Olympia, WA
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Lacey greenlights interlocal agreement for Franz Anderson permanent supporting housing project 

The Franz Anderson permanent supportive housing project overcame the final hurdle with Lacey's approval of entering an interlocal agreement (ILA) with Olympia, Tumwater, and Thurston County.   …
The Olympia School District Board formulated their own suggestions based on the district’s School Facility Efficiency Review Committee recommendations.
The Olympia School District (OSD) Board used a new meeting format yesterday, opening with board member suggestions before committee presentations , which allowed members to formulate their …
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A view of the Western Plaza Senior Mobile Home Park on Monday, Nov 13, 2023 in Tumwater, Washington. The park, which was recently bought by Legacy Communities LLC, is upping rent at unsustainable rates for tenants that are often on a fixed income, as well as ignoring maintenance responsibilities. (Grant Hindsley for Crosscut)
Tucked right behind one of Tumwater’s many strip malls sits Western Plaza Mobile Home Park, whose residents gathered inside the community’s clubhouse. Kyle Taylor Lucas hurried...
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Tumwater City Council approved its 2024 legislative agenda on December 5.
Tumwater City Council adopted its legislative agenda for the State Legislature’s 2024 session.   The 2024 legislative agenda , a document that which guides the city’s funding …
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Matt Hoffman (second from the top) from Maul Foster & Alongi, Thurston County’s consultants, met with the Board of County Commissioners yesterday, December 6, 2023.
Thurston County consultants Maul Foster & Alongi, Inc. (MFA) presented the Industrial Lands Study findings to the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) Wednesday , December 7 .   …
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Ballots being sorted, photo November 7, 2022.
The Rainier City Council Position No. 2 contest has been officially certified by the Thurston County Canvassing Board, confirming Ryan Roth as the winner by a narrow margin of one vote.    …
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Tumwater City Council approved an interlocal agreement with Thurston Regional Housing Council as part of its consent agenda on December 5, 2023
Tumwater City Council authorized an interlocal agreement with the members of the Thurston Regional Housing Council to help develop a permanent supportive housing project on Franz Anderson Road in …
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Economic Development Program Manager Austin Ramriez briefs the Tumwater City Council about a contract renewal with Thurston Economic Development Council.
Tumwater City Council approved a new contract with Thurston Economic Development Council (EDC) on Tuesday, December 5 , to provide the city with economic development services.   The …
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Lacey is asking local pet owners to put their dogs on a leash when visiting its parks.
Lacey Parks Department observed that around 20% of dogs visiting five local parks were off leash , pointing to dog owners’ violation of established park rules .   In a Wednesday …
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During the season of giving, help local entrepreneurs support their craft.
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Capitol Lake, shown from the north, in December 2022. The lake extends from Fifth Avenue in downtown south to Tumwater Historical Park, where it is fed by the Deschutes River.
The Capitol Lake Interpretive Center dock, situated north of the Interpretive Center at 2600 Deschutes Parkway, will undergo a routine inspection on Tuesday, December 12, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.  …
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Trumpeter Swan
December is the peak month for bird watching at Capitol Lake. This time of year the lake has many waterfowl of many species, here for their winter vacation. Most of these species breed on …
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The scales of Justice represent the idea of decisions reached fairly and objectively by a weighing of evidence.
A burglary suspect was arrested after he was identified through his DNA found on one of the pieces of evidence, Olympia Police Department (OPD) announced it a social media post .   The …
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Harry Teruo Nakashima , Age: 94  April 03, 1929 - November 13, 2023 
Harry T. Nakashima    4/3/1929 - 11/13/2023       Harry Teruo Nakashima passed away at the age 94 in Olympia, Washington.    He was born in Wahiawa …
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Mayor Cheryl Selby expressed concern about the risk of losing the state’s tax incentives if Olympia did not proceed with the SE UGA annexation process.
Olympia City councilmembers wanted to hit the stop button on the southeast annexation conversation, saying there is no compelling case to pursue the initiative.    At the Tuesday , …
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Life
Watch the last leg of the Olympia Light Parade on Tuesday, December 12.

Missed Olympia’s City Lights Parade tonight? Last chance on Tuesday 

If you missed tonight’s Olympia Light Parade in the city’s southeast area, you’ll still have a last chance to see it on Tuesday, December 10.  City vehicles from the …

Tumwater Parks and Recreation offers a range of programs that promise to keep kids and adults entertained and engaged this winter. 

