Local

UPDATED 5/22: What’s closed, canceled or altered by COVID-19 in Thurston County

By Olympian staff

Updated May 22, 2020 6:55 PM

Here are the changes The Olympian is aware of.

Schools

Public school districts are closed for the remainder of the school year.

South Puget Sound Community College has moved most classes to online instruction. Classes with hands-on components will plan classes with social-distancing measures in mind. Campus, including food service and child care, will stay open.

SPSCC’s spring commencement ceremony will celebrated virtually this June. Nearly 1,500 graduates will be honored at the virtual event, as well as on a special new graduation website. The exact date of the ceremony will be set and announced in the coming weeks.

Saint Martin’s University has moved to online classes, but is keeping the campus open.

The Evergreen State College will continue remote teaching and learning for the entirety of spring quarter. The college is acquiring laptops which will soon be available for check-out by enrolled students who lack access to computers. Key support services for students such as financial aid, academic advising and veterans services are available by phone, text, email and video conference. The college is accepting applications for summer and fall 2020 enrollment.

Boys & Girls Clubs: Despite school closures, the clubs are continuing to provide emergency care to children of first responders, health-care workers, essential community personnel, and parents who must work to maintain employment. Three locations are offering full-day programming. For more information, go to http://bgctc.org/ or call 360-956-0755.

South Sound YMCA: Emergency child care is available during school closures at 8 school sites in North Thurston, Olympia, Tumwater, and Yelm school districts. Care is provided free for healthcare workers and first responders, and available for essential workers and parents who must continue working during this crisis. For locations and registration information visit: https://southsoundymca.org/keeping-our-community-healthy/ All other programs and both branches of the South Sound YMCA are closed due to the governor’s “Stay Home Stay Healthy” order.

Local government

OLYMPIA

All City of Olympia buildings and non-essential services are closed. The city will continue to provide essential services such as garbage, utilities, fire, and police. Parks, Arts & Recreation classes, activities and programs are canceled. The cancellations include indoor and outdoor facility rentals at The Olympia Center, Harbor House, city fields and school fields. The city also canceled all advisory board and commission meetings and postponed its annual Arbor Day Celebration.

The Olympia Center and Olympia Senior Center are closed, but staff is still answering phone calls during normal business hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays, and delivering Meals on Wheels meals. If you need transportation, meals or a welfare check, call 360-586-6181.

Garbage and recycling will continue to be collected on schedule, but the city asks that people not overfill carts. Any extra materials that fall out must be picked up using personal protective equipment (PPEs), using up valuable resources. The Yauger Park glass recycling drop off site is closed.

The city will extend the usual 180-day expiration on building permits until July 1 to help continue the construction of housing and other buildings. This is in recognition of delays and interruptions to labor and materials delivery that may be occurring.

Olympia businesses can defer their first quarter 2020 Business & Occupation (B&O) tax filings and payments until July 31. Filings and taxes are normally due at the end of April. Downtown businesses also can defer paying their Parking & Business Improvement Area (PBIA) assessments until July 31. PBIA assessments are paid by downtown business owners.

The Olympia City Council will continue to hold its regular meeting schedule. However, it will change how it conducts meetings. The following steps will be implemented:

The Council Chamber will be closed to the public.
No public comment will be taken at the meeting.
The meeting will be broadcast on monitors in the City Hall lobby, and chairs will be set up in a safe, social-distancing arrangement in the lobby

The Saturday Yard Waste Drop-off Site at 1000 10^th Ave. SE is closed. Glass and cardboard drop-off are still available 24/7.

Olympia Police Department business offices are closed to the public, but officers will respond to in-progress calls where a suspect is present or there is a current danger to persons or property. Officers will respond by telephone to most calls that do not involve an immediate threat to people or property.

