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Thursday, November 5, 2026
TOP STORIES

Updated Nov. 3 General Election results in Thurston County

Thurston County Commissioner Emily Clouse padded her lead over challenger Nicolas Martinez-Dunning in a battle for the District No. 5 seat in ...

Barriers hinder middle housing development in Olympia

The City of Olympia allows four to six homes per lot in designated low-density residential zones, plus up to two accessory dwelling units ...

Gluesenkamp Perez cruising toward win over Braun in 3rd Congressional District

Democratic U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez enjoyed a comfortable lead over Republican state Sen. John Braun on Tuesday, Nov. 3, as she pursues ...

Locals weigh in on Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project at public hearing

A handful of community members gave their input at a public hearing held on Wednesday evening, Oct. 28, in downtown Olympia on new ...

Lacey City Council proclaims November as Veterans Appreciation Month 

Veterans and military families are at the center of a citywide recognition in ...

Election Night in Thurston County

Incumbent Emily Clouse held a nearly 5,000 vote advantage over challenger Nicolas Martinez-Dunning in the race ...

TRPC to mull transportation grant awards for a number of proposals 

The Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) is going to consider approving $16 million in federal transportation grant awards at a meeting ...

New member sought for Lacey Commission on Equity

The City of Lacey is accepting applications for a vacant position on the Commission on ...

Olympia residents invited to share priorities at forum  

The Council of Neighborhood Associations (CNA) is inviting Olympia residents to a community forum to discuss neighborhood needs and ...
Sports
A 90 percent site plan prepared by RWD Landscape Architects shows proposed pickleball courts, pingpong tables, spectator areas, pathway changes and ballfield safety netting at Rainier Vista Park in Lacey. 

Rainier Vista Park improvements reach 90 percent of planning stage 

The City of Lacey is preparing Rainier Vista Park’s recreation improvements for permitting after completing another planning ...

Swimmers ages 50 and over competde in the Washington State Senior Games in Lacey on Sunday, July 26, 2026.

Swimmers take center stage at Washington State Senior Games

Dozens of swimmers competed in the annual Washington State Senior Games swim meet on ...

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Police Blotter

Police Blotter for Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026

Thurston County Sheriff’s Office On 11/3/26 at 2:35 a.m. in the 9500 block of Mallard Drive SE, sheriff’s deputies arrested Michelle Marie Taylor, 46, on suspicion of first-degree assault. …

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Gardening & outdoors

Bird watching in late October

As we reach the end of October, cooler weather, shorter days and frequent rainfall have entirely changed bird ...

Rare birds at Nisqually

As I opined in a recent Thurston’s Birds column, the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge is the premier ...

Chasing a rare longspur

From time to time a rare bird visits Thurston County. After learning of the sighting, serious birders generally commit to chase this initial ...

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Arts & Entertainment
IN THE AUDIENCE
Rachel Benton

A conversation with Kevin Mason and Mary Miller of Capitol City Caramels 

Raise your hand if you were feeling tense about the election. Me too, so I wanted to offer us something extra sweet, buttery, and warm to ...

Rachel Benton

Timberline High School students discuss 'Come From Away'

A couple of weeks ago, Dr. Adam Jones and the cast of Timberline High School’s “Come From Away” let me join them for a conversation ...
Rachel Benton

Sneak peek: 'Alice in Wonderland' by Ballet Victoria

Alice — you know, Lewis Carroll’s girl who went to wonderland — is coming to Olympia! Thanks to our beloved Ballet ...

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Opinions: Yours & our columnists
Don’t throw away the whey! The art of making ingredients work twice 
Have you ever started preparing one dish in the kitchen and ended up creating something entirely different with the ingredients left ...
Nonprofits are back in the news starting today
Editor’s note:  Today, we’re welcoming Clarissa Lundeen as our new columnist focusing on nonprofits in Thurston ...
The NAACP of Thurston County
For more than 100 years, the NAACP has fought for equality. Founded in 1909, our work continues today to protect voting rights and ...
Respite: We could all use a break
As if managing the challenges of aging wasn’t enough, we are in a time of unprecedented technological and societal ...
Happy Halloween!
In my recurring columns, I try hard to be clear about what is documented history versus folkloric tales. History includes societal, political ...

