Enjoy these snapshots of articles written in past issues of the Nisqually Valley News from 45, 35, 25 and 15 years ago.
A look back at this week, 45 years ago
• The U.S. District Court of Nevada declared former Yelm resident and restaurant owner Joseph Agosto a citizen of the country. Since leaving Yelm, Agosta had been producing a show at the Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas and making headlines in regard to crime activity in Nevada and California.
• The opening of the lowland lake fishing season did not meet expectations as miserable weather kept people home Saturday night and early Sunday. Those who braved the elements were not rewarded. Fishing holes in Clear Lake and Lawrence Lake both failed to produce.
• A Yelm officer responded to a report of three juveniles throwing rocks and jumping in front of vehicles on state Route 510. The officer was unable to locate the juveniles.
• Dana Couthran of Yelm High School received the Black Hills League trophy for being the top scorer in basketball last season. Melissa Smith was named most inspirational and Bonnie Montgomery received the coaches award.
A look back at this week, 35 years ago
• Seven dogs in the McKenna area died of poisoning over the April 21 weekend, said Yelm veterinarian Jerry Brown. Brown speculated the poisoning could have resulted from strychnine, slug bait or spoiled food.
• McKenna resident Benjamin Sergent Jr., 42, was charged with first-degree assault in connection with a shooting that left his brother-in-law, Tony Dixon, in critical condition. The conflict involved Sergent’s daughter, who was Dixon’s ex-girlfriend. Sergent was married to Dixon’s sister.
• The Calvary Baptist Church in Roy designated Sunday, April 29, as Police Appreciation Sunday. The church felt strongly that the police profession was ordained of God as indicated in Romans 13:1-6 in the Bible.
• The Yelm High School varsity soccer team dominated White River 9-1 on Thursday, April 19. Robin Yoder scored four goals and Shawn Ostrander scored two goals in the contest.
A look back at this week, 25 years ago
• Staffers and students evacuated Yelm Middle School Wednesday after bomb threats were discovered scrawled in two girls’ bathroom stalls. Police and volunteer staff searched the building and found nothing beyond the threats.
• Yelm Community Schools passed its maintenance and operations levy Tuesday. Combined tallies from Thurston and Pierce counties added to 3,310 yes votes, allowing the levy to pass with 64.46 percent.
• The initial stage of Prairie Park began last week with the clearing of several trees and the demolition of two houses along Yelm Avenue. The clearing was needed to prepare access roads.
• The ground next to Yelm City Hall rumbled as county crews began the much-anticipated Yelm-Tenino Rail-Trail. The trail-head was to begin behind the library and run along the old railway grade to Mosman Avenue. Approximately one mile of paved trail was being constructed.
A look back at this week, 15 years ago
• Rainier School Board Chairman Patrick Barrett submitted his resignation, citing communication issues as a reason for stepping down. The resignation would not have been final until the board reviewed it in public. At the time, Barrett had not decided whether he would withdraw his resignation.
• Three residents of Yelm and one from Rainier were arrested last week in connection with a car theft in Lacey. A Thurston County sheriff’s deputy had previously found the 1995 Honda Civic on the side of Vail Cutoff Road in unincorporated Yelm, with missing engine parts and license plates that didn’t match the vehicle description.
• A couple was arrested in connection with a shooting in Roy that left a man lying in the road Saturday evening. Christopher J. Goerner, 35, allegedly shot his cousin multiple times on state Route 507 just north of Roy. Goerner’s wife was arrested and charged with first-degree rendering criminal assistance.
• A two-car collision blocked eastbound state Route 510 near Fort Lewis Road around noon last Thursday. The collision occurred after a driver in a Pontiac sedan had flagged down a tow truck that was losing metal debris on the roadway. Another driver in a Ford Explorer rear-ended the slowing Pontiac and flipped on its side. There were no serious injuries.
