Comments by Mayoral candidates Foster and Stephan show they do not understand the Yelm Municipal Code (YMC)

Key Points:

• Competitors for the Mayor Joe DePinto’s seat clearly show they do not understand the Yelm Municipal Code (YMC)
• The city’s website says Yelm is a “Strong Mayor” City in which the citizens elect the Mayor separate from the City Council as the Chief Executive Officer in charge of implementing Council policies and managing day-to-day operations of the City. The City Administrator assists the Mayor in this role.
• The Mayor of Yelm is a part-time mayor.
• Joe DePinto in 2022 was employed at City of Yelm and had a reported pay of $28,323, according to public records.
• The Yelm Municipal Code directs the Mayor as a part-time position to serve as the chief executive and administrative officer of the city, paid $30,000 annually, reflective of the part-time status. The City Administrator is designated as a full-time position to supervise, administer, and coordinate the activities and functions of the city, with a corresponding salary range of $110,948-$148,681,
  according to the 2018 city budget.
• For the Mayor of Yelm to be a full-time paid executive would require an ordinance change request presented to and approved by the city council.
• I do not recall Mr. Foster ever requesting a change to the Yelm Municipal Code to officially change the mayor’s duties to a full time job running the city, instead of the city administrator.
• For these two candidates to imply to the city’s newspaper of record (see below)that they would be full-time mayors compared to Mayor DePinto ignores the fact they can not do so without council approval.
• This blog called out then Mayor Foster in 2018 on this subject: Yelm Mayor is officially not a “full time mayor,” rather part-time – Regardless of Foster’s continued use of this term.

From the NVN story:

Foster and Stephan each told the Nisqually Valley News that Yelm deserves a “full-time mayor” during separate interviews on Friday, July 25, and Saturday, July 26, respectively.

Foster, who was appointed to mayor in 2016 and served as the elected mayor in Yelm from 2017 to 2021, said his boots-on-the-ground style of leadership is a prime reason he should be elected.

“The reasons that I wanted to get back into the mayor’s office, there are two things I’d like folks to consider: What kind of mayor would you like to see? Someone who is on the street and in the office on a daily basis, representing you, or someone who treats it as a part-time job, focusing on other things they’ve got going on?” Foster asked. “The way I was mayor from 2016 to 2021 was the former. I lived the job as a lifestyle, not a 9-to-5 kind of gig.”

Stephan, a Yelm Police Department officer and local business owner, spoke along the same lines as Foster, stating he’ll “actually advocate for Yelm” and what the city needs “without any hidden agendas.”

“I want to emphasize that Yelm is ready for someone who is going to be here and actually be involved, and not just show up for a photo op here and there.

• Editor’s note: Another Yelm crown jewel of Prairie Park, LLC. goes on the market, leaving only the Yelm Theater complex once the library building is sold off.
• The library is in one of two condo units in the building which will remain even though the building itself is to be sold.
• However, the Operations and Maintenance (O & M) contract for the library between the current building’s owners and the City of Yelm may require changes in the future.
• Will the sale of the Yelm Theater be far behind?

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Yelm’s library building listed for sale for $1,825,000

Excerpt from Corcoran.com:

Tenancy: 5 tenant suites comprised of 2 condo units on entire ground floor.

Occupancy: 100% leased.

Legacy: Strong pride of ownership, owned by original developer

Class A: No deferred maintenance – $40,000+ on HVAC upgrade in 2024

Artvana Kids & Family Paint Day – Baby Orca

August 2, 2025 4:00 PM–6:00 PM at Bertoglios in Yelm

Excerpt from Experience Olympia and Beyond:

Come and Make Creative Memories with Us at Bertoglios in Yelm!

We’re excited to host a special event designed for kids and families at Bertoglios in Yelm! This fun, creative experience is perfect for all ages, with a recommended age of 5+ for the painting class.

All skill levels are welcome! Our talented Artvana artist coach will guide everyone step-by-step through creating the adorable ‘Kids baby Orca’, helping with supplies and offering assistance as needed. Your little painters will leave with their very own original artwork!

The class will last approximately 90 minutes, making it a perfect activity for a fun and relaxing family night out. Please stay with your children throughout the event. This is a family-friendly experience, and we want to make sure everyone enjoys the painting class together.

Enjoy Delicious Food & Drinks:

Bertoglios Pizza will have its full menu available, including some of the best pizza in town, as well as a variety of beer and wine for the adults! Take advantage of their specials while your kiddos paint, or grab a family ticket and paint along with them!

How big were the waves during the tsunami advisory on the Washington coast?