Tumwater Parks and Recreation offers exciting winter break programs for kids and kids at heart 

Tumwater Parks and Recreation offers a range of programs that promise to keep kids and adults entertained and engaged this winter .   Ascend Gymnastics Winter Camp   For the young …
The Thurston Regional Planning Council adopted the Regional Trails Plan during its Friday, December 1, 2023 meeting.

Regional Planning Council adopts updated Regional Trail Plan to expand network over next 20 years

The funding search begins for implementing the Regional Trails Plan as the Thurston Regional Planning Council adopts the updated plan to expand the trail network throughout the county over the next …
These delicious stuffed mushrooms can fit many dietary preferences, including keto.

Guilt-free stuffed mushroom appetizer

In the Pacific Northwest, we are blessed with an abundance of fresh mushrooms, both wild and cultivated. As we move into December, there are many holiday gatherings with friends and family.  I …

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Police Blotter

Police Blotter for Sunday, December 10, 2023

Thurston County Sheriff’s Office On 12/10/23 at 1:20 AM in the 10200 block of Martin Way E, Sheriff’s deputies arrested Michael Joseph Staples, 52, on suspicion of possession of …

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Opinions: Yours & our columnists
Plays, performances and more
The older I get, the more I realize how little I know. Sometimes it’s worrisome to discover I am so far out of the loop, and sometimes it comes as a delightful surprise. It was the latter when …
From Scrooge to giving
I know this time of year can be a bit overwhelming. Rather than receiving tons of holiday greetings in your mailbox, instead, you get nonprofit requests for money. Instead of reading your favorite …
Saving the roses
Our rose garden We might have lost our Centennial Rose Garden, which has been maintained by volunteers from the Olympia Rose Society (ORS) since 1988. Have you ever visited the rose garden? It …
Natural areas for bird watching
Following a recent column I received a request – “Could you please recommend some good local bird watching places beside the Nisqually area?” Here are some suggestions, including …
Movie Review: ‘Wish’ provides hopes and wishes from a special star
100 years have passed since Walt Disney created the Walt Disney Company and I only pray that after this film that Disney will continue to give us Disney magic for another hundred years. I believe …

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Olympia headlines
The Warm Hearts Winter Drive accepts both cash donations and new winter clothes.  
Umpqua Bank’s branches and associates in Olympia will assist in raising money and collecting winter clothing, with all of the proceeds going to homeless families through Community Youth …
File photo showing flooding in various sites of Olympia.
According to Lacey , “We received 2.96 inches of rain yesterday (12/5) which was a record for the date, breaking the previous record of 2.18 inches set in 1970. That was a long-standing record …
The scales of Justice represent the idea of decisions reached fairly and objectively by a weighing of evidence.
Olympia Police Department (OPD) reported o n a social media post the arrest of a retail thief allegedly targeting businesses in western Washington.   OPD responded to a …
the Olympia Planning Commission heard a proposal from private developers that could open new opportunities for mixed-use development downtown.  
On Monday , December 4 's meeting, the Olympia Planning Commission heard a proposal from private developers that could open new opportunities for mixed-use development downtown.   Olympia …
Colin Hauser (on the right) saves a crucial penalty from Peter Kingston in Oly Town FC's win at Everett City.
Oly Town FC continued to flex their winning form in the ongoing Western Indoor Soccer League season, but this time away from home as the Artesians swung the tides and launched a second-half heatwave …

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Tumwater headlines
Use caution when passing through road construction sites.
Tumwater advised daytime travelers on Interstate 5 in Tumwater to plan their routes accordingly. Ramp closures are scheduled for Tuesday, December 5, and Wednesday, December 6. Washington State …
Christmas has started here in Thurston County. Check out some events featuring Santa and his generous crew of charity helpers.   Plum Street Resource Fair, Friday, December 1, 1 …
Mary Heather Ames, Assistant Transportation & Engineering Director, met with the Tumwater Planning Commission last night to set a date for the public hearing of the Comprehensive Plan Amendments Final Docket.
Last night, the Tumwater Planning Commission scheduled the hearing for Ordinance No. O2023-002, Final Docket for 2023 Comprehensive Plan Amendments, on December 12 at their next meeting. …

