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Fatal and Serious Injury Crashes in Thurston County on the rise!

**The intersection of Rainier Road and Fir Tree Road Southeast has been listed in the Thurston County Mobility Strategy Study as one of 14 locations where improvements should be made.**
**Credit: Steve Bloom, *The Olympian*.**

Fatal and Serious Injury Crashes in Thurston County Trending in ‘Wrong Direction’

Excerpt from The Chronicle (Centralia):

Fatal and serious injury collisions in Thurston County have not been reduced in recent years, despite state and local goals to eliminate such collisions in the next decade.

Over the past six years, the number of suspected serious injury collisions in the county have largely risen while fatal collisions have fluctuated, according to data from the Washington State Department of Transportation.

These trends run against the aim of Target Zero, a strategic highway safety plan developed by Washington state in 2019. The plan calls for ending fatal and serious injury collisions on roadways by 2030 with data-driven strategies and solutions.

Aiden Dixon, an associate planner at the Thurston Regional Planning Council, said this unfortunate trend is not unique to Thurston County or even Washington state. Still, he said TRPC — a regional council of governments that analyzes data to tackle challenges caused by the region’s growth — remains committed to Target Zero.

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+ The Olympian via yahoo!: Gov. Inslee calls for more speed cameras as fatal crashes in WA state rise – Fatal collisions increased 39% from 2019 to 2022, according to state data.

Posted by Steve at 12:31 am | Permalink | No Comments

Yelm 15-year-old Gavin Ward aims for Pilot Wings!

**Gavin Ward, who is part of the Lewis County Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program, hopes to obtain his pilot’s license. Credit: *The Chronicle*.**

15-Year-Old Aims to Obtain Pilot Wings Through Cadet Program

Excerpt from The Chronicle [Centralia]:

The dream of soaring through the skies has captured the imagination of countless individuals, but for one young aviator, Gavin Ward, it has become a lifelong passion.

Inspired by a Young Eagles flight, Ward’s aviation journey has taken flight through his involvement in the Lewis County Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program.

At 15, Ward, who is from the Yelm area, discovered an exciting possibility: the opportunity to obtain his pilot’s license.

“Joining the Civil Air Patrol was a significant turning point for me,” Ward said. “As I delved deeper into the program, my interest in aviation grew exponentially. I dedicated myself to learning as much as I could and progressing through the ranks.”

Ward said his decision to pursue aviation seriously happened about a month into his membership with the Civil Air Patrol. His determination and relentless pursuit of knowledge have set him apart from other members.

While some individuals opt for private instructors, Ward said that path might not be financially viable for his family. Nevertheless, he remains undeterred, as he worked his way up in the Civil Air Patrol and set his sights on the prestigious Wings program. The program grants ambitious students the opportunity to earn their pilot’s license in either a single-engine plane or a glider.

Posted by Steve at 12:01 am | Permalink | No Comments

Yelm School’s Day of Champions honored Special Ed students!

**Students are organized into groups that take turns travelling between different event stations. If desired, anyone can photos with the Yelm mascot and cheerleaders!**
**Credit: Yelm Community Schools via** ***Thurston Talk***.

The Yelm Community School’s Day of Champions Builds a Legacy of Celebrating Students in Special Education

Excerpt from Thurston Talk:

All those who gathered at Yelm High School on the morning of June 1 won’t soon forget the experience that followed. The 2023 Day of Champions succeeded in its mission of celebrating and uplifting students in special education. This recurring track-and-field style event is made possible by countless hours of collaboration led by Yelm Community Schools (YCS). That collaborative spirit was on full display as students, parents, volunteers and faculty were brought together for a day filled with joy.

Yelm Community Schools 2023 Day of Champions

When the first buses with participating students began to arrive, excited chatter filled the air. And as students finally stepped out of their buses onto the concrete, they were greeted by cheers and applause. A corridor of volunteers, cheerleaders and service members welcomed every group. Students were ushered to the stadium where canopies stood ready to house them. And as all those in attendance eagerly surveyed the stations set up around the stadium, one thing became clear. The 2023 Day of Champions had arrived!