Residents may report certain types of crimes, collisions and other services online:

Online crime reporting: Police to Citizen Online Reporting http://p2c.tcrlerms.org/
Online collision reporting: Washington State Patrol Collision Reports https://www.wsp.wa.gov/driver/collision-records
City of Olympia Police Department Services: http://olympiawa.gov/city-services/police-department.aspx

The Olympia City Jail is operational, but the business office is closed to the public, and there will be no visitation services or volunteer services. If you need to get something essential to an inmate, call 360-753-8417 for an appointment.

The city’s Parks, Arts and Recreation Department has developed a plan for resuming in-person recreation and facility reservations during Phase 1 of the governor’s reopening plan:

Spring/Summer Recreation: All in person May activities have been canceled. Depending on direction and guidance from the Governor’s Office and Thurston County Public Health, the city may be able to offer some limited outdoor programs once the county reaches Phase 2.
Summer Camp: Summer Camp registration is available now. The city is planning to offer all camps at this time. It is working on a variety of plans to accommodate additional health and safety modifications.
Facility Reservations: Room, building, field and park shelter reservations are unavailable at this time. The city will reopen facilities in either Phase 2 or 3, following guidance from Thurston County Public Health.
Park Use: Parks and trails are accessible for activities where social distancing can be maintained, such as walking, jogging, cycling and nature viewing. Please observe the guidelines.

LACEY

All city of Lacey facilities are closed to the public. This restriction includes City Hall, the Police Department, and Public Works Maintenance Facility. Updated information will be available at ci.lacey.wa.us/COVID19. During this time, City of Lacey customers can access many services online, including utility bill payments, by visiting ci.lacey.wa.us/OnlineServices.

To comply with the Governor’s Proclamation, City Council meetings are being conducted remotely, not in-person. They are occurring at 4 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursdays. The public may watch the meetings live on the city’s website, Facebook, YouTube, or Thurston Community Media, Channel 3. The public may also listen to the meetings via telephone using the number provided with each council meeting agenda. This will be provided on the Friday before the Council meeting.

Public comments may be submitted by email to publiccomment@ci.lacey.wa.us. The commenting period will close at noon on the day of the council meeting. Comments will be provided to the City Council electronically prior to the meeting. Comments also will be included as part of the meeting record.

Lacey Police Department has temporarily suspended all fingerprinting services, and Thurston County Sheriff’s Office isn’t accepting Concealed Pistol License applications that require fingerprinting and is not providing any other fingerprinting services.

Lacey Parks and Recreation facility reservations are canceled. This includes indoor and outdoor facility rentals at the Lacey Community Center, Jacob Smith House, city fields, and school fields. All Lacey Parks and Recreation programs and events are canceled, and the Lacey Museum and Virgil S. Clarkson Senior Center are closed to the public.

Please note: City of Lacey parks gates will remain locked in an effort to reduce gatherings. However, park restrooms will remain open on the normal winter schedule.

TUMWATER

Tumwater City Hall and all city facilities will be closed to the public until further notice. However, the city will maintain essential services such as police, fire, public works, and utility services. Staff is available to assist residents by phone at 360-754-5855 or residents can access the city’s self-serve online services at https://www.ci.tumwater.wa.us/home.

Tumwater is canceling all council work sessions, advisory board and commission meetings until further notice. Tumwater City Council will continue to meet remotely, with modified agendas.

City staff are available by email or phone at 360-754-5855. More information about changes to services is on the City website at www.ci.tumwater.wa.us/our-community/covid-19-response. If you have questions, contact the city’s Communications Team at 360-754-4123.

Tumwater Parks and Recreation Department has canceled all programs and events. All Tumwater Parks and Recreation facility reservations, activities and rentals are canceled, including outdoor facility and field reservations at Historical and Pioneer parks. Funds will be returned to customer accounts. To request an immediate refund, call 360-754-4160 or email tumwaterparks@ci.tumwater.wa.us.

The Old Town Center Senior Center has been closed. Cradle to Crayons Daycare located in the Old Town Center will remain open.

