Olympia, WA
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Puget Sound Energy proposes rebuilding and expanding its Eld Inlet substation  

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee held a presubmission conference to review Puget Sound Energy's plan to rebuild and expand its Eld Inlet substation at 1330 Kaiser Road NW.    …
Great Washington Shakeout drill for earthquake preparedness
Drop, cover, and hold this Thursday, Oct. 17, as part of the statewide earthquake drill.   The Great Washington ShakeOut will happen at exactly 10:17 a.m. and will allow participants to …
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Ray Larkin, We are Still Here, Photography
Anticipate the 16 th  Annual Native American Art Exhibition from November 4 to December 13 at the Leonor R. Fuller Gallery. The opening reception will be held on Friday, November 8, from 6 to 7:30 …
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Jessica Springs book, One Liners
In general, when we think of books we see a flat rectangle in our mind, sometimes bound in a pretty cover, or a soft bound.  As children, we interacted with books differently.  We might …
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This crunchy salad has several flavors -- but needs no cabbage.
This week’s recipe is a crisp, sweet broccoli salad, that is also quick and easy to put together. This is a great side dish with chicken or fish, and may be made ahead, holding up well in the …
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Tumwater City Council met on Tuesday, Oct. 8, to review a series of amendments to the city’s contract with Medic One. 
Thurston County Medic One, the county’s emergency service provider, is looking to establish its eighth unit, which will be based at the North End fire station on Linwood Avenue in Tumwater. …
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A woman dentist shows a male patient a digital rendering of a jaw and teeh
Introducing DentistLink, a free referral service that aims to help low-income and uninsured Washington residents access dental care, has expanded its scope to include transportation, translation and …
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Jennie Beth Banks tells the story of her own near-death experience that inspired her to create the On the Edge series.
"On the Edge – Perspectives on Death, Dying, Loss & Living" is a month-long series of programs, events and workshops led by various people from the local death-care community.
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Mira Jayarama (Bib #209) and Ruby Bryntesen (Bib #207) competed in the women’s 6k cross country run for the first time representing Saint Martin’s.
The Saint Martin’s University Cross Country teams were right on track after competing in their first two invitationals of the cross country season last September under new head coach Gabriel …
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A few lone buffalo (officially American Bison) hang around and pose for semi-closeups. Here, a buffalo bull poses for a semi-closeup.
There’s a risk in leaving tomatoes ripening on the vine in early October when frost might ruin them, but for a trip through Yellowstone National Park, the risk seemed worth taking. And after …
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The Senior Services for South Sound invites everyone to celebrate its annual fall gala with the theme “An Evening in Tuscany.” The gala will be held on October 26 from 5 p.m. onwards at the Olympia Senior Center.
Join the Senior Services for South Sound’s annual fall gala on October 26 from 5 p.m. onwards at the Olympia Senior Center.    The gala, which benefits the senior center's needs, …
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Olympia City Council, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. The Olympia City Council unanimously approved two resolutions that opposed two ballot initiatives that would threaten the city's climate policies and efforts.
  The Olympia City Council voted unanimously to oppose two Washington state ballot initiatives that would threaten local and state policies to reduce greenhouse emissions. The two measures will …
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Planning Manager Brad Medrud (lower left) briefed the General Government Committee on Wednesday, Oct. 9, about the land capacity study by the Thruston Regional Planning Council
A county-wide study shows that Tumwater has sufficient land capacity to accommodate future housing needs for low-income households until 2045, but a city planner warns that the margin of error is too …
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At the October 7, 2024, Board of County Commissioners meeting, Human Resources representatives reported the 2025 changes to employee benefits and recommendations. Photographed from left to right is Human Resources Director Maria Aponte, Compensation and Benefits Manager Tara Wickline, and Senior Human Resources Analyst Neysa Caywood.
At a meeting on Monday, Human Resources (HR) representatives reported the 2025 changes to Thurston County employee benefits to the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC).  
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Finances stress
According to the Thurston County Board of Equalization, local homeowners have until Oct. 28 to appeal their property tax assessments. This county webpage provides explains the procedure and …
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Life
Weekly Roundup

What’s happening next week– Olympia Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Harvest Craft Festival and other festivities

There is so much to celebrate in our locality—from nature to   culture.   Harvest Craft Festival & Food Drive, Weekend, October 11-12   The first-ever Harvest Craft Fair …

Renowned sculptor Haiying Wu’s full-scale clay model of Nisqually leader and rights activist Billy Frank Jr. is nearing completion. The SPSCC campus has public access from 2 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Billy Frank, Jr. statue for U.S. Capitol is a step closer to casting

The full-scale clay statue of Nisqually leader and rights activist Billy Frank Jr. is nearing completion, and the public is invited to view it at the artist’s workspace on the South Puget Sound …
This is Amy Geier, the Outreach and Development Coordinator for Concern for Animals.

