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Danny Stusser
What baby? Did you know you had a baby? Of course, I’m talking about The JOLT, The Journal OF Olympia, Lacey & Tumwater – your community-owned nonprofit news organization, your …
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Olympia City manager Jay Burney and Finance Director Aaron BeMiller updated finance committee members during the committee meeting held on Wednesday, May 18, 2022
Olympia will see a continuation of costs for homelessness, climate, solid waste, and crisis response programs amounting to $2.2 million in 2023, Finance Director Aaron BeMiller said. …
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This is the aeration pond at Palermo Lagoon in Tumwater.
The Tumwater City Council approved an interlocal agreement between Tumwater and the Washington Department of Transportation (WDOT) to maintain the Palermo Treatment Lagoon Thursday, May …
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Olympia’s Land Use and Environment Committee discussed developing three rental policy measures during its meeting on May 19, 2022.
Olympia’s Land Use and Environment Committee wants to bring three rental policy measures to the city council to provide immediate relief to renters.  In a meeting held on Thursday, May …
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Dr. Dimyana Abdelmalek, Thurston County Health Officer.
Hello Thurston County! Our COVID-19 transmission rates continue to rise and we are seeing an increased number of COVID-19 outbreaks in Thurston County. Yesterday, the Centers for Disease Control …
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The Lacey City Council, meeting with the North Thurston Public Schools board, is shown on May 17, 2022 exploring a partnership with the South Sound YMCA regarding the feasibility of an indoor Young Child and Family Center.
The Lacey City Council is exploring a three-way partnership with North Thurston Public Schools (NTPS) and the South Sound YMCA to explore the feasibility of an indoor Young Child and Family …
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Olympia Police say that this is Kenneth Michael Stenek, shown on Jan. 9, 2022.
An Olympia man with “a history of violent behavior towards officers” was charged after allegedly trespassing and later assaulting law enforcement while resisting arrest. Kenneth M. …
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Jill Severn
A startling image appeared on TV news last week: in the foreground a patch of brilliant red tulips bloomed; just behind them a Ukrainian house lay in ruins. In the aftermath of brutal violence, the …
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George Walter
Doves and pigeons are birds that, for the most part, can be found out in the open and sitting on wires. And they are good-sized – no squinting at tiny songbirds this week. The first bird to …
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Olympia City Council approves inclusion of 2021 year-end fund list for budget amendment
The Olympia City Council approved the inclusion of 11 items in the upcoming budget amendment, which appropriations will come from the city’s $10.2 million available funds. During the city …
Thurston County celebrates public works professionals 'everyday heroes' and ‘unsung heroes”
The Thurston Board of County Commissioners declared the third week of May, 15 to 21, National Public Works Week during their Tuesday meeting on May 17. This year's theme is titled "Ready and …
Port of Olympia seeking input on Olympia Regional Airport Master Plan Update at third open house
The Port of Olympia will hold the third public open house on the Olympia Regional Airport Master Plan Update (MPU) on Thursday, May 26, 2022, from 2:00 – 3:30 PM via Zoom. The Port of …
Destination Waterfront: “A good investment for the next generation”
Thomas Architecture Studios, the firm overseeing development plans for Destination Waterfront, is eager to see green grass growing soon on some of Port of Olympia’s downtown waterfront …
OSD official challenges schools to commit to safe environments for LGBTQ+ students
Olympia School District Board of Directors president Maria Flores challenged the city’s schools to commit to maintaining safe, healthy and welcoming environments for all members of the …
Olympia School District plans to add student reps to the board
Olympia School District (OSD) director Hilary Seidel introduced a policy amendment to seat one student representative from each OSD high school on the board of directors. “This is the policy …
Hazard pay ordinance still in effect for some grocers
Olympia City Council member Dontae Payne said the hazard pay ordinance, which requires large grocery stores in the city to pay workers an additional $4 an hour, is still in effect. Payne responded …
Site Plan Committee reviews office conversion and subdivision proposal
The Olympia Site Plan Committee is reviewing two applications for development projects – one is to use the existing building and the other is a proposal to subdivide 1.4 acres into nine lots …
Olympia to receive about $400K from housing fund
The City of Olympia expects to receive around $400,000 from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, which will fund projects that focus on rehabilitation and maintenance of low-income …
Olympia City authorizes police to acquire body cameras
Olympia’s City Council has authorized the Olympia Police Department (OPD) to acquire and use body-worn cameras and car video systems in compliance with Washington State’s RCW 10.109.2021, …
Olympia City Council starts preparing for mid-year retreat
Olympia city officials began outlining the agenda for the city council’s mid-year retreat, tentatively scheduled on June 18 at the council chamber. During a meeting on Monday, May 9, City …
Lowest-paying jobs in Olympia
The U.S. may be one of the wealthiest countries in the world but there’s a growing trend of financial inequality, with middle-class households feeling the most impact. In fact, the number of adults …
Life
Sponsored by Timberland Regional Library

