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Former Olympia Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee member Brent Barnes urged the city council to work with The Evergreen State College and community partners to keep the college’s pool open. Barnes and other community members spoke during public comment at a city council meeting on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

Students, community members take up Evergreen pool issue with Olympia City Council

Community members turned up at an Olympia City Council meeting on Tuesday, March 3, to make a case for keeping The Evergreen State College pool ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/4/26 | 12 comments

City of Lacey Mayor Andy Ryder, left, stood with Lacey Library Board honorees Scott Robinson and Amy Blondin and Library Board Chair Sharla Desy after they received Distinguished Public Service awards at the Lacey City Council meeting on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

Lacey City Council honors two former library board members

The Lacey City Council recognized two former library board members with the Distinguished Public Service awards for their years of ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 3/4/26

Olympia School District board proclaims March 9-13 as Education Support Professionals Week 

The Olympia School District Board of Directors proclaimed March 9-13 as Education Support Professionals Week to honor staff with supportive ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 3/4/26

The Lacey Police Department is seeking help in identifying two males, who allegedly stole more than $2,500 in merchandise from Ulta Beauty store on Marvin Road in Lacey.

Lacey police seek help in identifying alleged theft suspects

The Lacey Police Department is seeking the public's help in identifying two males, who allegedly stole more than $2,500 in merchandise ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 3/4/26

Olympia High School assistant swim coach Henry Valz spoke at a community meeting at the high school about the pending closure of the pool at The Evergreen State College. The meeting was held on Monday, March 2, 2026.

The Evergreen State College to close pool amid budget challenges

A decision to close the pool at The Evergreen State College because of financial constraints has local swimmers, parents and teachers calling for ... more

By Yohanes Goodell | For The JOLT | 3/3/26 | 7 comments

Tumwater’s 2025 budget projected to end in the black

The City of Tumwater is projected to end its 2025 fiscal year with a budget surplus, as less spending offset revenue ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/3/26 | 2 comments

Olympia’s Land Use and Environment Committee explored the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Ordinance/Act policy, which gives renters the right to be notified and buy their rental property, as a pathway to homeownership. The committee met on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026.

Olympia committee explores options for tenant homeownership

The City of Olympia’s Land Use and Environment Committee is considering new ways to help renters become homeowners, including potentially ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/3/26 | 5 comments

The tugboat-themed playground SS Gateway rises above the gravel surface of William A. Bush Park in Lacey in a photo released on Feb. 26, 2026.

Lacey’s SS Gateway playground sails closer to spring opening

SS Gateway, the tugboat-themed playground under construction at William A. Bush Park in Lacey, is starting to look like a ship worth ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 3/3/26

Tumwater School District lists maintenance, site projects for $49.1 million capital levy

Major repairs and site improvements are in store for the Tumwater School District after the passage of the Replacement Safety, Technology, and ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 3/3/26

Washington Supreme Court rules on petition to recall Commissioner Emily Clouse

An effort to oust Thurston County Commissioner Emily Clouse from office ended after the Washington Supreme Court upheld a lower ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 3/2/26 | 9 comments

The Washington Economic Development Association presented the 2026 Innovation in Economic Development Award to Lacey MakerSpace representatives at the association's annual winter conference at the Norman Worthington Conference Center at Saint Martin's University in Lacey on Feb. 25, 2026.

Lacey MakerSpace earns state innovation honor

The Lacey MakerSpace received the 2026 Innovation in Economic Development Award from the Washington Economic Development ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 3/2/26

Rain likely over next two days in Thurston County

A string of sun-splashed days with daytime highs in the mid-50s is about to give way to weather more reminiscent of the final weeks of winter in ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 3/2/26

A sidewalk in need of repair in downtown Olympia, as seen on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025.

Help shape sidewalk repair policy in Olympia

The City of Olympia is asking people to weigh in on where crews should fix damaged sidewalks first, as it works on a long-term policy for repair ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 3/2/26 | 6 comments

Food inspection results in Thurston County – March 2, 2026

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

Compiled By Vanessa Jane Casabuena | 3/2/26 | 9 comments

Median home price drops, inventory levels swell in Thurston County

The Thurston County housing market was a bit mixed to start the year, with the median sales price for a single-family home and condominium heading in different ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 2/27/26 | 1 comment

Olympia committee to hold interview process for advisory bodies

The Olympia Community Livability and Public Safety (CLPS) Committee will hold a two-day interview process on March 4-5 to consider appointments ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 2/27/26

Lacey Police Departmet Deputy Chief Robert Hollis will serve on the Washington State Justice Assistance Grant Advisory Committee, the city announced on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026.

Lacey Police Department Deputy Chief Robert Hollis joins state advisory committee

Lacey Police Department Deputy Chief Robert Hollis has been named to a Washington state advisory committee overseeing the distribution ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 2/27/26 | 2 comments

A man was taken into custody shortly after his motorcycle got stuck in the woods while he was allegedly trying to evade law enforcement authorities on Feb. 25, 2026.

Motorcyclist gets a break, then ends up in jail for reckless driving

A man was taken into custody after a failed effort to evade law enforcement authorities ended with his motorcycle stuck in the ... The pursuit … more

By The JOLT Staff | 2/27/26 | 1 comment

The Olympia City Council approved an emergency ordinance and a resolution addressing federal immigration enforcement at a meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026.

Olympia bars ICE on city property, urges Congress to curb DHS

The Olympia City Council approved an emergency ordinance that prohibits federal agents from using city property for civil ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 2/26/26 | 14 comments

Lacey Historical Commission Vice Chair Jim Keogh, center, addressed the Lacey City Council during a joint work session on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. He was flanked by Commissioner Gary Montgomery, left, and Chair Kevin Wyckoff, right.

Lacey Historical Commission reports wins in 2025, sets sights on 2026

From a new museum space to a growing inventory of historic properties, the City of Lacey is strategically investing in its ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 2/26/26