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Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall thanked the Olympia City Council for helping increase awareness of registering to vote. The city council signed a proclamation on Tuesday, designating September 20, 2022, as National Voter Registration Day.

Olympia encourages citizens to register to vote; 16 and up can pre-register

Olympia encourages citizens to register to vote; 16 and up can pre-register By Lorilyn C. Lirio Olympia’s American citizens aged 16 and up can now pre-register to vote, Thurston County … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/21/22

A roofer working on a roof with no fall protection.

LNI fines Olympia roofer for hazardous practice

Washington State Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) called out Olympia company United Roofing Solutions, Inc. for putting its workers at risk. “United is showing intentional … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 9/21/22

At the Olympia Planning meeting held on September 19, 2022, contract planner Gary Cooper presented a table where communities across the United States are looking at reducing parking requirements.

Olympia's Housing Action Plan looks at reducing residence parking requirements, clarifying permitting process

Olympia is contemplating reducing minimum parking requirements to accommodate more housing projects. This was according to contract planner Gary Cooper when he gave a brief presentation at the … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/20/22

The cleanup involves the dredging of several portions of Budd Inlet such as along the navigation channel, Swantown Habor, and the south of East and West Bay.

Budd Inlet cleanup will be the Port’s biggest project in decades

A $100 million project to clean up Budd Inlet is set to be the Port of Olympia’s biggest project in decades. The Port held a work session on September 20, to discuss their potential approach to … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/20/22 | 2 comments

Voting 5-2, the Lacey City council officially approved the proposed amendments to the existing Flag Policy during a meeting on Thursday, September 15.

Lacey officially allows the flying of equity flags

After a heated argument during the council meeting on Thursday, September 15, Lacey officially approved the proposed amendments to the existing Flag Policy, including additional flags to be flown in … more

By JC Medina | 9/19/22 | 9 comments

At the Land Use and Environment Committee meeting held on September 15, 2022, Interim Public Transportation Director Sophie Stimson said one of the developments included in the Engineering and Design Development Standards update is the development of enhanced bike lanes on streets.

Olympia street improvement in the works

Olympia's Assistant City Engineer Steve Sperr announced that developing street connectivity and downtown sidewalk standards would take time. During the Land Use and Environment Committee update on … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/19/22

Washington laws enable voters to register or change their registration up to the day of the election, in-person.

Lacey recognizes September 20 National Voter Registration Day

The Lacey City Council officially set Tuesday, September 20, as National Voter Registration Day. The council said the proclamation signed during its meeting Thursday, September 15, aims to … more

By JC Medina | 9/19/22

At Olympia's Land Use and Environment Committee meeting Thursday, September 15, 2022, Climate Program intern Louisa Sevier updated the committee members on the city's emissions inventory.

Olympia’s emissions decreasing

Olympia's day-to-day operations in 2021 have generated 8,262 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e), 11% less than it did in 2014, city Climate Program intern Louisa Sevier reported at the … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/16/22 | 1 comment

Olympia Fire Chief Todd Carson reported that private ambulance availability in the city has increased by 25% in July and 21% in August. Still, it did not improve response time to emergency calls. Overall the call volumes have gone up, and the availability of private ambulances is down. Carson presented the data at the Olympia City Council meeting held Tuesday, September 13, 2022.

Private ambulances operating in Olympia still not meeting medical standard services, says fire chief

"Private ambulance services in the city did not meet the generally accepted medical standards and reasonable levels of service," Olympia Fire Chief Todd Carson reiterated at the city council meeting … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/16/22 | 3 comments

County wants the public’s thoughts on aid funds

Thurston County is seeking public input on which sectors should be allocated with $10 million worth of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, meant to be used for public health and economic … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 9/16/22

A Statue of St. Benedict at Saint Martin's University.

Saint Martin's No. 52 top performer on social mobility for regional universities in the west

LACEY, Wash. – Saint Martin’s University has been ranked No. 52 among the 2022-2023 Top Performers on Social Mobility for Regional Universities in the West by U.S. News & World … more

9/16/22

Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland during the Congress Subcommittee for Indigenous People of the United States, September 14, 2022.

Congress mulls bill granting 99-year leasing rights for Chehalis tribe

Congress mulls bill of 99-year leasing rights for Chehalis tribe By Edwin Oscar U. Gutierrez, Jr. Washington Congress’ Natural Resources met on September 14 to hear testimony on HR 6564, … more

By Edwin Oscar U. Gutierrez, Jr. | 9/15/22

Tumwater’s general government committee met on September 14 to discuss yearly amendments to the city’s municipal code.

Tumwater deliberates church signage and use

Tumwater’s General Government Committee argued an amendment to the city’s municipal code, which will allow 15-feet signage for churches in residential zone districts during their meeting … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/15/22 | 1 comment

Mrs. Green, right, spoke at the Olympia City Council meeting yesterday, September 13, 2022, about her son Timothy, whom a police officer allegedly killed.

Olympia community members want independent investigation of Timothy Green's death

Olympia community members are clamoring for an independent investigation of the August 22 shooting incident involving a police officer who allegedly killed Timothy Green, who had mental health … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/14/22 | 8 comments

Screenshot of Washington’s online voter portal.

Thurston hails September 20 National Voter Registration Day

The Thurston Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) officially proclaimed Tuesday, September 20, National Voter Registration Day. The board said the proclamation shows that Thurston County is … more

By JC Medina | 9/14/22

Tumwater city administrator John Doan proposed several increases in stormwater utility fees to cover the city’s contribution to the Deschutes Estuary project.

Tumwater proposes increases in stormwater utility fees to fund Deschutes Estuary project

Tumwater is proposing several increases in stormwater utility fees to fund the city’s contribution toward the Capitol Lake-Deschutes Estuary project. During a city council work session … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/14/22 | 3 comments

Olympia proclaims September Suicide Prevention Month

The Olympia City Council signed a proclamation designating September 2022 Suicide Prevention Month during their September 13 meeting September is globally observed as "Suicide Prevention Month," … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/14/22

Tumwater’s public health and safety committee recommended on September 13 for Mayor Debbie Sulivan to renew the city’s contract with Thurston County prosecutors.

Tumwater moves to renew contract with Thurston County prosecutors

Tumwater’s public health committee approved the renewal of a contract to maintain legal support services provided by the Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. The committee … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/14/22

The Thurston County Board of Health's citizen member slots are now filled during the county commissioners' meeting September 13, 2022.

County commissioners appoint three new BOH members

The Thurston Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) officially appointed three applicants for the expanded Board of Health (BOH) during the commissioners’ meeting on September 13. The three … more

By JC Medina | 9/14/22 | 1 comment

At the RFA planning committee meeting on September 12, 2022, consultant for RFA Karen Reed presented charts that reflect the impact of estimated FBC adjustments in various properties.

RFA committee discusses possible FBC adjustments

Regional Fire Authority planning committee members are considering six options to adjust the Fire Benefit Charge (FBC) formula. At the RFA planning committee meeting held Monday, September 12, … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/13/22 | 2 comments