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Stamps chosen for their warm and nonthreatening appearance are seen next to an envelope set to be hand addressed to a tenant facing eviction at the Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County in Olympia, Washington on April 21, 2022. The staff at the center work to broker deals between landlords and tenants facing eviction.

How rent relief fraud allegations left Thurston County tenants hanging

Nicky spent much of the past decade as a social worker, helping people get into housing or avoid eviction. So when she fell … more

4/28/22

The Washington Center for the Performing Arts's new facade.

Washington arts center operates in the black

The Washington Center for the Performing Arts is financially afloat despite shutdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization’s executive director Jill Barnes said in Olympia’s … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/27/22

Amy Buckler update the Olympia City Finance Committee members on Thurston Strong Recovery and Reset program on April 20, 2022.

Thurston Strong’s Phase 2 Recovery and Reset Program now underway, says Olympia economic planner

Implementation of Thurston Strong’s phase 2 Recovery and Reset program – which translate to an $11 million investment – is underway, according to Olympia strategic projects manager … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/25/22

Port Executive Director Sam Gibboney explained the committee’s inactivity to the pandemic and staff turnover at the Port.

Port of Olympia citizens committee is lacking members

Port of Olympia Citizens Advisory Committee (POCAC) faces a membership shortage with two of its members resigning and two others ending their terms last year. During POCAC’s meeting … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 4/20/22 | 6 comments

Approximately 160 people attended the Thurston Green Business Forum event on April 13, 2022.

Thurston Green Business awards presented for 2022

Close to 100 businesses applied for a Thurston Green designation this year and the community celebrated them at the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce's April Green Business Forum on Wednesday, … more

By Danny Stusser | 4/15/22 | 1 comment

"... the whole purpose of being a landlord is to provide housing and services to people in exchange for rent," writes Priscilla Terry.

Rent assistance applicants must re-apply, county says

LiveStories, Thurston County’s new rent assistance contractor, will accept new applications for the county’s Treasury Rent Assistance Program starting Monday, May 2, according to an April … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierez, Jr. and Danny Stusser | 4/15/22

The City of Lacey held a public hearing on April 12 to gather opinions on the controversial Meridian Market and Gas Station.

Lacey residents push back against planned Meridian Gas Station; city staff, developer defend

Some 45 Lacey residents showed up at a public hearing on Tuesday about the proposed construction of a gas station in the northeast corner of the city, with some staying online for more than four … more

By JC Medina | 4/14/22 | 1 comment

Screenshot of the livestream of the canceled public hearing on April 4

Lacey public hearing for Meridian Market and Gas set for tomorrow morning

A public hearing for the controversial Meridian Market and Gas Station was moved from on April 4 moved to Tuesday, April 12, 10:00 a.m. Lacey Senior Planner Samra Seymour said they postponed the … more

By JC Medina | 4/11/22

Habitat for Humanity's proposed development plan for 3900 Boulevard Road will have 110 affordable homes to address homelessness in Olympia

Olympia partners with Habitat for Humanity on affordable housing on Boulevard Road

The City of Olympia announced its partnership with South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity (Habitat) in developing its 10-acre 3900 Boulevard Road property into affordable housing. In its proposal, … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 4/11/22 | 1 comment

Critter Control franchise owner Josh Anderson.

New animal-control company opens in Tumwater

The newest Critter Control service company recently opened in Tumwater offering humane ways of capturing and removing animals from residential and office spaces. Critter Control is a wildlife and … more

By Danny Stusser | 4/8/22

Panelists at the Workforce Symposium included, l-r, David Schaffert, Amy Warren, and William Westmoreland. Michael Cade, executive director of the Thurston Economic Development Council, right, moderated the event.

Retiring population, lack of flexibility contribute to labor shortage

The retiring population and lack of flexibility in the employment practices and workplace are among the issues contributing to workforce shortages, according to presenters at the Lacey South Sound … more

By Danny Stusser and Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/7/22

Some 2,000 housing units are in the planning or construction stages in Olympia as of April 2022.

Olympia home-development market as strong as before the 2008 recession

The Olympia Planning Committee has seen an uptick in applications to build housing in the city after a slow recovery from the 2008 recession. Community Planning and Development director Leonard … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/5/22 | 1 comment

KGY is the oldest broadcaster in Thurston County and one of the oldest in Washington State.

KGY to celebrate 100th anniversary starting tomorrow

Thurston county’s oldest broadcast station, KGY 95.3, will be commemorating its centennial year of licensed broadcasting tomorrow, April 5. “This is a big day for KGY, our employees, … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 4/4/22 | 1 comment

The Capital Mall area, highlighted in yellow.

Olympia wants public feedback for Capital Mall area plans

Olympia wants public feedback for Capital Mall area plans By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. The City of Olympia is asking community members who live, work or own property in the Capital Mall area … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 4/1/22 | 3 comments

This is the iconic sign+wall at the Thurston County Courthouse

Rent assistance payments set to resume

Thurston County has transferred its Thurston County Rent Assistance operation to analytic company LiveStories after suspending the program 36 days ago. “We know this has been incredibly … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 4/1/22 | 1 comment

Recordings of the Port of Olympia's meetings can now be seen on TCTV.

Port meetings now broadcast on TCTV

Port of Olympia’s Work Sessions and regular meetings are now aired on Thurston County Community Media TCTV. Port Executive Director Sam Gibboney announced during the Port’s March 28 … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 3/31/22 | 1 comment

New Thomas Architecture Studios Associate Principals (l-r) Josh Gabel and Tom Reiger.

Thomas Architecture has new associate principals

Olympia-based Thomas Architecture Studios (TAS) announced its promotion of Josh Gabel and Tom Reiger to associate principals from senior project managers, according to a press release the firm issued … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 3/25/22

Port of Olympia Commissioner Bob Iyall reading a statement by Nisqually Tribal Council Chairman William Frank III at the commissioners meeting March 21, 2022.

Port commissioners forgo honor statement, agree to include tribes in Port operations

Port of Olympia commissioners have decided to not make an honor statement acknowledging Native Americans’ ownership of lands in lieu of including the tribes in the Port’s activities and … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 3/22/22

Olympia's Finance Committee, meeting on March 16, 2022, voted to send a proposal to create a Workforce Training Center to the city council.

Olympia explores opening training center to address rising unemployment

Olympia’s Finance Committee has endorsed the advancement to the city council of an Economic Workforce Training Center during its meeting yesterday, March 17. Approved by Finance Committee … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 3/17/22 | 1 comment

This is the interior of the building at 118 Fourth Ave. East in downtown Olympia.

Shiny Prize proposed at former barbershop

Olympia may have a new resto-bar opening soon. more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 3/10/22