Olympia, WA
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Olympia residents ask city officials to scrap the Multi-family Tax Exemption program

Olympia residents called for an end to the Multi-family Tax Exemption (MFTE), describing the program as "bad public policy." Council for Neighborhood Associations (CNA) president Larry Dzieza …
Volunteers give a cheer.
National Trails Day will be celebrated on the first Saturday of June as a day of service for hometown trails and for those who love trails and nature. The holiday is a nationwide movement by the …
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Olympia City Hall
Olympia is inviting community members to attend two open house meetings to learn and give feedback on the city’s Olympia Strong plans for developing economic opportunity. There will be an …
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TSD President Scott Killough awards the certificate of recognition to James Kois from Black Hills High School.
Tumwater School District (TSD) recognized students from local schools for participating and accomplishing several wins at a state music contest. TSD thanked James Kois from Black Hills High …
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The Olympia School District (OSD) held a meeting on May 25 to discuss the $2 million total improvement from the district’s April Deficit Estimate.
Olympia School District (OSD) Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Priddy reports a $2,599,009 total improvement from the district’s April Deficit Estimate. OSD is currently operating with a …
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Olympia Land Use and Environment Committee discuss the MFTE program and recommendations from the staff at Thursday's meeting, May 25, 2023.
Olympia Land Use and Environment Committee member and Mayor Pro Tem Clark Gilman expressed concerns over the Multi-Family Tax Exemption (MFTE), pointing out that the burden for this program is being …
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Planning Manager Brad Medrud reviews the draft amendments with the Tumwater Planning Commission.
The Tumwater Planning Commission held a work session last Tuesday, May 23, to discuss questions about the draft amendments for Tumwater Municipal Code (TMC) 16.08 on the protection of trees and …
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Portrait of Bronka.
She is a tiny woman who radiates love and joy. Her life is inspiring and she has thrived in her life, despite early devastation.  On Sunday, May 21, 2023, a ribbon-cutting event with about …
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One of the very few Himalayan blue poppies in bloom for the Rhododendron Species Foundation festival last weekend.
The fascination of Himalayan blue poppies Anyone who has seen a Himalayan blue poppy remembers when they saw one for the first time: the sudden, stunned breath of wonder at the sight of this …
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Next week is the beginning of an end. May is passing the fun to June. Let us take a peek at these wonderful local events. Black Box Jazz: David Joyner and Jared Hall Quartet, Friday, May 26, 10 …
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Life
SPONSORED BY TIMBERLAND REGIONAL LIBRARY

Timberland Regional Library to hold Summer Library Card Design Contest

In September of 2022, 4 new library card designs were released in honor of “Library Card Sign-up Month”. This September, TRL plans to release 3 brand-new designs using the artwork of …

Our less known feathered neighbors

Editor's note: George is taking a week off. This was originally published   June 9 , 2022 under the headline, " Three lesser-known bird species that are among the most interesting. " …

Memorial Day Reflections, a mindful code to follow

I am sure you are aware; that this weekend is Memorial Day weekend, and while many of us will be celebrating with BBQ, boats, or beaches, I think it is important to take a moment to reflect on the …

Mega Airport #2 in Thurston County? Governor’s Surprise Veto

The 2023 legislature's Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1791 (2023 ESHB1791) was set to continue the site search, with some better community involvement, better specificity as to excludable areas, and …

Anne Larsen receives the Evan Ferber Peacemaker Award

This year’s recipient of the Dispute Resolution Center’s (DRC) Evan Ferber Peacemaker Award is an Olympia Police Department (OPD) civilian staff person, Outreach Services …

