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

Median price for a residence in Thurston County inches higher in July

The first full month of the summer home buying season was a mixed bag in Thurston County, as the median price for a residence inched higher while ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 8/29/25

The Thurston Economic Development Council began a campaign to recruit new investors ahead of its fall planning cycle, according to a statement released by the council on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025.

Thurston County investors drive $71M economic growth strategy

The Thurston Economic Development Council (EDC) credited its investor network for generating $71.1 million in fiscal impact over the past year ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 8/28/25 | 1 comment

South Puget Sound Community College's sea creature mascot Percy the Kraken.

SPSCC named best community college by lifestyle magazine

South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) has been recognized as the best community college in ShowCase Magazine’s Best of 2025 series ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/28/25 | 3 comments

The Lacey Police Department is looking for information on the whereabouts of 16-year old Ethen R. Smith.

Lacey Police Department requests public’s help in locating a missing teen

The Lacey Police Department is asking the public for help in locating a missing 16-year-old. The teen, identified as Ethen R. Smith, who also goes by ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 8/28/25 | 1 comment

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners adopted revisions to speed limits on eight rural roads after a public hearing on Aug. 19, 2025. The ordinance lowered speeds to 25–40 miles per hour and aligned the schedule with posted field signs.

Thurston County enacts lower speed limits on 8 high-concern roads

Speed limits on eight Thurston County roads were adjusted through a new ordinance that revised the official traffic ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 8/28/25 | 2 comments

Woman arrested after alleged assaults at Walmart in Lacey

A 32-year-old woman was arrested after an incident at a Walmart on Yelm Highway SE in Lacey that involved alleged assaults on a store employee and ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 8/28/25

Road striping process to continue next week in Tumwater

A nighttime road striping process is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 6, and Sunday, Sept. 7, across the City of ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 8/28/25

South Puget Sound Community College staff and faculty celebrated being named a Finalist with Distinction in the 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.

SPSCC partners with think tank to study and implement college reforms

South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) is going to work with the Aspen Institute to reform its programs so that graduates are better equipped ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/27/25

Olympia seeks lobbying firm to represent city priorities in Washington Legislature

The City of Olympia is seeking a team of experts to help advocate for its priorities in the 2026 legislative ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/27/25 | 8 comments

Thurston County Sheriff's Office asks public for help to locate missing woman

The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a woman who has not been seen in ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 8/27/25

Experience Olympia & Beyond parts ways with CEO

Less than three months after accepting the position, Experience Olympia & Beyond CEO Michael Day is no longer working for ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 8/27/25 | 6 comments

Brandon Thomas Sanchez was caught on Taco Bell’s CCTV footage after picking up his order which he placed and paid for online using an alleged stolen credit card.

33-year old man charged with multiple counts of identity theft

The Thurston County Prosecutor’s Office has filed charges against a 33-year-old man stemming from the alleged use of stolen financial information ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 8/27/25 | 4 comments

A new sign marks the entrance of Greg J. Cuoio Park, a 537-acre site in north Lacey slated for a fall opening after first-phase construction.

Greg J. Cuoio Community Park in Lacey eyes fall opening with first phase work nearly complete

The first phase of construction at Greg J. Cuoio Community Park has entered its final stages, with the City of Lacey confirming its tentative opening this ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 8/26/25 | 1 comment

Interfaith Works requests $51K for fire repairs at Sandy’s Flats

The Homeless Services Advisory Board (HSAB) is recommending the allocation of more than $51,000 in emergency funds to repair a ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/26/25 | 10 comments

Woman arrested for allegedly shoplifting at Macy’s in Olympia

Authorities arrested a 30-year-old woman after an alleged shoplifting incident at Macy’s Capital Mall at 625 Black Lake ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 8/26/25 | 1 comment

A total of 300 participants rated the city’s fire and emergency medical services as the services they’re most satisfied with, followed by availability of high-quality drinking water, parks and recreation facilities, and police services.

Survey finds majority of Tumwater residents satisfied with city services

A survey conducted by the City of Tumwater found the majority of its residents rated city services and their quality of life ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/26/25

The City of Lacey is raising its long-standing $2,000 licensing exemption for small contractors and service providers to $10,000 effective Jan. 1, 2026. The Lacey City Council voted on the issue at a meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025.

Lacey increases out-of-city business license exemption

A $2,000 licensing exemption in the City of Lacey, which has applied to small contractors and service providers for two decades, is rising to ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 8/26/25

Lynsi Polanco and Nate Gomez, staff members with Family Education and Support Services, unloaded school supplies on Friday, Aug. 8, 2025. The school supplies are for children to ensure they have access to the essential tools they need to succeed in school.

FESS works to help families

During a recent Radio Day hosted by Mixx 96.1 radio, Lynsi Polanco and Nate Gomez of Family Education and Support Services (FESS) dropped off crates ... more

By JM Simpson | 8/26/25

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners approved two Encampment Resolution Program contracts with the Washington State Department of Commerce, Interfaith Works and Low-Income Housing Institute at its meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025.

Thurston County finalizes Encampment Resolution Program contracts

After weeks of back-and-forth negotiations with the Washington State Department of Commerce, Thurston County has contracts that ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 8/25/25 | 26 comments

Committee to review rental protections in Olympia

The City of Olympia’s Land Use and Environment Committee will continue discussion on Thursday, Aug. 28, on whether to update the city’s Rental Housing Code ... more

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