All parks are closed and restrooms are closed until further notice.

Thurston County

The public’s ability to attend the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) and the Board of Health’s (BoH) meetings is by remote access only; in-person attendance is not permitted. Residents may attend any meeting of the BoCC and BoH by calling 360-252-9020 and entering PIN 1234. People attending will hear each other and the board at the same time. All BoCC and BoH meetings and briefings will be live streamed on the Thurston County YouTube channel as well.

Thurston County is delaying the due date for 2020 first half property tax payments until June 1. This is an extension of the traditional April 30 due date. Thurston County Treasurer Jeff Gadman requests those who are financially able to make their 2020 first half property tax payment early to do so to ensure funding for essential services. Late fees will be waived for taxpayers if 2020 first half property tax payments are received or postmarked by June 1. This change in due date does not apply to intermediaries, including mortgage servicing companies, or for the payment of delinquent prior year property taxes.

Property owners can pay by mail with check, money order or cashier’s check made payable to the Thurston County Treasurer, or drop off payment in the silver county drop box located in the parking lot of the County Courthouse Complex. No cash. Or pay online using a credit card, Visa Debit, or e-check at www.thurstoncountywa.gov/treasurer. There is a fee for Visa Debit and Credit Card payments. There is no fee for e-check payments. Information: 360-786-5550 or trsr@co.thurston.wa.us

All county solid waste facilities are now operating during normal business hours.

The Thurston County Public Health building on Lilly Road is closed to the public until further notice so staff can focus on response to COVID-19. Many services are available by phone and email.

The Thurston County Hearings Examiner hearings have been postponed until further notice.

All Map Your Neighborhood training and support from Thurston County Emergency Management is postponed.

The Thurston County Auditor’s Office has closed to the public until further notice, but office staff will continue to conduct business.

Voter registration is available through the state’s VoteWA portal. Please call 360-786-5749 or email elections@co.thurston.wa.us if you have questions.
Tab renewals can be processed online with the state Department of Licensing. Tabs can be mailed at no extra charge.
Marriage licenses can be accessed through the mail. If you can get your application notarized, the website includes instructions about how to apply for a marriage license through the mail (Step 4 under “Apply for a marriage license). If you have questions about licensing, call 360-786-5406.
You can access many recorded documents using the online portal.
You can E-Record documents. More information is available on the website under “Electronic Document Recording.” If you have any questions about recording, call 360-786-5405 or email recording@co.thurston.wa.us
It has suspended all passport services through April 27.

Residents doing business with the Auditor’s Office also can drop off documents using the drop box in the courthouse parking lot at 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW, Olympia.

The Thurston County Assessor’s Office is closed to the public but will continue to conduct business. Staff will process senior and disabled persons property tax exemptions remotely. The entire property tax exemption process can be conducted through the mail. Property tax exemption application forms are available for download at https://www.co.thurston.wa.us/assessor/ To staff, call 360-867-2200, email asrinfo@co.thurston.wa.us or mail to Thurston County Assessor’s Office, 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW, Olympia, WA 98502. Residents also can drop off documents using the county drop box located in the courthouse parking lot

INTERCITY TRANSIT

Intercity Transit closed its administrative building at 526 Pattison St. SE to the public, canceled and postponed public meetings until further notice, and is allowing employees to telework.

Intercity Transit has suspended its regular bus service and now requires advance reservations for people who need transportation for “essential trips.”

The Olympia and Lacey transit centers will close to the public while regular bus service is paused. Dial-A-Lift, a door-to-door service for people with disabilities, will still be available for essential trips. Essential trips, according to the press release, include trips to grocery stores, pharmacies, and medical appointments, along with transportation for essential employees who work for essential businesses. Representatives will be vetting trips to ensure they’re essential, according to IT.

Riders can make reservations two to five days in advance — not the day-of — and trips will run between 7 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. The agency will use its many types of vehicles to complete the trips.

