Olympia, WA
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TOP STORIES

Backup jail housing renewed as Thurston County faces overcrowding challenges 

To address potential jail overcrowding, the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) has approved a one-year extension of its contract with the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office to …
Evergreen Gold, shaded gray and labeled U1, is located 9 miles west of Littlerock and represents 68 acres of forestland.
The Washington State Board of Natural Resources (BNR) approved another batch of timber harvest from Capitol State Forest for the second time in two months. This time, the board authorized in a 4-1 …
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Assistant County Manager Robin Campbell explained the distribution of the county’s $32 million bond, using a whiteboard to break down investments, during a Thurston Board of County Commissioners work session on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024.
To balance immediate infrastructure needs with long-term financial health, Thurston County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC), alongside other officials, met Wednesday, Dec. 4, to address the 2024-25 …
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Ron Jones, senior planner with Public Works Waste Resources, explained that the changes to the language of the 2045 Comprehensive Plan are not to abandon the zero-waste vision but to clarify the plan. 
Council member Clark Gilman criticized the removal of zero-waste language in the draft utilities chapter of the city's 2045 Comprehensive Plan update at the Olympia City Council study session on …
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In a sea of pavement, tree roots find a way to grow
Finally, all the tulip and daffodil bulbs have been planted, and the ground above them now looks bare and blank. But there’s plenty of action underground, where those bulbs are pushing down …
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Deborah Ross portrait, 2024
When reached by phone, historian Deborah J. Ross quipped that her upcoming History Talk at Lacey City Hall on Thursday, Dec. 12, has been referred to as her "sex talk." Ahem! Her talk is …
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Former Commissioner Dave Toler spoke out against the handling of the investigation into Commissioner Emily Clouse. He made his remarks at the Thurston Board of County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024.
During a public comment session at the Thurston Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) meeting on Tuesday, residents voiced frustration over the ongoing investigation into Commissioner Emily Clouse, …
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Public Works Senior Water Resources Engineer Joe Plahuta met with Thurston County Commissioners on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, to seek approval of the contract for the Boston Harbor Water Main Replacement and Inflow and Infiltration Reduction Project.
Thurston County commissioners approved the contract for the Boston Harbor Water Main Replacement and Inflow and Infiltration Reduction Project, which will replace almost 6,000 linear feet of older …
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Sylvanna Niehuser, Director of Parks Planning and Maintenance, presented the parks department's list of 10-year accomplishments and challenges at the Olympia City Council study session on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024.
The Olympia Parks, Arts & Recreation Department presented its list of 10-year accomplishments and discussed challenges, such as public safety, climate change, equity issues and funding large-scale projects.  
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Some homeless individuals have complained that they lose all of their possessions when they are arrested, particularly when those possessions are in a shopping cart. A homeless person's possessions are shown on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024.
Editor’s note: All individuals interviewed consented to be quoted in this article. Most of the individuals preferred to remain anonymous.  An anonymous homeless woman with two shopping …
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Lacey City Hall.
The Lacey City Council unanimously voted to establish a permanent Human Services Commission during its public meeting on Dec. 3.   The new commission will provide recommendations on …
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Life
Weekend Roundup

What’s happening this weekend— breakfast with Santa and holiday festivities

Enjoy a breakfast with Santa or visit one of the Christmas fundraisers and activities.   Signing Santa , Friday, December 6, 6 – 8 p.m. The Signing Santa program, presented by the …

What would Santa say? Maybe,

Tumwater’s Santa Stop begins Wednesday at Tumwater Hill Park

Tumwater’s community tradition, Santa Stop, returns this month on Wednesdays leading to Christmas Day.    Santa Stops will be held at Tumwater Hill Park, Kindred Park, and …
Amy Lewis portrait

Sparking young readers' interest

Welcome to December, the biggest gift-buying season of the year. I had great intentions of reading several books over the Thanksgiving break, but to be frank with you all, it just didn’t …
Turkey hash over potatoes makes a great breakfast.

