TOP STORIES

Hearing unveils public concerns over Lacey's draft Neighborhood Commercial Zoning amendments

Various stakeholders voiced their opinions on the potential changes to the Neighborhood Commercial Zoning District during the Lacey Planning Commission's public hearing on Wednesday, March 13. …
Olympia City Hall
Olympia has received full funding of $893,607 from the Washington State Department of Transportation for an improvement project along Boulevard Road. Slated to commence by spring 2024, the …
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The Thurston County Board of Health officially proclaimed March 31 as International Transgender Visibility Day during its meeting on March 12, 2024
The Thurston County Board of Health (BOH) officially proclaimed March 31 as International Transgender Visibility Day during its meeting on March 12. The board’s proclamation acknowledges …
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Use caution when passing through road construction sites.
Intercity Transit’s Martin Way Park & Ride Direct Access Project is nearing completion, with final work scheduled to commence and overnight closures to be implemented on key routes.  …
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Lorenzo Moore is included in the NWAC West Region Second Team All-Region.
After another successful campaign in this year’s Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) men’s basketball season, the South Puget Sound Community College Clippers commended their hoopers who …
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Apple crisp is easy to make and can be customized for various diets.
We are blessed with an abundance many varieties of apples here in the Pacific Northwest. In addition, there are three apple trees in my backyard, and they produce lots of fruit every year. …
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A tent was destroyed after two women allegedly threw a bomb inside, causing an explosion and fire.
Olympia Police Department (OPD). Received a report of an explosion that resulted in a fire of a tent in a wooded area near Union Avenue and Plum Street on February 22. Upon arrival, responding …
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The Tumwater Tree Board met on Monday, March 11, to discuss the city’s city tree inventory report.
Tumwater Tree Board’s latest tree inventory shows that trees in Tumwater city facilities store 1,968 tons of carbon dioxide. Combined with the carbon stored in sample trees from large city …
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Tumwater Fire Chief Brian Hurley briefed the Public Health and Safety Committee about extending agreements with Medic One and Washington State Patrol.
Tumwater Public Health and Safety Committee recommended the extension of the city’s contracts with Medic One and Washington State Patrol (WSP) on Tuesday, March 12. The Medic One agreement …
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Mary Grace Goddu, Inspire Olympia Program Manager, updated the Olympia Arts Commission on the Inspire Olympia cultural access program. The first year of funding through the program begins this year.
As of March 14, Inspire Olympia received 23 applications for funding, program manager Marygrace Goddu reported at the Arts Commission meeting on Thursday, March 14. As the deadline for …
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Assistant County Manager Robert Gelder shared the legislative update with Thurston’s Board of County Commissioners.
Assistant County Manager Robert Gelder shared a wrap-up of the legislative session with Thurston’s Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) on Wednesday, March 13. The 2024 regular legislative …
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Water Heater - hand releases T&P safety Relief Valve on a home water heater
An incorrectly installed water heater caused the carbon monoxide poisoning accident at Evergreen State College, Washington State Patrol’s (WSP) investigation found. In a press release on …
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Planting a vegetable plant in tilled and cleared soil
Finally, a spell of good weather will send both new and old gardeners into rapture. When the spring sun comes out, the sap doesn’t just rise in the trees. It feels as if every living thing in …
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These are stolen goods that the two suspects allegedly stole from Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Olympia Police Department (OPD) officers arrested two suspects alleged to have stolen from a local sporting goods store. On February 23 at around 9 p.m., OPD responded to a reported theft at …
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Tumwater Fire Chief Brian Hurley briefs the Public Health and Safety Committee about the city’s new protection class rating.
Tumwater’s protection class rating was upgraded from a score of 4 to 3, Fire Chief Brian Hurley told the Tumwater Public Health and Safety Committee on Tuesday, March 12. The rating, which …
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Life
The Chehalis Western Trail shows signs of needing preservation work, with cracks, bumps, and ponds occurring on the trail.

County council looking at proposals for fixing the run-down trails in Thurston County

Thurston Regional Planning Council senior planner Paul Brewster proposed setting aside up to $1 million in federal transportation grant funds for trail preservation projects in the county. At …

County looks to partner with nonprofit for funding park projects

The Board of County Commissioners is considering an agreement with the nonprofit PARC Foundation of Thurston County to help the county with various park projects. Assistant Director of Public …

Eye on Nature trips this spring for kids at the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge

The Nisqually River Council’s Nisqually River Education Project (NREP) will host Eye on Nature, an environmental field trip for kids. The walks will be around the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually …

Tumwater mulls removing 400-year-old Davis Meeker Oak

Tumwater’s city staff is considering the removal of the Davis Meeker Oak, a 400-year-old Oregon White Oak tree ( Quercus garryana ) in Olympia Regional Airport along Old Highway 99. Both …
Police Blotter

Police Blotter for Sunday, March 17, 2024

Thurston County Sheriff’s Office On 3/17/24 at 1:54 PM in the 6900 block of Thoroughbred Lane SE, Sheriff’s deputies arrested Julian Rosales Ben Cruz, 22, on suspicion of 3 rd degree …

