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Shane Brewer is on trial for the murder of Loren VerValen.

Second murder trial began today for suspect convicted last year of lesser related charges

The retrial of Shane Brewer, 34, accused of one of the area’s most notorious slayings, began today with opening arguments from Thurston County Deputy Prosecutor Elizabeth Dasse and the … more

By Danny Stusser | 4/12/21

Lacey Police provided this image of the car they say Corylee Everett Bartlett crashed in at North Thurston High School in 2015.

Hand sanitizer-drinking suspect held on four felonies after arrest yesterday

Corylee Everett Bartlett, who was out on parole awaiting a May 15 jury trial for a December 2020 protection order violation, was arrested again yesterday for burglary and other charges at the 2500 … more

By Danny Stusser | 4/12/21

Kathleen Ann Williams

Kathleen Ann Williams, 82, of Olympia, died on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 at home. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Funeral Alternatives of Washington, Tumwater. 360-753-1065 more

4/10/21

Samuel Hitomichi Koshi

Samuel Hitomichi Koshi, 93, of Tumwater, died on Saturday, March 20, 2021, at home. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Funeral Alternatives of Washington, Tumwater. 360-753-1065 more

4/10/21

This poster tells the facts about how the casting agents are asking to be approached about auditions.

Attention 18-25 year-olds: Ever want to be in the movies?

Sometime in the next few weeks an ensemble of three to five people ages 18-25 will be picked to star together in a new feature film. They might be you, or your neighbor or your neighbor's kids -- … more

By Danny Stusser | 4/9/21

How fired cops win their jobs back: arbitration

By Melissa Santos / Crosscut.com April 8, 2021 Backup was only about a minute away. But by the time it arrived, Centralia Police Officer Phil … more

By Melissa Santos / Crosscut.com | 4/9/21

Proposed law would penalize inclusion of unlawful lease provisions and limit allowed reasons for eviction, refusal to continue and termination.

The Journal of Olympia, Lacey & Tumwater Presents The Daily Legislative Report, covering The 2021 Washington State Legislature. Senate lawmakers debated Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1236; … more

By Troy Kirby | 4/9/21

Bill concerning defenses in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits heads to the governor

The Journal of Olympia, Lacey & Tumwater Presents The Daily Legislative Report, covering The 2021 Washington State Legislature. House lawmakers debated Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5263, … more

By Troy Kirby | 4/9/21

Gardening advice from a salty old fisherman

In the garden, failure is often the best teacher, but only if you have the patience to learn from it. Last year, in the early months of the pandemic, people stripped the grocery store seed racks … more

By Jill Severn | 4/9/21

Police Blotter for Thu., April 8, 2021

OLYMPIA POLICE DEPARTMENT At 1:33 am Thursday in the 6800 block of Martin Way E, Christopher J K Christensen was arrested on suspicion of driving with a suspended license. more

4/9/21 | 1 comment

Earth Week events are listed in The JOLT's CALENDAR.

What's doing next week?

Fresh from The JOLT's CALENDAR, Here are a few events in the Thurston County area that will keep you entertained in the coming week - April 12-19! Capitol Volkssport Club - Local Olympia Walk: … more

By Prachi Gohil | 4/8/21

Thurston County residents as a group are among the healthiest in the state and have among the best (low) risk factors.

Thurston County Ranks 8th Healthiest in State

Thurston County ranks eighth healthiest among Washington’s 39 counties, according to County Health Rankings data released last week. The county moved up from a rank of ninth place from 2020. … more

4/8/21

Nearly 200 cops with credibility issues still working in Washington state

By Melissa Santos / Crosscut.com By the time police arrived, the street fight had dispersed. A man emerged from his house, clearly intoxicated, shouting … more

By Melissa Santos / Crosscut.com | 4/8/21

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.

Considering running for office? Candidates workshop coming April 22

Thurston County Elections will hold a Candidate Filing Workshop online on Thursday, April 22 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The meeting is open to anyone interested in running for office this … more

4/8/21

Police Blotter for Wed., April 7, 2021

OLYMPIA At 8:41 am Wednesday in the 600 block of 5th Ave SE, Tierney T. Schofield was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. At 9:46 pm Wednesday in the 2800 block of Martin Way … more

4/8/21

Cecilia Joan Evans

Cecilia Joan Evans, 62, of Lakewood, died on Tuesday, April 6, 2021, at home. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Funeral Alternatives of Washington, Tumwater. 360-753-1065 more

4/8/21

Police Blotter for Tue., April 6, 2021

Olympia Police Department At 10:34 a.m. Tuesday in the 400 block of Franklin Street Northeast, police arrested Kenneth M. Stenek, 35, on suspicion of second-degree … more

4/7/21

The debris spread around the grounds at the homeless encampment on Deschutes Parkway in Olympia was a mix of abandoned personal effects and trash, such as food package wrappers, stuffing such as is contained in sleeping bags, toys and outdoor clothing and discarded tents.

UPDATE: Cleanup of homeless encampment on Deschutes Parkway has begun

Day One of the cleanup project at the Deschutes Parkway homeless encampment started at 9 am today. Workers from Advance Environmental more

By Danny Stusser | 4/7/21

Five steps to keeping physically, mentally and emotionally healthy during these tough times

Kathleen Anderson writes this column each week. Contact her at kathleen@theJOLTnews.com or post your comment below. more

By Kathleen Anderson | 4/7/21

"... the whole purpose of being a landlord is to provide housing and services to people in exchange for rent," wrote local property manager Priscilla Terry in an opinion piece in The JOLT recently.

Thurston County residents can apply for 2021 rent and utilities assistance starting today

Thurston County residents can apply online starting April 7 at www.CACLMT.org or by calling (360) 438-1100. Thurston County has contracted the administration of the 2021 Rent Assistance with the … more

4/7/21