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

Several Lacey City Council members expressed their concerns regarding the proposed amendment on Lacey’s tree protection regulation during the work session on Sept. 9, 2021.

Lacey City Council reviews proposal that would allow HOAs to remove trees

Dubbed as a “city of trees,” Lacey’s City Council reviewed a proposal to provide Home Owners Associations (HOA) with more flexibility to remove otherwise healthy trees within their … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/10/21 | 5 comments

Dr. Antonio Sandifer, NTPS's new Director of Equity and Languages, made his first presentation to the school board on Sept. 7, 2021.

North Thurston schools are safe, majority of students agree

In a district-wide survey conducted by North Thurston Public Schools (NTPS) in 2020-21, results showed that the majority of students felt safe in their schools. During the regular NTPS board … more

By Danny Stusser | 9/10/21

The Port of Olympia commissioners adopted a resolution that requires staff to get vaccinated or submit a weekly COVID-19 test during a special session on Tue., Sept. 7.

Port of Olympia plans to provide employees with financial incentives to vaccinate

With new reports of the COVID-19 variant, Port of Olympia Commissioners are planning to provide cash incentives for vaccinated employees. On Tue., Sept. 7, the Port held a special commission … more

By Danny Stusser | 9/9/21

The area outlined in purple show the 199-acres optioned by Panattoni Development at the New Market Industrial Campus.

Timeline for the New Market Industrial Campus still unclear

Tumwater officials confirmed that there is still no clear timeline for the proposed New Market Industrial Campus development during the regular city council meeting on Tue., Sept. 7. Initially, … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/9/21 | 2 comments

Annette Pitts, the new CEO of Experience Olympia & Beyond, presented an update on the tourism industry in Thurston County at the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce's forum on Sept. 8, 2021.

Tourism in Thurston County rebounding and changing

Annette Pitts, Chief Executive Officer of Experience Olympia & Beyond, gave a formal presentation on the state of local tourism at the September forum of the Thurston County Chamber today at the … more

9/8/21

Ocean Laura shares Avanti High School experiences during the 2021 graduation ceremony.

Congratulations to Avanti High School's 2021 graduates

Avanti High School held its graduation on Fri., June 12, 2021 from 1 to 4 p.m. "Avanti's commencement ceremony each year is a special one because each teacher says something about several … more

By Danny Stusser | 9/7/21

The map shows the Kaiserwood plat project location in blue along the east side of Kaiser Road NW in Olympia.

Kaiser Road proposal would subdivide 16.85 acres into 53 lots

With the continuing need for more housing, the Olympia Site Plan Review Committee reviewed a proposal to subdivide a 16.85-acre property into 53 lots. On Wed., Sep. 1, the committee heard a … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/6/21

Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall received recognition as the Washington State Auditor of the Year on Mon., Aug. 30, 2021.

Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall granted statewide award

In an emotional speech, Washington Secretary of the State Kim Wyman honored Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall as Washington State Auditor of the Year for her efforts in ensuring safe and … more

By Danny Stusser | 9/2/21 | 1 comment

All three proposed alternatives for the future of Capitol Lake are shown above at various tide levels.

Capitol Lake-Deschutes Estuary comment period ends

The Washington State Department of Enterprise Services (DES) closed its comment period for the Capitol Lake - Deschutes Estuary Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which provides … more

By Danny Stusser | 9/2/21 | 1 comment

The Regional Housing Council discussed possible ways to resolve a $1.7 million gap in funding gap for the 2828 Martin Way Phase 2 project during their regular council meeting on Aug. 30., 2021

Martin Way Phase 2 faces a $1.7 million funding gap needed to build 64 new housing units

The Thurston Regional Housing Council (RHC) discussed possible actions to resolve the $1.7 million funding gap needed to complete 2828 Martin Way Phase 2, a project which is set to provide 64 new … more

By Kristine Javier | 8/31/21

Dr. Dimyana Abdelmalek, the Thurston County Health Officer.

