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DES hears Port’s concerns over shared dredging costs of Deschutes Estuary project 

The Department of Enterprise Services (DES) presented an update to the Port of Olympia Commission about the Deschutes Estuary project on Monday, September 9.   The presentation is a …
Daiz, a service dog from Canine Companions, joins the Olympia City Council in celebrating the proclamation of National Service Dog Month on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2024.
On Tuesday, the Olympia City Council chambers were graced by a special guest: Daiz, a service dog from Canine Companions.   The city council issued a proclamation recognizing September 2024 …
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Karen Sixkiller's Ember 2 wins the 2024 Percival Plinth Project People's Choice award.
The Olympia City Council has expressed interest in purchasing not one, but two art pieces from the 2024 Percival Plinth Project, but the city's Parks, Arts, and Recreations Department warned that …
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The squash invaded the tomatoes
By the middle of September, this year’s successes and failures are apparent. For instance: After all these years of gardening, I still failed to thin the carrots enough, and forgot to …
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Gavin Cruz spoke at South Sound YMCA's Breakfast for Belonging on Sept. 10, 2024.
No matter how old you are, how you identify, or what your background is you can get involved in your community. 
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Larry Dzieza
Compared to the number of eligible voters, those ages 65+ had nearly double the impact on the election outcome and the 18-34-year-olds’ impact was reduced by about half. 
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Police Chief Jon Weiks presents the police department’s community outreach strategy for its strategic growth plan to the Public Health and Safety Committee.
Police chief reassured committee: strategic growth plan is a living document to be revisited  Tumwater council members who are also part of the Public Health and Safety Committee expressed their concerns about the public engagement process that led to the police department’s strategic growth …
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Pep-Tacular sells a wide variety of products, most at a steep discount from other retailers, according to its owner.
Vernetta Eichinger believes that taking care of the homeless is not just a job. Seven years ago she founded the Poverty Exed Project, a 501(c) (3) non-profit based in Lacey. And now her Pep-Tacular Discount Store is open to the public...
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The Olympia Planning Commission subcommittee holds a meeting on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, to discuss the financial plan for the Capital Facilities Plan 2025-2030.
Olympia is holding off on transitioning its fire engine fleet to electric power due to concerns over the specialized charging requirements and higher price tags of current electric models.  …
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During a work session on September 10, 2024 Hans Shepherd, Senior Planner for the City of Lacey, presented updates on the city’s ongoing efforts to engage the community in the 2025 Comprehensive Plan process.
During a work session on September 10, Hans Shepherd, Senior Planner for the City of Lacey, presented updates on the city’s ongoing efforts to engage the community in the 2025 Comprehensive …
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Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall receives a National Voter Registration Day proclamation from Lacey Deputy Mayor Malcolm Miller on behalf of the Lacey City Council at its September 3 meeting.
City proclamation acknowledges importance of engaging community members in the democratic process . During its council meeting on September 3, Lacey officially designated September 17 as National Voter Registration Day .   Deputy Mayor Malcolm Miller, on behalf of the City Council, issued …
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Saint Martin’s University two-way guard Tyke Thompson signs his first professional contract as he heads overseas to play in Portugal.
The Saint Martin’s University Official Athletics website confirmed on Friday (Sept. 7) that their s tandout guard Tyke T hompson has inked a professional contract overseas, suiti ng up for …
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Falls Fest artwork designed by The Copper Wolf Tattoo Studio & Art Gallery
The third annual Tumwater Falls Fest will open on Saturday, September 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls. The festival features local musicians, artists, …
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Airman First Class Colleenrae Baracinas shows off her championship potato car at the 2023 Foofaraw.
Thurston County Chamber's fall event brings together military members and local businesspeople. There were different competitions like a corn hole tournament, potato-car races and tug-of-war. I can’t attest to the fairness of each event, but I do know that the Olympia Yacht Club is undefeated for all time in the tug-of-war challenge.
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The Olympia Sea Level Rise Collaborative Executive Committee approves its work plan and budget for 2025-26.
The Olympia Sea Level Rise Collaborative Executive Committee has approved a two-year work plan and budget to advance six key initiatives prioritizing strategies and investment for best responding to …
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Life
SOUND WORDS
Amy Lewis

'The Highest Tide,' revisited

Welcome to Sound Words, my new column focused on the literary world of Thurston County.  Taking inspiration from the phrase,“A rising tide lifts all boats,” its focus will be on the …

Debra L. Glasser, M.D.

