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Tumwater’s park and recreation committee met on October 19 to discuss updates for the community center.

Tumwater is seeking a design firm for the new community center

Tumwater is looking for a firm to design its new community center, said Parks and Recreation Director Chuck Denney during their commission’s meeting yesterday, October 19. The city has … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/21/22

Community members Larry Dzieza and Melissa Allen expressed frustration with the city's non-prioritization of the sidewalks project in the 2023 Capital Facilities Plan. The Olympia City Council opened the public hearing for the 2023 Preliminary CFP on Tuesday, October 18, 2022.

Community members demand prioritization of sidewalk projects

Former Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Jim Lazar urged Olympia council members to hold a study session with advisory committees and community activists to discuss funding for the … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/21/22 | 5 comments

One of the winning artworks of the 2023 Calendar Art Contest hosted by the Olympia Public Works Water Resources Division.

Olympia students recognized for winning Water Resources' calendar art contest

The Olympia City Council on Tuesday, October 18, recognized 13 middle school students who won the 2023 Calendar Art Contest hosted by the Public Works Water Resources Division. Erin Conine, senior … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/21/22

This is an image of the October 13, 2022 Olympia School District board meeting.

Olympia School Board appoints Talauna Reed to serve remainder of unexpired term

The Olympia School Board has selected Talauna Reed to fill the unexpired term of former school board director Justin McKaughan, who resigned last August 31. The school board took this action … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 10/21/22 | 2 comments

Tumwater Mayor Debbie Sullivan gave testimony during a public hearing for the suspension of Hopkins Drainage Ditch District.

Sullivan appeals for the suspension of Hopkins Drainage Ditch District #2

Tumwater Mayor Debbie Sullivan appealed for the suspension of Hopkins Drainage Ditch District 2 during a county-level public hearing held Tuesday, October 18. She cited instances in which she … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/20/22 | 1 comment

"Access to housing is something we're actively working on expanding in our community, and providing fair access is critical,” Olympia Housing Program specialist Christa Lenssen said.

Community called to fill out Fair Housing survey to address barriers in Olympia, Thurston County

Olympia, Thurston County, and the Housing Authority of Thurston County are asking community members to share their input on the fair housing assessment, which would give authorities tools to assess … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/20/22

Ellis Cove, in Priest Point Park in Olympia, in January 2021.

Olympia Finance Committee clarifies park impact fee

The Olympia Finance Committee held its regular meeting yesterday, to brief the council about the park impact fee. According to a presentation by FCS Group Consulting Principal John Ghilarducci, … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 10/20/22

Lacey commission briefed on Regional Housing Council interim governance structure

Lacey Community and Economic Development Director Rick Walk discussed the interim governance structure of the Regional Housing Council (RHC) with the Lacey Planning Commission on Tuesday, October … more

By JC Medina | 10/20/22

Home Programs Manager Darian Lightfoot explained a resolution authorizing the 2022 Home Fund grant to enter an agreement with Homes First on October 18, 2022.

Olympia approves funding for low-rent housing organization

The Olympia City Council on Tuesday, October 18, approved more than $400,000 in grants to Homes First to purchase five single-family homes and add two accessory dwelling units to their current homes … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/19/22 | 1 comment

Port of Olympia Citizens Advisory Committee interviewed five candidates applying as committee members.

Port citizen advisory committee reviews potential members

The Port of Olympia Citizens Advisory Committee (POCAC) reviewed five candidates applying as committee members during a meeting held yesterday, October 18. Three of the five candidates are retired … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/19/22

Karen Messmer of Olympia, a previous city council member, at a previous event that was with Thurston Climate Action Team, focused on electric cars at Thurston Climate Action Team's flash mob gathering on Sat., Sept. 25, 2021.

Former Olympia council member: Focus on items essential to public

Former Olympia council member Karen Messmer expressed support for the plans to put city staff members for climate work but said additional staff in the Climate Program is not the only effort the … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/19/22 | 2 comments

Tumwater city administrator John Doan presented the initial MOU for the Deschutes Estuary project to the city council.

Tumwater approves initial agreement for Deschutes Estuary project

Tumwater city council has authorized Mayor Debbie Sullivan to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) outlining the initial agreements for the Deschutes Estuary project during their meeting held … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/19/22 | 1 comment

Traditional India family portrait. Indian parents and children in a blessing ceremony.

October is Hindu American Awareness Month in Olympia

The Olympia City Council signed a proclamation designating October 2022 as Hindu American Awareness and Appreciation Month. The proclamation recognizes Hindu Americans for their contributions to … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/19/22

Thurston is celebrating flood awareness this week, October 16 to 22, 2022.

Thurston urges residents to prepare for natural, man-made disasters

The Thurston Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) encouraged the public to take all necessary steps in preparing for natural and human-caused disasters as it officially kicked off Thurston Flood … more

By JC Medina | 10/19/22

The Port of Olympia Commission met on October 17 to approve an initial agreement for the Deschutes Estuary Project.

Port of Olympia approves Deschutes Estuary maintenance project agreement

The Port of Olympia Commission agreed for Executive Director Debbie Sullivan to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) outlining the governance and funding of the Deschutes Estuary project during … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/18/22 | 1 comment

Thurston Regional Planning Council Executive Director Marc Daily briefed the Lacey City Council on October 13, 2022, about the region’s potential involvement in the proposed new airport of the Commercial Aviation Coordinating Commission.

County denies having hand in airport selection process

Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) Executive Director Marc Daily stressed that the TRPC and the Lacey Transportation Policy Board are not directly involved in the potential involvement of the … more

By JC Medina | 10/17/22 | 1 comment

Olympia committee recommends two appointments for the Police Use of Force Board

The Olympia City Council is slated to approve the appointments of two candidates to fill vacancies on the Police Use of Force Events Board on Tuesday, October 18. After two years of recruiting, … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/17/22 | 2 comments

The Olympia City Council will open a public hearing for the preliminary 2023 operating budget on Tuesday, October 18. The 2023 budget proposed the creation of at least 15 new full-time positions on various items.

Olympia to hold public hearing on proposed 2023 budget

The Olympia City Council will hold its first public hearing for the 2023 operating budget on Tuesday, October 18. In a recent city council study session, Olympia City Manager Jay Burney submitted … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/17/22

Thurston County Commissioner Carolina Mejia and County Manager Ramiro Chavez briefed the Lacey City Council on the proposed expansion of the Board of County Commissioners during the council’s work session on October 13, 2022.

Update on proposed expansion Thurston Board of County Commissioners

Thurston County Commissioner Carolina Mejia and County Manager Ramiro Chavez updated the Lacey City Council on the proposed expansion of the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) during the … more

By JC Medina | 10/17/22 | 1 comment

North Thurston High School make the wall against Gig Harbor.

Rams drown, 36-7

North Thurston High School got a proper trouncing in their home field from the Gig Harbor High School Tides, 36-7, last Friday, October 14, right after their homecoming game last week. Held at … more

By Gloria Towne | 10/17/22