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

Assistant Fire Chief Shawn Crimmins (bottom right) briefed the Tumwater Public Health and Safety Committee about an amendment to the city’s contract with Medic One.

Medic One to reimburse partner cities for SWAT paramedics

Thurston County Medic One is working on a mechanism to add SWAT paramedics to its response team. The Tumwater Public Health and Safety Committee endorsed to its city council on Monday, … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 6/14/24

Man arrested for threatening to kill Fred Meyer employees

A man was arrested after shoplifting, harassing and threatening Fred Meyer employees on May 13. Lacey Police Department (LPD) officers responded to a disturbance at a Fred Meyer located … more

By Darlanne Cruz | 6/14/24 | 3 comments

The Lacey Planning Commission is updating the city's zoning after community engagement over the past year and a half, city officials are now making decisions on how tall buildings should be and where people can live in these areas.

Lacey explores new guidelines for Neighborhood Commercial Districts

The Lacey Planning Commission has taken big steps toward updating the city's neighborhood commercial districts, with a set of recommendations that could reshape local zoning laws. After … more

By JC Medina | 6/13/24 | 1 comment

This is an example of the outside component of a mini-split heat pump system.

Lacey receives funding to promote home 'electrification'

The City of Lacey has been awarded $477,555 from the Washington State Department of Commerce under the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate (HEAR) program. This funding, aimed at combating … more

By JC Medina | 6/11/24 | 6 comments

Representatives of Fred U. Harris Lodge #70 attended the Lacey City Council meeting on June 4, 2024, to receive the official Juneteenth Proclamation.

Lacey marks June 19 as National Juneteenth Day

The Lacey City Council has officially proclaimed June 19 as National Juneteenth Day, joining a nationwide celebration that marks the end of slavery in the United States. The proclamation … more

By JC Medina | 6/11/24 | 3 comments

The scales of Justice represent the idea of decisions reached fairly and objectively by a weighing of evidence.

Suspect arrested for alleged theft at bike store

A suspect was arrested after being caught stealing a bicycle at a store chain branch located at 665 Sleater Kinney Road SE on May 10. At half past five in the afternoon, Lacey Police Department … more

By Darlanne Cruz | 6/11/24

Outgoing Superintendent of North Thurston Public Schools Dr. Debra Clemens (center) is honored with a Coast Salish Indian blanketing ceremony. River Ridge student Francheska Helton (left) and Native Student Program paraeducator Laura Bowman (right) bestow the blanket. The event happened as part of the NTPS School Board and Nisqually Tribal Council joint meeting.

Nisqually Tribal Council joins with NTPS to celebrate Native education

The combined North Thurston Public Schools Board of Directors and the Nisqually Tribal Council joint meeting focused on celebrating ways the school district and the tribe work in partnership with new … more

By Jeffrey Westbrook | 6/7/24 | 3 comments

A window in downtown Centralia, Washington on April 24, 2024.

How Western Washington history explains the rise of hate groups

It wasn’t immediately clear who challenged whom to a push-up contest at the Lewis County Pride festival in Centralia last June — the white supremacist or the Pride celebrant. It was a … more

by Leah Sottile, High Country News | 6/7/24 | 8 comments

Lacey seeks members for ad hoc Parks Improvement Funding Workgroup

Lacey is actively seeking community members to join an ad hoc Parks Improvement Funding Workgroup. The city encourages applications from individuals with diverse voices and … more

By JC Medina | 6/6/24

Lacey approves eminent domain to secure land for largest water well replacement

The Lacey City Council adopted Ordinance No. 1661, authorizing the use of eminent domain to acquire property rights for the Well 7 Replacement Project. The decision, made during the … more

By JC Medina | 6/5/24 | 1 comment

Puget Sound Energy to disconnect residents behind on payments, including vulnerable households

On May 28, 2024, Washington state’s largest utility Puget Sound Energy (PSE) announced a new plan to disconnect residential customers who have past-due gas and electricity bills, as stated in a … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 6/4/24 | 5 comments

A bus pulling into the Intercity Transit bus stop in Olympia

Intercity Transit ending rider alerts on social media

Starting Monday, June 17, Intercity Transit will cease posting rider alerts on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter). This decision comes in response to changes in the algorithms of … more

By Darlanne Cruz | 5/31/24

Lacey to start odd-even watering schedule to conserve water during summer

Starting June 1, the City of Lacey will enforce its mandatory odd-even watering schedule for all outdoor landscapes, continuing through September 30. This regulation is part of an effort to … more

By JC Medina and Darlanne Cruz | 5/29/24 | 2 comments

The Public Works Department recommends adopting the comprehensive cost recovery option, ensuring Lacey covers operational and future replacement costs.

Lacey upgrades electric vehicle charging infrastructure, eyes charging rates

The City of Lacey is advancing its electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure with upgrades and expansions, as outlined in a recent briefing by the Public Works Department to the Lacey City … more

By JC Medina | 5/29/24 | 2 comments

Concept sketch of the exterior (top) and the indoor family aquatic center of the future Young Child and Family Education Center give an idea of some features of the new facility. The project is a joint venture of the City of Lacey Parks and Recreation, North Thurston Public Schools, Thurston Economic Development Council and the South Sound YMCA.

Lacey City Council, NTPS board hold joint meeting

Lacey City Council and the North Thurston Public Schools Board of Directors held a joint special meeting on Tuesday, May 21 at the school district administrative offices. The leaders sat intermingled … more

By Jeffrey Westbrook | 5/28/24

Lacey Police seek public’s help in identifying 3 Ulta Beauty theft suspects

acey Police Department (LPD) is requesting assistance from the public to identify three suspects involved in two separate theft incidents at Ulta Beauty. LPD released the photos of the … more

5/28/24

Annette Sloan, Chantel and Matt Wagner with their service pony Apollo

Music for a Cause on Memorial Day Weekend highlights and photos

Change the Narrative WA hosted the Music For a Cause music festival in Huntamer Park in Lacey WA on May 25, 2024. This was their 2nd event during the Memorial Weekend. There were … more

By Gloria Towne | 5/27/24 | 1 comment

Affordable Housing Funding Recommendations. The Thurston Regional Housing Council recommends $5.9 million in funding for eight affordable housing capital projects to create or preserve 230 affordable housing units.

Homelessness and affordable housing funding approved by county housing council

The Thurston Regional Housing Council approved over $20 million in funding recommendations for homeless services and affordable housing projects at its meeting last Wednesday, May 8. The … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/21/24 | 3 comments

Saint Martins’ University’s Alisha Saucedo’s poster, in celebration of her breaking the school record for the women’s 800 meters in the GNAC Championships.

Saint Martin’s Track and Field stand their ground in regional championships

The best student-athletes of Saint Martin’s University (SMU) stood their ground as they performed in the 2024 Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) Outdoor Track & Field Championships … more

By Vince Zafra | 5/21/24

Piggy bank with glasses over a calculator.

Thurston County, Lacey, Olympia and Tumwater to host joint Lodging Tax Funding Workshop

The cities of Lacey, Olympia, and Tumwater, along with Thurston County, are set to host a Lodging Tax Funding Workshop for potential applicants on Wednesday, June 5, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Lacey … more

By Darlanne Cruz | 5/20/24