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

A reader board as seen from the observation corridor at the Ballot Processing Center in Tumwater on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025.

Toompas moves back into lead in Port of Olympia Commission, District No. 2 race

Challenger Jerry Toompas came from behind to move ahead of incumbent Bob Iyall for the Port of Commission, District No. 2 seat in the Nov. 4 ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 11/12/25 | 6 comments

Olympia City Council addresses community safety following federal immigration action

The Olympia City Council addressed community concerns about federal immigration enforcement action, in which a community member was ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/12/25 | 20 comments

Median home price up, sales rise in Thurston County

The summer home buying season ended on a strong note, as sales and the median price of a single-family residence climbed amid a stout increase ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 11/12/25 | 6 comments

Olympia City Council member Kelly Green has proposed studying the potential use of speed safety cameras. She brought up the issue at a city council meeting on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025.

Olympia City Council to explore use of speed safety cameras

In a move to address rising pedestrian safety concerns, Olympia City Council member Kelly Green has proposed a study of the potential use of ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/12/25 | 9 comments

Grant Gilmore, upper right, a water resources specialist for the City of Tumwater, discussed additional work needed for  stabilization of Deschutes River as it passes by Pioneer Park. He made his remarks at a meeting of the Tumwater Public Works Committee on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025.

Tumwater committee endorses additional work for riverbank stabilization at Pioneer Park

The Tumwater Public Works Committee endorsed additional work for a project dealing with the stabilization of Deschutes River as it ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 11/12/25

EDF Renewables brownfield portfolio, which was presented to the Thurston County Solid Waste Advisory Committee on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, illustrates prior landfill solar projects employing nonpenetrating ballast supports and stormwater control measures similar to those planned in Thurston County.

Landfill solar venture reaches final lease review in Thurston County

The conversion of Thurston County’s closed Waste and Recovery Center landfill into a grid-scale solar facility has progressed to its final legal ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 11/11/25 | 12 comments

Olympia’s Site Plan Review Committee reviewed a proposal for 24 housing units at the southeast corner of Miller Avenue and Puget Street, using the city’s still-pending middle housing code amendments as a guide.

Planners review proposed residential project at Miller Avenue and Puget Street in Olympia

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee tackled a residential development proposal that could showcase the city’s new middle housing code ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/11/25 | 10 comments

New Lacey Historical Commission members Gary Montgomery, left, and David Shipley, right, appeared before the Lacey City Council at a meeting on Nov. 3, 2025.

Lacey Historical Commission gets two new members

The Lacey Historical Commission rounded out its roster with the appointment of two ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 11/11/25

A security camera kept a watchful eye at the Ballot Processing Center in Tumwater on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025.

Iyall clings to lead in tight battle for Port of Olympia Commission, District No. 2 seat

Port of Olympia Commissioner Bob Iyall held a razor thin lead over challenger Jerry Toompas following the latest ballot count update in the Nov. 4 ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 11/10/25 | 2 comments

The Thurston Regional Planning Council members selected Elissa Gertler as its first choice for the executive director position.

Thurston Regional Planning Council backs Elissa Gertler for executive director role

The Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) is set to welcome a new executive director after an extensive selection process that evaluated ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/10/25 | 2 comments

Tumwater City Council authorizes interlocal agreement to streamline Thurston Climate Mitigation Collaborative

The Tumwater City Council authorized Mayor Debbie Sullivan on Monday, Nov. 3, to sign an interlocal agreement that would streamline the work of ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 11/10/25 | 4 comments

A site plan shows the proposed New Horizon Communities Carpenter Village project at 720 Carpenter Road SE.

Thurston County hits pause on New Horizon Communities affordable housing proposal

Thurston County has deferred a proposal from New Horizon Communities (NHC) to lease county-owned land on Carpenter Road SE for a 72-unit ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 11/10/25 | 11 comments

Saint Martin’s University’s 20th anniversary gala featured celebrity chef Rick Bayless on Nov. 1, 2025.

Saint Martin’s University gala raises $2 million for student scholarships

Saint Martin’s University in Lacey celebrated its 20th anniversary with its signature black tie gala ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 11/10/25

Volunteers from the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Sergeants Major Association and the Lacey Veterans Services Hub cleaned the Gold Star Family Memorial Monument at the Civic Plaza in preparation for Veterans Day ceremonies. The monument is located at 521 Sleater Kinney Road SE in Lacey.

Sprucing up Gold Star Family Memorial Monument ahead of Veterans Day in Lacey

Ahead of Veterans Day, the City of Lacey’s Gold Star Family Memorial Monument received restoration and cleaning by volunteers from the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Sergeants Major Association … more

By Kameko Marquez | 11/7/25 | 2 comments

Olympia City Council to vote on 0.1% public safety tax

The Olympia City Council is set to vote on a new public safety sales tax that would increase the city’s total sales tax rate to 9.9% and generate an estimated ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/7/25 | 12 comments

Thurston County Sheriff's Office K-9 Igo at an undisclosed location on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025.

Man taken into custody after being holed up in trailer

A man was arrested after he was found holed up in a trailer, and then tried to get away from Thurston County Sheriff's Office personnel despite getting ... more

By The JOLT News Staff | 11/7/25 | 6 comments

Port Commissioner District No. 2 contest too close to call

A battle for a Port of Olympia Commission seat is going down to the wire in the Nov. 4 General Election in ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 11/7/25 | 2 comments

United Way of Thurston County is calling for community contributions to help food banks serve more families amid a reduction in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits during the ongoing federal government shutdown.

United Way of Thurston County to send aid to food banks as SNAP support drops

United Way of Thurston County has activated its Emergency Assistance Fund to support local food banks and Supplemental Nutrition ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 11/6/25 | 2 comments

Thurston Regional Planning Council announces 3 finalists for executive director position

After conducting a nationwide search and a series of interviews in October, the Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) selected three finalists ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/6/25 | 1 comment

City of Tumwater Administrator Lisa Parks discussed a funding request with the city council that calls for all opioid settlements funds to toward the support of Thurston County’s Opioid Abatement Council. She made her remarks at a city council meeting on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025.

Tumwater City Council agrees to pool opioid settlement funds with partner jurisdictions

The Tumwater City Council agreed to pool the city’s opioid settlement funds with neighboring jurisdictions to support Thurston County’s Opioid ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 11/6/25 | 1 comment