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The Port of Olympia Commission ratified a contract with ILWU Local 47B which has been negotiating for its contract since 2022.

After years of negotiation, Port of Olympia ratifies contract with union representing marina and boatyard employees

The Port of Olympia Commission unanimously voted to ratify a contract with ILWU Local 47B, which represents the workers at Swantown Marina & Boatworks. Executive Director Alex Smith … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 11/15/24

The Tumwater General Government Committee along with Planning Managaer Brad Medrud (bottom) met on Wednesday, November 13, to discuss an ordinance to streamline land use permit applications.

Tumwater's own committees are recommending streamlining permit applications

The Tumwater Planning Commission and General Government Committee recommended that the city council amend Tumwater Municipal Code Title 14, which contains provisions for administering the … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 11/15/24 | 1 comment

At a meeting yesterday, November 13, 2024, Thurston’s Board of County Commissioners met with Community Planning and Economic Development representatives for the proposed Countywide Planning Policies update. Community Planning and Economic Development Director Ashley Arai (right) and Strategic Operations Coordinator Andrew Boughan (left) are photographed.

Thurston County Countywide Planning Policies to include tribes, Urban Growth Area adjustments

Thurston County’s Countywide Planning Policies (CWPP) are set to be revised regarding tribal participation and Urban Growth Area swaps. Community Planning and Economic Development … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 11/15/24

Port of Olympia Commission greenlights second warehouse

Plans for a second warehouse at the marine terminal are moving forward after the Port of Olympia Commission unanimously voted to greenlight the project. After conducting a town hall … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 11/14/24 | 3 comments

Councilmember Lisa Parshley holds up Olympia's water resources calendar at a council meeting in October 2024.

Olympia City Councilmember Lisa Parshley set to resign

The City of Olympia will likely seek applications for a new city councilmember as soon as November 27, as Councilmember Lisa Parshley has pledged to resign as soon as her election to the state … more

By Danny Stusser | 11/14/24 | 5 comments

Lacey City Planning Commission, joined by Sarah Schelling, discusses proposed changes to permit procedures prompted by Senate Bill 5290 at a public hearing on November 13, 2024.

Lacey Planning Commission considers new permit timelines, compliance rules

Lacey's Planning Commission held a public hearing Wednesday, Nov. 13, to discuss proposed amendments to its Development Guidelines and Public Works Standards Manual, prompted by Senate Bill 5290. … more

By Kameko Marquez | 11/14/24

The students' art featured on a street sweeper.

Olympia recognizes students who help promote stormwater pollution prevention through their art

The Olympia City Council, on Tuesday, recognized three talented middle school students whose artworks were chosen to be featured on a new city street sweeper... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/14/24

Holding a copy of Free Boy, Mayor Dontae Payne emphasizes that Charles Mitchell's story demonstrates that slavery reached the Pacific Northwest and existed in Washington.

Olympia City Council passes landmark resolution calling for reparations study

In a unanimous vote, the Olympia City Council passed a resolution urging the state and federal governments to create commissions to study reparations for the descendants of enslaved African … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/13/24 | 22 comments

Olympia City Council meeting, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. The Olympia City Council holds a second and final public hearing on the 2025 operating and Capital Facilities Plan budget.

Olympia's budget proposal includes position cuts, addition of a council support assistant

To meet a projected $3.9 million deficit in its 2025 budget, the City of Olympia is planning to cut 26.75 positions across various departments. At yesterday's city council meeting, City Manager … more

By Lorilyn Lirio and Danny Stusser | 11/13/24 | 4 comments

TRPC received a total of $24 million in fund requests, exceeding the nearly $19.2 million in federal grants available funding.

Regional planning council considers how to spend federal grants for streets, trails, buses

The Thurston Regional Planning Council's Technical Advisory Committee was briefed on a draft funding scenario that would distribute approximately $19.2 million in federal transportation grants among … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/12/24 | 2 comments

Karen Sixkiller's Ember 2, 2024 Percival Please People's Choice Awardee

Olympia opens submissions for the 2025 Percival Plinth Project

Olympia invites artists from Washington and Oregon to submit sculptures for its annual Percival Landing exhibition. The deadline for submission is on Jan. 6, 2025. Up to 18 … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/12/24

Evergreen State College’s Alauna Carstens finished first in the women’s 5000 meters in the conference last May. She now represents the Geoducks in the NAIA Marathon this December.

Three Evergreen athletes qualify for marathon in Sacramento, California

Three student-athletes from The Evergreen State College earned their qualifying berths for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Marathon Classic set for December 8, Sunday, in … more

By Vince Zafra | 11/12/24

The Lacey City Human Services Work Group reviews new funding caps and application limits for the city’s $300,000 grant program to further boost support for local non-profits

Lacey committee reviews changes to $300,000 Human Services Grant Program

The Lacey City Council’s Human Services Work Group (HSWG) met to review proposed revisions to the Human Services Grant Program (HSGP), a $300,000 annual fund supporting nonprofits that serve … more

By Kameko Marquez | 11/11/24

Saint Martin’s alumnus Roger Dover '23 expresses gratitude and inspires fellow alumni with a heartfelt speech on the impact of scholarships at the Gala 2024.

$3.5 million raised at Saint Martin’s Gala 2024 to support scholarships for students in need

Saint Martin’s University raised a record of $3.5 million at its annual Gala on Saturday, Nov.2, surpassing the previous year’s total of $2.8 million. The black-tie event celebrated … more

By Kameko Marquez | 11/11/24

A woman gardener holding a sheaf of carrots in a garden

Interested in gardening? Apply for Thurston County's Extension Master Gardener Program

The Washington State University (WSU) Thurston County Extension Master Gardener Program now accepts applications for the 2025 cycle. The application period closes on December 13, 2024, at 5 p.m. … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 11/11/24

Olympia seeks artists of all mediums for the cover artists for 2025 Arts Walk

Olympia is accepting submissions for the 2025's Cover Artist, which is due Nov. 18; the Olympia-based Arts Walk celebrates and showcases local artists' work. Olympia selects and commissions two … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/11/24

Parker-Borrero's highlight return of The Evergreen State College wrestling season

The Evergreen State College wrestling teams were off to a good start in college wrestling’s season opener this November. The women’s team competed in the Simon Fraser Open at Burnaby, … more

By Vince Zafra | 11/11/24

Thurston County general election unofficial results as of November 8, 4:01 p.m.

November 5, 2024 General Election Last updated on 11/08/2024 4:01 p.m. more

By Danny Stusser | 11/8/24

Finance Director Troy Niemeyer’s slide presentation shows that they brought down the deficit by reducing expenditures from $105.9 million to $102.6 million.

Tumwater reduces projected 2025-26 budget loss to $6.8 million

City of Tumwater staff reduced the estimated loss in its draft 2025-26 budget from $10 million to $6.8 million. When city staff presented on October 22 an update on the budget they are … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 11/8/24 | 2 comments

The Tumwater School District is an early adopter of the new software for the High School and Beyond Plan, Career Connected Learning Coordinator Marcy Proctor said at a meeting on November 7, 2024.

Tumwater School District early adopter of High School and Beyond Plan

The Tumwater School District (TSD) is an early adopter of SchoolLinks, the new universal platform for the state-required High School and Beyond Plan (HSBP), focused on making students … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 11/8/24 | 1 comment