Local news
Victims in two separate Yelm homicides identified
Yelm man killed in shooting last week The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a homicide after a 31-year-old Yelm man was shot and killed on the evening of Tuesday, March 5. …
Yelm Community Choir to perform in New York in May
One YouTube video of the Yelm Community Choir singing “Hodie Christus Natus Est” by composer Mark Hayes landed the vocalists an opportunity to perform in New York City. Distinguished …
Jeep Facebook group, 507 Taproom to host fundraiser for veterans
Veteran Jason Aubry and members of the Jeep community are aiming to give back to service members in a big way.   Beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 27, Aubry, members of his Facebook …
Rainier school staffer on administrative leave following DUI report
A member of the Rainier School District staff has been placed on administrative leave, pending the outcome of an ongoing DUI investigation. Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) Lt. Mike …
Ridgeline student arrested for possession of live firearm
A Ridgeline Middle School student was arrested without incident on Wednesday, March 6, for alleged possession of a live firearm.   Yelm Police took the student into custody after other …
No injuries in fender-bender involving Yelm school bus
Yelm Police responds to a two-vehicle collision involving a school bus and a van in front of the Yelm Community Schools district office on March 8.
Nisqually Red Wind Casino temporarily closes after cyber attack
Nisqually Red Wind Casino temporarily closed on Wednesday, March 6, and Thursday, March 7, after experiencing servers going offline due to what was described as a cybersecurity incident on the …
News in brief: Roy town hall, Yelm schools levy open houses
City of Roy Town Hall meeting set for March 25 The City of Roy invites the community to come to a special Town Hall meeting at the Roy Community Center at 7 p.m., Monday, March 25. The event …
New fitness studio, salon opens doors in Yelm
When Kayla Walker moved from San Diego, California, to Yelm in 2022, she knew that it could be a home for her business. She owned a couple of salons in San Diego but had to close due to the COVID-19 …
Local teens crowned Northwest Junior Rodeo Association royalty
Brooklynn Bell, 13, Rainier, and Emma Gulley, 14, Roy, are the Northwest Junior Rodeo Association’s (NJRA) newest royalty. Bell earned the title of queen while Gulley was named princess on …
Yelm City Council ponders use of remaining EIC grant funds
The City of Yelm was awarded a $200,000 grant from the state of Washington in 2021 to study, design and plan for the possibility of constructing an education and innovation center (EIC) and has …
What's Happening: Bunny Breakfast, ‘Midnight’ Eggstravaganza adult Easter egg hunt, YCS levy open houses
Saturday, March 16 Bunny Breakfast The City of Yelm’s Parks and Recreation department will host “Bunny Breakfast” from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Saturday, March 16, at Yelm …
State & Regional News
A Look Back: Take a trip through our area’s rich history
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 …
Washington National Guard hosts state Best Warrior Competition
The Washington National Guard concluded its state-level Best Warrior Competition on March 3 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord with two winners.   The Best Warrior Competition is a rigorous …
More clam digging dates on tap as Ocean Shores Razor Clam and Seafood Festival approaches
Those forever in pursuit of the tasty delicacy that is the Pacific razor clam will have several chances to dig for them this week. Digs have been approved through Sunday, March 17, with even …
Olympia Community Solar launches fourth annual Solarize campaign
In its continued efforts to make clean energy more accessible, Olympia Community Solar has launched the fourth annual Solarize campaign, which is available through July 4.   The program …
State lawmakers pass ‘legislative hat trick’ to codify parental rights, ease restrictions on police pursuits and ban a state income tax
The Washington state Legislature passed a trio of initiatives Monday to loosen vehicle pursuit restrictions, establish a parental “bill of rights” and prevent the state from implementing …
Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez says she has helped return more than $1 million in federal funds to constituents
Third Congressional District Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Washougal, has returned more than $1 million owed to constituents by the federal government, the freshman lawmaker announced Monday. …
White Pass Ski Area preparing for ‘Dragons vs. Dinos’ Winter Carnival this weekend
Looking for a family-friendly time in the snow? Look no further than the White Pass Ski Area this weekend. Starting Saturday, the White Pass Ski Area will officially kick off its “Dragons …
Report finds Washington positioned to capitalize on demand for hydrogen
A recent report from the state Department of Commerce found Washington can position itself as a leader in green hydrogen as the state looks to further reduce reliance on fossil fuels in the coming …
WDFW approves five days of coastal razor clam digs; additional digs planned for March
Razor clam diggers can look forward to more opportunities on coastal beaches beginning Feb. 21, Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) coastal shellfish managers confirmed Thursday. …
Life
Participants at Worthy Coffee Co.'s Sunday Worship event on Feb. 25 hold their arms high as they praise Jesus during a song by Parkland's Crossover Ministries.

