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

At a city council meeting on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, Parks, Arts & Recreation interim Director Sylvana Niehuser presented the financial analysis and funding approach for Yelm Highway Community Park and Armory Arts Center projects.

30-year debt bond approved for Armory Arts Center and Yelm Park projects

The Olympia City Council approved a 30-year bond package totaling $26.57 million to fund two major projects — construction of the long-planned Yelm Highway ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/10/25

The WET Science Center’s schedule for July includes free boat-building workshops and science education activities for families in downtown Olympia.

WET Science Center brings back free summer pop-ups and themed Saturdays

Families in Olympia can chart a course through water-themed science this month without leaving downtown, as the WET Science Center launches ... more

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

North Thurston High School Class of 2025 graduates

The North Thurston High School Class of 2025 graduated during a commencement ceremony at Hal and Inge Marcus Pavilion at Saint Martin’s University on Wednesday ... more

By James Stanley | For The JOLT News | 7/10/25

The Olympia City Council approved authorizing an interlocal agreement that would transfer the city's judicial services to Thurston County District Court.  The council made the decision at a meeting on Tuesday, July 9, 2025.

Olympia Municipal Court's transition to Thurston County moves forward

The Olympia City Council approved a resolution authorizing an interlocal agreement to initiate the process of transferring the city's judicial services to ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/9/25 | 2 comments

Thurston Regional Planning Council to review new vision for expansion of high-capacity transportation options

The Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) is set to review a new vision for expanding high-capacity transportation options throughout ... more

Lorilyn Lirio | 7/9/25 | 5 comments

Thurston County is under a temporary burn ban from Wednesday, July 9, 2025, through Sept. 30, 2025. The restriction blocks yard waste and land clearing fires in unincorporated areas due to elevated wildfire risk.

Thurston County enacts burn ban, as fire risk hits ‘high’

A temporary ban on residential yard waste burning and all land clearing burns is in effect for unincorporated areas of Thurston County from Wednesday, July 9, to ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 7/9/25

The Veterans Conservation Corps internship is open with placements in Thurston and Lewis counties.  Interns will work at the Early Blue conservation site in Tenino and the Southwest Washington Food Hub in Centralia.

Veterans program opens in Thurston County

Full-time paid internships for military veterans are available in Thurston and Lewis counties. The internships are coordinated through a program by the ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 7/9/25

Summit Virtual Academy Class of 2025 graduates

The Summit Virtual Academy Class of 2025 graduated in a commencement ceremony held at James Koval Center for the Performing Arts in Lacey on Tuesday ... more

By James Stanley | For The JOLT News | 7/9/25

Federal Way Municipal Court Judge David A. Larson advocated for keeping Olympia Municipal Court open. He participated in a public comment on April 8, 2025, when the Olympia City Council approved the sale of the 10.47-acre property at 900 Plum St. SE — the current site of the municipal court.

Olympia could face legal risks over plan to terminate Municipal Court

The City of Olympia's plan to terminate its Municipal Court and transfer judicial services to Thurston County could trigger legal repercussions, including possible ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/8/25 | 3 comments

Man resting along roadway arrested on felony warrant

A man found resting in a grassy area near the intersection of 148th Avenue SE and Champion Estates Drive SE in Thurston County is ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 7/8/25 | 2 comments

Intercity Transit Development Director Peter Stackpole briefed the agency’s board of directors about the need for a new forecasting tool at a meeting on Wednesday, July 2, 2025.

Intercity Transit developing a better forecasting tool

Intercity Transit is working to upgrade a planning tool to help forecast its long-term finances and level of ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 7/8/25

Stolen truck recovered after arrest of woman at grocery store

A 31-year-old woman was arrested on Monday, June 23, after Thurston County Sheriff's Office deputies discovered she was in possession of a stolen ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 7/8/25 | 1 comment

Niki Bilodeau, the chairperson of the Olympia Dragon Boat Festival, views the event as educational, fun and an opportunity to gain new members.

Chinese dragon boats on the water this weekend in Olympia

The Olympia Dragon Boat Club will host for the second straight year the Olympia Dragon Boat Festival at Olympia Port Plaza on ... more

By JM Simpson | 7/8/25

The Envision Career Academy Class of 2025 toss their caps in the air following their graduation ceremony at James Koval Center for the Performing Arts in Lacey on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.

Envision Career Academy Class of 2025 graduates

The Envision Career Academy Class of 2025 graduated in a ceremony held at James Koval Center for the Performing Arts in Lacey on Tuesday ... more

By James Stanley | For The JOLT News | 7/8/25

Olympia City Council to consider nearly $1M design contract for Elliott Avenue sidewalk project

The Olympia City Council is set to consider a resolution authorizing a $988,928 agreement with Skillings, Inc. to provide design services on the long-anticipated ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/7/25 | 4 comments

Seven people arrested after alleged group assault at 'The Jungle'

Seven people were arrested in the aftermath of an alleged attack on a woman at a homeless encampment in Olympia, which is known as ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 7/7/25 | 11 comments

Thurston Regional Planning Council Transportation Manager Katrina Van Every presented a map showing the proposed extension of Log Cabin Road (green dashed lines) in Olympia. She made the presentation at a meeting of the Intercity Transit Authority on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. The project has been a long-standing consideration, as it could provide an alternate east-west connection to relieve traffic on Yelm Highway.

Intercity Transit Authority takes stance against Log Cabin Road extension project

The Intercity Transit Authority unanimously voted to remove the Log Cabin Road extension project in Thurston County's Regional ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 7/7/25 | 3 comments

Time to weigh in on 2025 Comprehensive Plan for City of Lacey

The City of Lacey is entering the home stretch of its plan for guiding growth, development and public investment over the next 20 years. As a result, the city is now ... more

By The JOLT News staff | 7/7/25

At a meeting on June 26, 2025, a list of names was presented to be used for two spaces at Washington Middle School that are set to be renamed after prominent individuals.

Washington Middle School cafeteria, hallway to be renamed after prominent school figures

Washington Middle School in Olympia is set to rename two different school spaces, the cafeteria and electives hallway, after a longtime ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 7/7/25

The procession of graduates at the graduation ceremony for the New Market High School Class of 2025 at New Market Skills Center Lecture Hall in Tumwater on Wednesday, June 4, 2025.

New Market High School Class of 2025 graduates

The New Market High School Class of 2025 was honored at a graduation ceremony at New Market Skills Center Lecture Hall in Tumwater on Wednesday ... more

By Laurie Wiedenmeyer | For The JOLT News | 7/7/25