Concern for Animals (CFA) – Toast for Tails Fundraiser

This week, Trish met with Amy Geier, the Outreach and Development Coordinator for Concern for Animals in their office located at 1414 State Avenue NE, Olympia, WA  98506.   Amy is one …
Kathleen Anderson

My driving or not driving solutions in Thurston County

As a younger woman I was often seen driving around town with a coffee cup on the roof of my car. I no longer drink and drive. I also had many honks, waves, finger pointing and untellable …

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Police Blotter

Police Blotter for Tuesday, October 8, 2024

Thurston County Sheriff's Office On 10/08/24 at 11:43 a.m. at 20900 Blk 18th Ave E Spanaway, Sheriff's deputies arrested Anthony L Matagi, 44, on suspicion of 1) Theft in the First Degree - …

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Opinions: Yours & our columnists
Capitol Lake Deschutes Estuary Project Good or Bad
The Deschutes Estuary Project is good for the State but bad for the local taxpayers of Unincorporated Thurston County, Cities of Tumwater, Olympia, LOTT and the Port of Olympia.
How to help the housing crisis
Do you want to help combat the housing crisis? Then you should consider submitting comments to the county in opposition to a development called BAR Holdings/Salish Landing, and you should consider …
Public-sector health insurance rates are approved for a 10.7% increase:  What is going on?
One month ago, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) announced the approval of a 10.7% increase for premiums in the individual health insurance market through the Washington Exchange. This …
'Making Sense of Olympia'
Having been born and raised in Thurston County, I have fond memories wrapped up in this place.  I remember when the Olympia Farmers Market was in the Shakeys Pizza parking lot, when the Carnegie …
Recipe: Zucchini lasagna
This is the time of year when the last of the summer vegetables are harvested. Our tomato plants are producing their final fruit. It is a good time to use our veggies to prepare a delicious comfort …

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Calendar of events
Olympia headlines
Get ready to laugh out loud as Olympia High School Theatre Arts Department presents Michael Frayn's classic farce, "Noises Off," running from Oct. 18-19 and 24-26 at the Olympia High School …
Get ready to laugh out loud as Olympia High School Theatre Arts Department presents Michael Frayn's classic farce, "Noises Off," running from Oct. 18-19 and 24-26 at the Olympia High School …
Luke Fenner (left) holds trophy after winning the CBC League Match tournament, accompanied by Head Coach Russell Olsen. 
In a historic first for the South Puget Sound Community College golf program, Luke Fenner bested all 53 other participants in the men’s golf category to win the Columbia Basin College (CBC) …
On Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, the Olympia council chambers were packed with local workers and business owners who were voicing their opinions on the minimum wage and the Worker’s Bill of Rights.
The Olympia community is divided over a potential policy change on minimum wage and the Worker's Bill of Rights. Workers advocate for wage increases and improved conditions, while business owners …
Photo caption: Here is a comparison of the different school closure policies made by the parent organization OSD For All. The Olympia School District Policy 6000 series contains Policy 6883 about school closures.
The Olympia School District (OSD) is opening a public comment period for its Policy 6000 Series after its s chool closure policy was found to have skipped an official first reading.   The …

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Tumwater headlines
Tumwater City Councilmember Eileen Swarthout led a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the two EV charging stations on Friday, October 4.
Two electric vehicle (EV) charging stations are now available for public use at Pioneer Park in Tumwater.   Tumwater held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, October 4, to celebrate the …
Jason Wettstein (top left), the city’s communications manager, briefed the Tumwater City Council on a resolution expressing the council’s disapproval of a state ballot measure that would prohibit the trade of carbon credits.
Tumwater City Council adopted a resolution expressing its disapproval of a state ballot measure that, if passed, would prohibit the trade in carbon credits. The council unanimously voted to …
The Tumwater Lodging Tax Advisory Committee met on Sept. 23, 2024, to review the applications of several organizations looking to receive lodging tax funds. 
Tumwater City Council approved the distribution of this year’s lodging tax funds. As part of its consent agenda on Tuesday, October 1, the council adopted the recommendation of the Lodging Tax …