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Thurston County
Senior Program Manager Rebecca Harvey briefed the Board of County Commissioners about a proposed service agreement with King County.
Thurston County is looking to partner with King and Pierce Counties to launch the Switch Is On initiative, an online education and outreach campaign promoting electrification.  The Thurston …
Next year we'll likely show you images from Thurston County. This one shows a Snoqualmie river flood affecting farmlands and roads.
Thurston County has reiterated a flood warning issued by the National Weather Service (Weather) for the Chehalis River, at and downstream of Grand Mound, for this evening until Friday morning, …
Davido and Karen Koep has been missing since November 13.
The bodies of the missing couple, Davido and Karen Koep, were found by two civilians on the off Stedman Road SE in Joint Base Lewis McChord in the afternoon of December 2. Thurston County …

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Lacey headlines
Narcotics paraphernalia, a container with heroin inside, a bag of over 40 blue and green fentanyl pills inside, a bag with a large chunk of cocaine, a black digital scale with methamphetamine and other narcotics residue on it, and $2011 were found inside the car of the suspect.
On the night of November 19, what turned out as a routine traffic stop turned into an arrest of a man in possession of controlled substances. A Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) …
Lacey Police Department found a bag of drugs containing a substantial amount of methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl last week at Wonderwood Park.
Lacey Police Department reported in a social media post their patrol officers’ discovery of drugs at Wonderwood Park. In a routine patrol last week, officers discovered a bag of drugs …
Santa on a motorcycle with a child waving while riding during a previous Olympia Toy Run
Bikers are set to gather in Olympia this Saturday, December 2, to participate in the 45 th Annual Olympia Toy Run . The Toy Run is a non-profit organization made up of bikers who work with …
Some bus routes will be suspended or detoured this Saturday.
In response to this Saturday’s Toy Run, Intercity Transit (ITA) advises commuters that several bus routes will be suspended to accommodate the bikers’ route. The Olympia Toy Run is …
The swearing-in ceremony was held today at 12:30 p.m. and was witnessed by some 60 people who overflowed the council chambers at 3000 Pacific Ave. The front row shows former county commissioner Karen Valenzuela in the blue blouse; next to her is Wayne Fournier, Maggie Sanders, Emily Clouse, Sarah Tonge
Thurston County officially announced the November 7 General Election results earlier today, with only one position withheld for a recount. According to the results document, 77,421 ballots were …

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More local news
 Clark County Prosecutor clears Olympia Police in Timothy Green’s death 
The Clark County Prosecutor’s Office has declined to file any charges against Olympia officers who figured in the shooting incident of Timothy Green on August 22, 2022.   A press …
Retailers near Maple Court housing say shoplifting is up
Employees at several stores in the Hawks Prairie Village Mall claim there is more crime in the area since the July 5, 2023 opening of Lacey’s Maple Court Enhanced Shelter, located at 8200 …
Olympia School District’s advisory committee ranks schools  
National Consultant Shannon Bingham, facilitator of the Olympia School District (OSD)’s work session reported the 50-page findings of the School Efficiency Review Committee last Thursday   …
Sea Level Rise Collaborative Team updates the projects and studies conducted in 2023 
The Seal Level Rise Collaborative Team updated the public on the status of various studies and projects underway to help the region prepare for rising sea levels.    At the SLR …
Puget Sound Estuarium offers lectures on restoring kelp forests
The Puget Sound Estuarium invites you to join its Discovery Speaker Series, a virtual platform bringing together scientists, educators, artists, and Earth advocates to delve into current …
County Commissioners hear public opinions on proposed road transfer to Chehalis Tribe
The Thurston County Board of Commissioners held a public hearing on Tuesday, November 28, to gather input on a proposal to transfer ownership of five roads from the county to the Confederated Tribes …
Thurston County welcomes new commissioners as board expands to five members
Commissioners-Elect Wayne Fournier of District 4 and Emily Clouse of District 5 were sworn into office on Tuesday, marking the expansion of the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) from three to five …
Thurston County adopts Racial Equity Action Plan after more than two years of work
After almost two years of work, the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) adopted the Racial Equity Action Plan at a meeting on Tuesday, November 28. Thurston County Racial …
Thurston County to grant Conservation Futures funding to two land preservation projects
For the second cycle of this year’s Conservation Futures Program, Thurston County’s Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) will fund the Lower Deschutes River Floodplain Expansion …
TVW to renovate and expand site to accommodate production needs and community space
The Olympia's Site Plan Review Committee heard a proposal from TVW for building expansion to accommodate the growing team and production needs and provide a community space around its current …

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