Local News | Thurston Chronicle

Cory Maxwell of Kitsap County (left) called on some members of the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission to step down in public comments on April 17, 2026. Rachel Bjork and Francisco Santiago-Avila look on. (Photo by Jerry Cornfield/ Washington State Standard)

Washington Fish and Wildlife panel confronts high tensions and harsh testimony

Surly public comments are a staple of Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission meetings, revealing the deeply personal stakes of those fighting over how far the state should go in protecting various … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 4/21/26

The prosecution, center, and the defense, right, sit in Thurston County Superior Court on day one of Curtis and Tabitha Gibsons' trial for the alleged 2024 murder of Gaylord "Travis" Sayers. Judge Carol Murphy presides.

Trial begins for couple accused of murdering man at Tenino area bar in 2024

Trial for a Thurston County couple accused of murdering a man at a Tenino area bar in 2024 began Monday, April 20, with a warning from the judge to a packed courtroom not to influence the jury in any … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@thurstonchronicle.com | 4/20/26

Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation Chairman Dustin Klatush throws the ceremonial first pitch during the opening ceremony for Larch Mountain Little League at Hoss Field in Rochester on Saturday, April 18.

In Focus: Let’s play ball! Larch Mountain Little League kicks off season in Rochester

4/20/26

A volunteer weeds a flower planter during Thurston County Parks Arts Recreation Culture (PARC) Foundation’s Earth Day cleanup at Tenino City Park on Saturday, April 18.

In Focus: Earth Day cleanup in Tenino

4/20/26

Black Hills students Neva Grinnell-Holderman, right, high-fives Hope Anderson after planting Gladiolus bulbs during an Earth Day event at Tumwater Historical Park on Saturday, April 18.

In Focus: An Earth Day cleanup effort in Tumwater

4/20/26

State Sen. Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, smiles at House Speaker Laurie Jinkins during a Legislative Media Day at the Washington state Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 19, in Olympia.

Records reveal Washington millionaire’s tax is meant to legalize progressive income tax

The Washington attorney general and Democratic leaders plotted how to overturn a nearly century-old decision that banned income taxes in the state, writing they want to force the state Supreme Court … more

By TJ Martinell / The Center Square | 4/20/26

Tumwater police investigating four-vehicle, multiple-injury collision caused by alleged DUI driver

The Tumwater Police Department is investigating a four-vehicle collision that injured multiple people, including a 10-year-old, and closed the intersection of North and Hoadly streets Saturday … more

By Thurston Chronicle staff | 4/20/26

Rep. Jim Walsh announced the discovery of the ballots in a live video on Facebook Thursday.

GOP chair: Hundreds of unopened ballots found near dumpster by private citizen

King County Elections and the Washington Secretary of State say they have no record of a private citizen making contact with their offices after finding a large box of ballots recently near a … more

By Carleen Johnson / The Center Square | 4/17/26

Community members from across the Timberland Regional Library’s five-county district fill the Centralia Timberland Library’s conference room on Saturday, April 11, for a Q&A with two members of the library district’s Board of Trustees. The district currently faces a budget crisis that has led to a large wave of layoffs.

Updated: Timberland Regional Library rescinds over 80 percent of involuntary layoffs

The Timberland Regional Library (TRL) has agreed to rescind over 80% of the involuntary layoffs that were set to go into effect May 15, the library workers union announced Wednesday night. Of … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@thurstonchronicle.com | 4/17/26

LP Brown Elementary School hosted its Earth Day Garden Extravaganza on Friday, April 17. Students, staff and community partners planted hundreds of native plants that will grow into a thriving school garden.

In Focus: LP Elementary School's 'Earth Day Garden Extravaganza' creates school garden

LP Brown Elementary School hosted its Earth Day Garden Extravaganza on Friday, April 17, bringing together students, staff and community partners to begin transforming a corner of campus into a … more

By Thurston Chronicle staff | 4/17/26

From the left, Bucoda Town Councilors Steven Lyle and Kevin Jones, Bucoda Mayor Callie Carpenter and Councilors Miriam Gordon, Laura Wilson and John Wood discuss city business during their regular monthly meeting inside the Bucoda Community Center on Tuesday, April 14.

