TOP STORIES

Olympia Fire Department outlines its 2025 priorities 

In a presentation to the Olympia City Council, Fire Chief Matt Morris outlined the department's key priorities for 2025, including developing a comprehensive training plan for new hires, creating a …
The Lacey Human Services Commission unanimously approved updates to the city's Human Services Grant Program at its meeting on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.
The Lacey Human Services Commission unanimously approved updates to the city's Human Services Grant Program at its meeting on Thursday, Feb. 6.   “Right now, we have the same …
Read more.
A poster featuring a forensic sketch of an alleged rape suspect.
A suspect wanted for rape and assault in Thurston County was arrested in ...
Read more.
Thurston County has launched a public survey to gather feedback on homeless housing programs, as part of the development of its 2025-30 Local Homeless Housing Plan.
Thurston County launched a public survey on Tuesday, Feb. 4, inviting residents to voice their opinions on homeless housing programs and services as part of the development of the 2025-30 Local …
Read more.
Lacey City Council member Carolyn Cox (middle) was elected as the new chair of Intercity Transit’s board of directors on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. To her left is Wendy Goodwin, a community representative to the board, and to her right is Robert Vanderpool, who represents the Olympia City Council.
Members of the Intercity Transit Authority, the agency’s board of directors, elected Lacey Council member Carolyn Cox as their new chair and Sue Pierce as the vice chair on Wednesday, Feb …
Read more.
A disturbance at the Walmart parking lot on the 1400 block of Galaxy Drive NE led to the arrest of an alleged robber on Jan. 8, according to the Lacey Police Department (LPD).    …
Read more.
Jarvis Harris, left, and Joe Foss on one of the many Amtrak coaches that carried them across America.
From Philadelphia, the next stop for Jarvis and Joe was The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum in ...
Read more.
Shannon Sankstone
Imagine several large rooms, filled with educators and district leaders, all enthusiastically learning, debating, and questioning how they can use technology to better serve children with …
Read more.
Approximately 1,500 people assembled in front of the Washington Capitol building on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2024, to protest policies enacted by President Donald Trump. The protest was orchestrated by the 50501 Movement, which held 50 protests in 50 states in one day.
Hundreds of protesters gathered near Tivoli Fountain in front of the Washington Capitol in Olympia on Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 5, to speak out against recent policies enacted by the Trump …
Read more.
Public Works Engineering Project Manager Brian Meier (left) presented an item for approval to the Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. The item was a $2.17 million contract for the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Johnson Point Road and Hawks Prairie Road.
The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) awarded a $2,174,174 contract for the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of ...
Read more.
Life
After an emotional visit to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., we drove to ...
Wrap up this week with some weekend fun in Thurston County. First Friday Night, Friday, Feb. 7, 4-8 p.m. Enjoy the $1 admission exhibits, activities and guests. Free admission if you reserve …
Our local artists instinctively knew we were going to need a little extra warmth last weekend and thus gave us an array of community activities and performances to fill our weekend. In this …
As January turned to February, we got our first blast of winter: a week or more of sub-freezing, snowy weather. For a bird to successfully reproduce, which is the principal aim of its life, it must …
Police Blotter

Police Blotter for Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025

Thurston County Sheriff’s Office On 2/6/25 at 9:30 p.m. in the area of Rochester, Sheriff’s deputies arrested Ricardo Martinez-Hernandez, 39, on suspicions of 1) reckless driving, 2) …

