🌱 Will your Evergreen-to-downtown bus still run after May 3?
What's up Olympia! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Will your Evergreen-to-downtown bus still run after May 3?
- How Olympia’s decisions are reshaping budgets in Longview and Castle Rock
- Why a budget veto in Olympia worries retailers statewide
Also on today's calendar: Native Plant Sale and 5 more events.
Today's riddle: What did the inventor of the knock-knock joke win? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
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- Friday: Clouds giving way to sun, with a high of 58 and low of 36 degrees.
- Saturday: A couple of afternoon showers, temps: high: 68, low: 43.
- Sunday: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 69 and low of 41 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Major changes coming to Olympia's bus system. Locals are upset about new route (theolympian.com) — Intercity Transit is overhauling its routes on May 3, and a key change would reroute Olympia’s longtime Route 41 away from a direct Evergreen-to-downtown connection, forcing riders to transfer. Some residents and an Olympia council member are pushing back, while transit leaders say low ridership and better west Olympia coverage justify the shift and promise to revisit routes in September. 
2. Cowlitz County, Longview, Castle Rock leaders explain how Olympia affects them (thenewstribune.com) — State-level decisions in Olympia are shaping how Cowlitz County, Longview, and Castle Rock fund infrastructure, housing, and legal services, and local leaders say some mandates lack funding. Officials describe how a rural-county designation, preserved through Olympia legislation, is steering tax credits and grants to parks, water lines, and economic development while they push for more flexible tax and energy policies.
3. Governor's veto of retail theft funding alarms business owners (king5.com) — From Olympia, state leaders have cut $500,000 that would have extended a pilot program helping local authorities fight organized retail theft, worrying business owners across Washington. Gov. Bob Ferguson’s office cites a $2.3 billion budget shortfall, while retailers report rising theft and fear the veto will leave stores more vulnerable despite an existing statewide task force.
4. Olympia residents and advocates call for stronger housing protections (thejoltnews.com) — Olympia residents are pressing city leaders to turn their Fair Housing Month proclamation into stronger, concrete protections for unhoused, disabled, and transgender neighbors. Speakers shared stories of harassment, rising rents, and gaps in assistance, while council members acknowledged concerns but offered only follow-up with police and no immediate policy changes.
📸 Around Olympia
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓
Upcoming Events in
Olympia
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
-
Native Plant Sale
Thurston County Fairgrounds, 3054 Carpenter Rd SE, Lacey
10:00 am
Saturday April 18
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
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Wizard of Oz On Ice
Washington Center for the Performing Arts , 512 Washington St SE , Olympia
7:00 pm -
Conflict Crash Course
The Olympia Center , 222 Columbia St NW 2nd Floor , Olympia
9:00 am -
Electric Sunset
Painting with a Twist , 5831 Lacey Blvd SE Suite E , Lacey
12:00 pm -
Olympia Symphony Orchestra - Move
Washington Center for the Performing Arts , 512 Washington St SE , Olympia
3:00 pm -
Girls Soccer Game RMS 2
Reeves Soccer Field , Olympia, WA 98506, USA
4:30 pm -
Girls Soccer Game RMS 1
Washington Middle School , 3100 Cain Rd SE , Olympia
4:30 pm -
Girls Soccer Game RMS 1
Reeves Soccer Field , Olympia, WA 98506, USA
4:30 pm
Friday April 17
Saturday April 18
Sunday April 19
Monday April 20
Monday April 27
📣 Olympia Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
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FLASH SALE! Posh Poppies
Painting with a Twist , 5831 Lacey Blvd SE Suite E , Lacey
12:00 pm -
WF West Boys JV Soccer @ Tumwater
Tumwater High School , 700 Israel Rd SW , Tumwater
4:30 pm -
Shelton JV Softball @ Black Hills
A G West Black Hills High School , 7741 Littlerock Rd SW , Olympia
4:30 pm -
Montessori Family Movie Night
Olympia Regional Learning Academy Olympia, WA 98501
6:00 pm -
Tumwater Youth Program (TYP) GS Night
Tumwater Middle School , 6335 Littlerock Rd SW , Tumwater
6:30 pm
Friday April 17
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- I took this picture of the Olympia area’s newest little park while on my walk this afternoon.
It’s situated next to L.P. Brown school where a burned-out duplex stood for many years. Volunteers from the West Olympia Rotary Club will soon be… (Nextdoor Northwest Olympia) - Adoption needed: Jasper is waiting for his forever, loving home.
He's an 11 month old German shepherd mix (maybe Norwegian Elk Hound), neutered male. He’s affectionate, loyal, and has that sweet, soulful… (Nextdoor South Union)
- Ascend Staffing posted a job opening for Lumberyard forklift operator in Olympia. Apply here.
- Cardinal Health posted a job opening for Manager - Transportation Systems Management in Olympia. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Olympia here.
Ok Olympia! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: The NO-BELL prize (Thank you Gina M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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