To reserve a ride, call IT’s customer service line at 360-786-1881 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekends or email DALdispatch@intercitytransit.com. People requesting rides will need to provide their names, phone numbers, addresses of origin and destination, and the time they would like a ride.

A comprehensive list of changes to IT is available online at https://www.intercitytransit.com/COVID-19-response.

Village Vans services are suspended.

The Customer Service lobby at the Olympia Transit Center is closed. Staff will be available by calling 360-786-1881 during normal business hours of 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends or via email Customerservice@intercitytransit.com.

OTHERS

Animal Services has closed to the public. It will continue to offer some services on a limited basis and by appointment only. These services include: adoption, reclaiming of lost pets, and dropping off stray animals. However, it is asking people to avoid surrendering healthy pets and to consider fostering healthy strays they find until the shelter can resume normal operations. Field Service Officers will continue to answer high priority and emergency calls for injured or sick stray animals, cruelty and neglect complaints, bite complaints, dangerous and aggressive dog complaints, and more. Information. Learn more at www.jointanimalservices.org

Timberland Regional Libraries are closed. All book return locations also are closed. The library system encourages patrons to keep the materials they have until the buildings reopen. No late fees. If materials are left at book drops or library locations, fees could occur for lost or damaged items.

LOTT offices and WET Science Center are closed until further notice.

Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) is limiting physical access to its building until further notice. Partners and customers can contact TRPC by phone at 360-956-7575 or email at info@trpc.org . To find an employee’s email address, go to https://www.trpc.org/390/Contact-Us.

Lewis County

Lewis County has created a website that serves as a clearinghouse for many COVID-19 related resources: https://lewiscountytogether.com/

The Lewis County Solid Waste Division is turning away customers bringing in waste from outside Lewis County. Transfer station staff may request to see identification from customers visiting the facility, so be prepared.

The transfer station has already implemented several preventive hygiene measures to protect employees and customers in response to COVID-19. Other measures in place, according to the statement:

Customers can no longer pay in cash or check. Transfer stations in Lewis County will only accept credit or debit cards. There is no fee for using cards during this period.
The Hazo Hut and ReUse Center at the transfer station in Centralia are temporarily closed.
Transfer station officials are urging residents to sign up for curbside garbage pick-up offered by the hauling company in their area. Garbage service is available to every home in Lewis County.

Lewis County operates two transfer stations for garbage disposal and recycling drop-off, the one on Tower Avenue in Centralia and another near Morton. Anyone with questions may call 360-740-1451 or email swu@lewiscountywa.gov.

Washington state

Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (Parks), Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) have closed all state lands and campgrounds through May 4. The closure includes roofed accommodations like cabins and yurts.

Department of Social and Health Services’ Economic Services Administration is closing some offices to the public and others are limiting in-person lobby services. Disability Determination Services and Child Support services will be available online or telephonically only. For disability determination call 1-800-772-1213 and for child support call 1-800-442-KIDS.

Community Services Offices will offer these in-person services only:

Supplying WorkFirst vouchers for support services (pre-arranged with WorkFirst case manager)
Providing gas cards (pre-arranged)
Issuing initial EBT cards for new food assistance applications or emergency replacements
Receiving paperwork (via drop boxes at CSO) such as verification submissions, report changes or applications for review

Additional services are available via phone at 1-877-501-2233 or at WashingtonConnection.org

WorkSource offices across Washington state (American Job Centers) will be closed for in-person customer service and will be adopting a virtual-only customer service model. Find out more at at WorkSourceWA.com.

The Department of Licensing has closed its driver licensing offices and other service counters to the public.

The Washington State Department of Transportation is extending the deadline to remove studded tires to May 15. The deadline is typically March 31.

