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At the Olympia City Council study session on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, Jaron Burke, climate program specialist, presented the one-time launch costs for implementing the Home Energy Score program.

Olympia reviews proposed ordinance requiring Home Energy Score for home sales

The Olympia City Council reviewed a draft regional ordinance that would require homeowners to obtain a Home Energy Score (HES) before listing their property ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/17/25 | 16 comments

Olympia School District Board Director Maria Flores, a survivor of sexual assault, domestic violence, and stalking, presented the Domestic Violence Leave policy at a March 13, 2025 meeting.

Domestic violence leave policy addressed by Olympia School District board

The Olympia School District (OSD) Board of Directors had the first reading of a Domestic Violence Leave policy on March 13. The policy, which is not a model policy from the Washington State … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 3/17/25

Energize Thurston promotes energy and cost efficient heat pumps and available to all Thurston County residents.

Thurston County launches Energize Thurston to promote energy-efficient heat pumps

Residents of Thurston County now have an opportunity to improve their home’s energy efficiency and comfort through Energize Thurston, a new program designed to make the … more

By Darlanne Cruz | 3/17/25 | 1 comment

Median residential price climbs, sales dip in February

The Thurston County housing market produced higher prices and fewer sales for the second straight month of 2025, as inventory levels ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 3/17/25 | 2 comments

Members of the Lacey City Council and city staff participated in the groundbreaking of Greg Cuoio Park, a 537-acre site set to become the city’s largest park and a regional destination for outdoor recreation. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on March 14, 2025.

City of Lacey invests in green space with Greg Cuoio Park groundbreaking

Construction officially started on Greg Cuoio Park, a 537-acre site set to become the City of Lacey's largest park and a regional destination for ... more

By JC Medina | 3/17/25 | 1 comment

A long and winding paper trail

When your child has a disability, or even a learning need, life becomes clogged with appointments, interviews, assessments, checklists, meetings, emails, conferences -- and the list goes on and on. … more

By Shannon Sankstone | 3/17/25

Intercity Transit officials unveiled plans for overhauling its bus network with more service routes and frequency. General Manager Emily Bergkamp and Marketing and Communications Division Chief Nick Demerice updated the Transportation Policy Board at a meeting on Wednesday, March 12, 2025.

Intercity Transit to reimagine its bus network

Thurston County's public transportation system is set for a major overhaul. Intercity Transit unveiled a comprehensive plan to reimagine its bus network, offering more efficient and accessible … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/14/25 | 10 comments

Mike Tucker, a volunteer with City Gates Ministries, hands a lunch bag to a homeless man on Feb. 13, 2025. “It’s one of the things we do to help the community,” he said.

Walking their faith

The catalyst that led to the creation of City Gates Ministries occurred in 1995 when Phil Prietto struggled with questions of his purpose and ... more

By JM Simpson | 3/14/25 | 2 comments

PFLAG-Olympia and New Boys Club elaborated on how transgender people are losing access to basic rights and described their community as “refugees within our own borders” during a Board of Health meeting on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.

Thurston County, advocates unite in pursuit of transgender rights

What was once “unimaginable just 10 years ago” is now a reality, according to a PFLAG-Olympia member, as the lives of transgender people have been upended in recent months by ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 3/14/25 | 9 comments

Mark Moffet, Thurston’s social services program manager, and Pam Smelt, a client who participates in county programs, attended the Board of Health meeting on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. The board proclaimed March as National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.

Thurston County highlights developmental disabilities awareness

The Thurston County Board of Health (BOH) issued a proclamation declaring March as National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, amid concerns regarding potential Medicaid … more

By JC Medina | 3/14/25 | 2 comments

Dispute Resolution Center expands services

The Dispute Resolution Center (DRC) of Thurston County announced it has expanded its services to address and resolve ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 3/14/25 | 1 comment

The City of Lacey invites sixth, seventh and eighth graders in the North Thurston Public Schools district for the "Teen Late Night" event from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, March 21, 2025.

Lacey to host 'Teen Late Night' event on March 21

Local middle school students will have a chance to enjoy an exciting evening of activities, as the City of Lacey hosts its next "Teen Late Night" event on ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 3/14/25

The Port of Olympia Commission listened to public comments at its Monday, March 10, 2025, meeting before voting on a contract amendment with Panattoni Development Company that would allow the developer to begin the development of a 50-acre industrial site. On the podium is resident John Saison, speaking about the number and quality of jobs to be expected from the project.

Port of Olympia Commission approves contract amendment with Panattoni

A proposed industrial development in Tumwater by Panattoni Development Company is one step closer to reality after clearing a ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/13/25 | 3 comments

Lacey Chief of Police Robert Almada presented the 2024 Public Safety pdate to the city council during a work session on Tuesday, March 11, 2024.

Lacey Police Department reports 10% crime drop in 2024

The Lacey Police Department reported a 10% decrease in overall crime during a city council work session on Tuesday, March 11, with Chief Robert Almada presenting the 2024 ... more

By JC Medina | 3/13/25

A CTR survey result for Olympia showed 58% of Olympia workers now working from home, 35% of workers driving alone, and 7% using alternative transportation modes. The survey results were presented at the Olympia City Council study session on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.

Olympia discusses Commute Trip Reduction program

A survey analyzed by the Thurston Regional Planning Council as part of Washington State's Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) program found that ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/13/25

Chuck Denney (bottom left), director of Tumwater’s parks and recreation department, briefed the Tumwater City Council on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, about a lease for the department’s new office.

Tumwater’s parks and recreation department to relocate

Tumwater’s parks and recreation department is moving away from city hall. Chuck Denney, the department director, told the ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/13/25 | 1 comment

12 SPSCC faculty members awarded tenure

Twelve faculty members of South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) were awarded tenure at a Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, March 11. "Congratulations to the (12) faculty members on … more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 3/13/25

Celebrity chef Rick Bayless, as seen in this undated photo.

Saint Martin’s University to celebrate annual gala with celebrity chef Rick Bayless

The 20th annual Saint Martin’s Gala on Nov. 1 will feature host and celebrity chef Rick Bayless. The black-tie event will have a five-course gourmet dinner, a silent and live auction, and … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 3/13/25

Our House Clubhouse, which opened in downtown Olympia in February, brings a sense of community and job training to people with mental health struggles.

Our House Clubhouse opens in Olympia

Our House Clubhouse opened its doors in downtown Olympia in February, welcoming guests with mental health problems or other roadblocks that ... more

By Jessie Darland | 3/12/25

The Olympia City Council tackled three proposed policies relating to rental housing at its study session on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.

From screening to ownership: Olympia explores multiple policies to address housing challenges

The Olympia City Council directed staff to continue developing and refining proposed rental protection measures, including ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/12/25 | 4 comments