Coming around to Newsgarden

posted 03:39 PM 05/13
Permanent Link.

We soft-launched this little application called Newsgarden in January and have been eager to see if or when local residents might start to take to it.

We were excited to see that Steve Klein, who keeps an eye Yelm via his site YelmCommunity.org, has occasionally posted items on our Newsgarden.

Mark Messinger has also kept the community discussion going over a proposal to build a conference center on Steamboat Island Road by posting an item taking users back to the Web site of the Griffin Neighborhood Association.

For those of you unclear on what this application is, consider it a combination of a community blog and a news mapping service.

The platform is there for you to post news items about your community and map it so that your neighbors know what's going on.

News? Well, shouldn't that be our job at The Olympian? Well, of course, but Thurston County is a large area; and our coverage often ventures into neighboring counties. This means that hyperlocal news -- what's going on closest to you -- will unfortunately get missed.

Newsgarden is your place to check in with your neighbors about news and issues important to you.

We hope more of you will take advantage of the application in the future.

On a side note: We here at The Olympian have noticed the application can slow to a crawl as you try to post an item. We've notified technical support about this, and if you're experiencing the same problems, please do use the 'feedback' form to let the developers know about them so that we can quickly get them resolved.

Comments

Mobile content for iPhone users

posted 02:08 PM 03/31

Hello, if you are using an iPhone as your communication device you are in luck!

“OH MY WORD”

posted 01:35 PM 01/20

As with most politicians, check that – as with most people who were there, Gov. Chris Gregoire was just trying to comprehend what she had just seen when she called after the inauguration.

State lawmakers amazed at D.C. crowd

posted 01:27 PM 01/20

Sen. Maria Cantwell just called and said the view from the podium where she was sitting was unbelievable.

Evergreen president attends inauguration

posted 01:26 PM 01/20

There were more than just politicians at the inauguration.

Inauguration a diappointment for some

posted 10:55 AM 01/20

WASHINGTON – Some in the crowd at the inauguration were disappointed, not by President Obama but because they never made it to the ceremony.

Change has come to the White House web site

posted 10:35 AM 01/20

WASHINGTON – Less than an hour after Barack Obama was sworn-in, the official White House web site got a new look. It shows a major picture of Obama and the headline “Change Has Come to America.” Check it out – www.whitehouse.gov

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE

posted 10:32 AM 01/20

Washington - Just got back from the Mall where I was trying to hook-up with a group of 8th graders from Mason Middle School in Tacoma. It didn't work.

Busy week ahead!

posted 12:33 PM 01/19

January 20th, 2009 is the official Historic Presidential Inauguration for Barack Obama. www.theolimpian.com will provide you with up-to- the minute live stream video coverage along with national news, photo galleries & video.

Flood-damaged areas see return of traffic, residents

posted 09:40 AM 01/10

All of the region's rivers are forecast to be back below flood stage by today, allowing evacuated residents to return home to assess damage.
• Friday Flood Gallery: Interstate opens as clean-up begins
• Thursday Flood Gallery: Rising waters close roads
• Wednesday Flood Gallery: Heavy rains bring floods to region
• The flood in pictures: Flooding across Washington State
• Reader submitted pics! | More flood stories

State Route 165 open to traffic

posted 09:28 AM 01/10

The Washington State Department of Transportation is reporting that State Route 165 is open to traffic. The roadway near Church Street in Wilkeson had been closed since Wednesday due to flooding.

Emergency officials in Orting Valley today

posted 09:26 AM 01/10

The Pierce County Emergency Operations Center is open today from 8 am to 8 pm to support recovery efforts from the recent flooding. Emergency management personnel are coordinating with the Washington National Guards and sending teams to the Orting valley today to check on citizens and to assess damages.

All lanes of Highway 162 in Orting back open and other updates

posted 07:16 AM 01/09

All lanes of Highway 162 in Orting reopened a little after 4 a.m., state officials said. A six-mile stretch of road had been closed since Wednesday due to flooding.

Sounder train to Seattle expected to be running again

posted 06:58 AM 01/09

Sounder train service between Tacoma and Seattle was expected to be back on schedule for this morning's commute.

