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

High-speed chase hits speeds of 125 mph

An attempted traffic stop by a Thurston County Sheriff's Office deputy turned into a high-speed chase that was eventually ... … more

By The JOLT News Staff | 1/20/26 | 2 comments

Thurston Regional Planning Council Planning Manager Allison Osterberg briefed the Transportation Policy Board on federal transportation reauthorization, including potential gas adjustments, at a meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026.

Transportation Policy Board gets update on federal reauthorization process

With federal transportation funding set for renegotiation in September, members of the Transportation Policy Board are prioritizing safety ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 1/19/26

Seen facing north, the Davis Meeker Garry oak tree overhangs Old Highway 99 and is adjacent to the northernmost Olympia Regional Airport airplane hangar. The tree, estimated to be about 400 years old, is listed on Tumwater’s historic register.

Tumwater seeks policy changes to clarify Historic Preservation Commission’s role in protecting trees

The City of Tumwater is seeking policy changes to clarify the role the Historic Preservation Commission plays in protecting trees listed on a historic ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 1/19/26 | 2 comments

Subfreezing overnight lows ahead in Thurston County

Sub-freezing overnight lows coupled with dense fog should make for some bone-chilling conditions this week in Thurston ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 1/19/26

A map shows the site of the 2nd Avenue Pedestrian & Bicycle Improvements Project in Tumwater.

$4.2 million 2nd Avenue road project to start in Tumwater

A $4.2 million road improvement project is about to get underway in the City of ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 1/19/26 | 6 comments

A naloxone awareness billboard stood above the Steamboat Trading Post in Thurston County. The Friends for Life campaign ran at multiple highway locations in 2025.

Opioid Response Plan endorsed by Thurston County Board of Health

The Thurston County Board of Health unanimously passed an opioid response plan covering ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 1/19/26 | 1 comment

Local advocate Stephanie Cholmondeley called for action on voting, education, and economic equity, citing issues Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. fought for during his lifetime. She spoke at the Olympia City Council meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026.

Olympia City Council proclaims Jan. 19 as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, advocates call for accountability

The Olympia City Council designated Jan. 19 as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a proclamation accompanied by urgent ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 1/16/26 | 21 comments

Consultant sought to resume work on urban forestry code updates in Tumwater

The City of Tumwater is seeking a consultant to help update multiple sections of its municipal code that deals with urban ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 1/16/26 | 1 comment

A side of the Lacey Museum features a colorful "Greetings from Lacey Washington" window display.

Lacey Museum debuts in revamped space

The newly opened Lacey Museum welcomed the public to its revamped space, featuring exhibits on local history and guided tours on Thursday ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 1/16/26

The State of the Community 2026, which was hosted by the Thurston County Chamber and sponsored by Puget Sound Energy, took place before more than 250 attendees at Saint Martin’s University in Lacey on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026.

Elected officials weigh in at State of the Community event in Lacey

An annual gathering of elected officials served as a platform to showcase the successes local governments achieved last year, but it also ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 1/16/26 | 1 comment

At an Olympia City Council meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, Joint Animal Services Executive Director Sarah Hawk discussed the challenges of the city’s current pet limits.

Olympia City Council approves urban agriculture code updates, opens opportunity for community farming

The Olympia City Council adopted urban agriculture code updates that allow farming in most residential and commercial zones, as well as ease ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 1/15/26 | 1 comment

Thurston County Food Bank Executive Director John Ficker, center, holds the Poverty Awareness Month proclamation alongside Thurston County Board of Health members at a meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026.

Thurston County Board of Health proclaims January as Poverty Awareness Month

Food bank visits in Thurston County surged 30% between September and November 2025, with up to 25% of visitors seeking assistance for the first ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 1/15/26 | 3 comments

Sheriff's office seeking information on homicide case in 2007

The Thurston County Sheriff's Office is turning to the public for information on the murder of Karen Bodine in January ... more

By The JOLT News Staff | 1/15/26

Local and state officials gathered at Olympia City Hall, Council Chambers for a meeting to discuss the 2026 Legislative Agenda for the City of Olympia on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026.

Olympia City Council moves forward with 2026 Legislative Agenda

The Olympia City Council approved a 2026 Legislative Agenda that lists a number of priorities for the year with an emphasis on housing and ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 1/15/26 | 2 comments

The 2026 Olympia Funk Festival will take place at four venues — Capitol Theater, Olympia Ballroom, Olympia Center and Ilk Lodge on Jan. 30 through Feb. 1, 2026.

Olympia’s annual Funk Festival returns on Jan. 30

The nearly sold out Olympia Funk Festival is returning to downtown on Jan. 30 through Feb. 1, bringing with it a weekend of live music, food and ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 1/15/26 | 2 comments

Intercity Transit and the City of Lacey are partnering for a demonstration project to test AI-enabled traffic sensors in Lacey Transit Center and Martin Way. The sensors would track movement along the corridor to generate data for improving safety and operations.

Intercity Transit, Lacey partner on monitoring project to improve safety, operations on Martin Way

Intercity Transit is partnering with the City of Lacey to install and operate artificial intelligence-enabled sensors at 10 intersections near the Lacey ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 1/14/26 | 3 comments

Brandon Weedon was selected by the Tumwater City Council to fill in a council seat vacated by new Mayor Leatta Dahlhoff.

Tumwater City Council selects local business owner Brandon Weedon to fill vacant seat

The Tumwater City Council selected local business owner and youth sports coach Brandon Weedon to fill the council seat vacated by new Mayor ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 1/14/26

Lacey City Council and representatives from New Life Baptist Church posed at Lacey City Hall after the Martin Luther King Jr. Day proclamation signing at a meeting on Jan. 6, 2026.

Lacey City Council issues proclamation for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

The Lacey City Council proclaimed Monday, Jan. 19, as Martin Luther King Jr. Day in honor of the slain Black civil rights leader who championed ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 1/14/26 | 4 comments

Attempt to steal an ATM fails when rope breaks in Lacey, suspects at large

Three suspects are being sought in connection with a failed attempt to steal an ATM at Wells Fargo on Marvin Road NE in ... more

By The JOLT News Staff | 1/14/26

Large woody debris and log jams placed along an 18-mile stretch slow storm flows to create shelter for juvenile salmon in upper Deschutes River.

Thurston County seeks $10 million to accelerate salmon habitat restoration

Thurston County’s salmon recovery work is moving forward on multiple tracks despite uncertainty about ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 1/13/26 | 4 comments