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

YouTube sensation Blippi is featured in a presentation slide of the Hands On Children's Museum shown to the Capital Area Regional Public Facilities District on Friday Nov. 21, 2025.

Blippi phenomenon stays hot at Hands On Children’s Museum

The Hands On Children's Museum thrives as a tourism asset in the Pacific Northwest thanks to YouTube personality Blippi and his connection with ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 11/25/25 | 1 comment

Regional Housing Council backs draft request for more ERP funding

Five counties are preparing a draft request urging Gov. Bob Ferguson to increase funding for the Encampment Resolution Program (ERP) ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/25/25 | 4 comments

Former Lacey Mayor Mark Brown appointed to SPSCC Board of Trustees

South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) announced that former Lacey Mayor Mark O. Brown has been appointed to its Board of ... more

By The JOLT News Staff | 11/25/25

Tumwater Transportation and Engineering Director Brandon Hicks presented a map of properties that would be affected by the construction of a roundabout at Capitol Boulevard and X Street. Red shaded areas indicate lands that would have to be fully acquired, while orange shaded areas represent easement acquisitions necessary for utility connections. Hicks made his presentation at a meeting of the Tumwater Public Works Committee on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025.

Capitol Boulevard and X Street roundabout project moving forward in Tumwater

The City of Tumwater is considering the use of eminent domain for properties that would be affected by the construction of a roundabout ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 11/25/25 | 14 comments

City of Olympia holiday closures

The customer service counter at Olympia City Hall is going to close at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 26, ahead of the Thanksgiving ... more

By The JOLT News Staff | 11/25/25

Three convicted felons arrested after traffic stop in Thurston County

A routine vehicle stop for a turn signal violation led to the arrest of three convicted felons, as well as the seizure of a firearm and ... more

By The JOLT News Staff | 11/25/25

City of Olympia Community Planning and Economic Development Director Susan McLaughlin presented an ordinance that calls for extending a public health emergency on houselessness. She made the call at a meeting of the Olympia City Council on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025.

Olympia City Council extends public health emergency ordinance on houselessness

The Olympia City Council unanimously approved an ordinance extending the city’s public health emergency on ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/24/25 | 16 comments

Suspects in deadly drive-by shooting in Lacey to be arraigned on Nov. 25

Arraignment hearings are set for two suspects in a deadly drive-by shooting in Lacey earlier this ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 11/24/25 | 2 comments

Application period open for lodging tax funds

The Thurston County Lodging Tax Advisory Committee is accepting applications for qualified projects occurring ... more

By The JOLT News Staff | 11/24/25

At a city council meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, Kevin Pestinger, a software executive, called the Flock surveillance system “scary — 1984 George Orwell(ian).”

Residents call for removal of Flock Safety cameras in Olympia

Local residents urged the Olympia City Council to shut down the city’s 15 Flock Safety automated license plate reader cameras, warning the technology ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/21/25 | 23 comments

Planning Commission endorses comprehensive plan for Tumwater

An updated comprehensive plan received the go-ahead from the Tumwater Planning Commission after a public hearing on ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 11/21/25 | 4 comments

Tumwater Police Department Deputy Chief Carlos Quiles Jr., upper left, gave  an update about the department's body camera program at a meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025.

Tumwater Police Department selects vendor for body cameras

The Tumwater Police Department selected Axon, a public safety technology company, to supply it with body ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 11/21/25

Toompas adds to winning total for Port of Olympia Commission, District No. 2 seat

The latest ballot count update in the Nov. 4 General Election showed challenger Jerry Toompas adding to his winning margin in the contest for ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 11/21/25 | 2 comments

The City of Lacey’s newly acquired parcel at 5012 21st Ave. SE, marked in red, is the planned location of a Grays production well.

City of Lacey eyes new production well to meet water rights target

The City of Lacey is gearing up for a new production well project in order to meet a state-mandated water rights development ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 11/20/25 | 4 comments

The Olympia City Council allocated $30,000 to help support families in crisis at a meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025.

Olympia City Council approves $30,000 donation to Thurston County Food Bank

The Olympia City Council approved a $30,000 emergency donation to the Thurston County Food Bank at ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/20/25 | 3 comments

Two suspects arrested in connection with deadly drive-by shooting of teen brothers in Lacey

A pair of suspects have been arrested in connection with a drive-by shooting that killed two teenage boys in ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 11/20/25 | 3 comments

Chris Calloway, head butcher at Gibson’s Custom Meats, stands with the price board which shows the $16.99 “Community Essential Pack.” The pack comes with chicken, beef and pork sausage. Customers can pay for a pack in the pay it forward program to help other community members in need.

Gibson's Custom Meats helping families in need

A local butcher shop is working with community members to provide essential quality meat to families in need ahead of ... more

By Jessie Darland | 11/20/25 | 1 comment

Joyce Phillips, Long-range Planning Manager with Olympia’s Community Planning and Economic Development, presented proposed middle housing code amendments to the city council at a meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025.

Olympia City Council approves middle housing code updates

The Olympia City Council approved an ordinance updating the city’s housing code to expand middle housing, accessory dwelling units and ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/19/25 | 7 comments

Tumwater Deputy Fire Department Chief Shawn Crimmins briefed the Tumwater City Council on a grant with the Association of Washington Cities that would allow the city to expand its FDCARES program.  He made his remarks at a meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025.

City of Tumwater beefs up FDCARES Program

The City of Tumwater strengthening its FDCARES Program thanks to a grant from the Association of Washington ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 11/19/25

Man gets more than 14 years in prison for murder at The Jungle

A man was sentenced to more than 14 years in prison for setting another person on fire with what was described as “homemade napalm” at The Jungle ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 11/19/25 | 4 comments