Bucoda, WA Events and More

Families in tears and outrage after Olympia School District votes to close 3 schools

THURSTON COUNTY, Wash. — In a highly charged and emotional board meeting on Thursday night, the Olympia School District board voted to close down three elementary schools, despite a fiery contingent of district families speaking against the proposal. As a result of the vote, LP Brown, McKenny, and Madison...

Olympia, WA · 10h

The Olympian

Major downtown Olympia road to close for three years during construction, WA says

The updated plans for restoring the Deschutes Estuary in downtown Olympia from its current status as a stagnant lake have gotten the attention of residents due to one specific change: The entire portion of Deschutes Parkway around Capitol Lake will need to be closed for up to three years to get the work done. Olympia resident Bill Elliott said on Nextdoor on Oct. 30 that he learned about the planned road closure at a public open house for the Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement on Oct. 28 at the Olympia Center. He said the event was only attended by about 20 people. “An up to 3-year closure of Deschutes Parkway Southwest between Lakeridge Drive and 5th Avenue is now being proposed for the Deschutes Estuary Restoration project,” he said. “The up to 3-year street closure is to allow for construction of the new roundabout at the intersection of Deschutes Parkway SW, Olympic Street, and the new bridge approach. That seems like a very generous street closure duration for the described work.” According to previous reporting, the project is one of the biggest urban restoration projects in the country. By the time construction starts, the cost of restoring the Deschutes Estuary

The Olympian

Recent Olympia-area business closures, including a drive-in restaurant

Multiple longtime Olympia-area businesses have announced closures in recent weeks, including a Lacey bakery, a west Olympia drive-in and a farm supply store. Here are key takeaways: Miss Moffett’s Mystical Cupcakes in Lacey plans to close by the end of the year after nearly 14 years in business. Owner Rachel Young, who finished as runner-up on Food Network’s “Cupcake Wars” in 2013, cited declining sales, higher gas prices keeping customers away and rising food, labor and utility costs. Builders FirstSource has closed its west Olympia location at 1830 Black Lake Blvd. SW, consolidating operations into its Lakewood and Shelton facilities. The Coastal Farm & Ranch store at 5500 Martin Way E. in Lacey is winding down operations by Dec. 31 , according to store manager Rob Re. Everything is being sold, including fixtures, with current discounts up to 50% expected to grow as the final day nears. The Sonic Drive-In at 1303 Cooper Point Road SW in west Olympia permanently closed Oct. 15 , a company spokesperson confirmed. Sonic encouraged customers to visit its Lacey location at 7746 Martin Way E. The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by Olympian reporter Rolf Boone.

Olympia, WA · 1d

everafterinthewoods.com

This Unassuming Washington Country Market Sells Homemade Pies, Local Honey, And Bulk Buys At Bargain Prices

A jar of raw milk, a homemade strawberry rhubarb pie, and a heap of closeout coffee can all land in the same basket at one small roadside market in Washington. Better yet, the total at the register tends to stay surprisingly friendly. The pies are made locally and wait in...

Rochester, WA · 5d

The Olympian

Teriyaki spot scores 100 red points. Here are Thurston Co. food scores for Nov. 10

Comments are taken directly from the latest Thurston County Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) inspection reports, which are available for each food establishment, at the Thurston County Environmental Health Office and their website. For questions concerning these reports, contact the health office at 360-867-2667. Report restaurant, grocery store, deli or bakery complaints online via the complaint form here: https://www.thurstoncountywa.gov/phss/Pages/eh-problem.aspx . Reading inspection scores: Red violations are those most likely to cause food-borne illness and must be corrected immediately if feasible or according to a compliance schedule established by the health officer. Example: not keeping food at the right temperature. Blue violations relate to the overall cleanliness and condition of operation and must be corrected according to a compliance schedule established by the health officer. Example: a worn floor that needs replacing. If red points exceed 45, the county will require a reinspection within 10 business days. A reinspection also is required if total red and blue points exceed 65. If red points exceed 100 and there’s a lack of managerial control, the county may shut down the establishment. The establishment may reopen after the person-in-charge develops a written course of action to correct all violations and demonstrates corrective action

Thurston County, WA · 1d

The Olympian

partner publisher · 77.1K followers

Olympia Farmers Market vendor receives ‘permanent suspension,' owner says

Crafted Restorations, a knife maker and former vendor at the Olympia Farmers Market that had sought reinstatement to the market after they were suspended last month, has been permanently suspended, the owners announced on social media. The owners, Kevin and Stacy Box, were waiting on an answer about their market status via certified letter, which they received on Saturday. They posted about the news on social media the next day. “As of the November 7th letter from the Olympia Farmers Market director, Crafted Restorations has been permanently suspended from the market,” the social media post reads. It didn’t come as too much of a surprise, owner Kevin Box told The Olympian on Wednesday. “I figured that’s how it would go,” he said. The letter, which was shared with The Olympian, spells out an appeals process that goes through the farmers market board. Box said they plan to appeal and are also pursuing legal action, although he declined to comment on what the legal action might be. In the letter from market director Alvinita J. Stuart, also known as Alvi Stuart, she zeroed in on the vendor’s decision to share their concerns about the market on social media as her reasons

