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Olympia’s Community Planning and Development Senior Planner David Gunther briefs the Planning Commission on Monday, Aug. 5 about the Comprehensive Plan's update to the Public Participation and Partners chapter.

Olympia Planning Commission works on Public Participation and Partners policy

Planning Commission considers proposed amendments to chapter of comprehensive plan At a meeting on Monday, August 5, the City of Olympia’s Planning Commission received a briefing on the … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 8/7/24

The Olympia School District discussed changes to its policy 6000 (management support), 5000 (personnel), and 3000 (students) Series at a work session on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.

Olympia School Board reviews policies management, personnel, student policies

The Olympia School District (OSD) Board of Directors reviewed policies related to management support, personnel, and students at a work session on Thursday, August 1. more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 8/6/24

A diagram showing the current foundations of the brewhouse combined with the planned seismic improvements for the structure. The restoration of the historic brewhouse is one of the beneficiary projects of Tumwater's Lodging Tax.

Tumwater invites applications for 2025 lodging tax funding

The City of Tumwater is now accepting applicants who seek to receive funding from lodging taxes. more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/6/24

Olympia Housing Program specialist Christa Lenssen presented an overview of the Black Housing Initiative at the Thurston Regional Housing Council on July 24, 2024.

Olympia to consider collaboration with Black Home Initiative

Regional Housing Council expresses interest in the partnership more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/6/24 | 5 comments

Annette Pitts (standing in photo), CEO of Experience Olympia & Beyond, presents the Thurston County Master Plan to the South Thurston Economic Development Initiative.

Experience Olympia & Beyond presents Destination Master Plan

South Thurston Economic Development Initiative learns purpose, uses of county-wide plan. Annette Pitts, a Certified Destination Management Executive and CEO of Experience Olympia & Beyond (EOB) , served as guest speaker at the South Thurston Economic Development Initiative (STEDI), … more

By Jeffrey Westbrook | 8/5/24 | 3 comments

Washington State Department of Enterprise Services requests funding from the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) program for the Deschutes Estuary Restoration project.

Thurston Council's Technical Advisory Committee reviews federal grant proposals

South Thurston Economic Development Initiative learns purpose, uses of county-wide plan. The Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) received 21 proposals for the 2024 Federal Transportation Grant Funding Call for Projects... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/5/24

During a presentation to the Board of County Commissioners, county staff showed a slide explaining how the general facility charge is calculated.

County considers updated water connection fees for Grand Mound, Boston Harbor

County staff wants the Board of County Commissioners to impose an updated fee system to connect to the county’s recently consolidated water and sewer system. Tim Wilson, the county’s … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/2/24 | 3 comments

One of the many signs directing voters to the voting center at South Puget Sound Community College.

Find a Thurston County voting center for August 6 primary election

Thurston County residents can register to vote, update their voter information, request a ballot, and access election information, including voters' pamphlets in their nearest voting center. … more

By Darlanne Cruz | 8/2/24

The Thurston Regional Planning Council requested a proposal for a road retrofit planning study to improve water quality in South Puget Sound.

Thurston Regional Planning Council seeks consultant for road retrofit planning study

The Thurston Regional Planning Council is leading a collaborative initiative with local jurisdictions and stakeholders to develop science-based, data-driven tools for identifying and prioritizing … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/1/24 | 2 comments

Thurston County seeks volunteers for Master Recycler Composter program

The Thurston County Master Recycler Composter (MRC) Volunteer Training program is now open for applications. This initiative, run by the Washington State University (WSU) Thurston County … more

By Darlanne Cruz | 8/1/24

Thurston County Fair opens today

The Thurston Board of County Commissioners has officially proclaimed July 31 through August 4, 2024, as "Thurston County Fair Weekend," encouraging all residents to participate in and recognize the … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado and JC Medina | 7/31/24

Thurston’s Population Health Program Manager Alicia Hughes attended the Board of County Commissioners public meeting on July 30 to ask for the approval of the Interlocal Agreement (ILA) with Capital Region Educational Service District (ESD) 113 to implement the Youth Tobacco Prevention Program.

County approves interlocal agreement for Youth Tobacco Prevention Program

The Thurston Board of County Commissioners has given the Interlocal Agreement (ILA) with Capital Region Educational Service District (ESD) 113 the thumbs-up to implement the Youth Tobacco Prevention … more

By JC Medina | 7/31/24

Tumwater School District Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Ben Rarick explains the upcoming school year’s budget at a meeting with the school board and community members on July 29, 2024.

Tumwater Schools project increasing enrollment at budget hearing

At its July 29 meeting, the Tumwater School District ( TSD ) Board held a public hearing on the proposed 2024-25 budget and extended its General Fund budget for the current year. more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 7/30/24 | 1 comment

Burfoot Park's Trail System (pictured) is slated for improvements as part of Thurston County's CFP projects.

Thurston County departments outline 2025-30 Capital Facilities Plan projects

Thurston County Community Planning & Economic Development (CPED), Public Works, and Central Services convened to share upcoming projects under the Capital Facilities Plan (CFP) at a meeting on … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 7/29/24

Youth Council advisors plan to hold a community engagement event on Aug. 17, 2024, from 1-4 p.m. at Percival Landing Park, to provide space for local youth to collaborate and share ideas in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

Olympia committee approves framework for inaugural Youth Council

The Olympia Community Livability and Public Safety Committee has approved the recommendations presented by the youth advisors, paving the way for the inaugural Youth Council to take shape. … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/29/24

A mural at 222 Capitol Way North recalls Rebecca Howard, an Olympia pioneer.

An expanded Rebecca Howard Park might include several new features

If a coffee shop is included, the design might aim to replicate the facade of the historic Pacific House Hotel to celebrate Rebecca Howard's legacy as a pioneering Olympia Black business owner more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/27/24 | 1 comment

The Commercial Aviation Work Group (CAWG), meeting for the first time on Thursday, July 11, is tasked with resolving Washington’s projected aviation capacity shortage. Interim chairman Evan Nordby (left-center) addresses the group.

Public commenters raise concerns at Commercial Aviation Work Group inaugural meeting

When the newest iteration of a group tasked with relieving Washington’s projected aviation capacity shortage held its inaugural meeting , community members weighed in on the committee, its … more

By Jeffrey Westbrook | 7/26/24 | 5 comments

The request concerns an 8.17-acre parcel along the Martin Way corridor in the unincorporated portion of the Lacey Urban Growth Area.

Lacey Planning Commission reviews county’s rezone request for Martin Way property

The Lacey Planning Commission recently received an introductory briefing from Planning Manager Ryan Andrews on an out-of-cycle rezone request from Thurston County. The request concerns an … more

By JC Medina | 7/25/24 | 1 comment

The online and mail voter registration deadline for the 2024 Primaries is July 29, while the deadline for in-person registration is August 6.

Primary election is August 6, there's still time to register to vote

The August 6 Primary Election is fast approaching, and here are important deadlines and information you need to know. The online and mail voter registration deadline is July 29, while the … more

By Darlanne Cruz | 7/25/24

Silhouettes of diverse people overlapping

Olympia residents report high rates of discrimination, especially among marginalized groups

A survey of Olympia residents has revealed widespread discrimination, with marginalized groups like transgender individuals, people of color, and those with disabilities facing the most frequent … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/25/24 | 15 comments