Olympia, WA
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Yelm schools’ community forum draws crowd to brainstorm solutions

It was standing room only -- and very little of that remaining -- at Yelm Community Schools’ community yesterday, May 16 at Yelm Middle School’s Commons. Superintendent Chris Woods …
Spongy moth catepillar on leaf
When the invasive spongy moth is in its caterpillar phase, it isn’t a picky eater. That’s part of the reason the bugs are so destructive. “They eat between [300] and 500 different types of plants,” said Karla Salp, a spokesperson for the Washington Department of Agriculture.
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As I was walking down Washington Street NE last Friday morning, a homeless man standing in the shadows of the alley next to SK Market hailed me.  “How ya doin’.  “I …
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Last year, FC Olympia had a trip to Sacramento after an undefeated rookie season in the USL W. Can they repeat the feat this year?
United Soccer League West: FC Olympia’s championship set to repeat? Imagine winning the division just on your very first try in such a dominant fashion that you never lost to any team in …
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This image is of the front entrance to the Olympia Food Co-op's west Olympia location.
At the Thursday, May 16th Olympia Food Co-op board meeting, I, as a member and former board member submitted a proposal calling on OFC to give the land they own at 905 & 921 Rogers St. …
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Seen facing north, the Davis-Meeker oak tree overhangs Old Highway 99 and is adjacent to the northernmost airplane hangar.
On May 14, Mayor Debbie Sullivan and city manager Lisa Parks of Tumwater announced their decision to cut down the Davis-Meeker Garry Oak tree that stands between the Olympia airport and Old Highway …
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On May 14, the Yelm City Council approved the MOU, allowing the city to share the costs of the housing displacement and disparate impacts study.
Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, and Yelm have agreed to conduct a study on housing and racial disparities. The Olympia City Council has approved a resolution that allows the city to enter into a …
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This is an example of the outside component of a mini-split heat pump system.
Olympia is continuing its Energize Olympia heat pump program in 2024 with the goal of engaging at least 550 residents by providing education on heat pump technology and installing additional heat …
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Fire Chief Brian Hurley briefs the Tumwater City Council about a proposed new Medic One unit which will be stationed in Tumwater.
Thurston County Medic One is looking to add a new unit which will be based in the North End Fire Station at Linwood Avenue, Tumwater Fire Chief Brian Hurley told the Tumwater City Council on Tuesday, …
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Lacey is now accepting applications for its Lacey Youth Council (LYC) from students who will be sophomores, juniors, or seniors in the 2024-25 school year. 
Lacey is now accepting applications for its Lacey Youth Council (LYC) from students who will be sophomores, juniors, or seniors in the 2024-25 school year.  Applying students must be …
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"Stop avoiding the mirror, the mirror is your friend."
The Joint Animal Services Commission (JASCOM) has been actively enhancing its services and community outreach efforts, executive director Sarah Hock reports.
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Evergreen State College’s Alaunae Carstens photographed after her podium finish in the women’s 5000 meters.
The best student-athletes from Evergreen State College Outdoor Track & Field Team competed in the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) T&F Championships last May 10 and 11 at Moehl Stadium of …
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This is a male Western Tanager.
The Swainson’s Thrush is a migratory species that winters from southern Mexico south into South America. They typically return and begin to sing the first week of June. This song is one of my …
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TVW is hosting a forum on the impact of the fentanyl epidemic on Tuesday, May 28 at the Olympia High School Lecture Hall.
TVW is hosting a forum on the impact of the fentanyl epidemic on Tuesday, May 28 at the Olympia High School Lecture Hall. The event explores how lawmakers, federal agents, and treatment workers …
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Attend some of these events and show your support to local artisans and business owners.
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Life
Seen facing north, the Davis-Meeker oak tree overhangs Old Highway 99 and is adjacent to the northernmost airplane hangar.

Tumwater mayor decides to remove Davis-Meeker Oak

Tumwater Mayor Debbie Sullivan has decided that the city will remove the historic Davis-Meeker Garry Oak tree on Old Highway 99. City staff informed the city council about the mayor’s plans …

Wildfire sweeping across prairie grass, a firefighter is shown close to the fire.

'Red, Set, Go!' evacuation campaign introduced this Wildfire Awareness Month

Thurston County has introduced "Ready, Set, Go!," evacuation campaign as part of Wildfire Awareness Month. This campaign aims to deliver the evacuation message clearly to the residents to ensure …
Catch Amélie at the Kenneth J. Minnaert Center from May 17 to May 26 for the Arts Main Stage.

