The Olympian week in review

Olympia eyes $3M purchase of Jungle encampment site

The Olympia City Council unanimously approved an extension of an Option to Purchase agreement for roughly 16 acres of privately owned land currently housing the Jungle encampment, located between Martin Way and Pacific Avenue. [1] The property is owned by JJP Group LLC, and the current purchase price is set at $3 million, subject to appraisal. [2] The amended agreement extends the city’s purchase option annually for up to three years, through 2029, at $80,000 per year. Assistant City Manager Stacey Ray said possible future uses include affordable housing, roadway access, wetlands protection, or open space, though no formal plans have been established. Ray noted the agreement allows outreach workers to access the site and supports efforts to safely and compassionately close the encampment while addressing ongoing garbage and air quality concerns affecting nearby residents and workers.

Reported by Ty Vinson, published June 3

Olympia’s Delmonico’s Heritage Butcher Shop closes

Delmonico’s Heritage Butcher Shop, a beloved artisan butcher, wine, and sandwich shop on Fourth Avenue East in Olympia, has permanently closed after more than six years in business. Owner Brian McDonald confirmed the closure, stating the shop operated from Nov. 19, 2019, until May 17, 2026. McDonald expressed gratitude to customers and noted the shop once employed 11 people at its 916 Fourth Ave. location. He said he is now pursuing working travel and cultural immersion abroad to explore ways to grow boutique food shops in America. The roughly 1,300-square-foot space, which includes a commercial range hood and walk-in cooler, is now available for lease, according to a commercial real estate broker.

Reported by Rolf Boone | The Olympian, published June 02, 2026 12:15 PM

Report suggests district consider consolidating Olympia schools

A new report from BERK Consulting, hired by the Olympia School District, recommends consolidating schools due to low enrollment and underused facilities. Released May 22, the report analyzed attendance boundaries, enrollment trends, and building capacity. Only three schools met the 80% utilization target: Lincoln Elementary at 92%, Washington Middle School at 86%, and Olympia High School at 95%. District enrollment is projected to decline 1% annually over eight years, a loss of roughly 900 students by 2033–2034. Spokesperson Conor Schober confirmed consolidation is not part of the current budget plan but said the district will carefully review findings over time. The OSD board discussed the report May 28, with further steps expected at the June 18 meeting.

Reported by Ty Vinson | The Olympian, published May 28, 2026 9:51 PM

Officials push back on proposed USPS ballot rule

Washington state officials are speaking out against a proposed U.S. Postal Service rule that would change how mail-in voting works in federal elections. The rule would require states to submit voter names receiving absentee ballots and link unique barcodes to outbound and return ballot envelopes. Secretary of State Steve Hobbs called it federal overreach and unconstitutional, saying the state would pursue legal action if the rule is imposed. [1] Elections Director Stuart Holmes noted it would require a full redesign of Washington’s election envelopes. The rule stems from a Trump executive order issued in late March. According to the Brookings Institution, mail ballot fraud is extremely rare, representing just 0.000043% of all mail ballots cast. [2] The public comment deadline is July 2.

Reported by Simone Carter | The Olympian, published June 03, 2026 7:04 PM

WA residents push to suspend gas tax amid high prices

Washington state ranks second in the nation for highest gas prices, currently averaging $5.73 per gallon, according to petroleum analyst Patrick De Haan of GasBuddy. Sen. Chris Gildon, a Puyallup Republican, is urging Gov. Bob Ferguson to suspend the Climate Commitment Act, which he says adds roughly 55 cents per gallon. A Change.org petition with over 440 signatures also calls on officials to pause or reduce the state gas tax. Ferguson’s office responded that rising prices stem from President Trump’s decision to go to war against Iran, and that this does not constitute an emergency warranting use of the governor’s emergency powers. The governor’s office also noted that independent analysis projects the CCA’s cost impact well below Gildon’s cited figure. De Haan estimated suspending the CCA could reduce prices by 40 to 60 cents per gallon. Reported by Simone Carter | The Olympian, published May 31, 2026 12:00 PM

Drug trafficker sentenced for plot to kill WA officer

A California woman has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for her role in a transnational drug-trafficking organization that distributed methamphetamine, fentanyl, and heroin across the U.S. and overseas. Iris Adrianna Amador-Garcia, 35, of Bellflower, California, also allegedly plotted to kill a Centralia police officer after a large drug shipment was seized. Authorities say agents intercepted a call in which she and co-leader Jose Maldonado-Ramirez discussed killing the officer. Amador-Garcia pleaded guilty in 2023 to drug conspiracy, firearm, and money laundering charges. The operation distributed drugs to multiple states and as far as Fiji.

Reported by Martín Bilbao | The Olympian, published June 03, 2026 12:13 AM

This story was originally published June 4, 2026 at 1:33 PM with the headline "The Olympian week in review."