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Tumwater delays discussion on ordinance allowing overnight park use

The Tumwater City Council voted to delay a discussion about an ordinance which, according to public interpretation, would allow indigent individuals to stay overnight in public parks. The …
There will be a temporary closure of a section of 15th Avenue Southwest in Olympia, WA for maintenance work from April 1 to May 3.
The Department of Enterprise Services (DES) has temporarily closed a section of 15th Avenue SW in Olympia for maintenance work. The closure will extend from Capitol Way all through the …
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On Monday, March 25, 2024, Community Planning & Economic Development Planning Manager Ashley Arai (front left), Interim Senior Planner Andrew Boughan (front middle), and Director Joshua Cummings (front right) met with Thurston’s Board of County Commissioners to decide on the 2024-2025 Development Code and Comprehensive Plan Dockets project list.
Community Planning & Economic Development (CPED) representatives met with Thurston’s Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) to discuss public comments and decide on projects related to the …
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Lacey Police Chief Robert Almada presented a report to the city council during a work session on March 26, highlighting a decrease in the city's crime rate in 2023 despite a rise in population, Lacey
Lacey Police Chief Robert Almada presented a report to the city council during a work session on March 26, highlighting a decrease in the city's crime rate in 2023
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FC Olympia announces their intent to begin steps to build a future USL Youth & Academy club
FC Olympia has finalized their intent to kick off a local youth soccer program tied to its existing men’s and women’s United Soccer League (USL) franchises, aiming to create a path to a …
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Pacific Wren
This morning, the cats woke me at 6:30 a.m., and as I stumbled around in semi-darkness, I heard a joyous song coming through the open window. It was an American Robin greeting the coming dawn. This …
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Lacey City Hall
The City of Lacey condemned the recent cyber attack by a group of individuals on the city’s Commission on Equity public meetings on Monday, March 25. In a press release issued on Tuesday, …
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The Olympia City Council gets a briefing on the Urban Farm Park feasibility study on Tuesday, March 26, 2024.
Urban farming parks are "conditionally" feasible in Olympia, according to a recent study that explored the potential of developing an urban farm park within the city to support local food production …
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The Port of Olympia Commission authorized the purchase of four forklifts for $226,664.
The Port of Olympia Commission authorized purchasing four forklifts for $226,664 on Monday, March 25, to be covered by selling four 60-foot flat deck railcars, which the port approved as surplus …
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The Lacey Historical Commission approved acquisitions for the Lacey Museum and Cultural Center during its meeting on March 20, 2024.
The Lacey Historical Commission recently approved acquisitions for the Lacey Museum and Cultural Center. During Wednesday, March 20 meeting, the commission approved all the recommendations from …
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Participants will visit local parks and beaches to learn about native plants and animals and how to protect them in their habitats.
Give your child a chance to explore Puget Sound and uncover natural wonders in the estuary. Kids will learn about the flora and fauna living in Puget Sound while training themselves as future …
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Dance floor at the 60's dance party at the Lacey Senior Center
I know spring has returned because the baby squirrels have arrived at the bird feeder outside my window. Our local communities are awake and filing up with activities – let’s begin with …
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An alleged 17-time felon was arrested by the Thurston County Narcotics Task Force, and in his possession are 1.4 pounds of methamphetamine, 1 pound of fentanyl pills, four ounces of heroin, as well as cannabis, $31,800 cash, and a firearm.
Thurston County Narcotics Task Force arrested a multiple felon for alleged possession and distribution of illegal narcotics along with illegal firearm possession in the vicinity of College Street SE …
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A blond woman lifts her glasses up and looks at her screen with confusion or disbelief at what she sees.
The Lacey Commission on Equity has become the latest victim of ‘zoombombing’ as a group of racist individuals targeted the public comment section of its meeting. During its March 25 …
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Olympia Fire Chief Matt Morris discussed the state of the current fleet in the department at the Finance Committee meeting on Monday, March 25, 2024.
Olympia Fire Chief Matt Morris unveiled a financial strategic plan to upgrade the department's fleet by adding two new fire engine trucks. At the Finance Committee meeting on Monday, Morris …
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Life
Tumwater Historic Preservation Commission and city arborist Kevin McFarland (right) discussed the status of the Davis Meeker Oak tree.

Tumwater Historic Preservation Commission wants to turn Davis Meeker Oak parcel into park

Tumwater Historic Preservation Commission recommended turning the parcel where the Davis Meeker Oak tree is located into a public park. The commission was expected to recommend whether to delist …

Together! receives DOH 'Communities Building Resilient Youth' funding

Thurston County's Together! program has been chosen as one of the recipients of the "Communities Building Resilient Youth" funding awards by the Washington State Department of Health (DOH). The …

Joint Animal Services offers adoption gift certificates as Easter gifts

Joint Animal Services encourages pet lovers to purchase an adoption gift certificate that community members can use for themselves or as a gift to loved ones instead of getting animals more …

Nominations for this year’s Ken Balsley Lacey Historian of the Year Award now open

The Lacey Historical Commission has opened nominations for the 2024 Ken Balsley Lacey Historian of the Year Award in celebration of Lacey History Month in May. Nominations will be accepted until …
Police Blotter

Police Blotter for Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Thurston County Sheriff’s Office On 3/27/24 at 7:45 PM in the 1000 block of Hensley Street NE, Sheriff’s deputies arrested Melynda Sue Davis-Orr, 29, on suspicions of 1) no contact …