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Big Year Stories – Part 2
For a dedicated birder, March in Washington is, on the surface, a relatively quiet month. It's a bridge between winter specialties and spring migration. But if you look carefully, you will see that things are really starting to happen in the bird world! Many of the earliest migrants, such as Violet-green, Tree, and Barn swallows, will show themselves...
Chicken adventures and and our ‘Queen of the Hill’ chicken ‘house’
My family and I moved here about five and a half years ago from California. We fell in love with the place that became our home at first sight. In addition to two homes on three acres, the former …
The corporatization of healthcare:  Why consolidation matters to all of us
In this past year writing about the healthcare system, I came to realize that most of us feel depressed and powerless. Pawns in a system rather than patients, wondering if it will ever get better. We …
I am urging our community to vote YES for kids in the upcoming levy
As a YCS parent I am urging our community to vote YES for kids in the upcoming levy. Our students are finally recovering from the years of pandemic sacrifices: they’re regaining skills, …
Development would destroy forestland
Do you like trees? Then you should be a big fan of infill housing. That means building up, not out, and putting houses where we’ve already cut down all the trees. But Thurston County could …
Olympia headlines
With $154,000 of federal funds available through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, Olympia seeks proposals from housing authorities, nonprofit organizations, or municipalities for …
In the debut season of their women’s wrestling program, the Evergreen State College Geoducks has already soared to new heights as they represented Washington in the Women’s Wrestling …
The Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum presented the City of Olympia and Squaxin Island Tribe with the 2024 Gerry L. Alexander Outstanding Achievement in Heritage Award during the …
Sculptor Haiying Wu will craft the full-scale statues of Nisqually activist Billy Frank Jr. at the South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC), according to the college, ArtsWA, and the Nisqually …
Tumwater headlines
The Tumwater Parks & Recreation Department is calling for volunteers to help with its upcoming Easter Egg Dash event alongside other community projects to beautify and enhance the city. …
The state legislature allocated $2 million of its 2024 supplemental capital budget under SB 5950 , passed on March 6 last week, for Tumwater’s gopher habitat acquisition project. The …
The American Battlefield Trust and the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution have collaborated to create the American Revolution Experience. With a limited number of engagements, it is touring the US, through the end of 2025.
Thurston County
Four juvenile suspects were arrested after a car chase with law enforcement in a vehicle that was stolen last Sunday, March 10. According to Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) in a …
Two suspects fled after a traffic stop and were arrested after a collaboration between the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) K9 Unit and a Washington State Patrol (WSP) airplane on the …
For transparency and validation of the integrity of the electoral process, the Thurston County Auditor’s Elections Division has announced plans to conduct a random audit of the March 12 …
Lacey headlines
The Lacey City Council has officially designated March as American Red Cross Month, honoring the humanitarian efforts of volunteers and donors in the community. The proclamation, signed by Mayor …
Lacey City Manager Rick Walk says Lacey continues to see significant growth and development across various sectors, from housing to economic expansion, while emphasizing diversity and inclusion. …
Saint Martin’s University has been awarded a grant of $105,231 by the Washington State Achievement Council (WSAC) to enhance its nursing program. The school announced in its press release …
The Saint Martin's University men’s basketball team ended their season Thursday as they bowed out of the GNAC men’s basketball championship after losing to lower seed Alaska Anchorage, …
Lacey police confiscated drugs, tools, and cash from a woman who had been reported crawling under a truck in the Cabela’s parking lot. Lacey Police Department responded to a report of a …
More local news
Olympia wants public feedback on rental housing policy update
The Olympia City Council will hold a public hearing on March 19 at 6 pm to receive feedback from community members on proposed amendments to OMC Chapter 5.82 relating to the rental housing code. …
Tumwater adopts county’s updated hazard mitigation plan
Tumwater City Council adopted the fourth edition of the county’s hazard mitigation plan on Tuesday, March 5. The council adopted the current edition of the regional mitigation plan in …
Thurston County celebrates Women's History Month
The Thurston Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) has taken a significant step in recognizing and celebrating the contributions of women throughout history by officially proclaiming March as Women's …
Unlock Your Potential at Find Your Future 2024! 
Are you ready to discover your true career path? The Thurston Chamber Foundation presents Find Your Future (FYF) 2024!  Find Your Future redefines career exploration and development. Are you a …
Court ruling today halts Olympia school closure process
“The board's December 14, 2023 decision to open a 90-day public comment period for closing Madison and/or McKenny was arbitrary, capricious and contrary to law,” Thurston County Superior …
Power outage affected up to 12,390 customers in south county today
Thousands of Puget Sound Energy (PSE) customers woke up to dark houses this morning; the electricity went out at 7:40 a.m. for more than 12,000 residences and businesses in the Tumwater, Delphi, …
Solar farm: county grants utility company exclusive right to negotiate lease on closed landfill
The county’s solar farm project in the closed landfill at the Thurston County Waste and Recovery Center (WARC) is moving forward. The Board of County Commissioners approved an agreement on …
County approves call for request for proposal for lake management district plan contractors
The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) authorized the Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) Environmental Health Division to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Offutt …
Olympia property owners reject Downtown Improvement District efforts
Efforts to establish a Downtown Improvement District (DID) in Olympia failed to gain enough support from property owners, according to Todd Cutts, who led the steering committee spearheading the …
Lacey residents express frustration over high water bills, uncontrolled pest issues
During the Lacey City Council meeting on Tuesday, March 5, two residents expressed their frustration over escalating water bills and ongoing pest problems stemming from nearby construction. …