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

Rear door bus pad improvements for Intercity Transit is going to impact traffic in downtown Olympia through Friday, Aug. 28, 2026.

Bus pad improvement work to impact traffic in downtown Olympia

Rear door bus pad improvements for Intercity Transit are going to impact traffic in downtown Olympia through the end of next ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 8/17/26

Food inspection results in Thurston County — Aug. 17, 2026

Restaurant inspection reports focus on two types of violations: red and ... more

By Vanessa Casabuena | 8/17/26

Artist Andrea Wilbur Sigo of the Squaxin Island Tribe presented a concept plan for public art at Marj Yung Park during the Olympia City Council meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026.

Olympia City Council approves Squaxin-inspired public art for Marj Yung Park

The Olympia City Council approved a public art concept for Marj Yung Park featuring five carved panels and youth-led cultural storytelling along the ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/14/26 | 10 comments

Lacey City Council members received an update on the Lacey Veterans Services Hub and its proposed 2027-31 strategic plan at a meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026.

Lacey City Council reviews five-year strategic plan for Veterans Services Hub

A five-year strategy to address funding, volunteer and other needs at Lacey Veterans Services Hub (LVSH) is under consideration, as the support ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 8/14/26

A van pool at Timberland Regional Library in Tumwater.

Timberland Regional Library seeks levy lid lift in November

An approximately $14 million infusion of operating revenue is at stake in the Nov. 3 General Election for Timberland Regional Library ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 8/14/26 | 13 comments

Thurston County Board of Health proclaimed August as Immunization Awareness Month at a meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026.

Health officials warn of declining vaccination rates in Thurston County

Health officials warned that immunization levels have fallen below the threshold needed to maintain herd immunity, and declining childhood vaccination ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/13/26 | 12 comments

Two undeveloped parcels at 3202 and 3220 Willamette Drive NE in Lacey are being eyed for rezoning to High Density Residential from Neighborhood Commercial.

Planning Commission to hear request to rezone Willamette Drive site for housing in Lacey

A proposed zoning change aims to convert nearly 2 acres of Neighborhood Commercial land to High Density Residential in ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 8/13/26

The envelope signature verification area at the Ballot Processing Center in Tumwater on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.

Clouse remains more than 500 votes behind Martinez-Dunning in District 5 contest

Incumbent Emily Clouse remained more than 500 votes behind challenger Nicolas Martinez-Dunning in the Thurston County Commissioner ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 8/13/26 | 6 comments

The headquarters of the Washington State Department of Transportation, as seen on July 30, 2026.

Seismic worries fuel exodus from state transportation agency’s headquarters in Olympia

The Washington State Department of Transportation is relocating employees and scaling back access to its aging headquarters on the ... more

By Jerry Cornfield | Washington State Standard | 8/13/26 | 8 comments

School closure talks are back at Olympia School District after Superintendent Patrick Murphy presented the School Consolidation Timeline on Aug. 6, 2026.

Olympia School District superintendent presents timeline for school consolidation

A continued decline in enrollment has the Olympia School District looking at the possibility of school consolidation as a means to address funding ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 8/12/26 | 13 comments

A presentation to the Tumwater City Council on March 7, 2023, showed the old 5-foot diameter culvert on Percival Creek under Sapp Road and an image of a larger culvert to replace the old structure.

Wider culvert installed at Percival Creek under Sapp Road in Tumwater

A new culvert has been installed at Percival Creek under Sapp Road in Tumwater, the city said in an update on ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/12/26 | 1 comment

Hillory Flowers spoke at an Olympia City Council meeting after the announcement of her appointment as Olympia Fire Department Chief on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026.

Hillory Flowers named Olympia’s first female fire chief

Hillory Flowers has been appointed Chief of the Olympia Fire Department (OFD), becoming the first woman to lead the public service ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/12/26 | 3 comments

Community members learned about law enforcement operations at a previous Lacey Police Department Community Academy session.

Application window opens for Lacey Police Department Community Academy

The Lacey Police Department (LPD) has opened its application period for the fall Community Academy, a six-week course that ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 8/12/26

Olympia conducted its 2026 Community Engagement & Public Opinion Survey from April 17-28 through Embold Research.

Survey finds housing, homelessness top priorities for Olympia residents

Housing and homelessness remain top priorities for residents, even as Olympia's latest community survey shows a growing number of ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/11/26 | 8 comments

The Lacey Human Services Commission discussed funding for the 2026 Human Services Grant Program during their meeting on Aug. 6, 2026.

Commission recommends 16 nonprofits for Lacey Human Services Grant Program

A number of local nonprofits could receive a share of a $300,000 pot of money from the Lacey Human Services Grant ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 8/11/26

A ballot dropbox in Olympia on March 12, 2024.

Martinez-Dunning holds lead over Clouse in Thurston County Commissioner District 5 race

The gap between challenger Nicolas Martinez-Dunning and incumbent Emily Clouse remained above 500 votes in the Thurston County ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 8/11/26 | 10 comments

Olympia Federal Savings is located on the corner of Capitol Way South and 5th Avenue SW in downtown Olympia.

Olympia Federal Savings reports Q1 financial results

Olympia Federal Savings reported total assets of more than $1 billion at the end of the first quarter, as the financial institution continued to ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 8/11/26 | 3 comments

Saint Martin’s University won a gold award in the Higher Education category in the 2026 Best of South Sound Awards.

Saint Martin’s University wins third consecutive gold award for higher education

Saint Martin’s University in Lacey won a gold award in the higher education category for the 2026 Best of South Sound Awards for the ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 8/11/26

A 90 percent site plan prepared by RWD Landscape Architects shows proposed pickleball courts, pingpong tables, spectator areas, pathway changes and ballfield safety netting at Rainier Vista Park in Lacey.

Rainier Vista Park improvements reach 90 percent of planning stage

The City of Lacey is preparing Rainier Vista Park’s recreation improvements for permitting after completing another planning ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 8/10/26 | 3 comments

Land use approval granted for Briggs Professional Suites project in Olympia

The City of Olympia granted land use approval for Briggs Professional Suites, clearing another step toward construction of a ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/10/26 | 5 comments