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
====== – “Earthquake registering 6.8 on Richter Scale jolts Seattle/Puget Sound, Feb. 28, 2001.” “At 10:54 a.m. on February 28, 2001, a deep earthquake centered near the Nisqually Delta northwest of Olympia startles the entire Puget Sound region and causes more than $1 billion in damage to area buildings and roads. The 40-second quake, calibrated at a magnitude of 6.8 on the revised Richter Scale, injures an estimated 200 persons in the region, and is cited as the cause of a fatal heart attack in Burien. Hardest hit structures are located in Olympia, including the State Capitol, and in Seattle’s historic Pioneer Square. The quake is the strongest since 1949, although a “weaker” 1965 temblor caused more damage and was blamed for seven deaths.
“Scientists quickly placed the epicenter of the earthquake at approximately 30 miles below the Nisqually River delta, a point 11 miles north of Olympia, along a subduction zone in which the Juan de Fuca tectonic plate is sliding beneath the North American plate. A 7.1 magnitude earthquake originated in this same area on April 13, 1949, killing eight and causing substantial property damage,” by Walt Crowley, HistoryLink.org, The Free Encyclopedia of Washington State History. Read more
– “Nisqually Earthquake in Seattle, Feb. 28, 2001” “This is raw footage from the KIRO 7 archive of the Nisqually Earthquake in Seattle, Feb. 28, 2001,” from KIRO TV 7 News, Seattle. Read more
Gov. Jay Inslee shakes hands with Oleg Pynda, executive director of Washington’s Ukranian Community Center. The center is a key link for newcomers, including the 16,000 Ukrainian immigrants new to Washington state. Credit: Office of Gov. Jay Inslee.
Washington stands with Ukraine on anniversary of Russian invasion
On the one-year mark of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Washington remains committed to helping refugees and supporting civilians and soldiers on the war’s frontline.
One year has passed since Russia began its campaign to invade Ukraine, and the conflict remains ongoing. Refugees and Ukranian-Americans still anguish for their nation, and Ukranians fighting for liberty still rely on support from world citizens.
Over the last decade, more than 30,000 refugees from 70 countries have settled in Washington through the U.S. Refugee Admissions program. Since Russia’s illegal seizure of the Crimean Peninsula in 2014, Washington has become home to more Ukrainian refugees than any other state, according to The Seattle Times.
In the last year alone, Washington has taken in 16,000 more Ukrainian refugees.
+ The New York Times Guest Essay by J. Michael Luttig: Mike Pence’s Dangerous Gambit[Judge Luttig served on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, provided advice to then-Vice President Pence on the run-up to the Electoral College count on Jan. 6, 2021]
“A map of Thurston County that includes a circular area where a proposed international airport may be situated. Warren Hendrickson, acting chair of Commercial Aviation Coordinating Commission, shared this map with the Orting City Council on Dec. 14, 2022. It shows the proposed site area overlapping with land controlled by Joint Base Lewis-McCord.” Courtesy of Commercial Aviation Coordinating Commission via The Olympian.
Airport sites in Puget Sound could be put on no-go list due to military conflict
Three greenfield sites under review for a potential new major airport in Washington might be one step closer to being removed from consideration under a proposed bill that would reset a three-year analysis of the state’s commercial aviation future.
House Bill 1791 would supplant the Commercial Aviation Coordinating Commission, which was tasked by the state in 2019 with recommending a site appropriate for a new airport. The CACC narrowed options in September to three rural sites in Pierce and Thurston counties, setting off a wave of local opposition. The CACC is scheduled to recommend a single location by June.
An amendment to HB 1791 passed Thursday in the House Transportation Committee would require the CACC’s proposed successor — called the Commercial Aviation Work Group —- to produce a list of areas that will be barred from analysis because they conflict with military operations.
The work group must include those locations in its first report to the state, according to language in the substitute House bill. If previously reported conflicts with Joint Base Lewis-McChord are any indication, greenfield sites near Graham, Roy and East Olympia would be named as no-go sites for an airport in the work group’s report.
