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 High Rock Lookout damaged by vandals amid restoration efforts
Volunteers with a nonprofit organization working to restore a historic fire lookout near Mount Rainier returned to the site Friday to find their years of hard work undermined by recent vandalism, …
New average annual wage estimates adjust unemployment insurance, paid leave benefits
Washington’s average annual wage grew by 4.9% in 2025 to $99,810, according to the Employment Security Department (ESD) in a recent news release. The increase was driven by a 0.2% decrease in …
Washington high court: State will strip gun rights after two DUIs
The Washington State Supreme Court has ruled that individuals convicted of two driving under the influence offenses within seven years will be stripped of their Second Amendment rights, which the …
Yelm-area resident accused of shooting at, and getting shot by, a Thurston County deputy booked on assault charge
The Yelm-area resident accused of charging at Thurston County Sheriff’s Office deputies with a firearm, and getting shot by a deputy in turn, has been released from the hospital and booked into the …
WDFW: Beat the rush and complete hunter education now
The Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is urging prospective new hunters to complete hunter education this summer so they are ready to participate in upcoming seasons. …
Gluesenkamp Perez motions to create mental acuity standard for lawmakers
U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, this week spoke in favor of her amendment that would create a new mental acuity standard for members of Congress. Following debate, the amendment …
WSP detectives arrest Pierce County man following child exploitation investigation
The Washington State Patrol (WSP) Missing and Exploited Children Task Force (MECTF), in collaboration with federal and state partners, last week arrested a Pierce County man following an undercover …
Stone City Arts Festival happening Saturday in Tenino
Tenino is known colloquially as the “Stone City” due to the area’s sandstone quarries in South Thurston County — with one of those quarries now serving as the city’s public pool. The …
Fallen Firefighters’ Memorial Service to be held Sunday, June 14, in Olympia
The public is invited to attend the annual Washington State Fallen Firefighters’ Memorial Service on Sunday, June 14, on the state Capitol’s west campus in Olympia. The memorial service will …
Community Calendar for June 11: Prairie Days, Movies in the Park, Mushball
Thursday, June 25 Prairie Days Bingo The annual Prairie Days Bingo event is set to return from 5 p.m. to 8 on Thursday, June 25, at the Yelm Community Center. The free event welcomes community …
City of Yelm officials discuss agreement with Blue Fern Development for master planned community
Todd Stancil, Yelm City Administrator, announced during a Yelm City Council study session on Tuesday, June 2, that a professional services agreement would be brought forward during the next city …
Heartwood Haven launches ‘Hearts and Hooves Auction’ to build medical barn
Heartwood Haven, a Roy-based animal sanctuary, is pushing an effort to localize its medical procedures at its location in the small town by hosting an online fundraiser, titled, “Hearts and Hooves …

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State & Regional News
 Female wrestler sues school district, state over alleged assault by male competitor
Six months after a female wrestler in the Puyallup School District reported being sexually assaulted by a male wrestler who identifies as female during a match, the 16-year-old student and her mother …
Ballmer’s philanthropy commits to funding 10,000 affordable housing units in Washington
The Ballmer Group is committing hundreds of millions of dollars to fund 10,000 new affordable rental homes in Washington state, a dramatic investment focused on keeping families out of …
Idaho farmers are hoping Congress can get updated farm bill across finish line
Many of Idaho’s farmers and producers are dealing with skyrocketing costs to do business, but many of the nation’s support systems for them are outdated.  “We have pressure from the …
Large corporate fleets, Amazon, exempt from new road fees for Oregon EVs next year
Oregonians driving electric vehicles will be required to pay hundreds of dollars in new taxes and fees starting next year, sending tens of millions of dollars annually to the State Highway Fund. …
Washington Supreme Court candidates begin pitch to voters ahead of crowded primary
As a crowded August primary looms, Washington Supreme Court candidates are making their pitch to voters ahead of the 2026 election that could decide the fate of a new income tax. The 9.9% tax on …
‘What’s the alternative?’: US Sens. Cruz, Cantwell urge buy-in on college sports bill
A bipartisan pair of U.S. senators promoted their legislation Wednesday to set national standards for college athletes’ compensation, calling the compromise bill the best available option. GOP …
These new Washington state laws take effect Thursday
Over 200 new Washington state laws take effect Thursday.  Among them are tax hikes, enhancements to the state’s Voting Rights Act and guidance for retailers on the penny phase-out. …
Petition campaign to repeal Washington income tax may break records
More than 242,000 Washington voters have signed petitions for an initiative that hopes to repeal the state’s new income tax as organizers seek to break the all-time signature record. Let’s …
Massive clean energy project caught in legal crosswinds at Washington Supreme Court
Washington’s desire to accelerate clean energy development will be in the spotlight Thursday when the state Supreme Court considers whether a state panel and a former governor bypassed permitting …

