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FDCARES program staffers met with the Tumwater Public Healthy Safety Committee on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, to deliver updates about the program. The program connects 911 callers to additional services that address the underlying cause of their calls.

Tumwater’s FDCARES program provides 911 callers with follow-up care and resources

A Tumwater program, which links 911 callers to services that address the root causes of their calls, is showing ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/16/25 | 2 comments

A screen capture from the car chase as it came to a resolution.

Suspects in alleged Nike store theft arrested after high-speed car chase

Two suspects with active warrants were arrested following a high-speed car chase after reports of an alleged theft in a Nike store on ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 5/16/25

Olympia opens application period for Community Policing Board

Olympia is seeking community members to join its Community Policing Board, a citizen advisory committee that will collaborate with the Civilian Police Auditor ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/16/25

Capital City Pride Festival to feature comedy skits, parties, and entertainment from June 27-29

Capital City Pride is holding a Pride Festival on June 27-29 at different areas around Olympia, Outreach Communications Coordinator Pog O’Donoghue ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 5/16/25 | 12 comments

Olympia's imperiled Japanese garden

In 1990, Olympia’s Yashiro Japanese Garden opened to the public, but because it’s tucked away behind walls along a five-lane street with fast-moving traffic ... more

By Jill Severn | 5/16/25 | 13 comments

Police Blotter for Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Thurston County Sheriff’s Office On 5/14/25 at 12:29 a.m. in the 12200 block of Littlerock Road SW, sheriff’s deputies arrested Gabriel Samuel Watson-Norries, 32, on suspicion of 1) … more

By VJ Casabuena | 5/15/25

Patty Belmonte, CEO of the Hands On Children's Museum, delivered a presentation to the Port of Olympia Commission on April 14, 2025, to discuss plans for expansion. Her presentation included a conceptual design of the new museum building, which will be connected with the existing museum through a sky bridge.

Sale of land for expansion of Hands On Children's Museum approved by Port of Olympia Commission

The Port of Olympia Commission authorized the sale of two parcels of land to the City of Olympia for the expansion of the Hands On Children's Museum on ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/15/25 | 4 comments

Sea Level Rise Collaborative seeks proposals for adaptive monitoring framework

The City of Olympia has requested proposals from qualified consultants to help develop a data-driven strategy that will guide when and how the city and its regional partners ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/15/25 | 8 comments

Thurston County’s proclamation of May 2025 as Military Appreciation Month honors active-duty personnel, veterans and military families. It also joins the U.S. Department of Defense’s national observance calendar recognizing official service dates throughout the month.

Veterans stay in Thurston County after exiting JBLM, data shows

Veterans make up a garrisoned residency cell of Thurston County’s demographic ledger, recorded at 30,811 in the most recent data available from the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs. … more

By Kameko Marquez | 5/15/25 | 3 comments

A 29-year old man was arrested after a stolen excavator worth an estimated $130,000 was found in the backyard of his home.

Man arrested for alleged theft of $130,000 excavator

A stolen excavator was recovered by authorities after it went missing from a construction site in the Boston Harbor area on Sunday, May 11 ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 5/15/25 | 1 comment

A green waste recycling container, as seen in this undated photo.

Olympia offers free assessments for organic management compliance

Olympia is offering free waste assessment to help businesses comply with the state of Washington's phased-in organics management ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/15/25

Saint Martin’s University held its Commencement Ceremony on May 10, 2025. Pictured here are Commencement speaker & honorary degree recipient Fr. John B. Klassen, O.S.B., Co-valedictorians Avril Andales Regis and Alisa Zhupanenko, and salutatorian Jillian Abbe.

Saint Martin's University honors top graduates

Saint Martin’s University recognized co-valedictorians Avril Andales Regis and Alisa Zhupanenko, and salutatorian Jillian Abbe at its commencement ceremony on ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 5/15/25

Tours to explore downtown Olympia on May 17

Tours of historic downtown Olympia are being offered at 10 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 17, the City of Olympia said in an announcement. The tours are in honor of Historic … more

By The JOLT News Staff | 5/15/25 | 2 comments

In praise of warblers

These tiny insect-eating warblers are perhaps the most amazing of all our Thurston County breeding birds. They weigh less than one-half ounce yet manage to migrate hundreds and sometimes thousands of … more

By George Walter | 5/15/25 | 3 comments

Olympia Public Works Director Mark Russell discussed the potential impact on local projects if federal funding is lost during a city council study session on budget sustainability and the 2026 operating budget held on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.

Olympia's sanctuary city status puts $11.9M in local projects at risk

The City of Olympia is bracing for potential federal funding cuts that could impact up to $11.9 million in public works projects due to its sanctuary status. At a city council study … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/14/25 | 18 comments

Thurston County plans to launch "Fish Wars" events in honor of Billy Frank Jr.,  taking inspiration from Pierce County’s successful commemoration. As pictured, a portrait of Frank was featured during Pierce County’s regular council meeting wherein a resolution proclaiming March 9 as “Bill Frank Jr. Day”

DEI governance programs carry forward 'Fish Wars' resistance in Thurston County

Coupling tribal history with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training, Thurston County is partnering with South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) to reposition ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 5/14/25 | 19 comments

After a multi-day manhunt, 10-time felon Damien Madison was captured trying to cross the Nevada-California border on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.

Felon Damien Madison captured after multiday manhunt

Felon Damien Madison, 27, was captured Tuesday afternoon as he attempted to slip across the Nevada–California border in a vehicle, according to a social media post from Thurston County … more

By Darlanne Cruz | 5/14/25 | 10 comments

Two TCSO deputies were injured after a fight with a man suspected of harassment of a public defender on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.

Man arrested after alleged assault on 2 sheriff's deputies

Two deputies from the Thurston County Sheriff's Office (TCSO) were injured after they responded to a report of harassment. on Tuesday, May 13. Deputies went to the suspect’s … more

By Darlanne Cruz | 5/14/25 | 2 comments

Health board approves landmark Health Equity report, highlighting racial, economic disparities

The Thurston County Board of Health officially approved its inaugural Journey to Health Equity report, a comprehensive analysis of health disparities across ... more

By JC Medina | 5/14/25

Noelle Gordon (left), a Procurement Coordinator for Intercity Transit, briefed the Intercity Transit Authority about the purchase of three new vans for the agency’s Village Vans program on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Intercity Transit purchases replacement vehicles for Village Vans program

The Intercity Transit Authority authorized General Manager Emily Bergkamp to purchase three new vans for its Village Vans program on ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/14/25 | 2 comments