JBLM representatives have said that a two-runway airport at any of the three greenfield sites currently under CACC consideration — two in Pierce County and one in Thurston County — are at odds with the nearby military installation.
Key take-aways from the Mayor’s State of the City on February 14th:
The city had a “good year” in 2022 during his first year as mayor.
DePinto underscored, “I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t a steep learning curve. There’s a lot to learn, and reflecting back, there’s maybe some things I would’ve done differently. Yet throughout all the learning, we had a good year here in the City of Yelm. The state of the community remains strong.”
Proud of expanded relationships with local organizations and businesses like the Nisqually Indian Tribe and the Yelm Senior Center.
DePinto referenced improvements to city’s storefronts via the city’s beautification grant program, including initiatives like “Pretty City Day,” to “literally” clean-up Yelm.
2023 will see the addition of a street sweeper to the Yelm Public Works Department.
The mayor highlighted filling “critical job openings,” such as police chief, city administrator, and a new building and planning manager.
Issues he faced included the end of mask mandates, having employees back to in-person work, and the negotiation of labor union contracts.
DePinto said the city acquired water rights in 2022, providing sufficient water access to future Yelm residents, acknowledging the efforts of former mayors and city council members who put in two decades of work to ensure the city had adequate rights to grow.
The city council approved a budget focusing on public safety, transportation projects, downtown parking, and financing the renovation of the new water reclamation facility.
2023 will see the grand opening of a dog park across from Public Works, a permanent stage at Yelm City Park, and a downtown alley providing accessibility for food trucks and vendors.
DePinto has been in talks with adding a YMCA location in Yelm, with an estimated coat of $18 million. The next step is to involve the city council.
We have experience servicing all makes and models of domestic and import vehicles, and we’re honored to keep vehicles throughout the Rainier area reliable and well-maintained. Our skillful mechanics will take great care of your vehicle too, quickly diagnosing any problems and offering cost-effective solutions to get you back on the road.
Call Turner Automotive today at 360-446-1418! You can also send us an email. Either way, we’re looking forward to providing you with reliable automotive service!
Yelm Cold Weather Warming Center will open this evening at 9:00 p.m.
Yelm Community Center, 301 2nd St. SE, Yelm.
CODE BLUE – Hazardous Weather mobilization now in effect until Saturday, February 25.
Overnight emergency shelter for people over 18 years old of all genders and their pets are welcome. Couples stay together, pets must be leashed and in control of their pets at all times.
UPDATE: We have all we need but two things stand out:
Some will be wet and dirty. I still only have a few pair of jeans! We need men’s sizes 32-34. We also need some long sleeve shirts. And, coats. Any size warm clothes for women, but mostly medium or large.
SNACKS! any sweet tooth favorites would be appreciated.
PLEASE feel free to drop off at the Community Center on THURSDAY during the Yelm Community Resource Fair from 10-4.
==========
Mission Statement
Love Abounds Here works to develop and protect the health and wellbeing of our houseless neighbors in Yelm and the surrounding area. We uphold individual value, consider all with love and respect and foster self-empowerment.
Vision Statement
Love Abounds Here envisions Yelm as a place where anyone who is homeless or who has experienced homelessness is a respected, healthy, safe, and valued member of their community.
Our Purpose
The purpose of Love Abounds Here is to serve the homeless community in the greater Yelm area including Roy, McKenna, and Rainier, Washington and unincorporated areas between these small towns. Love Abounds Here provides services, resources, and advocacy for the homeless in the Yelm Area.
After opening its doors in January, Mount Rainier Clock Repair has been off to a busy first month of business in Yelm.
The new shop works on all sorts of clocks, which range from cuckoo to grandfather clocks, antiques to modern pieces, wall clocks and more.
Lance Howard, the owner of Mount Rainier Clock Repair, has been repairing clocks since 1977. Howard opened a nautical retail store in 1974, and three years later, he added a repair shop to his business. Howard began repairing and providing maintenance to clocks and nautical-related items.
With nearly 50 years of repair experience under his belt, Howard wanted to open a clock repair shop in Yelm after he relocated to the area. After nearly a year of searching, he eventually found his current Creek Street location.
