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

WDFW urges shellfish harvesters to follow rules as season gets underway

Low daytime tides have returned and that means opportunities for recreational clam, mussel and oyster gathering on open ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 3/25/26 | 2 comments

At a Tumwater Public Works Committee meeting on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, Tumwater Engineering and Transportation Department Engineer Ryan Blaser gave a presentation about two roundabouts planned at Interstate 5 and Tumwater Boulevard.

WSDOT to help Tumwater with two roundabout projects

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is going to support Tumwater in the planning and construction of two roundabouts ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/24/26 | 4 comments

Olympia committee to discuss manufactured home preservation measures

The Olympia Land Use & Environment Committee is set to consider potential policies to preserve manufactured home communities, as concerns ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/24/26 | 3 comments

Lacey Historical Commission members discussed a proposed public map of the city's historic sites at a meeting on Wednesday, March 18, 2026.

Lacey Historical Commission takes up mapping project

Committed to making the City of Lacey's history more accessible, the Lacey Historical Commission is exploring the possibility of mapping historic ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 3/24/26 | 1 comment

A rendering of Intercity Transit’s base on Pattison Street in Olympia.

ITA approves contract for parking and storage facility at Pattison Street base

The Intercity Transit Authority approved a contract for the development of a new parking and storage facility at the agency's Pattison ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/23/26 | 2 comments

The Lacey City Council adopted Ordinance 1699, which repeals the city's ban on social card game establishments, during its regular meeting on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.

Lacey City Council adopts ordinance repealing social card game ban

Social card game establishments are now permitted in the City of Lacey after the city council unanimously voted to repeal ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 3/23/26 | 1 comment

Wet, windy days ahead in Thurston County

The next couple of days should be wet and windy in Thurston County, with about an inch of rain possible before the latest storm system ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 3/23/26

Olympia High School assistant swim coach Henry Valz spoke during public comment at a virtual city council meeting on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.

Campaign to save Evergreen pool backed by more than 3,800 people

A grassroots campaign to save The Evergreen State College pool from closing has gathered more than 3,800 signatures on a petition that ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/23/26 | 4 comments

Food inspection results in Thurston County – March 23, 2026

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

By Vanessa Casabuena | 3/23/26 | 2 comments

Food inspection results in Thurston County – March 23, 2026

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

By Vanessa Casabuena | 3/23/26

Regular unleaded gasoline was priced at $5.499 per gallon at Chevron, 1018 Plum St. SE in Olympia on Friday afternoon, March 20, 2026.

Average price of regular unleaded gas surges past $5 in Olympia market

The average price of regular unleaded gasoline leaped more than 47 cents per gallon in the Olympia market last week, as an escalating conflict in ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 3/20/26 | 7 comments

An expansion of the North End Fire station, located at Linwood Avenue in Tumwater, would add more than 3,200 square feet of space to the building, with the total cost for construction estimated at around $5.1 million.

Design work moves forward on expansion of North End Fire Station in Tumwater

The expansion of the North End Fire Station in Tumwater is entering its next ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/20/26

An alternate driving route around the Fones Road Corridor Project in Olympia.

Traffic shift to take place for Fones Road Corridor Project

The traffic pattern for the Fones Road Corridor Project in Olympia is going to change next week in order to give work crews the space necessary ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 3/20/26 | 2 comments

Youth exhibitors led their cattle at the Thurston County Fairgrounds, where the county will hold its first youth livestock exposition on April 25-26, 2026.

Thurston County to hold first youth livestock exposition in April

Aiming to cultivate the next generation of agricultural leaders, Thurston County will hold its inaugural youth livestock exposition next ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 3/20/26 | 1 comment

The Linwood Avenue sidewalk project, which was completed on June 10, 2025, has improved pedestrian connections between Michael T. Simmons Elementary School and surrounding neighborhoods.

Linwood Avenue sidewalk improvement project gets seal of approval in Tumwater

The City of Tumwater closed out the Linwood Avenue sidewalk improvement project, which features improved pedestrian connections between ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/19/26

A vicinity map included in City of Lacey bid documents marks the Jubilee SW Pond Rehabilitation Project site near 41st Avenue NE and Marvin Road.

Bids sought for Jubilee Southwest stormwater pond rehabilitation in Lacey

The City of Lacey is inviting contractors to bid on the rehabilitation of three stormwater ponds in the Jubilee Southwest ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 3/19/26

A map of Tumwater shows the approximate areas of two parcels that the Tumwater City Council agreed to annex during a meeting on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.

City of Tumwater annexes 11.8 acres of land

The Tumwater City Council adopted an ordinance annexing 11.8 acres of land within the city's urban growth area at a meeting on ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/19/26 | 1 comment

"Reanimated" by Matthew Wang of Olympia High School.

Olympia High School student’s artwork wins top prize at regional art show

Students from schools in Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater were some of the winners of the 2026 Regional High School Art Show, with Matthew Wang of ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 3/19/26 | 3 comments

Essays bring the signers to life for America 250

If you could go back in time and meet one of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence for lunch, who would you ... more

By Shirley Stirling | 3/19/26 | 2 comments

Thurston County Community Planning and Economic Development Director Ashley Arai spoke to county commissioners about the Home Energy Score ordinance at a meeting on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.

County commissioners approve Home Energy Score ordinance

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners passed an ordinance requiring home sellers to conduct Home Energy Score ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/18/26 | 22 comments