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

Buy Nothing Projects Bring Neighbors Together

OLYMPIA –– When I first heard about the Buy Nothing Project, my boss was telling me how she parted out her crockpot for free to people who came and picked it up off her porch. She just posted a picture in a Facebook group, and the broken crockpot found a new home. more

By Nikki McCoy for JOLT | 8/3/20

Racial justice town hall touches on race and economic opportunity

OLYMPIA –– The second in the series of racial justice meetings in Olympia Thursday night focused on economic opportunity across race lines. Like the first meeting last Friday centering on the legal system, this endeavor brought together a diverse lineup of panelists of color to bring to light their perspectives. more

By Andrew Oslin of JOLT | 7/30/20

Thurston County business leaders spoke about child care and working families in the area at this week's Declassified meeting, a virtual meeting between business professionals in the area.

Local business leaders talk childcare and the workforce

OLYMPIA –– Business leaders gathered in this week’s “Declassified” meeting to discuss challenges to working families accessing local childcare and impacts to lack of access on the workforce in Thurston County. more

By Madeline Shannon of JOLT | 7/30/20

Japanese Knotweed, deceptively beautiful, is a pesky plant local man Denny Hamilton continues to battle in his yard.

Knotweed: the opposition

OLYMPIA –– Even in human time, it hasn’t been long. From the beginning until now, it’s been a bit more than two months. more

By Denny Hamilton for JOLT | 7/28/20

Local man Denny Hamilton took this photo when out on a hike in Watershed Park recently. His walks through nature in the time of COVID-19 prompted him to think about types of hikers he's encountered when outdoors.

Trail etiquette in the time of COVID

OLYMPIA –– I have only lived in Olympia for a few months. Most of that time has been during social distancing, face masks and hand washing in the COVID era. more

By Denny Hamilton for JOLT | 7/27/20 | 1 comment

The now-empty Olympian building, where The Olympian set up shop. The current staff at the local daily moved operations to a new, nondescript building in Olympia.

McClatchy sold to New Jersey hedge fund

OLYMPIA –– A bankruptcy court judge issued a decision in a New York court late Friday that McClatchy, the 163-year-old news media company that owns more than two dozen newspapers nationwide, including The Olympian, would be sold to one of the two major hedge funds that owns most of the company’s debt. more

By Madeline Shannon of JOLT | 7/24/20

Dr. Dimyana Abdelmalek is Thurston County's new public health officer.

Thurston County Health Officer releases new letter to the public

Hello Thurston County! We are definitely seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases in Thurston County. The most common ways people are becoming infected is through travel, social gatherings, and from other people within their household. Now is the time to be physically distant, but socially connected. more

Dr. Dimyana Abdelmalek | 7/24/20

Myra, an eight-year-old border collie, rolls in the grass at a Border Collie International show at Rainier Vista Community Park in Lacey on Thursday. Her owner, Greg Gustafson, calls her "Wiggles."

Keeping pets safe when temperatures rise

OLYMPIA, WA – Summer is here and temperatures are rising. Your parked car can be a dangerous place for your pet. more

Joint Animal Services | 7/23/20

Only Thurston and Pacific Counties report total consumer spending has increased from January 2020 through today. Other counties have experienced negative growth during this period. Much of this spending has been with large businesses, including online retailers.

Business remains strong in Thurston County, report EDC Director and Tumwater leaders.

Consumer spending and residential construction have remained strong in 2020 according to Michael Cade, executive director of the Thurston Economic Development Council, and Tumwater Mayor… more

By Danny Stusser of JOLT | 7/21/20

Medical assistant Amanda Fennell seemed to be smiling as she prepared to administer a COVID-19 test in near 80 degree weather on Monday, July 20, 2020.

Just to be sure: I got my drive-through COVID-19 test today

Like scenes from the television news, this morning I drove my car into two different lines, windows rolled up in the 80 degree heat, and waited for COVID-19 tests. One for me, one for a family … more

By Danny Stusser of JOLT | 7/20/20

NRB's Beauty is a local soap company started by 16-year-old Naomi Barer. The company is hosting two pop-up shops in West Olympia on July 25 and Aug. 8.