“It’s a business that doesn’t exist. The industry has changed in a way where seniors are closing their shops to retire,” Howard said. “It’s leaving vast holes in the industry across the country and locally in the way of Lacey, Fife and Puyallup.”
Howard said he has no plans of quitting or retiring anytime soon as the industry continues to phase out.
Since opening its doors in January, Howard said people have brought in around 30 clocks in need of service to his business.
=====
The new clock repair business is located at 10501 Creek St. SE in Yelm.
For more information on Mount Rainier Clock Repair, call 253-345-0515.
Yelm Community Schools will host a community resource fair at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 22, at Yelm High School, 1315 W. Yelm Ave. Over 60 organizations who provide services to Thurston County families will be in attendance. At 5:30 p.m., there will be a panel discussion in the high school commons with a variety of speakers who will discuss support for families in need of social, emotional and physical health resources. The event is open to the community.
YCS Office of Student Support hosts a Community Resource Night!
All Kids Win ARC/Thurston DD Coalition Behavioral Health Services Big Brother/Big Sister Catholic Community Services Center for Independence CHOICE Regional Health Network Cielo Community Action Council Connections Counseling NW Consejo County DDA Cricket Wireless ACP Program Day of Champions DSHS/DVR Grub Hand On Children’s Museum Housing Authority Thurston County Intercity Transit JBLM EFMP/AFCS KoKua Learners Without Limits Military and Family Life Counselors Molina Healthcare Morningside Multicare Multilingual Learners Native American Services New Market Skills Center NW Justice Project. Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Puget Sound Energy Rotary Yelm Sea Mar Community Clinic South Sound Parent to Parent South Sound Reading Foundation TCPHSS Specialized Recreation Timberland Regional Library Transition Services Thurston County Volunteer Legal Service Vadis Washington Relay WorkSource Yelm Community Services DSHS/DDA Job Corp YWCA Economic Empowerment Program Autism Acres DSHS/Office of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Dispatch Health Habitat for Humanity Family Support Center of South Sound Thurston County Inclusion Center Bounty for Families/Power of Produce
I am regularly asked if schools are fully recovered from the pandemic. While we have made great strides in addressing the multiple challenges, not all families can be considered back to
In case you missed it: [Feb. 21] California Governor Gavin Newsom, Colorado Governor Jared Polis, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, Delaware Governor John Carney, Hawai’i Governor Josh Green, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Maine Governor Janet Mills, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee, Washington Governor Jay Inslee, and Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, announced the launch of a multi-state Reproductive Freedom Alliance (Alliance).
The Alliance is a non-partisan coalition of 20 governors committed to protecting and expanding reproductive freedom in their states, the largest such coalition ever convened. The Alliance will work together to strengthen reproductive freedom in the face of an unprecedented assault on abortion access and other forms of reproductive health care by states hostile to abortion rights and judges who are advancing their ideological agenda. All governors who support reproductive freedom are welcome to join the Alliance.
“This is an issue of freedom,” said Gov. Jay Inslee. “Patients must have the freedom to make personal reproductive care decisions for themselves, without interference by activist politicians. Washington is taking strong action to protect these freedoms for every patient and provider in our state, and we are all in on the fight to protect a person’s right to an abortion across the country.”
Major funding for the Alliance is provided by the California Wellness Foundation with additional support from the Rosenberg Foundation.
Joint Statement from the governors
“As governors representing nearly 170 million people across every region of the country, we are standing with all people who believe in reproductive freedom and health care. We are standing with them to say, ‘enough.’
“In the last year alone, over 36 million women have lost access to critical health care with the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Medication abortion – one of the safest forms of health care for decades now – may be stripped from our clinics and hospitals nationwide. Doctors face criminal prosecution for providing care. Extremists are trying to restrict access to contraception – and we know they won’t stop there.
“In the face of this unprecedented assault by states hostile to abortion rights and their enablers in the courts, we are pledging to work together to strengthen abortion firewalls across America. This fight isn’t over.“
Quotes from the governors:
California Governor Gavin Newsom
“California has long been a leader in reproductive rights, but we can’t do it alone. We have gathered a coalition of bi-partisan governors to commit to reproductive freedom, and a coalition this size – 20 and counting – has never been done before. This Alliance is a moral obligation to what is right and will stand as a firewall to fight for and protect providers, patients, and all who are affected by these attacks on fundamental rights.”
