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 Governor-hopeful Semi Bird makes appearance, offers Q&A at Long Shot in Yelm
Republican gubernatorial candidate Semi Bird made his way through Yelm last week and spoke to residents about what he and his campaign stand for at a special event at Long Shot gun store. During …
County seeking applicants to Roy City Council
The Pierce County Council is seeking applications from City of Roy residents to be appointed to the Roy City Council. To qualify, applicants must: Be 18 years of age or older Have …
Worthy Coffee Co. hosting hygiene drive in Roy to donate to YCS nurses
Worthy Coffee Co. is looking to give back to nurses at Yelm Community Schools in a big way this spring, as the Roy-based coffee shop is hosting a hygiene drive to donate to each health room in the …
Rotary Club of Yelm aims to collect 4,000 chili cans with drive
The Rotary Club of Yelm is giving back to the youth in the community by teaming up with local schools and businesses for its second annual chili drive throughout the month of May. The can drive is …
Yelm to pay $12,000 for housing study examining racial inequality
The City of Yelm will pay $12,000 for its share of a study with different county government agencies to examine racial inequality language included in old codes that could prevent people from getting …
Yelm Arts Commission to introduce art on signal light electrical box to honor centennial
In honor of Yelm’s 100-year anniversary since incorporation, the City’s art commission will wrap a signal light electrical box with a historic photo. Heidi Haslinger, Yelm Arts …
Yelm water system plan to update infrastructure almost complete
Yelm’s water system plan to update its infrastructure and account for additional water rights is almost complete. Yelm’s Public Works Director Cody Colt updated the City Council on …
Billy Frank Jr. statue sculptor “honored” to work on project
Once the Billy Frank Jr. statue is installed in the National Statuary Hall in the United States Capitol in Washington D.C., in 2025, sculptor Haiying Wu will be the first Chinese-American to have a …
ESD 113 administrators table proposal to close Yelm Head Start Center
Administrators for Educational School District (ESD) 113 voted to table its proposal to close the Yelm Head Start Center until it meets with the center’s policy council. American Federation of …
‘Thank a Veteran Ride’ raises nearly $11,000 for military community
Yelm was revved up on Saturday, May 11, as over 250 motorcycles cruised to 507 Taproom & Filling Station West for the “Thank a Veteran Ride” to raise money for the veteran community. …
Tenino VFW, American Legion chapters partner with South Thurston County Historical Society to reestablish ‘Honor Roll Plaque’
After it was first built in 1944 to honor Tenino and other South Thurston County veterans who served during World War II, the Honor Roll Plaque was taken down in 1962 so it could be repaired, but it …
Yelm student named 2024 Washington Cinderella Teen Queen
Aurora Decker has competed in pageants since she was 6 weeks old. She recalls her mother, Anna Farley, standing behind her at the competitions and making her wave and blow kisses to the audience at a …
State & Regional News
 Roy animal sanctuary takes in nearly 60 roosters rescue from cockfighting
Roy’s Heartwood Haven, a sanctuary that specializes with animals rescued from cruelty cases, recently rescued nearly 60 roosters, stemming from a cockfighting operation bust in eastern …
Braun calls for more legislative action after three infants exposed to fentanyl
Senate Minority Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, has called on the Legislature to take additional action to curb children’s access to fentanyl and other deadly narcotics. The call comes …
Candidate filing week begins May 6
The Nisqually Valley News The opportunity to formally declare candidacy for the 2024 elections opens at 8 a.m., Monday, May 6, online and at elections offices across the state. Mailed …
From Tenino to Bend, Oregon, Love Covers looks to support nonprofits, build relationships through sewing
Sewing has always been a passion and a way to bring people together for Patti Ledesma, of Tenino, and Cathleen “Cat” Wallace, of Bend, Oregon, who have been friends for more than 30 years …
Thurston County Sheriff’s Office warns of increase in scammers
The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) warned the community of an increase in scams in which scammers pretend to be members of the sheriff’s office. According to TCSO’s …
Yelm community raises $15K for Lacey woman fighting cancer
The week of March 9, 2024, was one of the toughest weeks of Edith Vanderwal’s life. While watching her son’s soccer game in Aberdeen, the Lacey woman fell down a few sets of bleachers, …
Residents speak out at TCSO forum after hiring of officer acquitted in Manuel Ellis’ death
The roughly 30 Thurston County residents who spoke at the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office’s public forum on Thursday, April 11, had differing opinions on the controversial hiring and …
Area runner after bigfoot report: ‘That Sasquatch running was me’
A recent Sasquatch sighting near Grand Mound, investigated by the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO), may have been debunked by a Rochester cross country and track athlete. The …
Inslee signs Rep. Wilcox’s bill to study avian salmon predation
Gov. Jay Inslee has signed legislation to study the effect of avian predation on salmon populations in the state. House Bill 2293, sponsored by Rep. J.T. Wilcox, R-Yelm, establishes an Avian …
Life
Terry Smith and his mother Lola Smith smile for a photo at Prestige Senior Living Rosemont's art walk on May 10.