Great news: up to 50% of dementia may be preventable 

Alzheimer’s disease is a dreaded word that can evoke the same heart-gripping terror as the word cancer . Alzheimer’s disease is …
At a meeting with the Board of County Commissioners on Wednesday, Sept. 4, Fair and Event Center Manager Thomasina Cooper reported the success of the 2024 Thurston County Fair. 

Manager declares Thurston County Fair 2024 a success 

This year’s Thurston County Fair wa s “ a great success , ” Fair and Event Center Manager Thomasina Cooper reported to the Board of County Commissioners ( BoCC ) on Wednesday, …
The United States Constitution

Harlequin Productions presents constitution-themed play, contest for high schoolers

"What the Constitution Means to Me" performances to include reception for students, parents, and teachers participating in competition.  Harlequin Production s (HQP) will be putting on performances of Heidi Schreck’s play, What the Constitution Means to Me, and offering a constitution-based competition for high schoolers …

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Police Blotter

Police Blotter for Sunday, September 15, 2024

Lacey Police Department On 09/15/2024 at 11:25 p.m. at 1300 Blk Marvin Rd NE Lacey, police arrested Cameron J. Keim, 35, on suspicion of LMC Domestic Violence/Violation of No Contact Order …

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Opinions: Yours & our columnists
A dog’s tale
Tom here,   When you look at our photo you can easily make the assumption that Trish is the adorable dog owner and myself as the Krazy cat lady. While at the present moment this might hold …
The pleasures of September
Our brief episode of sorrow about the end of summer has passed, and now it’s time to aim our sense of wonder at the pleasures of September. Celebrations September began with two …
Making a bird friend
A story from Seattle some ten years ago described a young girl’s remarkable friendship with crows, and her collection of gifts they brought her. At first, when she accidentally dropped bits of …
How to’s on preventing falls in the home, a continued public health concern
Falls among older adults continue to be a national public health concern. The National Council on Aging (NCOA) has designated Sept. 23-27, 2024, for Falls Prevention Awareness Week, a nationwide …
Pet potpourri
This week, we will be touching on various subjects, including some upcoming events.   First, we want to acknowledge the comments we received after last week’s column, “Where you …

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Calendar of events
Olympia headlines
The Evergreen State College’s Kainoa Wong controlling the ball in their preseason match vs Pacific University. He scored the Geoducks’ only goal of the match.
The Evergreen State College men’s soccer team lost all three of its preseason matches this fall season. A resolute Pacific University spoiled the Geoducks’ best chance of a positive …
The Jellyfish Jam! The Annual Benefit Concert takes place at West Central Park on September 13. Proceeds will go directly to supporting the Puget Sound Estuarium and its programs.
The Puget Sound Estuarium is featuring various kid-friendly activities this September, from educational to sensory ones.   The regular Pier Peer returns on September 12 from 7 to 9 p.m. at …
The local events set for this weekend and next week would be fun for families and friends.
The Armory.
Olympia is seeking public input to officially name three park properties – the Olympia Armory, Yelm Highway Community, and Kaiser Woods Park.    The city will be collecting name …
Portrait of woman smiling with bunch of vegetables in basket picked in the garden
South Sound YMCA (Y) aims to strengthen communities through gardening, with its free and open-to-all events this September to December.    The Y partnered with GRuB (Garden-Raised …

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Tumwater headlines
Thurston County Superior Court Judge Anne Egeler decided in favor of Save the Davis Meeker Gary Oak group’s motion to set the bond to a lower amount during a hearing on Friday, September 6.
Supporters of the Davis Meeker Gary Oak tree along Old Highway99 may further delay Tumwater’s plan to cut down the historic tree after a partial win at a court hearing on Friday, Sept. 6. …
The Tumwater Retail and Tourism Visitors Center had its grand opening on Tuesday, September 3.
School District, Chamber of Commerce collaboration provides visitor services, retail, and work-based learning The Tumwater Retail and Tourism Visitors Center had its grand opening on Tuesday, September 3.   Located at 5304 Littlerock Road, the center will aim to provide hospitality and …
The segment to be repaired on Israel Road is from the I-5 bridge to Linderson Way.
Tumwater City Council okayed plans for pavement repairs on Crosby Boulevard and Israel Road. As part of the council’s consent agenda on Tuesday, September 3, the council authorized the …