Colorado Governor Jared Polis
“While some politicians want to restrict the ability of individuals to access reproductive health services and some states are criminalizing doctors and women like Texas, Colorado stands for freedom and empowering women and their doctors to make medical decisions without government interference or fear of retaliation. Colorado values freedom for all to make their own choices on how to live their lives.”
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont
“Connecticut has a long history of protecting reproductive rights and the freedom to choose one’s own medical care, and as long as I am governor I will do everything in my power to prevent the government from restricting those rights. The recent activist decision by the Supreme Court to remove a woman’s constitutional right to reproductive healthcare has resulted in confusion across the country and a patchwork of radical laws in certain states that are blocking basic healthcare rights and putting the careers of medical professionals in jeopardy simply for providing essential care to their patients. Now, in this new era, we must actively work to ensure that politicians do not interfere in the decisions made between a patient and their doctor.”
Delaware Governor John Carney
“Women’s health care decisions are deeply personal and private, and should be protected under the law – as they are here in Delaware. We look forward to working with other states to keep these decisions in the hands of the women who have to make them.”
Hawai’i Governor Josh Green, M.D.
“As a physician, husband and father as well as Governor of Hawai‘i, I know reproductive rights are a critical and central healthcare matter for all families. A woman’s right to choose and therefore control her own reproductive rights, was codified in Hawaiʻi law. Hawai‘i was, in fact, the first state to allow safe, legal abortion care, effective as of March 11, 1970. That was three years before Roe v. Wade legalized this aspect of healthcare policy across the U.S.”
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker
“Here in Illinois, we know that abortion is healthcare and believe that a medical decision should be made between a patient and their doctor—not by extremist politicians. As Illinois remains a beacon for reproductive healthcare in a region increasingly plagued by inhumane restrictions, I’m proud to join my fellow Governors to help fulfill the promise I made when Roe v. Wade was overturned: we will not go backwards.”
Maine Governor Janet Mills
“The Supreme Court’s wrongheaded decision to overturn Roe v. Wade has left more than half the people in America without access to safe abortion, and it has unleashed unprecedented wave of new threats to reproductive health care. While we have strong abortion laws in Maine, this moment requires that states come together to stand for and safeguard reproductive freedom wherever and whenever possible. I’m proud to join the Reproductive Freedom Alliance, and, so long as I am Governor of Maine, I will work to protect and strengthen reproductive rights in our state.”
Maryland Governor Wes Moore
“I fully supported four bills heading to the floor of our state legislature that will protect abortion access, privacy, and out-of-state patients—including a bill to create a constitutional amendment that will enshrine reproductive rights in the Maryland Constitution. I am proud to stand with other governors in the fight to protect and expand reproductive freedom. While some states have decided to move toward restricting women’s rights, I can assure you that here in Maryland, we will protect them.”
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey
“In this moment when abortion access is under threat across the country, Governors have a unique responsibility and opportunity to expand reproductive freedom in our states. I’m proud to stand with my colleagues to send a clear message that we are not just playing defense, but moving ambitiously forward to improve access to abortion and reproductive health care.”
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer
“Michiganders and Americans across the nation believe that everyone should be able to make their own decisions about their own body. Access to abortion and other reproductive health care saves lives, and it’s why we will fight like hell to protect fundamental rights wherever they are under attack. Every American should be able to start a family if and when they are ready. I am proud to join this alliance and look forward to getting things done with my fellow governors.”
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz
“As states turn back the clock on reproductive rights, reproductive freedom remains a fundamental right for every person in Minnesota. Now more than ever, we must protect our neighbors and stand with states across the country to defend reproductive rights, ensure people have the freedom to make decisions about their own bodies, and expand access to safe and affordable reproductive health care. I look forward to working with this group of governors to protect and expand this fundamental right across the country.”