SPSCC Theatre Collective Presents French tale Amélie

"Catch Amélie at the Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts Main Stage from May 17 to May 26." The South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) Theatre Collective presents the beloved …
The King in Yellow is a play set in the Victorian era showcasing love triangles with a twist of dark comedy. Showing at Oly Theater this month of May.

Original new play, ‘The King in Yellow’ performs this month

Theater Artists Olympia (TAO) is running an original new play, ‘The King in Yellow’, written by Xander Layden and directed by pug Bujeaud. The play is an adaptation of Robert W. …

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Police Blotter

Police Blotter for Thursday, May 16, 2024

Thurston County Sheriff’s Office On 5/16/24 at 3:46 a.m. in the I5 Southbound Exit 109, Sheriff’s deputies arrested Michael George Whitten, 40, on suspicion of valid driver’s …

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Opinions: Yours & our columnists
I learned a lot at the Elders Supports and Services Event
This week I had the pleasure of attending the South Puget Intertribal Planning Agency (SPIPA) Elders Supports and Services Event at the Little Creek Casino Convention Center, and as usual, I learned …
Introducing the Thurston Pets Project in The JOLT
Just wanted to invite you to look for our new weekly column dedicated to the happiness that is brought into our lives by our magnificent pets. Much of it will cover how we can return that joy to them …
Recipe: Momo's Potato Salad
As we are experiencing warmer days and a peek at summer, I am introducing you to my mother’s potato salad recipe. Momo was a traditional Southern cook, and this was one of her most popular side …
Wild tomato stories
There are currently two origin stories about tomatoes. One is that they were originally the size of a berry, and grew in the mountains of Peru, where Incas began to cultivate and eat them. The second …
Team of four struggles to save local historical society in Tumwater – help them!
What is the big deal about cities having historical societies? Well, this writer favors historic preservation for all communities and associations to promote and preserve history for all. But it is …

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Calendar of events
Olympia headlines
Police Auditor Tara Parker briefed the Olympia City Council on the 2023 draft police annual report on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. The police auditor highlighted an uptick in juvenile arrests with 72 incidents recorded in 2023.
The Olympia Police Department saw a reduction in overall use of force incidents in 2023, but noted an increase in juvenile arrest trend, police auditor Tara Parker reported to the city council on …
The scales of Justice represent the idea of decisions reached fairly and objectively by a weighing of evidence.
A 72-year-old man was arrested on May 7 after making shooting threats to the Olympia Federal Savings Bank employee. The Olympia Police Department (OPD) responded to a mid-afternoon call from the …
Olympia senior planner David Ginther presented recommendations on the Capital Mall subarea plan at the Land Use and Environment Committee on Thursday, May 9, 2024.
Olympia’s Land Use and Environment Committee recommended adopting the Capital Mall triangle subarea plan to the city council. At the committee meeting on Thursday, May 9, Senior Planner …
At the Olympia City Council meeting on May 7, 2024, Valerie Hammond voiced her concerns about speeding on Capitol Way which caused near accidents and property damage in recent years.
At the Olympia City Council meeting on May 7, several residents voiced their concerns about speeding on Capitol Way in the south Capitol neighborhood, citing multiple incidents that have resulted in …
Former Seattle Sounders player Peter Hattrup being honored at Lumen Field.
Head coach Jason Dunn aims to further strengthen his FC Olympia men’s side in preparation for the upcoming USL League Two (USL2) season after the addition of another Seattle Sounders legend …

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Tumwater headlines
Tumwater Council discussed on Tuesday, May 7, the allocation of the funds from the Community Development Block Grant program.
Nine nonprofit organizations are set to receive $983,454 from the city of Tumwater as part of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant …
The existing culvert on Sapp Road and Percival Creek is too small to allow for the natural passage of fish.
Tumwater is set to receive $257,550 from the Recreation and Conservation Office’s (RCO) Salmon Recovery Funding Board to fund the construction of a larger culvert on Sapp Road as it crosses …
Finance Director Troy Niemeyer briefed Tumwater General Government Committee about the public safety sales tax fund.
Tumwater is now working to implement the county's public safety sales tax, with the city’s General Government Committee recommending to the city council ordinance establishing a public safety …

