The JOLT - The Journal of Olympia, Lacey & Tumwater

Home Share is a matchmaking service that connects home providers with home seekers, in exchange for an agreed rate or services, with at least one of the parties being a senior.

Senior Services’ Home Share program set to resume

Following appropriations from the other three large local governments here, the Olympia City Council approved a request to partly fund the re-launch of Senior Services’ Home Share, a … more

By Kristine Javier and Danny Stusser | 9/20/21

Lacey City Councilmembers unanimously approved an ordinance that provides an increase in the number of general members for the Board of Park Commissioners at its meeting on Sept. 16, 2021.

Lacey council grows parks commission to seven plus one

During its regular council meeting yesterday, the Lacey City Council unanimously approved Ordinance 1601 which adds two members to the city’s Board of Park Commissioners. Parks, Culture, and … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/17/21

Smartphone users have even easier access to library services through the updated app, for Android and iPhone users.

Timberland Regional Library at your fingertips

Book lovers on the go can access their favorite titles from anywhere with the Timberland Regional Library mobile application. Available on Android and iOS, the Timberland Regional Library (TRL) … more

By Taniah Najih | Timberland Regional Library | 9/16/21

The Lacey City Council discussed on Thurs., Sept. 9 the possible outcomes if Thurston County adopts the affordable housing tax.

Lacey council members expresses concern on Affordable Housing Tax

Members of the Lacey City Council expressed their concern following a proposal made to Thurston County by the Regional Housing Council for the adoption of the affordable housing tax, a policy that … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/15/21 | 1 comment

Several Lacey City Council members expressed their concerns regarding the proposed amendment on Lacey’s tree protection regulation during the work session on Sept. 9, 2021.

Lacey City Council reviews proposal that would allow HOAs to remove trees

Dubbed as a “city of trees,” Lacey’s City Council reviewed a proposal to provide Home Owners Associations (HOA) with more flexibility to remove otherwise healthy trees within their … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/10/21 | 5 comments

Dr. Antonio Sandifer, NTPS's new Director of Equity and Languages, made his first presentation to the school board on Sept. 7, 2021.

North Thurston schools are safe, majority of students agree

In a district-wide survey conducted by North Thurston Public Schools (NTPS) in 2020-21, results showed that the majority of students felt safe in their schools. During the regular NTPS board … more

By Danny Stusser | 9/10/21

The lines indicate where the paving on Carpenter Road in Lacey will take place. The blue line indicates the area where the roadwork will begin on Wed., Sept. 8, while the red line indicates the area where the roadwork will begin on Thurs., Sept. 9.

Major traffic delays expected along Carpenter Road through Thursday

The City of Lacey warned motorists to expect major traffic delays along Carpenter Road as it receives final paving from Tue., Sept. 7 to Thurs., Sept 9. As a reminder, the city urged motorists to … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/7/21

Same photo you've seen before in The JOLT. A different individual is accused of driving under the influence.

Woman busted for DUI after making late-night booze run

A woman allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol turned left into the wrong-way lane of on-coming traffic, in front of a marked patrol car, then continued to evade police until she was … more

By Danny Stusser | 9/7/21

The Lacey City Council, together with the Parks and Recreation Director Jennifer Burbidge, discussed the recommendation to increase the number of Board of Park Commissioners from five to seven at its meeting on Sep. 2, 2021.

Lacey considers increasing the size of its parks commission

During the regular Lacey City Council meeting on Thur., Sept. 2, Parks and Recreation Director Jennifer Burbidge introduced a recommendation to expand the Board of Park Commissioners from five to … more

9/3/21

A view of the public swimming area at Long Lake in Lacey, in happier days when the water quality was better and lifeguards were on duty.

Long Lake closed as water quality unsafe for humans and pets

Thurston County Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) warned residents to stay away from Long Lake, which lies at the eastern edge of Lacey, as the water quality remains unsafe for humans and … more

By Kristine Javier | 8/30/21

This image shows United States artillery technology that might or might not be the same as that being used in training at Joint Base Lewis McChord on July 22, 2021. The image is from Feb. 22, 2021 in a joint U.S.-French artillery training event in Djibouti.