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy
“With the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act that I signed last year, and related reforms and investments to make reproductive health care more affordable and accessible, New Jersey has continued to protect and expand a woman’s fundamental right to reproductive choice. Amidst a continual assault from a radical minority intent on ignoring facts, public sentiment, and decades of judicial precedent, we will work to expand and preserve reproductive freedom for women everywhere across our country and for the dedicated health care professionals who deliver this care.”
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham
“I am proud to join with 19 fellow governors to protect the rights of every person to a full array of reproductive health services, including abortion. Those rights are fundamental, no matter which state you live in. This group will continue to work to guarantee reproductive freedom in each of our states and to restore that right to every woman in America.”
New York Governor Kathy Hochul
“New Yorkers have a clear message for anyone who dares to threaten their reproductive rights: not here, not now, not ever. After the Dobbs decision stripped away abortion rights, New York has stood up as a safe harbor for abortion care and women’s rights. We launched a $35 million Abortion Provider Support Fund, passed laws to protect and support abortion care, and moved to add an Equal Rights Amendment to the State Constitution. I’m proud to stand with my fellow governors in the fight to strengthen reproductive freedoms — because every American deserves to have their fundamental rights respected.”
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper
“With reproductive rights under attack across the country, it’s up to governors to safeguard women’s rights and their access to health care. North Carolina is a critical access point for women seeking reproductive health care, and the freedom to choose is a fundamental right we’re working hard to protect.”
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek
“Oregonians have fought incredibly hard to have among the strongest protections for reproductive rights in the country. But we know that overturning Roe v. Wade was the first step to ban abortion in every single state. We cannot afford to stand by and watch our fundamental right to reproductive health care be stripped away, not in Oregon, and not in the twenty states that have courageously joined the Reproductive Freedom Alliance. To the well over 150 million people we collectively represent who rely on these services: we have your back.”
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro
“If you believe in real freedom, and the promises it guarantees, then you believe in a woman’s right to choose. I am proud to join my fellow governors in our collective commitment to ensure reproductive health care remains accessible in our respective states, and to fight back at every level against this unprecedented attack on our fundamental freedoms. One of my first meetings in office was with Planned Parenthood, to discuss how we can work together to protect Pennsylvanians — and their doctors — from extremist politicians attempting to turn back the hands of time. Let me be clear: as long as I am serving the good people of Pennsylvania, abortion will remain safe, legal, and accessible in the Commonwealth.”
Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee
“Here in Rhode Island, we will always support a woman’s right to choose. In addition to our state previously codifying Roe into state law, the budget I’ve submitted to our General Assembly this year includes expanded protections and access to abortion related services for state employees and those on Medicaid. In a time when a vocal minority is trying to take away rights, Governors and state legislatures are the frontlines of defense. I’m proud to stand with this group of Governors to protect and expand reproductive health care for all.”
Washington Governor Jay Inslee
“This is an issue of freedom. Patients must have the freedom to make personal reproductive care decisions for themselves, without interference by activist politicians. Washington is taking strong action to protect these freedoms for every patient and provider in our state, and we are all in on the fight to protect a person’s right to an abortion across the country.”
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers
“Every Wisconsinite should have the right to make their own reproductive healthcare decisions without interference from politicians. That’s a right I’ll never stop fighting for as long as I’m governor—not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it’s the will of the people. Reproductive healthcare is healthcare, and I’m proud to join my fellow governors in continuing the fight to restore Roe and reproductive rights for every person in Wisconsin and across the country.”
Statements from Funding Partners:
CA Wellness Foundation
“At Cal Wellness, we look forward to continuing our investment in protecting and promoting reproductive justice by joining with other funding partners and the California Governor’s Office to advance the work of the Reproductive Freedom Alliance,” said Judy Belk, president and CEO of The California Wellness Foundation.
Rosenberg Foundation
“Defending reproductive freedom is a racial justice issue,” said Tim Silard, president of Rosenberg Foundation. “The foundation is committed to reimagining policies and systems to win fundamental rights, protections, and opportunities for Black, brown, and immigrant communities. We are proud to join with Governor Newsom and our colleagues in philanthropy in the fight to protect reproductive rights and access in California and across the country.”