Recipe: Turkey hash

I hope you had a festive and meaningful Thanksgiving with family and friends. Now that we are wrapping up the Thanksgiving holiday, I wonder if anyone out there has lots of leftover …

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Police Blotter

Police Blotter for Friday, December 6, 2024

Thurston County Sheriff’s Office On 12/6/24 at 9:12 p.m. in the 7500 block of 191 st Avenue SW, Sheriff’s deputies arrested April Mae Kirwin, 42, on suspicion of fourth-degree …

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Opinions: Yours & our columnists
Thurston County is a popular area for owls
The telephone message arrived one evening last week. “I live right in the middle of the city and there’s an owl hooting outside. What’s going on? It sounds lonely. Is it looking for …
All Around Towne Photography — pups and Santa pictures
How time flies, it’s hard to believe Christmas is only 21 days away but it’s not too late to get your Christmas photos in time for Christmas.  If you are thinking hard on what to get …
Holiday gift ideas for 'older adults'
Well, the annual monthlong Black Friday sales have come and gone. Giant televisions, all sorts of electronic gadgets, fancy phones, mattresses and more were hawked online and on television.  And …
Become a rock star advocate
Ask artificial intelligence (AI) about special education, and the online oracle has been trained to respond with such delightful phrases as, “navigating a maze” and “demystifying …
’Tis the Season of Accidents
As the first frost approaches, the wet ground grows slippery, and the culture revs up for the holiday season, the risk of a whole litany of accidental injuries increases.

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Calendar of events
Olympia headlines
Board of County Commissioners of Thurston County Tuesday, December 3, during the public meeting.
The Thurston County Board of Commissioners approved a $3,069,000 contract to remodel the Ballot Processing Center.
City of Olympia Planner Jackson Ewing presented a map showing the location of a proposed nine-lot short plat development project site, which is just north of Martin Way and east of the Chehalis Western Trail.
The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee held a presubmission conference for a proposed nine-lot short plat development at 3900 Martin Way E.    In the narrative, the proposed project …
Olympia's senior planner David Ginther provided an overview of the planned action ordinance on the Capital Mall Triangle subarea project. The ordinance would introduce a height bonus of up to 130 feet for affordable housing projects that dedicate at least 30 percent of units to people earning 80 percent or less of the area's median income.
The Olympia Planning Commission weighed in on a planned action ordinance that would pave the way for redevelopment of the Capital Mall Triangle area, which includes allowing taller buildings and more flexible parking requirements.
This image is of the shield that every officer in the Olympia Police Department wears or carries.
Olympia has announced plans to strengthen its police oversight system as it requested a proposal from a potential Civilian Police Auditor. The role involves overseeing investigations of use-of-force …
Retiring Olympia Councilmember Lisa Parshley
Olympia has opened the applications for City Councilmember Position #5. The seat will be vacant on Dec. 31  when Councilmember Lisa Parshley transitions to her new role as state …

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Tumwater headlines
Olympia Tumwater Foundation’s administration building in Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls would be the site of the History and Nature Center.
Olympia Tumwater Foundation (OTF) should know by March 2025 if it will get funding to continue its History and Nature Center project.  
Wildfire sweeping across prairie grass, a firefighter is shown close to the fire.
The Tumwater Fire Department will host an open house on Wednesday, Dec. 4, for individuals interested in exploring a career in emergency medical services or firefighting.   …
The total greenhouse gas emissions from Tumwater’s city operations were down by less than 1% from 2015 to 2023, while net emissions were down by 73% from 2015 to 2023. The chart seemingly does not show net emissions from 2015 to 2020.
Tumwater’s city operations generated around 3,821 metric tons of equivalent carbon dioxide (CO₂e) in 2023, which is less than 1% compared to 2015, according to a sustainability report …

