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Attendees of the Bible Presbyterian Church’s 87th General Synod listen to host pastor, the Rev. Tito Lyro, of Bible Presbyterian Church of Olympia. The plenary sessions of the denomination-wide annual meeting took place in this large tent on the church grounds.

Olympia church hosts denomination’s international Synod

The Bible Presbyterian Church of Olympia hosted the 87 th General Synod of the Bible Presbyterian Church (BPC) on its grounds on Sleater-Kinney Road in August. The Rev. Tito Lyro serves as pastor of … more

By Jeffrey Westbrook | 9/3/24

Max Baeder (on the right) finished 9th out of 63 participants in the men’s 5k cross country event at the Puget Sound Invitational, the first event of the Evergreen XC team this season.

Evergreen Cross Country takes off running at Puget Sound Invitational

Evergreen State College opened its cross-country account this season with favorable results. On Saturday morning, August 31, they competed and braved the hot weather in the 2024 University of … more

By Vince Zafra | 9/3/24

Olympia workers share struggles with inconsistent schedules and low pay

At the Olympia Finance Committee meeting on Aug. 26, several local workers spoke about their challenges with inconsistent scheduling, reduced hours, and the need for higher wages and better working … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/2/24 | 5 comments

The exhaust flue separated from the boiler and allowed carbon monoxide to escape into the house.

Charges laid in TESC student housing death bear striking similarities to Whatcom County tragedy

A case of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning at The Evergreen State College (TESC) that has striking parallels to the 2021 deaths of two people in Point Roberts, Washington, has led to charges against … more

By Pat Grubb | The Northern Light | 9/2/24 | 5 comments

The Clipper Athletics program announced the schedule of its fall sports program.

SPSCC Clippers gear up for fall season sports kickoff

After a summer break for the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC), South Puget Sound Community College ( SPSCC ) gears up for the return of NWAC competition this September . The college release … more

By Vince Zafra | 9/2/24

On Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, the Thurston Regional Housing Council voted to endorse the letter supporting the Black Home Initiative's expansion to the county

Thurston council votes to support the Black Home Initiative expansion

The Thurston County Regional Housing Council (RHC), on Wednesday, August 28, voted to support the expansion of the Black Home Initiative (BHI) to Thurston County. The BHI is a program … more

By Lorilyn Lirio and Jerome Tuaño | 8/30/24 | 12 comments

Evergreen State College’s Peyton Rhyne (in white) takes on a defender. She was involved in all three goals scored by the Geoducks in their 4-3 loss against Fraser Valley.

Evergreen falls in season opener to Fraser Valley

Two goals and one assist from senior Peyton Rhyne are not enough for Evergreen State College as they came short against a resolute Fraser Valley in their first game in the 2024 fall season held … more

By Vince Zafra | 8/30/24

Thurston County proclaims Aug. 31 Overdose Awareness Day

The Thurston County Board of Supervisors joined Lacey and Olympia City Councils in declaring August 31 as International Overdose Awareness Day in the county. According to a press release from … more

By Jeffrey Westbrook | 8/30/24

At Wednesday's Regional Housing Council meeting, Affordable Housing Program coordinator Jacinda Steltjes announced that Olympia and Thurston County are pursuing HUD's Pathways to Removing Obstacles Housing Grant (PRO) Housing funding program.

Olympia, Thurston County team up for second chance at federal housing funds

Olympia and Thurston County are jointly pursuing a federal grant to boost affordable homeownership through the Housing and Urban Development's $100 million Pathways to Removing Obstacles Housing … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/29/24

The Olympia Finance Committee received an update on the Washington State Bar Association’s revised standards for indigent defense services, which would require about $1.2 million to implement the new standards in 2025.

Olympia needs to double its budget for criminal defense attorneys each year until 2027

New state standards obligate the City of Olympia to spend more money in coming years to provide criminal defense attorneys to those who cannot afford to defend themselves in the city's municipal … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/28/24 | 9 comments

Caption: Sophia Scroggins serves for Evergreen State College  at a pre-season tournament hosted by Providence University in Great Falls, MT.

