* Yelm’s iconic Cecelia Jenkins died Oct. 13th, * Construction began on Vail Rd. between 148th-153rd,* Nisqually Land Trust adds 10.5 more acres to Lower Ohop!

**In 2014 as she retired, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Cecelia Jenkins was presented with the symbolic “Hawthorn Pen” by Mayor Ron Harding, the virtual key to the city.**
**Photo credit: Barbra Kates Photography via this blog, www.barbrakates.com**

*** REGIONAL NEWS FROM TUESDAY ***

+ NVN: Cecelia Jenkins, the longtime executive director of the Yelm Chamber of Commerce, died at the age of 72 on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021

[Ed. note: Jenkins graduated from Yelm High School in 1967 and had been employed by and/or supported Yelm’s schools ever since. She was the first employee to receive a Yelm Community Schools 40-year service pin, and also received every accolade this city has to offer. Jenkins retired in 2014. I got to collaborate with her on several community projects of mutual interest in the 1990s. Her contributions to the fabric of this community were immense. Blessings to her family. R.I.P. Obituary here

Graveside services will be Saturday, Oct. 23, 12n, Yelm Cemetery.

Click here to read of Cecelia’s amazing contributions to Yelm, posted on this blog July 2, 2014.]

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+ Thurston County Public Works: Construction has started on Vail Rd. between 148th and 153rd – expect delays

+ NVN: Yelm Schools grant 14.5% of employees with vaccine exemptions, while Rainier sees 20% of employees with exemptions

+ The Seattle Times: Judge denies last-minute effort to block Gov. Jay Inslee’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate

+ The Chronicle (Centralia): ‘Sad Page in WA State’s History’: Local Lawmakers Decry Inslee Vaccine Mandate as Monday Deadline Passes [includes Rep. J.T. Wilcox]

+ The Seattle Times: Jobless benefits uncertain for Washington workers who quit or are fired over vaccine mandates

+ The News Tribune (Tacoma): Here’s how many workers are leaving WA State Patrol following vaccine mandate deadline – More than 100 leaving include troopers, sergeants, civil servants and a captain.

+ KING-5 TV: ‘I’m fired’: Washington’s ferry workers say lack of accommodations for vaccine exemptions is forcing them out- and massive schedule cutbacks

+ South Sound Business: A Long Talk with Annette Pitts, The CEO of Experience Olympia & Beyond

+ NVN: Yelm Council Approves Contract for Phase One of New Dog Park