Once the event was underway, groups began to cycle through different areas on the field. There was a little bit of everything: long jump, 50-yard dash, giant soccer, pool noodle tag and more. Many jubilant cheers could be heard, as well as some rare cries of frustration. Above all, the atmosphere was thick with collaborative conversation. Everyone was laughing and dancing by the end of the closing dance party at center field.

Posted by Steve at 12:31 am | Permalink | No Comments

Lawrence Lake algae bloom causes warning from the county!

**Credit: Thurston County via *The Olympian*.**

Swimmers should stay away from Lake Lawrence during algae bloom

Excerpt from The Olympian via Yahoo!:

Officials in Thurston County advise people to avoid swimming at Lake Lawrence, and to keep their pets out of the water, until algae toxins drop to safe levels.

An algae bloom sample taken from the lake on Friday detected microcystins, a toxin caused by the algae, at 28µg/L above acceptable levels. The recreational guideline for microcystin levels from the state is 8µg/L. Microcystins are a liver toxin and a possible human carcinogen.

Staff in the county’s Public Health and Social Services Environmental Health Division will collect one sample each week until toxin levels fall below regulatory standards for two consecutive weeks.

Tristan Payne, a staff member in environmental health and septic systems, said animals are currently the most at risk if exposed to water from Lake Lawrence. However, lake-goers are advised to not drink the lake water or swim in it.

Fishing should be limited to catch and release, and people should not consume any fish caught in Lake Lawrence during this time.

Posted by Steve at 12:01 am | Permalink | No Comments

Retro Rainier Independence Day July 1st

Retro Rainier Independence Day July 1st, 12 pm – 5 pm

From Retro Rainier:

Welcome to Rainier’s fastest-growing Independence Day Celebration! We are kicking off the Second Annual Retro Rainier, a Patriotic Celebration at Wilkowski Park right here in beautiful Rainier. This Free Family event has a little something for everyone. Besides scheduled games and activities for the young and old, you can expect to see a variety of vendors, a classic car show, crafters, and delicious food options. Join the community in kicking off the 4th of July with friends old and new! Don’t forget to show up in your most patriotic outfit, you just might win best dressed.

Posted by Steve at 12:01 am | Permalink | No Comments

Yelm Council expected to sign Deschutes Water Mitigation Plan,
which includes the cities of Olympia, Lacey, and Yelm!

Deschutes River near Tumwater Falls State Park. Credit: *Pinterest.com*

Interlocal Agreement between the Cities of Olympia, Lacey, and Yelm

From the June 27, 2023, Yelm Council Agenda (pages 11-25):

PROPOSED MOTION:
Authorize the City of Yelm to enter into an Interlocal Agreement (ILA) for implementing Deschutes
water rights mitigation strategy Phase VI

KEY FACTS AND INFORMATION SUMMARY:
Our water rights mitigation strategy calls on the maintenance and rehabilitation of the old
Smith Farm. This ILA allows for the cities to jointly maintain and use this property in their
mitigations strategies.

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the mitigation strategy includes restoration of 200 acres of farmland jointly
purchased by the Cities in the Deschutes River watershed (Deschutes River property). Habitat
restoration mitigation actions took place over several years on the property and included: riparian
planting along 1 mile of river frontage, stream channel and wetland restoration, and ongoing land
management responsibilities;

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The purpose of this Agreement is to outline the Cities of Olympia, Lacey, and Yelm
responsibilities as joint owners of the Deschutes River property and to establish a
commitment to jointly develop a mutually agreed to long-term property stewardship and
ownership strategy which could include, but is not limited to, reaching a conservation and
stewardship agreement and property transfer with a third party.

Read more

Posted by Steve at 11:24 am | Permalink | No Comments

Alaska Airlines to fly first-ever Seattle-Bahamas nonstop this Fall!

**Alaska Airlines A-321. Credit: *The Points Guy*.**

Alaska unveils 1st-ever service to the Bahamas

Excerpt from The Points Guy:

The airline is adding service to Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, beginning on Dec. 15. The airline will serve this popular leisure destination from both Los Angeles and Seattle, using Boeing 737 aircraft, through April 9, 2024.

