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

City of Tumwater expands vision for Public Works Facility building

Plans to fully integrate additional departments at the City of Tumwater’s proposed Public Works Facility building are being ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/9/25 | 1 comment

Paul Hoa Tran, 29, was arrested for organized retail theft and second-degree theft at Home Depot in Lacey.

Man arrested for alleged theft at Home Depot store

A 29-year-old man was arrested in connection with an alleged theft at Home Depot ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 10/9/25 | 3 comments

Consultant sought for vacancy study in downtown Olympia

The City of Olympia is seeking a consultant to conduct an analysis of commercial vacancies in ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/9/25 | 12 comments

Henderson 94 is a multy-family residential project proposed for undeveloped 9.22-acre property on Henderson Boulevard. It would include 10 units of townhomes in three buildings and 84 units of apartments in six buildings.

Site plan, plat approved for multifamily residential project on Henderson Boulevard in Tumwater

A multifamily residential project on Henderson Boulevard in Tumwater is moving forward after the developer was granted a preliminary plat and ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/9/25 | 2 comments

The Olympia City Council had a lengthy debate on whether to support or oppose Proposition 1, an initiative that would amend the Olympia Municipal Code to establish new labor standards, including rules on work scheduling, minimum wages and workplace safety for employees on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025.

Olympia City Council opposes Proposition 1, citing cost and complexity

With a 4-3 vote, the Olympia City Council took an official stance against Proposition 1, a citizen initiative that would amend the Olympia Municipal Code ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/8/25 | 14 comments

City Clerk Elissa Fontaine briefed the Lacey City Council before the vote adopting Ordinance 1684 and Resolution 1174 at a meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025.

Lacey City Council adopts Monday rule for meetings that fall on election day and holidays

The Lacey City Council adopted a new timetable that moves any regular meeting of the group that lands on an election day or a holiday to ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 10/8/25 | 1 comment

Man arrested for allegedly taking electric cart from Fred Meyer in Lacey

A 44-year-old man was arrested for allegedly taking an electric shopping cart from a Fred Meyer store in ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 10/8/25 | 1 comment

Chuck Kennedy, owner of Olympic Crest Coffee Roasters, keeps a close eye on the roasting of beans for gourmet coffee on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025.

Something wonderful happens with coffee

For Chuck Kennedy coffee is not just a drink — it is something wonderful that happens; it is part of the Pacific Northwest coffee ... more

By JM Simpson | 10/8/25 | 1 comment

Olympia Fire Department to host open house during Fire Prevention Week

The Olympia Fire Department is observing Fire Prevention Week from Oct. 9 to Oct. 15 with an emphasis on the importance of household fire ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 10/8/25

Route 9X is going to be a frequent express route between Capital Mall in West Olympia and Hawks Prairier Park in East Lacey. Intercity Transit plans to launch the route in May 2026, replacing The One and Routes 62A and 62B.

Intercity Transit to discuss major service changes with local agencies

Intercity Transit officials are going to meet with local government agencies through November to discuss major service changes scheduled to take effect in ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/7/25 | 4 comments

Bids sought for rehabilitation of affordable housing property on Prospect Avenue in Olympia

The City of Olympia issued a Request for Bids to qualified contractors to carry out rehabilitation work at a 12-unit multifamily property located ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/7/25 | 1 comment

Median home price eases to $520,250 in Thurston County

Sales of single-family homes dipped in mid-summer, as demand for houses waned amid a steep rise in active listings in Thurston ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 10/7/25 | 1 comment

The Lacey Veterans Services Hub launched a digital appointment system on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, granting veterans, active-duty personnel and military families online access to arrange consultations within a 24-hour to 30-day scheduling window.

Online booking now active for Lacey Veterans Services Hub

The City of Lacey expanded its veterans support access on Monday, Oct. 6, when the Lacey Veterans Services Hub (LVSH) launched a digital appointment ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 10/7/25 | 1 comment

November General Election voters' pamphlets being mailed out in Thurston County

The Washington Secretary of State's Office is mailing out voters' pamphlets for the Nov. 4 General ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 10/7/25 | 2 comments

A county flag was set on fire by an intruder at the Legislative Building on the Washington State Capitol Campus in Olympia on Sunday night, Oct. 5, 2025.

Initial assessment details damage at Legislative Building

An initial assessment of damage caused by an intruder at the Legislative Building on Sunday evening, Oct. 5, detailed a number of acts of ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 10/7/25 | 3 comments

Celebrate local Indigenous culture, history, and communities at Squaxin Park on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, as the City of Olympia partners with the Squaxin Island Tribe for an Indigenous Peoples Day celebration.

Indigenous Peoples Day event at Squaxin Park set for Oct. 13

The City of Olympia and the Squaxin Island Tribe are going to hold an Indigenous Peoples Day celebration on Monday ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 10/7/25 | 4 comments

A U.S. Army Bell TH-67 training helicopter, similar to the surplus model acquired by the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office through the federal Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office (DRMO) program, is shown in its original orange-and-white livery.

Thurston County to revisit sheriff’s search and rescue aviation plan

Thurston County’s aviation plan reemerged in board deliberations last week after the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners tapped ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 10/6/25 | 6 comments

Tumwater City Council to consider $2.5M contract for Deschutes Valley Trail project

The Deschutes Valley Trail is about to clear another hurdle on its path toward ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/6/25 | 4 comments

Tumwater hearing examiner approves requests for 24-unit townhome project

A proposed 24-unit residential development on Tumwater Boulevard is one step closer to being ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/6/25 | 3 comments

Saint Martin's University campus in Lacey, as seen in this undated photo.

Saint Martin’s University honored as one of the best colleges in the west

Saint Martin’s University in Lacey was recognized as one of the best educational institutions in the west, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 10/6/25