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At the Olympia City Council meeting held October 25, 2022, Climate Program manager Dr. Pamela Braff briefed the council members on the climate event she and Mayor Cheryl Selby participated in Malmo, Sweden, in May.

Olympia participates in UN-sponsored climate change resilience program

Olympia made another climate commitment by joining the Race to Resilience program, a global initiative of the United Nations that aims to build resilience for four billion vulnerable people globally … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/27/22 | 4 comments

Updating the Lacey utility boxes to highlight the slogan ‘To LIVE, LEARN, CREATE, and EARN’

Lacey’s General Government and Public Safety Committee held its regular meeting on October 25, to discuss the agenda on midtown utility box wraps, property retained by the police for 2022, and … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 10/27/22

Olympia and Tumwater held a joint study session on October 25, 2022. The council members from both cities discussed the proposed Regional Fire Authority.

Olympia, Tumwater discuss the proposed RFA in a joint session

Olympia will look at a levy lid lift to increase property taxes to address the issue of its fire department funding if voters do not approve the proposed Regional Fire Authority, Olympia council … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/26/22 | 3 comments

Sunwood Lakes resident Robbi Currey (foreground) commented on the impact of the proposed airport on the groundwater supply during a Port of Olympia Commission meeting held on October 24, 2022.

Port endorses letter opposing proposed airport in the county

The Port of Olympia Commission voted to endorse a letter opposing the proposed airport in rural Thurston County during a meeting held on Monday, October 24. The letter, penned by the Thurston … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/26/22 | 2 comments

Vandalism, theft, and graffiti reported in Lacey parks, facilities

Over a hundred cases of public property damage occurred in Lacey parks and facilities within the year, costing the city more than $30,000 for repair labor and materials. Lacey Parks Maintenance … more

By JC Medina | 10/26/22 | 3 comments

The Port of Olympia Commission met to amend the agreements for five contractors involved in the Budd Inlet cleanup project.

Port amends agreements with contractors for Budd Inlet cleanup

The Port of Olympia amended several agreement terms with five contractors involved in the initial phase of the Budd Inlet cleanup project during a meeting held on Monday, October 24. The contract … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/26/22

Street closed tomorrow for ‘final’ exodus from Ensign Road in Olympia

Ensign Road will be closed off from Martin Way to Providence Lane tomorrow, October 27, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for what Olympia’s Homeless Response Team assures will be its final round of … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 10/26/22 | 1 comment

The new emergency vehicles will be deployed in the county in 2024.

Thurston OKs purchase of 5 ambulances

The Thurston County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) approved yesterday, October 25, the purchase of five new emergency vehicles amounting to $1,108,905.75. Emergency Services Interim Director Ben … more

By JC Medina | 10/26/22

The Commission on Equity reviewed the updates on the Lacey Parks, Culture & Recreation Comprehensive Plan to add an “equity lens” in line with the city’s upcoming Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategic plan at the Tuesday, October 24, meeting.

Lacey mulls adding ‘equity lens’ on Parks, Culture & Recreation Comprehensive Plan Update

Lacey’s Commission on Equity reviewed the updates on the Lacey Parks, Culture & Recreation (LPCR) Comprehensive Plan Tuesday, October 24, to add an “equity lens” in line with … more

By JC Medina | 10/25/22 | 2 comments

Local voting pamphlets and ballots are already arriving for General Election for Thurston County.

Voter Registration Deadlines for the November 8 General Election

Below are the voter registration deadlines for the November 8 General Election in Thurston County. Through Monday, October 31, 2022: Last day for remote registrations and updates … more

Diana Benson, Thurston County Chief Deputy Auditor | 10/25/22

Experience Olympia asking for the public’s thoughts on Community Management Plan

Experience Olympia & Beyond is asking community members to provide feedback on its draft Community Management Plan (CMP) for its Thurston Beautiful Byway project. “The Thurston Bountiful … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 10/25/22

In a meeting held on October 24, 2022, Social Justice and Equity Commission discussed RFP to assess discrimination experiences to help them develop an anti-discrimination program.

Assessing discrimination in Olympia 2022-2023 plans, consultant will be sought

Olympia's Social Justice and Equity Commission, on Monday, October 24, started working on the request for proposals to examine experiences of discrimination in the city. Diversity, Equity, and … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/25/22 | 3 comments

Keep your pets safe on Halloween

Animal Services is reminding pet owners and the public to keep an eye out for their animals’ safety during Halloween. The welfare group offered several tips and reminders to help pets cope … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 10/25/22

The Hawks lining up to swoop on the Rams.

Hawks peck at Rams, 26-7

This time, it's the Ridge's turn. River Ridge High School had its homecoming game against North Thurston High School last Friday, October 21. Despite the rain drenching the South Sound Stadium, … more

By Gloria Towne and Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 10/25/22

This screenshot shows the Citizen Toolbox calculator for the proposed fire benefit charge for residential properties.

Thinking about the proposed Regional Fire Authority? So is Larry Dzieza

When Larry Dzieza saw that a square root was part of a formula that Olympia and Tumwater were planning to propose that would calculate a new fee to cover some of the costs involved with providing … more

By Danny Stusser | 10/24/22 | 7 comments

This slide is included in the packet for the October 25, 2022 joint meeting of the Tumwater and Olympia city councils.

How much would you pay if a Fire Benefit Charge is approved? Calculate it here

Spinning off Tumwater’s and Olympia’s fire departments would create a new local government agency with its own taxing authority. The two city councils are set to meet to consider the … more

By Danny Stusser | 10/24/22 | 4 comments

Tumwater’s budget and finance committee conversed with Maija Glasier-Lawson (bottom left) from the Family Support Center of South Sound, one of the five organizations applying for funds from the Community Human Services Program.

Tumwater’s budget committee sets aside 2023 human services funding to non-profits

Tumwater’s budget and finance committee approved the allocation of its 2023 human services funding during a meeting on Wednesday, October 19. The $15,000 fund was split between five … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/24/22

The Olympia City Council approved the appointment of seven individuals who will serve in the Inspire Olympia Cultural Access ad hoc committee on October 18, 2022.

Olympia okays appointments of Inspire Olympia Cultural Access ad hoc committee

The Olympia City Council on Tuesday, October 18, approved the appointment of seven candidates who will serve on an ad hoc committee for the Inspire Olympia Cultural Access program. Marygrace … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/24/22

The Olympia Site Plan Committee reviewed two project proposals for the reuse of buildings at 525 Cherry Street SE for Ilk Beer and at 2124 Pacific Avenue SE for Vic's Pizza Pacific project on October 19, 2022.

Olympia reviews brewery, pizza place proposals

The Site Plan Review Committee held a pre-submission conference to reuse two buildings at 525 Cherry Street SE for Ilk Beer and at 2124 Pacific Avenue SE for Vic's Pizza Pacific project on Wednesday, … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/24/22 | 2 comments

Olympia's Planning Commission is against the adoption of the 2023 Preliminary CFP. Commission chair Zainab Nejati and Greg Quetin, the finance subcommittee chair, presented their recommendations to the city council on Tuesday, October 18.

Olympia Planning Commission: No to the adoption of the 2023 Preliminary Capital Facilities Plan

The Olympia Planning Commission cautioned against adopting the 2023-2028 Preliminary Capital Plans Facilities (CFP) unless revisions are done to the transportation section, which "lacks progress … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/21/22 | 1 comment