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The Lacey Parks, Culture & Recreation Board discussed a naming rights and sponsorship agreement with High Level Promotions LLC at a meeting on April 1, 2026.

Lacey parks board recommends outsourcing naming rights to boost revenue

Lacey Parks, Culture & Recreation is moving to secure a new private revenue stream after its advisory board voted to recommend outsourcing ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 4/7/26 | 8 comments

Sunny days in Thurston County through Friday

A string of sunny days are on tap in Thurston County before rain creeps back into the picture for the ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 4/7/26

"Consumed by Fear," which was created by Jeremy Smith, won the 2025 Poster Award.

Leonor R. Fuller Gallery to host SPSCC student art exhibition

The Leonor R. Fuller Gallery is hosting its 21st annual South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) Student Art ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 4/7/26

The Yashiro Japanese Garden is located at 1010 Plum St. SE in Olympia.

Yashiro Japanese Garden to close on June 1

The Yashiro Japanese Garden, a symbol of Olympia's sister relationship with the city of Kato, will close on ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/6/26 | 15 comments

City of Tumwater Adminstrative Services Director Michelle Sutherland, top left, briefed the Budget and Finance Committee on Friday, March 27, 2026, about proposed enhancements to the benefits of non-represented city employees.

Tumwater committee reviews recommendations for enhancing city employee benefits

The Tumwater Budget and Finance Committee approved a slate of proposals to enhance the benefits of certain city ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/6/26 | 3 comments

An aerial view of the Hawks Prairie Reservoir rehabilitation site at 4040 Marvin Road NE in Lacey.

City of Lacey seeks bids for Hawks Prairie Reservoir rehabilitation

The City of Lacey is accepting sealed bids for the rehabilitation of the Hawks Prairie ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 4/6/26

Tiffany Lin is co-owner of Kawaii Donut House in Olympia.

Video: Ribbon cutting at Red Lantern and Kawaii Donut House

Two new eateries opened in Olympia, Red Lantern, an Asian fusion restaurant, and Kawaii Donut House, and the Thurston County Chamber ... more

By Danny Stusser | 4/6/26 | 2 comments

Food inspection results in Thurston County – April 6, 2026

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

By Vanessa Casabuena | 4/6/26 | 2 comments

Regular unleaded gasoline was priced at $5.799 per gallon at Chevron, 1018 Plum St. SE in Olympia on Friday afternoon, April 3, 2026.

Regular unleaded gas continues to climb in Olympia market

The average price of regular unleaded gasoline moved closer to an all-time high in the Olympia market, as an ongoing conflict in the ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 4/3/26 | 11 comments

The application period for the 2026 Traffic Box Wrap project will close at 11:45 p.m. on April 29, 2026.

Artists sought for 2026 Traffic Box Wrap project in Olympia

The City of Olympia has opened the application window for its 2026 Traffic Box Wrap project, which transforms every box into vibrant ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/3/26 | 3 comments

The award recipients from the Lacey Police Department's annual awards ceremony are shown above.

Lacey Police Department recognizes exceptional service at annual awards ceremony

In a salute to valor and service, the Lacey Police Department recognized its finest officers, civilians and volunteers at its annual awards ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 4/3/26 | 1 comment

North Thurston Public Schools held a groundbreaking ceremony for the LEAF Center on Monday, March 30, 2026.

North Thurston Public Schools holds groundbreaking event for new family center in Lacey

North Thurston Public Schools (NTPS) celebrated the groundbreaking for the new Lacey Education and Family (LEAF) Center on ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/3/26

The VALOR Center in Building 22 at South Puget Sound Community College in Olympia.

South Puget Sound Community College designated as Military Friendly School

South Puget Sound Community College has been designated as a 2026-27 top 10 Military Friendly School in the small community college ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/3/26 | 1 comment

A concept site plan prepared by RWD Landscape Architects shows the proposed layout for Rainier Vista Park improvements in Lacey.

Rainier Vista Park design improvements approved by parks board

More pickleball courts, outfield safety netting and outdoor pingpong tables could be added to Rainier Vista Park after the Lacey ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 4/2/26

TRPC to consider $794K in federal funding for transportation, trail and road projects

The Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) is set to consider awarding hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal transportation ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/2/26

Partly to mostly sunny skies this weekend in Thurston County

The first weekend in April is shaping up to be a delightful one for fans of the outdoors with partly to mostly sunny skies and daytime highs in ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 4/2/26

Tumwater Police Department Patrol Officer Jacob Rodriguez, left, Tumwater Mayor Leatta Dahlhoff, acting Police Chief Carlos Quiles and Mayor Pro Tem Kelly Von Holtz posed with the city’s new body-worn cameras.

City of Tumwater police using body-worn cameras

Tumwater Police Department officers are now using body‑worn cameras, acting Chief Carlos Quiles announced last ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/2/26 | 7 comments

An architectural rendering shows the proposed five-story Franz Anderson Permanent Supportive Housing project in Olympia. The Low-Income Housing Institute would develop and manage the 71-unit building.

Thurston Regional Housing Council backs Franz Anderson unit mix change

The Thurston Regional Housing Council (RHC) formally expressed support for a proposed change to the unit mix of a planned Franz Anderson ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/1/26 | 15 comments

The Lacey Commission on Equity deliberated over a proposed public art donation policy at a meeting in Lacey City Hall on March 23, 2026.

Lacey Commission on Equity recommends public art donation policy to city council 

A proposed policy that would establish the City of Lacey's first official guidelines for donated public art advanced through the Commission on ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 4/1/26

Olympia School District could save $3.8 million with initial budget cuts

An initial budget reduction proposal from the Olympia School District contains administration and school-related cuts, as well as cost recovery ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/1/26