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Today’s edition · Thurs., Nov. 12

Olympia school board member asks to delay closure vote to Dec. 14

Plus, Tumwater's fire chief announces his retirement after 32 years.

The Daily Olympia team2 stories11 sources5 min read

SchoolsTop story

An Olympia School Board member asks to delay the vote on closing three elementary schools to Dec. 14

The school closure vote could move to Dec. 14

3
elementary schools in the closure proposal
Nov. 12
board meeting with the delay request
Dec. 14
date Fullerton proposes for the vote

Source: The Olympian

If you've got a kid in the Olympia School District, today's board meeting is one to watch. Director Renee Fullerton is proposing the board postpone its vote to close three elementary schools to Dec. 14, according to documents for the Nov. 12 meeting.

Superintendent Patrick Murphy has come up with ways to save money that don't include closing schools, KOMO reports, but not all parents are on board. Tara Wickham, a substitute teacher at Madison Elementary whose daughters went there, is frustrated because Madison families just went through this two years ago.

  • Fullerton's ask: more data from Murphy before any vote
  • Also asked: a plan to recruit and retain students
  • Murphy's case: declining enrollment and financial challenges

Fullerton, Murphy and a Madison parent see the closures differently

WhoWhere they stand
Director Renee FullertonDelay the vote to Dec. 14
Superintendent Patrick MurphyClosures are necessary, he has said
Tara Wickham, Madison substituteFrustrated families face this again

Sources: The Olympian, KOMO

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Public Safety

Tumwater Fire Chief Brian Hurley will retire in March after 32 years with the department

Tumwater Fire Chief Brian Hurley is retiring after 32 years. His official retirement date is March 31, 2027, and Deputy Fire Chief Shawn Crimmins will be promoted to chief on April 1, 2027.

Hurley rose from firefighter to chief before his March 2027 retirement

  1. 1995Brian Hurley begins as a firefighter and paramedic
  2. 2000Hurley becomes a lieutenant
  3. 2007Hurley becomes a captain
  4. 2020Hurley becomes assistant chief
  5. Aug. 2021Hurley is promoted to fire chief
  6. March 2027Hurley's official retirement date
  7. April 2027Shawn Crimmins will take over as fire chief

“He leaves the Tumwater Fire Department in an incredibly strong place, with talented, motivated and deeply caring professionals who are ready to continue that work. We are going to miss him.”

Mayor Leatta Dahlhoff, in a statement
  • Launched in 2025: , linking people to support services
  • Also in 2025: a 24-hour Mobile Outreach crisis team
  • Added: a full-time battalion chief and a second paramedic unit

Hurley also led the department when the city pursued a merger with the Olympia Fire Department as a . Voters rejected it in 2023. Crimmins, deputy chief since November 2021, is working with Hurley on the handoff.

6,320fire and emergency medical incidents in 2025

That's how many calls the 62-person Tumwater Fire Department team responded to last year.

News Notes · More

Houselessness

The Olympia City Council unanimously approved a resolution extending a public health emergency on houselessness for 12 months on Tuesday, Nov. 10. Housing Director Ashley Chambers said conditions that prompted the declaration have not been fully resolved despite progress. The Jolt News

Animal shelter

took in 3,144 animals in the first 10 months of 2026, down 14.6 percent from 3,683 a year earlier. Adoptions fell 15.4 percent to 1,193, while cat intake rose 14.9 percent to 2,001. The Jolt News

Animal intake and adoptions both fell at Joint Animal Services

Animals, first 10 months of each year

Jan.–Oct. 2025Jan.–Oct. 2026
Animals taken in 3,683Dogs taken in 1,262Adoptions 1,410
3,144 −15%983 −22%1,193 −15%

Source: The Jolt News

View as table
Jan.–Oct. 2025Jan.–Oct. 2026Change
Animals taken in3,6833,144−15%
Dogs taken in1,262983−22%
Adoptions1,4101,193−15%

Transportation

The approved recommendations to award $16 million in federal transportation funding. Seven applicants submitted 16 proposals requesting more than $28 million, and 15 were recommended for funding. The Jolt News

Flights

SeaPort Airlines will run twice-weekly service between Spokane and Olympia starting Jan. 8, 2027, ending with the Legislative session sometime in April. Neighbors of Olympia Regional Airport are reiterating concerns about noise and air pollution. The Daily Chronicle

Veterans

Beginning with taxes due in 2027, a combined service-connected disability rating of 40% or higher will be enough to enter Washington's property tax exemption program, down from 80%. If you're a veteran, we suggest checking your rating, because the state isn't going to call to tell you. MyNorthwest.com

The Buy

Two kitchen upgrades you’ll wish you got sooner: a safe + easy-to-clean 5-in-1 mandolin slicer that will cut your prep time in half, and these top-rated stainless steel mixing bowls that are nesting and dishwasher safe. Advertising from Amazon.

Featured Deal

Every Thursday, lululemon adds new markdowns to its We Made Too Much section. Read: Deals, on deals, on deals. This week, we’re eyeing $30+ off this cozy funnel-neck half-zip and major savings on these buttery-soft joggers in colors like Walnut Crunch, Lotus Lavender, and Willow Leaf. Advertising from lululemon.

