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At the North Thurston Public Schools board meeting on Tue., Aug. 17, 2021, Stephanie Grip, a parent in the district, shared that masks should remain optional and not a requirement

NTPS parents lobby against integrating social justice and equity in curricula … and masks

Several parents spoke out against the North Thurston Public School’s (NTPS) decision to implement its new social justice curriculum during the regular school board meeting on Tuesday, August … more

By Danny Stusser | 8/19/21

Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall (top row, left) announced during the Thurston County BOCC Election Officials meeting on Wed., August 18 that her office will conduct an election recount by hand for Yelm City Council Pos. 4.

Yelm city council election to be recounted by hand following a one-vote margin

Two candidates for Yelm City Council still don’t know the results of the Aug. 3 election. Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall explained that there was one vote separating the during the … more

By The JOLT Staff | 8/19/21

Kristy Woodford, CEO of Holistic Home Group

A Holistic Approach to Real Estate

Real estate is stressful. It’s also emotional. Now more than ever, agents are encountering buyers and sellers struggling to navigate the process with their sanity intact. If you are in the … more

By Kristy Woodford | 8/19/21

Repairs were completed in June 2021 for the 85-year old Nisqually Cutoff Bridge, an arterial roadway that carries as many as 5,000 vehicles a day.

Emergency repairs for Nisqually Cutoff Bridge completed

Thurston County Public Works reported that they had completed the necessary repairs for the 85-year old Nisqually Cutoff Rd SE Bridge (N-1). During the Thurston County Board of County Commissioner … more

By Kristine Javier | 8/19/21

Police Blotter for Wed., Aug. 18, 2021

Lacey Police Department On 8/18/2021 at 1:37 a.m. in the 4400 block of 23rd Ave SE, police arrested Christopher John Pannell, 35, on the suspicion of 1) aiming a weapon and 2) reckless … more

8/19/21

Police Blotter for Tue., Aug. 17, 2021

Lacey Police Department On 8/17/2021 at 3:47 a.m. in the 5600 block of Martin Way E, police arrested Tyrell Davon Singleton, 35, for an out-of-town felony warrant. Olympia Police Department … more

8/18/21

River Ridge High School graduate Joyce Lee just after receiving her diploma at the school's graduation ceremonies on June 16, 2021.

River Ridge High School graduates listed

Caleb Edward Akana Zachary David Albaugh Anthony John Alexander Juan Francisco Alonso Farias Bianca Alvarado Alyssa Angel Anderson-Creasey Nathaniel Leon Anderson Deja N. Avery Victoria Hope Bahler … more

By The JOLT Staff | 8/18/21

Another consequence of the pandemic: Increased kinship care by grandparents

COVID has reared its ugly head once more with a vengeance. In Thurston County, the number of cases is growing daily. Hospitals are filling up again, masks are mandated and schooling is uncertain. … more

By Kathleen Anderson | 8/18/21

Komachin Middle School business education teacher Kate Reece poses with her students, Cyrus Biel, Issy Justis and Zeke Hanson, whose team ranked third at the national Future Business Leaders of America Fall Stock Market Challenge.

Komachin Middle School students named national CTE champions

North Thurston Public Schools (NTPS) honored three Komachin Middle School students who ranked third in the national Career and Technical Education (CTE) championship during its school board meeting … more

By Kristine Javier | 8/18/21

Man accused of assaulting his female roommate

An Olympia woman is accusing her male roommate of climbing on top of her in an attempted sexual assault on Wed., Aug. 4. Kyler Edward Dose, 26, was accused of forcibly mounting and humping the … more

8/18/21

Hayden Anderson and Nhino Denis celebrate in their highly personalized Timberline High School graduation gowns on June 15, 2021.

Timberline High School graduates listed

Timberline High School graduated its seniors on Tue., June 15, 2021 at St. Martin’s University in Lacey. More photos are available on the school's official Facebook … more

By The JOLT Staff | 8/17/21

This is another view of the vehicle Nancy Rector was driving on Aug. 12, 2021, according to the Thurston County Sheriff's Office.

Uninsured, unlicensed, intoxicated repeat-DUI driver blows .233 near Maytown, per TCSO

An allegedly intoxicated woman drove into a ditch near Maytown on Thursday, August 12 at approximately 3:20 p.m. Nancy Rector, 52, of Vancouver, allegedly drove her Kia sedan into a deep ditch and … more

By Danny Stusser | 8/17/21

The Olympia Fire Department discussed two proposals affecting its emergency response during the city council’s Ad Hoc Public Safety Committee meeting on Thu., Aug. 12.

Olympia Fire Department proposes adding ambulance and clinical services

With the addition of new laws on public safety, the Olympia Fire Department (OFD) proposed several major changes to their emergency-response services. OFD presented two proposals to the city … more

By Danny Stusser | 8/17/21

This recent image of Lake Lawrence, in south Thurston County, shows a layer of algae scum that caused health officials to restrict use of the lake on Aug. 13, 2021.

Stay out of Lake Lawrence

County officials issued a health warning on Lake Lawrence as a result of toxic algae bloom on Fri., Aug.13. The popular boating and fishing lake is located approximately six miles SE of Rainier … more

By Kristine Javier | 8/17/21

Xanax and Twisted Tea blamed by alleged negligent driver

An allegedly intoxicated man was reported by a store employee after being observed stumbling through a restaurant, then driving across Littlerock Road in Tumwater, on Friday, August 13, just after 5 … more

By Danny Stusser | 8/17/21

Police Blotter for Mon., August 16, 2021

Lacey Police Department On 8/16/2021 at 9:15 a.m. in the 4500 block of Edgewater Blvd NE, police arrested Tiffany D Arrienda, 31, on the suspicion of 1) assault and 2) malicious mischief. On … more

8/17/21

Everyone needs to work together

I truly don’t understand the argument about personal rights when it comes to wearing a mask -- or get vaccinated. What it resembles is what one hears from a child when they don’t … more

By Pat Cole | 8/17/21 | 5 comments

North Thurston High School graduates, l-r, Hannah Brannam, Maddie Hansen, Annie Hoffman, Cirena Adams, Helene Budd show off their various awards and honors on June 14, 2021 at their graduation ceremony, held at St. Martin's University.

North Thurston High School graduates listed

North Thurston High School graduated its seniors on Thu., June 17, 2021 at St. Martin’s University in Lacey. Congratulations from The JOLT to every graduate named … more

By The JOLT Staff | 8/16/21

This home at 18015 Wakly Lane SW in Rochester sold last week for $525,000 by Mark Weaver.

The JOLT Real Estate Report for Aug. 8-14, 2021

Last week 115 single-family homes were sold in Thurston County. This weekly report covers single-family home sales in Thurston County over the past week. There were 115 sales completed from … more

By The JOLT Staff | 8/16/21

Find clarity through your chosen sacrifice

Dear Lexis, I’ve been offered the opportunity to pursue some new projects but I don’t feel like I have the time for all of them. They all seem equally valuable though, and I … more

By Alexis Rae Baker | 8/16/21