Worthy Coffee Co.’s Sunday worship aims to build community

On Sundays, Worthy Coffee Co. in Roy offers more than just caffeinated beverages and treats. Instead, co-owners Brandy and Josh Worthy offer the Holy Spirit and prayer. Over 50 attendants …
Alex Goodrich (center), playing the role of the Cat in the Hat, and his hunches rehearse a scene from

YHS Drama Club brings classic Dr. Seuss stories to the stage

The Yelm High School Drama Club’s spring musical explores a journey from the Jungle of Nool near the River Waloo to the town of Whoville.   The club’s first production of the …

Adult Easter egg hunt to take place at Cochrane Park

Adults over the age of 21 should mark their calendars for Saturday, March 16, as the City of Yelm Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a “Midnight Eggstravaganza,” an adult Easter …

What’s happening: Nisqually Valley community calendar

Thursday, Feb. 15 Family Storytime Join the Yelm Timberland Library from 10:30 to 11 a.m. every Thursday for family storytime. The event includes music, movement, books and activities for …
Business
For six weeks, Youth Athletics Recreation Development (YARD) will transform into the “Prairie Old West” for the return of its summer program. The organization is meshing the 100-year …
Karin and Sverre Ange wanted to combine their passions to create a new business in Yelm. Karin served for more than 18 years in the U.S. Army National Guard as a supply sergeant, and Sverre owned his …
What started with a “Little Einsteins” spaceship cake for Dee Ragsdale’s daughter’s first birthday has turned into a full-time cake business. Ragsdale, a Clearwood resident, …
It’s a new year, and Yelm business Funtime Toys and Gifts is ready for it. Heather Ekland founded the business on the internet in 2006 as freedomdaysales.com and became a brick-and-mortar …
Beth Stock takes pride in being a female business owner in the tree service industry. The longtime Roy resident is the owner of She Cuts It Tree Service, a business that started on a whim. She …
Sports

Mountaineers rally from five-run deficit to beat T-Wolves in home opener

Hunter Howell runs the bases after a two-run triple in the sixth inning against Morton-White Pass on March 15.
Rainier High School’s Hunter Howell finished his first start of the season on the mound earlier than he wanted against Morton-White Pass on Friday, March 15. He went three innings and allowed …
Christian Malunat boots the ball ahead during United's win over Tenino on Mar. 12.

Barragan’s late long shot lifts United over Tenino

TENINO — Seventy minutes did little to separate Toledo-Winlock United and Tenino on Tuesday. As the clock continued to roll on deep into the second half, a scoreless draw seemed inevitable. …
Catcher Jackson Ford locates a pitch against Lakes on Friday, March 8 in the season opener.

YHS baseball defeats Lakes in season opener, head coach Hill’s debut

The Yelm Tornados baseball program started its 2024 season off with a bang, defeating the 3A PCL Lakes Lancers, 12-7, and earning program head coach Dakota Hill his first victory. The teams …
Rogan Stanley throws to first base during a game between Tenino and Toledo at Centralia College on March 11.

Tenino never lets up in big win over Toledo

The Tenino offense got rolling early and never slowed down on Monday, as the Beavers defeated Toledo 17-7 through a steady rain at Bob Peters Field. Will Feltus opened the game with a single, …

Beavers top Owls in season opener

The Tenino baseball team opened its season with a win on Saturday, as the Beavers defeated Overlake-Bear Creek 12-2 in six innings. Oregon commit Kellan Knox got Tenino (1-0) on the board with …
Head coach Dakota Hill speaks to outfielder Tyler Sage during the Red and Black scrimmage on Monday, March 4, after he reached third base.

