August 13, 2026

CITY MANAGER'S MESSAGE

Remembering Chairman Ken Choke

It is with great sadness that I join our community in mourning the passing of Nisqually Tribal Chairman Ken Choke.

Whenever we lose a leader who has devoted so much of his life to serving others, it gives us an opportunity to pause and reflect on the impact that person had — not only on the people closest to them, but on the broader community they helped shape. Chairman Choke’s impact will be felt for many years to come.

For decades, the City of Lacey and the Nisqually Tribe have shared a relationship built on friendship, mutual respect, trust, and a genuine commitment to working together. I have always valued that relationship and the opportunity it has given us to learn from one another and find ways to make our communities stronger.

Chairman Choke was an important part of that work. His leadership helped strengthen the connection between our communities and advance conversations around protecting our natural resources, honoring our shared history, and creating opportunities for future generations. Those are not small contributions. They are the kind of investments in relationships and community that continue long after a leader is gone.

One of the things I appreciate most about local government is that it reminds us that we are all part of something much larger than ourselves. The boundaries between cities, towns, and tribal communities may appear clearly on a map, but the relationships between our people, our history, and the places we call home extend far beyond those lines.

That is especially true in this case. The Nisqually Tribe is an important part of the fabric of our larger community and our partnership is something we will continue to nurture and strengthen for generations to come.

As we mourn Chairman Choke’s passing, I am grateful for his service, his leadership, and the role he played in bringing our communities closer together. On behalf of the City of Lacey, I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the entire Nisqually Nation.

We stand with our neighbors at the Nisqually Tribe as they remember and celebrate Chairman Choke’s life and legacy. His contributions will not be forgotten, and we are grateful for the enduring friendship and partnership he helped build.

— Rick Walk

CITY MANAGER'S SPOTLIGHT: It's the People!

Kayla Hunkin-Clark: Our Own Rugby Star!

One of the things I appreciate most about working for the City is getting to know the people behind the work. Our employees are dedicated public servants, but they’re also parents, coaches, artists, volunteers, athletes, and community members who bring their talents and passions to life outside of City Hall.

Kayla Hunkin-Clark is a great example.

Kayla — or “KFC” as her teammates call her — has been playing rugby since she was a junior in high school. Over the past 13 years, the sport has taken her across the country and around the world. She has played at the collegiate level, represented Samoa with the international 15s Manusina team, and played with the USA Women’s team.

When she’s home in Washington, Kayla plays for the Washington Athletic Club (WAC) women’s rugby team. This summer, that team set its sights on one of the biggest stages in American club rugby: USA Club 7s Nationals.

After competing in tournaments nearly every weekend throughout June and July, the WAC women’s team earned a spot among the top 16 women’s club 7s teams in the country. Kayla was honored to be selected as one of the 13 players on the team’s national travel roster.

The tournament was held August 8–9 in Madison, Wisconsin. WAC went undefeated in pool play on the first day, winning all three games and advancing to the championship bracket. While the team fell short in its first game on day two, they regrouped, won their final two matches, and finished 5th in the country — that’s an incredible accomplishment!

But what stands out to me is that Kayla’s story is about more than a fifth-place finish. It’s about dedication, teamwork, perseverance, and the willingness to keep pushing forward when things don’t go exactly as planned. Those are qualities we value deeply as public servants, too.

I’m proud that people like Kayla are part of the City of Lacey team. The work our employees do for our community matters, but so does who they are beyond their job titles. Their passions, accomplishments, and contributions outside of work make our organization — and our community — a better place to live, work, and play.

Congratulations to Kayla and the entire WAC women’s team on an outstanding season and an impressive 5th-place national finish!

— Rick Walk

NEWS & UPDATES

Get an Inside Look at the Lacey Police Department: Apply for the Community Academy

The Lacey Police Department invites community members to join its six-week Lacey Police Community Academy course this fall for an inside look at police operations. Learn about hiring, criminal law, and community outreach, as well as firearms, less-lethal tools, traffic enforcement, SWAT, detectives, and evidence processing.