The Bahamas represents the 101st destination that Alaska serves from Seattle, and this 2,887-mile route is enabled by the Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft, which can comfortably operate these roughly seven-hour flights.

Service from Los Angeles will operate four times a week, while flights from Seattle will operate three times a week.

Posted by Steve at 7:13 am | Permalink | No Comments

WA. now has most expensive gas in the U.S.!

Washington recently overcame California as the state with the highest cost for gas on average. Last month, other states such as Hawaii and Arizona had costlier fuel than the Evergreen State. Credit: David Goldman AP, via *The Olympian*.

It’s official: WA has the most expensive gas in the US. Some counties average $5 a gallon

Excerpt from The Olympian:

Gas prices in Washington State have been higher than the national average for some time now. The state’s average cost per gallon of regular gas is $4.93, up from $4.59 in mid-May. With Washington’s average going up while other states’ averages are going down, the Evergreen State has come out on top with the most expensive gas in the country.

The national average is $3.58, according to AAA. This number has remained fairly constant for the past month, down more than a dollar from the year before. Gas prices reached record highs in June 2022, with regular gas reaching an average of $5.02 per gallon across the country.

It’s official: WA has the most expensive gas in the US. Some counties average $5 a gallon
In the past six months, average cost of gas in Washington has risen by over $1 per gallon. California now has second-most expensive fuel.

Read more

Posted by Steve at 12:01 am | Permalink | No Comments

Thurston judge upholds WA ban on sale of AR-15s, other rifles.

**AR-15-style rifles are displayed at Rainier Arms in Auburn in April.**
**Credit: Lindsey Wasson / The Associated Press via *The Seattle Times*.**

A second judge says WA ban on sale of AR-15s, other rifles can proceed

Excerpt from The Seattle Times:

A Thurston County Superior Court judge on Friday rejected an attempt by challengers of Washington’s new law banning the sale of dozens of firearms, including AR-15s, to halt the legislation while it undergoes a court challenge.

Judge Allyson Zipp rejected a request for a temporary restraining order that would have blocked House Bill 1240 from being enforced, according to an announcement Friday from Attorney General Bob Ferguson.The law bans the sale, manufacture and importation of certain firearms, including AR-15s and AK-47s. Gov. Jay Inslee signed the bill into law in late April.

Zipp’s is the second determination by a judge this month allowing the law to move forward while court cases proceed.

In early June, U.S. District Judge Robert Bryan denied an attempt by the Bellevue-based Second Amendment Foundation and other opponents in another case to block the law from being enforced via an injunction.

Posted by Steve at 1:01 am | Permalink | No Comments

Yelm’s Community Resource Fair is Thursday, June 29!

**Credit: City of Yelm – *Community Resource Fair*.**

Community Resource Fair is Thursday, June 29th

From the Community Resource Fair:

Community Resource Fair at the Yelm Community Center

This addition (sic) of the Community Resource Fair will include:

Healthcare Enrollment
Family Support Services
Addiction Counseling
FREE Legal Assistance
Addiction Counseling
Food Assistance
Covid-19 Vaccinations
…and so much more.

Posted by Steve at 12:31 am | Permalink | No Comments

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

June 30, 2023

Fatal and Serious Injury Crashes in Thurston County on the rise!

June 30, 2023

Yelm 15-year-old Gavin Ward aims for Pilot Wings!

June 29, 2023

Yelm School’s Day of Champions honored Special Ed students!

Yelm Community Schools 2023 Day of Champions

June 29, 2023

Lawrence Lake algae bloom causes warning from the county!

June 28, 2023

Retro Rainier Independence Day July 1st

Retro Rainier Independence Day July 1st, 12 pm – 5 pm

June 27, 2023

Yelm Council expected to sign Deschutes Water Mitigation Plan,
which includes the cities of Olympia, Lacey, and Yelm!

June 27, 2023

Alaska Airlines to fly first-ever Seattle-Bahamas nonstop this Fall!

June 27, 2023

WA. now has most expensive gas in the U.S.!

June 26, 2023

Thurston judge upholds WA ban on sale of AR-15s, other rifles.

June 26, 2023

Yelm’s Community Resource Fair is Thursday, June 29!

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