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

This shows the Intercity Transit’s new Vanpool Fare Structure for riders seeking transportation 10 or fewer days each month.

Intercity Transit reviews new fare structure for part-time Vanpool users

On Wednesday, Intercity Transit’s board reviewed a proposal for a new Vanpool fare structure for users who need rides 10 days or fewer each month. Intercity Vanpool Manager Cindy Fisher … more

By Kristine Javier | 7/23/21

In stocking covered feet, visitors tour one of the houses featured in Olympia Master Builders' Tour of Homes in 2019.

Tour of Homes set for this weekend, in-person again

Olympia Master Builders' annual Tour of Homes returns as an in-person event this weekend, with six stops spread across northern Thurston County. more

By Danny Stusser | 7/22/21

Capitol Lake’s future in limbo again

The Washington State Department of Enterprise Services (DES) proposed to remove the 5th Avenue Dam on the Capitol Lake Deschutes Estuary at the Port of Olympia commissioners’ work session … more

By Danny Stusser | 7/20/21 | 3 comments

Participants at the Thurston Economic Development Council's first Hootenanny, Thu., July 22, can buy a chance to test their skill and, perhaps, dunk their favorite (or least favorite) public official or business community leader.

Tickets almost gone for Thurston EDC's Hootenanny

If getting together with business friends and acquaintances isn't enough of a reason to participate, organizers of the Thurston Economic Development Council's new event are dangling the chance to … more

By Danny Stusser | 7/20/21

Life vests save lives: The U.S. Coast Guard deployed a chopper to assist in the recovery of a man who had jumped off a boat near the port of Olympia. His body was eventually recovered on Sun., July 18, 2021.

Authorities recovers man's body near Swantown Marina

On Sunday, the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that they had recovered the body of the man who had reportedly gone missing near the Swantown Marina. According to … more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/19/21

Ever wonder what equity means? This diagram explains that Equality means each individual or group is given the same resources or opportunities. Equity recognizes that each person has different circumstances and allocates the resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome, according to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

New Transportation Priorities Survey seeks your input

Whether you walk, drive, bike, ride the bus or find another way to get around, there’s a new survey to help regional planners to make more and better decisions about new roads, bus routes and … more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/19/21

Washington laws enable voters to register or change their registration up to the day of the election, in-person.

New in town? Register to vote. Primary Election is Aug. 3

OLYMPIA – Below are the voter registration deadlines for the August 3, 2021 Primary Election: Monday, July 26, 2021: Last … more

7/19/21

This home at 862 Ebbets Dr SW in Tumwater was sold by Garrett Lafferty for $435,000.

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

This weekly report covers single-family home sales in Thurston County over the past week. There were 118 sales completed from Sunday, July 11, through Saturday, July 17, 2021. The median sales … more

By Prachi Gohil | 7/19/21

The Lacey City Council awarded Phil Aasen a Certificate of Achievement for his decades-long safe-driving career during its regular meeting on July 15, 2021. Aasen is shown on the third row, right. His employer, Justin Erickson, CEO of Harbor Wholesale, is shown in the second row, right.

City of Lacey honors veteran truck driver Phil Aasen

For nearly three decades of service, veteran truck driver Phil Aasen received a City of Lacey Certificate of Achievement. During the regular city council meeting yesterday, Lacey Mayor Andy Ryder … more

By Kristine Javier | 7/16/21

One of Intercity Transit's newer full-size busses passes in the east side of the Legislative Building on the Washington State Capitol Campus on Route 13.

Express bus service to Pierce County locations resumes Monday, July 19

Express bus service between Olympia and Lacey to Pierce County resumes on Monday, July 19, 2021. Route 620 will serve the Olympia Transit Center, the State Capitol Campus, Lacey Transit Center, … more

7/16/21

The Thurston County Board of Commissioners conducted a public hearing on July 13, 2021 to discuss proposed rate increases for the Transportation Impact Fee.

Thurston County proposes to increase Transportation Impact Fees for new construction

The Thurston County Board of Commissioners plans to increase the existing Transportation Impact Fee. On Tue., July 13, at its regular meeting, the board held a public hearing on the Traffic Impact … more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/16/21

The Thurston Economic Development Council is doing something it's never done to celebrate a year like no other.

Economic Development Council to present Economic Courage Awards at first-ever Hootenanny

This year, as we emerge from a pandemic, is like no other. So the Thurston Economic Development Council (EDC) is having an event like never before. Instead of its typical annual business awards … more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/15/21

Port of Olympia commissioners and senior staff discuss moving to a five-member board during their meeting on Mon., July 12, 2021. Top row, l-r, Commissioner Bill MacGregor, Commissioner Joe Downing, Port Executive Director Sam Gibboney. Bottom row, l-r, Commissioner EJ Zita; General Counsel VaLiesha Brown.

Port commissioners argue over timing to grow board to five

On Monday, Port of Olympia Commissioners Joe Downing and EJ Zita argued over when would be the right time to move forward with a plan to increase its three-member commission to five … more

By Danny Stusser | 7/13/21

This home at 2142 79th Ave SE in Tumwater was sold by John Duerr for $625,000.

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

This weekly report covers single-family home sales in Thurston County over the past week. There were 93 sales completed from Sunday, July 4, through Saturday, July 10, 2021. The median sales … more

By Prachi Gohil | 7/12/21

With a new paint job and door to the new covered patio, New Traditions Cafe is much brighter than before its 2021remodel.

New Traditions Cafe re-opens remodeled after six-month closure

New Traditions Cafe today rejoined its sister operation, New Traditions Fair Trade, as an open and ready business. The Cafe was closed for six months both because of pandemic restrictions and to … more

By Danny Stusser | 7/9/21

Viewing a poster showing proposed exterior improvements for the Dr. Angela Bowen Center for Health and Education are, left-right: Ted Schultz, executor of the Estate of Angela J. Bowen and SPSCC Foundation board member; Tanya Mote, SPSCC executive director; Dr. Tim Stokes, president of the college; Leonor Fuller, vice chair of the SPSCC board of trustees.

SPSCC Nursing Program receives national accreditation

South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) announced on Wed., July 7 that its nursing program received national accreditation from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education … more

By Kristine Javier | 7/9/21

Rent overdue? Thurston County has several programs available to help renters get caught up.

Thurston County residents facing eviction can apply for rental assistance programs

Thurston County offers three types of assistance for residents who are struggling to pay their rent according to the Thurston County Housing Action Team. These programs include rent assistance, … more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/8/21

This shows the proposed buildings in the West Bay Yards development. Once completed, the development will have 470 dwelling units and 20,000 sq. ft of commercial space.

Port of Olympia reviews $200 million West Bay Yards Proposal

Port of Olympia commissioners reviewed the proposed $200 million West Bay Yards proposal during a special commission work session yesterday. Brandon Smith and Ron Newman of The West Bay … more

By Danny Stusser | 7/7/21

Vaccines (or exemptions) to be required at SPSCC this fall

South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) today announced that it will become a fully vaccinated COVID-19 campus for the start of Fall Quarter 2021. The decision to become a vaccinated campus … more

7/6/21

This home at 6120 60th Ct SE in Lacey was sold by Kristy Woodford for $435,000.

The JOLT Real Estate Report for June 27 - July 3, 2021

This weekly report covers single-family home sales in Thurston County over the past week. There were 116 sales completed from Sunday, June 27, through Saturday, July 3, 2021. The median … more

By Prachi Gohil | 7/5/21