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Yelm Community Schools April 23, 2024 levy failed by 225 votes.

Yelm Community Schools proposition levy disapproved by slim margin

Voters turned down Yelm Community Schools’ proposal to raise a levy to replace its school programs and operations. Thurston County Canvassing Board has officially certified the results of … more

By Darlanne Cruz | 5/9/24 | 6 comments

Councilmember Eileen Swarthout (top left) receives the proclamation which declares May 12 to 19 as a week of celebration for the 1984 women’s Olympic marathon trials.

Tumwater commemorates 1984 women’s Olympic marathon trials

In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the 1984 women’s Olympic marathon trials, Tumwater Mayor Debbie Sullivan proclaimed May 12 to 19 as a week of celebration for the historic sporting … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/9/24

SPSCC is eligible to compete for the 2025 $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.

South Puget Sound Community College semifinalist for biennial award for excellence in student outcomes

The Aspen Institute named the South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) as one of the 20 semifinalists for the 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. The $1 million prize is the … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 5/9/24

North Thurston Rams batter Peninsula High Seahawks, 14-13

North Thurston High School Rams swooped the Peninsula High School who edged out a win during their softball game, highlighting the Seahawks’ Seniors’ Night on Wednesday, May 8. In … more

By Gloria Towne | 5/9/24 | 1 comment

Evergreen State College’s River Scheuerell qualifies for the nationals in the men’s 5000-meter racewalk.

Evergreen State College’s Scheuerell sets national standard in 5k racewalk, breaks 39-year school record

In one of the final athletic meets before the conference championships, Evergreen State College’s River Scheuerell won in his first-ever 5000-meter racewalk in the USATF Oregon Association 5K … more

By Vince Zafra | 5/9/24 | 2 comments

Assistant City Manager Shannon Kelley-Fong presented the draft and recommended updates to the public comment policy of the Lacey meeting to the Commission on Equity on May 6 and to the City Council on May 7.

Lacey to update public comment policy on meetings following zoombombing incident

In response to a race-related incident during a Commission on Equity meeting, Lacey now plans to revise its public comment policy. The incident, which occurred on March 25, involved remote … more

By JC Medina | 5/8/24 | 3 comments

The annual report for Tumwater’s transportation benefit district shows the work funded by the taxing district in 2023.

Tumwater reports 2023 transportation benefit district accomplishments

Tumwater city staff reported to the city council on Tuesday, May 7, the work accomplished through the city’s transportation benefit district in 2023. The taxing district funds street … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/8/24

Since 1996, the county has partnered with cities in a regional partnership to address animal control in Thurston County.

Thurston County to hear comments on removing animal licensing fees from county code

Thurston’s Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) set a public hearing for animal control related fees on June 4 to amend Thurston County Municipal Code (TMC) Section 9.10 (Animal Control). … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 5/8/24 | 1 comment

Saint Martin’s Andrew Boyd finished fourth in the 2024 GNAC decathlon championships.

SMU’s Andrew Boyd places fourth with four PRs in GNAC Combined Event Championships

Saint Martin’s University’s Andrew Boyd ranked fourth out of seven participants in the combined event of decathlon in the 2024 Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) Multi-Event … more

By Vince Zafra | 5/8/24

During a public meeting on May 7, 2024, Thurston Board of County Commissioners has officially declared May 5th through May 11th as Public Service Recognition Week.

Thurston County, Olympia honor public servants

The Thurston Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) and Olympia City Council separately issued proclamations recognizing the contributions of public servants working to serve the community. During … more

By Lorilyn Lirio and JC Medina | 5/8/24

Olympia Food Co-op is buying back walnut halves and pieces

Olympia Food Co-op, a local store in Olympia, has issued a recall for its organic walnut halves and pieces sourced from Gibson Farms, Inc., after the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), the … more

By Darlanne Cruz | 5/7/24

Harvey Foundation President Terry Minton

South Puget Sound Community College to add about 25 new scholarships

The OJ & Mary Christine Harvey Educational Foundation awarded $1.8 million to the South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) intended for student scholarships, the college’s press release … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 5/7/24

Ballots being sorted, photo November 7, 2022.

Fire District 8: Auditor seeks opinionated committee members for voters' pamphlet statements

The Thurston County Auditor’s Election Division is inviting community members to serve as “For” and “Against” committee members for the upcoming August 6 Primary … more

By Darlanne Cruz | 5/7/24

Saints' softball is back in the NCAA West Regionals after 9 years

Saint Martin’s softball team will have their postseason run extended as they qualified for the NCAA Div II West Regionals for the first time since the 2015 season at the No. 7 seed in the … more

By Vince Zafra | 5/7/24

After being hailed as Capital Region Educational Service District 113’s 2025 Regional Teacher of the Year, Black Hills High School Band Director and Music Coordinator Andrew Landowski is set to be considered for the Washington State Teacher of the Year award.

Teacher of the Year: Andrew Landowski of Black Hills High School

Capital Region Educational Service District (ESD) 113 hailed Andrew Landowski, as its 2025 Regional Teacher of the Year. Landowski is the band director and music coordinator at Black Hills High … more

By PJade Asumbrado | 5/6/24

Candidate filing week now open through Friday, May 10

OLYMPIA — The opportunity to become a candidate for office during Washington’s 2024 elections opened Monday . During candidate filing week, candidacies can be declared until 5 p.m. … more

Submitted by the Washington state Office of the Secretary of State | 5/6/24

Safe Routes to School: Olympia School District to partner with city council

The Olympia School District (OSD) and Olympia City Council are set to form a steering committee for the Safe Routes to Schools initiative, which aims to provide better walking and biking routes … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 5/6/24 | 1 comment

15th Avenue SW between Columbia Street and Water Street will close from now until June 10.

Road closure: 15th Avenue SW between Columbia Street and Water Street through June 10

Roadwork will close 15th Avenue SW between Columbia Street and Water Street, south and east of the Capitol Campus in Olympia. Starting today and expected to last until June 10, crews will … more

5/6/24

South Puget Sound Community College’s Luke Fenner (photo 1), Grace Hurley (photo 2), and Vicki Steigner (photo 3) qualify for the 2024 Northwest Athletic Conference Golf Championships

Three college student-golfers to represent South Puget Sound in NWAC Championships

South Puget Sound Community College’s (SPSCC) golf program, still in its infancy, will send three representatives to the men’s and women’s finals of the 2024 Northwest Athletic … more

By Vince Zafra | 5/6/24

Harvey Drahos receives his Congressional Gold Medal from Enrico Tadeo of The Philippines’ Consulate during a ceremony held in DuPont’s Clocktower Park on May 2, 2024.

101-year-old Lacey WWII veteran finally receives nation’s highest civilian award

During the City of Lacey’s 2023 Mayor’s Gala last October, Karen Schoessel introduced the evening’s guest of honor, then-100-year-old Harvey Drahos, a World War II veteran who had … more

By JM Simpson | 5/3/24