Browse | The JOLT News Organization, a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit

Sex offender arrested for alleged possession of materials depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct

A man convicted of sex offenses was arrested earlier this month after an investigation uncovered alleged files of minors engaged in sexually explicit ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 7/24/25 | 4 comments

Thurston County opens public comment on 2026-31 Capital Improvement Program

Thurston County’s draft 2026–31 Capital Improvement Program (CIP), a six-year investment projects plan mandated under the state of ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 7/24/25

City of Lacey Finance Services Manager Kristy Wolf and Finance Director Troy Woo discussed the timeline and financial terms for moving Lacey Violations Bureau responsibilities to Thurston County District Court at a Lacey City Council work session on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.

Lacey plans to transfer citation processing to Thurston County District Court

The City of Lacey is looking to move its Violations Bureau duties to Thurston County District Court. The Lacey City Council examined a proposal from ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 7/24/25

Dr. Wendy Frazier, a consultant who specializes in organizational development, delivered a report to the Tumwater City Council on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. The report delves into how the council members feel about their roles, the core process of their jobs as council members, communication patterns and their interpersonal dynamics.

Consultant delves into interpersonal dynamics of Tumwater City Council

A consultant’s report to the Tumwater City Council delved into the interpersonal dynamics and communication patterns of council members and city ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 7/24/25 | 2 comments

SPSCC seeking next cohort for Bachelor of Science program

South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) is recruiting students for its Bachelor of Science in Computer Science ... more

By Maven Navarro | 7/24/25

The best kind of staycation

Feeling antsy, in need of fresh inspiration or something new? I invite you to join me for the best kind of staycation one could get: great performances by our local arts ... more

By Rachel Benton | 7/24/25

What’s happening this weekend — Oregon Trail Days celebration, free outdoor movie events and other activities

It's going to be a fun-filled weekend in Thurston County. Bring the family outdoors for the 58th annual Oregon Trail Days festival in Tenino, check out ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 7/24/25

Wyatt Haupt Jr.

Wyatt Haupt Jr. is the editor of The JOLT Daily and The JOLT News. He moved to Olympia from Lihu'e, Kaua'i, where he was the editor of The Garden Island — a daily newspaper that publishes seven days a week. more

7/24/25

Police Blotter for Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Thurston County Sheriff’s Office On 7/23/25 at 11:50 a.m. in the 35100 block of 92 nd Avenue McKenna SE, sheriff’s deputies arrested Bret Eugene Welling, 28, on suspicion of … more

By Vanessa Casabuena | 7/24/25

Police Blotter for Tuesday, July 22, 2025

Thurston County Sheriff’s Office On 7/22/25 at 4:12 a.m. in the 5500 block of Donnelly Drive SE, sheriff’s deputies arrested Kathryn Andrews Quinn, 43, on suspicion of 1) … more

By Vanessa Casabuena | 7/23/25

A motorist suffered serious injuries in a head-on collision between a sedan and a dump truck on 148th Avenue SE in Thurston County on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.

Motorist suffers serious injuries in head-on collision in Thurston County

A motorist suffered serious injuries when the vehicle the individual was driving collided head-on with a dump truck on 148th Avenue SE near Runyon Road ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 7/23/25 | 1 comment

Capital Medical Center President Will Callicoat asked the city council for a more comprehensive assessment of the potential impacts of the Workers' Bill of Rights initiative, at a meeting on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.

Olympia City Council sends Workers' Bill of Rights initiative to November ballot

The Workers' Bill of Rights initiative is heading to the ballot box in a upcoming showdown that will pit the union-backed proposal against employers in the ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/23/25 | 7 comments

Intercity Transit Senior Procurement Coordinator Jeff Peterson, right, briefed the agency’s board of directors about a planning and daily operations software contract with SHI International Corp. at a meeting on Wednesday, July 16, 2025.

Intercity Transit makes another investment in new planning platform

The Intercity Transit Authority approved a $1.9 million contract with SHI International Corp. to provide the transit agency with a planning and daily operations software ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 7/23/25

Lacey Human Services Coordinator Michelle Chavez briefed the Lacey City Council about the 2025 Human Services Grant Program Award at a meeting on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. The plan gives $30,000 to applicants scoring above 95 points and $23,125 to applicants with scores between 90 and 95.

Lacey's Human Services Grant Program targets 12 nonprofits

The City of Lacey’s Human Services Commission (HSC) endorsed a formula-driven plan under the 2025 Human Services Grant Program that channels $300,000 ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 7/23/25

A suspect's vehicle collided with another vehicle, which resulted to the victim's vehicle slamming into a building in Tumwater. The driver suffered critical injuries and was airlifted to a hospital for immediate treatment.

Wanted 18-year-old arrested after car chase, crash in Tumwater

An 18-year-old man was taken into custody on Friday morning, July 18, following a police chase, crash and foot pursuit near Tumwater Boulevard and ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 7/23/25 | 5 comments

A slide from Sustainability Manager Alyssa Jones Wood’s presentation to the Tumwater Public Works Committee about the installation of eight level 2 electric vehicles chargers at several city properties.  She made the presentation at a meeting on Wednesday, July 16, 2025.

Installation of eight EV chargers completed in Tumwater

The City of Tumwater completed the installation of eight, level 2 electric vehicle chargers at several city properties, according to an update from staff ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 7/23/25 | 2 comments

A conversation with Heather Matthews about 'arts'

Heather Matthews wears so many hats in the Thurston County arts community — elementary music and band teacher, arts advocate lobbying with school districts ... more

By Rachel Benton | 7/23/25

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners approved a $25.3 million state agreement for homeless services and a separate $14.7 million housing contract with 17 nonprofits at  a meeting on Tuesday, July 15, 2025.

Thurston County commits to housing contracts

Amid ongoing friction over Encampment Resolution Program (ERP) grant shelter exclusions, Thurston County leaders authorized separate housing contracts ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 7/22/25 | 6 comments

A convicted felon was arrested after a single-car crash and is facing multiple charges, including threatening responding Thurston County Sheriff's Office deputies. A woman, who pretended to be the driver, was also arrested for aiding the suspect and lying to authorities.

Convicted felon arrested after single-vehicle crash, faces multiple charges

A convicted felon was arrested following a single-vehicle crash near Boston Harbor on 46th Avenue NE and Libby Road NE ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 7/22/25 | 1 comment

Pioneer Park in Tumwater, as seen on Monday, July 21, 2025.

Main play structure removed at Pioneer Park in Tumwater

Safety concerns have prompted the temporary removal of the main play structure on the playground at Pioneer Park ... more

By Maven Navarro and Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 7/22/25 | 4 comments