first wins

It was a busy week for Rainier High School athletics. The boys and girls track teams began their seasons at Chief Leschi on March 18, before hosting the Ice Breaker Invitational on Saturday, March …
Tumwater's Sydney Sumrok shoots a three during the Southwest Washington Senior All-Star Game at Centralia College on March 23.

Askey leads B’s Past A’s in CC Senior All-Star Game

When Rainier’s Angelica Askey first stepped on the floor for warmups at Centralia College on Sunday afternoon, she wasn’t feeling super confident. “Going in, it felt like my …
Toledo's Haylee Wolfe looks ahead as she runs the 1,600-meter race at the Rainier Icebreaker at Rainier High School on Saturday, March 22.

Battle-tested Mountaineers claim top prize at Rainier Icebreaker

RAINIER — Success in cross country may not always translate to success in track and field at the high school level. But for the Rainier Mountaineers, it might. One-third of their …

Rainier rallies late to topple Toutle Lake

The Rainier baseball team had no answers offensively through five innings against Toutle Lake on Wednesday, but the Mountaineers rallied in the sixth and held on to come away with a 5-3 win. The …

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WDFW approves nine days of coastal razor clam digs starting March 26; more digs planned through May 15

A person digs for clams at Grayland Beach on Friday, March 8.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) shellfish managers on Thursday confirmed nine days of razor clam digs on coastal beaches beginning Wednesday, March 26. “This next tide …

Rainier pulls away to beat Tenino, record first win

The Rainier softball team came away with a big win on Tuesday, as the Mountaineers dominated late and pulled away for a 14-1 win. Rainier took control early with two in the first and added three …

Yelm softball expects excitement this season in strong 4A SPSL

Yelm High School’s softball team kicked off its 2025 season on Monday, March 17, against W.F. West. In the photo, Tornados first baseman Caylee Roberts celebrates at home plate after hitting a home run during the 2024 season.

Entering a new league might lead to nervousness, curiosity and other uncertainties, but as the Yelm High School softball team enters its first season in the 4A South Puget Sound League (SPSL), the …

Opinion
The Washington Capitol building is lit up against the night sky in Olympia on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023.

Commentary: Washington state lawmakers propose billions in new tax increases

The theme of the 2025 legislative sessions in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming has been pursuing record tax relief. The odd state out in this important tax relief bonanza, however, has been Washington, …

Commentary: Sunshine Week or ‘secrecy creep’ — corruption flourishes without journalism

Locals and newcomers alike may disagree about how much drizzle and gray skies they want in the Pacific Northwest, but when it comes to how our government works, I think the great majority of us would …
State Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia

John Braun: Senate Democrats’ ongoing effort to raise property taxes goes from bad to worse

Despite all their talk about forcing the wealthy in our state to pay more taxes, Olympia’s majority Democrats seem to have no problem forcing others to pay more as well. The proposals in …
The Washington state Capitol building in Olympia on Thursday, June 6.

Commentary: Sunshine Week or ‘secrecy creep’ — corruption flourishes without journalism

Locals and newcomers alike may disagree about how much drizzle and gray skies they want in the Pacific Northwest, but when it comes to how our government works, I think the great majority of us would …
Ed Johnstone is the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission chairman.

Being Frank: Indigenous leaders unite for salmon recovery

We are stronger together for a common cause. For 40 years, Indigenous nations in the United States and Canada have participated in the Pacific Salmon Commission (PSC) to implement the 1985 …

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Obituaries
In loving memory of Betty Linnea Kinnaman: 1943-2025
Betty Linnea Kinnaman, a cherished mother, grandmother and friend, peacefully passed away on Feb. 9, 2025, in Sequim, Washington, at the age of 81. Born on May 27, 1943, in California to Wayne …
In loving memory of Brett Jesse Jackson: Dec. 7, 1964 - Feb. 6, 2025
Brett Jesse Jackson passed away at his home the afternoon of Feb. 6 in a tragic accident. He will always be remembered as a beloved father, husband, brother and friend who will be deeply missed by …
In loving memory of Walter Mead III: 1954-2025 
Walter Langworthy Mead III, 70, of Yelm, Washington, passed away peacefully at home on Jan. 10, 2025.  Born on March 2, 1954, in New Haven, Connecticut, Walter moved to Italy with his …
 In loving memory of Willis "Babe" Herness  and a life well lived: 1922-2025
Willis Earl “Babe” Herness was born at Tacoma General Hospital on Nov. 26, 1922, before Yelm was a town, and the road between McKenna and Tacoma was gravel.  He was raised in …
In loving memory of Dixie Jean Wallin Eisenmann: 1936-2024
Dixie Jean Wallin Eisenmann went to be with her Lord on Oct. 21, 2024. Dixie was born in Yelm, Washington, on March 9, 1936, to Ida and Arthur Wallin. She graduated from Yelm High School in 1954 and …

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Community
Yelm’s Josh Crossman talks balance between owning a business and serving as city councilor
Owning and operating a business and serving the community on Yelm City Council is not always “roses and rainbows.”  Just ask Joshua Crossman, who has run PTL Flooring in the …
Nisqually Valley News Person of the Year: Stephanie Kangiser
When Stephanie Kangiser first moved to Yelm from Tacoma in 2002, she thought it was a place she would never work in that was in the middle of nowhere. About 23 years later, she now wears a …
Strickland launches annual Valentines for Veterans and First Responders drive
Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland’s annual Valentines for Veterans and First Responders drive is returning with a new addition. Valentines will be distributed to veterans and first …
City Parks and Recreation Department to present jam-packed year of activities in 2025
After the City of Yelm’s Parks and Recreation Department hosted nearly 100 events in 2024, it plans to stay on track in 2025 with plenty of inclusive and family-friendly events throughout the …
Local farm to host open house educational event
Dancing Goats and Singing Chickens Organic Farm will host an open house educational event, Climb Your Own Personal Everest, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18. The event will feature Mitch and …
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