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Life

WorkSource Thurston County opens new location

WorkSource Thurston County closed its Irving Street location in Tumwater in 2025, and has since provided interim in-person services at several locations. However, WorkSource has decided to …
Graduates toss their caps during the Tenino High School class of 2026 graduation ceremony at Beaver Stadium in Tenino on Friday, June 5.

In Focus: Tenino High School class of 2026 graduation ceremony

Ashleigh Caviness leads a class at the Bodymechanics School of Myotherapy and Massage in Tumwater on Wednesday, June 3.

Mother teams up with daughters to run Bodymechanics School of Myotherapy & Massage in Tumwater and beyond

Having worked at the school for years before purchasing it in 2010, Centralia resident Shari Aldrich is now running the Bodymechanics School of Myotherapy & Massage together with her daughters, …

Area Agency on Aging says rising costs, eating well at top of mind for seniors

The Lewis-Mason-Thurston Area Agency on Aging says a recent survey shows rising costs, eating well and staying in one’s home are top of mind for aging residents and their families and caregivers. …

Cascade Warbirds to fly at the Olympic Airshow

Members of Cascade Warbirds will be exhibiting their aircraft at the Olympic Airshow on June 20 and 21 in the annual event that marks the beginning of the northwest airshow season, a news release …

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  • Nisqually Valley News Bites Ep. 4: Ashley Brooks and Jesse Kellems talk levy efforts
  • Nisqually Valley News Bites Ep. 3: Yelm Mayor Joe DePinto talks journey to office, upcoming projects
  • Nisqually Valley News Bites Ep. 2: Steve Harshfield talks Standing Room Only Theater

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Business
Journalists from The News Tribune, The Olympian and their supporters hold up signs while a speaker talks during the Pacific Northwest Newspaper Guild Washington Local 37082 strike in Tacoma on Tuesday, May 26.
The Olympian shuttered its doors for the day on Tuesday, May 26, as its unionized journalists joined their colleagues in Tacoma for a strike against corporate publisher McClatchy Media over alleged …
Earlier this month, Peak Credit Union President and CEO David Tuyo confirmed that employee layoffs had occurred at the Pacific Northwest credit union, which has 35 branches across Washington and …
Holy Lamb Organics Owner Mindy Schaefer receives the Thurston Green Medium Business Award during the awards event hosted by the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce at Saint Martin’s University in Lacey on Wednesday, April 8.
Environmentally-conscious Thurston County leaders gathered at Saint Martin’s University on Wednesday to celebrate local businesses and organizations that steward sustainable practices. …
The Southwest Washington Grazing school will host its second course April 16-19 in Tenino. The four-day, on-site course is focused on rotational grazing systems, pasture management and grazing …
The staff and members/owners of Capital Homecare Cooperative share a group hug during the co-op's annual meeting at Octapas Cafe in Olympia on Saturday, Feb. 21.
For the first time in nine years of offering in-home care to vulnerable community members, Capital Homecare Cooperative yielded a profit in 2025 that went back to co-op members. Co-op General …

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Nisqually Valley News - June 4, 2026

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Sports

Tenino, Rainier boys compete in WIAA’s state track championships in Yakima

Rainier’s Zach Hamilton competes in the 3,200-meter run during the state track and field championships at Zaepfel Stadium in Yakima on Saturday, May 30.
Several boys athletes from within the Nisqually Valley region, representing Tenino and Rainier high schools, made the trek to Yakima at the end of May to compete for a chance to earn a state …
The Thurston Chronicle’s 2026 All-Area Baseball MVP Olympia's Brayden Cheeka poses for a photo at the Regional Athletic Complex in Lacey on Wednesday, June 3.

