Thurston County Medic One hosting town halls and listening sessions for Community Needs Assessment
Thurston County Medic One is hosting a series of public town hall meetings and targeted listening sessions over the next six weeks as part of its ongoing Community Needs Assessment. Identified …
The strange history of how Olympia claimed Puget Sound's native shellfish
Long before the seat of territorial government was established upon these shores, the diminutive native oyster, known to science as Ostrea lurida, sustained the Indigenous Squaxin and neighboring …
Poster Contest draws hundreds of children to the 37th Annual Nisqually Watershed Festival
A vibrant crowd of young nature enthusiasts and families flooded the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge on Saturday, Sept. 26, for the 37th annual Nisqually Watershed Festival, …
Local News
Port of Olympia Commission focuses on Bucoda revitalization, environmental cleanup, and major leases
The Board of Port of Olympia Commissioners brought countywide governance directly to South Thurston County on Monday, Sept. 28, convening its regular evening meeting at the Bucoda Community …
Earthquake shakes parts of Thurston County
A 4.2 magnitude earthquake just south of Bremerton rattled homes in parts of Thurston County Tuesday afternoon.  The seismic event started at 2:05 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 29, nearly 12 miles …
Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Office provides update on missing kayaker
On Thursday afternoon, the Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office (GHCSO) took to Facebook to provide a timeline of events and an update in the ongoing efforts to locate missing kayaker Jeffrey …
“Jesus loves ‘em”: Man with cross offers a simple message
Wind ripped through the air picking up any ungrounded objects in its path as a storm hit Lewis County on Friday, but Durrell Bell stayed anchored to the ground from the weight of the nearly 6-foot-5 …
League of Women Voters of Washington interviews Washington state Supreme Court candidates
With a majority of state Supreme Court seats in play on the Nov. 3 ballot and controversial issues likely to come before the justices, the League of Women Voters of Washington (LWV) has created an …
Washington state worker union OKs new contract with no pay hike
In a closely watched decision, Washington’s largest union of state government workers has ratified a new two-year contract that provides no pay raises but avoids takeaways on health care and other …
FESS to host free community conversations on cyber safety and substance use
Family Education & Support Services (FESS) is bringing local experts and community members together for a free, two-part Strengthening Families Community Conversation series on Oct. 8 and Oct. 15 …
League of Women Voters of Washington interviews Washington state Supreme Court candidates
With a majority of state Supreme Court seats in play on the Nov. 3 ballot and controversial issues likely to come before the justices, the League of Women Voters of Washington (LWV) has created an …
Thurston Chronicle launches as hyperlocal weekly newspaper
In January 2021, Lewis County-based CT Publishing entered the world of journalism, purchasing The Chronicle in Centralia, the Nisqually Valley News in Yelm, and The Reflector in Clark County. …
Local Sports
Wednesday's XC Roundup: Cushman sets new PR to win EvCo triangular
She’s been a star on the hardwood throughout her prep career and now Joy Cushman is making her mark on the cross country course. The W.F. West senior ran a new personal best 21 minutes, 36.60 …
Capital’s Jae Walz cruises to first place in Puget Sound League meet
Capital senior cross country runner Jae Walz picked up a victory on his home course Wednesday, Sept. 30 in a Puget Sound League meet with Capital and Lincoln. Walz finished with a time of 17 …
Short-handed Northwest Christian falls to Summit Classical Christian
The Northwest Christian boys tennis team played without multiple varsity players against Summit Classical Christian and lost 4-1 in a league match Wednesday, Sept. 30. Northwest Christian’s …
Olympia tops Capital in boys tennis behind “grueling” singles victories
The Olympia boys tennis team clashed with crosstown rival Capital and came out on top 3-2 Wednesday, Sept. 30.  Olympia’s top two singles players Nijel Kikuta and Nick O’Sullivan both …
Mountaineers sweep Tigers for sixth straight win
The Rainier volleyball team picked up its sixth sweep in a row on Wednesday, topping Napavine 25-11, 25-10, 25-11 in a non-league meeting. Allyson Ooms finished with 13 digs, nine kills, and two …
State & Regional News

Wolves in SE Washington pack to be killed ‘incrementally’ by state officials after livestock attacks

The director of the state’s Department of Fish and Wildlife this week authorized the “incremental” killing of wolves in southeastern Washington with a goal to stop attacks on livestock.  …

Business
‘Red Gold’: Family farm near Olympia is among the first in Western Washington to grow saffron
A small family farm 25 minutes outside of downtown Olympia is aiming to become one of the first saffron producers in Western Washington.  Emily Strand of Aurum Hill Farm finished planting …
Thurston County Chamber announces 2026 Future of Work summit
Talent turnover is accelerating, technology is reshaping roles, and the gap between what workers expect and what employers are offering is widening. These challenges, and the opportunities they …
State confirms TransAlta natural gas transition, requests public comment
TransAlta Centralia is expected to begin operations generating power through burning natural gas by 2028 and cease all burning of fossil fuels by a state deadline of 2044. The Washington state …
Providence St. Peter enhances cardiovascular care program with remodeled cardiac catheterization labs
Providence St. Peter Hospital’s heart care program recently enhanced its outpatient cardiology services as well as hospital-based interventional, electrophysiology, structural heart, cardiothoracic …
Assistant general manager of Thurston PUD is 2026 honoree for CFO of the Year Awards
Julie Parker, assistant general manager of Thurston Public Utility District (PUD), has been named a 2026 CFO of the Year honoree by Puget Sound Business Journal, an honor given to local leaders who …
Opinion