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Olympia city manager Jay Burney presented 11 items the finance committee proposed to the city council to include in the coming budget amendment. The city council meeting was held on Tuesday, May 17.

Olympia City Council approves inclusion of 2021 year-end fund list for budget amendment

The Olympia City Council approved the inclusion of 11 items in the upcoming budget amendment, which appropriations will come from the city’s $10.2 million available funds. During the city … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 5/18/22 | 1 comment

The Thurston Board of County Commissioners declared the third week of May, as the National Public Works Week during its Tuesday meeting on May 17.

Thurston County celebrates public works professionals 'everyday heroes' and ‘unsung heroes”

The Thurston Board of County Commissioners declared the third week of May, 15 to 21, National Public Works Week during their Tuesday meeting on May 17. This year's theme is titled "Ready and … more

By JC Medina | 5/18/22

Port of Olympia seeking input on Olympia Regional Airport Master Plan Update at third open house

The Port of Olympia will hold the third public open house on the Olympia Regional Airport Master Plan Update (MPU) on Thursday, May 26, 2022, from 2:00 – 3:30 PM via Zoom. The Port of … more

5/18/22 | 1 comment

Seated around the conference table are, l-r, Port Commissioners Amy Evans, Bob Iyall, Joe Downing, executive director Sam Gibboney, Thomas Architecture Studios’ Amos Callender and Ron Thomas.

Destination Waterfront: “A good investment for the next generation”

Thomas Architecture Studios, the firm overseeing development plans for Destination Waterfront, is eager to see green grass growing soon on some of Port of Olympia’s downtown waterfront … more

By Tiziana Piatos and Danny Stusser | 5/17/22 | 1 comment

Rainbow gay pride symbol.Colorful flag on LGBT community bar for homosexual and transgener people in Amsterdam.European freedom,equality and tolerance concept.

OSD official challenges schools to commit to safe environments for LGBTQ+ students

Olympia School District Board of Directors president Maria Flores challenged the city’s schools to commit to maintaining safe, healthy and welcoming environments for all members of the … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 5/16/22

OSD director Hilary Seidel discussed with the board of directors policy amendments to have more student representatives at the board during the OSD regular meeting on Thursday, May 12.

Olympia School District plans to add student reps to the board

Olympia School District (OSD) director Hilary Seidel introduced a policy amendment to seat one student representative from each OSD high school on the board of directors. “This is the policy … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 5/13/22

Holly Chisa, representing the Northwest Grocery Association, asks the Olympia City Council to review the hazard pay ordinance implemented on May 1, 2021.

Hazard pay ordinance still in effect for some grocers

Olympia City Council member Dontae Payne said the hazard pay ordinance, which requires large grocery stores in the city to pay workers an additional $4 an hour, is still in effect. Payne responded … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 5/13/22

A proposed subdivision will be built inside the orange box along Decatur Street, Olympia.

Site Plan Committee reviews office conversion and subdivision proposal

The Olympia Site Plan Committee is reviewing two applications for development projects – one is to use the existing building and the other is a proposal to subdivide 1.4 acres into nine lots … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 5/13/22

CBDG program specialist Anastacia Everett presented the draft fund allocation for project year 2022-2023.

Olympia to receive about $400K from housing fund

The City of Olympia expects to receive around $400,000 from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, which will fund projects that focus on rehabilitation and maintenance of low-income … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 5/12/22 | 1 comment

This is a close-up of a police body camera similar in function to what police throughout Washington will be using, according to new laws passed by the legislature in 2021.

Olympia City authorizes police to acquire body cameras

Olympia’s City Council has authorized the Olympia Police Department (OPD) to acquire and use body-worn cameras and car video systems in compliance with Washington State’s RCW 10.109.2021, … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 5/11/22

Olympia city officials start outlining the city council mid-year retreat agenda on May 9, 2022.

Olympia City Council starts preparing for mid-year retreat

Olympia city officials began outlining the agenda for the city council’s mid-year retreat, tentatively scheduled on June 18 at the council chamber. During a meeting on Monday, May 9, City … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 5/11/22

Bakers are listed by Stacker as the 26th lowest paying job in our area.

Lowest-paying jobs in Olympia

The U.S. may be one of the wealthiest countries in the world but there’s a growing trend of financial inequality, with middle-class households feeling the most impact. In fact, the number of adults … more

By Stacker | 5/10/22

The INSPIRE Women's Business Conference will be held online again, May 12, 2022.

Women’s business conference is this Thursday – online again

The Washington Center for Women in Business (WCWB) will hold its INSPIRE Virtual Women’s Business Conference this Thursday, May 12, “identifying strategies for women to support … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 5/10/22

During the Olympia Advisory Committee meeting held on Thursday, Water Resources director Eric Christensen discussed with the committee members the proposal to provide a discount irrigation rate for urban agriculture.

Olympia utilities committee approves discount water rate for urban agriculture

The Olympia Utilities Advisory Committee (UAC) has directed its staff to develop a discounted rate for irrigation water used for urban agriculture. Water Resources Department director Eric … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 5/10/22

At Silver Springs Organics in Rainier, Armondo Lugo drives a machine that turns over giant steaming piles of compost.

Olympia seeks to divert compostable materials

Public Works Waste ReSources Director Gary Franks recommended to the Olympia Utility Advisory Committee (UAC) that members include some elements House Bill 1799 concerning organic material management … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 5/9/22

An electric car charging kiosk at Washington Street between A and B Avenues.

Olympia to install 10 new solar-powered “pay-by-plate” kiosks

Olympia will start installing 10 new solar-powered pay-by-plate parking kiosks to modernize the process of payment for customers, Parking Services Field Representative Chelsea Baker said. In a … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 5/6/22 | 1 comment

Olympia School District Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Jennifer Priddy explains to the board the effect HB1664 in terms of physical, emotional and social services on April 24, 2022.

OSD’s physical, emotional and social services to improve through HB 1664, says school district official

The Olympia School District will improve physical, social, and emotional services through increased state funding required in House Bill 1664, passed in the recently concluded legislative … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 5/5/22

A committee that advises the Olympia City Council on rental housing issues is evaluating feedback from the public that might lead to new regulations and requirements.

Olympia wants further discussion on rent issues

Olympia's Land Use and Environment Committee wants to have further discussions on rent increases, move-in fees, and rental registration fees as well as a license and inspection … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 5/5/22 | 5 comments

Prairie Birds - Part 1

Thurston County has a rare habitat type that is underappreciated – prairies. These are native grasslands that, 200 years ago, stretched for scores of miles in the relatively flat central and … more

By George Walter | 5/5/22 | 2 comments

The dashed line shows the Urban Growth Boundary surrounding the city of Tumwater. The city is proposing to annex all 12 parcels into the city.

Tumwater council planning to annex remaining 12 “islands” into city limits

The Tumwater City Council has approved staff recommendations to schedule final deliberations for the city to annex 12 “islands” in the coming months. These “island” … more

By Larry Madarang | 5/4/22 | 1 comment