Serving the cities of Yelm, Rainier, and surrounding unincorporated areas.
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Category Archives: Recent News

All general news stories will be filed under this category.

Yelm Physical Therapy Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

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(L to R) Clinic Director, Christine Q. Johnson, PT, DPT, CKTP, Christina Sipe, Pediatric PT, and Owner Sean Sipe, PT, DPT, SCS, accompanied by Mayor Ron Harding, cut the ribbon, officially opening Yelm Physical Therapy’s new building.

A HUGE congratulations to Yelm Physical Therapy, Sean Sipe, MPT, DPT, SCS (owner), and YPT staff on their grand opening/ribbon cutting ceremony of their brand new building! SE Thurston Fire (Yelm & Rainier Fire Department) was there for yesterday’s festivities which included a tour of the new facility, catered snacks by Ramblin Restaurant Group, and a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the Yelm Chamber of Commerce.

Sipe said a few words about his new building and thanked local businesses and those who helped support him during development and construction. Mayor Ron Harding also congratulated Sipe and praised Yelm Physical Therapy as a quality physical and hand therapy business.

Again, congratulations YPT! We’re so happy to have a such great people helping to support our Yelm community.

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Yelm Physical Therapy’s new building.

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Yelm Physical Therapy’s new gymnasium area.

July 18th Weekend Fires

As you all know conditions are extremely hot and dry out there, making fields and underbrush instant fuel for a giant and dangerous problem: wild/brush fires. While we may be used to these wildfires on the east side of the state, we’re seeing these  fires pop up on the west side too, and what’s worse, it’s sometimes hitting close to urban and residential areas.

Here are a couple of pictures from this past weekend’s fires at Johnson Creek and Mill Road/109th. Not all wild fires are man-made of course, but please use this a reminder to be careful not to accidentally spark a fire by carelessly flicking a cigarette butt out your car window, or by leaving campfires unattended/not fully extinguished.

Take care folks!

Johnson Creek Brush Fire

  • No structures lost
  • No injuries
  • Approximately 1 acre burned
SETFA (Yelm & Rainier Fire Dept.) responds to the Johnson Creek brush fire, July 18, 2015. A DNR helicopter dumps water on fire.

SETFA (Yelm & Rainier Fire Dept.) responds to the Johnson Creek brush fire, July 18, 2015. A DNR helicopter dumps water on fire.

SETFA (Yelm & Rainier Fire Dept.) responds to the Johnson Creek brush fire, July 18, 2015. A DNR helicopter dumps water on fire.

SETFA (Yelm & Rainier Fire Dept.) responds to the Johnson Creek brush fire, July 18, 2015. A DNR helicopter dumps water on fire.

Mill Road/109th Ave SE Brush Fire

  • No structures lost
  • No injuries
  • Approximately 6 acres burned

S.E. Thurston Fire Authority responded to a threatening brush fire on Saturday, July 18 at 5:33 pm. First arriving SETFA Fire Crews found a fast moving brush fire threatening multiple structures. SETFA Fire crews were able to prevent any structural losses. Fire was turned over to the Department of Natural Resources at 10:30 pm.

SETFA (Yelm & Rainier Fire Dept.) respond to fast growing brush fire threatening residential structures.

SETFA (Yelm & Rainier Fire Dept.) respond to fast growing brush fire threatening residential structures.

Family Fun Day at the Park

The sun was shining and the weather was HOT for Family Fun Day at the Park, July 18, 2015. S.E. Thurston Fire Authority (Yelm & Rainier Fire Department) showed off their fire trucks and interacted with the Yelm, WA community by handing out balloons, 12 Man flyers, and by offering tours of the inside of their ladder truck. It was a great day!

(from left to right): Lieutenant Brian Richardson, Devin Dries, twins Keith and Carson Dries, Miranda Dries, and Firefighter Steve Berg smile in front of a SETFA (Yelm & Rainier Fire Department) fire truck.

(from left to right): Lieutenant Brian Richardson, Devin Dries, twins Keith and Carson Dries, Miranda Dries, and Firefighter Steve Berg smile in front of a SETFA (Yelm & Rainier Fire Dept.) fire truck.

SETFA's (Yelm & Rainier Fire Dept.) booth set up next to fully extended ladder truck.

SETFA’s (Yelm & Rainier Fire Dept.) booth set up next to fully extended ladder truck.

Inside the SETFA ladder truck.

Inside the SETFA (Yelm & Rainier Fire Dept.) ladder truck.

Kyla Peterson sits in SETFA's (Yelm & Rainier Fire Department) ladder truck.

Kyla Peterson sits in SETFA’s (Yelm & Rainier Fire Dept.) ladder truck.

SETFA's (Yelm & Rainer Fire Dept.) Ladder truck fully extended at Family Fun Day event at Yelm City Park.

SETFA’s (Yelm & Rainer Fire Dept.) Ladder truck fully extended at Family Fun Day event at Yelm City Park.