Prestige Senior Living Rosemont hosts resident art walk

Eleven residents of Prestige Senior Living Rosemont in Yelm displayed their talents on Friday, May 10 as the assisted living facility hosted an art show. The displays featured oil paintings, …

Yelms Lion Club here to serve

The motto of the Lions Club is “We Serve,” and the Yelm Lions Club has taken that to heart, working to empower volunteers and serve the community. Locally, the Yelm Lions are busy, …

Yelm district honors volunteers of the year

Yelm Community Schools awarded eight of its volunteers as the 2023-24 Volunteers of the Year during its Thursday, April 18, board meeting. Eight of the nine schools in the district chose one …

Christian country artist Luke Yates to perform in Rainier

While people can listen to many recordings of Christian music artist Luke Yates, nothing tops a live performance. On April 19, Yates will be performing at the Rainier Chapel in a free concert of …
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Business
Andrea Levanti and Diego Fleitas, surrounded by members of the InGenius! community, cut the ribbon marking the grand opening of InGenius! Artventures on May 11.
As InGenius! Gallery & Boutique celebrates its third anniversary this summer, the Yelm business opened a new space dedicated to its arts program called InGenius! Artventures on Saturday, May 11. …
Cyndi Doud, the new owner of The Shiplap Shop & Coffee House in Yelm, poses for a photo at the front of the store on April 19.
Cyndi Doud never envisioned herself as a business owner. She is no stranger to leadership roles in the professional sphere, but when she purchased The Shiplap Shop & Coffee House in April, she …
Tina Richardson replaces Amanda Muñoz as the new executive director of the Yelm Chamber of Commerce.
After a weeks-long search, the Yelm Chamber of Commerce hired Tina Richardson as its next executive director. Richardson replaces Amanda Muñoz, who stepped down last month after more than a …
Customers walk throughout the Yelm Farmers Market on May 27, 2023. This year's farmers market season will kick off on May 4 at 206 McKenzie Ave., near City Park.
Customers can have their picks of locally grown fruits and vegetables, baked goods and locally crafted items as the annual farmers market returns to Yelm beginning on Saturday, May 4, at 206 McKenzie …
Worthy Coffee Co. and Steele Barrel BBQ set up shop outside Yelm High School in 2023's edition of the Nisqually Valley Spring Expo.
For years, the Nisqually Valley Home & Garden Show was Yelm’s premier home improvement trade show, kicking off the spring season with local businesses, activities and a car show. The …

The Nisqually Valley News - May 16, 2024

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Sports

Tornados softball shines on senior day with 12-3 victory over Hawks

Caylee Roberts stands inside the box on Thursday, May 9, against the River Ridge Hawks on senior day.
Despite a slow start from the Tornados offense, the Yelm softball program shined on senior day as the team secured a 12-3 victory over the River Ridge Hawks on May 9. Following the contest, Yelm …

Five Tornados tennis athletes qualify for districts following conference tournament

Following a first-place finish in the South Sound Conference, Yelm High School’s girls tennis team competed in the conference tournament and five Tornados punched their tickets to the district …

Japanese culture celebrated at Tenino festival

Brooklynn Swenson steps up to the plate as Katie Qualls watches from her left against Ilwaco in the 2B District 1/4 Tournament on May 13.

Rainier mother-daughter duo growing bond through fastpitch

When Brooklynn Swenson, a junior shortstop at Rainier High School, steps up to the plate, she looks to her left for advice from the only person who has ever driven her to practice in any of her …
The Rainier infield huddles against Ilwaco in the 2B District 1/4 Tournament on May 13.

Mountaineers season ends with shutout loss in districts to Ilwaco

The Rainier High School softball team’s recent stretch of offensive firepower was abruptly shushed in the Mountaineers’ season-ending loss to Ilwaco, 2-0, in the opening round of the 2B …
Tenino's Hunter Sweet swings at a pitch during Tenino's 11-0 loss to Seton Catholic in the 1A District 4 title game at Castle Rock on May 11.