The state Department of Ecology is extending the public comment period for the draft environmental impact statement of the proposed Chehalis River basin flood-damage reduction project to May 27. The full draft is available at fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/SummaryPages/2006002.html. The draft EIS evaluates the proposal by the Chehalis River Basin Flood Control Zone District to build a flood retention dam and temporary reservoir on the Chehalis River near Pe Ell, and make changes around the Chehalis-Centralia Airport that include raising the levee. The public can also submit comments online at chehalisbasinstrategy.com/eis/comment-form/.

The Department of Natural Resources’ offices across the state are closed to the public. However, all timber sales auctions will continue as planned and scheduled. Please see information the product sales webpage.

The Department of Revenue has closed its offices to the public. All of the in-person services provided at DOR offices are available online at dor.wa.gov. Call center staff also are available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekday at these numbers: Tax assistance at 360-705-6705; business licensing at 360-705-6741, or remote sales and consumer use tax at 360-704-5900.

The state Department of Enterprise Services, which manages the state Capitol Campus, has canceled all permitted events until the governor’s stay-at-home order is lifted.

The Office of the Secretary of State will suspend public access to in-person services until further notice.

The Public Disclosure Commission has closed its office to visitors. The agency continues to operate, and assistance remains available. Email your question to pdc@pdc.wa.gov, and a PDC staff member will reply. If you don’t have access to email, call 360-753-1111.

The Department of Retirement Systems is closed to in-person visits and services. Online services remain available, including customer account access, live webinars, information resources and tools to apply for retirement online. DRS also continues to process retirement applications and benefit payments as normal. Email and telephone services will continue on the regular schedule of 8 am to 5 pm weekdays.

The Department of Social and Health Services has stopped most visitors to its 24/7 facilities. The residential habilitation centers and state-operated living alternatives operated by the agency’s Developmental Disabilities Administration has ceased allowing all visitors, including the Rainier School in Buckley. Western State Hospital in Lakewood, Fort Steilacoom Competency Restoration Program in Lakewood, Maple Lane Competency Restoration Program in Rochester, and the Special Commitment Center on McNeil Island will restrict visitation to allow only legal professionals and members of advocate associations like Disability Rights Washington, Northwest Justice Project, etc. The Child Study and Treatment Center in Lakewood will continue to allow visitors to the children residing there, but visitation will be limited to one adult visitor per day who passes a COVID-19 screening.

Federal government

Mount Rainier National Park has closed the Longmire Museum, Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise, the Paradise Snowplay Area (including sledding), and the Paradise Winter Group Camping Area until further notice.

Olympic National Park in coordination with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is temporarily closing recreational fishing parkwide. The closure is effective immediately and will last until further notice. Updates will be posted to the park website at nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/fishing.htm.

The Disaster Distress Helpline at 800-985-5990 provides immediate crisis counseling to people affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The Helpline is a 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week and free resource that responds to people who need crisis counseling and support in dealing with the traumatic effects of a disaster. The Helpline is sponsored by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Helpline specialists are trained to assist callers who have a range of symptoms. People in search of help also can text ‘TalkWithUs’ to 66746. Staff can provide confidential counseling, referrals and other needed support services. Learn more at http://disasterdistress.samhsa.gov/.

Tribes

▪ The Chehalis Tribe and Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel have suspended operations. Lucky Eagle Casino will pay employees an additional two weeks of emergency pay during the closure. Lucky Eagle employs nearly 700.

▪ The Squaxin Island reservation is off limits to non-residents. The tribe has issued vehicle stickers, 2 per household, that will provide access to the community. It will block off access to the community with the exception of the main entrance.

▪ The Cowlitz Tribe’s Ilani Resort Casino has suspended operations.

Health care organizations

Mason General Hospital now has drive-thru coronavirus testing by appointment only. If you think you need to be tested, call the hotline at 360-427-3615 to be screened.

