🌱 Why Olympia’s St. Peter just earned a first-in-state birth honor
Hello Olympia! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Why Olympia’s St. Peter just earned a first-in-state birth honor
- How big winners can cash Washington Lottery tickets in Olympia
- How Olympia-led state teams are tackling Washington’s dangerous flood rescues
Also on today's calendar: HistoryTalks! Tribal Sovereignty: A History of Colonization and Federal Indian Policy and 5 more events.
📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Olympia? Post it to Olympia photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️
Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
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- Tuesday: Rain; breezy in the morning, with a high of 55 and low of 42 degrees.
- Wednesday: A couple of showers, temps: high: 49, low: 42.
- Thursday: Periods of rain, with a high of 49 and low of 39 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Providence St. Peter first in Washington state to be awarded ‘TeamBirth Recognized' designation (chronline.com) — Families in Olympia now have the state’s first “TeamBirth Recognized” maternity unit at Providence St. Peter’s Family Birth Center, highlighting a strong focus on patient-centered birthing. The hospital also earned repeat recognition in U.S. News’ maternity ratings, while nearby Providence Centralia was honored for providing crucial rural obstetrical access, giving South Sound parents more information and options when choosing where to deliver. 
2. Washington Lottery Cash Pop, Pick 3 results for Dec. 14, 2025 (kitsapsun.com) — If you’ve got a winning Washington Lottery ticket, you can claim prizes over $600 by mailing your signed ticket and claim form to the Washington Lottery headquarters in Olympia or visiting the Olympia office in person. The piece also lists the Dec. 14 Cash Pop, Pick 3, Match 4, Hit 5, and Keno numbers and reminds players where to check detailed payouts.
3. Washington State Fire Marshal: State Mobilization Resources Make a Difference in Flood Response (columbiagorgenews.com) — From Olympia, state officials report that swift water rescue teams, including crews from Thurston County, are deployed to help flooded communities in Whatcom, Skagit, and Snohomish counties. Using Washington’s State Fire Service Mobilization Plan, agencies are coordinating rescues of stranded residents and expect mobilization resources to remain in place through the weekend.
4. WATCH: Freedom Foundation reports 250,000 union opt outs post-Janus decision (blackchronicle.com) — An Olympia-based conservative think tank, the Freedom Foundation, says it has helped 250,000 public employees nationwide leave their unions since the Janus ruling, including a surge of teachers in 2025. The group frames this as redirecting dues money back to workers, while the Washington Education Association criticizes the foundation as an extremist, anti-union force affecting public schools.
📸 Around Olympia
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓
Upcoming Events in
Olympia
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
-
Winter Solstice Mandala
The Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St NW 2nd Floor, Olympia
6:00 pm
Thursday December 18
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
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Holiday Concert
Olympia High School Olympia, WA 98501
7:30 pm -
JMS Orchestra Concert
Capital High School , 2707 Conger Ave NW , Olympia
7:00 pm -
HistoryTalks! Tribal Sovereignty: A History of Colonization and Federal Indian Policy
Lacey Museum and Cultural Center , 4160 6th Ave SE Suite 101 , Lacey
6:30 pm -
Winter Concert 2 (V)
Capital High School Olympia, WA 98502
7:00 pm -
Holiday Concert
Olympia High School Olympia, WA 98501
7:30 pm -
Tax Lien Live Event, Olympia
Hilton Garden Inn Olympia , 2101 Henderson Park Ln SE , Olympia
12:30 pm -
Solstice Celebration
WET Science Center , 500 Adams St NE , Olympia
10:00 am
Tuesday December 16
Wednesday December 17
Thursday December 18
Friday December 19
Saturday December 20
📣 Olympia Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
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Artvana Paint & Sip art class at Top Rung Brewing Lacey December 2025
Top Rung Brewing Company , 8343 Hogum Bay Ln NE , Lacey
6:00 pm -
Holiday Concert
Olympia High School Olympia, WA 98501
7:30 pm -
Birding at Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually Natl. Wildlife Refuge
Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center , 100 Brown Farm Rd NE , Olympia
8:00 am -
Cool Reflections
Painting with a Twist , 5831 Lacey Blvd SE Suite E , Lacey
7:00 pm
Tuesday December 16
Wednesday December 17
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- COWS ON THE LOOSE!!!
There are 5 cows heading down Fir Tree Rd toward Rich Road… it looks like 3 adults and 2 younger ones!!! (Nextdoor East Olympia) - LOST BERNEDOODLE
LACEY, WA Missing since 11/13 but seen yesterday 12/13 behind Komachin Middle School at College St & Mullen Rd SE. The last 3 reported sightings… (Nextdoor Tanglewilde)
- Ascend Staffing posted a job opening for FORKLIFT DRIVER-Day shift-Weekdays in Olympia. Apply here.
- HB Travels posted a job opening for Online Cruise Booking Agent in Olympia. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Olympia here.
Ok Olympia! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don't know, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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