Steve Klein addresses current issues impacting Yelm and vicinity and provides a meeting place for anyone with an interest in this area to provide their ideas and opinions
“We are so pleased to announce our newest street, Bergh Ct, in honor of our beloved teacher, Ed Bergh. Ed was a social studies teacher at Yelm High school for 36 years who passed away in February of 2017. He is described as “dedicated and passionate” in his teaching and was awarded the Washington Civic Educator of the Year and just two years later he received the National History Teacher of the Year award. His death was a major loss to our community and we are happy for the opportunity to honor his memory in our town forever!”
Each bag provided to students has enough food for the weekend, including macaroni & cheese, tuna, ravioli, ramen noodles, chili, fruit cups, granola bars, oatmeal, peanut butter, chocolate milk and assorted snacks. Students go to the counselor’s or nurse’s office and obtain the food. Bags fit easily into backpacks so other students will not know they are part of our program. Each bag costs $8 – $9 per week to fill. Photo credit: Stephanie Hemphill
“Local nonprofit All Kids Win, formerly known as Homeless Backpacks, is putting on their second-ever Shop, Savor, Support, All Kids Win fundraiser in collaboration with local businesses on May 25. On this day, a portion of profits from the 10 participating businesses will benefit All Kids Win, which is committed to ending homelessness by feeding in-need youth throughout Thurston County.
[Yelm’s partipiating business: The Shiplap Quilt Shop and Coffee House. Learn how to quilt with in-house classes, shop fabric by the yard and enjoy a cup of coffee at The Shiplap Quilt Shop and Coffee House.]
“This 501(c)3 corporation fills the gap for students who may be enrolled in government-supported meal programs during the school week, but do not have reliable food sources over the weekends. All Kids Win drops off food bags to middle and high schools in Lacey, Tumwater, Olympia, and K-12 schools in Yelm, Rainier, and Tenino. Because of these donations, students don’t have to worry about where they will get their next meal. This means they can focus on staying in school, graduating and becoming contributing adults.
“According to 2017 data from Feeding America, USDA and the American Community Survey, about 18.1% of children in Thurston County are food insecure. Food insecurity is defined as, “a household’s inability to provide enough food for each person to live an active, healthy lifestyle.” In their most successful week this year, All Kids Win fed nearly 600 kids. They continually feed over 500 kids per week.”
“Straight from the frigid waters of the Copper River in Alaska, the first delivery of fresh salmon arrived [May 17] at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
“Nearly 17,200 pounds of wild Alaska Copper River Salmon was flown by Alaska Air Cargo — the first of many shipments expected this season, which runs now through September.
“The celebratory “first fish,” sponsored this year by Copper River Seafoods, weighed in at 30 lbs.”
“The coffee giant announced Monday that it will no longer have a brand presence in Russia. Starbucks has 130 locations in the country, which account for less than one percent of the company’s annual revenue. They are all licensed locations, so the Seattle-based company itself doesn’t operate them.
“Starbucks said it will pay its nearly 2,000 Russian workers for six months and help them transition to new opportunities outside of the coffee chain.”
“The Thurston Board of County Commissioners declared the third week of May, as the National Public Works Week during its Tuesday meeting on May 17.” Credit: Jolt Staff photo via YouTube
The Thurston Board of County Commissioners declared the third week of May, 15 to 21, National Public Works Week during their Tuesday meeting on May 17.
This year’s theme is titled “Ready and Resilient” to encourage the public to consider public works professionals as “everyday heroes,” Road Operations Manager Mike Lowman explained.
“Whether it’s cleaning up after damaging rains, performing scheduled road maintenance to keep us moving, or providing support to utility customers, public works professionals are always ready to serve and resilient as ever,” said Lowman.
Thurston Public Works Director Jennifer Walker said the celebration of the 62nd National Public Works Week is an opportunity to recognize the essential services provided by public works professionals.
+ MSNBC Opinion: Why vasectomies could become a more popular birth control method – Data shows men are taking pregnancy prevention into their own hands. Gently encouraging men to get vasectomies hasn’t exactly worked in the past. Maybe an extreme right-wing minority encoding forced birth into law will.
Murthy had filed a Request for Information (RFI) asking the public “to share research, data and personal experiences related to health misinformation, in an effort to deepen our collective understanding of its sources and impact.”
In a six-page response, Rokita accused the CDC and other government and decision-making health officials of spreading disinformation by:
Overcounting Covid-19 numbers in three ways
Purposely ignoring and downplaying natural immunity
Claiming the vaccines prevent disease when no study showed that
Lying when they said school closures were effective and costless
Inaccurately stating that all persons were equally at risk of COVID-19 infection
Claiming there was no reasonable alternative to lockdowns
Claiming mask mandates were effective in reducing the spread of the infection
“Thurston County voters will winnow large fields of candidates when they cast their ballots in the August primary.
