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
Police say they have traced a fake bomb threat against Yelm High School to a juvenile suspect in New York.
The suspect allegedly left a voicemail at the school Monday that indicated a “potential bomb threat by another student,” according to a news release from the Yelm Police Department.
Yelm Police School Resource Officers reportedly learned of the threat at 3 p.m. Monday. Detectives learned it was a hoax within two hours, then worked with the Federal Bureau of Investigation to trace the number to a New York address, according to the news release.
The detectives then devised a plan with New York State Police to contact a juvenile suspect at the address.
The news release says New York State Police “executed an operation” to contact the juvenile and successfully reached him at about 8 p.m. Monday. The Yelm Police post says the juvenile was “apprehended.”
Military Could Owe Billions to Service Members Involuntarily Discharged for Refusing COVID Shots
The U.S. military could owe billions in back pay and legal fees depending on the outcome of three class-action lawsuits filed on behalf of service members who allege they were wrongfully discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine.
Among the claims made by the plaintiffs are that the military could not legally mandate vaccines issued under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), as was the case with the COVID-19 vaccines, and that it was nearly impossible for service members requesting a religious exemption to have those requests approved
Dale Saran, who is the lead attorney for the plaintiffs, told Fox Business his legal team represents “basically everybody who got kicked out, discharged or dropped to the IRR [individual ready reserve] as a result of not taking the vaccine.”
This could include more than 100,000 former service members, according to the plaintiffs’ legal team, led by Saran and two other attorneys: Brandon Johnson and J. Andrew Meyer.
It’s unclear how many service members were involuntarily discharged for refusing the vaccine, but estimates range from more than 8,000 to just under 2,000.
Fox News last week reported, “thousands of troops unsuccessfully sought religious exemptions from the inoculation, including 8,945 soldiers, 10,800 airmen and guardians, 4,172 sailors, and 3,717 Marines.”
Regardless of the actual number, the U.S. Army is trying to get members who were involuntarily discharged to reenlist, according to an undated letter that surfaced last week.
+ The JOLT News: Official December 7 election results are in, Thurston County commissioners sworn in – Thurston County officially announced the November 7 General Election results earlier today, with only one position withheld for a recount. Four Thurston County commissioner positions were sworn into their respective positions. Another will be shortly.
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Editor’s note: Newly elected Yelm city council members sworn in November 28 are Position 1’s Tracey Wood returning for a 4th term, and his colleague Trevor Palmer in Position 6. Wood won by 23 votes, Palmer won by 12 votes.
Roughly 1,200 voters in a city of 10,600+ residents voted for the 3 city council posts respectively. That’s pathetic!
The Washington State Capitol pops out of the fog on a freezing morning as seen from Overlook Point Park in Tumwater, Washington, on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023. Credit: Tony Overman, The Olympian.
Fog on Puget Sound and more cool, dry weather ahead. Here’s the South Sound forecast
The weather has stayed cool and dry this Thanksgiving weekend in the South Sound, and forecasts say the conditions are here to stay into the beginning of next week.
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The National Weather Service’s Seattle office wrote on social media site X that if the weather stays dry until the start of December, it will be only the fourth time in 79 years that the last week of November is dry.
Dry weather will remain the norm at least through Wednesday, according to the NWS. Low temperatures will stay in the low 30s, with high temps in the mid-40s.
The next chance of rain will come Thursday, the last week of November, forecasts say. There’s also a chance for some snow Thursday night, and a greater chance of rain Friday.
S&P Global Ratings raised its long-term rating to ‘AA’ from ‘AA-‘ on Yelm, Wash.’s series 2012 limited-tax general obligation (GO) bonds outstanding.
“The raised rating reflects our view of the city’s recent strong financial performance, which continues to support its very strong cash-basis available fund balances, as well as our view of its improved income indicators and continuing economic growth, which we view as sustainable,” said S&P Global Ratings credit analyst Cenisa Gutierrez.
The outlook is stable.
Yelm is a bedroom community for residents working in the surrounding cities of Tacoma, Olympia, and Centralia and is one of the fastest-growing cities in Washington State, with a population that management expects to grow from about 10,770 currently to nearly 25,000 by 2040. Ongoing development within the city has contributed to very strong assessed value growth, including a 30% increase over the last two years, reflecting the residential and commercial development.
Washington State, renowned for its lush landscapes and vibrant cities, unfortunately, harbors some less desirable places to live. Amidst its many appealing locales, a small city has emerged as a stark contrast, earning an unwelcome distinction. According to a comprehensive study by 24/7 Wall Street, Yelm, Washington, has been named the worst place to live in the state.
Yelm’s journey from a rapidly growing city at the dawn of the 21st century to its current status is a tale of change and challenges. Located in Thurston County, Yelm’s population stands at 10,617. This city, once a symbol of growth and potential, now faces issues that overshadow its development.
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Interestingly, Yelm’s primary struggle isn’t with poverty or violent crime rates, which are common issues in many cities deemed less livable. Instead, Yelm’s challenge lies in its significantly high property crime rate.
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Living in a city with high ratings doesn’t necessarily equate to personal happiness; however, factors like high crime rates, poverty, and limited employment opportunities can significantly detract from the quality of life. Yelm’s situation is a clear example of how a single predominant issue, like property crime, can drastically impact a city’s livability and reputation.