Beavers blanked in district title game

CASTLE ROCK -- Tenino coach Ryan Schlesser said it best. “We never got off the bus,” Schlesser said. It was one of those days for the Beavers on Saturday, as they never got …
Ryleigh Cruse runs to home plate after Gracie Lantz' RBI single in the second inning against Toutle Lake on May 9.

Mountaineers ride sizzling bats to blowout win over Ducks

The Rainier High School softball team is heating up as the regular season comes to a close and hopes of a deep postseason run grow stronger. In their senior day game and final regular season contest, …

Rainier girls claim league crown, track program notches 10 individual titles

Rainier's Jazzlyn Shumate (right) leans across the finish line to beat Toledo's Onica Chase in the 400-meter dash during the Central 2B League Championships on Friday at Chinook Stadium in Kalama.

The Rainier High School girls track and field team proved it was the top dog in the Central 2B League with a dominant performance en route to the league title on Friday, May 10, at Kalama High …

Mountaineers golfer wins district tournament, team finishes third in inaugural season

Rainier freshman golfer Joshua Peralta poses for a photo with the 2B District 4 champion trophy on May 9 at Mint Valley Golf Course in Longview.

After sinking a final 6-foot putt for par, the Rainier High School contingent cheered, and freshman Joshua Peralta was all smiles as he was crowned the newest 2B District 4 champion on Thursday, May …

Mountaineers fastpitch season ends with shutout loss to Ilwaco in districts

Ryleigh Cruse releases a pitch against Ilwaco in the 2B District 1/4 Tournament on May 13.

The Rainier High School softball team’s recent stretch of offensive firepower was abruptly shushed in the Mountaineers’ season-ending loss to Ilwaco, 2-0, in the opening round of the 2B …

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

Yelm schools levy failure disappointing

Editor,  I was so saddened by the failure of the Yelm Public Schools levy not passing for the second time. I am an 88-year-old widow living on a fixed income, and I have never voted against …

Braun: Slam the door on Democrats and their anti-Hispanic grab for more power

With candidate filing week now behind us, the 2024 election season is in full swing. Democrat leaders in our state are no doubt looking ahead to the August primary and November general election …

John Braun: Slam the door on Democrats and their anti-Hispanic grab for more power

With candidate filing week now behind us, the 2024 election season is in full swing. Democrat leaders in our state are no doubt looking ahead to the August primary and November general election …
Sen. John Braun in Olympia from the Capitol on Friday, Feb. 15, 2024.

Commentary: Legislators don’t need to address property-tax cap — we already did

Blocking a bad piece of legislation can often be as important as passing a good bill. That’s why Republican senators took a moment to cheer a few months ago when, in the face of intense …
A rooster eyes the camera during the Spring Youth Fair in 2022.

Commentary: Unfortunately, it’s animal fighting season in our state

Unfortunately, it’s animal fighting season in the Pacific Northwest. The Washington state Gambling Commission encourages reporting of animal fighting to help stop these terrible acts. Our …

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Obituaries
Death Notice: Edward Richard Bauer II
Edward Richard Bauer II, 69, of Yelm, died May 3. Arrangements are under the are of Funeral Alternatives of Washington — Lacey.
In Loving Memory of Alice Marjorie Smith 1935 ~ 2024
Marjorie Smith passed away peacefully on April 9, 2024, at her daughter’s home in Yelm, Washington, at the age of 88. She was born to Louis Barons and Nelsie Barons Foss on Oct. 1, 1935, in …
In Loving Memory Of Penny Kleine 1962 ~ 2024
On March 21, 2024, Penny Marie (Sherfey) Kleine passed away in Lubbock, Texas, at the age of 61 from pancreatic and ovarian cancer.  Penny was born on June 25, 1962, in Sacramento, …
In Loving Memory of “Frenchie” - Orval French 1937 - 2023 We regret to announce the passing of “Frenchie,” Orval D. French, 85, of Yelm, Washington. He died unexpectedly Aug. 31, 2024, of natural causes. Frenchie was born Sept. 13, 1937, to Orval E.
We regret to announce the passing of “Frenchie,” Orval D. French, 85, of Yelm, Washington. He died unexpectedly Aug. 31, 2023, of natural causes.  Frenchie was born Sept. 13, …
Death Notice: Timothy Rarick
Timothy Rarick, 71, of Yelm, died April 8 at his home in Yelm. Services were held at 2 p.m., Saturday, April 20, at Heritage Baptist Church, Tenino. Arrangements were under the care of Funeral …

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