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At the Olympia Arts Commission meeting on December 8, 2022, Arts Program specialist Angel Nava presented the four selected artists for the 2023 Arts Walk Cover.

Olympia Arts Commission approves selected local artists for the 2023 Arts Walk Cover

The Olympia Arts Commission approved local artists selected by the art jury to be featured in the 2023 Arts Walk Cover. At an Arts Commission meeting held Thursday, December 8, Arts Program … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/13/22

Tumwater gets ready to claim Lacey’s portion of the Olympia Brewery Wellfield

The Tumwater City Council authorized Mayor Debbie Sullivan on December 6 to sign a memorandum of agreement with Lacey and Olympia, paving the way for Tumwater’s takeover of Lacey’s … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 12/13/22

The “Inspire Olympia” Cultural Access Program Ad Hoc Committee convened last December 6 for its “vision exercise meeting.”

Visioning Exercise for Cultural Access Olympia derives additional inputs for arts accessibility

The Olympia Cultural Access Program Ad Hoc Committee convened last Tuesday, December 6, for its third meeting labeled as a “vision exercise meeting.” According to the city’s … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 12/13/22

Olympia School District Board elects new officials for the 2023 term

Former Vice President Darcy Huffman was appointed as the new Olympia School District (OSD) board president for 2023. The election was done during OSD’s annual reorganization during its … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 12/12/22

Lacey might lift campfire ban soon

Lacey residents might soon enjoy recreational burning as the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) proposed lifting the campfire ban during the council work session on Thursday, December … more

By JC Medina | 12/12/22

350 North Street in Brewery District is the site of an apartment project whose developers are applying for tax exemption.

Tumwater grants conditional tax exemption to 2 apartment projects

Tumwater city council granted two apartment projects — one in the Brewery District, another south of Craft District — conditional certificates for eight-year tax exemptions during a meeting on … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 12/12/22 | 1 comment

Olympia Site Plan Review Committee heard a proposal for a five-story building at 727 Adams Street SE on December 7, 2022.

Live/work studio building proposal reviewed by Olympia Site Plan Committee

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee, on Wednesday, December 7, heard a proposal for developing a 3,800-square-foot land at 727 Adams Street SE with a five-story building for studio … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/12/22

At the Olympia City Council meeting on December 6, 2022, councilmembers unanimously approved grants for five organizations.

Olympia City Council approves five art grants for 2023

Olympia's City Council approved the Grants to Arts and Culture Organizations (GACO) for 2023. The Arts Commission recommended five organizations to be funded - some of whom work with underserved … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/9/22

The community workgroup received a standing ovation from Olympia councilmembers for completing its work for the Reimagining Public Safety during the city council meeting on December 6, 2022.

Olympia community workgroup concludes Reimagining Public Safety work; city council accepts recommendations

The Olympia City Council, on Tuesday, December 6, formally accepted the community workgroup's recommendation for the Reimagining Public Safety project. The city council also recognized Strategic … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/9/22 | 2 comments

Procurement coordinator Katie Cunningham spoke to the Intercity Transit Authority to explain why it has to re-order the vehicles at a higher cost.

Intercity Transit purchases 28 trucks for Dial-a-Lift services, prices hiked from having to switch truck model

Supply chain issues and higher production costs have forced Intercity Transit to re-order 28 light trucks at a price 46% more expensive than the original cost. The Intercity Transit Authority … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 12/9/22 | 1 comment

Lots of fun winter and spring activities await Lacey residents!

Lacey’s playbook for winter and spring activities is now available online, the city’s Parks, Culture and Recreation Director Jen Burbidge said during the Board of Park Commissioners … more

By JC Medina | 12/9/22

The 2023 budget of the Intercity Transit Authority sets aside $182,704,240 for expenditures and projects $139,050,840 in revenues.

Intercity Transit Authority adopts 2023 budget

The Intercity Transit Authority adopted a $182.7 million budget for 2023 during a meeting held on Wednesday, October 7. The board adopted the operating budget of $86,923,723 and a capital budget … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 12/9/22

In a meeting held Thursday, December 8, 2022, the Olympia Arts Commission approved the modified design concept for the Martin Way and Pacific Avenue Art Crossing project.

Olympia Arts Commission approves sculpture concepts dubbed ‘tree’ and ‘roots’

Olympia Arts Commission approved the modified art pieces for Martin Way and Pacific Avenue Art Crossing project that was previously sent back following community members’ … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/9/22

City Engineer Aubrey Collier expressed Lacey’s interest in vacating a 40-foot unnamed right of way (ROW) along Rainer Road during the Transportation Committee hearing on December 6, 2022.

Lacey mulls letting go of a 40-ft unnamed road

Lacey expressed interest in relinquishing its interest in a 40-foot unnamed right of way (ROW) along Rainer Road during the city’s Transportation Committee meeting on Tuesday, December … more

By JC Medina | 12/9/22

Assistant County Manager Robin Campbell said the credit rating upgrade was good news during a public hearing held on December 5.

County’s credit rating gets upgraded

Thurston County earned an Aa1 credit rating, an upgrade from its prior Aa2 rating, from a Moody’s assessment released on Thursday, December 1. Moody’s, which provides information on … more

by Jerome Tuaño | 12/8/22

General Government Funds take the most significant share of the $300 million 2024-2024 budget. It makes up 33.85% of the budget, followed by Proprietary Funds at 30.89%, Capital Project Funds at 19.63%, Special Revenue Funds at 10.85%, Internal Service Funds at 4.62%, and Debt Service Fund at 0.16%.

Tumwater adopts 2023-2024 budget

Tumwater city council passed an ordinance adopting its 2023-2024 budget during a meeting held on Tuesday, December 6. The new biennial budget totals $300,774,808, broken down into the following … more

by Jerome Tuaño | 12/8/22

Lacey opts for 'less industrial' branding for its 'Midtown'

Lacey Planning Commission discussed the proposed utility box wraps within Lacey Midtown to uphold its branding as an innovative district during its meeting on Tuesday, December 6. Senior Planner … more

By JC Medina | 12/8/22

Council member Leatta Dahlhoff, a member of the RFA planning committee, defended the merits of forming the Olympia-Tumwater Fire Authority, during a meeting held on December 6, 2022.

Tumwater city council unanimously votes to send RFA decision to voters

The Tumwater City Council yesterday unanimously approved a joint resolution with Olympia, putting the formation of a Regional Fire Authority (RFA) to a public vote. The special election is set to … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 12/7/22

All seven councilmembers participated in the vote to ask voters to approve a Regional Fire Authority at the Olympia City Council meeting on December 6, 2022.

Olympia city council votes to move regional fire authority proposal to voters

In a 6-1 vote last night, the Olympia City Council adopted a joint resolution with Tumwater to form a regional fire protection authority, its operations and finance plans, including the imposition of … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/7/22 | 1 comment

Seven community members, including former Olympia Mayor Bob Jacobs, above, participated in the public hearing for the proposed Regional Fire Authority at the Olympia City Council meeting held December 6, 2022.

Olympia community speaks against RFA: 'Manufactured crisis'

At last night’s city council meeting, Olympia Mayor Cheryl Selby opened the public hearing before the councilmembers voted on the joint resolution with Tumwater, which allowed the formation of … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/7/22 | 1 comment