Yelm baseball preps for season opener with ‘red and black’ intrasquad scrimmage

In preparation for opening day, Friday, March 8, against the Lakes Lancers, the Yelm High School baseball team hosted its “red and black” intrasquad scrimmage on Monday, March 4, to knock …
Yelm High School student and powerlifter Landen Barger placed in first in the unlimited weight class at the Olympia High School powerlifting competition. He's undefeated, so far.

Yelm boys powerlifting takes first place, girls tie for seventh at Olympia strength meet

Behind three first-place finishers and several breakout performances, the Yelm boys powerlifting team claimed first place at the Olympia High School powerlifting meet, Saturday, March 2. …

Mountaineers set high expectations as fastpitch season gets underway

Lucy Wolfe smiles as she fields a ground ball during practice on March 5.

When the Rainier High School fastpitch team advanced to the district tournament last season, the Mountaineers succumbed to the pressure of the postseason. They lost back-to-back games against Kalama …

Mountaineers focusing on small details under new head coach

Ryder Cruse flips a ground ball to Johnny Boesch during an infield drill on March 7.

New Rainier High School baseball coach Justin Gurnsey’s motto for the 2024 Mountaineers team is “Attitude plus talent equals success.” He believes his team has that formula to …

Reubenking: State 2B/1B basketball tournaments exceeds expectations

Dylan Reubenking

Devout Washington high school sports fans like to debate which state atmosphere is the best. Mat Classic gets plenty of praise, and the state football playoffs are hard to beat, but in my experience, …

Opinion
Letters to the editor can be submitted to yelmnews@yelmonline.com.

Letter: Voters should pass Yelm levy to support students

Editor, As a Yelm Community Schools parent I am urging our community to vote yes for kids in the upcoming levy. Our students are finally recovering from the years of pandemic sacrifices: …
Send letters to the editor to yelmnews@yelmonline.com

Letter: Braun incorrect in assessment about education funding

Editor, Schools do need the funding from the capital gains tax. I disagree with Sen. John Braun’s Feb. 20 commentary titled “Democrats are wrong to use children as defense of …
Letters to the editor can be submitted to yelmnews@yelmonline.com.

Letter: Ballot declarations will not eliminate fraud

Editor, I am appalled at the recent ballots that were received for the primary election. Why do we need to declare on the outside cover whether we are voting Democratic and Republican? Is this …
Sen. John Braun in Olympia from the Capitol on Friday, Feb. 15, 2024.

Legislature adjourns with big wins for the people, big losses for Democrats

Four years ago, I introduced a bill to ban an income tax at any level in our state. It was ignored. Three years ago, Sen. Perry Dozier, the Republican senator who serves Walla Walla County …
Apples fill bins at 3 Dogs Cider and Brewstillery in Silver Creek on Sunday, Oct. 8.

Other Views: Farms, income tax

Band-Aid fixes won’t help Washington’s farmers By Pam Lewison Washington Policy Center When a doctor diagnoses cancer, the expectation is a full course of treatment to …
Obituaries
In loving memory of Eric Anton Heid 1961-2024
Eric A. Heid, 62, of Yelm, Washington, died peacefully at home on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024. He was born in Berlin, Germany, in 1961 to Emil and Carita Heid, and he was raised in Milwaukee, …
In Loving Memory of Peggy Lucille Black April 2, 1944 - Jan. 17, 2024
In Memoriam of Peggy Black Peggy Lucille Black passed away on Jan. 17 from a brief illness. She is survived by husband, Brian Black, daughter Shelley Lucus, brother Wes Ament Jr., sister …
In loving memory of Grace M. Dvorak: March 20, 1940 - Jan. 13, 2024
Grace passed away into the arms of her Lord on Jan. 13, 2024, at her home in Yelm, Washington, surrounded by her husband and two sons. Grace was born on March 20, 1940, to Albert and Emma …
In Loving Memory of Janet L. Thompson
On Nov. 15, 2023, our sweet mama, Janet L. Thompson, left us to fly free with the angels. She was a mom, a wife, a grandma, a great-grandma and a friend to many.   She was a wonderful …
In loving memory of Jeffrey Lee Stone 1952-2023
Jeffrey Lee Stone, born on May 16, 1952, in San Francisco, California, at the Presidio Army installation, passed away on Nov. 3, 2023.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Ted and June …