Thurston Chronicle’s 2026 All-Area Baseball Team

Perhaps no moment in the 2026 baseball season among local teams was more clutch than the final out of the South Puget Sound League Championship Game between Olympia and Sumner May 6. Bottom of …

Tenino School District accepting Athletic Hall of Fame Nominations

The Tenino School District is once again accepting nominations for their 2026 Athletics Hall of Fame Class. Last fall saw the induction of three former Beavers: Jessica Brathovd, Matt Whitmire, …
The Thurston Chronicle’s 2026 All-Area Softball MVP Nevaeh Haagen of Timberline poses for a photo at the Regional Athletic Complex in Lacey on Monday, June 1.

Thurston Chronicle’s 2026 All-Area Softball Team

In years past, the Puget Sound League divided its Most Valuable Player awards into two: the best player in the Nisqually Division and the top player in the Narrows Division. While those awards …
Timberline's Paityn Gagnon lands in the sand pit during the triple jump at the 2A/3A/4A State Championships at Mount Tahoma High School in Tacoma on Saturday, May 30.

Timberline’s Paityn Gagnon completes unprecedented trifecta of state medals in jump events

TACOMA — Paityn Gagnon once laughed at the idea of her potentially qualifying for state in her three jump events. In hindsight, the Timberline senior was right to chuckle. Her destiny wasn’t …
Olympia's Quenton Lanese finishes the 3,200-meter finals at the 2A/3A/4A State Championships at Mount Tahoma High School in Tacoma on Saturday, May 30.

Olympia’s Caden Durocher wins 800-meter state title, sets state meet record in photo finish

TACOMA — Caden Durocher’s day at Mount Tahoma High School Saturday began in his typical Olympia track garb: a navy blue tank top, black shorts and black Adidas running shoes. It concluded in …
Olympia's Carson Godfrey reacts after throwing 60 feet, 10 inches, in the shot put finals at the 2A/3A/4A State Championships at Mount Tahoma High School in Tacoma on Thursday, May 28.

Olympia’s Quenton Lanese resets own national freshman 1,600-meter record at state meet

TACOMA — No distance runner in the United States has ever had a freshman season like Olympia High School’s Quenton Lanese. One week after he broke the national freshman record in the 1,600 …

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Eight YHS baseball, six softball athletes earn all league status after 2026 season conclusion

YHS senior infielder Parker Myers was named first team all-SPSL after the conclusion of the 2026 baseball season.

After the conclusion of the 2026 high school spring season — which saw Yelm High School’s baseball team finish its year with a record of 12-11 (11-6 in the SPSL) and the YHS softball program …

Mountaineers’ softball season concludes at 2B state tournament in Yakima

Rainier

In Yakima, an emotional Rainier team left the field for the final time this season. The Mountaineers went 1-2 on Friday, May 22, losing a first-round matchup against Liberty (which had former …

Tigers, Titans bounce back from quarterfinal losses to advance to Day 2

Napavine

YAKIMA — Just before 8 p.m. on Friday night, both Pe Ell/Willapa Valley and Napavine lost their state quarterfinals against Toledo and Liberty (Spangle). They had only moments to dwell on …

Opinion
Kris Johnson is president of the Association of Washington Business, the state’s chamber of commerce and manufacturers association.

Commentary: On the road to inspire the next generation of builders

Ten years ago, when AWB’s first Manufacturing Week bus tour crossed the state, we had many goals, such as highlighting the great jobs available in our state’s modern manufacturing sector and …
Letters to the editor can be submitted to yelmnews@yelmonline.com.

Letter to the editor: ‘Are we not paying attention?’

Dear Editor, I am writing to express the deep concern over the May 14 article on the “first joint meeting between the City of Yelm and Yelm Community schools (YCS) since 2019” … since 2019. It …
A wagon packed with belongings sits at the end of Eckerson Road in Centralia as structures in a homeless community are demolished by crews from the Washington State Department of Transportation, which owns the land, on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023.