Home

Tackling a fall project? You already know you’ll find the tools, storage, outdoor essentials, and supplies you need at The Home Depot — but have you browsed Black Friday savings? Check out The Home Depot’s current deals and see what you can cross off your project list. Advertising from The Home Depot.

Content marked with an * is advertising.

Asked

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Asked

What's on your agenda this weekend?

Be the first to answer.

Today’s puzzles

A new puzzle in each one every morning, played right here.

All 13 games

Quoted

A house divided against itself cannot stand.

— Jesus, Mark 3:25

Things to Do

Things to Do

Olympia, WA

Thursday, Nov. 12

See every Olympia eventFeature your event

Jobs

Jobs

Submit your Job listing

Do you know just the role for our readers? Post it on our Jobs board.

The Buy

Around the Block

Around the Block

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Neighbors

Happy Veterans Day!

“Enjoy the sunrise from Johnson Point.”

— A neighbor, Johnson Point
Photo from the neighbor’s post

142 likes · 18 comments

View post

The Wrap

Oly on Ice has a seven-season history, and the rink has been an integral part of the winter season. One local family, the Ruders, skates there multiple times each season, and their kids are, in their words, "obsessed." Oly on Ice is almost here, and people are counting down the days until it opens. Time to find your skates and your balance.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? SeaPort will fly Spokane to Olympia this legislative session

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Every source in this edition11 links · 7 outlets
  1. The Weather Channelweather.com
  2. The Olympiantheolympian.com
  3. KOMOkomonews.com
  4. The Jolt Newsthejoltnews.com
  5. The Daily Chroniclechronline.com
  6. The Jolt Newsthejoltnews.com
  7. The Jolt Newsthejoltnews.com
  8. The Jolt Newsthejoltnews.com
  9. The Daily Chroniclechronline.com
  10. MyNorthwest.commynorthwest.com
  11. Olympia events calendardailyolympia.com

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Daily Olympiato me · Thurs., Nov. 126:00 a.m.

Olympia school board member asks to delay closure vote to Dec. 14

Plus, Tumwater's fire chief announces his retirement after 32 years.

The TLDR

  1. A school board member asks to delay the closure vote to Dec. 14
  2. Tumwater Fire Chief Brian Hurley will retire March 31, 2027
  3. Olympia renews its houselessness emergency for 12 months
Read this edition

More stories this week

From Daily Olympia’s other editions

All the news
Port of OlympiaSeaPort Airlines will fly between Spokane and Olympia for the legislative sessionIf you're headed between Spokane and the Capitol this winter, there's a new option. SeaPort Airlines will run two flights a week during the 105-day session, leaving Spokane's Felts Field Sundays at 3:25 p.m. and returning Fridays at 5:10 p.m. Tickets start at $279 each way. No drive over the mountains required.DowntownDeschutes Parkway would close for about three years under updated estuary plansIf you walk, bike or drive around Capitol Lake, here's the big change: the updated Deschutes Estuary plans would close Deschutes Parkway SW between Lakeridge Drive and 5th Avenue for about three years. Ecology planner Lynn Turner called it probably the biggest change in the draft Supplemental EIS. She said it's needed "for worker and public safety during construction of the new roundabout and the new bridge approach."Around WashingtonGov. Ferguson picks Jimi Hendrix for Washington's 2029 U.S. Mint dollar coinJimi Hendrix will represent Washington on a U.S. Mint innovation dollar coin, Gov. Bob Ferguson's office announced Monday. The program, launched in 2019, issues four new $1 coins each year through 2032.

Around Olympia

From The Daily Chronicle, Kitsap Sun and 3 more newsrooms, gathered by 6AM News, 6AM City’s local news service.

More local news
  1. The Daily Chronicle3 hours ago

    Toledo and Rainier fall in state quarterfinals, on The Daily Chronicle

    YAKIMA — Both Toledo and Rainier were eliminated from state title contention Wednesday night in Yakima, when the Riverhawks and Mountaineers lost in the quarterfinals of the 2B State Tournament. …

  2. Kitsap Sun4 hours ago

    Washington Lottery Powerball, Cash Pop results for Nov. 11, 2026, on Kitsap Sun

    Check your tickets for Washington daily lottery draw games here.

  3. The Daily Chronicle5 hours ago

    State Girls Soccer: Toledo muscles up to clip Liberty Bell in state tourney opener, on The Daily Chronicle

    TENINO — Overconfident? Maybe a little. Playing an unfamiliar style? Definitely. Having the mental fortitude to figure it out after an extended halftime? It was already discussed. …

  4. The Seattle Times8 hours ago

    Seattle weather: Balmy day smashes November heat records in WA, on The Seattle Times

    New record temperatures were set Wednesday in the Puget Sound region, as highs neared 70 degrees.

  5. Yakima Herald-Republic12 hours ago

    Are Washington’s rules for bail unfair? State Supreme Court hears arguments, on Yakima Herald-Republic

    The justices are deciding on a proposal from public defenders to cap bail at $200 for most misdemeanors and raise the standard for setting bail.

    Also reported byThe Daily Chronicle

  6. The Jolt News13 hours ago

    Houselessness emergency declaration renewed in Olympia, on The Jolt News

    The Olympia City Council unanimously approved a resolution extending a public health emergency on houselessness for ...