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 largest construction contract in the history of Yelm Telephone Company was signed with a Canadian firm to supply all new interior switching equipment. Merie Curry, president of the Yelm firm, indicated the total contract with Northern Telecom was $1,247,000.
- Bill Ruddell began as Yelm’s new marshal on April 23, 1979 after his appointment by Mayor Lora B. Coates. Ruddell was no stranger to the community as he served as a part-time reserve deputy from 1972-76.
- Timothy Fry, 10, of Yelm, was the youngest of 181 delegates to the Washington State Governor’s Conference on library and information services. He represented the youth of Washington in recommending the kinds of library services and materials that children needed and wanted.
- Sam Reed, Thurston County auditor, certified that the recall petition against Rainier Mayor Floyd Short contained enough valid signatures to call for an election. The petitioners charged Short held an illegal meeting and was instrumental in the arrest of a Rainier citizen by the police department.
A Look Back at This Week,
35 Years Ago
- The greater Yelm/Rainier Community Task Force was slated to conduct a fact-finding survey on drug and alcohol use in the community. The first part of the survey was to be conducted in Yelm and Rainier schools for grades four through 12. The second part was to be conducted through the Nisqually Valley News for adults.
- Sallee Black, residing in the Yelm area, received only minor scrapes and bruises when her car left Vail Road and came to rest in the ditch upside down about a half mile from Four Corners on April 19, 1989.
- A new, faster computer was set to arrive at the Yelm Timberland Library in May 1989. Librarians asked for special help to transfer information from the old computer to the new one.
- Danielle Degon, and 18-year-old Yelm High School student, won a $450 educational scholarship for placing third in the Miss Thurston County Scholarship Pageant on April 22, 1989.
A Look Back at This Week,
25 Years Ago
- Although a decision on the maintenance and operations levy for Yelm Community Schools was months away, the district’s buildings were in dire need of repair. Leaks damaged insulation material and structural support systems at several sites.
- A bomb threat called in from a nearby payphone emptied Yelm High School, leading to an hour-long search of the school and questioning of a male student in connection with the incident. The caller said a bomb was at the school but did not say whether or when it would explode.
- The news of the mass shooting at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado on April 20, 1999, caused local officials to meet and ensure their emergency disaster plans were as airtight as possible. Yelm Police Chief Glenn Dunnam met with representatives of area law enforcement agencies and Yelm Superintendent Alan Burke to discuss a countywide response plan that would have made provisions for each specific school.
- Two Yelm High School students, seniors Jenny Peach and Tina Richardson, won a 1999 Youth Diversity Award from the Thurston Council on Cultural and Human Rights.
A Look Back at This Week,
15 Years Ago
- Plans moved forward on the new medical facility collaboration between Providence Health and Yelm Family Medicine. Space was about 85% occupied, and developers anticipated breaking ground late spring or early summer.
- State Highway 507 was closed for several hours after a motorcycle hit a propane tank outside Stewart’s Meat Market. The impact of the crash punctured the propane tank, causing a leak.
- Sgt. Derek Dixon returned from Iraq a month early and surprised his daughter, Ashley, at Yelm High School. Ashley thought she was being called out of class for a doctor appointment.
- Rainier sophomore Kristen Schoenherr was named an honorable mention on The Associated Press’ all-state basketball team. She was one of three players to earn the 1A honorable mention. Rainier coach Dave Wasankari said he had never had a player receive this type of recognition.
