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

Two people arrested following alleged theft at grocery store in Lacey

Two individuals were arrested after an alleged theft at WinCo Foods on Martin Way East in Lacey. According to a Thurston County Sheriff’s Office report ... more

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

Public hearing set for 2025 Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan update for Thurston County

A public hearing is going to be held by the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners to receive and consider public testimony on the 2025 Flood ... more

By The JOLT News staff | 9/9/25

The  Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington’s Murder Mystery BIG Auction is a fundraising gala being held on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.

Local fundraising gala to support youth mentorship program expansion

The glitz and glamour of the Jazz Age awaits attendees of the Murder Mystery BIG Auction fundraising gala on Saturday ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 9/9/25

A vicinity map released by the City of Lacey shows six designated sites for the 2025 Sidewalk Repair Project.

Sidewalk Repair Project prioritizes hazards under worst-first strategy in Lacey

The City of Lacey has authorized its largest sidewalk rehabilitation effort to date, scheduling 160 working days of repairs beginning in October under ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 9/8/25 | 3 comments

Olympia City Council to appoint 11 new Youth Council members

The Olympia City Council is set to approve the appointment of 11 new members to the Olympia Youth Council on Tuesday ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/8/25

Tumwater City Administrator Lisa Parks (top left) briefed the city council about an ordinance to establish a communications department at a meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025.

City of Tumwater establishes communications department

The Tumwater City Council adopted an ordinance establishing a communications department at a meeting on Tuesday ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/8/25 | 2 comments

Thurston Regional Planning Council Senior Planner Veronica Jarvis outlined the 2026 legislative priorities at a council meeting on Friday, Sept. 5, 2026.

Thurston Regional Planning Council prioritizes funding preservation

The Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) has outlined draft 2026 legislative priorities, focusing on protecting its existing funding rather than ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/8/25 | 2 comments

One of two suspects in an assault case refused to be arrested and hid in the attic of a residence. Through the use of a thermal drone, the suspect was arrested on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025.

Two men arrested following investigation into alleged assault

Two men were arrested after law enforcement personnel responded to a report of an alleged assault involving a weapon at a property on ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 9/8/25 | 1 comment

A heavy lift helicopter scooped up water from Lake Cushman to drop on the Bear Gulch Fire, which has burned more than 9,000 acres since July 6, 2025.

Bear Gulch Fire arrests fuel Thurston County proposal on responder protection

About a week after two contracted wildfire firefighters were taken into custody by federal Border Patrol agents at the Bear Gulch Fire, Thurston County ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 9/5/25 | 16 comments

Olympia City Council to consider $1M grant application for 3900 Boulevard housing project

The Olympia City Council is set to consider whether to apply for a $1 million state grant to support infrastructure costs for South Puget Sound Habitat ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/5/25 | 7 comments

50-year-old man arrested for alleged vehicle theft in Rochester

A 50-year-old man was taken into custody after the alleged theft of a company vehicle from a business lot in ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 9/5/25 | 3 comments

The new “I Voted” sticker, which was designed by Thurston County resident Alexis Trono, features the Washington Capitol dome and rhododendrons. The sticker will debut in November 2025 ballot packets and remain in use through the 2027 primary election.

New ‘I Voted’ sticker debuts in Thurston County

A new "I Voted" sticker was revealed in Thurston County, as part of a campaign to strengthen voter registration ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 9/5/25 | 7 comments

A young visitor learned about salmon through an interactive puzzle at the WET Science Center in Olympia.

WET Science Center hosts programs on seafaring, salmon and tardigrades

The WET Science Center in Olympia is offering a lineup of programs this month on topics ranging from seafaring and salmon to the microscopic world of ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/5/25

Historic Preservation Officer Brittany Gillia shared a photo of the former Carnegie Library, a 1914 structure listed on local, state and national historic registries. On Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025, the Olympia Site Plan Review Committee reviewed a proposal to adapt the building into the Carnegie Whisky Library.

Olympia committee notes minor requirements for Carnegie Library redevelopment

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee reaffirmed its 2023 assessment of the proposed reuse of the former Carnegie Library during ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/4/25 | 6 comments

Individual arrested after alleged assault on pregnant woman

A 39-year-old woman was arrested for the alleged assault of a pregnant woman. An Olympia Police Department report states that ... more

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

Communications Manager Jason Wettstein briefed the Tumwater City Council about an ordinance designating the city as a Purple Heart City at a meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025.

Ordinance establishes Tumwater as Purple Heart City

The Tumwater City Council adopted an ordinance designating the city as a Purple Heart City at a meeting on Tuesday ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/4/25 | 1 comment

The FIFA Seattle Organizing Committee has designated nine fan zones in Washington where people may watch and celebrate World Cup soccer matches. One of the nine fan zones is the “Olympia/Lacey/Thurston County fan zone,” which is being coordinated by the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce.

Tumwater City Council hears about revised funding proposal for FIFA fan zone

A revised funding plan for the FIFA fan zone would lower the financial contributions required from participating ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/4/25 | 7 comments

New electric vehicle charging stations have been installed at the Lacey Fire District 3 facility. The project, funded through a Washington State Department of Commerce grant under the Climate Commitment Act, includes two chargers at Stations 31, 33, 34 and 35.

Lacey Fire District 3 invests in modernization

Lacey Fire District 3 is modernizing its fleet and facilities, as its Carpenter Road headquarters marks 20 years ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 9/4/25 | 2 comments

The William A. Bush Park playground, located at 4400 Chadonnay Drive SE in Lacey, is slated for some work with new equipment and accessible surfacing. Public voting on proposed designs begins on Sept. 22, 2025.

William A. Bush Park playground redesign to be determined by residents in Lacey

The playground at William A. Bush Park in Lacey is in line for a makeover. In an announcement released on Thursday ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 9/3/25 | 1 comment

Draft transportation program up for review by Thurston Regional Planning Council

The Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) is going to review a draft, four-year transportation improvement program at its meeting on Friday ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/3/25