Mason Health has canceled all community meetings and groups that meet at Mason General Hospital, Mason Clinic and MGH Hoodsport Family Clinic until June 1. The Mason General Hospital cafeteria will be temporarily closed to the public but servicing patients and staff. The MGHF Auxiliary Gift Shop at Mason General Hospital is closed. Visiting hours have been changed to 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Businesses

▪ The Olympian has closed its lobby until further notice. For questions about a subscription, delivery or billing, call customer service at 1-800-905-0296 or go to www.theolympian.com/customer-service

▪ Costco has set up special hours for shoppers who are 60 and older or who have physical disabilities. Those hours are 8 to 9 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Starting May 4, all members, guests and employees must wear face coverings to enter the store.

▪ Goodwill stores throughout Western Washington are closed. Some donation centers will remain open. Information about those locations and about other operations can be found at goodwillwa.org

▪ Northwest Multiple Listing Service has suspended public and real estate broker open house events in its system.

▪ Safeway and Albertsons stores across the state are reserving two hours twice a week for at-risk shoppers amid the COVID-19 crisis. From 7-9 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, the stores will open for senior citizens and people who are pregnant, have compromised immune systems or have been advised to stay home. All others are asked to avoid stores during those hours.

▪ Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound is closed.

▪ LeMay Pacific Disposal has temporarily closed its front office in Lacey to walk-in traffic. Customers can still make payments via mail, drop off (night drop box is on the side of building), phone and online.

▪ REI Co-op will begin offering curbside pickup and bike shop services at its Olympia store on Wednesday, May 13. Customers can place an order through REI.com or the REI shopping app and an REI employee wearing gloves and a mask will load items in the customer’s vehicle once they arrive outside the store. REI is also offering zero contact bike shop services. Customers can call their local store to schedule an appointment for maintenance or repair services, securely drop off their bike outside the store, and an REI technician will service the bike, notifying customers by phone when it’s ready.

Organizations

▪ Dispute Resolution Center is closed to the public, but its Conflict Resolution Resource Line remains operational between the hours of 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday. It is scheduling mediation and training services for mid-May and beyond, some of which may be offered in a virtual setting. No in-person trainings, facilitations, or mediations will take place until May.

▪Wolf Haven International is closed to the public. Animal care staff continue to conduct daily walk-throughs, administer any necessary medications and feed the wolves on their regular schedule. Most of Wolf Haven’s administrative personnel are working remotely; a small number of staff are available in the office and may be reached at 360-264-4695 ext. 220 or info@wolfhaven.org.

▪ The west Olympia and Yelm Habitat for Humanity stores are closed. The South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity administrative office is closed but its staff is working remotely and available to the public from 8 am to 4 pm at info@spshabitat.org and 360-956-3456.

▪ Apple Tree Productions has postponed its current programs, including after-school plays and the spring break musical “Godspell” until further notice. Apple Tree will instead provide free online theater classes and quizzes on Google Classroom. Use code jt3ctki to participate or email info@appletreeprod.com for more information.

▪ The Capitol Theater and the Olympia Film Society’s box office and museum space are closed until further notice. Event cancellations, reschedules, refunds, and exchanges will be available. If you have tickets to an event, you will receive an email notification directly or contact capitoltheater@olympiafilmsociety.org. The OFS staff will continue to post updates as they come in.

▪ Bigelow House Museum will be closed to visitors until further notice.

▪ Olympia Family Theater, which was set to open “Suzette Who Set to Sea,” has postponed the run of the show until another time. It also has postponed auditions and production plans for the final show in its season, “The Alphabet Caper.” It hopes to stage both shows later in the year, or next season. Ticket holders are asked to consider donating the unused ticket back to the theater. Summer camp registrations are open.

▪ Thurston Chamber of Commerce has postponed all chamber events.

▪ Olympia church of Christ at 3132 Boulevard Road SE has canceled all services in the building until further notice. Most Baby Bank operations will cease with the exception of diaper service. Volunteers will still hand out diapers on Wednesdays.