TRL offers new Check Out Washington kits

Timberland Regional Library now offers new Check Out Washington Kits to help area families get closer to nature. TRL is one of ten library districts in the state to offer the new Check Out …

Prairie Birds – Part 2

Last Saturday, following my own advice from last week’s column, a friend and I journeyed out to the prairies to see what we could see. It rained off and on (what a shock!) but it was a …

Olympia utilities committee approves discount water rate for urban agriculture

The Olympia Utilities Advisory Committee (UAC) has directed its staff to develop a discounted rate for irrigation water used for urban agriculture. Water Resources Department director Eric …

Is gardening a fine art?

Flower gardens have moments of perfection – sometimes even weeks of it – but no garden is perfect throughout the growing season. What blooms in spring fades quickly by the end of May. …

Tumwater council approves Barclift Park and Tumwater Hill park restroom improvements

The Tumwater council in its session on Tuesday, May 3, authorized mayor Debbie Sullivan to sign a public works contract with KBH Construction Co., of Olympia, $215,900 for restroom improvement …

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Olympia headlines

Olympia City Council celebrates Asian, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islands American Heritage Month

The Olympia City Council proclaimed May 2022 as Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Americans (ANHPIA) Heritage Month, to pay tribute to the contributions of this community group to American …

Lacey man allegedly hurls jug of urine at ex-wife for Mother’s Day

A Lacey man allegedly gave his ex-wife an odd Mother’s Day greeting. The suspect, 31, was arrested on May 15, exactly a week after a reported assault at a home along Fifth Avenue …

Council of Neighborhood Associations to work on updating the 10-year-old MOU with Olympia

The Community Livability and Public Safety Committee has recommended updating the 10-year-old memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Olympia City Council and the Council of the Neighborhood …

Olympia Home Fund likely to meet goal of funding 300 supportive homes in its first five years

Housing programs manager Darian Lightfoot expressed confidence that the Olympia Home Fund will meet its goal of funding 300 supportive home units in five years. Lightfoot was at the Olympia …

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Lacey headlines

Ten economic development lessons learned from the recent Meridian Market process

The Hearing Examiner for the City of Lacey recently issued a recommendation to allow construction of the Meridian Market Gas Station project in northeast Lacey despite resident concerns. The City …

Lacey mom accused of yanking, choking 10-year-old son

A Lacey mom was booked for assault after allegedly yanking her 10-year-old son to the ground and choking him for being noisy while playing video games with friends. The suspect, 39, was arrested …

Lacey’s Historian of the Year dedicates award to past, future historians

The City of Lacey named former Lacey Historical Commissioner Seth Huff as Historian of the Year for 2022. In his acceptance speech during the May 5city council meeting, Huff paid tribute to …

Is yours one of the 40,000 vehicles on Martin Way each day?

Community members are invited to provide input and feedback on plans for the Martin Way Corridor in an online public meeting on Thursday, May 12, 5:30 p.m. As part of the Martin Way Corridor Study …

Tumwater headlines

Alleged no-contact order violator arrested after four-hour standoff

A man accused of violating a no-contact order was arrested on Wednesday, May 18, after a four-hour standoff against Tumwater police and the Thurston County SWAT team. Officers were dispatched to a …

Tumwater annexes 11 parcels into city

City staff urged Tumwater's city leaders to make annexing twelve "islands" a top priority for the council. In his report to the city council yesterday, Tumwater planning manager Brad Medrud said …

Boyfriend allegedly assaults partner

A Shelton man was arrested after allegedly assaulting his girlfriend in her Tumwater apartment over suspicions of cheating. Tumwater police arrested the suspect, 24, after his girlfriend reported …

Tumwater proclaims May 15-21 Emergency Medical Services Week

The Tumwater City Council declared May 15-21 as Emergency Medical Service Week at its meeting Tuesday, May 3. “I encourage all people to join in this observance to recognize those who give …

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