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

The proposed Log Cabin Road Extension would connect North Street-Log Cabin Road in Olympia with Herman Road-37th Ave SE in Lacey.

LBA Woods: source claims Olympia will revive talks about a road through it

Last Monday, a source claimed that the Olympia Planning Commission revived its plan for the Log Cabin road extension, a proposed street connection that would cut across the LBA Woods. According to … more

By The JOLT Staff | 6/7/21 | 2 comments

What's happening June 5 - 13 ?

Here are a few events in the Thurston County area to keep you entertained in the coming week! 2021 Virtual Conservation Celebration and Auction: Sat., June 5, 6:00 pm on … more

6/4/21

Youths Logan and Jonny visit with elders Dottie, Ethel and Bill.

Finding joy in intergenerational engagement

I recently spoke with Linda Terry, the Founder and Director of STEP, (Sharing Time with Elders Project) and the first thing that struck me was the joy in her … more

By Kathleen Anderson | 6/2/21

Douglas James, one of the lead carvers in the House of Tears Carvers of the Lummi Nation, standing in front of the totem pole that will travel to Washington, D.C. during the summer of 2021, in Olympia on May 15, 2021.

House of Tears Carvers displaying new totem pole this weekend at Chehalis reservation

If you missed the chance to meet the House of Tears Carvers when they were in Olympia two weeks ago, you've got another chance this weekend. They are displaying their new totem pole at the … more

By Danny Stusser | 5/28/21

One of the many services offered to Veterans by the Hub is transportation to healthcare appointments.

Online "gala" to support Lacey Veterans Services Hub set for next Friday, June 4

The City of Lacey invites the South Sound community to its 2021 Mayor’s Gala on Friday, June 4, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. The free, virtual event will help support programming and operations at … more

5/28/21

This summer Thurston County residents can go to the library and stay at home at the same time.

Timberland libraries offer free books from their online summer program

Readers can earn a free book by participating in the upcoming Online Summer Library Program hosted by the Timberland Regional Library. The program runs from June 1 to August 31, and residents of … more

By The JOLT Staff | 5/26/21

Movies at the Marina will be back for 2021, with three mid-summer dates.

Movies at the Marina to return to Port of Olympia

Movies at the Marina will return for its second summer, according to Port of Olympia Executive Director Sam Gibboney yesterday. Just like last year, the Port plans to hold the outdoor event on … more

By The JOLT Staff | 5/25/21

The Thurston County Fair is cancelled for 2021 -- and was cancelled for 2020 as well. Families of children such as these might find fairs in other counties in Washington this summer.

2021 Thurston County Fair Cancelled

The Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously in support of canceling the 2021 Thurston County Fair this year. The recommendation to cancel the fair came from the Thurston County Fair … more

5/25/21 | 1 comment

This sequence shows the bald eagle being carried from the vehicle in which it was transported back to the property where it was found, on Sun., May 23, 2021, just prior to its release. L-r, Stephanie Estrella, Mark Fleming.

Bald eagle released after brief rehab following airturf battle

Two bald eagles who lived in or near a recently clear-cut urban forest in Olympia did battle in the air last week. One needed a brief stay at a local rehabilitation center and was released yesterday … more

By Danny Stusser | 5/24/21

What's happening in the next few days here?

Here are a few events in the Thurston County area that will keep you entertained in the coming week! Endangered Species Day at Puget Sound Estuarium: Sat, May 22, 11:00 am – 4:00 … more

By Prachi Gohil | 5/21/21

An American Brown Bear, the same species found in Lacey on May 8, 2021, crossing a street in Alaska.

Black bear killed by police in south Lacey

A black bear roaming the 13th fairway of the Capital City Golf Course was shot by Lacey Police this morning. Lacey Police received multiple calls regarding the bear starting at 7:37 a.m. on May 8, … more

By The JOLT Staff | 5/8/21 | 4 comments

This home at 2439 Tyndell Cir SW in Tumwater sold during the week of April 18-24, 2021 for $382,000. Listing agent is Jessica Poulos.

The JOLT Real Estate Report for April 18-24, 2021

This weekly report covers single-family home sales in Thurston County over the past week. There were 76 sales completed from Sunday, April 18 through Saturday, April 24, 2021. The … more

4/26/21

This home at 238 Planer Ct SE, Olympia, WA 98513 sold during the week of April 11-17, 2021 for $430,000. Listing agent is Melissa Douglas.

The JOLT Real Estate Report for April 11-17, 2021

This weekly report covers single-family home sales in Thurston County over the past week. There were 86 sales completed from Sunday, April 11 through Saturday, April 17, 2021. The … more

4/19/21

Springtime's here but shady spots never seem to go away

The great spring surge of growth is gathering momentum. Buds are opening, the grass is taller with every passing day, and every unpaved inch of earth – even the cracks in the pavement – … more

By Jill Severn | 4/16/21

BEFORE: A dining room as presented by the sellers of a home in Thurston County.

Maximize Your Sale Price with Smart Improvements Before You List

Whenever I help a new client list a home, I present them with a suggested sale price for the property as-is and a second, higher suggested sale price. The higher suggested price reflects the value … more

By Kristy Woodford | Holistic Home Group | 4/15/21

This home at 8545 28th Way SE, Olympia 98513 sold last week for $520,000. Holistic Home Group photo.

The JOLT Real Estate Report for April 4-10, 2021

This weekly report covers single-family home sales in Thurston County over the past week. There were 77 sales completed from Sunday, April 4 through Saturday, April 10, 2021. The median sales price of these properties was $434,950 or $245.77 per square foot. more

4/12/21

This poster tells the facts about how the casting agents are asking to be approached about auditions.

Attention 18-25 year-olds: Ever want to be in the movies?

Sometime in the next few weeks an ensemble of three to five people ages 18-25 will be picked to star together in a new feature film. They might be you, or your neighbor or your neighbor's kids -- … more

By Danny Stusser | 4/9/21

Thurston County residents as a group are among the healthiest in the state and have among the best (low) risk factors.

Thurston County Ranks 8th Healthiest in State

Thurston County ranks eighth healthiest among Washington’s 39 counties, according to County Health Rankings data released last week. The county moved up from a rank of ninth place from 2020. … more

4/8/21

The north section of the homeless encampment on Deschutes Parkway was mostly cleared of debris by 11:00 am on the first day of the project, Wed., April 7, 2021.

UPDATE: Cleanup of homeless encampment on Deschutes Parkway has begun

Day One of the cleanup project at the Deschutes Parkway homeless encampment started at 9 am today. Workers from Advance Environmental more

By Danny Stusser | 4/7/21

This shows a portion of the debris spread outside of the tents and other temporary shelters that are on private property along the west side of Deschutes Parkway across from Capitol Lake in Olympia. Image taken on April 5, 2021.

Olympia has contracted to clean homeless encampments on Deschutes Parkway

In a couple days, Advance Environmental will begin to clean the sprawling homeless encampments along Deschutes Parkway as a response to waste accumulation and environmental impacts at the camps on … more

By Cody Neuenschwander | 4/5/21 | 1 comment