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At the Olympia City Council meeting held Tuesday, City Manager Jay Burney outlined a plan, a series of baseline adjustments and staffing reductions, to reduce the projected $11.8 deficit in the 2025 operating budget down to $6.7 million.

Olympia presents a plan to shrink $11.8M operating budget deficit for 2025

Olympia City Manager Jay Burney presented a plan to the City Council to reduce a projected $11.8 million deficit in the city's 2025 operating budget to $6.7 million through staffing reductions, … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/18/24 | 6 comments

A driver deposits her ballot in the official drop box across the street from the U.S. Post Office in Lacey on Election Day last year.

County urges residents to register to vote for upcoming election

The Thurston Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) marked National Voter Registration Day on September 17 by emphasizing the importance of voter registration and participation. The board’s … more

By JC Medina | 9/18/24 | 2 comments

On September 17, 2024, the Board of Thurston County Commissioners proclaimed September 15th through October 15th as Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month.

County honors Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month with proclamation

In a formal resolution adopted on September 17, the Board of Thurston County Commissioners proclaimed September 15th through October 15th as Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month. This annual … more

By JC Medina | 9/18/24

Olympia's Washington Center for the Performing Arts reports successful season, surge in new subscribers

"Since 2018 and 2019 a lot of people moving into our area who are just now discovering us. We're also seeing a lot of people move into our area from larger cities like Dallas or Seattle, or people who have expectations for cultural and arts and entertainment"... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/17/24

On Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, Olympia Parks Director Paul Simmons discussed the Phase 1 design for the Yelm Highway Community Park, focusing on maintenance facility, environmental sustainability, and accessibility.

Yelm Highway Community Park Phase 1 design addresses accessibility, environmental sustainability

New park aims to address a need for additional rectangular sports fields in the city On Tuesday, the Olympia City Council approved the retention of Berger Partnership as the city's consultant to complete the Yelm Highway Community Park Phase 1 design... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/17/24 | 1 comment

During a briefing to the Planning Commission on September 11, 2024, Lacey Assistant City Manager Shannon Kelley-Fong discusses the updated Advisory Board Handbook aimed at revising public comment procedures and meeting protocols.

Lacey updates Advisory Board Handbook addressing public comment policy

In response to recent disruptions in public meetings, Lacey updated its Advisory Board Handbook to improve public comment procedures and meeting protocols. The changes, outlined by Lacey … more

By JC Medina | 9/17/24

A slide from Finance Director Tad Kopf’s presentation shows the Port of Olympia’s income statement for Q2 of 2024.

International freight conditions benefited marine terminal — Port’s Q2 financial report

International freight conditions continue to benefit the Port of Olympia’s marine terminal operations, according to Finance Director Tad Kopf’s presentation to the Port Commission on … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/17/24 | 2 comments

Olympia City Council. Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. Olympia Economic Development Director Mike Reid presents the Olympia Strong economic development strategy, which is billed at “creating pathways to opportunity for all residents.”

Olympia Strong economic development strategy approved, addressing economic disparities

Councilmember calls to tackle systemic challenges. On Tuesday, September 10, the Olympia City Council unanimously approved the “ Olympia Strong ” economic development strategy, a comprehensive plan aimed at addressing economic disparities … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/16/24 | 3 comments

A dramatic view of the clearcut forest showing the bare hills of Green Cove Creek Watershed from a drone photo.

Washington has few older forests left. Why does DNR keep logging them?

Sherwood State Forest in Washington’s Mason County escaped the industrial clear-cutting that transformed much of the Northwest last century. It was selectively logged in the early 1900s, … more

Nick Engelfried/Columbia Insight | 9/16/24 | 7 comments

Armory redevelopment plan aims for improvements, historical preservation

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee held a pre-submission conference on Wednesday to discuss plans for the renovation of the city's historic Armory building . The redevelopment … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/16/24 | 1 comment

At the Olympia City Council meeting, on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, Board President Aram Wheeler of the Crisis Clinic of Thurston and Mason Counties (left), and the clinic's Executive Director, Zachary Duncan, speak about the need for community support and resources to address the suicide crisis.