▪ Community Action Council and all of its office locations in all counties are closed to the public until further notice. Each program will provide services and support via email, phone, web-based solutions with in-person meetings on a case-by-case basis in an off-site location. All locations will be available via phone during regular business hours.

▪ The YWCA Olympia has closed its office.

▪ The Hands On Children’s Museum is closed. Find more information here: https://www.hocm.org/covid-19/

▪ Harlequin Productions has suspended all operations until further notice. If you are a ticket holder, Harlequin will honor your tickets and will contact you as soon as its plans solidify. Ticket holders also have the option of converting their tickets to donations to support Harlequin.

Events

▪ The city of Tumwater has canceled all its traditional Fourth of July events including the Independence Day Parade, Fairways & Fireworks Fore on the 4th Fun Run, Tumwater Artesian Family Festival, and Thunder Valley Fireworks Show.

▪ The Washington Bluegrass Association announced the cancelation of the 2020 Mount St. Helens Bluegrass Festival, which had been scheduled for Aug. 7-9 at Kemp Olson Memorial Park in Toledo.

▪ The Gateway Rotary Club of Thurston County has canceled the Sept. 12 Brats, Brews, & Bands festival due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The festival has been rescheduled for Sept. 11, 2021.

▪ The Olympia Downtown Alliance has canceled the free Music in the Park concert series for 2020.

▪ The Thurston County Fair, slated for the first week in August, has been canceled. However, fair staff are working on a plan to continue to hold the youth market sales using precautions for social distancing with a virtual auction. More information will be provided as the plan is completed. For more information, visit https://www.thurstoncountywa.gov/fair

▪ Harbor Days Festival and Tugboat Races, which was scheduled for Sept. 4-6, has been canceled.

▪ The South Sound BBQ Festival, which was slated for July 11, has been postponed.

▪ The annual Panorama Patio Sale, scheduled for July 18, has been canceled.

▪ Capital City Marathon Association canceled the May Marathon and all related events, including the Marathon and Half Marathon Training Groups. However, it has opened registration for a 2020 Virtual Run. Anyone who registered for one of the 2020 races has automatically been registered for the Virtual Run at no extra cost. Additionally, all 2020 race registrations have been deferred to the 2021 event. Virtual runs may happen on a route of the runner’s choosing any time between May 15 and June 15. The association is encouraging runners to choose a route that allows them to maintain a safe distance from others. Medals can be earned after a runner’s results are posted, and will be available after June 15. The cost for those who aren’t already registered is $15. Details can be found at www.capitalcitymarathon.org. Or e-mail registration@ccmaboard.org

▪ GROWL (Great Respect of Winning Legends) induction/auction/dinner for Olympia High School has been rescheduled for April 24, 2021. Go to www.ohsgrowlathletics.com for updates.

.▪The State Executive Committee of the Libertarian Party of Washington voted to cancel the 2020 annual state convention. Party members will instead participate in an electronic vote for delegates to the national convention currently scheduled to take place in Austin, Texas May 21-25.

▪ The Capitol Volkssport Club has canceled its events until further notice.

▪ Thurston County Tax-Aide program, where AARP volunteers have been offering free income tax preparation services, have been canceled until further notice. The federal government has moved the tax filing deadline to July 15.

▪ Capital City Pride for June 2020 has been canceled.

▪ All of the Washington state Governor’s Mansion events are postponed until at least September. At that time the Women’s History Tours focusing on Woman’s Suffrage will be presented. In addition, the quarterly concert scheduled for March 30 has been rescheduled to May 2021. Those making reservations will be contacted directly by the Concerts Chair regarding payments. The Foundation’s May 18, 2020 Chamber Concert at the Mansion featuring Pearl Django has been postponed and rescheduled for March 28, 2022.

If your organization is changing plans due to the COVID-19 outbreak, please send the information you’d like to share with the public to news@theolympian.com.

This story was originally published March 17, 2020 at 8:18 PM.