Olympia’s Quenton Lanese wins first career SPSL title

LAKEWOOD — Quenton Lanese accomplished the first of what he hopes is three consecutive championships in his sophomore postseason. The Olympia cross country phenom earned his first career South …

Spending tops $20M MGP-Braun congressional race

Candidates in Washington state’s most closely watched congressional race have spent more than $10 million entering the final weeks of the campaign. Meanwhile, outside forces are shelling out …

Traffic stop in Yelm leads to arrest of suspect wanted in connection to death of child last year

Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders announced on Facebook on Monday, Oct. 19, that the suspect wanted in connection to the death of a five-year-old child last year has been arrested in Yelm after a …

Former WA Rep., current Port of Tacoma Commissioner JT Wilcox voices support for YCS levy

Former Washington state Representative, and current Port of Tacoma Position No. 4 Commissioner, JT Wilcox voiced his support toward the upcoming Yelm Community Schools (YCS) levy measure — which …

Local news

Thurston County Auditor’s Office has updated 58,000 voter registration records so far this year

The Thurston County Auditor’s Office is hard at work preparing for the Nov. 3 general election in Thurston County. One aspect of that work that takes place year-round is updating voter …

Support sought for Thurston County boy, 11, diagnosed with aggressive cancer

An 11-year-old Yelm boy was recently diagnosed with a terminal and aggressive form of cancer, and his family is now seeking support from the community to assist with medical costs, missed wages and …

Lacey driver injured in crash on I-5 in Thurston County

A driver was injured when he struck a ditch and a sign on southbound Interstate 5 in Lacey on Friday, Oct. 23. The driver, identified by the Washington State Patrol as Cameron C. Grunberg, …

FESS seeks community partners to bring holiday hope to local families

For many families, the holiday season is a time of excitement, traditions and making memories together. “But for families facing financial hardship, the holidays can also bring a painful …

Derek Sanders commits to continuing to improve the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office

Derek Sanders has spent the last four years rebuilding the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office, and the community’s trust in the department, from the ground up. “We have seen historic …

Pettit says he has the experience to handle water affordability crisis at Thurston PUD

The cost of providing safe and reliable drinking water in Thurston County is steadily increasing. Inflation, construction costs, and necessary treatment costs to address PFAS “forever …

Jeff Curry looks to provide fair, reliable and affordable water for Thurston PUD customers

Jeff Curry seeks to ensure that Thurston County’s utility services remain fair, reliable and affordable for every resident. To do so, Curry is running for Position 3 on the Thurston PUD Board …

Providence Swedish Mobile Health Clinic brings care to residents displaced by Tumwater apartment blaze

When an apartment fire in Tumwater occurred Oct. 15, it left dozens of residents unable to return home. Some of the residents also lost access to essentials like oxygen, insulin and heart medications …

Emily Clouse looks to apply compassion, experience to another term as Thurston County commissioner

Emily Clouse has spent her first term on the Thurston County Board of Commissioners integrating herself into the work the county does in the community and gaining a deeper understanding of the …

In Focus: Fire and Ice charity basketball game pits the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office against local firefighters

On Saturday night, a matchup between Thurston County Sheriff's Office employees and local firefighters — better known as the Fire and Ice charity basketball game — was held at Tumwater High …

Let’s Go WA founder Brian Heywood appearance canceled in Olympia following ‘threats of violent protest’

The Thurston County Mainstream Republicans was set to have its regular Wednesday luncheon meeting in Olympia on Wednesday, Oct. 21, when the group was unexpectedly forced to cancel. The reason …

FEMA launches option to buy national flood insurance policy online

It is now easier than ever for Washington residents to prepare for the devastating financial consequences of flooding, a news release from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) stated this …

More Local News

State & Regional News

Amid legal concerns, Washington suspends contribution limits for candidates and PACs

Washington state’s campaign finance enforcers are allowing candidates for legislative and Supreme Court seats to spend as much of their own money on their campaigns in the final days of this …

Pierce County weighs appointed sheriff in major shift for law enforcement

One week until Election Day and Pierce County voters are considering several amendments, including two that would dramatically change the office of the sheriff. Amendment 53 asks Pierce County …

‘Capitulation to dark money’: Critics slam Washington PDC decision to suspend donation caps

A recent decision from Washington's regulatory body for campaign donations is drawing criticism from both sides of the political spectrum. The chair of the Washington State Republican party says …

State GOP Chair Jim Walsh : 400 suspected noncitizen voters 'tip of the iceberg'

Washington’s Secretary of State says the timing of Monday’s U.S. Department of Justice press conference where federal authorities said they had identified hundreds of noncitizens that have voted …

More than a third of western states’ glacial cover has been lost since 1950s

Six western states, including Oregon, have lost more than one-third of their glacial cover since 1950 and more than 300 glaciers in those states have disappeared entirely as the earth has rapidly …

Washington advocates renew calls for state to limit feds’ access to license data

SEATTLE — Chris Megargee volunteers at a Shoreline Home Depot to help day laborers frequently targeted by federal immigration authorities. As part of the adopt-a-corner program , …

Washington paid leave tax hits 1.2% cap for 2027, lawmakers eyeing lift

Washington workers will see a higher deduction on their paychecks come January 1, 2027 as the state collects more taxpayer money for its paid leave program. The Washington State Employment …

Half a million Oregonians have turned in their ballots week ahead of Nov. 3 election

More than half a million Oregon voters have returned their ballots as of Monday morning, about 16% of the state’s 3.1 million registered voters, according to unofficial ballot return data from the …

Washington 9th graders perform better with new program, but funding isn’t guaranteed

Across Washington state, schools rolled out a support system designed to help high school freshmen over the last few years. In the Ninth Grade Success initiative, teachers and other school …

More State & Regional News

Life

Rory Aldana drives into the lane against Tony Dominguez during the Fire and Ice charity basketball game at Tumwater High School on Saturday, Nov. 22.

Sheriff's Office v. Firefighters: Fire and Ice charity basketball game is Oct. 24

Local firefighters and Thurston County Sheriff’s Office employees will hit the hardwood on Saturday, Oct. 24, for the fourth annual Fire and Ice charity basketball game at Tumwater High School. …

The WET Science Center’s fall lineup brings the outdoors inside

With rain in the forecast and cooler temperatures, it’s time to find affordable ways to have fun inside. The WET Science Center is ready to help! Most middle schoolers in …

Thurston County Sheriff’s Office Detective Hannah Ritter, and one of the newer recruits to the department, Gus, arrive at Yelm Community Center — where the K9 was introduced to the community at a town hall meeting with Sheriff Derek Sanders on Wednesday, Oct. 7.

Meet Gus: Thurston County Sheriff’s Office introduces newest K9 member

Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders, accompanied by his executive staff and senior officers, held a town hall at the Yelm Community Center on Wednesday, Oct. 7. Setting aside the usual …

Lacey MakerSpace invites the community to Festival of Sparks

Creativity, innovation and community will come together as Lacey MakerSpace opens its doors for the Festival of Sparks, its annual fundraiser, from 1 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10. The event is free …

People loading onto the North Thurston Public School Buses at the Hawks Prairie Park & Ride on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, during the Nisqually Watershed Festival.

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, …