Olympia proclaims September 2024 Suicide Prevention Month

Olympia City Council signed a proclamation on Tuesday (Sept. 1 0) designati ng September 2024 as Suicide Prevention Month, with the goal of starting a conversation about mental health and the impact … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/16/24

Saint Martin’s volleyball team traveled to Hawaii for its first preseason tournament in preparation for this fall’s volleyball season

Saint Martin’s volleyball competes in preseason Hawaii tournament

The Saints volleyball team kick ed off their preseason preparations for the upcoming Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) by participating in the De Luz Chevrolet Hawaii Fall Volleyball … more

9/16/24

A slide from the Department of Enterprise Services’ presentation to the Port of Olympia Commission on September 9.

DES hears Port’s concerns over shared dredging costs of Deschutes Estuary project

The Department of Enterprise Services (DES) presented an update to the Port of Olympia Commission about the Deschutes Estuary project on Monday, September 9. The presentation is a … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/13/24 | 6 comments

Daiz, a service dog from Canine Companions, joins the Olympia City Council in celebrating the proclamation of National Service Dog Month on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2024.

Olympia honors service dogs; celebrates National Service Dog Month

On Tuesday, the Olympia City Council chambers were graced by a special guest: Daiz, a service dog from Canine Companions. The city council issued a proclamation recognizing September 2024 … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/13/24

Karen Sixkiller's Ember 2 wins the 2024 Percival Plinth Project People's Choice award.

Olympia City Council approves purchase of 2024 Percival Plinth Project People's Choice winner

The Olympia City Council has expressed interest in purchasing not one, but two art pieces from the 2024 Percival Plinth Project, but the city's Parks, Arts, and Recreations Department warned that … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/13/24 | 2 comments

Police Chief Jon Weiks presents the police department’s community outreach strategy for its strategic growth plan to the Public Health and Safety Committee.

Tumwater Council dissatisfied with Police Department's community outreach

Police chief reassured committee: strategic growth plan is a living document to be revisited Tumwater council members who are also part of the Public Health and Safety Committee expressed their concerns about the public engagement process that led to the police department’s strategic growth … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/13/24 | 1 comment

Pep-Tacular sells a wide variety of products, most at a steep discount from other retailers, according to its owner.

Local businesswoman works to help the homeless

Vernetta Eichinger believes that taking care of the homeless is not just a job. Seven years ago she founded the Poverty Exed Project, a 501(c) (3) non-profit based in Lacey. And now her Pep-Tacular Discount Store is open to the public... more

By JM Simpson | 9/12/24 | 3 comments

The Olympia Planning Commission subcommittee holds a meeting on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, to discuss the financial plan for the Capital Facilities Plan 2025-2030.

Olympia Fire Department cites infrastructure, pricing hamper the electric truck transition

Olympia is holding off on transitioning its fire engine fleet to electric power due to concerns over the specialized charging requirements and higher price tags of current electric models. … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/12/24 | 5 comments

During a work session on September 10, 2024 Hans Shepherd, Senior Planner for the City of Lacey, presented updates on the city’s ongoing efforts to engage the community in the 2025 Comprehensive Plan process.

Lacey 2025 Comprehensive Plan in ‘visioning phase’ and looking to gain more community involvement

During a work session on September 10, Hans Shepherd, Senior Planner for the City of Lacey, presented updates on the city’s ongoing efforts to engage the community in the 2025 Comprehensive … more

By JC Medina | 9/12/24

Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall receives a National Voter Registration Day proclamation from Lacey Deputy Mayor Malcolm Miller on behalf of the Lacey City Council at its September 3 meeting.

Lacey urges election participation via National Voter Registration Day

City proclamation acknowledges importance of engaging community members in the democratic process . During its council meeting on September 3, Lacey officially designated September 17 as National Voter Registration Day . Deputy Mayor Malcolm Miller, on behalf of the City Council, issued … more

By JC Medina | 9/12/24 | 1 comment