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Tumwater staff discuss social media and public record
Local jurisdictions are required to archive public records in compliance with the Public Records Act (PRA), but with social media blurring the line between what is personal and what is for work, it …
Olympia paints transgender flag colors on crosswalks for Pride Month
Olympia is painting Transgender Flag colors on two crosswalks at 5 th Avenue and Washington Street in preparation for Pride Month in June. The project is part of the city’s support for the …
Lacey proposes amends harassment section of municipal code to remove mental health language
​​​​Lacey’s General Government and Public Safety Committee had its regular meeting yesterday, May 23, to discuss code amendments. The meeting opened with a staff report about …
Port expands scope of agreed order with Ecology to fix Budd Inlet
The Port of Olympia Commission authorized Executive Director Sam Gibboney to sign an amendment to a 2008 Agreed Order with the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) on Monday, May 22, …
Who is running for which offices this August and November?
Between the August 1 primary and the November 7 general election, some 132 candidates are standing for 75 elected offices throughout Thurston County this year. In addition, the Thurston County …
Port authorizes sale of parking lot property to LOTT on Washington Street
The Port of Olympia Commission authorized Executive Director Sam Gibboney to authorize the sale of a parking lot on 608 Washington Street to LOTT Clean Water Alliance for $1,130,000 on Monday, May …
Special three-day filing period for offices without candidates  starts tomorrow
Citizens are encouraged to run for local elected office   OLYMPIA – A special three-day filing period will be held Wednesday, May 24 through Friday, May 26 to allow citizens to run …
2022 Police Auditor Report raises questions over lack of findings from complaints, ‘clinical’ language
The draft 2022 Police Auditor Report did not sit well with Olympia's Social Justice and Equity (SJEC) commissioners as they questioned the findings, specifically the lack of validity findings in the …
Olympia approves funding for Recognized Neighborhood Associations community projects
Olympia City Council has approved a $23,000 fund to help the community-driven projects of the Recognized Neighborhood Associations (RNA). Under the Neighborhood Matching Grant program, the city …
Lacey adds new modern police station to Capital Facilities Plan
The Lacey City Council unanimously approved Ordinance 1637 which amends the Capital Facilities Plan to add the construction of the Lacey Police Station. During the public meeting on Thursday, …
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Olympia headlines

Karaoke Oly show wins community media award

Local television show Karaoke Oly was recently recognized by a local community media award-giving organization. Winning the Best Entertainment and Arts Series award in the Independent Producer …

USL2 and USL W: Ladies pepper Lane United while Lads lose to Ballard in local derby

It’s a mix of joy and agony for Oly Town FC on this second matchday of the USL leagues as the Women Artesians battered hosts Lane United FC 4-1 last Friday, May 19 th , while the men’s …

Olympia’s Washington St at 5th Ave closed Thursday, traffic disruption on Cardigan St beginning Tuesday

Washington Street at 5 th Avenue will be closed Thursday, May 25 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for crosswalk painting at the intersection. The streets and sidewalks will have detours in place. To learn more …

Loren Thomas Mercer

Loren Thomas Mercer, 84, of Olympia, died on May 20 at Capital Medical Center. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Funeral Alternatives of Washington , 360-753-1065.

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Lacey headlines
Joanne Glee DeMeyer

Joanne Glee DeMeyer, 88, of Lacey, died on May 19 at Bonaventure of Lacey. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Funeral Alternatives of Washington , 360-753-1065.

Suspect in Thurston County dog attacks found dead out of state

The suspect in recent attacks on dogs in Thurston County has been found dead in another state, the Lacey Police Department announced Friday. Lacey police said “no further threat to the …

Law enforcement officers & fire fighters disability board seeks at-large member

LACEY, WA, May 19, 2023 : The Law Enforcement Officers & Fire Fighters (LEOFF 1) Disability Board seeks applicants to fill the vacant at-large position on the LEOFF 1 Disability Board. Applicants …

Lacey Planning Commission recommends 6-year transportation improvement program

The Lacey Planning Commission formally recommended its six-year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) to the city council. Members of the commission unanimously voted in favor of the …

A message from the publisher
What's this about? Recognizing the rapid decline in resources among traditional news outlets, we're assembling a group of talented Tumwaterians, Laceyites and Olympians who care about making …
Tumwater headlines

Tumwater woman allegedly steals from store, assaults employee

A Tumwater woman was arrested after allegedly stealing food from a store and attacking an employee who confronted her for attempting to leave without paying. Tumwater police arrested Jaclyn T. …

Energy savings company proposes power efficiency measures to Tumwater

Energy savings company MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions has completed a preliminary audit of public facilities in Tumwater to identify potential energy-saving measures, Sustainability Coordinator …

Pavement repairs on 13 Tumwater roads scheduled for this year

Tumwater City Council authorized Mayor Debbie Sullivan to sign a $3.9 million public works contract with Miles Resources, LLC, for this year’s pavement maintenance project. Bill Lindauer, …

Tumwater Virtual Academy faces suspension from lack of students

Tumwater School District Interim Superintendent Carole Meyer moved to suspend Tumwater Virtual Academy (TVA)’s operations during a board meeting last Thursday, May 11, citing enrolment issues. …

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