NRB’s Beauty to offer handmade soaps at West Olympia pop-up shops

After a successful first quarter of online sales of its luxury handmade soaps, NRB’s Beauty announced today it will celebrate with two special Pop Up Shop events in West Olympia on July 25th and August 8th. more

7/20/20

Comet NEOWISE seen from Chelyabinsk, Russia.

Is Comet NEOWISE visible from Olympia, Tumwater and Lacey?

WASHINGTON –– Look up! As Comet C/2020 F3 NEOWISE passes through our inner solar system, catch a view of this once-in-a-lifetime sight. more

By Dan Hu for JOLT | 7/17/20 | 1 comment

Six-year-old border collie, Reed, catches a ball at Rainier Vista Community Park during a Border Collie International show on Thursday.

Furry fun in the sun

LACEY –– Greg Gustafson, founder of Border Collie International, talked to his six-year-old border collie, Reed, as he rolled around on the grass in front of a crowd of families and toddlers. “He’s being stubborn,” Gustafson said to the crowd. “Are you done doing things you know I won’t stop you from doing?” more

By Madeline Shannon of JOLT | 7/17/20

"If you are struggling, there is help."

We are in the middle of an unprecedented challenge and we are lucky to have a community around us for support. If you are struggling, there is help. You can find resources for mental health and coping on our website. more

Dr. Dimyana Abdelmalek, Thurston County Health Officer | 7/16/20

Pamphlets circulated at the "Thrash Against Racism" protest in Yauger Park on July 10 read "Justice for Andre & Bryson" and "We survived!"

Olympians gather to “Thrash Against Racism”

OLYMPIA –– Dozens of people gathered at Yauger Skate Park in West Olympia late Friday afternoon to demonstrate against racism in a protest called “Thrash Against Racism and Police Brutality.” more

By Madeline Shannon of JOLT | 7/13/20

Staley Johnson's card-making materials sit on the table where the 11-year-old made cards for cancer patients late last week. The soon-to-be-sixth grader started making cards this summer for local cancer patients to make them feel better.

Local girl makes cards for cancer patients

THURSTON COUNTY –– Layne Staley Johnson, 11, sat quietly at a table, carefully constructing the cards she’s made for weeks for cancer patients helped by the American Cancer Society. more

By Nichole Woolsey for JOLT | 7/13/20

The Olympia City Council chose Andrea Wilbur-Sigo last night to create artwork for the Eastside Street crossing project. The Shelton-based artist created multiple other works for various public spaces, including the arch at the Squaxin Island Veterans Memorial.

Artist picked for street crossing art project

OLYMPIA -- The Olympia City Council approved a local artist, Andrea Wilbur-Sigo, to complete a street art crossing artwork installation on Eastside Street. more

By Prachi Gohil of JOLT | 7/8/20

Thurston County Health Officer writes letter to community

Hello Thurston County! I am excited to be your new Health Officer. more

Courtesy of Thurston County Department of Public Health | 7/8/20

Since the start of the COVID-19 shutdown, the Thurston Chamber and EDC have conducted a weekly webinar covering issues of interest to business owners and other local leaders.

County health director, business officials talk about local COVID-19 response

THURSTON COUNTY –– County Public Health Director Schelli Slaughter and business figures from the community gathered in a virtual meeting Thursday to discuss the resources available to local businesses responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, and resources available to local businesses if the pandemic continues to worsen in the greater Olympia metro area. more

By Madeline Shannon of JOLT | 7/2/20

Ashley Barnhill Hubbard , center, and Christian Hawks, left, speak with the parents of a young man having a mental health crisis at the University of Oregon, in Eugene, Oregon. Each CAHOOTS crisis worker completes 500 hours of training in areas including medical care, conflict resolution and crisis counseling.

There's already an alternative to calling the police

As citizens across the country fill the streets to protest police killings of Black people, the violent response from law enforcement has added urgency to a national conversation about … more

By Anna V. Smith of High Country News | 7/1/20