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The Lacey City Council is set to decide on August 4 whether to rezone five acres of primarily forested land to Moderate Density Residential.

Lacey to decide on rezoning forested land as moderate density residential

The Lacey City Council is set to decide on August 4 whether to approve or not the application of Prime Development Group to rezone five acres of primarily forested land from Low-Density Residential … more

By JC Medina | 6/29/22 | 2 comments

The Thurston County Housing Authority is interested in purchasing the former OYO Hotel in Tumwater, above, and converting it into long-term housing for senior citizens and "neighbors with disabilities."

Port continues to seek a path to enable conversion of OYO hotel to affordable housing

The Port of Olympia commissioners expressed willingness to collaborate with the Regional Housing Council (RHC), directing Port Executive Director Sam Gibboney to reach out to discuss the Housing … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/28/22 | 3 comments

Strategic Projects manager Amy Buckler showed the timeline for Olympia Strong, the city's economic resiliency plan, process and implementation during the Planning Commission meeting on June 27, 2022.

Most of Thurston Strong business grants go to Olympia businesses

Olympia-based businesses received almost 60% of the $7 million of Thurston Strong's COVID-related grants for businesses and workforce, according to Olympia Economic Development Director Mike Reid, … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/28/22

Olympia Regional Learning Academy student Jabron Amil Smith receives his diploma from Olympia School Board President Maria Flores.

Congratulations ORLA Class of 2022

This year's graduating class of Olympia Regional Learning Academy (ORLA) received their diplomas in front of friends and family on June 8 at Indian Summer Golf and Country … more

6/28/22

Visitors on June 27, 2022 arrived at the Cooper Crest Forest to see the these signs warning would-be hikers away from the property.

Surprise logging operation in west Olympia has galvanized neighbors

Olympia residents near 20th Avenue NW and Cooper Point Road were surprised this morning when they discovered that 20th Avenue was being shut down with no notice for a logging operation … more

By Sage Hamilton and Danny Stusser | 6/27/22 | 10 comments

At the OSD board meeting on Thursday, June 23, Business and Finance director Kate Davis presented results of a district-wide survey.

What did Olympia school parents tell the district?

Parents and students want the schools to prioritize teaching, academic support, and social-emotional support, according to the online survey conducted by the Olympia School District from May 16 … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/27/22 | 3 comments

Rahma Gaye of Capitol High School (left) and Olympia High School’s Christine Zhang (right).

School board welcomes new student reps; says thanks to Scott and Pineda

Rahma Gaye of Capitol High School and Olympia High School’s Christine Zhang took the oath as student representatives to the Olympia School District Board for the 2022-2023 school year. Darcy … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/27/22

Olympia Police Chief Rich Allen will appear at an online meeting on Tuesday, June 28.

New OPD chief to hold online public meeting on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

Newly-appointed Olympia Police Chief Rich Allen is inviting the public to join him in an online meeting, where he will address some questions on various issues on Tuesday, June 28, at 6 p.m. Allen … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/24/22

Darcy Huffman was elected as the new OSD Board of Directors vice president.

Darcy Huffman is the new Olympia school board vice president

Darcy Huffman is the new Olympia School District Board of Directors vice president after a unanimous vote from the board members during the board meeting last night. Huffman will hold the … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/24/22

Governor Jay Inslee shoots a selfie with his wife, Trudi, at the formal opening of the Capitol Campus Pollinator Garden on June 22, 2022.

Olympia’s newest park is for the bees

Olympia’s newest park offers something for toddlers, seniors, skaters, lunch-packers, grade-schoolers, gardeners and beekeepers. Not only that, Olympia didn’t have to pay a penny for … more

By Danny Stusser | 6/24/22

Olympia High School graduates (from left) Ella Sherin, Smriti Somasundaram, Whitney Sederberg and Liyana Alam take in the crowd before walking down the aisle at their graduation on June 21 at Saint Martin’s University.

Congratulations Oly Bears of 2022!

Olympia High School's graduates marched last Tuesday, June 21 at Saint Martin's University to collect their diplomas in front of family and friends. Olympia School District Superintendent … more

6/24/22

Charlotte Persons asked the city council to review the city staff study on Multifamily Tax Exemption program before giving tax breaks to Madrone Apartments and Market Flats. Persons, who participated in the public comment segment, made the request during the city council meeting on June 21, 2022.

Public challenges council about tax breaks for housing developers

Four residents expressed opposition to giving tax exemptions to multifamily housing developers. Public commenters asked the councilmembers to remove from the calendar consent two items: approval … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/23/22 | 2 comments

The Site Plan Review Committee heard a proposal to build 70 residences at what is now the Homeless Mitigation Site during its meeting on June 22, 2022.

70-unit apartment building proposed at corner of Franklin and Olympia

The Site Plan Review Committee yesterday reviewed a proposed project that would build 70 multifamily units on a 14,375 square-foot parcel lot at 303 Franklin St. NE at the NE corner with Olympia … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/23/22

This is the Three Lakes Preliminary Plat and PUD submitted to the city of Tumwater.

Three Lakes Crossing development in Tumwater could create 45 new homes

Development of the Three Lakes Crossing property in Tumwater is in consideration for approval. This development would create 45 homes. Copper Ridge, LLC based in Puyallup is the applicant for this … more

By Sage Hamilton | 6/23/22

Some of Capital High School's Class of 2022.

Congratulations Capital High School Class of 2022

Capital High School’s 2022 graduates marched on Friday, June 17 in front of friends,family and guests. Speakers included Olympia School Superintendent Patrick Murphy, School Board Vice … more

6/22/22

Olympia city attorney Mark Barber described the ordinance that prohibits open carry of guns at locations of public meetings on June 21, 2022.

Olympia restricts open carry firearms in city hall, other locations

The Olympia City council approved an ordinance that echos a new state law prohibiting open carry of firearms and other weapons in city hall, council chambers or any locations used in connection with … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/22/22 | 3 comments

During the Olympia City Council meeting on June 21, 2022, Housing Programs manager Darian Lightfoot described a state contract to build and manage tiny homes on Franz-Anderson Road property.

State grant to cover cost to build and run 50 tiny-home village to support homeless

The Washington State Department of Commerce has allocated $6.2 million to build and manage tiny houses on Franz-Anderson Road, Olympia Housing Programs manager Darian Lightfoot reported to the city … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/22/22

Tumwater and Olympia are considering several options for the size and makeup of the proposed regional fire authority's board.

How to merge fire departments? Here’s what Tumwater and Olympia are considering

Olympia and Tumwater are working through details of the planned merger of their fire departments. During Tumwater’s city council meeting yesterday the members were briefed about governance … more

By Sage Hamilton | 6/22/22

The 3000 Pacific Ave. SE building in Olympia will house the offices of county Auditor, Community Planning and Economic Development, Board of County Commissioners, Information Technology, Board of Equalization, Human Resources, Geodata, Central Services Administration and Treasurer.

Thurston approves $2M budget for Atrium furniture, fixtures

Subhead: Voting 2-1, the Thurston Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) awarded yesterday the $2,025,558 contract to Gordon Products Inc, which does business as The Creative Office, for … more

By JC Medina | 6/22/22 | 4 comments

INTERVIEW: Rep. Andrew Barkis speaks about early-morning attack at his multi-use building

Early last Monday, two masked men broke a window at Hometown Property Management, a business owned by State Rep. Andrew Barkis (WA-District 2, R) and attempted to set the building on … more

By Danny Stusser | 6/22/22 | 2 comments