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Thurston County
Dr. Jennifer Freiheit shares her vision for Public Health and Social Services following her appointment as director.
The Thurston Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday, Dec. 3, introduced a new slate of leaders to key positions in public health, budgeting, and community planning.   County Manager …
New zoning rules for LRA housing focus on permitting processes, public notice requirements and safety standards.
Thurston County officials are moving to establish new zoning rules for Less Restrictive Alternative (LRA) housing for sex offenders after public backlash over gaps in oversight and safety concerns. …
Sheriff Derek Sanders discusses how Public Safety Sales Tax funds support deputy hiring and bond payments for new county facilities.
During a public hearing on the 2024-25 midterm budget held on Monday, Dec. 2, Thurston County officials discussed concerns regarding funding priorities, particularly for law enforcement, …

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Lacey headlines
Lacey City Hall, shown in November 2020.
The Lacey City Council is considering establishing a permanent Human Services Commission to provide oversight and guidance for the city's human services programs and funding.   At a Tuesday …
Be aware of algae bloom and other warnings in your local waters.
Public use of Lawrence Lake near Yelm is prohibited as the Thurston County Public Health and Social Services Department issued an algae danger warning for the lake on Friday, November 22.   …
Eve Charles (#7 and second from left) celebrates with her teammates after her solo effort golazo against the Central Washington Wildcats. She and the Saints won 2-1 in their final match of the 2024 season.
Saint Martin's University women’s soccer team can hold their chins up high in their last match of the season held on November 9 at Saints Field, as they beat the winless Central …
Lacey has officially proclaimed November 30, as Small Business Saturday
Lacey officially proclaimed November 30 as Small Business Saturday and the whole month of November as Veterans Appreciation Month during the council meeting on Tuesday, November 20.   The …
Donate concept. The Volunteer gives a donation box to the recipient.
 The community may drop off new winter coats in any size or warm clothing for teens in adult sizes at four locations in this story.

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More local news
 Port of Olympia adopts 2025 budget
The Port of Olympia Commission adopted its 2025 operating and capital budget on Monday, November 25.
Tumwater Historic Preservation Commission grapples with inadequate resources and staffing support 
The Tumwater Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) met on Thursday, November 21, to develop a work plan for 2025. However, without funding and additional staffing capacity to support the …
Joy and Justice Book and Gift Giveaway this December now accepting cash, in-kind donations 
The 5 th  Annual Joy and Justice Book and Gift Giveaway for kids will be held on December 16-18 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Evergreen Vista Apartments Community Center.   The community …
Evergreen College's Nicasio, Foley, get nods in All-Cascade Collegiate Conference
After the end of collegiate soccer’s regular season this fall, two players from The Evergreen State College received plaudits in the 2024 All-Cascade Collegiate Conference honors after their …
Thurston County Commissioners salaries recommended to rise 6% next year
Thurston County’s Commissioners are recommended to receive a $12,328 monthly salary, 6% more than the 2024 rate, effective on January 1, 2025.   The recommendation came from the …
Puget Sound Energy includes Tesla home batteries in its Flex Batteries program 
Puget Sound Energy (PSE) and clean-energy technology company, Uplight, announced on November 19 that they are expanding the Flex Batteries program to include Tesla home battery systems.   …
Thurston County advances agricultural zoning revisions amid ongoing debate
Thurston County is moving forward with proposed changes to its agricultural zoning policies in response to public demand for stronger farmland protections and a legal appeal filed by the nonprofit …
Olympia committee reviews fuel station project along Black Lake Boulevard
On Wednesday, November 20, Olympia's Site Plan Review Committee held a presubmission conference for a proposed fuel station project at 1803 Black Lake Boulevard SW.    The project site …
Thurston Regional Housing Council approves legislative priorities for 2025 
The Thurston Regional Housing Council (TRHC) has approved its legislative priorities for 2025, focusing on key initiatives to support affordable housing and address homelessness in the region.   …
Hotel-to-apartments conversion underway in west Olympia
The rental housing landscape is changing in west Olympia. The Olympia Hotel, formerly Red Lion Suites, is transitioning from a hotel into an apartment complex. The Olympia project, tentatively …

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