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Douglas James, one of the lead carvers in the House of Tears Carvers of the Lummi Nation, standing in front of the totem pole that will travel to Washington, D.C. during the summer of 2021, in Olympia on May 15, 2021.

House of Tears Carvers displaying new totem pole this weekend at Chehalis reservation

If you missed the chance to meet the House of Tears Carvers when they were in Olympia two weeks ago, you've got another chance this weekend. They are displaying their new totem pole at the … more

By Danny Stusser | 5/28/21

This is the Hyundai Tucson driven by Colton Pruitt on May 25, 2021.

Drunk, but not too drunk to call 911 on himself, police say

After colliding with a parked van, an intoxicated man called 911 dispatch to report the accident himself last Tuesday. The 2008 Hyundai Tucson that Colton Pruitt, 28, drove had its front-end … more

By Danny Stusser | 5/28/21

This is a view of the room Vu Nguyen was accused of damaging on May 25, 2021.

Thinking his mobile phone had been hacked, hotel guest takes out his anger on the room, police say

A man tore allegedly apart a room at a Tumwater hotel after claiming that his phone was hacked last Tuesday evening. Vu Nguyen, 39, of Olympia, caused more than $800 worth of damage at the Best … more

By Danny Stusser | 5/28/21

One of the many services offered to Veterans by the Hub is transportation to healthcare appointments.

Online "gala" to support Lacey Veterans Services Hub set for next Friday, June 4

The City of Lacey invites the South Sound community to its 2021 Mayor’s Gala on Friday, June 4, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. The free, virtual event will help support programming and operations at … more

5/28/21

This image shows the hybrid meeting of the Olympia School District board of directors on Thu., May 27, 2021.

Enrollment has dropped in Olympia schools

As the Olympia School Board looks towards the next school year, Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Priddy reported at the board meeting yesterday that local schools have experienced low … more

5/28/21

Accused intoxicated hit-and-run driver with suspended license figured he could drive

A stolen portable basketball hoop led to a hit-and-run of a parked vehicle and a high-speed chase around the Ken Lake neighborhood, as an alleged intoxicated man with a revoked license attempted to … more

By Danny Stusser | 5/28/21

Saving the planet, one clover seed at a time

I am perennially perplexed about my lawn. The more I read about lawn, the more I have thought that getting rid of it might be the environmentally responsible thing to do. But I like it a lot, … more

By Jill Severn | 5/28/21

Police Blotter for Thu., May 27, 2021

Lacey Police Department On 5/27/2021 at 5:41 a.m. in the 1600 block of Hanover Dr SE, police arrested Zackery A Ahlfs, 25, for an out-of-town warrant and on suspicion of 1) vehicle … more

5/28/21

With another DUI case pending, Olympia woman blows .227

A good Samaritan called dispatch after witnessing an allegedly intoxicated woman attempt to drive away from a scene in west Olympia after her car initially stalled last Fri., May 21. Mariah … more

By Danny Stusser | 5/27/21

Olympia to expand its Crisis Response Unit and Familiar Faces program

A year after George Floyd’s death at the hands of the police, the Olympia Police Department (OPD) shared its plans to expand its Crisis Response Unit (CRU), and its Familiar Faces program to … more

By The JOLT Staff | 5/27/21

Olympia Police say this is a security camera image of Hakeem LeBlanc, accused of breaking into this vehicle early in the morning on Tue., May 18, 2021.

Two break-ins in 14 hours -- both caught on security cams

In just 14 hours last Monday, an Olympia man was arrested for breaking into a commercial building and allegedly stealing $2,000 worth of power tools, then released, only to be arrested for committed … more

By The JOLT Staff | 5/27/21

This was the scene at Division St NW and Walnut Rd NW in Olympia on Tue., May 18, 2021 after Jordain Kelley allegedly drove her car into the utility pole in this image.

Utility pole stops 19-year-old driver accused of being high on cannabis

A 19-year-old was cited for driving under the influence after allegedly crashing into a Puget Sound Energy power pole on Tue., May 18 at 5:15 a.m. Olympia Police arrived to find a white Ford C-Max … more

By The JOLT Staff | 5/27/21

Kristy Woodford, CEO of Holistic Home Group

Four things every home seller should know before they list

A recent survey found that one in five homeowners plan to sell their homes within the next year. Are you one of them? If so, are you taking steps now to prepare yourself and your home for a … more

By Kristy Woodford | 5/27/21

The icons overlay a map of Thurston County and represent individual businesses that received PPP loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Thurston Strong update presented to Olympia City Council

The Olympia City Council received a presentation from Thurston Strong, the county-based economic recovery organization created after the start of the pandemic, which shared that businesses and … more

By Danny Stusser | 5/27/21

Police Blotter for Wed., May 26, 2021

Lacey Police Department On 5/26/2021 at 3:15 a.m. in the 4900 block of Lacey Blvd SE, Lacey, WA, police arrested Nicole Renee Rach, 44, on suspicion of driving with a suspended … more

5/27/21

Breathalyzer showed driver's blood alcohol above .4 just after crash

A local hairstylist allegedly caused a two-vehicle accident with a blood alcohol of five times the legal limit last Wednesday. Melissa Coleman, 36, of Olympia, was found out of her truck by … more

By Danny Stusser | 5/26/21

President Biden ordered U.S. flags to half-staff from today through Sunday, May 30, 2021.

U.S. flags ordered to half-staff through Sunday

President Biden has ordered all U.S. flags to half-staff from May 26, 2021, until sunset May 30, 2021, to honor the victims of today's tragedy in San Jose. Read President Biden's proclamation: A … more

By The JOLT Staff | 5/26/21

A driver deposits her ballot in the official drop box across the street from the U.S. Post Office in Lacey on Election Day last year.

Special Three-Day Filing Period for Offices Without Candidates

A special three-day filing period will be held Wednesday, June 2 through Friday, June 4 to allow citizens to run for elected office for positions without candidates. Open positions … more

5/26/21

On Memorial Day the flag should be flown at half-staff from sunrise until noon only, then raised briskly to the top of the staff until sunset, in honor of the nation’s battle heroes.

Memorial Day Memories…

For many Americans Memorial Day is a three-day weekend with family gatherings, bar-b-ques and camping trips to local lakes and oceans. For many seniors it is a time to remember… Thoughts … more

By Kathleen Anderson | 5/26/21

This was the scene at Hannah's Tavern after Samuel Elliot Ketchum allegedly kicked in the front door glass just before midnight on Sat., May 15, 2021.

Drunk and angry, homeless man smashes glass door of downtown tavern

Armed with a kitchen steak knife, a man kicked in the front glass to Hannah’s Pub, then started to strip completely naked when confronted by Olympia Police. Samuel Elliot Ketchum, 38, a … more

By Danny Stusser | 5/26/21