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The volleyball team of SMU prepares for the upcoming fall season, being one of the collegiate sports to run up to November in the GNAC and NCAA calendar.

Saint Martin’s University athletics gear up for 2024 fall season

With the return of the 2024-25 Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) looming for the fall season, Saint Martin’s University’s athletic programs gear up to compete with the best … more

By Vince Zafra | 8/30/24

Thurston County proclaims Aug. 31 Overdose Awareness Day

The Thurston County Board of Supervisors joined Lacey and Olympia City Councils in declaring August 31 as International Overdose Awareness Day in the county. According to a press release from … more

By Jeffrey Westbrook | 8/30/24

The Yelm Education Association is seen holding a rally during a bargaining session with the Yelm Community Schools on Monday, August 26.

Yelm educators plan strike amid negotiations with Yelm Community Schools

The Yelm Education Association (YEA), the teachers’ union, is set to hold a strike against the Yelm Community Schools (YCS) on Tuesday, September 3, unless the parties reach an agreement before … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 8/29/24 | 2 comments

Thurston Regional Housing Council gives thumbs up to Family Support Center project

The Thurston Regional Housing Council, on Wednesday, approved a $1 million funding award to the Family Support Center for a new affordable housing project. The organization is seeking funding … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/29/24

At Wednesday's Regional Housing Council meeting, Affordable Housing Program coordinator Jacinda Steltjes announced that Olympia and Thurston County are pursuing HUD's Pathways to Removing Obstacles Housing Grant (PRO) Housing funding program.

Olympia, Thurston County team up for second chance at federal housing funds

Olympia and Thurston County are jointly pursuing a federal grant to boost affordable homeownership through the Housing and Urban Development's $100 million Pathways to Removing Obstacles Housing … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/29/24

The Calliope Hummingbird has an unusual pattern of feathers below his beak.

Unusual birds are visiting here now

August and September are the best months for seeing unusual avian visitors. If you keep your eyes out for them, you might spot something special. This is exactly what happened a few weeks ago in … more

By George Walter | 8/29/24 | 1 comment

Police Blotter for Wednesday, August 28, 2024

Lacey Police Department On 08/28/2024 at 3:15 a.m. at 4100 Blk Abigail Ct NE Lacey, police arrested Daniel Shihadeh Jaber, Male, Age 42, on suspicion of 1) Unlawful Imprisonment (Felony) and 2) LMC Simple Assault (Misdemeanor)... more

8/29/24

The Olympia Finance Committee received an update on the Washington State Bar Association’s revised standards for indigent defense services, which would require about $1.2 million to implement the new standards in 2025.

Olympia needs to double its budget for criminal defense attorneys each year until 2027

New state standards obligate the City of Olympia to spend more money in coming years to provide criminal defense attorneys to those who cannot afford to defend themselves in the city's municipal … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/28/24 | 9 comments

The Washington Center for the Performing Arts is shown before and after its 2014 renovation.

Lacey set to allocate its free day at the Washington Center

The Lacey City Council is set to award a free day of use at The Washington Center for the Performing Arts to a local nonprofit organization. During a council work session on August 27, city … more

By JC Medina | 8/28/24

Representatives from Saint Martin’s University and South Puget Sound Community College highlighted their ongoing efforts to create more inclusive academic environments during the Lacey Commission on Equity meeting on August 26, 2024.

Local colleges present equity initiatives to Lacey commission

Representatives from Saint Martin’s University (SMU) and South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) highlighted their ongoing efforts to create more inclusive academic environments in … more

By JC Medina | 8/28/24 | 2 comments

This is Troy with his dog, Prince, sharing a bowl of popcorn at The Boulevard Tavern in Olympia.

Where you can take your dog: Pet-friendly businesses

We were amazed and appreciative at how many businesses allow pets (mainly dogs). more

By Trish Lynn and Thom Donitz | 8/28/24 | 4 comments

Caption: Sophia Scroggins serves for Evergreen State College  at a pre-season tournament hosted by Providence University in Great Falls, MT.

Geoducks kick off 2024 volleyball season flat

The Evergreen State College women finish winless in University of Providence tournament The Evergreen State College Volleyball season is off to a rusty start as the Geoducks won none of its four opening games in a tournament hosted by … more

By Vince Zafra | 8/28/24

Suzuka Yosue’s top performances this summer caught the attention of Greek side REA, and she is bound for Greece for her first professional stint.

Some FC Olympia Artesians move to pro and collegiate soccer teams

After a successful season of summer soccer in four different leagues, FC Olympia strengthen ed its path-to-pro goal for soccer players in the community as they announced that several of their players … more

By Vince Zafra | 8/28/24 | 1 comment

You're never too old for fun new technologies.

Senior Tech 2024

Technology spending by people older than 50 is expected to grow to $623 billion per year by 2050, according to recent research by AARP. more

By Kathleen Anderson | 8/28/24 | 1 comment

What's happening around here — Olympia Harbor Days and other festivities

Join one of the largest maritime and tugboat festivals or watch the other equally fun activities. more

8/28/24

Police Blotter for Tuesday, August 27, 2024

Lacey Police Department On 08/27/2024 9:29 p.m. at 2500 Blk Hicks Lake Rd Se Lacey, police arrested Eric Allen Mckenzie, Male, Age 32, on suspicion of Lmc Non Lacey Warrant Arrest (Misdemeanor)... more

8/28/24

Olympia Finance Committee, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. Joan Lutz, the city's Budget and Finance manager, outlines key budget assumptions. The general fund revenue is estimated at $106 million, while the expenses are estimated at $118 million.

Olympia faces $12 million general fund deficit

City manager outlines budget balancing strategies Olympia is facing a starting deficit of $12 million in the general fund as it begins the 2025 budget update process. At its meeting on Monday, City Manager Jay Burney presented an early look at … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/27/24 | 12 comments

Semaglutide hormone used as a medication for improve blood sugar and weight loss. Semaglutide blue Injection pen and female body closeup on gray background.

Obesity and weight loss

'If it’s too good to be true, it probably is,.' ~ Thomas Lupton in Siuqila 1580 Two out of 5 (or 42%) of US adults are obese compared to 30% only 25 years ago. more

By Debra L. Glasser, M.D. | 8/27/24 | 1 comment

Tumwater School District increases number of bus drivers

District showcases bus driver hiring rates, plans new consolidated routes To avoid school bus delays, the Tumwater School District hired 46 drivers upon the opening of the academic year and mulls on adding more as consolidated routes are being considered. Ben Rarick, … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 8/27/24 | 1 comment

Dan Smith, Tumwater’s water resources director, showed the Tumwater Public Works Committee a map of Brewery Wellfield, which is located near Cleveland Avenue and Tumwater Valley Golf Course and is the site of more than 30 old wells.

Tumwater set to finalize acquisition of Lacey’s water rights in Brewery Wellfield

Tumwater Public Works Committee endorsed to its city council an agreement with Lacey to acquire Lacey’s water rights at the Brewery Wellfield for $2,400,461. The purchase includes transferring … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/27/24 | 3 comments