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
• Mount St. Helens erupted again Sunday about 2:30 a.m. Centralia, Chehalis, Kelso, Longview and the ocean beaches all received a covering of ash up to two inches. The light material began falling in Yelm around noon, driven by strong southerly wind.
• Three young, long-haired men were observed entering a trailer in Rainier. After their departure two items were reported missing: a motor-powered saw valued at $200 and sprockets valued at $500.
• The Yelm Future Farmers of America parliamentary procedure team made the furthest advancement in school history when they placed in the top four at district. The win made the team eligible to compete at the regional contest at Lake Stevens High School, north of Everett.
• For the first time in many weeks, no mention was made of Charlie Flowers, the Roy resident who suffered injury after being pinned between his tractor and the front loader. Flowers had finally returned home after a lengthy hospital stay.
A look back at this week, 35 years ago
• Organizers expected over 200 participants from Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Canada at the annual Roy Pioneer Rodeo to be held on Saturday and Sunday. Events were to include bareback and saddleback riding, a barrel race and cattle wrestling.
• The dedication mass and liturgy for St. Columban Parish’s new church in Yelm was set for Sunday, June 10. The 8,000-square-foot church was the latest expansion of the parish meeting place that started in 1911.
• The Yelm High School drama club cast and crew was getting set to perform “Cheaper by the Dozen,” a reminiscence of Frank Gilbreth, Sr., an industrial engineer during World War I. The performances were scheduled for June 1 and 2 in the Yelm High School Little Theatre.
• Fire District No. 17 responded to 43 aid calls and 13 fire calls in April, according to the fire chief’s report presented at the May 17 district commissioners’ meeting.
A look back at this week, 25 years ago
• Two Yelm boys were charged with sexually-motivated assault last week in Thurston County Juvenile Court after Yelm Police forwarded a case under investigation since April. According to Yelm police, the boys were arrested in early April for the alleged assault of a young girl at Mill Pond Elementary School.
• Work was halted on the Yelm-to-Tenino Trail, leaving many Yelm locals wondering what happened. The summer was a particularly busy season for contractors, and bids had apparently held up the process.
• The City of Roy received its personal liaison to Fort Lewis, Col. William Grisoli. Grisoli said he knew Roy well, and remembered dining in the Roy Bar and Grill years back.
• Garth Gavette of Rainier High School capped off a superb senior track season as he became the 1A state champion in the 200-meter dash with a time of 23.2. Rainier junior Megan Fitzgerald brought home four medals, placing in the 100 and 300 hurdles, javelin and as a member of the 4x200 relay team.
A look back at this week, 15 years ago
• A Centralia man, Robert Shawn Russell, 46, was arrested and charged with first-degree possession of stolen property and possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver. Russell was found with more than $200,000 in stolen property, some of which was believed to have been from Yelm.
• A 13-year-old Yelm boy was arrested after he allegedly raped two girls, both younger than 10. The boy’s mother told police she found her son in a compromising position with the girls and began asking questions. According to Yelm Police Chief Todd Stancil, the boy allegedly admitted to inappropriate behavior.
• Haneef Sabree, 33, was arrested Sunday outside Yelm Safeway after becoming aggressive with the store’s customers. Sabree was collecting signatures for a political cause and, according to Police Chief Todd Stancil, was following people into the store and wouldn’t take “no” for an answer. According to police, Sabree became belligerent when confronted and was ultimately booked in Nisqually Jail.
• Faced with staff cuts, Rainier Superintendent Dennis Friedrich told the Rainier School Board and a group of district employees that “the district is in a serious declining enrollment time.” With 72 seniors graduating, the district expected a loss of $110,000 in state funds, assuming 50 kindergarten students enrolled that fall.