Olympia, WA · 15h

Stacker

Cheapest gas stations in Olympia

Stacker compiled a list of the cheapest gas stations in Olympia using data from Gas Buddy

familydestinationsguide.com

This No-Frills Neighborhood Diner Serves The Best All-Day Breakfast In Washington

Some places don’t need a fancy sign or a velvet rope to tell you they’re worth your time, and the Martin Way Diner in Olympia, Washington is exactly that kind of place. The parking lot is always busy, the coffee is always hot, and nobody’s going to judge you for ordering breakfast at two in the afternoon.

The Chronicle

Olympia Regional Airport's neighbors concerned about noise, pollution increase from new Spokane to Olympia route

As the Olympia Regional Airport prepares to welcome direct flights to and from Spokane for the 2027 legislative session, area residents are reiterating concerns about noise and air pollution.  ...

Olympia, WA · 1d

hoodline.com

Medina Foundation Hands Yelm, Grays Harbor Groups Millions in Final Grants

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County is getting $3 million for a permanent Yelm clubhouse, and it's not alone — nonprofits across Thurston and Grays Harbor counties just landed some of the largest individual grants the Seattle-based charitable foundation has ever made. The money is part of a final round of transformational grants, each ranging from $1 million to $5 million, awarded to 42 nonprofits as the Medina Foundation spends down its remaining resources before shutting its doors in 2027.

Thurston County, WA · 18h

The Chronicle

Chehalis boy, 10, honored by city council for pulling fellow Cub Scout from the Chehalis River

After receiving an official recognition of his heroic actions late last month, a Chehalis Cub Scout was again honored for pulling a fellow scout from the Chehalis River by the Chehalis City Council

Chehalis, WA · 1d

Chronicle

Letter to the editor: Thank you to Chehalis voters

On behalf of the City of Chehalis Public Works Department, thank you to everyone who participated in the Nov. 3 election. We appreciate the time residents took to learn about the Transportation Benefit District renewal, ask questions, and consider the transportation needs of our community. Voters approved continuing the existing...

Chehalis, WA · 1d

southsoundmag.com

Olympia's New Dermatology Option

Olympia residents now have another place to pamper their nails, skin, and hair. Currently taking appointments, Epiphany Dermatology has opened new office in the city, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony set for Dec. 11. The space is at 704 Lily Road SE. The business's dermatologist, Dr. Heidi Dearborn, specializes in skin-cancer...

thurstontalk.com

Top Local News – Thurston County – November 9, 2026

Your daily roundup of local news from Thurston County, Washington — covering Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, Yelm, Tenino, and Rochester. 1. SeaPort Airlines plans seasonal Spokane-Olympia route for 2027 legislative session. 📍 Olympia. In Olympia, SeaPort Airlines announced a seasonal route linking Spokane and Olympia that is set to...

Thurston County, WA · 3d

The Chronicle

Chehalis Tribe recognizes 25th year of honoring local veterans

Jay Longmire, a senior at Rochester High School, was midway through singing the national anthem to a packed crowd at the Lucky Eagle Casino Wednesday night when her nerves got the better of ...

Chehalis, WA · 12h

thurstontalk.com

New Fused Glass Studio in Olympia: Grand Opening Veterans Day

Are you looking for something fun to do during the next six months of grey gloom? Check out GlassHaus NW! This new art studio in Olympia is owned by Griselda Hall, a retired U.S. Army veteran who is excited to share this fun activity with everyone. “I’m most excited about...

Olympia, WA · 2d

southsoundmag.com

Local Boy Scout Unveils Veteran-Honoring Project

When 15-year-old Boy Scout Sam Harshman of Troop 9266 was tasked with choosing a project he wanted to lead to obtain his Eagle Scout status, it was one he put into careful consideration. Sam has been with the Boy Scouts for several years, and during that time, he’s quickly collected...

Tumwater, WA · 17h

The Chronicle

Winlock City Council approves new city clerk candidate as plans set in motion for lighted Christmas parade on Dec. 19

The City of Winlock has a new city clerk after the Winlock City Council approved the appointment of Shelley Buresh to the vacant position during its regular meeting on Monday, Nov. 9, inside Winlock ...

Winlock, WA · 1d

MyNorthwest.com

‘I would completely go for it’: Ursula embraces Tumwater’s offer to trade future raises for a four-day workweek

Twenty-eight Tumwater city employees have signed up to work 32-hour weeks starting in January, giving up cost-of-living raises for at least two years and part of their increase in the third year. The voluntary program is expected to save about $164,000 in its first year while helping the city attract and retain employees, according to KIRO 7.

Tumwater, WA · 2d

The Chronicle