Crews spent the morning of September 21st on a fully-involved structure fire this morning. All occupants were able to get out safely, though the home was a complete loss.

Tomorrow, September 11, 2019, marks the 18th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. This day is one that we should never forget, truly. While we contemplate on this day to honor those who passed, we should also remember the first responders at each scene. 

If you want to find out how to watch the live stream of the ceremony, click here.

Read the full article at Yelm Online.

Summer movies are an old tradition, right? Every year, Yelm Lions Club hosts free movies in Longmire Park, with refreshments available for purchase.

This summer’s showtimes are as follows:

• Aug 24 – “Mary Poppins Returns” at 8:15pm
• Sept 7 – “Incredibles 2” at 8pm

So many instances can cause a fire to start. But how would a dog cause one? Apparently, it could be an accident due to man’s best friend attempting to get a pizza box by a stove and accidentally turning it on. Read the story on the Nisqually Valley News site.

Originally posted on Nisqually Valley News.

Southeast Thurston Fire Authority firefighters responded to a brush fire Sunday in the 11700 block of Vail Road in Yelm.

The fire, which grew to about an acre and a half, burned multiple vehicles on the property, according to a Facebook post by the fire authority.

The fire was contained and caused no injuries.

Lacey Fire and East Olympia Fire also responded along with South County Battalion. The Department of Natural Resources responded with brush trucks and overhead support.

Originally posted on Nisqually Valley News.

A nearly century-old barn owned by a family in the Bald Hills area is still standing after hay within the structure spontaneously combusted Thursday evening, charring and damaging support beams inside.

Firefighters were dispatched to the fire at 13847 148th Ave. SE at about 9:30 p.m. Thursday, July 11. A caller reported large amounts of smoke and flames from the gables of the 30-foot abandoned barn.

No injuries were reported.

Bald Hills Fire Protection District 17, the Southeast Thurston Fire Authority and Tenino Fire District 4 responded to the call, according to Bald Hills Deputy Chief Steven Slater, the site commander.

Upon arrival, responders were able to set up a defensive line and put out the fire quickly. The scene was cleared around 10:45 p.m.

“Given the small pile of hay, that’s what likely caused it,” Slater said.

The hay was likely smoldering for most of the day because of excess moisture, he said. Precipitation had been recorded in the days leading up to the fire.

Oscar Hernandez, who owns and manages the property with his wife Nicole, said he lost a modest amount of hay and livestock feed, which he uses to feed his cows and goats.

Without help from firefighters, Oscar Hernandez said their farm would likely have been a total loss.

“For my wife, it’s sentimental,” he said Friday from inside the still-standing barn. “She used to play up here in the loft.”

The following is a release from the Washington State Department of Transportation regarding the STP (Seattle to Portland) Bike Ride. Please read the affected roads and stay aware of bikers on them on Saturday (July 13, 2019) and Sunday (July 14, 2019):

Washington State Department of Transportation – NEWS
Headquarters – 310 Maple Park Ave. – Olympia, WA 98504-7370 – 360-705-7000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 8, 2019

Contact:      Barb Chamberlain, Active Transportation, 206-716-1130, 509-869-2949 (mobile)

Annual STP bike ride expected to bring 8,000 bicyclists to western Washington roads July 13-14
Travelers should prepare for delays and stay alert on roadways

OLYMPIA – Drivers should plan for extra travel time Saturday, July 13, and Sunday, July 14, and everyday riders will find they have a lot of company on two wheels as 8,000 bicyclists ride western Washington’s state highways and local roads for the 2019 Kaiser Permanente Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic.

The Washington State Department of Transportation asks motorists to observe the rules of the road for safe driving around people on bikes and to prepare for travel delays during the popular recreational ride. As state driving laws periodically change, drivers may want to review the state driver guide and the driving among bicyclists section.

Bicyclists should also be aware of their responsibility to follow Washington’s bicyclist rules of the road. The Cascade Bicycle Club distributes a free pocket guide about state bike laws with support from the Share the Road license plate sales. To request a copy of the guide, email: info@cascadebicycleclub.org.

The STP route follows state highways and local roads in these areas:

• State Route 513 –University of Washington Montlake Boulevard  parking lot to Northeast Pacific Place
• SR 181 – West Valley Highway in Kent
• Puyallup area county roads and city streets
• SR 7 – near Spanaway
• SR 507 – Roy to Centralia
• SR 507 and Higgins Greig Road/Fourth Street East – Roy
• SR 507 and Third Street – Yelm
• SR 507 and Mosman Avenue – Yelm
• Centralia and Chehalis city streets
• County roads – Napavine to Winlock to Vader
• SR 506 – Vader area
• West Side Highway (becomes SR 411) – Vader to Castle Rock area
• SR 411 (also known as West Side Highway)  – Castle Rock to Longview
• SR 432 – Longview industrial area
• SR 433 – Crossing Lewis and Clark Bridge into Oregon

For more information, visit the Cascade Bicycle Club STP page, which includes a route map.

Based on previous STP rides, congestion and delays are expected:

• Early morning Saturday, July 13, on SR 7 in Pierce County.
• Midmorning to afternoon, Saturday, July 13, on SR 507 in Thurston and Lewis counties.
• Early Sunday, July 14, on SR 411 from Castle Rock to Kelso.
• All day Sunday, July 14, near the SR 432 and SR 433 Lewis and Clark Bridge.

STP organizers, WSDOT and law enforcement will work together to direct bicyclists, drivers and pedestrian traffic at the following locations:

Saturday, July 13

• SR 507 between Roy and Yelm (roving Washington State Patrol trooper).
• SR 507/Third Street in Yelm (police officers directing traffic).
• SR 507/Mosman Avenue in Yelm (police officer directing traffic).
• SR 507/Tenino Trail crossing (police officers or certified flaggers directing traffic).

