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Olympia City Council members and city employees posed for a group photo after the adoption of the Public Service Recognition Month proclamation on Tuesday, April 28, 2026.

Olympia honors city workforce, proclaims May as Public Service Recognition Month

The Olympia City Council proclaimed May 2026 as Public Service Recognition Month, honoring more than 700 employees for sustaining core ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/4/26

At an Olympia City Council meeting on April 28, 2026, Finance Director Mike Githens presented a new online financial dashboard showing monthly revenue and spending data to help track the city’s budget.

Olympia unveils new online tool to track city finances

The City of Olympia launched a new online financial reporting tool designed to give city leaders and the public a clearer ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/4/26 | 5 comments

South Puget Sound Community College is a semifinalist for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. Courtesy of South Puget Sound Community College

SPSCC in the mix for $1 million excellence award

For the third time in a row, South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) is a semifinalist for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 5/4/26

Food inspection results in Thurston County – May 4, 2026

Restaurant inspection reports focus on two types of violations: red and ... more

By Vanessa Casabuena | 5/4/26

The price of regular unleaded gasoline was $5.999 per gallon at Chevron, 1018 Plum St. SE, in Olympia on Friday, May 1, 2026.

Regular unleaded gasoline hits record high in Olympia market

Gas prices surged to record highs in Olympia and the state of Washington amid a spike in crude oil costs brought on by ongoing tensions in ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 5/1/26 | 7 comments

Port of Olympia adopts resolution banning use of its properties for immigration enforcement operations

The Port of Olympia Commission unanimously adopted a resolution restricting the use of port properties and assets for civil immigration ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/1/26 | 13 comments

A sidewalk in need of repair in downtown Olympia, as seen on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025.

Olympia Planning Commission to review sidewalk repair policy feedback

The Olympia Planning Commission is going to look at an effort to develop a long-term sidewalk repair policy, as city staff will present early ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/1/26 | 2 comments

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners recognized winners of the 2025 Thurston County Art Contest.

Thurston County announces 3rd annual art contest, invites artists to capture county in motion

Creative residents in Thurston County are once again being invited to showcase their best ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 5/1/26

Community members are invited to join the Bike Month Celebration Ride on May 20, which is a group ride to Tumwater Historical Park, as part of the 39th annual Bicycle Community Challenge.

Olympia City Council designates May as Bicycle Month

The Olympia City Council proclaimed May as “Olympia Bicycle Month,” highlighting the role of cycling in improving public health, expanding ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/1/26 | 1 comment

Lacey City Attorney David Schneider, far left, briefed the Lacey City Council about a new national opioid settlement during a work session on Tuesday, April 28, 2026.

City of Lacey joins national opioid settlement

The Lacey City Council voted unanimously to join the latest round of the national opioid settlement with six drug distributors and ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 4/30/26 | 4 comments

A single-family residence under construction at 3rd Avenue and Sunbeam Street in south Olympia on Sunday, March 15, 2026.

Residential sales jump, median price falls in Thurston County

The residential housing market heated up in the final days of winter and early part of spring, as home sales jumped amid a slight decrease in the median ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 4/30/26

Javier Clavere was named the next Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Saint Martin's University.

Saint Martin’s University introduces Javier Clavere as new Provost, Vice President for Academics

After a national search, Saint Martin’s University announced the appointment of Javier Clavere, Ph.D., as the institution’s next provost ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/30/26 | 1 comment

The Tumwater City Council approved a $2.9 million contract with Schneider Equipment Inc. for the installation of two wells on the Brewery Wellfield. A third well will also be drilled if the two wells are not enough to meet a target production rate.

Two wells to be built on Brewery Wellfield in Tumwater

The City of Tumwater is set to reactivate the former wellfield that once supplied water for the Olympia Brewing Company with the ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/29/26 | 10 comments

The Thurston Regional Housing Council deliberated on affordable housing funding at a meeting on April 22, 2026.

Regional Housing Council recommends funding for nine affordable housing projects

The Thurston Regional Housing Council (RHC) advanced a slate of affordable housing recommendations totaling nearly $7.3 million ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/29/26 | 8 comments

State Sen. Sam Hunt, seen here on the Senate floor, died on Saturday, April 25, 2026. He was 83.

Sam Hunt, who represented Olympia in Washington Legislature for more than two decades, dies at 83

Longtime state lawmaker Sam Hunt, who represented Olympia in the Washington Legislature, died Saturday after a short battle with ... more

By Jake Goldstein-Street | Washington State Standard | 4/29/26 | 1 comment

The Tumwater School District Board of Directors recognized the Tumwater High School T-Birds for winning three state championships in Dance, Hip-Hop and Pom.

School board honors Tumwater High dance team for three state championships

The Tumwater School District Board of Directors recognized the Tumwater High School T-Birds for winning three state championships in ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/29/26

INSPIRE Women’s Business Conference to return with presentations, workshops and panel discussions

The INSPIRE Women’s Business Conference is returning this year as a dynamic, one-day event with keynote presentations, interactive ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/29/26 | 1 comment

Olympia City Hall is located at 601 4th Ave. E in downtown Olympia.

Olympia City Council weighs $100K workforce training scholarship proposal

The Olympia City Council is considering a proposal to invest $100,000 in a new workforce scholarship program that would fund trade ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/28/26 | 10 comments

Sergeant Randy Baughn, left, Sergeant Chris Tressler, acting Sergeant Tim Rios and Officer Chase Grimmett were recognized by the Tumwater Police Department at a Tumwater City Council meeting on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.

Tumwater Police Department personnel honored for saving life of pregnant woman

The Tumwater Police Department recognized five officers for saving the life of a pregnant woman and the child she was bearing during an incident ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/28/26 | 3 comments

The Tumwater School District Board of Directors delayed action on the staff expression policy to allow more discussions with staffers. The board made the decision at a meeting on April 23, 2026.

Tumwater School District delays action on staff expression policy

The Tumwater School District Board of Directors tabled a policy aimed at safeguarding staff freedom of expression, especially on social ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/28/26