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The Port of Olympia held a town hall meeting with Executive Director Alexandra Smith on April 24.

New port director open to conversations about future of downtown marine terminal

The Port of Olympia’s new executive director, Alexandra Smith, addressed dozens of questions last week, including about the marine terminal’s profitability and said she supports having … more

By Jerome Tuaño and Danny Stusser | 4/30/24 | 11 comments

Cassidy Walchak-Sloan and Alisha Saucedo are expected to represent the Saints at various distance running events in the GNAC Championships.

Saint Martin’s Track and Field team steps up in GNAC Finals preview at CWU

With only a couple of weeks left approaching the Conference Finals, the Saint Martin’s University Track and Field team is in their homestretch preparations to vie for all the marbles and was … more

By Vince Zafra | 4/30/24

VFW Post 318 Commander Crystal Beeler wants the city to address the problems the post has encountered from residents at Unity Commons.

VFW Post wants action from city

Army veteran Crystal Beeler made it clear that she wants the Olympia City Council to address the issue that VFW Post 318 says involves the actions of homeless individuals living in the nearby Unity … more

By JM Simpson | 4/29/24 | 4 comments

Troy Oliver, NTPS’s assistant superintendent of operations, will be the school district's supervisor.

North Thurston Public Schools assistant superintendent to take the helm

During a special meeting on Sunday, April 28, the North Thurston Public Schools (NTPS) Board of Directors selected Troy Oliver as its next Superintendent. “I have been proud to work … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/29/24

Proposed Changes to Parking Meter Times This cartoonized map shows the existing parking meter time limits downtown. All blocks shown in green currently have 3-hour meters, while those in purple are 2-hour meters. The Olympia Parking Services proposes turning all two-hour meters into three hours to provide flexibility for businesses and visitors in the downtown area.

Olympia considering expanding parking enforcement hours

Olympia's Parking Services Program proposed several changes to downtown parking to address community concerns and serve local businesses and visitors better. Parking Service Program specialist … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/29/24 | 7 comments

Olympia-born Braxton Claridy represents the Evergreen State College in the men’s 200 meters.

Geoducks perform last few laps at CWU Invitational ahead of Conference Championships

In the lead-up for the upcoming Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) Championships in early May, the Evergreen State College Track and Field team battled for their homestretch outdoor meets and … more

By Vince Zafra | 4/29/24

Attendees of the Olympia School District meeting can be seen rejoicing last night, April 25, 2024, as Superintendent Patrick Murphy recommended the removal of school closures as an option to save money.

Madison, McKenny to remain open as Olympia School Board rules out closures

The Olympia School District (OSD) Board expressed no objections to Superintendent Patrick Murphy’s recommendation of excluding school closure as an option to supplement the district’s … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/26/24 | 5 comments

Tumwater Community Development Director briefs the city council about two contracts with Haley & Aldrich Inc.

Tumwater selects firm to conduct environmental assessment of old brewery site, WSDOT office

Tumwater has selected Haley & Aldrich Inc. to conduct environmental assessment work on the old brewery and the former Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) office on Capitol … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/26/24 | 3 comments

At the Land Use and Environment meeting held Thursday, April 25, 2024, Olympia's associate planner Casey Schaufler mentioned that fewer than 10 miles of streets are located within a 15-minute walk of many neighborhood centers.

Olympia's neighborhood centers ‘have not developed as envisioned,’ consultants say

At Olympia's Land Use and Environment Committee meeting, Olympia associate planner Casey Schaufler presented the market analysis on neighborhood centers, which analyzed 12 existing centers and … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/26/24 | 13 comments

At Wednesday's Community Livability and Public Safety meeting, Daisha Versaw, Economic Development senior program specialist, mentioned that Creative District is home to over 150 creative businesses in Olympia.

Olympia's Creative District seeks a second certification from Arts Commission

Olympia is seeking recertification for the Creative District from the Washington State Arts Commission to further support the local creative sector in the next five years. more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/26/24 | 1 comment

Lacey seeks applicants for board vacancy

The Lacey City Council is currently accepting recommendations from local organizations to fill a vacant position on the Capital Area Regional – Public Facilities District (CAR-PFD) board … more

By Darlanne Cruz | 4/26/24 | 1 comment

A bus pulling into the Intercity Transit bus stop in Olympia

Intercity Transit to bring services closer to pre-pandemic levels

Intercity Transit announced the enhancement to their bus services, with getting closer to pre-pandemic level of service as their goal. The transit authority outlined a series of adjustments … more

By Darlanne Cruz | 4/26/24 | 3 comments

According to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office, a caller claimed that a shooter was present at the school, prompting the school to contact law enforcement; the school entered into lockdown and then lockout status for the afternoon of April 25, 2024.

Nisqually Middle School locked down and locked out after threat yesterday

Thursday, April 25, 2024, at about 1 p.m., the Nisqually Middle School was under heavy police presence after a shooting threat was made via phone call. According to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office … more

By Darlanne Cruz | 4/26/24

This is an aerial view of the Regional Athletic Center, or RAC, in Lacey.

Lacey considers expansion plans for Regional Athletic Complex

Lacey's Director of Parks provided a comprehensive update to the city council regarding the Regional Athletic Complex (RAC) Phase 3 Design Concept on Tuesday, April 23. Jen Burbidge … more

By JC Medina | 4/25/24

Joey Jones, Olympia's project engineer with the Public Works, spoke at the Finance Committee on Monday, April 22, 2024. He gave an overview of the city transportation projects planned for the next several years.

Olympia councilmember seeks bolder transportation reforms to align with climate goals

Olympia Councilmember Clark Gilman is challenging city staff to pursue bolder transportation reforms to make progress on climate and mobility goals. Joey Jones, the city’s Public Works … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/25/24 | 7 comments

The Deschutes River flows at Brewery Park in Tumwater, Washington.

Non-profit launches initiative that would grant rights to Deschutes Watershed

Nonprofit Standing for Washington has launched a campaign in Olympia and Tumwater to advocate for the rights of the Deschutes Watershed. The non-profit began gathering signatures on Friday, … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/25/24 | 6 comments

Lacey recognized for solar energy efforts

Lacey recently received a SolSmart Silver designation for its efforts to advance solar energy initiatives in the city. According to the city’s press release, Lacey was recognized for … more

By JC Medina | 4/25/24 | 1 comment

Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders (second from the left) discussed the possible acquisition of two systems at a work session with the Board of County Commissioners yesterday, April 24, 2024.

Sheriff eyes GPS darts and net-launching bumpers to aid in car chases

To aid in vehicle pursuits, the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) discussed the possible acquisition of vehicle-mounted GPS launchers and police bumpers. At a work session with the … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/25/24 | 2 comments

Dr. Justin Ainsworth, one of the finalists, is associate superintendent in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District in Palmer, Alaska.

Only two weeks in, incoming North Thurston Public Schools superintendent backs out

Dr. Justin Ainsworth, the newly hired and incoming superintendent of North Thurston School District (NTSD), has announced his resignation, triggering a new round of interviews to fill the post. … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 4/24/24

One of the possible locations of the community center is a site near Tumwater Boulevard and I-5.

Tumwater Parks Commission discusses potential location of community center

Tumwater city staff is considering four locations for a proposed community center, Parks and Recreation Director Chuck Denney told the Parks and Recreation Commission on Wednesday, April 17. The … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/24/24 | 4 comments