Olympia, WA Events and More

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

KOMO News

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

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

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...

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.

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

The Olympian

partner publisher · 21.3K followers

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 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

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

familydestinationsguide.com

partner publisher · 33.0K followers

The All-You-Can-Eat Buffet At This Washington Restaurant Has Locals Coming Back Every Week

Ask around Tacoma about weekly rituals and you’ll hear about football Sundays, farmers markets, and one very specific buffet that people build their whole weekend schedule around. That buffet is Harvest Buffet, and once you understand why it earns that kind of loyalty, you’ll probably start planning your own...

Tacoma, WA · 4d

Tacoma News Tribune

When will Western Washington see its first frost this fall? What forecasters say

It’s getting colder in Washington state. As temperatures drop, you could start seeing small ice crystals forming on leaves, grass and roads. When can Western Washington residents expect to see frost covering the ground this fall? How long will frosty temperatures last, and how can you protect your plants and plumbing from the chill? Here’s what the experts say: When will we see the first frost in Washington state? When you can expect to see frost in 2026 depends on where you live in Washington state , according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac . The almanac looked at likely dates for the first and last frosts of the season , based on its long-range weather forecasts as well as historical frost averages. In much of Western Washington, frost timing should be “close to the historical average ,” the almanac said, while the last spring frost is expected roughly a week or two later than usual in Central and Eastern Washington. Even “modest” shifts in frost timing can “make a meaningful difference when you’re deciding when to sow early crops, set out seedlings or keep frost protection handy,” the Old Farmer’s Almanac said. The almanac predicted Bellingham would see its first

Washington · 1d

Tacoma News Tribune

partner publisher · 33.0K followers

Lanes closures snarl traffic on southbound I-5 in Tacoma

Update: Traffic has been cleared, WSDOT posted at 1:41 p.m. Original post: Traffic is backed up on southbound Interstate 5 in Tacoma because of police activity. The Washington State Department of Transportation first posted about the delays on X at 1:06 p.m., saying the two right lanes at milepost 131, near South 38th Street, were blocked. At 1:11 p.m., they sent an update, saying three right lanes are blocked. The News Tribune has reached out to the Tacoma Police Department and Pierce County Sheriff’s Office to learn more. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Tacoma, WA · 2d

everafterinthewoods.com

partner publisher · 33.0K followers

Dinner Comes Out Of A Century-Old Firehouse Kitchen At This Washington Restaurant

The fire engines are long gone, but the original brick walls from 1907 are still standing around your burger. Firefighter gear from the old days stays on display, so dinner comes with a side of history. I like how this Washington spot never tried to erase its past. Instead, it...

Tacoma, WA · 2d

Tacoma News Tribune

New roundabout opens in Pierce Co. ‘Major construction' finishes soon on another

Transportation crews are closing the loop on two new roundabouts in Pierce County. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) announced Monday that it has finished building a roundabout in Spanaway and is nearing the end of construction on another near McKenna. The Spanaway roundabout , located on state Route 507 at 208th Street South, has been under construction since May. Department spokesperson Adrienne Hatmaker told The News Tribune in an email that crews removed the temporary traffic lights from the work zone and reopened the closed portion of the road on Sept. 24, but intermittent flagging continued through Oct. 28 as crews finished permanent striping, landscaping, and prep for permanent light pole installation. “If the weather cooperates next week, the contractor plans to finish some minor construction activities at the SR 507 roundabout,” Hatmaker said. Travelers may see a “few more days” of daytime flagging from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m, she added. Near McKenna, crews are wrapping up construction on the other roundabout at the SR 702 and Harts Lake Road intersection, which began in June, WSDOT said. The department said it expects “major construction” on SR 702 to finish this month, depending on the weather. The locations

Pierce County, WA · 2d

tacomaweekly.com

partner publisher · 21.3K followers

South Sound Teams Advance in State Football Playoffs

South Sound high school football teams took the field Saturday as Washington's state playoffs opened with the round of 32. Several area teams advanced with victories, while others won close games to keep their seasons going. Mount Tahoma and Lakes picked up playoff wins, while Puyallup, Sumner, Graham-Kapowsin, Federal Way,...

Tacoma, WA · 2d

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

southsoundmag.com