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Olympia Parks, Arts & Recreation Department Director Sylvana Niehuser presented a proposed $5.9 million budget for 2026 at a meeting of the Metropolitan Park District Board on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025.

Olympia Metropolitan Park District proposes $5.91M budget for 2026

The Olympia Metropolitan Park District (OMPD) Board reviewed a proposed $5.91 million budget for 2026 that focuses on maintaining and improving parks and ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/29/25 | 2 comments

Tumwater Water Resources Department Director Dan Smith, top right, briefed the Tumwater Public Works Committee about an interlocal agreement with LOTT Clean Water Alliance to contribute funding for the agency’s Class A+ reclaimed water demonstration project. He made his remarks at a meeting on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025.

Tumwater committee endorses participation in LOTT’s reclaimed water demonstration project

The Tumwater Public Works Committee endorsed an interlocal agreement with LOTT Clean Water Alliance to support the agency's Class A+ reclaimed water ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/29/25 | 1 comment

Drop in enrollment projected for Olympia School District

Overall enrollment in the Olympia School District is anticipated to decrease to approximately 8,483 students in 2033-34 from ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 10/29/25 | 2 comments

Experience Olympia & Beyond’s 2025–26 budget chart shows modest income growth led by hotel assessments and city lodging tax funds while grant income drops out of the plan. It was presented to the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners at a work session on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025.

Experience Olympia & Beyond breaks down budget outlook for 2026

Experience Olympia & Beyond expects a slight rise in income next year, as more visitors are expected to book hotel stays while state tourism ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 10/29/25 | 1 comment

Here are some comments from scammers with suspicious links. The Yelm Police Department is warning social media users to never click on these types of links.

Yelm Police Department issues warning about scam links in social media comments

The Yelm Police Department is warning social media users about a surge in scam comments appearing on social media posts, including on its official Facebook ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 10/29/25 | 1 comment

A sidewalk repair crew in the City of Lacey, as seen in this undated photo.

The City of Lacey is doing sidewalk repair right

A couple of years ago, the City of Lacey began two programs to improve ... more

By Jim Lazar | 10/29/25 | 11 comments

'Powerful,' Part 1: Saying goodbye to KXXO Mixx 96.1

Every time the lights in my house flickered last weekend, my heart skipped a beat and I began to ... more

By Rachel Benton | 10/29/25 | 7 comments

Police Blotter for Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025

Thurston County Sheriff’s Office On 10/28/25 at 1:01 a.m. in the 8000 block of Meridian Road SE, sheriff’s deputies arrested Shawn Philip Luras, 50, on suspicion of 1) fourth-degree … more

By Vanessa Casabuena | 10/29/25

Thurston County officials inaugurated the Boston Harbor water and sewer upgrades on Oct. 15, 2025. The project replaced more than 6,000 feet of water main and upgraded wastewater equipment to prevent leaks and saltwater intrusion.

Sewer and water improvements completed in Boston Harbor and Tamoshan

Water and sewer systems in Boston Harbor and Tamoshan have been reinforced through a series of infrastructure upgrades designed to strengthen ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 10/28/25 | 3 comments

Local nonprofits detail potential impacts of Proposition 1 on Olympia

If Proposition 1 is approved by Olympia voters in the Nov. 4 General Election, a number of local nonprofit organizations believe it could ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/28/25 | 10 comments

Toxic algae health advisory in effect for Offutt Lake and Lake Lawrence

A toxic algae health advisory has been issued for Offutt Lake and Lake ... more

The JOLT News Staff | 10/28/25

A research vessel used by the Port of Olympia and its consultant collected sediment samples at East Bay of Budd Inlet in January 2024.

Port of Olympia reveals findings of sediment analysis on East Bay

An analysis of the condition of sediments around East Bay proved to be a mixed bag, as some areas showed improvement while other areas raised ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/28/25 | 9 comments

The Community Sustaining Fund accepting grant applications

The Community Sustaining Fund of Thurston County is accepting fall 2025 grant applications through Nov. 10 for creative and impactful proposals that meet ... more

The JOLT News Staff | 10/28/25

Trish Lynn and Thom Donitz with friends.

Happy Halloween from our fur friends

Halloween is just days away, so it is time for our yearly tribute to one of the most beautiful and misunderstood felines of all, the ... more

By Trish Lynn and Thom Donitz | 10/28/25 | 1 comment

Police Blotter for Monday, Oct. 27, 2025

Thurston County Sheriff’s Office On 10/27/25 at 2:45 a.m. in the area of Old Highway 99, sheriff’s deputies arrested Angelina Jenee McCarr, 41, on suspicion of driving under the … more

By Vanessa Casabuena | 10/28/25

Percival Creek Canyon in west Olympia, as seen on Sept. 8, 2023.

Closure of Percival Creek Canyon homeless encampment completed in Olympia

The City of Olympia has completed a 16-month effort to close the Percival Creek Canyon homeless encampment and provide housing placement for ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/27/25 | 15 comments

Tumwater Fire Chief Brian Hurley, top left, thanked the Tumwater City Council for authorizing a renewed contract with Thurston County Medic One for paramedic services in the city. He made his remarks at a city council meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025.

Tumwater renewing contract with Thurston County Medic One

The Tumwater City Council backed a contract that calls for Thurston County Medic One to continue to provide paramedic services for the next ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/27/25

Lacey Police Department Chief Robert Almada and officers accepted a $2,500 donation from ULINE for the Compassionate Community Fund.

ULINE helps Lacey Police Department respond to crisis calls

A $2,500 donation from ULINE to the Lacey Police Department is going toward an emergency resource that provides immediate assistance to people ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 10/27/25 | 3 comments

The new bridge at Woodland Creek Community Park restores a vital crossing between the Karen Fraser Woodland Trail and the park’s interior recreational areas.

New pedestrian bridge unveiled at Woodland Creek Community Park in Lacey

The City of Lacey reopened the pedestrian crossing over Woodland Creek, in turn restoring full access to Woodland Creek ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 10/27/25 | 1 comment

At a meeting on Thursday Oct. 23, 2025, the Olympia School District Board of Directors approved a resolution, which allows the district to submit a voter proposition to levy a tax for technology and capital projects.

Voters to decide on Olympia School District technology levy

The Olympia School District Board of Directors unanimously approved a resolution, which calls for a ballot proposition to levy an additional tax of $72,987,000 for ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 10/27/25 | 3 comments