SETFA (Yelm & Rainier Fire Department) volunteers, Ksea Rogers and Erika McInnis.

SETFA (Yelm & Rainier Fire Dept.) volunteers, Ksea Rogers and Erika McInnis, hand out balloons, bracelets, light-up keychains, etc. to children.

Pictures from the 4th of July Holiday Weekend Fires

Fire burns a field off of Old McKenna Highway during the 4th of July Holiday weekend.

Fire burns a field off of Old McKenna Highway during the 4th of July Holiday weekend.

SETFA (Yelm & Rainier) fire engines respond to 4th of July holiday weekend fire.

SETFA (Yelm & Rainier) fire engines respond to late night fire during the 4th of July holiday weekend.

SETFA (Yelm & Rainier) Fire Captain Eric Hetland walks the burnt field with Department of Natural Resources and SETFA personnel.

SETFA (Yelm & Rainier) Fire Captain Eric Hetland walks a burnt field with Department of Natural Resources and SETFA personnel.

SETFA (Yelm & Rainier) Fire Captain Eric Hetland surveys the damage to a field in Yelm that burned during the 4th of July weekend.

SETFA (Yelm & Rainier) Fire Captain Eric Hetland surveys the damage to a field in Yelm that burned during the 4th of July weekend. Fire in field near manufactured housing community in Yelm. Fire was extinguished without incident or damage to homes. No evacuation was needed.

SETFA Fire Captain Eric Hetland (left) and SETFA Firefighter Tony Brosco (right).

SETFA Fire Captain Eric Hetland (left) and SETFA Firefighter Tony Brosco (right).

SETFA (Yelm & Rainier) Career Firefighter Matt Blasco (left), SETFA Career Firefighter Tony Brosco (center), and Yelm City Police Officer Devon Taylor (right).

SETFA (Yelm & Rainier)  Firefighter Matt Blasco (left), SETFA Firefighter Tony Brosco (center), and Yelm City Police Officer Devon Taylor (right).

SETFA (Yelm & Rainier) Firefighter Matt Blasco (left) talks to SETFA  Firefighter Tony Brosco (right).

SETFA (Yelm & Rainier) Firefighter Matt Blasco (left) talks to SETFA Firefighter Tony Brosco (right).

SETFA (Yelm & Rainier) and Department of Natural Resources personnel carry a water hose.

SETFA (Yelm & Rainier) and Department of Natural Resources personnel carry a water hose.

SETFA (Yelm & Rainier) and Department of Natural Resources personnel extinguish hot spots in scorched field in Yelm.

SETFA (Yelm & Rainier) and Department of Natural Resources personnel extinguish hot spots in scorched field in Yelm.

SETFA (Yelm & Rainier) and Department of Natural Resources personnel extinguish hot spots in scorched field in Yelm.

SETFA (Yelm & Rainier) and Department of Natural Resources personnel extinguish hot spots in scorched field in Yelm.

SETFA (Yelm & Rainier) and Department of Natural Resources personnel extinguish hot spots in scorched field in Yelm.

SETFA (Yelm & Rainier) and Department of Natural Resources personnel extinguish hot spots in scorched field in Yelm.

SETFA (Yelm & Rainier) and Department of Natural Resources personnel extinguish hot spots in scorched field in Yelm.

SETFA (Yelm & Rainier) and Department of Natural Resources personnel extinguish hot spots in scorched field in Yelm.

SETFA (Yelm & Rainier) and Department of Natural Resources personnel extinguish hot spots in scorched field in Yelm.

SETFA (Yelm & Rainier) and Department of Natural Resources personnel extinguish hot spots in scorched field in Yelm.

SETFA Participates in 2015 Prairie Days Parade

June 25, 2015 was the kick-off Prairie Days Parade. We had an absolutely wonderful time passing out candy, meeting the community, walking the in the parade, and showing off our fire truck!

Take a look at a few of the photos from yesterday’s parade.

SETFA volunteers hand out candy to children and spectators.

SETFA volunteers hand out candy to children and spectators.

SETFA Volunteer hands out candy to children and spectators.

SETFA Volunteer hands out candy to children and spectators.

SETFA volunteers handing out candy to children and spectators.

SETFA volunteers handing out candy to children and spectators.

SETFA volunteer hands out candy to children and spectators.

SETFA volunteer hands out candy to children and spectators.

SETFA fire truck in the 2015 Prairie Days Parade.

SETFA fire truck in the 2015 Prairie Days Parade.

Our friends at TwinStar in the parade.

Our friends at TwinStar in the parade.

Carnival rides at 2015 Yelm Prairie Days

Carnival rides at 2015 Yelm Prairie Days

Volunteers helping at the SETFA cotton candy station.

Volunteers helping at the SETFA cotton candy station.

Motorcycle Drill Team T90 - Tenino, WA, Est. 1984

Motorcycle Drill Team T90 – Tenino, WA, Est. 1984

Volunteers helping out at the SETFA prize wheel.

Volunteers helping out at the SETFA prize wheel.