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A demonstrator holds an upside down American flag, which indicates a sign of distress, at the "No Kings 2.0" rally at the Washington State Capitol Campus in Olympia on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.

'No Kings' rally draws thousands of people to Washington State Capitol Campus

Thousands of people converged on the Washington State Capitol Campus in Olympia on Saturday, Oct. 18, to protest policies enacted by President Donald Trump ... more

By JM Simpson | 10/18/25 | 17 comments

Olympia City Manager Jay Burney outlined staff reductions to address the city’s projected $6.5 million budget deficit in 2026.

Plan outlined to help close multimillion-dollar budget deficit in Olympia

Olympia City Manager Jay Burney proposed staff reductions and leaving vacant positions unfilled to help close the city’s projected $6.5 million ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/17/25 | 8 comments

Convicted felon arrested after assaulting deputy at car crash scene in Lacey

A convicted felon was taken into custody following an altercation with law enforcement at the scene of a vehicle collision in ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 10/17/25 | 3 comments

Water utility projects on tap in Tumwater

The City of Tumwater plans to pursue two new water utility projects in 2027, according to an update of its Capital Facilities ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/17/25

Pope John Paul II High School named best private high school in Thurston County

Pope John Paul II High School in Lacey was named the best private high school in Thurston County for the second consecutive year by the school-matching ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 10/17/25 | 2 comments

The Community Livability and Public Safety Committee approved renaming Yelm Highway Community Park to Jolene Unsoeld Community Park at a meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025.

Olympia committee backs new names for arts campus and parks

The Community Livability and Public Safety Committee (CLPS) recommended naming three city properties after notable local figures, who made ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/16/25 | 9 comments

Alleged custodial assault at Thurston County Corrections Facility

A 25-year-old inmate is facing two counts of custodial assault after allegedly attacking Thurston County Corrections Facility ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 10/16/25

Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders conducted a traffic stop outside the Log Cabin Bar in Lacey on Sept. 26, 2025.

Thurston County Sheriff's Office in line for DUI enforcement grant

The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office stands to receive $133,517.29 under a pending Washington Traffic Safety Commission grant to bolster ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 10/16/25 | 3 comments

Heather Pens, a member of the Olympia Friends Meeting, mixed eggs during the preparation of two large pans of frittatas in her kitchen on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025. “I do this because the homeless need food,” she said.

Walking a prayer

Heather Pens is a personification of an old West African proverb and Quaker saying, “When you pray, move your ... more

By JM Simpson | 10/16/25 | 4 comments

The 2026–28 Advanced Life Support contracts for Olympia, Tumwater and Lacey Fire District 3 head to the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners for action at its next board meeting on Oct. 21, 2025.

Thurston County eyes three-year contract for paramedic services

Thurston County is poised to renew its Advanced Life Support (ALS) contracts for paramedic services with the City of Olympia, the City of Tumwater and ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 10/15/25 | 1 comment

Lucas Garrison was arrested for an alleged theft from two vehicles outside a home in Lacey.

Alleged vehicle prowl and theft leads to arrest in Lacey

A 46-year-old man was arrested in connection with a vehicle prowl and theft in a residential area in the ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 10/15/25 | 3 comments

The Olympia School District Board of Directors reviewed a resolution for a new Technology, Safety, and Facility Improvement Levy at a meeting on Oct. 9, 2025.

Olympia School District board seeks levy for technology infrastructure

The Olympia School District Board of Directors discussed a resolution that would authorize the district to collect a new Technology, Safety, and ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 10/15/25 | 3 comments

Tumwater Police Department Chief Jay Mason, bottom right, shared updates about the police department’s body worn camera program with the Tumwater Public Health and Safety Committee at a meeting on Tuesday, Oct, 14, 2025.

Tumwater Police Department to select vendor for body cameras

The Tumwater Police Department is going to select a vendor for its body camera program this week, according to an update by police ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/15/25 | 1 comment

Inmate faces assault charge after altercation at Thurston County Corrections Facility

An inmate at Thurston County Corrections Facility is in more trouble after allegedly assaulting a fellow inmate and corrections deputies ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 10/15/25

Air quality monitors in Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater showed readings in the “Good” range on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. The agency recorded steady atmospheric conditions in Thurston County as cooler air patterns thinned residual smoke from the summer’s fire restriction period.

Burn ban eased in Thurston County

Fire safety restrictions have been lifted in Thurston County after the Washington State Department of Natural Resources lowered the regional fire danger ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 10/15/25

Olympia committee to review recommendations for parks and arts campus names

The Community Livability and Public Safety Committee is scheduled to review and make recommendations for naming three park properties — the Olympia Armory ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/14/25 | 5 comments

Driver arrested for allegedly driving under the influence after collision in Olympia

A 34-year-old man was arrested after a traffic collision involving a motorcycle at the intersection of 113th Avenue SW and Crockett Street SW in Olympia on ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 10/14/25

Olympia Lodging Tax Committee to review 39 tourism funding proposals for 2026

Olympia’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee is set to review nearly $1.8 million in funding requests from local organizations seeking support for ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/14/25

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners reviewed budget plans and figures during its agenda setting meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025.

Thurston County commissioners approve 2026-27 budget targets to shrink $36M deficit

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners approved preliminary 2026–27 budget targets in a 3–2 vote to narrow an estimated $36 million general fund deficit ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 10/14/25 | 4 comments

The Tumwater Fire Department and Olympic Health and Recovery Services partnered to launch the Tumwater Mobile Outreach Team, which provides 24-hour crisis response services for the city.

New response team launched for behavioral health crisis situations in Tumwater

The Tumwater Fire Department launched a new Mobile Outreach Team to provide 24-hour crisis response services, the city announced on Friday ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/14/25 | 1 comment