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

Don Carney, Capital Projects manager, is giving the Tumwater Public Works Committee an update on the Historic Brewery Tower renovation during the committee meeting held on April 7, 2022.

Tumwater’s capital projects seek additional $11K for the historic Brewery Tower for seismic work

The Tumwater Public Works Committee will recommend that the city council approve an additional $11,025 for the historic Olympia Brewery Tower renovation. In justifying the request for additional … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/11/22

Littlerock Road closed on Tuesday

Tumwater’s Littlerock Road SW from Israel Road SW to Kingswood Drive SW will undergo repairs from 9 p.m., Tuesday, April 12 to 3 a.m., Wednesday, April 13. Motorists are advised to use the … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 4/8/22

Critter Control franchise owner Josh Anderson.

New animal-control company opens in Tumwater

The newest Critter Control service company recently opened in Tumwater offering humane ways of capturing and removing animals from residential and office spaces. Critter Control is a wildlife and … more

By Danny Stusser | 4/8/22

Ken Balsley, left, received the Lacey's distinguished Public Service Award from Mayor Andy Ryder.

Ken Balsley receives Public Service Award, calls for a new Lacey museum and cultural center

The City of Lacey recognized local journalist Ken Balsley for his outstanding service to the community. Known as Thurston's most experienced journalist and columnist, Balsley received Lacey's … more

By JC Medina | 4/8/22

Old-time home remedies

While noodling around on Google, I came across a novel way to prevent cabbage moths from eating the leaves of all the brassicas – that is, vegetables including broccoli, collard greens, … more

By Jill Severn | 4/8/22 | 5 comments

What's happening coming up?

Stellar Spring Rummage Sale-Saturday, April 9, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Huge Rummage Sale to benefit Senior Services for South Sound. Come find treasures and trinkets galore! Kitchenware, clothing, small … more

4/8/22

Construction of Greg Cuoio Park Phase 1A would probably need a three to five million dollar budget over the next five years, the Lacey Board of Park Commission discussed at a Wednesday meeting.

Lacey considers budget to build phase one of Greg Cuoio Park

Construction of Greg Cuoio Park Phase 1A will cost $3 to $5 million over five years, according to the parks director. Speaking at the Lacey Board of Park Commissioners meeting yesterday, Lacey … more

By JC Medina | 4/7/22 | 1 comment

Olympia High School, showing its main entrance on the North St. side of the campus.

Oly High ranked 21st best school in state

Stacker compiled a list of the best public high schools in Washington using rankings from Niche. It ranked Olympia High School as the 21 best among 884 public high schools in the state and the only … more

Edited from Stacker | 4/7/22

The Hub is a collaborative “one-stop” approach to providing essential services to Veterans and has rapidly expanded to include over 80 partners and providers.

Feds grant Lacey $500k for Lacey Veterans Services Hub

Thanks to the leadership of the South Sound’s Congressional Delegation, the City of Lacey (City) will receive $500,000 in federal funding to reduce barriers … more

Provided by the City of Lacey | 4/6/22

The Rufous Hummingbird returned to Thurston County last month.

Birds in our neighborhoods

Knowing I’m interested in birds, people occasionally ask me to advise them on how to get started in bird watching. And I usually answer, “just walk around your neighborhood and pay … more

By George Walter | 4/6/22 | 11 comments

"'Stellar Sea Lion'" is one of the many stunning images of life in and on the Puget Sound that can be seen as part of the We Are Puget Sound exhibit.

"We Are Puget Sound" coming to Lacey and Olympia Timberland libraries

Beginning in April, Lacey and Olympia Timberland libraries will host the photography exhibit, “We Are Puget Sound” in support of the campaign to protect and restore Puget … more

By Taniah Najih | Timberland Regional Library | 4/6/22

County okays decade-long contract for solid waste services

The Thurston County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) on Tuesday approved a new contract for county solid waste operations, maintenance, transport, and disposal services with Republic Services. The … more

By JC Medina | 4/6/22

There's a prize for this year's winner of Lacey's Challenge for Water Conservation.

Lacey invites residents to join water conservation challenge

The City of Lacey is challenging its community members to conserve water this month -- and there’s a prize for the winner! At stake is a Toyota Highlander Hybrid for a local charity chosen … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 4/5/22

Avoid eating certain oysters until further notice, says the Washington State Department of Health, due to a norovirus outbreak linked to raw oysters.

DOH warns against eating certain oysters

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has updated its advisory to Washington residents to not serve or eat certain oysters harvested from the south and central parts of … more

Provided by Thurston County Department of Health and Social Services | 4/5/22 | 1 comment

"Connect with Your Library" this National Library Week

Full disclosure: I recently was appointed to the Timberland Regional Library Board of Trustees. I have worked in and with libraries for twenty years, (although I am not a librarian). Our firstborn is … more

By Mary Beth Harrington, CVA | 4/5/22

KGY is the oldest broadcaster in Thurston County and one of the oldest in Washington State.

KGY to celebrate 100th anniversary starting tomorrow

Thurston county’s oldest broadcast station, KGY 95.3, will be commemorating its centennial year of licensed broadcasting tomorrow, April 5. “This is a big day for KGY, our employees, … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 4/4/22 | 1 comment

Construction on State Ave-East Bay Drive slated this summer

The City of Olympia will use a grant awarded by the Washington State Department of Transportation to make State Avenue and East Bay Drive/Plum Street crossing safer for pedestrians starting this … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 4/4/22 | 2 comments

The Capital Mall area, highlighted in yellow.

Olympia wants public feedback for Capital Mall area plans

Olympia wants public feedback for Capital Mall area plans By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. The City of Olympia is asking community members who live, work or own property in the Capital Mall area … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 4/1/22 | 3 comments

This is the iconic sign+wall at the Thurston County Courthouse

Rent assistance payments set to resume

Thurston County has transferred its Thurston County Rent Assistance operation to analytic company LiveStories after suspending the program 36 days ago. “We know this has been incredibly … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 4/1/22 | 1 comment

The trouble with April

Swallows – those amazing aerial acrobats – are back in town, and birds both large and small are carrying nesting materials in their beaks as they fly overhead. Trillums are blooming at … more

By Jill Severn | 4/1/22 | 1 comment