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

A screenshot of footage filmed by Thurston County Commissioner Emily Close showed the location of an alleged domestic violence incident in the Lacey area on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.

Footage of crime scene location sparks response from Thurston County Sheriff

An alleged domestic violence incident fanned the flames of federal government intervention when a local elected official posted live footage on social media ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 1/20/26 | 13 comments

A comparison of social card game tax rates in Washington cities shows Lacey's 7.5% rate trails the 10.5% state average, according to the Association of Washington Cities 2024 Utility and Fee Survey.

Lacey City Council takes up card room tax issue

The Lacey City Council discussed the possible repeal of a 1999 ordinance barring new card rooms from operating within city ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 1/20/26 | 1 comment

A side of the Lacey Museum features a colorful "Greetings from Lacey Washington" window display.

Lacey Museum debuts in revamped space

The newly opened Lacey Museum welcomed the public to its revamped space, featuring exhibits on local history and guided tours on Thursday ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 1/16/26

The State of the Community 2026, which was hosted by the Thurston County Chamber and sponsored by Puget Sound Energy, took place before more than 250 attendees at Saint Martin’s University in Lacey on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026.

Elected officials weigh in at State of the Community event in Lacey

An annual gathering of elected officials served as a platform to showcase the successes local governments achieved last year, but it also ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 1/16/26 | 1 comment

Lacey City Council and representatives from New Life Baptist Church posed at Lacey City Hall after the Martin Luther King Jr. Day proclamation signing at a meeting on Jan. 6, 2026.

Lacey City Council issues proclamation for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

The Lacey City Council proclaimed Monday, Jan. 19, as Martin Luther King Jr. Day in honor of the slain Black civil rights leader who championed ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 1/14/26 | 4 comments

Attempt to steal an ATM fails when rope breaks in Lacey, suspects at large

Three suspects are being sought in connection with a failed attempt to steal an ATM at Wells Fargo on Marvin Road NE in ... more

By The JOLT News Staff | 1/14/26

The Lacey City Council and Washington State Korean American Day Celebration Foundation representatives gathered for a photo after the city designated Jan. 13, 2026, as Korean American Day at a meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026.

Lacey joins Washington cities in honoring Korean American Day

The City of Lacey joined a list of Washington municipalities after the city council adopted a proclamation designating Jan. 13, 2026, as ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 1/9/26

Lacey Fire District 3 firefighters, as seen at a scene in December 2025. The district averaged 49 calls per 24-hour period last year.

Lacey Fire District 3 sees more calls in 2025

Lacey Fire District 3 (LFD3) closed out 2025 with a higher emergency call volume, and is now lining up new hires and fire investigation resources ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 1/8/26 | 1 comment

City of Lacey Mayor Andy Ryder, top left, and three city council members were sworn in at the council's first meeting of the year on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. Ryder and council members Carolyn Cox, top right, Maren Turner, bottom left, and Ryan Siu, bottom right, took their oaths from City Attorney David Schneider at Lacey City Hall.

Lacey City Council members sworn in at first meeting of 2026

The City of Lacey opened 2026 with four oaths of office and a seventh mayoral term for Andy ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 1/7/26

The first City of Lacey Poet Laureate, Cynthia Pratt, delivered her poem "Welcome." Residents can stream the poem on the City of Lacey YouTube channel.

Lacey commission vets search plan for next poet laureate

Cynthia Pratt's tenure as Lacey's inaugural poet laureate is ending in April, so the city is ramping up a search for ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 1/5/26 | 2 comments

Danny Burkett (back row, center), Executive Director and CEO of Our Ark, a nonprofit that serves homeless youths and young adults, stands with members of Olympia’s Elk Lodge #186 after receiving a Gratitude Grant from the lodge on Dec. 22, 2025.

Elks Lodge helps to keep Our Ark afloat

Through the efforts of Olympia’s Elks Lodge #186, Our Ark, a Lacey-based nonprofit, recently received a much needed ... more

By JM Simpson | 1/5/26 | 2 comments

The McKinney Building at 6426 Pacific Ave. SE, as seen with windows and doors boarded over in 2025.

Lacey Historical Commission endorses demolition of 1931 McKinney Building

Demolition appears likely for a city-owned building from Lacey's resort era after the Lacey Historical Commission endorsed tearing it down and ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 1/2/26 | 13 comments

City of Lacey seeking civil service commissioner

The City of Lacey is looking to fill a void in its Civil Service Commission. The successful candidate will fill an unexpired term ending on ... more

By The JOLT News Staff | 1/1/26

What’s happening this weekend in Thurston County

Ring in the new year with some library events, a party for marine wildlife and a wellness workshop this weekend in Thurston ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 1/1/26

Abuse Intervention Center to remain in Lacey

Providence Swedish has reversed its decision to shut down the Abuse Intervention Center (AIC) in Lacey after child welfare advocates from ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 12/31/25 | 2 comments

The Lacey City Hall exterior sign, as seen in this undated photo.

Lacey City Council reserves $53.6M for roads, recreation, social programs and more

Motorists, park users and residents stand to benefit after the Lacey City Council locked in $53.6 million in committed ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 12/30/25 | 2 comments

The North Thurston Public Schools Board of Directors was one of the 49 school boards recognized as a 2025 Board of Distinction.

North Thurston Public Schools Board of Directors receives honor

The North Thurston Public Schools Board of Directors was selected as a 2025 Board of Distinction by the Washington State School Directors ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 12/29/25 | 2 comments

New Lacey Museum seeking volunteers to serve as gallery hosts

The City of Lacey is looking for enthusiastic people to serve as volunteer gallery hosts for the new city ... more

By The JOLT News Staff | 12/29/25

Lacey City Council members deliberated on the 2026 spending plan at its meeting on Dec. 16, 2025, before voting unanimously to adopt the $224.9 million budget package.

City of Lacey’s 2026 budget gets full council support

All seven Lacey City Council members backed the municipality's spending blueprint for fiscal year 2026, opting to pull from reserves and spare ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 12/26/25 | 2 comments

A number of Christmas tree recycling options are now available for residents of Thurston County.

Christmas tree recycling options available for residents of Thurston County

A number of Christmas tree recycling locations are now open for residents of Thurston ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 12/26/25