Emergency management officials ask residents to be cautious of “strong and unusual currents” following the tsunami advisory.

Excerpt from The Olympian:

Officials cancelled a tsunami advisory in Washington state at around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, according to a Facebook post from the Washington Emergency Management Division

An magnitude 8.8 earthquake off the coast of Russia prompted the National Weather Service to issue the advisory Tuesday, The News Tribune reported.

Waves were observed to be over a foot on the coast during the alert, according to the post.

“If you woke up today and saw our coast has a tsunami advisory still, it’s because there was still waves greater than one foot at Neah Bay and Port Angeles,” the post said. “The cancelation was issued at about 10:30 this morning. We are not seeing any reports of damage on our coast.”

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State ocean beaches were closed due to the advisory, but have since reopened, according to a Facebook post from the Washington State Parks & Recreation Commission.

There isn’t reported damage on the Washington coast, but people are asked to be careful near bodies of water due to “strong and unusual currents,” the post said.

• The Olympian: 2025 Thurston County Fair kicks off Thursday. Here’s what’s new this year

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Thurston County Fair, July 31st to August 3rd

Excerpt from Experience Olympia and Beyond:

Thurston County Fairgrounds

3054 Carpenter Rd SE, Lacey, WA. 98503

Admission

$9/adults, $8/senior citizen, $7/youth 6-14, FREE for under 5; see website for special deal days!

Packed into four days, with over 3,000 exhibits, and a whirlwind of entertainment and carnival fun, the Thurston County Fair is a vibrant celebration of community and tradition.

The bustling fairgrounds. The sights, sounds, and smells of agriculture, artistry, and amusement. The thrill of the carnival rides, the taste of fair food, and the excitement of live entertainment. It’s all uniquely the Thurston County Fair and a summertime tradition.

The fair is a showcase of local talent, too, with exhibits ranging from livestock and agriculture to arts and crafts. From thrilling animal action to toe-tapping musical performances, the entertainment is non-stop. And with a midway packed with exciting rides and games, the carnival offers fun for all ages.

Our don’t-miss deal days include:

• Thrifty Thursday: $1 entry with a donation to the Thurston Co. Food Bank
• Fun Friday: Carnival wristband Day. Buy one wristband and ride as many times as you’d like.
• Military and First Responders Saturday: $2 entry for military and first responders (with ID)
• Kids Day Sunday: $2 entry for youth 6-14 (under 6 always free!)

OlyFed Celebrates 10 Years in Yelm Community

Free Ember Goods Coffee & Kawaii Donuts | 9 am to Noon | Friday, August 1st

You’re invited to join us and celebrate our 10^th anniversary in Yelm!

Excerpt from Oly Fed:

We are hosting a customer and community appreciation event on Friday, August 1^st from 9 a.m. to noon, where we will be providing complimentary espresso drinks from Ember Goods and donuts from Kawaii Donut House.

In addition, we’ll have $10 off coupons to Tahoma Valley Golf Course, Pizzeria La Gitana, Shiplap Coffee and Tim’s Pharmacy. Even better, every time someone opens a checking account between now and September 30, 2025, OlyFed will donate $10 to Yelm Schools.

Don’t miss out on all the fun and great offers! Stop by and visit us at 907 W Yelm Ave.

Click here to read about Oly Fed’s participation in the Yelm Community.

• Editor’s note: The quake struck at 4:25pm PDT.
• The National Tsunami Warning Center, based in Alaska, issued a tsunami warning for parts of the Alaska Aleutian Islands, and a watch for portions of the West Coast, including California, Oregon, and Washington, and Hawaii.
• Tsunami alerts from tsunami.gov.

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8.7-magnitude earthquake in Russia’s Far East sets off tsunami warnings in Japan, Alaska and Hawaii

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said a tsunami had been generated by the quake that could cause damage along the coastlines of all the Hawaii.

Excerpt from KING-5 TV News, NBC Seattle:

Tsunami warning sirens were blaring Tuesday in Honolulu and people were told to move to higher ground after an 8.7-magnitude earthquake off Russia’s Far Eastern coast.

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The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said waves of 1 to 3 meters (yards) above tide level were possible along some coastal areas of Hawaii, Chile, Japan and the Solomon Islands. Waves of more than 3 meters (yards) were possible along some coastal areas of Russia and Ecuador.

A magnitude-8.7 earthquake in Russia’s Far East early Wednesday prompted tsunami warnings in parts of Japan, Alaska and Hawaii.

Damage and evacuations were reported in the Russian regions nearest the epicenter on the Kamchatka Peninsula.

