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TOP STORIES

Are you ready to pay 47% more for fire and EMS in 2024 than you did in 2022?

The Regional Fire Authority (RFA) planning committee will meet for the 12th time this Monday, August 8 at 5:30 p.m. to prepare its recommendations to Olympia and Tumwater city councils the following …
A dramatic view of the clearcut forest showing the bare hills of Green Cove Creek Watershed from a drone photo.
In June, neighbors near 20th Avenue NW and Cooper Point Road were surprised by a logging operation about which that they had had no meaningful notice. Many trees in a beautiful, forested area were …
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These are the residence buildings at Quince Street Village, four of dozens already moved from the Mitigation Site in downtown Olympia.
Quince Street Village, the new location for Olympia’s Mitigation Site project for the homeless, accepted its first batch of 12 occupants on Monday, August 1. According to the city’s …
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The Lacey City Council signed a memorandum of agreement August 4, 2022 with North Thurston Public Schools and the South Sound YMCA to start the feasibility study of a Young Child and Families Center.
The Lacey City Council signed a memorandum of agreement yesterday, August 4, with North Thurston Public Schools and the South Sound YMCA to fund afeasibility study of what’s being called  …
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The scales of justice represent the balance between fairness and injustice.
A Lacey man was arrested on suspicion of hurling rocks at two security guards who were working at the Intercity Transit Center on State Avenue NE. The reporting party wrote in his witness …
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The maps show areas involved in the Thurston Bountiful Byway's Corridor Management Plan by Experience Olympia and Beyond.
Experience Olympia and Beyond will hold six public workshop sessions beginning Monday, August 8, seeking community members’ thoughts on the Thurston Bountiful Byway Corridor Management …
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Engineering and planning supervisor Susan Clark was at the Utilities Advisory Committee meeting on Aug. 4, 2022, to discuss the six-year projects for stormwater, wastewater, and drinking water utilities.
    Olympia  is contemplating applying for federal Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grants to fund the city's utilities projects. The Federal Emergency …
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Jill Severn
A walk in the neighborhood confirms that early August is the time when all our garden successes and shortcomings become obvious. This year it’s also been a week of reckoning about which …
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Apparently unafraid of a driver in a car, this coyote, was photographed from a distance of approximately 30 feet on June 15, 2022 in Olympia's Eastside neighborhood.
Coyotes have become practically ubiquitous across the lower 48 United States, and they are increasingly turning up in suburban areas like Thurston County. The draws are abundant food and green space.
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The City of Lacey is mulling updating its Municipal Code 16.36 related to the Neighborhood Commercial Zone following concerns against the decision to approve the controversial Meridian Gas Station.
Lacey is mulling updating its Municipal Code 16.36 related to the Neighborhood Commercial Zone following in the wake of the controversial Meridian Gas Station’s approval. During the …
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Early primary election results show some clear winners
Primary elections were held throughout Washington on Tuesday, August 2, and results for many Thurston County races appear to be settled. That’s because we have a “Top Two” system …
Tumwater amends certain multi-unit development regulations to measure its public benefits
Several provisions of the Tumwater Municipal Code relating to planned unit development (PUD) were revised yesterday, August 1, after the Tumwater City Council approved Ordinance No. O2022-006, which …
Lacey cautions Long Lake goers
Lacey is warning community members to take care when swimming in the waters of Long Lake. In a Facebook post earlier today, Lacey authorities revealed that it has received two reports of …
Reclaimed water safe to use—LOTT study
A decade-long LOTT Clean Water Alliance study assured reclaimed water has "very low risk" to human health and "no risk" to ecological health. During the Lacey City Council work session yesterday, …
OlyWines aims to help people embark on a journey
For cellar master Ed Schlich, wine is a democratic beverage that anyone should enjoy without concern about their knowledge of the products. "People have been intimidated by others when it comes to …
Deschutes Estuary: Who will own and maintain its parts?
The Funding and Governance Work Group of the Capitol Lake-Deschutes Estuary project presented yesterday their recommendations for a memorandum of understanding (MOU) as an interlocal agreement that …
Olympia committee seeks to launch arts program for those transitioning out of homelessness
A City of Olympia committee hopes to partnewith Drexel House to seek an Artist in Residence, who would lead a program which aims to increase access to the arts for underserved communities. Arts …
What is the new and mysterious pulpy mass clogging up the works at LOTT’s treatment plant?
Something strange is floating into LOTT’s sewage treatment plant in downtown Olympia. It’s a nuisance, they say, and they’re willing to pay $1,000 to someone who tells them the …
County to support local homeless with short-term funding
Yesterday, the Thurston Board of County Commissioners passed a motion that approved a $49,275 contract with the Catholic Community Services of Western Washington (CCSWW) to provide shelter services …
BOCC hears public comments for proposed Pattison Lake Management District
Pattison Lake residents are pushing for the creation of a county-supported lake management district, which they believe would help protect and oversee the improvement of water quality and safety in …
Colorful and inclusive equity in flags for Lacey with the new revisions to the Flag Policy
Lacey’s Commission on Equity finalized its proposed amendments to the City’s Flag Policy during its meeting yesterday, allowing the Juneteenth Flag, Nisqually Indian Tribe Flag and the …
Port Commission okays election to approve adding 2 commissioners
The Port of Olympia Commission passed a resolution yesterday approving a ballot measure at this year’s General Election, set for November 8, so voters can decide whether to increase the number …
Life
Safer cycling

