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Olympia City Council declared Sept.

15 to Oct. 15 as Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month to honor local contributions amid ongoing challenges. The proclamation comes ahead of Lula Fest on Sept. 26 at Capitol Theater — a free arts event with live music, food and vendors.

City Council approved the purchase Tuesday, Sept.15 (with a $10,000 price tag) for Christine Rose’s 'Liberty Wept' (which won with 343 votes) in Olympia’s Percival Plinth Project after nearly 77% more ballots were cast than last year, and they may buy runner-up 'Playful Sea Otter' if funds allow.

At a city council meeting Tuesday, Sept.

15, residents urged officials to let Spooner Berry Farms keep its berry stand at 3327 Yelm Highway SE as work on Jolene Unsoeld Community Park begins this fall. City leaders are discussing relocation alternatives and safety changes under permit rules.

The Washington State Department of Enterprise Services has dismantled the Capitol Way pedestrian bridge for a $1.2 million repair project to address decades of weather damage — work began Aug.

10 and will finish late October, with closures affecting access until mid-October.

The Olympia School District reported that 8,753 students attended the start of classes this September, 109 fewer than last year, as Superintendent Patrick Murphy discussed the data with the board on Sept.

10. The district will track monthly enrollment (using month-end data) to refine its budget forecasts.

On Saturday, Sept. 19, Olympia will unveil an honorary Kato Street designation outside City Hall to recognize 45 years of friendship with Kato, Japan.

Mayor Dontae Payne will emcee the ceremony with community leaders at the corner of Cherry Street and 4th Avenue.

The Olympia School District Board declared October as Walk to School Month to boost student health and readiness to learn.

Board and student representatives read the proclamation on Sept. 10 and urged families and community leaders to join the walk events scheduled for October.

Olympia firefighting chiefs were honored on Sept.

8 for supporting National Guard and Reserve employees — Lacey fire leaders received similar recognition on Sept. 10 for aiding military staff and their families.