OLYMPIA – The Thurston County Building and Development Center (BDC) will close from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 11, 2024. The BDC will return to regular hours, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., on Friday, January 12, 2024.

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at 3:30 p.m., or soon thereafter, to accept comment on proposed changes to the Thurston County Code to clarify and expand allowed uses in agricultural areas.

High levels of the biotoxin which produces diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP) were detected in shellfish prompting closure of recreational shellfish harvesting for all species in Dana Passage, Pickering Passage, and Peale Passage. Budd Inlet continues to be closed due to DSP.

UPDATED Wednesday, December 22, 2023: The shellfish harvest biotoxin closure has expanded to Henderson Inlet due to high levels of DSP in the most recent samples. Please always check the shellfish safety map before harvesting shellfish for the latest information.

This season, residents can take advantage of various free tree collection and drop-off opportunities available throughout the county. To prepare your natural tree for recycling, please remove all ornaments, lights, stands, nails, and tinsel before drop-off. Flocked trees are accepted. Search “Christmas tree” in the online directory at WhereDoITakeMy.org for program details.

Thurston County Commissioner Wayne Fournier (District 4) announces the addition of Tenino High School alumnus, Matthew Rounsley, as his executive aide. Rounsley will be responsible for management of the commissioner’s schedule, legislative analysis to brief the commissioner, and organizing constituent engagement opportunities.

  

Thurston County Commissioners-Elect Wayne Fournier of District 4, and Emily Clouse of District 5, were sworn in on Tuesday, November 28, increasing the board from three to five commissioners.