All northbound lanes of Interstate 5 now open through Fife

posted 06:40 AM 01/09

The Washington State Patrol is reporting that crews have reopened the left lane of northbound Interstate 5 near Porter Way near Fife.

Evacuation Shelters

posted 05:57 AM 01/09

The Red Cross has opened the following emergency shelters in South Sound for people affected by flooding.

Lewis County damage may exceed 2007

posted 05:53 AM 01/09

The heavy rains ended and some swollen rivers receded Thursday, but the Chehalis River continued to rise and threaten homes, businesses and farms in Lewis and Thurston counties.
• Thursday Flood Gallery: Rising waters close roads
• Wednesday Flood Gallery: Heavy rains bring floods to region
• Gallery: Flooding across Washington State | Reader submitted pics!
• More flood stories

Stevens Pass reopens, providing only east-west route in state

posted 08:58 PM 01/08

Highway 2 through Stevens Pass has been reopened after being closed for two days because of flooding and avalanche danger. The pass reopened at 3:55 p.m. today, That made it the only east-west route across the state.
• Thursday Flood Gallery: Rising waters close roads
• Wednesday Flood Gallery: Heavy rains bring floods to region
• Gallery: Flooding across Washington State | Reader submitted pics!
• More flood stories

Bucoda residents evacuate

posted 04:34 PM 01/08

Evacuations were under way in Bucoda this morning as the Skookumchuck River climbed three feet over flood stage with no sign of letup until later this afternoon.

Flooding damages road to Paradise

posted 03:41 PM 01/08

A 100-foot section of road in Mount Rainier National Park was damaged by floodwaters Thursday, acting park superintendent Randy King said.

Roads, closures, delays announced for Thursday

posted 02:25 PM 01/08

County Road Closures (as of January 8 at 9:10 a.m.)

Shelton man rescued from washout

posted 10:10 AM 01/08

A 50-year-old Shelton man was pulled from his car in a flood-swollen stream north of Shelton about 6:30 a.m., today by a swift water rescue officer from the Mason County Sheriff's Office and was transported to Mason General Hospital for evaluation, but did not appear to be injured, according to sheriff's officers.

South Sound faces deluge

posted 10:02 AM 01/08

Thurston County emergency management officials urged residents in flood-prone areas to evacuate as near-record flooding loomed on the Chehalis, Deschutes and Skookumchuck rivers, shelters opened and a submerged section of Interstate 5 closed for the second time in 14 months.
• How this is different from 2007?
• Road closures due to flooding and hazards
• Gallery: Heavy rains bring floods to region | Reader submitted pics!
• Gallery: Flooding across Washington State
• More flood stories

I-90 will not reopen today over Snoqualmie Pass

posted 09:40 AM 01/08

Interstate 90 will not reopen today over Snoqualmie Pass because of continued hazardous conditions.

I-5 closes in Lewis County, could also close in Fife

posted 08:18 PM 01/07

Interstate 5 could close near Fife, just north of Tacoma, soon because of potential flooding, according to the Washington Emergency Management Division.
• Gallery: Heavy rains bring floods to region | Send your pix

Amtrak cancels service between Portland, Seattle

posted 06:26 PM 01/07

Amtrak has suspended train service between Portland and Seattle due to mudslides.

All Six Cascade Ski Areas Closed Today

posted 06:20 PM 01/07

All six ski areas in Washington's Cascades are closed today and at least one will remain closed tomorrow.

Amtrak to close Cascades route through Lacey, Centralia

posted 05:18 PM 01/07

No train service will be available on the Amtrak Cascades route between Eugene, Ore. and Vancouver, B.C. Thursday because of heavy rainfall, state Department of Transportation spokeswoman Vickie Sheehan said.

Many Whatcom County roads closed for flooding

posted 04:34 PM 01/07

Mount Rainier to close entrance

posted 03:56 PM 01/07

Officials at Mount Rainier National Park will close the park's western Nisqually entrance Wednesday evening as a precautionary measure against flooding.