THE JOLT NEWS ORGANIZATION, A WASHINGTON NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION

Recently some of my family members spent some time in Cabo San Jose, a resort town at the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California. I, who did not, received daily updates and photos of exotic … more

By Kathleen Anderson | 5/25/22 | 1 comment

During the Olympia Advisory Committee meeting held on Thursday, Water Resources director Eric Christensen discussed with the committee members the proposal to provide a discount irrigation rate for urban agriculture.

Olympia utilities committee approves discount water rate for urban agriculture

The Olympia Utilities Advisory Committee (UAC) has directed its staff to develop a discounted rate for irrigation water used for urban agriculture. Water Resources Department director Eric … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 5/10/22

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

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

Several brands of vegetable seeds are on sale at Fred Meyer in Lacey and can be purchased using SNAP.

For some local families, gardening starts with food benefits

By Hannah Weinberger / Crosscut.com March 3, 2022 — Home gardener Maggie Slighte was thrilled to discover that she could use food assistance program benefits to purchase seeds and … more

3/8/22

The Tumwater City Council discussed on Tue., Feb. 8, 2022 the creation of the Tumwater Metropolitan Park District.

Tumwater eyes first community garden

The Tumwater City Council discussed on Tuesday the proposal to build the first community garden in the city in line with the creation of the Tumwater Metropolitan Park District. Tumwater United … more

By JC Medina | 2/10/22 | 2 comments

Dead octopus inside a plastic bottle on the seabed among plastic bags and other garbage. COVID-19 is contributing to pollution, as discarded used masks clutter polluting sea bottom along with plastic trash.

State-wide ban on single-use plastic bags now in effect

With increasing concerns about environmental pollution, the state legislature issued a ban on single-use plastic. It also imposed corresponding fees for using other types of shopping bags effective … more

By Kristine Javier | 10/5/21

Gardens for the landless

For people who live in apartments, duplexes, tiny houses or houses with tiny yards, community gardens are the 21st century’s version of a micro homestead – one that usually comes with … more

By Jill Severn | 9/3/21 | 1 comment

With a new paint job and door to the new covered patio, New Traditions Cafe is much brighter than before its 2021remodel.

New Traditions Cafe re-opens remodeled after six-month closure

New Traditions Cafe today rejoined its sister operation, New Traditions Fair Trade, as an open and ready business. The Cafe was closed for six months both because of pandemic restrictions and to … more

By Danny Stusser | 7/9/21

Nicole Andres opened Nicole's Bar in Olympia two months into the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.

Nicole's Bar owner "super thankful" for community support

May 7, 2020, wasn’t the ideal date to open a new restaurant, but sometimes you have to work with the hand you’re dealt. Nicole Andres has worked as a bartender in the Thurston County … more

By Cody Neuenschwander | 3/26/21

The exterior and patio at Octapas Cafe, located at 610 Water St. SW, a couple hours before opening time on Friday, Jan. 29, 2021.

Octapas Café started a new phase in the midst of pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has dished up a steady serving of uncertainty — and in some instance, closures — for restaurants near and far. It was in that uncertainty that the folks at Octapas … more

By Cody Neuenschwander | 1/29/21

Schilter Family Farm is one of 1,200 farms in Thurston County. This scene shows an event in October, Pumpkin Patch Harvest and Corn Maze.

Time to vote again: This time it’s about your food

Anyone who cares about the Thurston County agriculture and farmland -- or who appreciates locally grown veggies and meat -- is invited to complete an online survey to share your perspective on local … more

By Prachi Gohil | 1/26/21

Lattin's Country Cider Mill and Farm -- Despite how close it stands next to the barn that was destroyed by fire, this popular photo cutout board survived with just a little smoke damage.

Fire spares Lattin’s Country Cider Mill & Farm business but destroys barn and equipment

Just before 10 pm last night fire took out the old barn at Lattin’s Cider Mill & Farm, damaging surrounding structures and trees. The cider mill, farm stand and bakery were not damaged … more

By Danny Stusser | 1/13/21 | 1 comment

The Cider Barrel sells a wide variety of ciders on tap and in bottles and cans.

The Cider Barrel celebrates Washington Cider Week

Unless you’re looking for it, you’ll probably miss the hole-in-the-wall that is The Cider Barrel. Not only is it in the middle of the block, the sign is small, and the doors are … more

By Danny Stusser | 9/16/20

L-r, Lemonadier-partner Colby Ames, 10, is assisted by friend-employee Raleigh Garcia and business partner/barbequer Royce Nelsen as they serve a customer on a rainy day in August.

Lacey boys launch micro restaurant

What better time than a during a pandemic, with small businesses and restaurants closing every day, to start a new food-service business? And at only 10 or 12 years of age? That’s what … more

By Danny Stusser of The JOLT | 9/3/20

In late May, the strawberries are almost ready for picking. Modern child labor laws have put most 5th and 6th graders out of the strawberry-picking business.

Berry picking was the great equalizer

One of my greatest memories, and that which separated South Sounders from others, is berry picking. Every kid during the 1950’s and 1960's picked berries. As soon as school let out in … more

By Ken Balsley | 5/26/20