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

This summer Thurston County residents can go to the library and stay at home at the same time.

Timberland libraries offer free books from their online summer program

Readers can earn a free book by participating in the upcoming Online Summer Library Program hosted by the Timberland Regional Library. The program runs from June 1 to August 31, and residents of … more

By The JOLT Staff | 5/26/21

Olympia police say this is the car Cheryle Ratzlaff was driving on Thu., May 20 when she allegedly collided with a car being driven by Victoria Abernathy.

Two women, two cars, one crash, one or two DUI charges

Two women, each suspected of driving under the influence, collided with each other at the intersection of 5th Ave and Simmons Street in downtown Olympia at approximately 3 p.m. last Thursday, May … more

By The JOLT Staff | 5/26/21

Dr. Dimyana Abdelmalek, the Thurston County Health Officer.

County health officer provides details about the ongoing pandemic

Hello Thurston County! I want to update you on the state of the COVID-19 pandemic in Thurston County. There has been a lot of new guidance recently regarding masking after vaccination. Masking is … more

5/26/21

Linda Lee Patterson

Linda Lee Patterson, 60, died on Sunday, May 23, 2021 at home. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Funeral Alternatives of Washington, Tumwater. 360-753-106. more

5/26/21

Police Blotter for Tue., May 25, 2021

Lacey Police Department On 5/25/2021 at 5:58 p.m. in the 100 block of College St NE, Lacey, WA, police arrested Michael D Behrend, 41, on suspicion of driving with a suspended … more

5/26/21

This is the 2005 Nissan Sentra seized by Olympia police in relation to alleged catalytic converter theft by Logen Elliott on May 16, 2021, according to Olympia police.

Catalytic converter cutting crook caught, police say

Olympia Police arrested the first of what might be a regional catalytic converter theft ring, after witnessing a vehicle owner give chase to an alleged thief underneath the Red Lion Hotel parking … more

By Danny Stusser | 5/25/21

This drawing shows the plan for a proposed small commercial development in the Meridian Campus in northeast Lacey, as discussed on May 20, 2021 by the Lacey Planning Commission.

Lacey discusses proposal for new Meridian Campus commercial project

Last Thursday, May 20, the Lacey Planning Commission shared a proposal to build a new commercial project on the Meridian Campus. In a webinar, Lacey Senior Planner Samra Seymour discussed the … more

By The JOLT Staff | 5/25/21 | 1 comment

Movies at the Marina will be back for 2021, with three mid-summer dates.

Movies at the Marina to return to Port of Olympia

Movies at the Marina will return for its second summer, according to Port of Olympia Executive Director Sam Gibboney yesterday. Just like last year, the Port plans to hold the outdoor event on … more

By The JOLT Staff | 5/25/21

Petition requests NTPS Board members to resign

Hello. We are the NT Fairness Alliance. We are parents, teachers, and community members within North Thurston Public Schools. 10 days ago we launched a petition, requesting the NTPS Board … more

5/25/21

The Thurston County Fair is cancelled for 2021 -- and was cancelled for 2020 as well. Families of children such as these might find fairs in other counties in Washington this summer.

2021 Thurston County Fair Cancelled

The Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously in support of canceling the 2021 Thurston County Fair this year. The recommendation to cancel the fair came from the Thurston County Fair … more

5/25/21 | 1 comment

Sakara Remmu, the lead strategist of the Washington Black Lives Matter Alliance, in Seattle on May 20, 2021. Remmu said several major pieces of legislation wouldn't have passed if it weren't for citizen advocacy and last year's Black Lives Matter protests.

A year after George Floyd’s murder, what’s changed in Washington state?

When George Floyd called for his mother with his dying breaths, the police officers holding him down didn’t seem to notice — but the rest of the world heard him loud and … more

By Melissa Santos | Crosscut.com | 5/25/21

Police Blotter for Mon., May 24, 2021

Lacey Police Department On 5/24/2021 at 12:48 a.m. in the 4460 block of 3rd Ave SE, Lacey, WA, police arrested Shamarah Marie Mumford, 37, for an out-of-town warrant. On 5/24/2021 at 9:17 … more

5/25/21

This sequence shows the bald eagle being carried from the vehicle in which it was transported back to the property where it was found, on Sun., May 23, 2021, just prior to its release. L-r, Stephanie Estrella, Mark Fleming.

Bald eagle released after brief rehab following airturf battle

Two bald eagles who lived in or near a recently clear-cut urban forest in Olympia did battle in the air last week. One needed a brief stay at a local rehabilitation center and was released yesterday … more

By Danny Stusser | 5/24/21

Olympia police say this is the cloth-covered bottle that Axel Suris-Rivera used to beat Zachary Carson with on May 14, 2021.

Glass bottle in a cloth case used to bash accuser, police say

Union Gospel Mission security officers were forced to break up an assault following an argument over a stolen vape pen on May 14, 2021. Olympia Police arrived at the Franklin St. location to find … more

By The JOLT Staff | 5/24/21

This home at 8547 176th Ave SW in Rochester sold during the week of May 23-29, 2021 for $390,000.

The JOLT Real Estate Report for May 16-22, 2021

This weekly report covers single-family home sales in Thurston County over the past week. There were 82 sales completed from Sunday, May 16, through Saturday, May 22, 2021. The median sales … more

5/24/21

Grace Teague

Grace Teague, 93, of Tumwater, died on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at Olympics West. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Funeral Alternatives of Washington, Tumwater. 360-753-106. more

5/24/21

Police Blotter for Fri.-Sun., May 21-23, 2021

Lacey Police Department On 5/21/2021 at 12:20 a.m. in the 8200 block of Quinault Dr NE, police arrested Paul Szyszkowski, 29, for an out-of-town warrant. On 5/21/2021 at 2:14 a.m. in the 920 … more

5/24/21

Danny Stusser is publisher of JOLT - The Journal of Olympia, Lacey & Tumwater

What have we learned in a year

As many say lately, it's been a year. In the case of The JOLT, it's been our first year. What have we learned? People around here care about trees, crime, whom to … more

By Danny Stusser | 5/21/21 | 1 comment

North Thurston Public Schools is seeking responses from the general public to its annual survey, now through June 3.

No kids in Lacey schools? North Thurston Public Schools still wants to hear from you

Every year North Thurston Public Schools turns to the community to ask for feedback on academics, leadership, budget, student programs, and more through a short online … more

5/21/21

The Lacey City Council met via Zoom on Thu., May 20, 2021 and heard Washington Department of Veterans Affairs Director Alfie Alvarado-Ramos (bottom row, center) present the Outstanding Service to Veterans Award to the Lacey Veterans Services Hub.

Lacey Veterans Services Hub wins Outstanding Service to Veterans award

Out of nearly 75 entries across the state, the Lacey Veterans Services Hub received the Outstanding Service to Veterans Award by the Governor’s Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee … more

By The JOLT Staff | 5/21/21