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Thurston County
Olympia is installing signs similar to this on all city vehicles.
Thurston County has officially declared September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, with a focus on reducing suicide through education, advocacy, and community support.    The …
Man was charged with animal cruelty after being found to use 63 chickens for cockfighting.
A year-long case by the Joint Animal Services (JAS) Commission resulted in the conviction of a resident involved in an animal fighting operation.    Martin Stanley Peters was convicted …
At a work session on Wednesday, Sept. 4, Community Planning and Economic Development Interim Director Ashley Arai gave Thurston 2045 periodic updates to the Board of County Commissioners. 
Thurston County’s Community Planning and Economic Development Department (CPED) reported to the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) about the Thurston 2045 periodic update to the comprehensive plan . …

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Lacey headlines
Part of the Marvin Road Corridor Improvement Project is the construction of a new roundabout at the intersection of Marvin Road and 19th Avenue.
Construction of Lacey’s Marvin Road Corridor Improvement Project began on Monday, Sept . 9, and will continue through the summer of 2025.   The initial phase of the project will be …
A bus pulling into the Intercity Transit bus stop in Olympia
Intercity Transit is experiencing technical difficulties with Google and Trip Planner not showing accurate trip information. The trips that are shown are expected to continue to not be accurate until …
The Clipper Athletics program announced the schedule of its fall sports program.
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 …
The volleyball team of SMU prepares for the upcoming fall season, being one of the collegiate sports to run up to November in the GNAC and NCAA calendar.
With the return of the 2024-25 Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) looming for the fall season, Saint Martin’s University’s athletic programs gear up to compete with the best …
The Thurston County Board of Supervisors joined Lacey and Olympia City Councils in declaring August 31 as International Overdose Awareness Day in the county.
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 …

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More local news
 Commissioner Clouse remains suspended from external advisory boards amid ongoing investigation 
The Thurston Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) has confirmed in a statement the ongoing investigation into Commissioner Emily Clouse and her suspension from external advisory boards and …
Free Childhood Immunization Clinic available Friday at Grand Mound Elementary
 Thurston County’s Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) will hold a no-cost immunization clinic at Grand Mound Elementary School on Friday, Sept . 13 , from 5 to 7 p.m.   …
Thurston County marks Sept 11 as First Responders Day
During its September 3 meeting, the Thurston Board of County Commissioners officially proclaimed September 11 as a First Responders Day in Thurston County.    The proclamation honored …
No end in sight for Washington’s battle against invasive green crabs
Invasive European green crabs have likely found a lasting home in Washington’s coastal waters and parts of Puget Sound. The question now is whether the state can pinch down hard enough on …
Thurston County eyes wastewater solutions in Rainier, Rochester 
Large On-site Sewage Systems (LOSS) could provide a medium-cost, long-term alternative to centralized sewage plants. Thurston County is set to conceptualize plans to construct alternative and cheaper wastewater solutions within the City of Rainier and Rochester.    Thurston County’s Community …
Evergreen State College soccer teams seek their groove in rocky pre-season 
After kicking off their fall season two weeks ago, the men’s and women’s soccer teams at The Evergreen State College have gotten off to a sluggish start in improving their performances on the pitch ...
Yelm teachers union ratifies agreement with Yelm Community Schools, cancels strike
84.5% of Yelm Education Association voted to ratify collective bargaining agreement. Members of the Yelm Education Association (YEA) voted yesterday, September 3, to ratify its 2024-2027 contract with the Yelm Community Schools (YCS), after a tentative agreement was drafted Monday. …
Clouse’s suspension sparks tension anew in County board Meeting
‘Inflammatory allegations” against Clouse had failed to substantiate claims. In a heated Thurston Board of County Commissioners agenda-setting meeting on September 3, Commissioner Tye Menser motioned to restore Commissioner Emily Clouse to her external committees and …
Olympia opens applications for Youth Council, due by September 11
Olympia is offering young people an opportunity to influence city policy and decision-making by joining the Youth Council. The city has opened the application for the Youth Council. The …
Heat Advisory and Red Flag Warning in Thurston County due to hot temperatures and dry conditions until late Friday
Thurston County and much of Western Washington have a heat advisory that remains in effect from 8 a.m. Thursday until 11 p.m. Friday. Temperatures may range from the mid-80s to the mid-90s. …

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