Classes take place on Wednesday evenings from 5:30–8:30 p.m. on Sept. 30, Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28, and Nov. 4. Please note: Participants must be able to attend all six sessions.

To apply, you must be 18 or older, live, work, or attend school in Lacey, have no felony convictions, pending criminal cases, or outstanding warrants, and sign course waivers.

Applications close Monday, Sept. 7, at midnight, and spots fill up fast, so don't wait!

APPLY NOW!

COMMUNITY EVENTS

BONUS Night Market Event - This Friday!

Great news! We’ve added an extra Night Market date to make up for an event that was rained out earlier this season. Don’t miss this special evening of food, shopping, and entertainment at the Lacey Night Market!

Explore a vibrant marketplace featuring delicious food vendors, talented local artisans, and unique small businesses, all while enjoying live entertainment throughout the evening.

Event Details:

Date: Friday, August 14
Time: 5 - 10 p.m.
Location: Lacey Depot Park (5700 Lacey Blvd SE)

Whether you’re grabbing dinner, searching for one-of-a-kind finds, or enjoying an evening with friends and family, the Lacey Night Market is the perfect place to connect with your community, support local businesses, and soak up a fun summer evening. We hope to see you there!

Before You Go: Parking Tips

Through a partnership with Saint Martin's University (SMU), you can use the field parking lot (next to the SMU baseball field) as an additional off-site parking option. Please do not park in private lots (ex: Lacey Downs Plaza, which contains the Lacey Post Office). Parking in any privately owned lots puts your vehicle at risk of being towed.

Walls Looking Bare? Come to Creativity Corner!

Join us at the Lacey Museum throughout August for a fun and creative pennant-making event!

Our museum staff will guide visitors through the process of making a pennant flag. Whether you choose to honor your school colors, create an inspiring message, or dream up a unique design, we’ll show you how to put your flag together.

Visit us:

Thursdays and Fridays 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Saturdays 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

This activity is FREE and open to all ages.

Visit the Lacey Parks website for event details.

VA Home Loans 101: Your Path to Homeownership

Veterans, service members, and military families are invited to attend a free VA home loan class to learn how VA benefits can help make homeownership more accessible.

Hosted by local VA loan specialists, this informational session will walk participants through the basics of VA home loans, including eligibility and entitlement requirements. Attendees will learn about key benefits such as no-down-payment options, flexible credit requirements, and no private mortgage insurance.

Next Class Details:

Date: Tuesday, August 18
Time: 3 - 4:30 p.m.
Location: Lacey Veterans Services Hub (4232 6th Ave SE, Suite 101)

The session will also cover how VA loans can be used to buy, sell, invest in, or manage property, along with tips for avoiding common lending pitfalls.

Additional Upcoming Class Dates:

Tuesday, September 15
Tuesday, October 13
Thursday, October 29
Tuesday, November 17

Want more details? View the event flyer here.

These free sessions are open to active-duty service members, veterans, reservists, and military families who want to better understand how to use their VA home loan benefits.

To register or ask questions, contact 206-941-0484 or email MJohnston@Listings.com.

PARTNER POSTS

I-5 Repairs Begin Between Lacey and DuPont

Nighttime travelers can expect overnight lane closures and reduced speeds on I-5 between Lacey and DuPont beginning Monday, August 17. Crews will repair aging and deteriorating concrete panels in both directions of the highway, with work expected to continue into mid-September, weather permitting.

Expect cones, flashing lights, lane shifts, shoulder closures, and occasional ramp closures. Lane closures begin as early as 8 p.m. and will reopen as late as 6 a.m. on weekdays and 9:30 a.m. on weekends. Drivers are encouraged to slow down, stay alert, and plan for extra travel time.

Visit WSDOT's project website for updates and more information.