Sunday, July 14

• SR 411/Castle Rock area (flagger directing traffic at SR 411/ PH 10).
• SR 411 between Castle Rock and Longview (roving WSP trooper).
• SR 411/Lexington/Riverside County Park area (police officers directing traffic at SR 411 and Riverside County Park).
• SR 432/SR 433 in Longview at the Lewis and Clark Bridge (WSP, flaggers and motorcycle escort).

Drivers on SR 432 can expect delays of up to 20 minutes from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Sunday, July 14. WSP and flaggers will stop southbound drivers on SR 433 so STP riders can cross the Lewis and Clark Bridge, escorted by Gold Wing motorcycle club members. Riders crossing the bridge on Saturday will not have a bridge escort and are expected to ride with traffic.

Hyperlinks within the release:

• State drivers guide:  www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/docs/driverguide-en.pdf
• Driving among bicyclists section: www.dol.wa.gov/business/drivertraining/docs/bicycletestanswers.pdf
• Bicyclist rules of the road: www.wsdot.wa.gov/bike/Laws.htm
• Share the Road: www.dol.wa.gov/vehicleregistration/spshareroad.html
• STP page: www.cascade.org/node/6801
• Route map: www.cascade.org/ride-major-rides-group-health-stp-about-ride/route

CPR saves lives each day. It’s an invaluable skill, no doubt. If you or someone you know is interested in taking a CPR class, call Medic One at 360-704-2780.

This weekend is a big one for Yelm! Below are the activities going on this weekend. Remember to stay safe, hydrated, and have fun!

STREET DANCE
Friday, June 28
6:00pm – 10:00pm
Street Dance on 2nd Street next to Yelm Community Center. Enjoy a family friendly evening of music (provided by Cory Kolilis – Puget Sound Entertainment) and dancing, complete with food trucks and a beer/wine garden provided by 507 Taproom!

PRAIRIE DAYS PARADE 
Saturday, June 29
9:30am – 11:00am
Prairie Days Parade will run from Tornado Alley behind Yelm High School, down Tahoma Boulevard to Yelm Avenue and ending at Yelm Middle School.

YELM CITY PARK OPEN
Saturday, June 29
11:00am – 10:00pm

• FOOD VENDORS will be open all day Saturday and Sunday:
• Tacos Gaby, Lions Club burgers and dogs, Baked Potatoes (Emanuel Lutheran Church), Kettle Corn and Ice Cream
• YELM FARMERS MARKET will be open 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. on McKenzie Avenue

Activities in the park include:

• Climbing wall – provided by the National Guard
• Military Vehicles and VFW displays along 2nd Street
• Water fun with Yelm Fire Department (Corner of 3rd St and McKenzie Ave) 12-5 p.m.
• Kids’ building workshop – with Home Depot  11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• YHS Jazzline performs on stage 11 – 11:30 a.m.
• Free Books – provided by South Sound Readers 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Kids’ games and bouncy slide – with Church of Living Water 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Kids’ activities – with Boys and Girls Club 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Egg Races – with TwinStar Credit Union 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
• Kaos Dance Elite performs on stage 12 – 12:45 p.m.
• Black Diamond Cheer Team performs on stage 1 – 2 p.m.
• * Magnificent Mutt Show with Yelm FFA 2 – 3 p.m. at the stage (details below)
  
• Pie Baking Contest 2 – 4 p.m. in Community Center (American Family Insurance)
• Dunk Tank – with Fire District 17 Cadets
• Portable bowling for kids – provided by Prairie Lanes
• Face Painting with Black Diamonds Cheer Team
• Stomp Rockets – with Boy Scouts
• Kids’ derby races – with Boy Scouts
• Inflatable helmet and football toss –  with TCYFL
• Face Painting and Raffle – with Liberty Mutual Insurance
• Corn Hole
• Kids’ craft booth – with United Methodist Church
• Ping Pong Tournament with New Life Christian Center in Community Center 5 p.m.
• Yelm Amateur Radio Group
• Game Booth and Free Cotton Candy – provided by Crossroads Community Covenant Church

Live Music on the oustside stage:

Rock-Bot Live Band Karaoke and covers 5 – 7 p.m.

The Mighty Dreadful (Bluegrass) 7:30 – 10 p.m.

* Magnificent Mutt Show: Kids 12 and under can bring their ‘dog’ for a special contest. Free entry, with ribbons and prizes awarded. Please make sure the pet is leashed and under the physical control of the owner.

Categories include: Longest and Shortest Tail, Most Naturally Colorful, Longest and Shortest Ears, Best Trick, Longest and Shortest Snout, Shortest Dog, Tallest Dog, Best Tail Wagging and Dog/Owner Look-alike.

Prairie Stampede 5K Walk/Run at Yelm Middle School sponsored by Rotary Club of Yelm
Sunday, June 30
7:30am – 11:30am

Veteran Bowl-A-Thon Bowling at Prairie Lanes 1 – 4 p.m.

“Pops in the Park” Olympia Chamber Orchestra concert 3 – 4 p.m. in Community Center

Goldfinch Productions will perform “AS YOU LIKE IT” on the small stage 4:30 – 6 p.m. (Bring lawn chairs or blankets. Seating is on the grass above the stage.)

• FOOD VENDORS:
• Tacos Gaby, Lions Club burgers and dogs, Baked Potatoes (Emanuel Lutheran Church), Kettle Corn and Ice Cream

Activities in the park include:

• Military Vehicles and VFW displays along 2nd Street
• Inflatable helmet and football toss –  with TCYFL 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Dunk Tank – with Fire District 17 Cadets
  
• Stomp Rockets – with Boy Scouts
• Kids’ derby races – with Boy Scouts
• Corn Hole