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
• A restored antique airplane suddenly lost power over McKenna Feb. 28, 1980, and crash landed in Len Swain’s field about a mile east of McKenna. The 1947 RC-3 Republic had two occupants aboard when it slipped in over power lines and crossed 58th Avenue. Medics worked on the two until an ambulance arrived to transport them to a Puyallup hospital.
• A full winter’s accumulation of debris was swept from Yelm streets by members of the Yelm Future Farmers of America chapter as part of their community projects.
• Yelm School District was recipient of $562.33 from Yelm Prairie Kiwanis club to aid in purchase of new blazers for the high school band.
• Cub Scouts of Pack 268 held their annual blue and gold dinner in the Southworth Elementary cafeteria as they observed their 50th anniversary. A large crowd was on hand for the potluck affair as all the dens gathered for the evening.
A look back at this week, 35 years ago
• Victory was sweet for the Rainier Mountaineers boys basketball team as the team walked away from the state tournament in Spokane as the third-place B team.
• The Town of Rainier planned to build a new town hall. The proposed building was slated to be located on Centre Street between Rochester Street and Highway 507, and the estimated cost was $48,000.
• Rainier High School basketball player Kevin Sprouffske was chosen to the all-state B league team. Sprouffske averaged 19.5 points in the state B tournament in Spokane. He hit a 3-point shot at the final buzzer against Lake Quinault to give Rainier the third-place trophy.
• The Yelm Tornados girls basketball team dominated the Gig Harbor Tides March 2, 1990, to win their first district basketball championship 39-26.
A look back at this week, 25 years ago
• After a brief search, the City of Yelm named Commander Brian Asmus as its new chief of police. The city recruited for a police chief to succeed Glenn Dunnam, who was set to retire in May after 11 years as chief and selected Asmus within its own ranks.
• The much-anticipated arrival of a movie theater in Yelm was expected to be ready in time for the usual festive barrage of Christmas movies. A second theater project, however, was scrapped.
• Jared Moss, 14, of Yelm, served as a page in the Washington House of Representatives Feb. 20 through Feb. 25, 2000. Moss was sponsored by Rep. Richard DeBolt, R-Chehalis.
• A 14-year-old girl was sentenced to a brief jail stay for threatening to bomb Yelm Middle School.
The student, who attended special education classes, was sentenced to 20 days in juvenile detention, one year of probation and 40 hours of community service.
A look back at this week, 15 years ago
• An estimated 1,000 people flooded the Rainier Sportsman’s Club March 1, 2010, to honor and pay their respects to Jeff “Jay” Nelson. A vehicle procession from the memorial service to the grave site was an estimated five miles long.
• A Clearwood woman said she was bound and beaten Feb. 26, 2010, after a man forced his way into her home and robbed her. Police said the attack was likely not random.
• Richard Flory, 79, of Yelm, died Feb. 29, 2010, after his vehicle went off the road at a high rate of speed. Flory’s vehicle struck several mailboxes and a utility pole. Police reported that Flory had a heart attack, which caused him to crash.
• Because of Kristen Schoenherr’s last-second heroics and a 7-0 run in overtime, the Rainier Mountaineers girls basketball team defeated league-rival Toledo 55-51 to win the District 1A title Feb. 26, 2010.
