Local News | Thurston Chronicle

Yashiro Japanese Garden, located at 1010 Plum Street SE. The park will close June 1, 2026, as the City of Olympia transfers ownership of the property and the adjacent Lee Creighton Justice Center to the Squaxin Island Tribe. The city decided to sell the property in 2024.

Olympia’s Japanese Garden to close June 1 pending relocation

With the recent sale of the Lee Creighton Justice Center to the Squaxin Island Tribe, the City of Olympia is planning to relocate the Yashiro Japanese Garden to a new public location. The … more

By Thurston Chronicle staff | 4/6/26

A firearm, drugs and cash seized by the Tumwater Police Department during a search of a Black Hills High School student's car on April 2, 2026. The student allegedly sold vapes to other students in the school's parking lot.

Black Hills High School student arrested for allegedly bringing drugs and a firearm to school parking lot

A Black Hills High School student was arrested last week for allegedly having drugs and a gun in his car at school. The Tumwater Police Department’s School Resource Officer was … more

By Thurston Chronicle staff | 4/6/26

Lacey Police Department recognizes staff for 2025 service

The Lacey Police Department recently held an awards ceremony recognizing staff for their exceptional work in 2025. “We are very fortunate to have the dedicated and hard working staff … more

By Thurston Chronicle staff | 4/6/26

Let’s Go Washington founder Brian Heywood speaks to supporters of the Let’s Go Washington initiatives concerning parental rights and barring transgender athletes from girls’ athletics during a rally at the Washington state Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 3.

Let’s Go Washington hopes to take rejected referendum case to Supreme Court

Let’s Go Washington (LGW) announced in a news release Thursday it will file a lawsuit against Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs challenging the alleged improper use of a “necessity … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/4/26

Providence St. Peter Hospital Pediatric Inpatient Unit will remain open

Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia announced this week that, following a comprehensive review process, its Pediatric Inpatient Unit will remain open and continue to serve the South Puget Sound … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/4/26

Olympia Police Department personnel attend a local career fair to share different job and volunteer opportunities. The department is hiring officers and have a $25,000 lateral officer hiring incentive for those that have policing experience. Visit https://www.olympiawa.gov/services/police_department/opd_employment.php for more information.

Olympia Police Department Weekly Update: March 26 to April 1

The Olympia Police Department responded to a total of 995 calls for service this week. The department noted that next week is spring break for the Olympia School District, telling … more

By Thurston Chronicle staff | 4/3/26

Thurston County Sheriff's Office detective and sheriff candidate Kevin Burton-Crow pictured with a donkey.

Sheriff candidate Kevin Burton-Crow nationally recognized as ‘friend’ of animal care and control

The National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA) has awarded Thurston County Sheriff’s Office detective and sheriff candidate Kevin Burton-Crow with the 2026 Bill Lehman Award. … more

By Thurston Chronicle staff | 4/2/26

Applications open for Olympia’s 2026 Traffic Box Wrap project

The City of Olympia is accepting applications for its 2026 Traffic Box Wrap project now through April 29. As part of the project, community members are invited to submit their work … more

By Thurston Chronicle staff | 4/2/26

First responders act out a mock crash to bring awareness to the consequences of impaired and distracted driving at Rochester High School on Thursday, April 2.

Rochester High School hosts mock crash to demonstrate dangers of unsafe driving

The West Thurston Regional Fire Authority and partnering agencies held a mock DUI crash at Rochester High School on Thursday to demonstrate the seriousness of distracted, impaired and reckless … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@thurstonchronicle.com | 4/2/26

The 2004 28-foot Almar Safety Boat “Harbor One," which was transferred from the Port of Olympia to the Thurston County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday, March 31, as part of an interlocal agreement for continuation of the Harbor Patrol program.

Thurston County Sheriff’s Office takes over Harbor Patrol

The Port of Olympia is giving its Harbor Patrol Program and two vessels to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO). On Tuesday, March 31, the Thurston County Board of Commissioners … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@thurstonchronicle.com | 4/2/26

Oakville Little League ballfields sporting upgrades

When the Oakville Little League has its first home game on April 21, visiting teams will see ballfields that have had a significant makeover since they played last year. New … more

By Andrea Watts / The Daily World | 4/2/26

Four Thurston County residents injured in two-vehicle collision in Grays Harbor County

Four Thurston County residents were injured in a two-vehicle collision on state Route 8 Wednesday morning, according to a news release from the Washington State Patrol. Troopers indicated the … more

By The Chronicle staff | 4/2/26

Brothers Alexander M. Borgen, 16, of Lacey, and Deven J. Borgen, 17, of Rainier, are pictured.

Fundraiser aims to create memorial for Rainier’s Borgen brothers

It has been nearly five months since Rainier brothers Alexander Borgen, 16, and Deven Borgen, 17, were shot and killed in Lacey. The memory of the two teenagers lives on as Orion Watch: … more

By Jacob Dimond / For The Chronicle | 4/1/26

A rendering of the Wolf Haven Treehouse Learning Center is pictured. Wolf Haven secured $220,000 in state funding for the project through the state’s Local Community Projects program.

Wolf Haven International secures $220K state investment for new Treehouse Learning Center

Wolf Haven International has officially secured a $220,000 investment from Washington state through the Local Community Projects program, the Tenino-based wolf conservation nonprofit organization … more