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
- Nine yards of fresh-mixed cement was dumped at Cherry Lane Farms on Manke Road when a cement truck turned short and tipped on its side Aug. 20, 1979. Howard Keller, 54, Yelm, the driver of the truck, received minor injuries to his head and arm when the truck overturned.
- Dr. Bill Elledge was slated to open his offices for the family medicine practice in the north wing of the Nisqually Plaza building on Aug. 27. Elledge arrived to Yelm from Salt Lake City, where he practiced for the past five years specializing in internal medicine.
- Tracee Mayfield received one of the highest honors in Boy Scouts when he was presented with the Eagle Scout award Aug. 26, 1979. During his climb up the scouting ladder, he served as assistant patrol leader, patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader and senior patrol leader.
- Failure to attract a steady coach was listed as one of the reasons Yelm High School considered dropping soccer in the 1979-80 school year. YHS Principal Mike Taylor indicated emphasis was placed on attracting candidates for the football team as the Tornados rebuilt from a disastrous season.
A Look Back at This Week,
35 Years Ago
- Members of the Thurston County Drug Unit, Yelm police and Thurston County deputies raided a Jefferson Street home in Yelm to discover a quantity of LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide). A quantity of other drug paraphernalia and equipment was also found. Two men were arrested and charged with possession and sale of a controlled substance.
- The U.S. Postal Service conducted preliminary studies to determine future post office space needs in Yelm. The studies included investigation of various alternatives — expanded use of the present facility, other existing buildings and sites for new construction.
- During Yelm Thriftway’s Hawaiian Days, John and Jean Stephenson won a drawing for a free trip to Hawaii. The drawing included names from 54 other Thriftway stores around the state. Along with the round-trip airfare, Associated Grocers gave the Stephensons $500 spending money.
- The McKenna Bait and Tackle bass and trout fishing tournament announced the winners for its contest ending July 30, 1989. Bass winners included Mark McLellan, first place, with a catch of 3 pounds, 4 ounces, 16.25 inches long. Fred Prowser took first place in trout with a catch of 5 pounds, 3 ounces and 23.5 inches long.
A Look Back at This Week,
25 Years Ago
- Rainier Town Clerk Charmayne “Shad” Frost planned to step down after 11 years on the job as she accepted a position with the City of DuPont.
- Longtime Finian Road resident Ethel-Faye Sprouffske was tapped to be the grand marshal for the 1999 Rainier Roundup Days parade. Joey Stang of the Rainier Fire Auxiliary said Sprouffske was a fitting choice after her years of involvement in the community.
- Thurston County prosecutors filed felony charges against the owner of a Tenino residence in which a drug lab explosion claimed two lives in June 1998. Teresa Ann Sherman, 40, was charged with two counts of first-degree manslaughter and one count of manufacturing methamphetamine.
- New owners of the Hart’s Lake Resort and Deli announced that the facility was open and ready for business after a six-year hiatus.
A Look Back at This Week,
15 Years Ago
- Police arrested a transient after he allegedly admitted to murdering James Warner, a homeless man who frequented a corner near Yelm Safeway. Adam Wilkins, 31, was arrested on suspicion of first-degree manslaughter and booked into Thurston County Jail.
- The City of Yelm withdrew its Mitigated Determination of Non-Significance regarding new water rights, citing time as a major factor. City Administrator Shelly Badger said it became clear to the city that the state Department of Ecology wouldn’t be taking any action on Yelm’s application in 2009 because of staffing levels, workloads and complexity issues.
- Matthew Deane Tibbitts, Spokane, was arrested after Tenino Police allegedly found drugs and paraphernalia in his car during a routine traffic stop in Rainier July 31, 2009.
- Jarrod Matthews, a 2001 Yelm High School graduate and 21st round MLB draft pick by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2001, was a guest pitching coach for the Yelm Rays, a U-14 South Sound Baseball team. Matthews and his sister, Alicia Blake, were inducted into the Yelm athletic Hall of Fame Oct. 2, 2009.
