Olympia, WA
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TOP STORIES

Olympia Planning Commission hears proposal to amend city code for allowing drive-thru's to boost density goals 

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 …
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 …
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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, …
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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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Mary Beth Harrington, CVA
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 …
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A drawing of Timothy Green who was shot and died in a police shooting on August 22, 2022.
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 …
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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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Maple Court Resident: Frank Iannazzi, a resident at Maple Court Enhanced Shelter, said that the residents living at the shelter are not to blame for the increase in crime at the Hawks Prairie Village Mall.
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 …
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The Olympia School District (OSD) met with national consultant Shannon Bingham to receive updates from the School Efficiency Review Committee.
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   …
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The Thurston Regional Planning Council adopted the Regional Trails Plan during its Friday, December 1, 2023 meeting.
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 …
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At a Friday, December 1, 2023, SLR Collaborative-Executive meeting, Olympia's Engineering and Planning supervisor, Susan Clark, discussed the tide gauge installed at the Port of Olympia's shipping berth that could help in monitoring water level.
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 …
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Flooding in various sites of Olympia.
According to an alert by the National Weather Service (NWS), heavy rain and rising snow levels are leading to the expectation that the rivers are expected to be rapidly rising. Many rivers are …
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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 …
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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 …
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These delicious stuffed mushrooms can fit many dietary preferences, including keto.
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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Life
Next Week’s Roundup

What's happening this weekend – Events with Santa and charities

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 …

Santa on a motorcycle with a child waving while riding during a previous Olympia Toy Run

Olympia biker group to run for children's toys this Saturday 

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 …
Mitch Lewis, the 2023 Sports Awards keynote speaker, addressed the audience with a talk about his experience climbing Mount Everest and running marathons at some of the world's highest altitudes.

Local athletes and community members honored for outstanding achievements in sports for 2023

The 2023 Sports Awards, hosted by the Olympia & Beyond Sports Commission, was held at South Puget Sound Community College on November 9 to honor the outstanding achievements of local athletes …
Sugar pumpkins stuffed with quinoa, sausage and apples make a delicious entree.

Stuffed Baked Pumpkin Entree

I hope you had a happy and delicious Thanksgiving! As the Autumn holiday winds down, yesterday I began to put away Thanksgiving decorations. In doing so, I noticed two small fresh pumpkins as part of …

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Police Blotter

Police Blotter for Monday, December 4, 2023

Thurston County Sheriff’s Office On 12/4/23 at 6:24 AM in the 73 rd Avenue NE and Boston Harbor Road NE, Sheriff’s deputies arrested Randal J. Ellenburg, 21, on suspicion of 2 nd …

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Opinions: Yours & our columnists
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 …
Breakfast with Santa, an iconic tradition by the Senior Action Network
If you think about it, almost all our holidays coincide with some form of giving. Thanksgiving Day we gave thanks for our families, health – in short for all our blessings. Halloween …
Holiday resolutions for healthier eating
Just as the Halloween candy is finally eaten up, here comes Thanksgiving, followed on its heels by the December celebrations (Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s Eve), of which …

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Olympia headlines
Olympia's Site Plan Review Committee reviews the proposal to expand TVW on Capitol Way South on Wednesday, November 29, 2023.
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 …
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 …
Police Line - Do not cross
An 18-year-old male is now facing second-degree assault charges after allegedly assaulting a 15-year-old female teen. The girl’s mother reported the incident to the Olympia Police …
Olympia mayor-elect and presently councilmember Dontae Payne
With councilmember Dontae Payne moving on to become Olympia mayor on December 31, the city is now seeking applicants to fill his vacant seat for the rest of the term. Payne is currently …
The scales of Justice represent the idea of decisions reached fairly and objectively by a weighing of evidence.
Two suspects, one of which had a prior, were arrested for alleged theft and trespass at a Target store in Olympia. On November 17, a little before 8 PM, the Olympia Police Department responded …

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Tumwater headlines
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. …
The Tumwater Planning Commission met last Tuesday, November 28, 2023.
Housing and Land Use Planner Erika Smith-Erickson briefed the Tumwater Planning Commission on the Lands for Public Purposes and Utilities elements of its 2025 Comprehensive Plan periodic update on …
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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Thurston County
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) …
Chehalis Tribe Chairman Dustin Klatush counters that the tribe has equipment and manpower for road upkeep.
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 …
Commissioner Wayne Fournier was sworn in by Commissioner Carolina Mejia at a ceremony at Tenino City Hall on November 28, 2023. Shown behind the commissioners are Tenino officials, including Clerk-Treasurer Jen Scharber and Councilmembers Elaine Klamn and John O'Callahan.
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 …

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Lacey headlines
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 …
Lacey City Hall
The City of Lacey is inviting the public, especially board members from homeowner associations (HOAs) in Lacey and the Lacey urban growth area, to attend a public meeting and networking opportunity. …
At the Board of County Commissioner’s meeting yesterday, November 21, 2023, Hands On Children’s Museum Chief Executive Officer Patty Belmonte said that about 100,000 of their 300,000 annual visitors enter the museum at a free or reduced fee programming.
Thurston County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) met yesterday to extend an Interlocal Agreement for the Public Facilities District for Regional Centers with the cities of Olympia, Lacey, and …
November is closing, and Christmas is fast approaching. Bring your family to local Yuletide celebrations.
Government offices and services closed for the holiday
Government Closures for November 23 and 24 Thurston County offices. Residences of unincorporated Thurston County are urged to use the Sheriff’s office non-emergency number for …

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More local news
 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 …
County auditor to hold recount for Rainier council position 2
Even as the Thurston County Auditor’s Office announced the November 7 General Election results today, it also declared that it will conduct a recount for the Rainier City Council Position No. 2 …
Olympia is soliciting proposals for 2045 Comprehensive Plan scoping and environmental review services
Olympia is soliciting proposals from qualified respondents to do scoping and environmental reviews for the city's 2045 Comprehensive Plan update. The city's request for proposals asks for the …
Port of Olympia adopts 2024 budget
The Port of Olympia Commission voted to adopt its 2024 operating budget, capital investment plan, and tax levy on Monday, November 27.   According to the budget, the Port would spend $7.2 …
Olympia achieves a balanced 2024 budget with help from reserves and new public safety funding
Olympia achieved a balanced 2024 operating budget by utilizing $7 million from fund and stabilization reserves and reducing the operating budget of city departments, City Manager Jay Burney announced …
Olympia’s Community Planning and Development outlines work plan for 2024
Olympia’s Community Planning and Development (CP&D) Deputy Director Tim Smith outlined the division’s 2024 agenda with a significant focus on continuing work on updating the …
Thurston County to improve data security using federal grant
At a meeting last Tuesday, November 21, Information Technology Director Sherrie Ilg discussed plans for Thurston County to enter into a contract with Varonis , a data security company. The …
Puget Sound Estuarium invites community to Turn of the Tides: Holiday Bazaar and Solstice Celebration
The Puget Sound Estuarium invites the community to its annual Turn of the Tides winter festival on Saturday,  December 9 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Olympia Center . This family-friendly …
Nov 16 was National Adoption Day, says county
The Thurston Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) gathered on Tuesday, November 21 to retroactively declare November 16 as National Adoption Day. The aim was to acknowledge the significance of …

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