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Tumwater’s public works committee agreed to schedule a public hearing about the annexation of Hopkins district into Tumwater.

Tumwater and Thurston County looking to stop Hopkins Drainage District

A Tumwater city committee is working to oppose the annexation of 599 properties into the Hopkins Drainage Ditch District No. 2 with an ordinance aiming to prevent the action. Further, Thurston … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/23/22 | 1 comment

The 60% design of the new culvert under Sapp Road triggers additional requirements for stormwater management.

Design for culvert calls for additional $80,000 in project cost

The design developed for a new culvert along Percival Creek under Sapp Road calls for an additional $80,753 in the project’s design cost, raising it from $143,000 to … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/23/22 | 1 comment

Lacey Joint Animal Services Commission wants amendments on the city's animal ordinances.

Animal Services pushes for Lacey Community Cat Program

Lacey Joint Animal Services Commission (JASCOM) is lobbying for the new Community Cat Program (CCP) and recommending updates to the Lacey municipal code (LMC). During the council work session on … more

By JC Medina | 9/23/22 | 3 comments

Dr. Pamela Braff, Olympia Climate Program manager, presented the SolSmart Gold designation plaque to the city council on Tuesday, September 21, 2022. Olympia received the gold designation from the Department of Energy-sponsored SolSmart program for its solar energy campaign.

Olympia receives award for solar campaign

Olympia received a "SolSmart Gold" designation from the national SolSmart program for making it faster, more accessible, and affordable for homes and businesses to go solar. Climate Program … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/21/22 | 2 comments

Tumwater city council members Leatta Dahlhoff and Joan Cathey questioned how Thurston Strong benefits entrepreneurs in their city.

Tumwater city council questions allocation of Thurston Strong funds

Tumwater city council questions allocation of Thurston Strong funds Doubts expressed on how it is used By Jerome Tuaño Members of Tumwater’s city council questioned the benefits … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/21/22

Olympia Councilmember Lisa Parshley, on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, made a referral request to city and finance committee staff and legal team to look for options to find a revenue stream to fund climate work.

Olympia councilmember wants revenue source for climate work

Olympia Councilmember Lisa Parshley made a referral request to the Finance Committee staff and the legal team to look for viable options in finding a specific revenue stream dedicated to climate work … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/21/22 | 6 comments

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

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 | 8 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

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 | 7 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

At the Olympia City Council meeting yesterday, September 13, 2022, Councilmember Yen Huynh read a proclamation designating September 2022 as Suicide Prevention Month.

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