Steven Wyble, May 30, 2012
Photo credit: Tyler Huey, Nisqually Valley News

Steven Wyble, lead reporter for city issues of the Yelm-based Nisqually Valley News (NVN) will be leaving the newspaper to pursue other opportunities. Wyble was hired by former NVN Editor/Publisher Keven Graves and began his service on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. Wyble earned a Bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in Africana studies from Eastern Washington University in 2010. Following graduation, his first job as a reporter was with the Moses Lake-based Columbia Basin Herald. Wyble was looking for a position closer to his Grapeview, WA home (NE of Shelton) when a position became available at the NVN in mid-2012.
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Wyble’s role became more high-profile seven months later when Graves left the NVN in January 2013 to become the Executive Editor and Publisher for the Whidbey Newspaper Group, which included The Whidbey News-Times, the Whidbey Examiner and the South Whidbey Record. The NVN owners, Lafromboise Newspapers of Centralia , WA., brought to Yelm their former Executive Editor Michael Wagar of NVN sister paper, The Chronicle in Centralia, who began his new job here on Wednesday, February 20, 2013 as NVN Editor and Publisher. Wagar put Wyble on more high-profile assignments where he garnered excellent experience in working for two Editors and Publishers.


Wyble has been given some challenging and difficult coverage in his almost four years at the NVN. He is the only reporter that accepted JZ Knight’s invitation to participate in the techniques taught at Yelm-based Ramtha’s School of Enlightenment (RSE), reported extensively on the case of Virginia Coverdale vs. JZK, Inc., and covered Yelm citizen Sara Foster’s water case against Ecology and the City of Yelm through to the final decision by the WA Supreme Court. I recently have seen Wyble on the job at Mayor Harding’s State of the City Address and at Yelm City Council meetings reporting on the on-going changes with three new Councilors.


Wyble was recognized for excellence in reporting several times, including last year’s Washington Newspaper Publishers Association (WNPA) Third Place Award for the Best Crime and Court Story, Groups 1 & 2, “Canal Rescue.”
Click here to read Wyble’s award-winning story.


While I have not always agreed with the presentation of some stories for which I have made public comments, I know that no reader will always agree with a newspaper reporter. A newspaper’s role is to provide a mechanism to create a conversation and have readers think about issues, for which Wyble has done admirably well. We live in a Constitutional Republic where free speech is still protected, and I honor and respect Wyble for his handling of stories unique to our area.


Wyble said this to the Yelm Community Blog, “It’s a bit bittersweet to be leaving, because I really enjoy covering the city. But, I hadn’t even heard of Yelm before I took this job, and now I know all it has to offer.”


I will always remember Steven’s first interview with me in 2013 plus his accurately reporting my retirement from RSE in December 2014. Steven’s perspective, context, and viewpoint will be sorely missed by this reader. Whether at a Yelm Chamber Forum, City Council session or interview in his office, Steven always had a smile, warm handshake and openness towards me, for which I will always remember. His shoes will be difficult for Wagar to fill.


The Yelm Community Blog wishes Steven all the best in his future endeavors.
Wyble has left an indelible mark on Yelm for the better!