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

Bales of hay burned during the July 4 wildfire near Yelm.

Wildfire now close to home: 29 acres burn near Yelm

Firefighters responded to a wildfire near Vail Road in Yelm on Sunday, July 4. The S.E. Thurston County Fire Authority reported that the wildfire had burned approximately 29 acres. “Could … more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/5/21

Difficult conversations may not be fun, but you can handle them, says columnist Alexis Rae Baker

How to share disappointing news with your spouse

Dear Lexis, I’ve been talking with my wife about leaving my job for a while; however, the other day something happened at work and I decided to put in my notice. We didn’t plan on me … more

By Alexis Rae Baker | 7/5/21

This home at 6120 60th Ct SE in Lacey was sold by Kristy Woodford for $435,000.

The JOLT Real Estate Report for June 27 - July 3, 2021

This weekly report covers single-family home sales in Thurston County over the past week. There were 116 sales completed from Sunday, June 27, through Saturday, July 3, 2021. The median … more

By Prachi Gohil | 7/5/21

Police Blotter for Fri.-Sun., July 2-4, 2021

Lacey Police Department On 7/2/2021 at 1:57 p.m. in the 5000 block of College St SE, police arrested Trey A Lopez, 24, on suspicion of violation of a protection order. On 7/3/2021 at 3:00 a.m. … more

7/5/21

There will be fireworks in Tumwater and Lacey to celebrate Independence Day

Lacey, Tumwater to host fireworks shows for Independence Day

The cities of Lacey and Tumwater are inviting locals to participate in their upcoming Independence Day Events. Lacey The City of Lacey invites locals … more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/2/21

What else is happening July 3 - 10?

Here are a few events in the Thurston County area to keep you entertained in the coming week! more

By Prachi Gohil | 7/2/21

The blistering heat on June 27, 2021in the Pacific Northwest was caught on NASA’s thermal infrared maps.

Four people dead in Thurston County from the record-breaking heatwave

With temperatures hitting over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, the Thurston County Coroner reported that at least four people died due to the heat, including a 39-year-old man in Tumwater. Official … more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/2/21

Lacey officials with members of the City of Lacey Commission on Equity at their training about the Public Records Law on June 28, 2021. Top row, l-r: Makieda Hart, member; Dave Schneider, assistant city attorney; Anne Clay, member. Center row, l-r: Shannon Kelley-Fong, assistant city manager; Thelma Jackson, member; Clifton Brown, member. Bottom row: Kristine Stolberg, member.

Lacey Commission on Equity members cautioned about Public Records Act requirements

The Washington State Office of the Attorney General conducted a training session for the Lacey Commission on Equity on the rules and guidelines for the Public Records Act on Monday, June 28. Lacey … more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/2/21

South Bay BBQ fans can look forward to a new restaurant someday at 4336 Martin Way E if Olympia approves the plans of property owners Eric and Suvantha Dickerson.

Three new housing projects reviewed by Olympia Site Plan Review Committee

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee reviewed three proposed housing projects along Wheeler Ave., Martin Way and Evergreen Park Drive at their meeting on Wed., June 30. These meetings … more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/2/21

Police Blotter for Thu., July 1, 2021

Lacey Police Department On 7/1/2021 at 6:28 a.m. in the 700 block of Sleater Kinney Rd SE, police arrested Derek R Garner, 43, for an out-of-town warrant. On 7/1/2021 at 11:34 a.m. in the 5600 … more

7/2/21

A sad sight: poppies scorched by 109 degree heat

Climate change in the garden

Most of us have known for decades that we live on a warming planet caused by carbon dioxide emissions, so last week’s heat wave should not have been a surprise. Even so, 109 degrees was a … more

By Jill Severn | 7/1/21

The Tenino Young-at-Heart Theater received the largest gift in its 30-year history, designated to purchase this piece of land on which to build a theater building.

Anonymous donor purchases lot to build Tenino Young-at-Heart Performing Center

The Tenino Young-at-Heart Theatre (TYT) is planning to build a “real live theater” in the Tenino Creative District, thanks to the generous help of an anonymous donor. The property is … more

By Kristine Javier | 7/1/21

Dr. Dimyana Abdelmalek, the Thurston County Health Officer.

The Delta variant is here -- and several other questions answered

Hello Thurston County. I really enjoy receiving questions from the community each week. In this week’s letter, I will address many questions on a variety of COVID topics you have sent … more

7/1/21

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

Man charged with dealing in depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct

The Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney’s office on Wed., June 30 charged a Thurston County man with dealing in depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The man had a … more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/1/21

Sunday at the park: drunk and confused, police say

Tumwater police were dispatched to intercept an intoxicated man who had gotten into a brawl with nearby park goers and was attempting to drive out of the parking lot on Sun., June 27 just after 6 … more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/1/21

Carl Victor Nard

Carl Victor Nard, 85, of Olympia, died on Friday, June 25, 2021 at Providence St. Peter Hospital. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Funeral Alternatives of Washington, … more

7/1/21

Ronald David Walter

Ronald David Walter, 68, of Yelm, died on Monday, June 21, 2021 at St. Jospeh Medical Center. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Funeral Alternatives of Washington, … more

7/1/21

Marilyn Gay Sarff

Marilyn Gay Sarff, 89, of Olympia, died on Sunday, June 27, 2021 at Fieldstone Memory Care. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Funeral Alternatives of Washington, … more

7/1/21

Norma Lenore Silva

Norma Lenore Silva, 94, of Tacoma, died on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, at Adult Family Home. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Funeral Alternatives of Washington, … more

7/1/21

Police Blotter for Wed., June 30, 2021

Lacey Police Department On 6/30/2021 at 12:50 a.m. in the 8500 block of Litt Dr SE, police arrested Kniya Namari Knowles, 20, on suspicion of assault. On 6/30/2021 at 3:51 a.m. in the … more

7/1/21