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Thurston County officials considered ways to improve transparency in board procedures during the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners agenda setting meeting on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. Officials suggested changes to how consent agenda items are presented.

Thurston County commissioners say big decisions deserve more attention from locals 

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) is questioning how well the public is being kept informed about high-impact ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 4/9/25 | 3 comments

Thurston County has become the first county in Washington to implement a comprehensive Fetal and Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) Program, as presented by the team during a Board of Health meeting on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.

Thurston County pioneers Fetal and Infant Mortality Review Program

Thurston County has become the first in the state of Washington to implement a comprehensive Fetal and Infant Mortality Review Program (FIMR) ... more

By JC Medina | 4/9/25

A slide from Dan Smith’s presentation to the Tumwater Public Works Committee on Thursday, April 3, 2025, showed the location of the Velkommen Mobile Home Park on 70th Avenue in Tumwater.

Tumwater, developer work to connect mobile home park with sewer

A mobile home park on 70th Avenue in Tumwater is being converted to the city sewer, and the municipality is helping the developer with the ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/9/25 | 5 comments

The Thurston Board of Health officially proclaimed April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month during a meeting on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, that featured presentations from key stakeholders in child welfare.

Health board proclaims April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month

The Thurston County Board of Health officially proclaimed April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month, underscoring the community's responsibility to ... more

By JC Medina | 4/9/25

Participants of the 2024 Earth Day Market Ride at the Heritage Park Fountain in Olympia on April 19, 2024.

Intercity Transit invites community to join Earth Day Market Ride

Intercity Transit invites the community to join the Earth Day Market Ride, a cycling event on Saturday, April 19. The event offers an opportunity to enjoy a bike ride around town with … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/9/25

Olympia Associate Planner Casey Schaufler presented proposed code amendments to support urban agriculture at a Planning Commission meeting on Monday, April 7, 2025.

Olympia Planning Commission briefed on agricultural expansion plan

The Olympia Planning Commission received an update on proposed amendments to city codes that would expand urban agricultural opportunities across ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/8/25 | 1 comment

The north entrance of the Olympia-Lacey Amtrak Station, as seen in this undated photo.

All trips running on Amtrak's popular Cascades route

All aboard! A popular train route from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Eugene, Oregon, is back on track after Amtrak rustled up a ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 4/8/25 | 2 comments

Patrick Soderberg (top right) of Tumwater’s water resources department, briefed the Public Works Committee on Thursday, April 3, 2025, about a grant agreement with the Washington State Department of Ecology to fund the development of a Nutrient Reduction Enhanced Maintenance Plan that will address pollutants in the city’s stormwater system.

Tumwater receives grant to develop plan for reducing pollutants in stormwater runoff

The City of Tumwater has received a state grant to address pollutants in its stormwater system. The Tumwater Public Works Committee endorsed a grant agreement with the Washington ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/8/25 | 2 comments

2024 Law Day Speech Contest champion Natasha Thompson was recognized for her take on Initiative 2113 during a ceremony hosted by the Thurston County Bar Association and West Olympia Rotary Club.

Thurston County teens to debate birthright citizenship in courtroom contest

Thurston County high school students will enter Superior Court later this month, not as jurors but as young orators, to debate one of the country’s most unsettled legal ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 4/8/25 | 4 comments

Registration deadline looms for April 22 special election in Tumwater

The voter registration deadline is less than a week away for certain registrations and updates for the April 22 special election in the ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 4/8/25

The South Sound Block Party returns to Olympia on Aug. 22-23, 2025.

Olympia punk act Bratmobile to headline South Sound Block Party in August

The South Sound Block Party on Aug. 22-23, 2025 will be headlined by Olympia punk rock icon Bratmobile. The annual community party is a gathering of musicians and music lovers produced … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/8/25

Tumwater’s 28th Annual Egg Dash and “Where’s the Peep?” virtual contest returns on April 14-19, 2025.

Tumwater annual Easter Egg Dash, 'Where’s the Peep?' virtual contest returns next week

The Tumwater Parks & Recreation Department is holding the 28th annual Egg Dash and “Where’s the Peep?” virtual contest next week. The Egg Dash will be held at the … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/8/25

Thousands of people gathered for the "Hands Off!" protest at the Washington Capitol Campus in Olympia on Saturday afternoon, April 5, 2025.

Thousands of people protest Trump administration polices at 'Hands Off!' event in Olympia

Thousands of people descended upon the Washington Capitol Campus in Olympia on Saturday, April 5, to protest federal program cuts and policies implemented by ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 4/7/25 | 18 comments

Shown above are event spaces at the Thurston County Fairgrounds available for public rental in 2025, including the Thurston Expo Center, Historic Heritage Hall, and Sokolik Building.

New 2025 venue rental rates released for hosting celebrations in Thurston County

Thurston County rolled out its official 2025 rental rates for the Fairgrounds and Event Center, giving organizers the full picture on how much it costs to ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 4/7/25 | 1 comment

Regional Housing Council to review homeless services and affordable housing project funding

The Thurston County Regional Housing Council (RHC) is set to review recommendations for homeless services programs, with $12.8 million in funding available to ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/7/25

SPSCC student cybersecurity team heading to Florida for invitational competition

The South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) student cybersecurity team is heading to Florida to compete in the NCAE Cyber Games ... more

By Jessie Darland | 4/7/25

Violette McCullough, a homeschooled student from Olympia, served as a page in the Washington State House of Representatives during the last week of March 2025. She is pictured with Rep. Victoria Hunt, D-Issaquah.

Homeschooled student serves as page in Washington House of Representatives

Violette McCullough, a homeschooled student from Olympia, recently served as a page in the Washington ... more

By JC Medina | 4/7/25

Regional Transportation Plan 2050 heading for public review in Thurston County

A draft of the Regional Transportation Plan 2050 for Thurston County moved closer to being released for public review after clearing another hurdle in ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 4/7/25 | 2 comments

Lacey's Human Services Commission unanimously recommended a new $35,000 cap on funding for individual public service programs at a meeting on Thursday, April 3, 2025.

Lacey eyes implementing $35K cap on Human Services grants to expand community impact

The City of Lacey's Human Services Commission advanced its 2025 Human Services Program Grant Program with a recommendation to implement a new $35,000 cap on ... more

By JC Medina | 4/7/25

Olympia Yacht Club to host annual SEA Day

An annual effort to highlight best environmental and safety practices will get underway later this month. The Olympia Yacht Club will host it's annual SEA Day on Saturday, April 19, at its … more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 4/7/25