Geoducks kick off 2024 volleyball season flat

The Evergreen State College women finish winless in University of Providence tournament The Evergreen State College Volleyball season is off to a rusty start as the Geoducks won none of its four opening games in a tournament hosted by … more

By Vince Zafra | 8/28/24

Suzuka Yosue’s top performances this summer caught the attention of Greek side REA, and she is bound for Greece for her first professional stint.

Some FC Olympia Artesians move to pro and collegiate soccer teams

After a successful season of summer soccer in four different leagues, FC Olympia strengthen ed its path-to-pro goal for soccer players in the community as they announced that several of their players … more

By Vince Zafra | 8/28/24 | 1 comment

What's happening around here — Olympia Harbor Days and other festivities

Join one of the largest maritime and tugboat festivals or watch the other equally fun activities. more

8/28/24

Olympia Finance Committee, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. Joan Lutz, the city's Budget and Finance manager, outlines key budget assumptions. The general fund revenue is estimated at $106 million, while the expenses are estimated at $118 million.

Olympia faces $12 million general fund deficit

City manager outlines budget balancing strategies Olympia is facing a starting deficit of $12 million in the general fund as it begins the 2025 budget update process. At its meeting on Monday, City Manager Jay Burney presented an early look at … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/27/24 | 12 comments

Dan Smith, Tumwater’s water resources director, showed the Tumwater Public Works Committee a map of Brewery Wellfield, which is located near Cleveland Avenue and Tumwater Valley Golf Course and is the site of more than 30 old wells.

Tumwater set to finalize acquisition of Lacey’s water rights in Brewery Wellfield

Tumwater Public Works Committee endorsed to its city council an agreement with Lacey to acquire Lacey’s water rights at the Brewery Wellfield for $2,400,461. The purchase includes transferring … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/27/24 | 3 comments

The House at Pooh Corner will run from September 27 to October 13.

Pooh and friends take the stage at Olympia Family Theater

The House at Pooh Corner to run from the end of September to early October The Olympia Family Theater (OFT)’s next MainStage production is The House at Pooh Corner, which will run from September 27 to October 13 at the theater in Olympia. The play revolves around … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 8/27/24 | 1 comment

Community members and Director Maria Flores lambasted the Olympia School District Board anew at a regular meeting on Thursday, August 22, 2024.

OSD director condemns colleagues' negative treatment, community criticizes board’s behavior

Olympia School District (OSD) Board Director Maria Flores, together with community members, lambasted other directors following public criticism of the out-of-town retreat last August 10 at Belfair, … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 8/26/24 | 4 comments

The Olympia School District Board of Directors meets in the North Mason School District Boardroom in Belfair on Saturday, Aug. 11. The board members sat far from the designated public seating area and/ or had their backs to the public, and they did not use microphones. Pictured are (left-right) Jess Tourtellotte-Palumbo, Darcy Huffman, President Hilary Seidel, Maria Flores, V.P Scott Clifthorne (standing). Back: student reps Kellan Eggleston, Declan Borden, and Vy Le (not pictured: student rep Sovana Roberts, attending via Zoom).

School closure discussions still a topic in Olympia

Note: This is part four in a series of articles about the Olympia School District Board of Directors’ Summer Retreat at North Mason School District in Belfair on Saturday, Aug. 10. In … more

By Jeffrey Westbrook | 8/26/24 | 1 comment

The proposed Coast Welcome Figure is to be installed at Isthmus Park, located at 531 4th Ave W.

Coast Welcome Figure Sculpture proposed for Isthmus Park

At its Wednesday meeting, the Olympia Site Plan Review Committee held a presubmission conference for the proposed installation of a 12-foot welcome figure carving in the city's Isthmus Park. In … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/26/24

Under construction road sign, traffic cones and orange safety helmet

Tilley Road to temporarily close for repairs on August 28

Olympia residents and commuters should prepare for a temporary road closure on Tilley Road S between Maytown Road SW and 140th Avenue SW. The road will be shut down for asphalt repairs on … more

8/26/24