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The Olympia School Board convened on September 8, to discuss the reports for the opening of the new school year.

Technical courses in Olympia schools described, and OSD enrollment right on target

The Olympia School District reported no noteworthy increases in the number of enrolled students for the start of the school year 2022-2023 during its regular hybrid session on September … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 9/9/22

Lacey may have to have a new city hall to keep up with its growth.

Lacey growing from town to city, looking at infrastructure needs

Lacey City Council discussed the city's long-term capital facilities plan, specifically its investments in its public works operations, animal services, and administration facilities during their … more

By JC Medina | 9/9/22

Four applicants failed the chief’s interview as discussed during a civil service commission meeting on September 8.

No new Tumwater police officer hired in August

Tumwater’s Civil Service Commissioners revealed that there had been no new police officer hired in August after all six applicants failed the application process. The applicants for … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/9/22

At-home COVID-19 tests are available free, by mail, to US residents.

Department of Health announces updated at-home COVID-19 testing guidance

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has announced updated guidance around COVID-19 at-home testing, including changes to how self-testing results should be reported and additional … more

9/9/22

Tumwater Starbucks workers are holding a strike this weekend.

Starbucks workers at Tumwater location announce two-day strike

In response to Starbucks’ continued union-busting practices, Starbucks workers from the Capitol Blvd and Trosper St. locations are going on a two-day strike. Workers from this store, located at … more

9/8/22 | 2 comments

Support your local artists this weekend in Tenino

Pablo Picasso once said, “The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.” This weekend you can take a bath from the daily humdrum by visiting the Creative Market … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 9/8/22

At Olympia Site Plan Review Committee meeting held on September 7, 2022, Artisans Group presented the floor plan for a three-story office building at 521 Capitol Way that would be transformed into mixed-use commercial building.

Old building in review for a mixed-use commercial space Capitol Way in Olympia

Olympia Site Plan Review Committee reviewed the possible adaptive reuse of a three-story office building at 521 Capitol Way S Wednesday, September 7. Project Architect Roussa Cassel said the … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/8/22 | 2 comments

Tumwater's road reconfiguration project involves the construction of three roundabouts along Capitol Boulevard, Interstate-5, and Trosper Road.

Tumwater rejects bids for Capitol Boulevard reconfiguration project

Tumwater will restart the bidding process for the reconfiguration project along Capitol Boulevard, Interstate-5, and Trosper Road after the city council rejected all five bids submitted for the … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/7/22 | 4 comments

Tumwater will donate an empty house at 6541 Henderson Blvd SE as low-income housing for women.

Tumwater donates vacant house to housing non-profit

Tumwater will donate an empty house at 6541 Henderson Boulevard SE to Homes First, a non-profit corporation based in Washington. Tumwater’s city council approved the donation after they … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/7/22

Lacey launched its Volunteer Litter Pickup Program yesterday, September 6, at the regular meeting of the city’s Transportation Committee.

Want to help the city and the environment? Join Lacey’s Volunteer Litter Pickup Program

Lacey kicked off its Volunteer Litter Pickup Program yesterday, September 6, at the regular meeting of the city’s Transportation Committee. Transportation Maintenance Supervisor Scott … more

By JC Medina | 9/7/22

Ram lineman VJ Ioane keeps the ball from the Patriots wide receiver Jay'Von Harrison

Rams batter Patriots, 24-16

The North Thurston High School smashed the Washington High School Patriots, 24-16 Friday, September 2 at the South Sound Stadium. This ends the Ram’s three-year drought, led by their new … more

By Gloria Towne | 9/5/22

Oregon Spotted frogs (Rana pretiosa) are vulnerable to climate change and are listed as endangered. The eyes of these frogs are oriented upward at roughly a 45-degree angle.

Endangered frogs no match for planned dynamite blast next Wednesday

There's a little-known creek that goes by at least two names in Thurston County, Hopkins Drainage Ditch and Salmon Creek. The little-known Hopkins Drainage Ditch District #2 (HDDD) is the government … more

By Danny Stusser | 9/2/22 | 8 comments

A map of the new Olympia School District boundaries.

New district boundaries for Olympia School Board elections

Olympia School District’s board of directors agreed to new boundaries for its five director districts during a special meeting held yesterday. Special purpose districts like the Olympia … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/2/22

Finance Director Troy Woo presented the 2022 budget amendments during the Lacey City Council meeting on September 1, 2022.

Lacey shifts spending in its fourth-quarter city budget

The Lacey City Council approved budget amendments for the last quarter of 2022 at its meeting yesterday. Finance Director Troy Woo said the amendment does not require extra money but a … more

By JC Medina | 9/2/22

At the Utility Advisory Committee meeting September 1, 2022, Water Resources Director Eric Christensen presented a table reflecting a proposed 5% to 6% increase in utility rates for 2023.

Olympia water, wastewater and garbage rates likely to rise next year

Olympia Water Resources Director Eric Christensen and Waste Resources Director Gary Franks recommended increasing utility rates to meet projected costs for 2023. At the Utility Advisory Committee … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/2/22 | 2 comments

The Olympia Parks Planning Department proposes a 9th Avenue section conversion to parkland. At the August 31, 2022 meeting, the Site Plan Committee postponed the proposal review.

Olympia Site Plan Committee postpones review of Rebecca Howard Park project

The presubmission conference on the proposed project for Rebecca Howard Park was postponed yesterday, August 31, by the Olympia Site Plan Committee. The project would provide community members with a … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/1/22

The Olympia Planning Commission's finance subcommittee convened on August 31 to review the financial plan for Capital Facilities Plan 2023-2028.

Olympian Planning Commission starts a review on CFP 2023-2028 financial plan

Olympia's Planning Commission started its review of the city's proposed budget for public facilities and resources that are part of Olympia's 2023-2028 Capital Facilities Plan (CFP). The … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/1/22

Thurston Economic Development Council names Heidi McCutcheon as Operations Director

The Thurston Economic Development Council (EDC) has named Heidi McCutcheon as Operations Director. The Operations Director is a critical leadership position at the EDC. In her role, … more

9/1/22

County proclaims National Preparedness Month and offers free tools to get prepared

The Thurston Board of County Commissioners proclaimed September National Preparedness Month to further promote family and community disaster planning and emergency preparedness. "We encourage all … more

By JC Medina | 8/31/22 | 1 comment

The Great Blue Heron, a protected species living in the George open space.

County approves open space application

The Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) held a public meeting on August 30 to discuss the open space application a 12.12-acre land parcel. The Open Space Taxation Act (RCW 84.34) was passed by … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 8/31/22 | 1 comment