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Thurston County seeks members for new Racial Equity and Inclusion Council

Thurston County recently opened an application process for the new Racial Equity and Inclusion Council. Nicole Miller, the county’s first-ever racial equity program manager, launched the … more

By JC Medina | 4/28/22 | 2 comments

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

County’s board of health to grow to eight members by July 25

Thurston County needs to name five new members to its expanded Board of Health (BOH) by July to abide by a new state law that takes effect July 25. In an email, Thurston County Public Information … more

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

The Olympia City Council approves 11 appointments for Social Justice and Equity Commission seats during the city council meeting on Tuesday evening.

Olympia city council appoints 11 to new Social Justice and Equity Commission

The Olympia City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved the appointments of 11 inaugural members to Social Justice and Equity Commission Tuesday. During a presentation at the April 19 city … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/20/22

Racial Equity Program Manager Nicole Miller presented three guidelines in selecting applicants for the Racial Equity and Inclusion Council for the Thurston BOCC to choose from, in their Wednesday work session,

Thurston County studies guidelines for Racial Equity and Inclusion Council

The Thurston Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) will soon decide on a set of guidelines in selecting applicants for the Racial Equity and Inclusion Council (REIC). Racial Equity Program Manager … more

By JC Medina | 3/24/22

L-r: Thurston County Commissioners Tye Menser, Carolina Mejia, Zonta Club of Olympia representatives Pamela Dittloff and Lynda Nashed Zeman, and Commissioner Gary Edwards pose with Thurston Board of County Commissioners’ proclamation of Women’s History Month on March 22, 2022.

Thurston BOCC back in the boardroom

For their very first proclamation, as they go back to in-person meetings after two years, the Thurston Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) proclaimed March as Women’s History … more

By JC Medina | 3/23/22

The City’s official YouTube channel posted a video on Tuesday that provided a sneak peek of the Council Chambers, welcoming the community back to the physical venue.

Lacey residents can now physically attend council meetings

The Lacey City Council will now go back to in-person meetings as the government continues to ease COVID-19 restrictions. As announced on the city’s website, community members can now … more

By JC Medina | 3/23/22

Moderator Gary Peterson with Syracuse (top left), former Inkster, Michigan Police Chief William Riley III (top right), Detroit, Michigan Deputy Chief for Support Operations Mark Bliss (bottom left); and New York Police Chief Kenton Buckner (bottom right) answering questions during the Town Hall yesterday, Mar 15.

Top three candidates for Olympia police chief vow to embrace diversity, combat racism

The three shortlisted candidates for the vacant position of Olympia police chief vowed on Tuesday to embrace diversity and fight against racism should they be selected to lead the city’s police … more

By Julia Ornedo | 3/16/22 | 3 comments

Olympia’s Community Livability and Public Safety Committee members interviewing applicants for the various vacancies in the city's advisory committees.

Olympia working to select new advisory committee members

Olympia recently finished screening applicants for vacant slots in its advisory committees today. Olympia’s Community Livability and Public Safety Committee, composed of Chairperson Dontae … more

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

The next Olympia police chief will be in charge of patrols such as this, among many other community concerns.

Olympia police chief candidates set to answer questions at Olympia town hall meeting

Olympia’s candidates for the Chief of Police position will answer questions by the public at the upcoming virtual public meeting on Tues., March 15 at 5:30 p.m. Members of the public may … more

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

Tumwater eyes changing city's logo for racial equity

Tumwater's city leadership team proposed changing the city’s logo as one in a list of potential measures to advance racial equity in the city at the council meeting yesterday. The city … more

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

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

This woman is playing disc golf on one of the "more than 9,800" courses worldwide, according to The Professional Disc Golf Association.

Lacey OKs contract to begin development of Greg Cuoio Park

The Lacey City Council approved a contract to develop Phase 1A of Greg Cuoio Park. at its meeting last night. The city’s capital projects engineer, Ashley Smith, told the council that Phase … more

By JC Medina | 3/4/22

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

Tumwater’s planning commission mulls training for new, old members

The Tumwater Planning Commission ironed out their plan to conduct a training program to help orient new planning commissioners and provide continuing education for incumbent … more

By JC Medina | 2/24/22

Lacey’s workgroup on homelessness bares internal conflict

Members of Lacey's community workgroup on homelessness unveiled their group's ongoing concerns and issues as they met with the City Council in a joint work session on Thursday. Community and … more

By JC Medina | 2/22/22

Tumwater City Council approved the interlocal agreement for the last phase of the Thurston Climate Mitigation plan on Feb. 15

Tumwater joins ILA on Phase 4 of Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan; celebrates Black History Month

Tumwater City Council approved the interlocal agreement (ILA) for the last phase of the Thurston Climate Mitigation plan, a framework for implementing the regional climate action. Tumwater, Lacey, … more

By JC Medina | 2/17/22

Olympia police auditor Tara Parker shows the demographics behind occurrences of police use of force in her 2021 annual report.

Olympia police auditor: No bias in police use of force

“There was no evidence that the officers’ interactions with subjects of color differed from their interactions with white subjects,” Tara Parker, Olympia police auditor, asserted … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 2/16/22

The Olympia Planning Commission making a tally of their recommended applicants for their vacancy.

Olympia Planning Commission seeks new member

The Olympia Planning Commission met yesterday, Feb. 14., to discuss its list of candidates to recommend to the city council for its vacant seat. Commissioners raised several points of … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 2/15/22

The Lacey City Council discussed on Feb. 10, 2022, the plan to purchase a $4-million St. Martin’s Abbey’s property for a new police station that the residents would vote on.

Lacey eyes $4M deal with Saint Martin's Abbey for new police station

Lacey City Council discussed on Thursday the plan to purchase a $4-million St. Martin’s Abbey’s property for a new police station that the residents would vote on. Ashley Smith, … more

By JC Medina | 2/11/22

Thurston County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, adopted the county's proclamation for African American History Month.

Board of County Commissioners highlights local history in Black History Month proclamation

The Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday adopted a proclamation for African American History Month, recognizing Black peoples' achievements and contributions in local history. "This is an … more

By JC Medina | 2/11/22