Public Health & Social Services Lifts Swimming Advisory for Burfoot Park |
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Thurston County Brings Back Passport Services as Canada Plans Border Opening with US |
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WSU Thurston County Extension Seeks Volunteers for Master Recycler Composter Program |
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Saturday, July 24: Sunny, with a high near 80
Sunday, July 25: Sunny, with a high near 79.
Monday, July 26: Sunny, with a high near 78.
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The Chehalis Western Trail will be closed between 89th Ave SE and 93rd Ave SE for construction of a trail bridge and overlook above Spurgeon Creek, starting Monday, July 26. Due to construction scheduling, the original closure date announced earlier this month was postponed. The length of the closure has been modified after hearing feedback from community members. You can find more information at http://ow.ly/yfhf50FAQZ6. |
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Coffee With A Commissioner
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The latest episode of Thurston County Connection focuses on agriculture in Thurston County. |
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The latest episode of Coffee With A Commissioner is available now on the Thurston County YouTube channel. On this episode, Aslan Meade, the Director of Strategic Alliances with the Thurston Economic Development Council, and Stephen Bramwell, the Director of the WSU Thurston County Extension, spoke with Commissioner Tye Menser about agriculture in Thurston County and the vision for agriculture in the future. Watch it today at: https://youtu.be/tL0t6DgLlvg.
Coffee With A Commissioner is a county produced talk show program that connects you with subject matter experts and community members making an impact in Thurston County.
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Public Health & Social Services Lifts Swimming Advisory for Burfoot Park
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Burfoot Park covers 50 acres of property, with 1,100 feet of saltwater beach frontage on Budd Inlet. |
Thurston County Public Health & Social Services lifted the swimming advisory for Burfoot Park on Tuesday, July 20, after two samples showed the level of enterococci bacteria below the advisory level of 104 colonies/100 ml. Staff removed signs and visitors are now welcome to enjoy the water. The BEACH program at the Washington State Department of Ecology noted several swimming beaches in Puget Sound experienced high bacteria levels after the hot weather and heavy beach use accompanied by record setting temperatures at the end of June.
You can find tips to help you assess water quality throughout Thurston County's numerous lakes and bodies of water here. It is common to see algae blooms in Thurston County and the surrounding region during the summer months, which can affect water safety. Sign up for the algae email alerts and check out local advisories before you head out to enjoy your favorite water activities.
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Board of Commissioners Hear Annual Updates on Capital Improvement Program and
Transportation Improvement Plan
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Part one of the Board of County Commissioners work session on the 2022-2027 Capital Improvement Program (CIP). You can find part two of the work session here.
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The Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) held two work sessions on Wednesday, July 21, to hear an annual update from county staff on the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The CIP is Appendix G of the Thurston County Comprehensive Plan, and is a part of the required capital facilities element of that plan. The CIP is amended concurrently with the county budget as a six-year financing program describing how capital facilities within projected funding capacities will be funded. The CIP, however, is only a planning document and not a budget. When finalized and adopted by the board, the 2022-2027 CIP will replace the 2021-2026 CIP in its entirety. You can view the presentation and preliminary draft of the 2022-2027 CIP here.
The TIP outlines Thurston County's future plans for transportation improvement projects and programs. Including projects in the TIP allows Public Works to seek and secure funding, and proceed with work on projects where funding is available. You can view the presentation and draft of the 2022-2027 TIP here. You can watch both BoCC work sessions on the Thurston County YouTube channel.
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Canada to Open Non Essential Travel to U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents |
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The Thurston County Auditor's Office is the only full-time passport facility in Thurston County. |
Fully vaccinated U.S. citizens and permanent residents residing in the U.S. will be allowed to enter Canada for nonessential travel, beginning Monday, August 9. To enter Canada, you must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Health Canada, Canada's national public health agency, has approved Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson (Janssen). You are required to provide evidence of your vaccination in English, French, or a certified translation. Canada requires COVID-19 related information, including proof of vaccination, to be uploaded through the ArriveCan app or web portal before departure to Canada. You must be asymptomatic upon arrival and meet pre-entry screening requirements.
If you require a passport for international travel, the Thurston County Auditor's Office can help. The Thurston County Auditor’s Office is providing passport services Monday through Friday, by appointment only. One appointment is required per application. Please fill out all paperwork before arriving for your appointment. You can make an appointment here. Please do not make an appointment if you plan to travel within 12 weeks. Contact the State Department for expedited service. Adult passport renewals are a self mail-in process only. Learn more at the U.S. Department of State's Renew a Passport by Mail webpage. If you have travel plans in the next three weeks, please contact the Seattle Passport Agency Office at (877) 487-2778, or online. The Seattle office can issue same day, or limited passports with an appointment.
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Volunteers Wanted to Help Reduce,
Reuse, and Recycle
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Master Recycler Composter volunteers are trained on how to reduce waste and increase public awareness of opportunities to prevent waste, recycle and compost in Thurston County. |
The Washington State University Thurston County Extension and Thurston County Public Works are recruiting for the 2021 Master Recycler Composter (MRC) Volunteer Training program. Training focuses on a wide range of topics taught by WSU Extension staff, Thurston County staff who specialize in recycling and waste reduction, and regional experts. Classes will be held Thursday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, September 16, through Thursday, November 4, with Saturday sessions on October 9 and October 23.
The deadline to apply is 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 1. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older, and either live, work, or operate a business in Thurston County. For more information, or to apply for the 2021 Thurston County MRC Volunteer Training, please visit www.extension.wsu.edu/thurston/gardening/mc/.
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In the past seven days, Thurston County Public Health & Social Services confirmed 224 new cases of COVID-19 locally. Six people were hospitalized as a result of COVID-19. Sadly, two Thurston County residents died due to complications from the virus. 100 county residents have lost their lives to COVID-19 since the pandemic began. The best way to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community from COVID-19 is with a vaccine. If you're able, please get a COVID-19 vaccine. You can learn more on the county's vaccine information webpage.
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The free Bus Buddy Program from Catholic Community Services and Intercity Transit is back with free one-on-one assistance and fabulous field trips. The program is fully staffed with volunteers to help you learn to ride the bus wherever you’re going, from Thurston County to Tacoma, SeaTac and Seattle. Day trips have been scheduled and are available. Trips include activities such as a tour of Centralia Antiques, a picnic at Tumwater Falls, or walking tours of Tacoma. Please share with your senior friends and family members. For information, details, and reservations, contact Scott Schoengarth at (360) 688-8832 or ScottSc@ccsww.org. |
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