A look back: Take a trip through our area's rich history

Enjoy these snapshots of articles written in past issues of the Nisqually Valley News from 45, 35, 25 and 15 years ago, respectively.

A Look Back at This Week,

45 Years Ago

• Chuck Brown, a professional golfer for 40 years, acquired Yelm Golf Course and its complex Oct. 1, 1979. He assumed control of the complex, including rental units, restaurant and golf course.
• Harold “Speed” Bircher, a 1961 Yelm High School graduate, received one of the Navy’s highest commendations when he was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal. Bircher was a first class aviation structural mechanic aboard the USS Kitty Hawk.
• A Yelm couple, Jim and Patty Forrester, opened their second business venture in Yelm as Slim Jim’s opened its doors Oct. 8, 1979, in the new Frontier Village shopping center. The couple had operated Bob’s Tavern in Yelm for the past 13 years.
• Yelm High School band members were surprised at their rehearsal when Harry Allen, band leader, introduced David Stoller, manager of McDonald’s in Olympia. Stoller presented Emily Allison, flute and piccolo, and Bob Anderson, drums, a special award indicating they had passed the first hurdle in becoming a member of the chain’s all-American band.

A Look Back at This Week,

35 Years Ago

• The Seattle Metro Council was told Oct. 5, 1989, that thousands of gallons of hazardous waste had been illegally dumped into the Seattle sewers. Jerry Bentler, a former employee of Northwest EnviroServices, made the allegations during the council’s public comment portion. Based in Seattle, EnviroServices was one of the largest hazardous waste disposal companies in the state.
• Two Yelm area residents reported being assaulted Oct. 6, 1989. One of the victims advised that he was awakened by the suspect shouting outside his apartment, and when he went to the door to investigate, the suspect pushed his way in and grabbed the victim’s girlfriend and threw her down before assaulting the other victim. A second suspect also participated in the assault, and both were arrested by a Thurston County Sheriff’s Office deputy.
• One person was injured in a two-car collision at 103rd and Grove Road, Oct. 6, 1989. James Chase of Yelm in a Camaro hit a Ford Pinto driven by Steven Mews. A passenger in the Pinto received minor head and neck injuries.
• Brian Sheetz, a Yelm High School senior, was set to attend the National Young Leaders Conference in Washington D.C. from Oct. 24 through Oct. 29. He was to witness democracy in action and interact with government leaders, media and the diplomatic corps.

A Look Back at This Week,

25 Years Ago

• Cochrane Memorial Park, a combination public wetland and water polishing facility, was officially opened on Oct. 22, 1999. The City of Yelm hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony and dedication for the park, which was named for local couple Lee and May Cochrane.
• Richard Scott Teitzel, 37, Roy, was charged in Pierce County Superior Court with vehicular homicide and driving with a suspended license following a September 1999 collision that left a local woman dead.
• Investigators suspected arson as the cause of a fire Oct. 11, 1999, that burned a family’s mobile home near the Nisqually Pines. None of the residents were home at the time, but all of their belongings were destroyed, and their pets were killed.
• After dropping a 1-0 decision to Clover Park Oct. 7, 1999, the Yelm High School girls soccer team scored its first victory with a 2-0 shutout of Franklin Pierce Oct. 12.

A Look Back at This Week,

15 Years Ago

• Two 9-year-old twin girls were airlifted to Harborview Medical Center Oct. 1, 2009, after an electrical fire started in their home in the 16000 block of 118th Lane Southeast. They were airlifted as a precaution for smoke inhalation, and one girl had a second-degree burn on her arm.
• A 15-year-old boy lost a portion of his left hand after the bomb he was making with friends exploded. His two friends, ages 19 and 15, were also injured in the explosion. The boy needed to be airlifted, but it was too foggy, so he was transported to Nisqually Elementary in Lacey for airlift to Harborview Medical Center.
• The Yelm High School jazzline team performed during the Seattle Seahawks halftime show Oct. 11, 2009, at Qwest Field. Yelm was one of seven teams participating in the show, along with the Seagals cheerleaders.
• Yelm High School senior running back Andrew Almeida rushed for a school record 289 yards and four touchdowns in Yelm’s 40-8 homecoming victory against Port Angeles Oct. 2, 2009.