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

Flower gardens have moments of perfection – sometimes even weeks of it – but no garden is perfect throughout the growing season. What blooms in spring fades quickly by the end of May. … more

By Jill Severn | 5/6/22 | 1 comment

The City of Lacey named former Historical Commissioner Seth Huff as Historian of the Year for 2022.

Lacey’s Historian of the Year dedicates award to past, future historians

The City of Lacey named former Lacey Historical Commissioner Seth Huff as Historian of the Year for 2022. In his acceptance speech during the May 5city council meeting, Huff paid tribute to … more

By JC Medina | 5/6/22

Olympia to install 10 new solar-powered “pay-by-plate” kiosks

Olympia will start installing 10 new solar-powered pay-by-plate parking kiosks to modernize the process of payment for customers, Parking Services Field Representative Chelsea Baker said. In a … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 5/6/22 | 1 comment

The Savannah Sparrow builds its nest on the grounds of grassland prairies.

Prairie Birds - Part 1

Thurston County has a rare habitat type that is underappreciated – prairies. These are native grasslands that, 200 years ago, stretched for scores of miles in the relatively flat central and … more

By George Walter | 5/5/22 | 2 comments

The Thurston Board of County Commissioners approved on Tuesday, May 3, a grant agreement between U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development for the HOME American Rescue Plan Program for $3,053,476.

Thurston County receives HUD grant to house “vulnerable populations”

The Thurston Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved on Tuesday, May 3, a grant agreement between the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development for the HOME American Rescue Plan (HOME … more

By JC Medina | 5/4/22

Your tax dollars at work: Washington State Department of Health routinely tests waters for bacterial contamination. See story for list of locations from which shellfish are currently unsafe.

Fecal pollution restricts shellfish harvest in Mason, Pierce, Snohomish, and Thurston counties

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has completed the annual water quality evaluation of the state’s commercial shellfish growing areas. Unfortunately, high fecal … more

5/4/22

Some 400 protestors gathered at the Washington State Capitol Temple of Justice on May 3, 2022 to protest an anticipated Supreme Court decision that would enable states to ban abortions.

Abortion-rights rally brings 400 to Temple of Justice yesterday

Just a day after the national media organization Politico published a leaked draft of an opinion that would, if issued as-is, overturn Roe v. Wade, some 400 community members gathered at the State … more

By Cathy Pfeil | 5/4/22 | 2 comments

The left photo shows how the Martin Way Corridor looked when originally constructed in the early 1930’s. The Corridor was a part of the original highway system. The right photo shows what Martin Way looks like now as the county plans to turn the area from an automobile-dominated roadway to a more pedestrian-friendly road.

Is yours one of the 40,000 vehicles on Martin Way each day?

Community members are invited to provide input and feedback on plans for the Martin Way Corridor in an online public meeting on Thursday, May 12, 5:30 p.m. As part of the Martin Way Corridor Study … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 5/3/22 | 1 comment

During the Utilities Commission meeting on May 2, Lacey Water Resource Specialist Linsey Fields said the Lacey Water Resources updated the Water Shortage Response Plan (WSRP) for better communication and readability.

Lacey updates water shortage response plan

The Lacey Water Resources Department (WRD) recently updated their Water Shortage Response Plan (WSRP) for better communication and readability. Lacey Water Resource Specialist Linsey Fields said … more

By JC Medina | 5/3/22

The southbound portion of US 101 in red will have increased traffic until September due to construction and repairs.

Construction ongoing on US 101 southbound as it joins I-5

Southbound US 101 as well as the highway’s onramp to northbound I-5 will undergo construction from May to September. According to the Washington State Department of Transportation … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 5/3/22 | 1 comment

Olympia and other local school districts are considering changing to a Balanced Calendar. This slide is from the OSD board meeting on March 16, 2022.

OSD wants community members to participate in survey for balanced calendar

Olympia School District Superintendent Patrick Murphy encourages the community to complete an online survey about the balanced calendar concept. “We want to know what our community thinks … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 5/2/22

Olympia School District Superintendent Patrick Murphy reads a proclamation designating May 2-6 as Teachers Appreciation Week on April 28, 2022.

Olympia School District celebrates Teacher Appreciation Week

The Olympia School District (OSD) proclamedthe week of May 2-6 as Teacher Appreciation Week. The proclamation, signed at the OSD regular board meeting yesterday, underscored the teachers’ … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/29/22

Olympia Police District Interim Chief updates the Community Livability and Public Safety Committee members on the body-worn and in-car camera system project during the committee meeting on April 27, 2022.

Olympia Police Department might implement body-worn cameras as soon as July

The Olympia Community Livability and Public Safety (CLPS) Committee is recommending the city acquire and implement body-worn cameras and in-car video systems for the city’s police … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/29/22

San Francisco Ave closed Tuesday

Olympia’s 900 block section of San Francisco Avenue near Pear Street will undergo repairs starting next Tuesday, May 3, according to the city’s press release. Emergency repairs on the … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 4/29/22

Blacks in Thurston County, Washington 1950 to 1975: A Community Album

Blacks in Thurston County is a collection of 55 short biographies about Black people who came to Thurston County between 1950-1975. Each chapter is named for the person the stories are about; … more

Reviewed by Laurel Mack-Wilson | 4/29/22

Crazy plant names

All my gardening life I’ve marveled at the many oddly named plants. Who named them, and why? Jupiter’s Beard, for instance, is known as red valerian, kiss-me-quick, fox’s brush … more

By Jill Severn | 4/29/22 | 2 comments

Identifying Birds

I have written several times that it is not necessary to be able to identify bird species to enjoy watching and listening to them and having them as our neighbors. Yet, for some of you, identifying … more

By George Walter | 4/28/22 | 1 comment

Heritage Commission chief Holly Davies revealed the five nominees for the 2022 Olympia Heritage Award at the Community Livability and Public Safety meeting Wednesday, April 27.

Olympia’s Heritage Commission unveils five small-business nominees for 2022 Olympia Heritage Award

Heritage Commission Chief Holly Davies revealed five nominees for the 2022 Olympia Heritage Award, focusing on businesses contributing to the city's legacy, heritage and culture. Davies was at … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/28/22

Thurston County seeks members for new Racial Equity and Inclusion Council

Thurston County recently opened an application process for the new Racial Equity and Inclusion Council. Nicole Miller, the county’s first-ever racial equity program manager, launched the … more

By JC Medina | 4/28/22 | 2 comments

Stamps chosen for their warm and nonthreatening appearance are seen next to an envelope set to be hand addressed to a tenant facing eviction at the Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County in Olympia, Washington on April 21, 2022. The staff at the center work to broker deals between landlords and tenants facing eviction.

How rent relief fraud allegations left Thurston County tenants hanging

Nicky spent much of the past decade as a social worker, helping people get into housing or avoid eviction. So when she fell … more

4/28/22