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

Two women arrested for alleged theft of Ulta Beauty products at multiple stores

Two women were taken into custody for allegedly stealing thousands of dollars worth of Ulta Beauty products from multiple stores ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 9/30/25 | 1 comment

Man charged in burglary, identity theft case in Olympia

A 40-year-old Olympia man is facing multiple felony charges following an investigation into an attempted residential burglary and identity ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 9/30/25

The City of Lacey begins its unidirectional waterline flushing on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. The program, which runs through May 2026, aims to clear minerals from more than 400 miles of pipe.

Citywide unidirectional waterline flushing to restart in Lacey

Large volumes of water will flow through gutter lines beginning Oct. 1, as the City of Lacey resumes its unidirectional waterline flushing ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 9/30/25

Olympia School District proclaims October as 'Walk to School Month'

The Olympia School District Board of Directors proclaimed October as "Walk to School Month" at a ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 9/30/25 | 2 comments

A "closed for construction" was unveiled at an event to mark the start of work on the first phase of a project aimed at reimagining the Olympia Armory as a creative campus. The event was held on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025.

Work begins on future creative campus at Olympia Armory

A historic and aging structure perched atop a hill on the outskirts of downtown Olympia is undergoing a broad transformation aimed at turning it into ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 9/29/25 | 3 comments

City of Olympia Senior Planner Jackson Ewing talked about the current conditions at Briggs Village, the city’s only Urban Village zone, at a meeting of the Land Use and Envirornment Committee on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025.

Olympia committee backs amendment code for Urban Village zone

The City of Olympia's Land Use and Environment Committee endorsed code changes aimed at modifying development rules for Briggs Village ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/29/25 | 3 comments

Paupau Justin Tupai was charged with possession of an explosive device and second-degree arson following an incident near a gas station in Olympia on Aug. 23, 2025.

Man arrested for alleged arson near gas station in Olympia

A man is facing charges of possession of an explosive device and second-degree arson following an incident near a gas station in ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 9/29/25 | 3 comments

Among Tumwater’s final choices for the location of its community center is the site of the former Washington State Department of Transportation building on Capitol Boulevard. The property offers 9.72 acres of space and would require the construction of a nearby roundabout.

Tumwater down to 2 sites for community center location

The location of the City of Tumwater’s long-envisioned community center has been narrowed down to ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/29/25 | 3 comments

The Tumwater School District Board of Directors reviewed the 2026–28 School Resource Officer Program agreement with the City of Tumwater at a meeting on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025.

Tumwater School District officials review school resource officer contract

The Tumwater School District Board of Directors are set to adopt an agreement with the City of Tumwater for the 2026–28 School Resource Officer ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 9/29/25 | 1 comment

Nighttime work to take place near Fones Road and Pacific Avenue

Nighttime work is going to take place on Monday evening, Sept. 29, near the intersection of Fones Road SE and Pacific Avenue SE in ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 9/29/25

A bus stop near Bark Store on Martin Way in Olympia is going to be among the 147 bus stops that Intercity Transit plans to enhance by extending concrete on bus stops and constructing bulb-outs.

Intercity Transit to improve more than 100 bus stops for better boarding experience

Intercity Transit is going to enhance 147 bus stops across Thurston County after its board of directors awarded a $2.48 million contract to a construction ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/26/25 | 5 comments

A 9mm handgun was allegedly stolen from Private Sector Arms in Olympia by a man who ran out of the store. He was later arrested near North Thurston High School.

Convicted felon arrested after alleged gun theft at firearms store in Olympia

A convicted felon was arrested shortly after a 9mm handgun was stolen from a firearms store and later recovered near North Thurston ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 9/26/25 | 5 comments

Tumwater Planning Commission endorses food system plan

The Tumwater Planning Commission recommended the Tumwater City Council adopt a proposed food system ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/26/25

The City of Olympia is set to launch a recruitment process for advisory boards, commissions and committees in October.

City of Olympia to begin recruitment for advisory boards in October

The City of Olympia is launching an annual recruitment for vacant positions on city advisory boards, commissions and ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/26/25 | 1 comment

Man faces multiple charges after bicycle chase

A 43-year-old man was arrested after attempting to flee law enforcement personnel during a traffic stop on Center Street ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 9/26/25 | 2 comments

This crime snapshot details homicide, robbery, rape, felony assault and other incidents.

Olympia Police Department updates committee on crime trends, staffing challenges and tech

The Olympia Police Department (OPD) gave the Community Livability and Public Safety Committee a report on crime trends, reporting on incident data ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/25/25 | 5 comments

Inmate faces drug charge after overdose incident at Thurston County Corrections Facility

A 33-year-old inmate is facing a felony charge after deputies found narcotics inside the Thurston County Corrections Facility earlier ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 9/25/25 | 4 comments

Olympia City Council candidate forum set for Oct. 8

The League of Women Voters of Thurston County is hosting a candidate forum at Olympia Timberland Library on Wednesday ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 9/25/25

City of Lacey officials examined key findings from the city’s first community survey at a council work session on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025.

Community survey stirs up questions in Lacey

The City of Lacey’s first attempt to measure the public’s pulse through a citywide survey supplied officials with benchmarks to gauge livability ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 9/25/25 | 5 comments

Ron Thomas, owner of Thomas Architecture Studios, presented initial layout plans for the Port of Olympia’s new administration building. The first floor would house a large commission room, which would have the capacity for 108 people.

Port of Olympia may have new administration building in 2027

The Port of Olympia may have a new administration building by early 2027, according to an update from Thomas Architecture Studios ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/24/25 | 21 comments