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Thurston County
Various mental health advocates attended the Thurston Board of Health meeting on May 14, 2024, to receive the proclamation on Maternal Mental Health Month.
The Thurston County Board of Health has declared May 2024 as Maternal Mental Health Month to address the critical issue of maternal mental health. The proclamation emphasizes the importance of …
Solid Waste Division Manager Jeff Bickford and Thurston’s Board of County Commissioners had a work session on Monday, May 13, 2024, for the state of the Solid Waste System update.
Solid Waste Division Manager Jeff Bickford met with Thurston’s Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) for the state of the Solid Waste System update, yesterday, May 14. Bickford briefed the board …
This image shows LOTT's wastewater treatment plant from the north.
Olympia's Utility Advisory Committee heard a briefing in its May 2 meeting on “The State of LOTT Clean Water Alliance.” LOTT Executive Director Matt Kennelly, P.E. gave the presentation. …

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Lacey headlines
Councilmember Rory Line emphasized the LYC's ongoing dedication to addressing homelessness, highlighting the nuanced distinction between homelessness and houselessness.
The Lacey Youth Council (LYC) took center stage during the Lacey City Council work session on Tuesday, May 14, presenting updates and outlining priorities for their term. From initiatives …
Saint Martin’s softball caps the season with an appearance in the NCAA West Regional tournament.
The 2024 run by the Saint Martin’s softball team is one for the history books as they closed their postseason with one win and two defeats in the NCAA DII West Region Championship Tournament …
The scales of Justice represent the idea of decisions reached fairly and objectively by a weighing of evidence.
Lacey Police Department (LPD) arrested two suspects allegedly being involved in two thefts at the Ulta Beauty store on Marvin Road NE. In the afternoon of April 24, the store manager called law …
Police lights
Lacey Police Department (LPD) responded to a theft incident at Target on 665 Sleater Kinney Road SE on the morning of April 26. An employee reported a man, identified as Gary Bergeson, who had …
Saints baseball players enjoying the game earlier this season vs PLU.
Despite missing out the championships in this season’s baseball, the Saints have something to celebrate as seven players from the Lacey-based baseball squad were named in the 2024 Great …

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More local news
 Wildfire season: Puget Sound Energy seeks to prepares customers with open-house events
Puget Sound Energy (PSE) invites its customers to join them in the open house events that run until June 21. Thurston County residents can go in person to the open house for the West Thurston …
Graffiti: Olympia reports a 7 percent decrease in tagging
Editor’s Note:  Many of the business owners interviewed wished to remain anonymous due to fears of retaliation from taggers.  Also, some of the graffiti in the photographs has been …
Olympia Arts Commission approves design for public art at Grass Lake Nature Park
The Olympia Arts Commission approved project artist Abe Singer’s final design for the Grass Lake Nature Park Public Art. Singer has participated in a community meeting with students from …
Olympia's Neighborhood Centers: Online open house this Thursday
Olympia residents are invited to participate in a digital open house scheduled for Thursday, May 16, at 5:30 p.m. to talk about improvements and support for the neighborhood centers in the city. …
Public Service Recognition Week declared by county commissioners
Last week, Thurston County Commissioners paid tribute to the dedicated individuals who work tirelessly to serve the community. During a public meeting on May 7, the Thurston Board of County …
Mariah Lee returns to FC Olympia with signing as poster girl for league
After her professional soccer stint in Australia in the winter season, Mariah Lee is set to return home to play summer ball with FC Olympia to further reinforce their squad in the upcoming 2024 USL W …
Shellfish from Eld and Henderson Inlets face potential restrictions, state says
Thurston County's Eld Inlet and Henderson Inlet are among fifteen shellfish harvest areas in the state facing potential harvest restrictions due to heightened levels of fecal bacteria in the water. …
Wildfires expected to worsen due to drought; residents urged to keep safe and prepare
Wildfires are expected to worsen and appear more frequently as the dry and warm conditions are anticipated this spring and summer. The Department of Ecology declared a drought emergency for most …
Puget Sound Energy introduces wildfire safety initiative
Puget Sound Energy (PSE) representatives discussed the company's Wildfire Program and a new initiative, Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS), with the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) at a meeting …
Affordable housing development on Conger Avenue proposed
Olympia's Site Plan Review Committee heard a proposal for a cottage housing development at 2401 Conger Avenue NW on Wednesday, May 8. In the narrative, applicant Ken Liliquist stated that he …

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