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

Meet the candidates tomorrow at New Life Baptist Church

New Life Baptist Church is hosting a meet-and-greet event for voters and would-be voters in Thurston County tomorrow, Saturday, October 19 at New Life Baptist Church, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. … more

10/18/24

Thurston County Sheriff seeks input on solicitation for vehicle pursuit technology

The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) seeks public comment on its proposal to the 2024 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program—Local Solicitation for $19,532.09 … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 10/18/24 | 3 comments

A slide from Lacey Planning Manager Ryan Andrews’s presentation to the Lacey City Council on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, showing the proposed housing allocations and the results of a land capacity study conducted by the Thurston Regional Planning Council.

Lacey housing market has long way to go, mayor says

Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) proposes allocating 9,915 low-income housing units for Lacey to meet county-wide affordable housing targets; according to Planning Manager Ryan Andrews' … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/18/24 | 4 comments

At its proclamation signed on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, the Olympia City Council encourages families, school staff, and community leaders to support walking and rolling with children on their way to school.

Olympia City Council proclaims October as Walk to School Month

On Tuesday, the Olympia City Council signed a proclamation designating October 2024 as Walk to School Month. The proclamation highlighted the benefits of walking and rolling to … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/18/24 | 1 comment

Olympia Mayor Dontae Payne expressed appreciation for students' artworks, specifically the message "Don't let the water run" – a simple, yet important message to always turn off the water when brushing teeth.

Olympia students recognized for water stewardship calendar artwork

The Olympia City Council recognized 13 students for contributing to raising awareness about stormwater pollution prevention and water conservation best practices through their artworks. … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/18/24

Be aware of algae bloom and other warnings in your local waters.

Thurston County alerts public to harmful algae blooms at Lake Lawrence and Clear Lake

Thurston County Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) is urging residents to avoid contact with Lake Lawrence and Clear Lake due to toxic algae blooms detected in both bodies of water. This … more

10/18/24 | 1 comment

Five-foot-ten Saint Martin’s senior goalkeeper Flavia Burrell stands taller after allowing zero goals in the weekend’s GNAC games against Seattle Pacific and Montana State. She was awarded the GNAC Defensive Player of the Week after her massive efforts in goal.

Burrell, Saints put on defensive masterclass in two goalless draws over the weekend

After a mixed bag of results from winning 1-0 against the Central Washington Wildcats to losing a humiliating 7-0 to defending champs Simon Fraser, the Saint Martin’s University women’s … more

By Vince Zafra | 10/18/24

Olympia City Council opposes Initiative 2124, says it threatens long-term care program

The Olympia City Council on Tuesday, October 15, passed a resolution opposing Washington state's Initiative 2124, which would make the state's long-term care insurance program voluntary. … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/17/24 | 8 comments

Labor Wars of the Pacific Northwest free screening October 24th at Capital Theater

Labor Wars of the Northwest screening for free on October 24th at Capital Theater in Olympia

TLM Labor and Olympia Film Society to Present a Free Screening of Labor Wars of the Northwest on October 24th The Thurston – Lewis – Mason Central Labor Council is proud to announce … more

Submitted by Central Labor Council President Rachelle Martin | 10/17/24 | 3 comments

Peyton Rhyne pings the ball with a right-footed strike. She scored the lone goal that propelled the Evergreen State College to its first win this season. (Photo from Evergreen State College Athletics Official Website)

Peyton Rhyne’s strike stuns Bushnell for Evergreen’s first win of the season

After a winless drought of ten games, which includes six conference games of one-sided defeats and close draws, the Evergreen State College women’s soccer team finally got its first dub of the … more

By Vince Zafra | 10/17/24

At a Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) meeting yesterday, October 15, which is also the supposed approval of the Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project interlocal agreement (ILA) on the county’s side, the commissioners removed the ILA from the agenda.

Thurston County Commissioners delay approval of Deschutes interlocal agreement amid approval from other cities, gears for legal review

At a Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) meeting yesterday, October 15, the commissioners removed the Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project interlocal agreement from the agenda. The … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 10/16/24 | 5 comments

According to a map shown at a Tumwater City Council meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2024, the south basin of Capitol Lake, where boardwalks will be built, is located across I-5 towards the side of the Tumwater Historical Park.

Tumwater City Council approves interlocal agreement for governance of Deschutes Estuary project

Tumwater City Council authorized Mayor Debbie Sullivan to sign the interlocal agreement for the governance and funding of the Deschutes Estuary project. The project seeks to restore … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/16/24 | 1 comment

Press Forward is a nonpartisan project funded by more than 30 foundations to support local news across the United States.

The JOLT to receive one of the first Press Forward grants

Press Forward, the nationwide movement to strengthen communities by reinvigorating local news, announced today that it has selected The JOLT News Organization to receive a challenge grant to support … more

By Danny Stusser | 10/16/24 | 12 comments

Olympia community member Yonah Mikowski comments against Initiative 2109 during a public hearing at the city council meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024.

Olympia City Council rejects State Initiative 2109

To protect critical funding for schools, early learning, and child care, the Olympia City Council has passed a resolution opposing Initiative 2109 , a state ballot measure that would repeal … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/16/24 | 9 comments

A slide from a presentation during the Oct. 3, 2024, meeting of the Tumwater Public Works Committee, which has endorsed a contract with Sare Electric to construct ten EV chargers for the city fleet.

Tumwater to construct new EV chargers as part of fleet electrification initiative

Plans to construct electric vehicle charging stations to support Tumwater’s fleet electrification efforts are moving forward. more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/16/24 | 2 comments

Olympia City Mayor Dontae Payne describes the interlocal agreement as historic as multiple government entities come together to restore Capitol Lake to its natural state.

Olympia City Council approves interlocal agreement toward restoring Deschutes Estuary

The Olympia City Council, on Tuesday, Oct. 8, approved an interlocal agreement with the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services, the Squaxin Island Tribe, Thurston County, Tumwater, the … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/15/24 | 8 comments

Olympia seeks input on names for parks; public hearing is set for this Thursday

Before making recommendations to the Olympia City Councill, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee will conduct public hearings on Thursday, Oct. 17, regarding the proposed official naming of … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/15/24 | 4 comments

The Olympia School District (OSD) had a regular meeting on Thursday, October 10, 2024, for its Outcome 5 Monitoring Report. Discussed during the session are OSD’s energy-saving programs and food expenditure efforts.

Olympia School District energy-saving programs experience success,  food waste among state's lowest

Olympia School District reportedly saved $66,017 in energy costs over the past year, its board learned on Thursday, Oct. 10. The board also learned that the district's per-capita food … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 10/15/24

Sangh Jugal Thakor of Hindu Swayamsavak thanked the Olympia City Council for signing the first proclamation of Hindu Heritage Month at its Tuesday meeting on Oct. 8, 2024.

Olympia proclaims October 2024 Hindu Heritage Month

On Tuesday, Oct. 8, the Olympia City Council proclaimed October 2024 as Hindu Heritage Month, recognizing the contributions of the Hindu-American community to the city's diversity and culture. … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/15/24 | 4 comments

Lucendy Perez (left) and Marin Collins (right) combine on a block. Both players were crucial for Evergreen’s win at Walla Walla.

Evergreen Geoducks tame Walla Walla Wolves in five-set thriller to avenge earlier loss

The Evergreen State College volleyball team organized a block party performance to survive a five-set win over Walla Walla University, 3-2 (25-22, 19-25, 25-20, 22-25, 15-11) away from home last … more

By Vince Zafra | 10/15/24