Opinions: Yours & our columnists
A profound and transformative experience at the National Museum of African American History & Culture
The National Museum of African American History & Culture is an absolute masterpiece — thoughtfully curated to highlight both the triumphs and struggles of Black Americans throughout history.
Loss of a beloved pet
We almost hesitated to write about this topic because it talks about the profound sadness we experience when we lose a beloved pet, but it is a topic that any pet owner has had to go through at one …
The journey of five weeks started on Sept. 24, 2024
We chose to fly directly from Seattle to Norfolk, Virginia, on Sept. 24, 2024, to conserve our Amtrak USA Rail Pass privileges, which allow for 10 stops in a 30-day period. Jarvis’ friend, Johnny …
A look at dementia
Feb 52025 column   The Sage Connection:   Dementia. The word alone can fill us with fearful dread. Normal forgetfulness can sometimes be confused with a more serious condition …
'Ancient Light'
I picked up Erik La Prade’s book, "Ancient Light," at Last Word Books this weekend. Last Word Press is the ...
Olympia headlines
The Olympia Planning Commission reviewed the proposed updates to the transportation chapter of the city's 2045 Comprehensive Plan ...
The 50501 Movement is organizing an event at the Washington Capitol in Olympia on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m., as part of a nationwide effort to protest policies enacted by ...
The Port of Olympia Commission authorized Executive Director Alex Smith to sign a $6.25 million grant agreement with the ...
Olympia is set to unveil plans for a major overhaul of Pacific and State avenues, enhancing safety and accessibility for all road users.  Residents are invited to an in-person public …
The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee heard a proposal for a new auto repair shop at 114 Lilly Road NE. The repair shop is intended ...
Tumwater headlines
Barker Rinker Seacat Architecture presented to Tumwater City Council on Tuesday, January 28, early programming and layout plans for a proposed community center. City staff has narrowed their …
A survey conducted by the City of Tumwater to gather public input about a proposed community center showed that a vast majority of participants agree to funding the operating costs of the facility …
Residents of a Yelm neighborhood have petitioned to change their area’s school district boundary from Yelm Community Schools (YCS) to Tumwater School District (TSD).   54.5% of residents …
Thurston County
The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) approved an agreement with South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity ...
A convicted felon wanted for first-degree robbery was arrested after a joint effort involving ...
A hazardous weather advisory issued to increase shelter-in-place efforts in Thurston County is set to expire ...
Lacey headlines
The Lacey City Council unanimously voted to designate a portion of Franz Street as a memorial roadway honoring the distinguished 20-year career of ...
The City of Lacey is looking for three members of the community to round out positions on two boards. The Parks, Culture and Recreation Advisory Board is seeking residents to fill two seats. One …
The City of Lacey officially proclaimed February as Black History Month, recognizing the invaluable contributions of Black and African Americans ...
River Ridge High School (RRHS) unveiled its new student commons, student store, and kitchen as part of its modernization project.   Phase 1 of the River Ridge High School modernization …
A man previously banned from all Lowe’s stores was arrested on January 3 after returning to the same store location, where he allegedly committed multiple thefts.     According …
More local news
Winter weather advisory in effect until Thursday morning
A winter weather advisory is in effect for Thurston County, as a storm system is forecast to create dodgy conditions for motorists and pedestrians in the region. The National Weather Service …
Thurston County Sheriff’s Office to relocate to $14.25 million Tumwater facility 
Thurston County is set to finalize the $14.25 million purchase for a new Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) headquarters in ...
Thurston County detective receives national honor for solving double homicide
Detective Kyle Kempke of the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) has been awarded the National Computer Forensic Institute Cyber Investigative Impact Case Award for 2024 by the U.S. Secret …
Nominations open for Teacher of the Year and Classified School Employee of the Year
The Educational Service District (ESD) 113 announced the opening of the nominations for the 2026 Teacher of the Year and 2025 Classified School Employee of the Year awards in a newsletter. …
LOTT honored for 'watershed collaboration' in receiving national award 
The LOTT Clean Water Alliance was awarded the 2025 National Environmental Achievement Award by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies on Wednesday, Jan. 29.    The agency was …
Advanced Drainage Systems to lay off dozens of workers
A leading designer and manufacturer of pipes and water management products is laying off dozens of workers and shutting down its plant in Olympia. Advanced Drainage Systems Inc. filed a worker …
Update: Winter weather advisory extended for Thurston County
A winter weather advisory was extended for Thurston County by the National Weather Service ...
Thurston County restores chief deputy coroner post after 30 years 
For the first time since the 1990s, the Thurston County Coroner’s Office has appointed a chief deputy coroner.   Thurston County announced in a press release issued Wednesday, Jan. …
Residents sound off on proposed updates to Countywide Planning Policies
A public hearing on proposed updates to Countywide Planning Policies for Thurston County gave some members of the public a chance to object to a proposed development off of Old Highway 99.  Dozens of people …
Olympia committee approves shifting of cultural events to sponsored model 
In an effort to ensure the continuity and growth of cultural events in Olympia, the Community Livability and Public Safety Committee approved a proposal to transition the city's cultural events program from ...