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

This is not a Photoshop'd image -- it's an extended shutter photo of an image that's being projected onto one of the old Olympia Brewing Company buildings. Peace for Ukraine, in the nation's colors.

How to keep the people of Ukraine in mind as most of us live safe, secure lives 5,500 miles away? The Olympia Tumwater Foundation is projecting a 100-foot-high peace symbol, in the blue and yellow … more

By Danny Stusser | 4/15/22

Approximately 160 people attended the Thurston Green Business Forum event on April 13, 2022.

Thurston Green Business awards presented for 2022

Close to 100 businesses applied for a Thurston Green designation this year and the community celebrated them at the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce's April Green Business Forum on Wednesday, … more

By Danny Stusser | 4/15/22 | 1 comment

Waste collected in Thurston County is placed in large shipping containers such as the one shown above, then transported via truck to Centralia where it is loaded onto a train and sent to the Roosevelt Regional Landfill. This is an image from the Waste & Recovery Center in Hawks Prairie.

Limited hours at county solid waste facilities this weekend

Limited hours are due to a mechanical failure of trash compactor equipment, resulting in an overaccumulation of waste at county facilities. There will be limited hours of operation at Thurston … more

4/15/22

Cops cannot engage in pursuits as SB 5919 fails, says TPD chief

Tumwater Police Chief Jon Weiks expressed concerns about the police’s limited authority to engage in pursuits as Senate Bill 5919 failed to get support for a vote. SB 5919 would have allowed … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/15/22

"... the whole purpose of being a landlord is to provide housing and services to people in exchange for rent," writes Priscilla Terry.

Rent assistance applicants must re-apply, county says

LiveStories, Thurston County’s new rent assistance contractor, will accept new applications for the county’s Treasury Rent Assistance Program starting Monday, May 2, according to an April … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierez, Jr. and Danny Stusser | 4/15/22

The scales of justice represent the balance between fairness and injustice.

Arson charge for man accused of starting fire in Olympia pizzeria

A Vancouver man was charged with arson after allegedly starting a fire in an Olympia restaurant. The Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney charged Egan Leo Lawyer, 19, with one count of … more

By Julia Ornedo | 4/15/22

The Art of Weeding

Jill Severn’s Gardening Column The Art of Weeding By Jill Severn Occasionally someone will say they can’t weed their garden because “I can’t tell which is a weed and … more

By Jill Severn | 4/15/22 | 3 comments

What’s happening coming up?

Lacey Easter egg & Scavenger Hunt - Sat., April 16, from 10 a.m. You and your whole family are invited to join for an Easter Egg and Scavenger Hunt for preschool and elementary-aged … more

4/15/22

Police Blotter for Thu., April 14, 2022

Thurston County Sheriff's Office Lacey Police Department On 4/14/22 at 3:36 a.m. in the 4500 block of 19th Ave SE, police arrested Brian K Wilson, 42, on suspicion of 1) harassment - … more

4/15/22

The Dawn Chorus

In last week’s column I mentioned that April is a great month for bird watching, but it is also a great month for bird listening. With the start of breeding season, many of our birds greet the … more

By George Walter | 4/14/22 | 5 comments

This is an example of the same monument that is under construction in Lacey during 2022.

Public help sought to complete memorial to local Gold Star Families

Brick by brick, community members are raising funds to build a monument in Lacey to honor local Gold Star Families. Partnering with 501c(3) nonprofit Gold Star Memorial Foundation of Lacey … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 4/14/22

The City of Lacey held a public hearing on April 12 to gather opinions on the controversial Meridian Market and Gas Station.

Lacey residents push back against planned Meridian Gas Station; city staff, developer defend

Some 45 Lacey residents showed up at a public hearing on Tuesday about the proposed construction of a gas station in the northeast corner of the city, with some staying online for more than four … more

By JC Medina | 4/14/22 | 1 comment

Felony charges for man who allegedly assaulted retail store employee

A Vancouver man was charged with two counts of a felony after allegedly stealing from a store in Olympia and assaulting the employee who attempted to stop him. An April 11 document from the … more

By Julia Ornedo | 4/14/22

The Olympia City Council conducted a “Reimagining Public Safety” forum on April 12, 2022.

Olympia to appoint members for Social Justice and Equity Commission

The Olympia City Council will soon appoint inaugural members for the recently-created Social Justice and Equity Commission, city manager Jay Burney announced during the “Reimagining Public … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/14/22

The seals of the five service academies are shown above. Left to right: U.S Military Academy (Army, "West Point"), U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

Does your student seek an appointment to a US service academy?

Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (D) will host two informational meetings for middle and high schoolers curious about attending any of the five U.S. service academies, with the first of the two … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 4/14/22

Police Blotter for Wed., April 13, 2022

Thurston County Sheriff's Office (preliminary report) On 4/13/22, Sheriff's deputies arrested Atticus Morhous on suspicion of 1) assault in the fourth degree and 2) assault in the third degree. … more

4/14/22

Probe set into Thurston County man’s death after medical event

Thurston Sheriff’s Office announced that it will investigate the death of a 55-year-old Thurston County resident following a medical-related call with Lacey fire personnel and Sheriff’s … more

By Julia Ornedo | 4/13/22

Body found last month belonged to local 20-year-old homeless woman, police say

Olympia police have identified the human remains that were found near Thurston County Joint Animal Services on March 31. The remains were “positively identified” as belonging to Marea … more

By Julia Ornedo | 4/13/22

Tumwater Police Department Chief Jon Weiks gives an update on 2021 police data at the city’s Public Health Safety Committee meeting.

Tumwater police chief: TPD receives less calls for service during pandemic year

COVID-19 lockdowns decreased calls for service from the Tumwater Police Department, Tumwater Police Chief Jon Weiks said during the city’s Public Health and Safety Committee meeting on Tuesday … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/13/22

The Thurston County Board of Health (BOH) approved two proclamations for the month of April at its April 12 meeting.

County commissioners urge public to value public health, raise awareness on sexual assault

The Thurston County Board of Health (BOH) approved two proclamations for April at its meeting yesterday The BOH approved a proclamation declaring April 4 - 10 as National Public Health Week to … more

By JC Medina | 4/13/22