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The City of Lacey held a public hearing on April 12 to gather opinions on the controversial Meridian Market and Gas Station.

Lacey residents push back against planned Meridian Gas Station; city staff, developer defend

Some 45 Lacey residents showed up at a public hearing on Tuesday about the proposed construction of a gas station in the northeast corner of the city, with some staying online for more than four … more

By JC Medina | 4/14/22 | 1 comment

Screenshot of the livestream of the canceled public hearing on April 4

Lacey public hearing for Meridian Market and Gas set for tomorrow morning

A public hearing for the controversial Meridian Market and Gas Station was moved from on April 4 moved to Tuesday, April 12, 10:00 a.m. Lacey Senior Planner Samra Seymour said they postponed the … more

By JC Medina | 4/11/22

Habitat for Humanity's proposed development plan for 3900 Boulevard Road will have 110 affordable homes to address homelessness in Olympia

Olympia partners with Habitat for Humanity on affordable housing on Boulevard Road

The City of Olympia announced its partnership with South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity (Habitat) in developing its 10-acre 3900 Boulevard Road property into affordable housing. In its proposal, … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 4/11/22 | 1 comment

Critter Control franchise owner Josh Anderson.

New animal-control company opens in Tumwater

The newest Critter Control service company recently opened in Tumwater offering humane ways of capturing and removing animals from residential and office spaces. Critter Control is a wildlife and … more

By Danny Stusser | 4/8/22

Panelists at the Workforce Symposium included, l-r, David Schaffert, Amy Warren, and William Westmoreland. Michael Cade, executive director of the Thurston Economic Development Council, right, moderated the event.

Retiring population, lack of flexibility contribute to labor shortage

The retiring population and lack of flexibility in the employment practices and workplace are among the issues contributing to workforce shortages, according to presenters at the Lacey South Sound … more

By Danny Stusser and Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/7/22

Some 2,000 housing units are in the planning or construction stages in Olympia as of April 2022.

Olympia home-development market as strong as before the 2008 recession

The Olympia Planning Committee has seen an uptick in applications to build housing in the city after a slow recovery from the 2008 recession. Community Planning and Development director Leonard … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/5/22 | 1 comment

KGY is the oldest broadcaster in Thurston County and one of the oldest in Washington State.

KGY to celebrate 100th anniversary starting tomorrow

Thurston county’s oldest broadcast station, KGY 95.3, will be commemorating its centennial year of licensed broadcasting tomorrow, April 5. “This is a big day for KGY, our employees, … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 4/4/22 | 1 comment

The Capital Mall area, highlighted in yellow.

Olympia wants public feedback for Capital Mall area plans

Olympia wants public feedback for Capital Mall area plans By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. The City of Olympia is asking community members who live, work or own property in the Capital Mall area … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 4/1/22 | 3 comments

This is the iconic sign+wall at the Thurston County Courthouse

Rent assistance payments set to resume

Thurston County has transferred its Thurston County Rent Assistance operation to analytic company LiveStories after suspending the program 36 days ago. “We know this has been incredibly … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 4/1/22 | 1 comment

Recordings of the Port of Olympia's meetings can now be seen on TCTV.

Port meetings now broadcast on TCTV

Port of Olympia’s Work Sessions and regular meetings are now aired on Thurston County Community Media TCTV. Port Executive Director Sam Gibboney announced during the Port’s March 28 … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 3/31/22 | 1 comment

New Thomas Architecture Studios Associate Principals (l-r) Josh Gabel and Tom Reiger.

Thomas Architecture has new associate principals

Olympia-based Thomas Architecture Studios (TAS) announced its promotion of Josh Gabel and Tom Reiger to associate principals from senior project managers, according to a press release the firm issued … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 3/25/22

Port of Olympia Commissioner Bob Iyall reading a statement by Nisqually Tribal Council Chairman William Frank III at the commissioners meeting March 21, 2022.

Port commissioners forgo honor statement, agree to include tribes in Port operations

Port of Olympia commissioners have decided to not make an honor statement acknowledging Native Americans’ ownership of lands in lieu of including the tribes in the Port’s activities and … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 3/22/22

Olympia's Finance Committee, meeting on March 16, 2022, voted to send a proposal to create a Workforce Training Center to the city council.

Olympia explores opening training center to address rising unemployment

Olympia’s Finance Committee has endorsed the advancement to the city council of an Economic Workforce Training Center during its meeting yesterday, March 17. Approved by Finance Committee … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 3/17/22 | 1 comment

This is the interior of the building at 118 Fourth Ave. East in downtown Olympia.

Shiny Prize proposed at former barbershop

Olympia may have a new resto-bar opening soon. more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 3/10/22

A 4:40 p.m., Feb. 25 screenshot of the Thurston County Facebook post on its announcement of the housing assistance partnership suspension.

Rent assistance funds tied up due to ongoing dispute

Today the Thurston Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) voted to begin a contract with a Seattle-based tech company to continue the tasks associated with distributing the balance of what started as … more

By Danny Stusser | 3/8/22 | 1 comment

Day 42: House hears bill giving tax deferrals to solar-powered commercial lots

The House Finance committee held a public hearing on ESSB 5714, which would create a sales and use tax deferral program for solar canopies placed on large-scale commercial lots. The bill passed … more

By Troy Kirby | 3/8/22

Day 41: House discusses bills on tax breaks on diapers, businesses

The House Finance Committee heard several bills aimed at tax break incentives, including breaks on business & occupation taxes, and taxes on adult and baby diapers. Click here for … more

By Troy Kirby | 3/7/22

This drawing shows the plan for a proposed small commercial development in the Meridian Campus in northeast Lacey, as discussed on May 20, 2021 by the Lacey Planning Commission.

Lacey sets public hearing for controversial Meridian Market and gas station

Lacey residents will have an opportunity to speak about the plan to construct a market and gas station in the northeast corner of the city at a public hearing set on Apr. 4, Mon. On their meeting … more

By JC Medina | 3/2/22

Ridwell members can deposit their recyclables in the company-issued box collected door-to-door every two weeks for reuse and recycling by local partner organizations.

New waste collection company seeks to collect recyclables in OLT area

A new waste disposal company is servicing the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater area, collecting hard-to-recycle products. Seattle-based Ridwell, in a press release, announced its opening in the OLT area … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 3/1/22

Thurston’s CAC suspension gets mixed online feedback

Thurston County’s announcement of the suspension of its rent assistance contract with Community Action Council of Lewis, Mason & Thurston Counties (CAC) elicited various reactions on its … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 2/25/22