Small explosions reported, nonprofit CEO change, school drive: July 8 roundup

Thurston County news on July 8 included a donation drive for students, leadership changes at a Lacey housing nonprofit, and a shed fire.

Here are key takeaways:

• The North Thurston Education Foundation is running a “Forgotten Back-to-School Needs Drive” through Aug. 29, collecting new athletic shoes, hygiene products, socks and underwear for North Thurston Public Schools students, with an appointment-based Kid’s Closet opening Aug. 25.
• Chris Wells, former executive director of the United Way of Thurston County, has been named interim CEO of Homes First, the Lacey-based affordable rental housing provider, replacing Trudy Soucoup, who departed in early June after 14 years leading the nonprofit.
• Lacey firefighters knocked down a fully engulfed shed fire near the 3600 block of Carpenter Road Southeast Monday morning after multiple 911 callers reported small explosions.

The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.