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

TRPC Transportation Manager Katrina Van Every presented a chart showing traffic safety performance measures trending in the opposite direction of the region’s Target Zero goals during a Transportation Policy Board meeting on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.

Data shows regional traffic continues to move away from safety goals

Thurston County is getting farther away from its Target Zero traffic safety goals, as traffic fatalities and serious injuries continue to ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/14/26 | 9 comments

A slide from a presentation by Grant Gilmore, a Water Specialist from Tumwater’s Water Resources and Sustainability Department, to the city's Public Works Committee at a meeting on Thursday, May 7, 2026, showed photos from a past Green Congress event.

Tumwater committee endorses continued partnership for watershed education program

The Tumwater Public Works Committee recommended continuing an interlocal agreement for the implementation of the South Sound ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/14/26

Sewer utility work to impact traffic at Boulevard Road and Cedar Park Loop in Olympia

The installation of sewer utilities for a South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity housing project is going to impact traffic around ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 5/14/26

Located in a quiet, sunny spot in Tumwater, THLT's six two-bedroom duplex units will be ready for sale to eligible first-time homeowners early fall 2026.

A land trust for housing

Thurston Housing Land Trust (THLT) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to create and protect affordable homeownership ... more

By Max Lambert | 5/14/26 | 2 comments

250th at the Schmidt House now in May

Would you like to compare your “wingspan” to that of an eagle? Make a tri-corner hat and color? Learn about genealogy society and ... more

By Shirley Stirling | 5/14/26

City of Lacey project maps show the area near Ruddell Road SE, where Lift Station 6 will be retired and replaced with a new submersible lift station on a city-owned parcel along 32nd Court SE.

Lacey City Council awards contract to replace aging Lift Station 6

Lift Station 6, one of Lacey's oldest wastewater stations, is on its way ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 5/13/26

Olympia Prosecutor Bryanna Pinkston and Public Defense Coordinator Diane Whaley discussed options for a future therapeutic court model at a city council study session on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.

Olympia City Council reviews options for therapeutic court program

The Olympia City Council is evaluating options for reestablishing a therapeutic court model after shifting Municipal Court ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/13/26 | 13 comments

Tumwater City Hall is located at 555 Israel Road in Tumwater.

Tumwater City Council adopts development code updates

The Tumwater City Council adopted four minor development code updates, including amendments regarding ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/13/26

The Olympia School District 111 Esther R. Knox Building in Olympia, as seen on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.

Olympia School District partners with community organizations on child care grant

To increase access to affordable, high-quality child care, the Olympia School District is partnering with local organizations to assess ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 5/13/26

The City of Olympia is seeking up to $1 million in state funding to help pay for HVAC work at the Olympia Armory.

City of Olympia seeking up to $1M in grant money for HVAC upgrades at Armory

The Olympia City Council endorsed a resolution authorizing the city to apply for up to $1 million in grant funding to support ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/12/26 | 3 comments

Lacey City Hall, as seen in this undated photo.

Fraudsters impersonate Lacey personnel in permit payment scam

Through emails, phone calls, text messages and physical mail, scammers are impersonating City of Lacey staff to pressure permit holders ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 5/12/26

Percival Landing in Olympia, as seen from the Views on Fifth building on Tuesday afternoon, May 12, 2026.

Wet, breezy conditions in the weather outlook for Thurston County

A set of sunny spring days are going to give way to some wet and breezy weather as the workweek progresses in Thurston ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 5/12/26 | 1 comment

Bishop Kathleen Bellefeuille-Rice, newly elevated, offers closing prayers, with the Rev. Jen O’Malley and Bishop Jane Via and the choir behind her, on April 25, 2026.

Olympia woman ordained as Roman Catholic Bishop

The guests came together from all over the world to the United Churches in Olympia, both in person and via Zoom. They came to ordain ... more

By Paul Pickett | For The JOLT | 5/12/26 | 13 comments

A slide from Tumwater Assistant City Administrator Kelly Adams’s presentation to the Tumwater City Council on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, shows the city’s proposed allocations for a $911,000 fund from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant program.

Tumwater City Council proposes distributing federal grant money to local organizations

The Tumwater City Council recommended hundreds of thousands of dollars in allocations from a fund to help local organizations with ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/12/26

An aerial view of "The Jungle" homeless encampment in Olympia.

Olympia, regional partners collaborating on response to 'The Jungle' encampment

The City of Olympia is working with regional partners to address a long-standing encampment, while continuing outreach and support ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/11/26 | 18 comments

Three Jubilee stormwater ponds, marked in red, are scheduled for liner replacement, sediment dredging and slope repairs beginning in June.

Lacey City Council awards restoration contract for Jubilee stormwater ponds

The Jubilee stormwater ponds in Lacey, which are plagued by failed liners and eroded slopes, are now headed for a full ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 5/11/26 | 1 comment

Food inspection results in Thurston County – May 11, 2026

Restaurant inspection reports focus on two types of violations: red and ... more

By Vanessa Casabuena | 5/11/26 | 1 comment

Olympia Police Department Chief Shelby Parker presented crime trend data at a Community Livability and Public Safety Committee meeting on Wednesday, May 6, 2026.

Olympia Police Department reports lower crime rates, staffing shortages persist

The Olympia Police Department (OPD) reported declines in several major crime categories in 2025, while continuing to face staffing ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/8/26 | 1 comment

Olympia Council member Clark Gilman encouraged residents to participate in the annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive by placing nonperishable food in bags left by mailboxes for collection on Saturday, May 9, 2026.

Olympia residents urged to join annual 'Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive'

Olympia City Council member Clark Gilman encouraged residents to participate in the annual "Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive," a nationwide ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/8/26

'Leaders Lead' podcast: Commissioner Emily Clouse on the record

In the latest episode of the "Leaders Lead" podcast, host Tony Taylor dives into the Thurston County political scene with an interview of Commissioner ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 5/8/26 | 14 comments