Washington: Yelm > Population: 8,425 [actually 10,680 says the Yelm Chamber of Commerce] > Median home value: $220,100 (state: $286,800) > Poverty rate: 13.4% (state: 12.2%) > Violent crimes per 100,000 people: 258 (state: 304)
Though residents of Yelm, Washington, are far less likely to live below the poverty line or be the victim of a violent crime than those in most cities on this list, other conditions in the city detract from quality of life. For example, property crime — a broad category that includes burglary and motor vehicle theft — is relatively common in Yelm. The city’s property crime rate of 5,750 incidents per 100,000 in 2017 was nearly the highest of any city in the state and well above the U.S property crime rate of 2,362 per 100,000.
Unlike most cities on this list that are growing relatively slowly or losing residents in recent years, Yelm is growing rapidly. Over the last five years, the number of people living in the city increased by a staggering 24.6%. Over the same period, the U.S. population expanded by just 3.8%.
+ MSNBC’s Velshi: ‘Simply incorrect’: Judge Luttig and Tribe react to Judge’s decision to reject Trump 14th Amendment challenge – Judge J. Michael Luttig and Laurence Tribe join Ali Velshi to discuss the Colorado judge’s “historic” decision to reject the bid to keep Trump off the ballot in 2024 and why they believe the ruling is “incorrect as a matter of constitutional law.” “The whole rule of law would be shredded if we said that the president is above the law because his oath, because of its wording, exempts him from the most fundamental requirement of law: that when your term is up you leave. It’s only dictators who stay as long,” Tribe explains. “That’s why the fate of the United States and democracies around the world is at stake in whether Donald Trump is allowed ever again to take the oath to support the constitution.. He’s clearly not going to mean it. That’s the scary part.”
+ MSNBC’s Katie Phang: Judge Luttig: Trump’s goal of ‘de-legitimizing’ democratic institutions is working – Former federal judge J. Michael Luttig discusses the organization he’s formed with other conservative legal minds to protect the constitution and nation from what he describes as a clear and present danger – Donald J. Trump.
Yelm’s Tyeyo Larson (67) and Kyle Kaaiwela (58) hugs (sic) after Yelm’s 7-0 victory against Eastside Catholic in the 3A semifinal state game at Art Crate Field, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Spanaway. Credit: Brian Hayes, The News Tribune (Tacoma).
Yelm shuts out Eastside Catholic, heads back to championship
It felt like the first team to score might advance to the state championship game when No. 4 Eastside Catholic and top-seeded Yelm met in the 3A state football semifinals at Art Crate Field on Saturday night.
A field-goal, maybe? Heck, even a safety felt like it might have been enough with the teams knotted in a scoreless tie at halftime.
Enter Brayden Platt. On 4th and 3 near midfield in the third quarter, Yelm went for it and the state’s top-ranked recruit made the gamble pay off, taking a direct snap to the edge and running untouched for a 54-yard touchdown. It gave Yelm a lead, which was all the Tornados’ defense needed, holding on for a 7-0 win to advance to the state championship game for the second straight year.
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It was a rematch of last year’s 3A state championship game, which ended in unforgettable fashion when Kyler Ronquillo stole the ball out of an Eastside Catholic defender’s hands on what appeared to be an interception and ran it in for the game-winning touchdown. This year’s matchup could’ve been a revenge game for Eastside Catholic, but Yelm’s players had no intention of a letdown.
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And while Yelm’s offense didn’t put many points on the board, the defense carried the day.
“Defense wins games,” Scanlan said.
Now the Tornados are headed back to the state championship game for the second straight season.
“Completely unique,” Ronquillo said. “Before we’re the underdog trying to chase a title. Now we have a target on our back so we have to play our best game at all times because we know we’re going to get everyone else’s best.
“Defending the title is just as tough. It’s a whole-nother journey, a whole-nother animal. The preparation mentally is a little bit different but we’re back in the same position we were last year and we’ve got one game to go.”
“We thank Yelm Grocery Outlet for sponsoring our refreshments for the event visitors.”
This month is extra important to raise attendance as it is the first time we are hosting Providence Street Medicine. A mobile medical vehicle ready to tend to wounds, mental health, and so much more at no cost to the patient! There will be volunteers available to assist clients in applying for Section 8 Housing.
Join us for this months’ Community Resource Fair
There will be: Healthcare Enrollment, Family Support Services, and so much more. More information here.
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Finally urgent medical care in Yelm, WA.
Providence has a Mobile Medical Clinic coming on November 29th 10am-4pm.
Save the date: November 25 is Small Business Saturday
SHOP SMALL, A SIMPLE ACT THAT ADDS UP
Shop Small is our way of celebrating and supporting small businesses all year long. Back in 2010, American Express proudly founded Small Business Saturday® as a way to encourage everyone to Shop Small during the holidays. Since then, Shop Small has grown into an ongoing initiative for Amex and a year-round movement everyone can get behind.
As the holiday season approaches, we believe there’s no better way to spread joy and support community than by shopping for hand-crafted, locally made gifts made in Thurston County. Thurston County is a haven for artisans and craftspeople who pour their passion and creativity into every unique item they create and we’re sounding the alarm far and wide encouraging visitors, our friends and neighbors to support these iconic locals. We’ve not only created a resource-rich Holiday Shopping Guide, but we’re deploying an all-new video as well today, AND we’re promoting all through a combination of paid social media advertising and digital programmatic display advertising in our top origin markets of Portland, Snohomish County, Seattle, Tacoma, Whatcom County, and Spokane throughout the holiday season, all in hopes of delivering a successful year-end for the Thurston County hospitality industry!
