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
• Valley Trading Post, located on Vail Road, reported to Thurston County authorities that they were missing 50 cases of beer worth $360, four cases of wine worth $66 and 10 cartons of cigarettes. The apparent thieves also took $250 in rolled change.
• A meeting was held in the Roy Grange Hall Monday night concerning funds for a new fire hall in Mckenna. Those attending were informed that $60,000 in funds had been set aside for the fire hall, but the area did not meet the requirements necessary for final grant approval.
• Kirby Hull resigned as commissioner of the McKenna Water District, indicating the pressure of additional business. Hull held position two on the three-member commission.
• In the aftermath of the Mount St. Helens’ eruptions, Sue Butkus, a Washington State University extension nutrition specialist, recommended every person have a two-to-four-day supply of food and water so they could remain indoors, if another disaster were to hit. Canned foods topped the emergency food list.
A look back at this week, 35 years ago
• Chris Shultz, 19, was named the Washington State Dairy Princess after serving a year as Thurston County’s Dairy Princess. The new title came with a $5,400 scholarship at the University of Washington.
• Rainier General Development Inc. proposed to build 30 homes in town starting in September. About two-thirds were proposed to be built in the Rochester Street area; the other third was proposed for Seattle Street.
• A 33-year-old woman died in a car crash outside Rainier, June 25, after driving through the Vail Cutoff Road and state Route 507 intersection at speeds over 100 miles per hour. Susan Cook Behring of Danville, California, died on first impact after the car crashed into a dirt embankment at 2:20 p.m.
A look back at this week, 25 years ago
• The City of Yelm brought a chlorinated Well 3-A back online to augment dwindling water supplies amidst a summer heat wave. Last winter, Well 3-A was shut off because of citizen complaints about water quality.
• The Yelm School Board welcomed Donna Edwards to the District 2 position last week. Edwards was the lone applicant for the seat vacated by Doug Cameron on May 11.
• Fireworks stands began popping up around town in anticipation of the Fourth of July holiday. The stands were sparse in Yelm but well represented on the Nisqually Indian Reservation.
• Helen Snider retired as postmaster of the Rainier Post Office after working at the location since 1964. She began that year as a clerk. Snider was just the third Rainier postmaster since 1935.
A look back at this week, 15 years ago
• Washington State Court of Appeals denied channeler JZ Knight’s motion for reconsideration, reaffirming that she had to pay more than $195,000 in attorney’s fees and court costs to the City of Yelm and developers. The court had overturned Knight’s petition of five area subdivisions in April.
• The Nisqually Valley News moved to a new Yelm location at 106 Plaza Drive, Building 2, in Prairie Plaza. An open house to the public was expected in August.
• Tim Garchow accepted an annual contract of $107,000 to work as superintendent of Rainier School District, beginning in July. The school board approved the new contract at its regular monthly board meeting on June 17.
• Around 125 people participated in the first-ever Prairie Stampede 5K Run/Walk, organized by the Yelm Rotary Club. The event raised roughly $2,500 for the local club.
