Your trusted source for local Olympia, WA news, updated daily with the most important stories from your community.
Stone City Event Center in Tenino, Washington, will host a wedding, concert, and celebration on July 21, 2025. The event aims to showcase local agriculture and provide a festive atmosphere for attendees. Located in Thurston County, the center is expected to attract a diverse audience.
Olympia's Mickey Mouse Club, formed during the Great Depression, attracted over 1,500 members, providing joy and community for local children. The club's activities included contests and events that fostered camaraderie among youth during difficult times. This historical aspect highlights the resilience and creativity of communities in challenging eras.
Restoring Earth Connection has completed a project identifying Olympia's largest trees, emphasizing their role in carbon drawdown and stormwater management. The project cataloged 1,521 trees across the city, revealing that the largest tree is a giant sequoia with a circumference of 31 feet, 11 inches. A map of these trees will soon be available for public exploration.
Suffragist Susan B. Anthony addressed the Washington Territorial Legislature in Olympia on October 19, 1871, marking a historic first for women in legislative sessions. Anthony, supported by local suffragists, emphasized the need for women's voting rights, citing the lack of representation in law-making. Her visit highlighted the growing movement for women's suffrage in the Pacific Northwest.
Matt Orr received an 8.5-year prison sentence for killing Dane Nielsen, a father of two, during a high-speed police chase in Washington. Orr fled from deputies, reaching speeds of 100 mph before crashing into Nielsen's vehicle. The court heard emotional testimonies from Nielsen's family, while the defense attributed some blame to law enforcement.
Locally-owned businesses in downtown Olympia thrive with support from OlyFed, a community bank that fosters local economic growth. Banking locally allows residents to invest in their community while participating in initiatives like the Two-Cent Campaign, which funds local nonprofits through debit card transactions. Business owners emphasize the importance of local banking in strengthening the economy and supporting entrepreneurship.
Kwabi Amoah-Forson, a 2015 graduate of The Evergreen State College, emphasizes hope and empowerment during his keynote speech at the college's 53rd commencement ceremony. He founded the "All Youth Can Eat" summer food program, which has fed over 3,000 young people, and promotes peace through his initiative, The Peace Bus.
Altitude 15, a new food hall in downtown Olympia, will feature four distinct eateries and a spacious community environment. Owners Cher and Mike Hobbick aim to create a culinary hub that supports local chefs and fosters community interaction. The venue includes a play area for children and unique artistic elements throughout.
South Sound Parent to Parent (SSP2P) will celebrate Disability Pride Month this July, marking its 10-year anniversary nationally. The organization emphasizes the importance of accommodations for people with disabilities, highlighting their contributions to the community. Executive Director Kim Smith advocates for increased awareness and inclusion, particularly as federal programs face potential cuts.
Seventy-one students from North Thurston Public Schools earned the Washington State Seal of Biliteracy this year, recognizing their proficiency in world languages. Students can achieve this distinction through class credits or competency-based assessments, reflecting diverse linguistic backgrounds. Notable earners include Hoang Tran, Megan Kipp, and Eli Andino Herrera, who showcased their language skills in Vietnamese, French, and Spanish, respectively.