JBLM extends artillery training through 11:59 p.m. Tuesday

Starting the minute after midnight this Sunday until 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, expect to hear the sounds of artillery fire from Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Soldiers will be participating in nighttime … more

By The JOLT Staff | 8/30/21

Accused would-be burglar bungles break-in, then crashes stolen truck

The owners of a local hobby shop contacted authorities after watching via remote security camera an attempted break-in as a would-be burglar damaged their store, on Mon., Aug. 23, just after 6 … more

By Danny Stusser | 8/26/21

Police say Parker Timothy James Daly rifled through this and other vehicles on Aug. 16, 2021.

Teen scatters stuff in several cars, takes some, too, police say

A teenager was allegedly caught after breaking into vehicles in a downtown Olympia parking lot last Mon., Aug. 16 just before 4 a.m. Parker Timothy James Daly, 19, of Lacey, was videotaped by a … more

By Danny Stusser | 8/25/21

Bradley Park: This photo shows the proposed residential housing site located between 6th Avenue NE and 15th Avenue NE, approximately 460 feet east of Sleater Kinney Road NE. Immediately to the south of the property is North Thurston High School's campus.

Lacey approves subdivision of 15-acres into 83 properties

In response to the increasing need for additional housing, the Lacey City Council approved a request from its hearing examiner to subdivide a 15.66-acre property known as Bradley Park for the … more

By Danny Stusser | 8/23/21

The city of Lacey encourages residents to participate in its TREEsearch BINGO game in celebration of Arbor Month.

City of Lacey declares Arbor Month

Lacey, which has received the Arbor Day Foundation’s “City of Trees” designation for the past 30 years, renewed its commitment to the environment as it declared August as Arbor … more

By Kristine Javier | 8/20/21

The Lacey City Council on Thu., Aug. 12. discussed with a representative from Puget Sound Energy rate changes brought by the pending rate case settlement in its Green Direct Program.

Green energy soon to cost more green

In 2017, Lacey enrolled in the Green Direct Program with a promise of having cost-effective ways of purchasing renewable energy. However, four years later, a pending rate case settlement means that … more

By Kristine Javier | 8/20/21

This image shows Kaleena Pierce, Austin Moser-Attaway, Ryan Spiva, Clifford Kettle who graduated in June 2021 from Envision Career Academy of North Thurston Public Schools. Not pictured: Karina Herrera.

Envision Career Academy graduates listed

Last and smallest among North Thurston Public Schools' graduations this year was the Mon., June 21 ceremony to commemorate the accomplishments of the five students who graduated from Envision Career … more

By The JOLT Staff | 8/19/21

At the North Thurston Public Schools board meeting on Tue., Aug. 17, 2021, Stephanie Grip, a parent in the district, shared that masks should remain optional and not a requirement

NTPS parents lobby against integrating social justice and equity in curricula … and masks

Several parents spoke out against the North Thurston Public School’s (NTPS) decision to implement its new social justice curriculum during the regular school board meeting on Tuesday, August … more

By Danny Stusser | 8/19/21

River Ridge High School graduate Joyce Lee just after receiving her diploma at the school's graduation ceremonies on June 16, 2021.

River Ridge High School graduates listed

Caleb Edward Akana Zachary David Albaugh Anthony John Alexander Juan Francisco Alonso Farias Bianca Alvarado Alyssa Angel Anderson-Creasey Nathaniel Leon Anderson Deja N. Avery Victoria Hope Bahler … more

By The JOLT Staff | 8/18/21

Komachin Middle School business education teacher Kate Reece poses with her students, Cyrus Biel, Issy Justis and Zeke Hanson, whose team ranked third at the national Future Business Leaders of America Fall Stock Market Challenge.

Komachin Middle School students named national CTE champions

North Thurston Public Schools (NTPS) honored three Komachin Middle School students who ranked third in the national Career and Technical Education (CTE) championship during its school board meeting … more

By Kristine Javier | 8/18/21