Opinion: Washington’s homelessness and drug policies have created a culture of death and disorder

Timothy was dead for a week in Seattle’s Discovery Park, lying halfway inside the door of his tent, when an officer investigating rumors of “a body in the woods” finally found him on March 31. …
Gov. Bob Ferguson, left, and state Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen.

Chad Taylor commentary: ‘The Little Guy’ lacks guts to debate Walsh

I understand why Gov. Bob Ferguson would lash out at Washington Republican Party Chairman Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen. The Grays Harbor County lawmaker has made it his job to call out Ferguson …

Wayne Fournier: The last time — a message to new graduates and their parents

This spring, communities across the country will gather to celebrate a familiar milestone. Caps and gowns, diplomas, graduation parties, proud parents taking photographs and trying, …

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Obituaries
In loving memory of David Edwards: 1950 - 2025
Celebration of Life  David Edwards 11/9/1950 - 12/25/2025 Saturday, May 2nd, 2026 5 p.m. Yelm Moose Lodge
In loving memory of Mariel Lindblad: 1939-2026
Mariel Louise Lindblad (Price), 86, of Yelm, Washington, passed away on March 13, 2026. Born in Vancouver, Washington, Mariel spent most of her life in Humboldt County, California, before moving …
In loving memory of Susan Jane Rutledge : 1948 - 2025
Susan Jane Rutledge passed away on Dec. 18, 2025, with her partner and family by her side. Susan is survived by her devoted partner, Jerry Fugich; her son, Christopher Rutledge; her grandson, Wyatt …
In loving memory of Robert Leroy Aschenbrenner Jr.: 1975-2026
Robert Leroy Aschenbrenner Jr. (Rob) was born November 19, 1975 in Puyallup, Washington. He passed away in St. Peter's Hospital on January 11, 2026. He was a busy little guy–he had two brothers, …
In loving memory of Beverly Huizenga: 1958-2026
Beverly Ann Huizenga, lovingly known as Bev, age 67, of Mill Creek, Washington, passed away Jan. 2, 2026, at Swedish Hospital in Edmonds, Washington. Bev was born Feb. 5, 1958, in Olympia, …

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Community
Community Calendar for Dec. 18: Worthy Coffee Co. Santa photos, Souper Sunday at Yelm Lions Club, YARD’s ‘Level Up Lounge’ grand opening
Friday, Dec. 19 Yelm boys basketball hosts Puyallup Yelm High School’s boys basketball team will host the 4A SPSL’s Puyallup High School at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 19, inside the YHS gymnasium. …
Community Calendar for Dec. 4: Free pictures with Santa, Christmas in the Park activities, 14th annual Yelm Lions Christmas Store, Santa Story and Ice Cream Social
Friday, Dec. 5 Free pictures with Santa The City of Yelm’s parks and recreation department will host free pictures with Santa from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5, at the Yelm Community …
Community Calendar for November 27: Tenino Holiday Market, Christmas in the Park tree lighting ceremony, Free pictures with Santa
Friday, Nov. 28 to Sunday Nov. 30 Tenino Holiday Market The 2025 Tenino Holiday Market will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 28, Saturday, Nov. 29, and Sunday, Nov. 30, at The Kodiak …
Community Calendar for November 20: Prestige Senior Living Rosemont’s Christmas Bazaar, Tenino Holiday Market, Christmas in the Park tree lighting ceremony
Saturday, Nov. 22 Prestige Senior Living Rosemont’s Christmas Bazaar Prestige Senior Living Rosemont, located 215 Killion Rd NW, will host its Christmas Bazaar event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on …
Community Calendar for November 13: Prestige Senior Living Rosemont’s Christmas Bazaar, Tenino Holiday Market, Christmas in the Park tree lighting ceremony, Free pictures with Santa
Saturday, Nov. 22 Prestige Senior Living Rosemont’s Christmas Bazaar Prestige Senior Living Rosemont, located 215 Killion Rd NW, will host its Christmas Bazaar event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on …
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