Japan’s meteorological agency issued a tsunami alert for Japan’s Pacific coast, saying waves up to 3 meter (yards) could arrive along the northern Japanese coasts less than half an hour after the alert.

In the United States, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said a tsunami had been generated by the quake that could cause damage along the coastlines of all the Hawaiian islands.

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The quake at 8:25 a.m. Japan time had a preliminary magnitude of 8.0, Japan and U.S. seismologists said. Japan and the U.S. Geological Survey later updated their measurements to 8.7 magnitude and the USGS said the quake occurred at a depth of 19.3 kilometers (12 miles).

The quake was about 250 kilometers (160 miles) away from Hokkaido, the northernmost of Japan’s four big islands, and was felt only slightly, according to Japan’s NHK television.

Russia’s Tass news agency reported from the biggest city near the epicenter, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, that many people ran out into the street without shoes or outerwear. Cabinets toppled inside homes, mirrors were broken, cars swayed in the street and balconies on buildings shook noticeably.

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The National Tsunami Warning Center, based in Alaska, issued a tsunami warning for parts of the Alaska Aleutian Islands, and a watch for portions of the West Coast, including California, Oregon, and Washington, and Hawaii.

Yelm – Jazz in the Park” – 8th edition. August 1st & 2nd

Excerpt from Jazz in the Park on Facebook:

Begins at 5pm Friday and Saturday.

Yelm – Jazz in the Park” – 8th edition. Family friendly + lovely cozy ambiance for everyone! Something to come and enjoy in August!
Join us @ Yelm City Park and prepare to enjoy a relaxing evening, taking in the breathtaking view of Mount Rainier while serenaded by live jazz bands. FREE admission!

Bring your family and friends, picnic basket and blankets, or maybe enjoy the food supplies offered on site. Regardless of what you bring with you, be prepared to be transported to a vacation state of mind.

Food vendors will have delicious food options and a beer & wine garden will also be featured. For our guests visiting from out of town, the local Prairie Hotel is an upscale accommodation option. We look forward to seeing you there again!

These are America’s 10 strongest state economies best prepared for a recession

Excerpt from CNBC:

Key Points

• With concerns about a recession still elevated, states are promoting themselves to business as economically strong and stable.
• The strength of each state’s economy is the most important factor in CNBC’s 2025 state competitiveness rankings.
• The CNBC study considers factors such as economic growth and state finances, but also the potential risk each state faces from higher tariffs and lower federal spending.

6. Washington

The Evergreen State is fertile ground for entrepreneurs. A new business starting up in Washington stands a better chance of survival than in any other state, according to an analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data by Simply Business, a national insurance marketplace. Researchers found that businesses in the state stand an 86.4% chance of surviving their first year, 89.3% in their second year, and 91.8% in their third year. The broader economy in Washington was in the top five for growth last year, though job growth has slowed since the beginning of this year. The state is relatively well insulated from federal budget cuts, but it would be on the front lines of a trade war with China. With China accounting for more than 16% of Washington’s international goods trade, it is the fourth most exposed state.

2025 Economy Score: 296 out of 445 Points (Top States Grade: B+)

GDP (2024): $702 billion (+3.7%)

Job Growth (2024): 1.7%

Debt Rating and Outlook (Moody’s): AAA Stable

Share of state spending from federal funds: 26%

International Goods Trade (2024): $109.6 billion (15.6% of GDP)

Major Corporate Headquarters: Amazon, Microsoft, Costco

Hunger Threatens to Plague “Golden Years” of Older Americans Due to Trump’s Cuts

Malnutrition and food insecurity are set to soar among vulnerable older populations due to aid cuts in Trump’s budget.

Excerpt from Truthout:

Low-income seniors and their advocates agree and say that pending cuts to food and nutrition programs — including funding for meals at senior centers, and cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Meals on Wheels —will increase hunger and malnutrition.

Both are already big problems.

According to Feeding America, a national network of food banks and pantries, food insecurity is nothing new, and even before Trump’s Big Bad Bill championed slashing social welfare spending, 6.9 million people over the age of 65 faced hunger in the U.S. The group estimates that in 2022, one in 11 people aged 60 and older, and one in eight between the ages of 50 and 59, lacked adequate food.

Part of the reason is poverty, but isolation, the inability to shop or cook, trouble chewing and swallowing, cognitive decline, depression, a diminished sense of smell and/or taste, and the side effects of medication can also contribute to malnutrition in American seniors. These factors, in concert with economic precarity, make it difficult for many elders to remain healthy and well-nourished.

But money, unsurprisingly, is crucial to eating well, and many seniors … have too little of it.