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Opinions: Yours & our columnists
Regional mental health trends, solutions and supports
This month’s Chamber Forum on Mental Health was sad, informative and hopeful.  I will share highlights of the 3 presentations, including some important ‘FYIs’ and ‘What …
Say hi to Don Trosper
Don Trosper is retired, but he doesn’t know it! He works hard at his hobby, but I guess that it’s not really working, as he loves it. Don Trosper is a well-known personality in the local …
Doves and pigeons, no squinting to find these birds
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...
How has 'ageism' affected you, dear readers?
According to The World Health Organization (WHO), "Age is one of the first things we notice about other people. However, age is often used to categorize and divide people in ways that lead to harm, disadvantage and injustice and erode solidarity across generations."
Recipe: Apple Crisp
We are blessed with an abundance many varieties of apples here in the Pacific Northwest. In addition, there are three apple trees in my backyard, and they produce lots of fruit every year. …
Olympia headlines
Police arrested a suspect who allegedly used a fraudulent credit card to check in at the Hilton Garden Inn located at 2100 Henderson Park SE on February 28 in the afternoon. According to the …
Olympia’s Use of Force Events Board cleared an Olympia police officer who returned fire during the 11-hour standoff in Tumwater last December 2022, saying the use of force was justified. …
The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee heard a proposal for a planned project to transform an old house into two commercial establishment spaces at 1711 4th Avenue E. At the committee meeting on …
South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) is hosting the Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (CCDC) Pacific Rim Regional competition today, March 22, until Sunday, March 24. The event will …
FC Olympia has announced through their website that they are set to take over Lacey Lights FC for the upcoming 2024 season to elevate and expand local semi-pro soccer opportunities in Thurston …
Tumwater headlines
Tumwater City Council approved an ordinance amending Tumwater Municipal Code (TMC) Chapter 18.38 , which deals with regulations for the city’s floodplain overlay area, on Tuesday, March 19. …
Tumwater Tree Board’s latest tree inventory shows that trees in Tumwater city facilities store 1,968 tons of carbon dioxide. Combined with the carbon stored in sample trees from large city …
Tumwater Public Health and Safety Committee recommended the extension of the city’s contracts with Medic One and Washington State Patrol (WSP) on Tuesday, March 12. The Medic One agreement …
Thurston County
Intercity Transit, alongside partner agencies, celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Bus Buddy program at the Olympia Transit Center last Saturday, March 16. The Bus Buddy program has assisted …
A multiple-car collision may have been caused by a speeding driver who lost control of their vehicle on March 9 at about 11 a.m. The car reported as fleeing from the multiple collision incident …
County Engineer Matt Unzelman provided the Thurston County Transportation Benefit District (TC-TBD)’s 2023 Annual Report to the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) at a meeting on Tuesday, …
Lacey headlines
The Lacey City Council unanimously passed Resolution 1145, establishing a Human Services Workgroup during its meeting on March 19. The resolution, proposed by Human Services Coordinator Michelle …
The Lacey City Council recognized Nancy Clausen with the Public Service Award for her 38 years of dedicated service to the Lacey community. Speaking at the March 19 meeting, Mayor Andy Ryder …
The sentence hearing for Chae Kyong An, convicted of the attempted murder of his ex-wife, Young Sook An, is set to take place on April 22 at 9 a.m. The incident, which transpired on October 16, …
Lacey Police Department (LPD) was actively seeking information from the public regarding a series of break-ins from the same perpetrator. The suspect has been identified and brought into custody. …
Various stakeholders voiced their opinions on the potential changes to the Neighborhood Commercial Zoning District during the Lacey Planning Commission's public hearing on Wednesday, March 13. …
More local news
Thurston County received 21.6% more animal-related calls in 2024, pet licensing encouraged
Thurston County’s Joint Animal Services Commission (JASCOM) Executive Director Sarah Hock reports that the organization received 21.6% more calls in 2024 than in 2023. Thurston County …
Thurston County fastest-growing county along I-5 for past and next 10 years
Thurston Economic Development Council (EDC) Executive Director Michael Cade gave Thurston’s Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) an overview of the economic development efforts in the region. …
Olympia promotes electrification with 'Switch is On' campaign
Olympia's Climate Program Director, Dr. Pamela Braff, spoke at the city council meeting on Tuesday, March 19, to promote the "Switch is On," a regional campaign that aims to educate and inspire …
Evergreen Track and Field players book tickets to CCC Championships as Geoducks impress in PLU Open
The Evergreen State College outdoor track and field team had a productive weekend competing in the Pacific Lutheran University Open last March 15 to16 at Parkland in Tacoma, highlighted by their haul …
Olympia hearing focused on rental housing amendments; community divided
At Tuesday's Olympia City Council meeting, 29 community members expressed various views on rental protections and relocation assistance. Some called the proposed amendments "thinly veiled rent …
There’s a new owner at Lloyd’s Automotive in Olympia
Lloyd’s Automotive and Transmission Specialists has a new owner, Jason Faust. The full-service automotive shop has operated in downtown Olympia since 1963. It started as a family-run …
New night vision gear coming for sheriff deputies
The Thurston County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) discussed the possible acquisition of night vision binocular systems during its agenda-setting meeting on Tuesday, March 12. The first …
More fiber optic capacity set to follow agreement with Lightcurve
Seeking to facilitate expansion of fiber optic capacity in the county, the Board of County Commissioners approved on Tuesday, March 19, a nonexclusive franchise for Mashell Telecom, Inc., which is …
Olympia Family Theater invites community to May 4 gala
Witness the splendor of Olympia Family Theater (OFT)’s 2024 Gala at the South Puget Sound Community College as the night transports you to the whimsical world of The Wizard …
Capital Mall Triangle Subarea update plans include increasing street connections, affordable housing
Olympia Community Planning and Development senior planner David Ginther outlined key recommendations in the proposed Capital Mall Triangle Subarea Plan, focusing on various aspects of transportation, …