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
• The Yelm Town Council discussed the possibility of bringing cable TV to Yelm. Mayor Lora B. Coates appointed a special committee to meet with Ted Schultz, town attorney, to draft a proposed franchise agreement after John McCaw of McCaw Communications Companies appeared before the council to explain services and rates.
• The Coulters — Tev, Troy and Travis — earned three new basketballs plus a new backboard and hoop following the shootoff of the “quickshoot contest.” The three boys were all finalists in their grade for the championship round.
• The Yelm High School band and choruses joined together to present a musical program in the fieldhouse. A large audience was on hand for the session featuring the chorus and select chorus and band. The 60-minute program also featured Mike Fryer, tenor soloist, and Gayla Schorno, soprano soloist.
• Black ice in the Yelm region caused a series of accidents. Damages in four separate accidents totaled at least $2,400, and one driver was taken to the hospital for treatment and then released.
A Look Back at This Week, 35 Years Ago
• A group of area residents presented the three-act comedy-drama play “The Curious Savage” in Yelm High School’s theater. The performances, with Kathy Gilliam as director and assisted by Camille Fastle, were to benefit the Community Santa Fund.
• Three local artists — Margie Jackson, Neo Brown and Marion Nelson — participated in the 1988 Festival of Arts at the Puget Sound Bank in Yelm.
• Minnie and Jim Harding of Yelm recorded a song “Gotta Have a Hit for Minnie,” which hit No. 30 on Music Row Magazine’s country music charts. The couple also recorded an album through their own record label, Laurel Records. Copies of the album were available at the UCBO for a donation of one can of food to the food bank.
• The Yelm Professional Center opened for business this week in 1988. The building included a dentist, orthodontist and a real estate office.
A Look Back at This Week, 25 Years Ago
• Yelm High School graduate Ken Gatke, a junior at Portland State University, donated his right kidney to 9-year-old Filipa Lovric, the daughter of Gatke’s co-worker at Wells Fargo Bank in Portland, Oregon.
• Fourteen-year-old Eagle Scout Mike Carroll collected 27 bicycles from teachers, students and members of the community to give to families in need. He collected 60 bikes overall, but more than half of them were beyond repair.
• The Yelm Community Schools Board chose Denise Hendrickson to be its new board member for District 3. Hendrickson, an officer manager/accountant for B&H Builders in Yelm, filled the position vacated by Jerrillee Petersen, who resigned after serving 15 years.
• Pierce County Fire Protection District No. 17 volunteers and retirees were honored for their services during an appreciation dinner. Retirees Jim Wilcox, 32 years, Don Ripley, 25 years, and Ray Porter, 23 years, received retired fire axes from their stations in appreciation for their services.
A Look Back at This Week, 15 Years Ago
• A car flew off the road in McKenna, ending up on top of two show vehicles at Baydo Chevrolet. The driver was fighting with his wife and intentionally drove off the road, according to the Washington State Patrol. Two 2009 Chevrolet Malibus, each valued at about $30,000, were totaled.
• Yelm and Rainier schools closed for a day when the Nisqually Valley experienced its first major snowfall of the season. Before canceling classes, Yelm Community Schools sent an employee to slide around on the ice. Assistant Transportation Director Jerry Jenkins took out a four-wheel drive vehicle, but put it in two-wheel drive to simulate a bus stopping.
• Tenino police seized a small marijuana grow operation in the Town of Bucoda. The alleged grow operation was found in a manufactured home in the 200 block of South Nenant Street. In addition to 17 plants, officials found lights and ballasts to supply power to the lights. No arrests were made.
• Yelm High School’s girls soccer team netted four 3A Western Cascade Conference first team all-league selections. Senior Amanda Garrison, juniors Kaycee Davis and Devon Walker, and freshman Sydney Anderson earned the postseason honors.