Bucoda Town Council roundup: LeMay to begin trash collection service in May, city staff considering opening OlyFed account

While there wasn’t much on the agenda aside from approval of amending an ordinance to include the full legal name of a fire district, members of the Bucoda Town Council still convened for their … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 4/17/26

Courtesy photo Sheriff John Nowels has been with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office for over 24 years. He was elected Sheriff on November 8, 2022, and he began serving as Spokane County Sheriff on Jan. 1, 2023. He’s among four sheriffs who have sued to block a new law that could potentially force sheriffs out of office.

Judge moves legal challenge against new Washington sheriff law to Thurston County

An eastern Washington judge declined Thursday to rule on the future of a state law that could potentially force sheriffs out of office if they don’t meet new standards. Lincoln County Superior … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 4/17/26

WSP advises new motorcycle riders to get safety training and to obey speed laws

The Washington State Patrol (WSP) has announced it is getting an early start on next month’s Motorcycle Safety Awareness campaign. WSP wants to remind all road users that motorcycles are not only a … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/17/26

From the left, Rainier City Clerk/Treasurer Tami Justice, Mayor Bob Shaw, City Attorney William Cameron and Councilors Amy Baker, Ryan Roth, Tom Arnbrister, Ron Kemp and Maureen Baker discuss the renewal of a Thurston County Sheriff's Office contract during their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 14, at Rainier City Hall.

Rainier City Council renews Thurston County Sheriff’s Office contract, approves city code traffic ordinance update

Members of the Rainier City Council met on Tuesday, April 14, and approved a contract renewal for law enforcement services with the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO). This contract … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 4/17/26

The outside of Green Hill School is pictured in Chehalis on Tuesday, Oct. 15.

Charges refiled against Olympia man accused of selling meth to inmate at Green Hill School

A former Green Hill School corrections employee again faces charges for allegedly selling methamphetamine and other contraband to an incarcerated individual at the juvenile facility. The … more

By Jacob Farmer / jfarmer@chronline.com | 4/17/26

The image shows the 2024 distribution of each tax dollar. In 2024, Thurston County government retained 16.24 cents of every tax dollar for County services. The remaining 83.76 cents went to Washington State and other jurisdictions.

First half of Thurston County property taxes due April 30

The deadline to pay 2026 first half property taxes in Thurston County is Thursday, April 30. Those who owe property taxes this year are required to pay at least half of what they owe by … more

4/17/26

Olympia Police Department representatives meet with community members during a Coffee with a Cop event.

Olympia Police Department Weekly Update: April 2 to April 15

The Olympia Police Department responded to a total 1,993 calls for service over the last two weeks. The department remarked upon the following notable trends: Four aggravated … more

By Thurston Chronicle staff | 4/17/26

Prom attire on display at the Kaila Celeste-Lacey Branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County during a 2025 Project Prom event.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County host free Project Prom shop April 18

Local high schoolers are invited to find their prom night looks on Saturday, April 18, at a free shop hosted by the Thurston County chapters of the Boys & Girls Club. The Project Prom … more

By Thurston Chronicle staff | 4/17/26

U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, left, and state Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia.

Dollars flowing into a pair of hotly contested Washington congressional races

An early fundraising leader has emerged from the crowd of candidates battling to succeed retiring Republican Congressman Dan Newhouse in central Washington. Republican Amanda McKinney, a Yakima … more

By Jerry Cornfield / The Washington State Standard | 4/17/26

Gov. Bob Ferguson holds up Senate Bill 5974, which sets heightened standards for sheriffs, alongside lawmakers and advocates after signing it on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Olympia, Washington. (Photo by Jake Goldstein-Street/Washington State Standard)

Judge moves challenge against new Washington sheriff law to Thurston County

An eastern Washington judge declined Thursday to rule on the future of a state law that could potentially force sheriffs out of office if they don’t meet new standards. Lincoln County Superior … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street / The Washington State Standard | 4/16/26