Olympia transport group proposes enhanced bike lanes on streets

The Olympia Public Works Transportation Group proposed the inclusion of enhanced bike lanes in the Engineering Design and Development Standards or EDDS, tying it to future road works in the …

What’s happening coming up?

Thurston County Fair Wednesday, July 27 through Sunday, July 31, 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM Join Thurston Country as they celebrate its 150th year. This is a week-long affair in a haven of animals, …

Nighthawks and Swifts

There are two species of migratory, insect-eating birds that I look up to, mainly because they are only seen when flying in the sky above me. The legs and feet of both species are weak and used …

InGenius! Gallery first anniversary event in the heart of Yelm this Saturday

InGenius!, the local artisan gallery and boutique in Yelm has announced plans for its one-year celebration, this Saturday, July 30.  “Meet the InGenius Artists” The public will …

Roses and stories

This week Gary Ritchie led a one-person tour of the Centennial Rose Garden on the grounds of the Schmidt Mansion in Tumwater. The stroll among the roses was prompted by the garden reaching its …

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Olympia headlines

Multiple felony charges for Olympia man who allegedly stole from store, swung knife at employees

An Olympia man was charged with multiple felonies and a gross misdemeanor after allegedly stealing from a grocery store and swinging a knife at employees who attempted to stop him. Javier Mendoza, …

Lacey’s Robin Vazquez is Thurston’s new member of County Board of Health

Lacey city council member Robin Vazquez attended her first board meeting as the newest addition to the Thurston County Board of Health (BOH) yesterday, August 2. “I’m excited to be a …

Thurston to spend $1.4M grant on road safety improvements

The Thurston Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) authorized the county’s Public Works Department to proceed with its road safety project with the Washington State Department of Transportation …

Oly man allegedly mugs woman, threatens to throw her in ice box

An Olympia man was arrested after he allegedly demanded money and threatened to throw a woman in a gas station ice box. Olympia police arrested Casey Jay Arbogast, 51, on July 29 after a reported …

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Lacey headlines

Lacey street maintenance budget rolled out

Lacey’s Transportation Committee reported spending a total of $4,185,925 on its street maintenance projects in 2021. "People like to refer to our roads as 'driving on gold,' so our roadway …

Nonprofits get to host more events under Lacey’s wings

The Lacey Community Relations and Public Affairs Committee (CRPA) unanimously decided to support the application of two nonprofit organizations to utilize  Lacey’s allotted two days at the …

TRL offers programs and resources for early learners

Families with an early learner can find a growing collection of helpful resources, programs, and materials offered by Timberland Regional Library. Unique book displays, narrated read-along books, …

Lacey police arrest one of two alleged LA Fitness thieves

One of two suspects believed to steal from members of a local gym regularly has been arrested, the Lacey Police Department announced Friday. Authorities have been searching for a male and female …

Tumwater headlines

Federal government grants additional funding for Capitol Boulevard - X Street roundabout

The federal government granted Tumwater additional funding of $1,296,030 for the right-of-way acquisition phase of a proposed roundabout at Capitol Boulevard and X Street on Monday, August 1. The …

Tumwater man allegedly runs over skateboard, narrowly misses skater

A Tumwater man allegedly became upset at a drive-thru customer on an electric skateboard and then ran over the device, narrowly missing the skater. Douglas Daryl Nedrow Jr., 55, was arrested on …

Who would run the proposed regional fire authority?

If voters approve the proposed Regional Fire Authority (RFA) of Olympia and Tumwater, its governing board would likely be composed of one individual appointed by each city council and five citizens …

Man flees police over alleged stolen bike tire

A man was arrested after allegedly stealing a bike tire then giving chase to police, hitting a patrol car in the process. Sebastian Adam Cain Barnett, 24, was arrested on July 11 after a reported …

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