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

SBA disaster loans available for Thurston County flood victims

Thurston County residents, businesses and nonprofit organizations impacted by the 2025 winter storms have until April 27 to apply ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 4/14/26

The SS Gateway playground is located at William A. Bush Park, 4400 Chardonnay Drive SE in Lacey.

Lacey debuts SS Gateway playground at William A. Bush Park

Lacey's newest community playground — the SS Gateway — has set sail at William A. Bush ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 4/14/26

Traffic impacts on Legion Way in downtown Olympia

A short stretch of Legion Way will be a little bit more difficult to navigate this week because of a stormwater ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 4/14/26 | 1 comment

Vehicles motored down State Street in downtown Olympia on Monday, April 13, 2026.

Olympia City Council to weigh future of PBIA program

The Olympia City Council is scheduled to consider the future of the city’s Parking and Business Improvement Area (PBIA), including whether ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/13/26 | 2 comments

Thurston County named Green Municipality of the Year by Chamber of Commerce

The Thurston County Chamber of Commerce awarded Thurston County government its Green Municipality of the Year award, the county's ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 4/13/26 | 2 comments

Wet weather ahead in Thurston County

A weather system is likely going to make for a wet midweek in Thurston County before moving out of the region and giving way ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 4/13/26 | 1 comment

City of Lacey Mayor Andy Ryder posed with Thurston County PARC Foundation CEO Heather Antanaitis, left, and City of Yelm building official Chris Vaccaro, right, following the adoption of Earth Day and Arbor Month proclamations at the Lacey City Council meeting on April 7, 2026.

Lacey City Council proclaims Earth Day, Arbor Month

Ushering in two environmental observances, the Lacey City Council proclaimed Earth Day and Arbor Month at a ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 4/13/26

Food inspection results in Thurston County – April 13, 2026

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

By Vanessa Casabuena | 4/13/26 | 1 comment

The price of regular unleaded gasoline was $5.419 per gallon at Marathon at State and Plum streets in downtown Olympia on Friday, April 10, 2026.

Regular unleaded gas inches higher in Olympia market

The average price of regular unleaded gasoline moved closer to an all-time high in the Olympia market, amid a ceasefire agreement in ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 4/10/26 | 4 comments

Olympia Heritage Review Commission to tackle historic Sandman tugboat’s future

The uncertain future of the Sandman tugboat, a historic vessel that could face demolition after years of deterioration, might ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/10/26 | 11 comments

City of Lacey raises investment portfolio maturity ceiling

The City of Lacey is looking to boost earnings on its public investment portfolio, following a unanimous vote by the Lacey City Council to ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 4/10/26

The van pool at TRL headquarters in Tumwater.

Timberland Regional Library seeking interim executive director

The search is on for an interim executive director of the financially troubled Timberland Regional ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 4/10/26 | 3 comments

Members of the Transportation Policy Board listened to public comment at a meeting on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. The board prioritized a trail feasibility study for the 2026 Call for Projects.

Transportation Policy Board prioritizes trail feasibility study in 2026 Call for Projects

The Transportation Policy Board (TPB) moved to elevate a trail expansion feasibility study as a regional priority in the 2026 Call for Projects ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/9/26 | 5 comments

Tumwater Planning Commission to hold public hearing on development code

Local residents and business owners are going to get a chance to weigh in on an ordinance dealing with four proposed changes to ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/9/26 | 2 comments

South Puget Sound Community College welcomed the  first graduates of its Evening & Weekend Nursing Program. Courtesy of South Puget Sound Community College

SPSCC celebrates first graduates of Evening & Weekend Nursing Program

South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) celebrated the first graduating class of the Evening & Weekend Nursing ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/9/26 | 3 comments

Construction progress at Greg Cuoio Park and the new Lacey Police Station, as seen in March 2026.

Busy time for projects in City of Lacey

During the past six months, the City of Lacey has completed or nearly finished a number of projects, from a road extension to a park phase and ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 4/9/26 | 3 comments

Mayor Andy Ryder presented the Fair Housing Month proclamation to Thurston County Realtors Association President Dawn Baker at a Lacey City Council meeting on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

Lacey City Council proclaims April as Fair Housing Month

Affirming its commitment to equitable housing access, the Lacey City Council proclaimed April 2026 as Fair Housing Month at a meeting ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 4/8/26 | 3 comments

Olympia Arts Commission to revisit Artist in Residence program

The Olympia Arts Commission will review the city’s Artist in Residence program to assess how to address low participation in its ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/8/26

Series of vehicle prowls and burglaries prompts advisory in Lacey

A rash of overnight vehicle prowls and burglaries in an area surrounding College Street and 45th Avenue in Lacey has prompted an advisory from ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 4/8/26

TRPC Transportation Manager Katrina Van Every presented the Technical Advisory Committee’s recommendation to fund four projects with $786,000 in supplemental federal funding at a meeting on Friday, April 3, 2026.

TRPC approves roughly $786,000 in supplemental federal funding

The Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) approved about $786,000 in supplemental federal funding for four projects to help ensure the region ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/7/26