“Friday was the last day for candidates to file the paperwork to place their names on the August primary ballots. When the filing period closed, only five incumbents on the Thurston County ballot were left without opponents: Coroner Gary Warnock, Prosecuting Attorney Jon Tunheim, 2nd Legislative District Rep. Andrew Barkis, R-Lacey, and 20th Legislative District Reps. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia, and Ed Orcutt, R-Kalama.“
“U.S. Rep. Marilyn Strickland, D-Tacoma, who represents the 10th District, is facing four opponents: Republican Keith R. Swank of Puyallup, Republican Dan Earnest Gordon of Lakewood, Democrat Eric Mahaffy of Olympia, and Richard Boyce of Lakewood, who listed his party affiliation as Congress Sucks.
“U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Ridgefield, who represents the 3rd District [encompasses southern Yelm, Rainier], is facing eight opponents: Republicans Vicki Kraft and Leslie L. French of Vancouver, and Heidi St. John and Joe Kent of Battle Ground; Democrats Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washougal and Davy Ray of Stevenson; American Solidarity Party member Oliver Black of Longview; and independent Chris Byrd of Toutle.”
“[Thurston County Sheriff] Challenger Derek Sanders filed to replace long-time incumbent John Snaza, who is seeking re-election. Both are running as independents.”
“District 3 County Commissioner Tye Menser of Olympia, who is looking to secure a second term, will face one challenger, Republican candidate Vivian Kay Eason of Tumwater, a fiscal conservative and Army veteran who aims to bring “less partisan” politics to the Board of County Commissioners, according to her website.
“In the race for county clerk, incumbent Linda Enlow, a Democrat, will face fellow Democrat Tonya Moore, who has 24 years of experience in superior court administration.
Thurston County Treasurer Jeff Gadman, a Lacey Democrat, is running for re-election against Jeff Curry, an Olympia candidate with no party preference. Assessor Steven Drew will face Kave Kolar, an independent. And Auditor Mary Hall, an Olympia Democrat, will face Sal Militello, a Lacey Republican.
“Only the judicial positions drew little interest this election season. Incumbents are running unopposed in every race, from State Supreme Court to Thurston County District Court.”
“Our COVID-19 transmission rates continue to rise and we are seeing an increased number of COVID-19 outbreaks in Thurston County. Yesterday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) changed the COVID-19 Community Level for Thurston County from Low to Medium due to the 7-day COVID-19 transmission rate increasing to more than 200 cases per 100K population. At this community level there are additional recommendations for people at high risk of severe disease as well as the general public.
“People at who are immunocompromised or have other risk factors for severe disease should consider wearing a mask in public indoor spaces and have a plan for rapid testing if needed (this could be home test kits or access to testing). People who have contact with people who are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe disease should consider testing for COVID-19 before contact and wearing a mask when indoors with them.”
Yet another county has a confirmed bird flu outbreak, making it nine flocks in seven counties over the past two weeks.
The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) confirmed a Thurston County flock of chicken, geese, guinea fowl and ducks has tested positive. The flock will be euthanized.
The state is still urging flock owners to cautiously watch over them and ensure the spread stops until at least 30 days after the last confirmed infection.
The big concern, according to the WSDA, is keeping these flocks away from wild waterfowl.
State agriculture officials confirmed a Thurston County flock tested positive for bird flu on Tuesday, and on Thursday the Washington state veterinarian called for poultry markets to close for a month. Highly pathogenic avian influenza has been confirmed in nine domestic flocks in seven counties across Washington state. The latest detection occurred in Thurston County near Yelm.
“The Port of Olympia will hold the third public open house on the Olympia Regional Airport Master Plan Update (MPU) on Thursday, May 26, 2022, from 2:00 – 3:30 PM via Zoom.” Credit: Port of Olympia via JOLT News.
Port of Olympia seeking input on Airport Master Plan Update
“The Washington state legislature has a statewide airport committee — Commercial Aviation Coordinating Commission — that is charged with recommending a location for a new commercial airport by February 15, 2023, as well as expanding capacity elsewhere. …”
“The Feb. 9 Commercial Aviation Coordinating Commission’s Report to Legislative Transportation Committees includes a list of six existing airports recommended for adding capacity to meet the demand for commercial passenger service, air cargo, or general aviation. These airports are Arlington Municipal Airport, Bremerton National Airport, Snohomish County (Paine Field) Airport, Sanderson Field in Shelton, Ed Carlson Memorial Field-South Lewis County Airport, and the Tacoma Narrows Airport.
“The Olympia Regional Airport is not on the CACC’s recommended list for potential expansion.“