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Thurston County
Ballots being sorted, photo November 7, 2022.
Thurston County Auditor’s Office Elections Division has mailed over 195,000 ballots to registered voters for the upcoming November 5 General Election. Voters who haven’t received their …
A fire burning ban sign in front of dry grass and trees.
The Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) announced on Wednesday, Oct. 2, that the seasonal county-wide fire safety burn ban was lifted at the end of September.   The Thurston County Fire …
Thurston County Coroner, Sheriff, District Court, Prosecuting Attorney, Clerk, Auditor, Treasurer, Assessor, And Commissioners had a work session on Monday, October 7, to discuss midterm budget requests. 
At a work session on Monday, Thurston County’s elected officials met with Thurston’s Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) to discuss budget matters.   The office …

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Lacey headlines
The Saints women’s soccer team got their first win of the season at the expense of the CWU Wildcats, thanks to the goal by Inara Lopez de Andrade
The Saint Martin’s University women’s soccer team finally found the winning column in this soccer season in a hard-fought 1-0 win over Central Washington University at their pitch in the …
The Saint Martin’s University volleyball team ended their Alaska trip with a win over the Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks with a reverse sweep.
The Saints traveled to their farthest conference opponents way up in Alaska for the last match week of September, splitting the results with a 1-3 defeat against the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves …
The Lacey City Council and the Thurston County Board of Commissioners convened a joint public hearing on October 1, 2024, to gather testimony regarding the proposed annexation of Draham Road and Cuoio Park North Island. 
The Lacey City Council and the Thurston County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved an interlocal agreement facilitating the annexation of Draham Road and Cuoio Park North Island.   …
A teenage girl using a cell phone during a lesson in class
Since the opening of the current academic year, North Thurston Public Schools (NTPS) has implemented its Off and Away, All Day mobile device expectations at all of its schools.    The Off …
Invite the whole neighborhood to visit the well-loved arts walk and children’s fest.   Olympia Arts Walk, Weekend, October 4-5, September 28 Mark your calendars for a vibrant …

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More local news
 U.S. House committee endorses bill renaming Bucoda Post Office after late Mayor Rob Gordon 
A U . S . House of Representatives committee endorsed a bill renaming the Bucoda p ost office to the “Mayor Rob Gordon Post Office.”   H.R. 9421 passed the Committee on …
Olympia defers conversation about minimum wage hike, worker rights, into 2025   
The Olympia Finance Committee has outlined a new process focused on comprehensive community engagement for discussions on minimum wage and worker protections, set to begin in early 2025.   …
Thurston County mulls revising agricultural code based on private appeal and community comment  
During its October 2 meeting, Thurston’s Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) reviewed the comprehensive plan updates addressing a private appeal and community input on agriculture policies. …
Geoducks compete in cross-country preview in Portland 
The Evergreen State College fielded its best cross-country student-athletes again in the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) Cross Country Preview Invitational held at Rose City Golf Course in …
Thurston County explores new definition for housing designated for sex offenders
A revision to the definition of Less Restrictive Alternative (LRA) Community Housing is being eyed, Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) representatives said at a meeting on Wednesday, …
County commissioners propose workgroup to 'plan the best way forward' for Capitol State Forest 
The Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) wants to create a stakeholder workgroup to “plan the best way forward” for Capitol State Forest, according to the board’s October 1 letter …
South Sound Graduate School Fair to gather 40 institutions next week at The Evergreen State College
Evergreen State College, in partnership with the South Sound Graduate Fair Coalition, will host the first annual South Sound Graduate School Fair on October 8. The fair will be held at Evergreen …
County proclaims Domestic Violence Awareness Month as cases surge
The Thurston Board of County Commissioners officially proclaimed October 2024 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, highlighting the persistent issue and ongoing efforts to combat domestic violence …
Olympia seeks community input this Tuesday about federal affordable housing grant
The City of Olympia will hold a public hearing in council chambers on Tuesday, Oct. 8, to gather community input on a proposed $5.45 million grant application for affordable housing initiatives. …
County hires contractors to implement habitat conservation program
The Board of County Commissioners approved the contract of four organizations to implement the county’s habitat conservation program. As part of the board’s consent agenda on …

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