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Calendar of events
Olympia headlines
Cameron Coronado, Senior Program Specialist with Public Works Environmental Services, unveiled the 2027 Water Resources calendar at an Olympia City Council meeting on Oct. 27, 2026. 
The Olympia City Council recognized middle school students for using their creativity to promote stormwater pollution prevention in the ...
The City of Olympia’s proposed 2028-30 Transportation Improvement Program includes four major projects, which aim to improve road safety and accessibility for motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users.
Millions of dollars in transportation improvements are planned over the next six years in the City of Olympia, including enhanced pedestrian ...
Olympia City Council members and community advocates gathered at a meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the city’s first gay rights law, which was adopted in 1986.  
The 40th anniversary of Olympia's first gay rights law was recognized with a proclamation honoring a 1986 ordinance that protected ...
An alternate location is shown here for a proposed dumpster enclosure to help maintain garbage truck access at 1217 Cooper Point Road SW in Olympia.
The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee reviewed a proposal for a pharmacy drive-thru on Cooper Point Road that comes with some ...
The Olympia School District (OSD) has created a web page that addresses frequently asked questions about proposed school closures, consolidation ...

Read more Olympia coverage

Tumwater headlines
The Tumwater School District Board of Directors adopted revisions of three policies related to student health and wellness at a meeting on Oct. 26, 2026.
The Tumwater School District Board of Directors (TSD) adopted three revised policies related to student health and wellness to align with state ...
The Davis Meeker Gary oak tree on Old Highway 99 in Tumwater on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. Two branches fell from the southwestern portion of the historic tree on Sept. 25, 2026.
Tumwater City Council members weighed in on the  future of the historic Davis Meeker Gary oak tree ahead of a decision on funding for ...
A Tumwater Fire Department fire truck, as seen in this undated photo.
The Tumwater Budget & Finance Committee recommended the adoption of an ordinance that would reinstate fire impact fees on ...

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Thurston County
Single-family home and condominium listings remained firmly above the 1,000 mark in the final weeks of summer, as sellers continued to look to ...
The communication team at the regional office responsible for school districts within Thurston County won 12 awards from the state for communication ...
A conceptual rendering of the 5th Avenue Bridge, looking north toward Budd Inlet.
A sweeping environmental project received the backing of the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners, as regional partners continue to ...

Read more Thurston County covergae

Lacey headlines
The LOTT Clean Water Alliance presented its regional wastewater system map during a Lacey City Council work session on Oct. 27, 2026. 
The LOTT Clean Water Alliance is preparing a major wastewater infrastructure upgrade in the City of ...
LOTT Clean Water Alliance recognized the City of Lacey for 50 years of regional cooperation at a 50th anniversary celebration on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. 
The City of Lacey was honored for its longtime partnership with the regional wastewater utility serving Thurston ...
Utility boxes in Lacey showcase community figures in the first phase of the Utility Box Art Wraps project. 
The City of Lacey is calling on artists to transform ordinary utility control boxes into colorful public artwork that celebrates local history and ...
The proposed budget for Lacey decreases to $245.5 million in 2027 from $274.6 million in 2026.
Lacey residents and business owners who review the proposed spending plan for 2027 are going to find a slimmed down budget ...
A preview of the draft interactive map featuring the Bowker House was presented during the Lacey Historical Commission meeting on Oct. 21, 2026. 
The City of Lacey is getting closer to publishing its online historic markers map. However, limitations in the current version have prompted ...

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More local news
 Governor mobilizes National Guard for added security for ballot drop boxes in Washington
In a precedent-setting move, members of the Washington National Guard are being deployed in seven counties to help protect ballot drop boxes in ...
Food inspection results in Thurston County — Monday, Nov. 2, 2026
Restaurant inspection reports focus on two types of violations: red and ...
Idled coal power plant generates a natural gas fight near Centralia
The owner of the only remaining coal power plant in the Pacific Northwest is doggedly proceeding with a plan to extend its life by converting to ...
Tumwater council establishes fee for body camera footage requests 
The Tumwater City Council adopted a resolution to establish a fee structure for charging nonexempt public disclosure requests for ...
Tumwater School District eyes defining community service procedures  
The Tumwater School District (TSD) is considering adding procedures to its community service policy to provide consistency and clarity for ...
Tumwater School District adopts 2026-32 Capital Facilities Plan 
The Tumwater School District (TSD) Board of Directors unanimously approved a resolution to adopt the 2026-32 Capital Facilities Plan after ... 
Traffic revisions planned for Pattison Street, Pacific Avenue on Election Day
Traffic revisions will be in place on Election Day, as a means to support accessible, safe and secure voting at the Thurston County Auditor's Office in ...
Regional Housing Council seeks state support for 2027 housing programs 
The Thurston County Regional Housing Council is going to consider a number of legislative priorities for the upcoming 2027 session of the Washington ...
Deal for 67.5 acres of mitigation land moves ahead in Tumwater 
The Tumwater City Council agreed to a $12 million purchase and sale agreement for 67.5 acres of property that's going to be part of the city’s habitat conservation ...
Feds allege over 400 noncitizens vote in Washington
The top federal prosecutor in Seattle claimed on Monday, Oct. 26, that more than 400 noncitizens have been voting in Washington, as the Trump ...

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