County health officer writes to school leaders today about how to proceed

Dear Thurston County Superintendents and Heads of Schools, I am writing to inform you about the COVID-19 guidance from the Washington State Department of Health for the 2021-2022 school year. … more

8/31/21

A view of the public swimming area at Long Lake in Lacey, in happier days when the water quality was better and lifeguards were on duty.

Long Lake closed as water quality unsafe for humans and pets

Thurston County Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) warned residents to stay away from Long Lake, which lies at the eastern edge of Lacey, as the water quality remains unsafe for humans and … more

By Kristine Javier | 8/30/21

This image shows United States artillery technology that might or might not be the same as that being used in training at Joint Base Lewis McChord on July 22, 2021. The image is from Feb. 22, 2021 in a joint U.S.-French artillery training event in Djibouti.

JBLM extends artillery training through 11:59 p.m. Tuesday

Starting the minute after midnight this Sunday until 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, expect to hear the sounds of artillery fire from Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Soldiers will be participating in nighttime … more

By The JOLT Staff | 8/30/21

More boom BOOM! planned on Monday from JBLM

Starting the minute after midnight this Sunday until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, expect to hear the sounds of artillery fire from Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Soldiers will be participating in nighttime … more

By The JOLT Staff | 8/27/21

The larger red circle shows the loation of the LOTT Budd Inlet Treatment plant in downtown Olympia; the smaller circle shows where processed and treated wastewater is discharged.

LOTT Board stands in favor of Estuary option for Capitol Lake

A representative from the LOTT Clean Water Alliance shared the agency’s concerns regarding the possible impacts on water quality in Budd Inlet as a result of different alternatives provided in … more

By Kristine Javier | 8/27/21

Commissioner Gary Edwards spoke in opposition to a masking mandate for county workers at the Board of County Commissioners' meeting on Tue., Aug. 24, 2021.

Thurston County issues vaccination requirement for county workers

In a 2-1 vote, the Thurston County Commissioners approved a mandatory requirement for all county workers to be vaccinated by Sep. 31, 2021 or submit a negative COVID-19 vaccination test every two … more

By Danny Stusser | 8/26/21 | 1 comment

The red line shows the plan to divide the 30.97-acre Wellington Woods Preliminary Plat into two clusters, with the western cluster facing Brenda Lane SE, the eastern portion accessed from Rainier View Drive SE.

County hearing examiner hears proposal for 30.97 acres south of Yelm

A Thurston County hearing examiner heard a proposal to subdivide a 30.97-acre known as Wellington Woods Preliminary Plat into five single-residential lots, and a wetland conservation area on Tue., … more

By Kristine Javier | 8/26/21

A student browses the shelves at the Lacey Timberland Regional Library on April 9, 2019.

Celebrate Back-to-School and Library Card Sign-Up Month with Timberland Regional Library!

Timberland Regional Library supports students of all ages with easy-to-access resources in its 28 libraries and online, and an effortless process to obtain a library card. Parents and teachers can … more

By Taniah Najih | Timberland Regional Library | 8/26/21

Olympia City Manager Jay Burney (top row, middle) encouraged residents who are experiencing housing instability to apply for rental and utilities assistance during the Olympia City Council meeting on Aug. 24, 2021.

Funds remain unclaimed for pandemic-related rent and utilities assistance

Despite the economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, and a backlog of unpaid rent, almost three-quarters of the COVID-19 Rental and Utilities Assistance Fund remains available. During … more

By Kristine Javier | 8/25/21 | 1 comment

Critical Race Theory: In response to a push for culturally responsive teaching that gained steam following the police killing of George Floyd, Republican lawmakers and governors have championed legislation to limit the teaching of material that explores how race and racism influence American politics, culture and law.

Critical race theory: A political debate hits WA schools

By Venice Buhain / Crosscut.com August 24, 2021 Unlike in previous years, instead of kicking off this year’s English literature class with reading, Mark Gardner plans to … more

8/25/21 | 1 comment