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

Kristy Woodford, CEO of Holistic Home Group

A reader of The JOLT emailed me to ask, “What do you think is driving these rapid price increases? “Are people fleeing big cities for less urban areas? “Are Thurston County … more

By Kristy Woodford | Holistic Home Group | 3/18/21

Bill would allow rental security deposit insurance as an alternative to cash deposits - VIDEO

The Journal of Olympia, Lacey & Tumwater Presents The Daily Legislative Report, covering The 2021 Washington State Legislature. The Senate Committee on Housing & Local Government held a … more

By Troy Kirby | 3/18/21

The front and reverse sides of Tenino's new scrip for 2021 are shown above.

Tenino does it again: Issues its own currency

The Tenino Area Chamber of Commerce announced it has created the $20=$21 Tenino COVID-19 2021 Small Business Recovery Program to benefit area businesses, residents and visitors. Residents and … more

3/17/21

Expanding access to the death with dignity act - VIDEO

The Journal of Olympia, Lacey & Tumwater Presents The Daily Legislative Report, covering The 2021 Washington State Legislature. The Senate Committee on Health & Long Term Care heard … more

By Troy Kirby | 3/17/21

Daily Legislative Report for Tuesday, March 16, 2021

The Journal of Olympia, Lacey & Tumwater Presents The Daily Legislative Report, covering The 2021 Washington State Legislature. The House Public Safety Committee heard public testimony, on … more

By Troy Kirby | 3/16/21

The area to be annexed on the south end of Lacey is highlighted on this map in purple, while current Lacey city limits are highlighted in green. The map was presented during a meeting of the Lacey City Council on Feb. 18.

Lacey to annex 288 acres south of Yelm Highway

The City of Lacey is working its way through the annexation process for 288 acres within the Capitol City and Chambers Estates areas, including the Capitol City Golf Course. The Lacey City Council … more

By Cody Neuenschwander | 3/15/21

The area at Beaver Creek considered for rezoning is highlighted in this image. Thurston County is currently accepting written comment on whether or not the potential rezoning is to be included in the Comprehensive Plan Amendment Docket.

Public comment open for county’s emergency housing ordinance, rezoning of 390 rural acres

Two items are up for consideration to be added to the Thurston County Development Code Docket, including the rezoning of some rural land and making permanent changes to how homeless … more

By Cody Neuenschwander | 3/15/21

Legislature debates capital gains tax - VIDEO

The Journal of Olympia, Lacey & Tumwater Presents The Daily Legislative Report, covering The 2021 Washington State Legislature. The House Finance Committee heard public testimony on Engrossed … more

By Troy Kirby | 3/15/21

Location of 1210 West Bay Drive NW, Olympia

Public hearing set for contentious West Bay Drive development project in Olympia

A public hearing is scheduled at 5:30 on Tuesday, March 23 for a large development project planned along West Bay Drive that would bring housing and business development opportunities to the … more

By Cody Neuenschwander | 3/12/21

Daily Legislative Report for Friday, March 12, 2021

The Journal of Olympia, Lacey & Tumwater Presents The Daily Legislative Report, covering The 2021 Washington State Legislature. The Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee heard … more

By Troy Kirby | 3/12/21

The Washington Supreme Court struck down the law criminalizing drug possession in the state on February 25, 2021, which has set off a chain reaction in legal, policing, immigration and health care circles.

State Supreme Court’s drug possession ruling upends Washington’s criminal justice system

When Kelly Vomacka first read that the Washington Supreme Court had struck down the law criminalizing drug possession in the state, she was in disbelief. The Blake decision, named for the woman at … more

By David Kroman | Crosscut.com | 3/12/21

An array of solar panels is set to be installed on sections of Olympia High School's roof during the summer of 2021. A corner of the gymnasium is visible just to the right of the tree in the center of this image.

Olympia High School to be site of community solar project

Sometime over the summer, solar panels will likely be installed atop the roof of the gymnasium at Olympia High School as part of a partnership between the district and Puget Sound Energy to increase … more

By Cody Neuenschwander | 3/11/21

Daily Legislative Report for Thu., March 11, 2021

The Journal of Olympia, Lacey & Tumwater Presents The Daily Legislative Report, covering The 2021 Washington State Legislature. The Senate Committee on Housing & Local Government, … more

By Troy Kirby | 3/11/21

This protest took place in November 2020, on World Diabetes Day, outside Novo Nordisk’s Seattle office in the 500 block of Fairview North in Seattle. The Danish drugmaker has come under fire by activists for charging too much for its drugs. In 2019 it announced it was making a cheaper generic version of Insulin Aspart, a man-made insulin used to control high blood sugar in adults and children.

Climbing prescription prices have Washington state looking to get into the drug business

As surging pharmaceutical prices drain state coffers and empty Washingtonians’ pocketbooks, lawmakers may dramatically expand the state’s authority to buy, make and share lower-cost … more

By Levi Pulkkinen | InvestigateWest | 3/10/21

Daily Legislative Report for Wednesday, March 10 - VIDEO

The Journal of Olympia, Lacey & Tumwater Presents The Daily Legislative Report, covering The 2021 Washington State Legislature for Wednesday, March 10, 2021. The Senate State Government & … more

By Troy Kirby | 3/10/21

North Thurston Public Schools seeking candidates for director seat

North Thurston Public Schools’ District 3 Board Member Melissa “Mel” Hartley will be stepping down from the board after accepting a job offer on the east coast, school officials … more

The JOLT Staff | 3/10/21

Billy Frank, Jr. statue at the US Capitol now one step closer to reality

The House of Representatives approved a bill that would lead to the creation and placement of a statue of Billy Frank, Jr. in the United States Capitol, in or near its Statuary Hall. Engrossed … more

By Danny Stusser | 3/9/21 | 1 comment

Daily Legislative Report for Tue., March 9 - VIDEO

The Journal of Olympia, Lacey & Tumwater Presents The Daily Legislative Report, covering The 2021 Washington State Legislature. The House debated Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1213, … more

By Troy Kirby | 3/9/21

This home at 6841 Jericho Lane SW in Olympia sold for $425,000 last week. Kristy Woodford/Holistic Home Group Photo.

The JOLT Real Estate Week in Review for Feb. 28-Mar. 6, 2021

This weekly report covers single-family home sales in Thurston County over the past week. There were 51 sales completed from Sun., Feb. 28 - Sat., Mar. 6, 2021. (The house with the … more

3/8/21

Daily Legislative Report for Mon., Mar. 8, 2021 - VIDEO

The Journal of Olympia, Lacey & Tumwater Presents The Daily Legislative Report, covering The 2021 Washington State Legislature's session on Sat., Mar. 6, 2021. The Senate held a weekend floor … more

By Troy Kirby | 3/8/21