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Olympia School District Board of Director Darcy Huffman introduced the Board Policy 1250 amendment that would seat one student representative from each OSD high school. The board unanimously approved the revised policy on June 9, 2022.

OSD to introduce two new student reps to the board

The Olympia School District (OSD) will introduce two new student representatives for the School Year 2022-2023 in the regular board meeting on Thursday, June 23. OSD has not named the students … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/21/22

Olympia Climate Program manager Dr. Pamela Braff discussed Washington State Commercial Energy Code that requires non-residential commercial buildings to meet solar-ready requirements during the Land Use and Environment Committee meeting on Thursday, June 16.

Climate program manager recommends Olympia adopt Washington State commercial energy code

Olympia Climate Program manager Dr. Pamela Braff recommended amending Washington State's Commercial Energy Code to include large multifamily buildings to meet solar readiness requirements in the … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/21/22 | 1 comment

Olympia committee wants the city to be 100% EV ready

Land Use and Environment Committee members are eyeing the possibility of a 100% EV (electric vehicle) readiness in all residential parking in Olympia. "Having that goal having access to EV … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/17/22

The Lacey City Council approved yesterday a new permit process for tree removal within the city, with a vote of four in favor and two opposed.

Tree City USA: Lacey amends tree-cutting regulations

The Lacey City Council approved a new permit process on tree removal within the city yesterday. Councilmember Michael Steadman pushed for amending the existing threshold of five tree removals … more

By JC Medina | 6/17/22 | 4 comments

John Mahone of Olympia Code Enforcement discussed establishing a vacant property registration program at a Land Use and Environment committee meeting on June 16, 2022.

Keeping track of vacant properties: Olympia considering a registry

Olympia's Land Use and Environment Committee will endorse an ordinance establishing a vacant property registration program to assist the city in identifying abandoned or vacant property. During … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/17/22 | 1 comment

This drawing shows the flow of energy in a small modular (nuclear) reactor, such as those being considered for the Centralia power plant.

Feds mull building nuke plant in Centralia

The United States Department of Energy (DOE) is considering constructing a nuclear power plant to replace either one or both coal-fired power plants in Centralia. Pacific Northwest National … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 6/16/22 | 11 comments

Rich Allen, Olympia's newly-appointed Chief of Police.

Rich Allen now Olympia police chief

After a two-year search and a prospect backing out, Olympia City Manager Jay Burney appointed Interim Police Chief Rich Allen the city’s permanent head of the city’s police department … more

By Edwin Oscar U. Gutierrez, Jr. | 6/16/22 | 2 comments

Tumwater Mayor Debbie Sullivan attended the Barnes Lake Management District (BLMD) Steering Committee June 8 meeting for the first time since she started her term in January this year.

Tumwater Mayor joins Barnes Lake Management District meeting for the first time

Tumwater Mayor Debbie Sullivan attended the Barnes Lake Management District (BLMD) Steering Committee meeting for the first time since she started her term in January this year. Sullivan said that … more

By JC Medina | 6/16/22

Olympia councilmembers Yan Huynh, Dani Madrone and Lisa Parshley sponsored a referral that aims to create a youth council.

Olympia mulls creating youth council

Olympia council member Yen Huynh proposed that the city create a youth council to engage young people in local government and ensure their voices are heard in crucial decisions. In a city council … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/16/22

Project engineer Chris Cramer updated the Site Plan Committee Review committee on a proposed 59-housing unit at 1627 Elizabeth St. on June 15, 2022.

Elizabeth St. housing to include two roads to 18th Ave.

Olympia’s Site Plan Review committee yesterday heard an updated plan for the 57-unit Elizabeth Street multifamily housing project at 1627 Elizabeth St. SE. According to project engineer … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/16/22

A statue of St. Benedict at Saint Martin's University.

Saint Martin's University names eleventh cohort of Benedictine Scholars

Ten incoming Saint Martin’s University first-year students have been selected to serve as the eleventh cohort of Benedictine Scholars. “I am excited to begin working with … more

6/15/22

TRPC eyeing a big portion of $75 million Move Ahead Washington fund to fix I-5 Nisqually River bridges

Thurston Regional Planning Council Executive Director Marc Daily wants over $54 million of the $75 million appropriations from the Move Ahead Washington fund to fix the Nisqually River Delta … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/13/22

Project co-lead Simran Sarai accepts The Year of the Salish Sea proclamation, signed by the Olympia city council members on June 7, 2022.

Olympia signs proclamation to protect Salish Sea

Olympia declared June 8, 2022 to June 7, 2023 as the Year of the Salish Sea. By signing the proclamation on Tuesday, June 7, council members expressed commitment with the StehChass people of … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/13/22 | 3 comments

Oly school board member Justin McKaughan resigns

Olympia School District Board of Directors vice president Justin McKaughan announced yesterday that he is stepping down from his post. McKaughan did not elaborate on the reason for his resignation … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/10/22

Olympia's waste recovery vehicles are reaching the end of their useful lives now; electric-powered replacements are not yet available, according to city staff.

Olympia city manager wants traditional garbage trucks now, electric later

Olympia City manager Jay Burney has asked the city council to approve the purchase of six gasoline-fueled waste refuse collection trucks instead of electric ones to replace the existing garbage … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/10/22 | 3 comments

Shown above, l-r: Constance Dodds, Senior Regional Partnerships Manager at WGU Washington, Alicia Dufay, Ben Dufay (Alicia's husband), Angela Condon, Strategic Partnerships Manager - Military Outreach at WGU and Brendan Chertok, Principal of Garfield Elementary School.

Local teacher awarded surprise scholarship

An Olympia teacher received a scholarship in a surprise visit from Western Governors University (WGU) earlier today at her school. Garfield Elementary School Grade 2 Alicia Dufay had a visit from … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 6/9/22

The Olympia City Council approves the agenda for mid-term retreat to be held on Saturday, June 18 at the council chambers.

Olympia City Council midterm retreat to focus on finances, city projects

The Olympia City Council will discuss long-term financial strategy as one of its agenda items in its mid-year retreat on Saturday, June 18. According to city manager Jay Burney, there will be a … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/9/22

Olympia Site Plan reviewed Olympic Capitol Growth’s plans to build60 townhomes off of Sleater-Kinney Road NE during its meeting on June 8, 2022.

Olympia Site Plan hears 60-townhome project proposal

Olympia Site Plan Committee yesterday heard Olympic Capital Growth's proposal to build 60 townhomes on a five-acre parcel near North Thurston High School, just west of Sleater-Kinney Road … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/9/22

Emily Waugh, Reeves Middle School librarian-teacher, participated in the public comment during the Olympia School District regular meeting held Thursday, May 26.

Reeves Middle School parents question staffing reduction proposal

Parents expressed concern about the proposed staff reduction at Olympia’s Reeves Middle School, saying the cuts would have an extraordinarily high and unfair impact on … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/9/22

The Tumwater General Government Committee reviewed the proposed amendments for the Tumwater Municipal Code (TMC) prior to the submission to the City Council’s consent agenda.

Tumwater mulls tweaking municipal code

The Tumwater General Government Committee reviewed the proposed amendments for the Tumwater Municipal Code (TMC) prior to submitting them to the City Council. During yesterday’s meeting, … more

By JC Medina | 6/9/22