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The storage facility is immediately north of the Tumwater Middle School, according to a vicinity map shared during a public hearing on April 24.

Tumwater approves 4-story storage facility close to Tumwater Middle School

Tumwater’s hearing examiner, Mark Scheibmeir, approved on Monday, April 29, the site plan and conditional use permit for Tacoma resident Trevor Colby to construct a four-story storage facility … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/1/24 | 1 comment

The scales of Justice represent the idea of decisions reached fairly and objectively by a weighing of evidence.

Juvenile armed carjacking suspects arrested after police chase

Tumwater Police Department (TPD) responded to reports of suspicious activity involving a BMW SUV on Monday, April 27, where individuals were seen tossing items, including clothes and a car seat, … more

By Darlanne Cruz | 5/1/24 | 1 comment

Several hundred people are expected to walk in the 2024 Paws 4 A Cause event on May 4. This photo is from the 2023 event.

Fun and food at this Saturday’s Paws 4 A Cause event

Ready for something entirely new? Come watch the Peanut Butter Licking Contest at this Saturday’s Paws 4 A Cause event in Heritage Park in downtown Olympia. The four-hour event is both a … more

By Danny Stusser | 5/1/24 | 1 comment

Police Blotter for Tuesday, April 30, 2024

Thurston County Sheriff’s Office On 4/30/24 at 6:51 PM in the 70 th Avenue SE/Compass Street SE, Sheriff’s deputies arrested Danielle Tracy McClain, 32, on suspicions of 1) driving … more

5/1/24

An Olympia Water Resources team member inspects a catch basin.

Olympia evaluates money-saving inspection innovation for 7,000+ stormwater catch basins

An Olympia staffer proposed a method to save the city money on inspecting stormwater catch basins. Senior Stormwater Specialist Kane Osstifin told the Olympia Utilities Advisory Committee (UAC) … more

By Jeffrey Westbrook | 4/30/24 | 5 comments

This image shows a BMW steering wheel and was taken while the car was parked.

New EPA rules aim to cut vehicle emissions for cleaner air

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently introduced new regulations to reduce emissions from new cars and light trucks. The "Multi-Pollutant Emissions Standards for Model Years … more

By Darlanne Cruz | 4/30/24 | 2 comments

South Sound Stadium would be roaring this summer as FC Olympia is set to bring back USL action home.

FC Olympia to stay in South Sound Stadium for 2024 USL home games, announces USL provisional squad, new kit, and more USL deets

FC Olympia confirmed on its website that their home pitch for the 2024 USL2 and USL W League summer competitions would still be at South Sound Stadium in North Thurston High School in the heart of … more

By Vince Zafra | 4/30/24

The Port of Olympia held a town hall meeting with Executive Director Alexandra Smith on April 24.

New port director open to conversations about future of downtown marine terminal

The Port of Olympia’s new executive director, Alexandra Smith, addressed dozens of questions last week, including about the marine terminal’s profitability and said she supports having … more

By Jerome Tuaño and Danny Stusser | 4/30/24 | 11 comments

Cassidy Walchak-Sloan and Alisha Saucedo are expected to represent the Saints at various distance running events in the GNAC Championships.

Saint Martin’s Track and Field team steps up in GNAC Finals preview at CWU

With only a couple of weeks left approaching the Conference Finals, the Saint Martin’s University Track and Field team is in their homestretch preparations to vie for all the marbles and was … more

By Vince Zafra | 4/30/24

Vehicle theft suspect arrested after police pursuit ends in Maytown

In the early hours of April 25, Thurston County Sheriff's Office (TCSO) received a call regarding a suspicious vehicle obstructing a roadway in Maytown. According to the TCSO news release , … more

By Darlanne Cruz | 4/30/24 | 1 comment

The Olympia Host Lions Club maintains this Sensory Garden for our low-vision and blind community. Pictured is Lisa Ikeda, Lions District Governor, on Earth Day.

What a fun place to live, from volunteers planting trees, Procession of the Species to rummage sales

I am a little late with this information, but Earth Day was a big success in our communities. Trees hold a special place in my heart, so Earth Day is one of my favorite holidays, and clearly, I am … more

By Kathleen Anderson | 4/30/24 | 2 comments

Police Blotter for Monday, April 29, 2024

Thurston County Sheriff’s Office On 4/29/24 at 3:12 AM in the 5 th Avenue SE/Central Avenue SE, Sheriff’s deputies arrested Blessing Jamalachi A. McDaniel, 19, on suspicions of 1) … more

4/30/24

VFW Post 318 Commander Crystal Beeler wants the city to address the problems the post has encountered from residents at Unity Commons.

VFW Post wants action from city

Army veteran Crystal Beeler made it clear that she wants the Olympia City Council to address the issue that VFW Post 318 says involves the actions of homeless individuals living in the nearby Unity … more

By JM Simpson | 4/29/24 | 4 comments

Troy Oliver, NTPS’s assistant superintendent of operations, will be the school district's supervisor.

North Thurston Public Schools assistant superintendent to take the helm

During a special meeting on Sunday, April 28, the North Thurston Public Schools (NTPS) Board of Directors selected Troy Oliver as its next Superintendent. “I have been proud to work … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/29/24

Proposed Changes to Parking Meter Times This cartoonized map shows the existing parking meter time limits downtown. All blocks shown in green currently have 3-hour meters, while those in purple are 2-hour meters. The Olympia Parking Services proposes turning all two-hour meters into three hours to provide flexibility for businesses and visitors in the downtown area.

Olympia considering expanding parking enforcement hours

Olympia's Parking Services Program proposed several changes to downtown parking to address community concerns and serve local businesses and visitors better. Parking Service Program specialist … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/29/24 | 7 comments

A bus pulling into the Intercity Transit bus stop in Olympia

Intercity Transit seeks public comment on transit projects for 2025-28

Intercity Transit is calling on the public to comment on transit projects outlined in the annual update of its Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for 2025-28, which is a federal requirement to … more

By Darlanne Cruz | 4/29/24

Steak fajita salad is easy to make and a good way to deal with various leftovers.

Recipe: Steak Fajita Salad

When we have steak, there are sometimes leftovers that do not have quite enough remaining for another meal. These are a great main ingredient for several entrees, including steak fajita salad. … more

By Shannon Beigert | 4/29/24 | 1 comment

This Tumwater Heritage Tree is the Davis-Meeker Garry Oak. It's located along Old Highway 99 on the east side of Olympia Regional Airport. It's estimated to be 330-400 years old and has been called "the finest tree in the county."

Arborist to Tumwater: Save the Davis Meeker Oak

In the early 1980s, The Davis Meeker Oak – a 400-year-old oak tree beside Old Highway 99 next to the Olympia airport – was in danger of being removed to improve the highway. I … more

Submitted by Scott D. Baker, Registered Consulting Arborist | 4/29/24 | 6 comments

Olympia-born Braxton Claridy represents the Evergreen State College in the men’s 200 meters.

Geoducks perform last few laps at CWU Invitational ahead of Conference Championships

In the lead-up for the upcoming Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) Championships in early May, the Evergreen State College Track and Field team battled for their homestretch outdoor meets and … more

By Vince Zafra | 4/29/24

A six-time felon with an arrest warrant for selling illegal narcotics was arrested after he attempted to flee from law enforcement.

Felon wanted for selling narcotics arrested

A six-time felon wanted for selling narcotics was arrested near Black Hill High School after trying to flee from law enforcement on April 24, according to Thurston County Sheriff’s Office … more

By Darlanne Cruz | 4/29/24 | 1 comment