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

Lacey celebrates Bicycle Month with 38th annual community challenge

The Lacey City Council proclaimed May 2025 as Bicycle Month, urging residents to consider active transportation and recreation during the city’s participation in the ... more

By JC Medina | 5/12/25

Olympia's Site Plan Review Committee discussed the city's incentives for developers who are willing to introduce different housing options or commit to making units affordable. The committee held a presubmission conference for a proposed residential development on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Olympia offering incentives to developers to increase residential density

Olympia city planners actively encourage innovative housing solutions to address the city's housing crisis by offering developers multiple pathways to ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/9/25 | 8 comments

Manhunt for suspect after allegedly shooting at Thurston County deputies

The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) is searching for a man accused of firing at a deputy during a pursuit on the afternoon of Thursday, May 8, according to a ... more

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

The Olympic Region Clean Air Agency is proposing a 110% increase in Land Clearing Burn Permit fees, from $131 to $275 per acre. The 110% increase would strongly affect Thurston County, where nearly half of all permits are issued, according to the agency.

ORCAA’s proposed burn fee hike could sting in Thurston County 

Landowners in Thurston County, who rely on fire to clear their land, could soon face a steep hike in fees for burn permits. The Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) is proposing a more than ... more

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

A screen capture from the video on the social media page of Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders.

Man with multiple warrants caught after foot pursuit

A man wanted on multiple warrants was arrested following a foot chase in the Lacey area on the evening of Tuesday, May 6. Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders shared on ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 5/9/25 | 1 comment

Lin Crowley, representing the Asian Pacific Islander Coalition of South Puget Sound, accepted the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month proclamation during the Board of County Commissioners meeting on May 6, 2025.

Thurston County commissioners proclaim May 2025 as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners has proclaimed May 2025 as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month ... more

By JC Medina | 5/9/25 | 1 comment

The Olympia City Council signed a proclamation recognizing the city's public servants on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. The city dedicates each week of the month to celebrate and recognize the services of different public sector professionals.

Olympia City Council honors public servants with a proclamation

The Olympia City Council celebrated public service on Tuesday, May 6, by endorsing a proclamation recognizing municipal workers for their services to ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/9/25 | 1 comment

The final round of razor clams have been approved by the Washington Board of Health.

Final round of razor clam digs approved

The final week of razor clam digs will get underway on Saturday, May 10, after marine toxin results showed the mollusks are safe to devour. Shellfish managers with the Washington Department of … more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 5/9/25

The Saint Martin's University campus in Lacey, as seen in this undated photo.

Carnegie Foundation labels Saint Martin's University as an Opportunity College and University

The Carnegie Foundation recognized Saint Martin's University in Lacey as an Opportunity College and University, the university announced in ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 5/9/25 | 1 comment

Olympia Council of Neighborhood Associations Chair Larry Dzieza proposed that Olympia launch "A Get Stuff Done Initiative" focused on immediate sidewalk repairs. He spoke at the Olympia City Council's public comment segment on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.

Olympia neighborhood leader calls for immediate sidewalk repair work

Speaking as chair of the Olympia Council of Neighborhood Associations, Larry Dzieza proposed a neighborhood-by-neighborhood approach to address the city's deteriorated sidewalks ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/8/25 | 12 comments

The National School Public Relations Association audited the communication efforts of the Olympia School District to identify strengths, weaknesses, and points of improvement in district and school communications.

Audit: 76% of Olympia School District parents are satisfied with communication efforts

In a communications audit contracted by the Olympia School District in collaboration with the National School Public Relations Association, 76% of parents rated ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 5/8/25

Jeff Query, an engineer with Tumwater’s Engineering Department, showed the city’s Public Works Committee on April 3, 2025, a map of the existing water mains (represented by yellow dash lines) on Sapp Road, Antsen Street, and Linwood Avenue. The solid yellow line on Antsen Street represents a new sewer main that will be built to increase draining capacity for the system.

Tumwater awards $321K contract for sewer main project on Antsen Street

The Tumwater City Council authorized Mayor Debbie Sullivan to sign a contract with A&D Enterprises LLC to construct a pressurized sewer main on Antsen Street ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/8/25

Lacey City Council holding monthly dinner meetings

The City of Lacey has started hosting monthly “dinner meetings” to discuss local issues without action being taken on any agenda items. On Tuesday, May 6, the Lacey City Council held … more

By Jessie Darland | 5/8/25

Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall and Communications Manager Emmett O’Connell attended the Board of County Commissioners meeting on May 7, 2025, to be recognized for the prestigious Cleary Award from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission.

Thurston County Auditor’s Office wins national award for voter outreach

The Thurston County Auditor’s Office received national recognition for its innovative voter outreach campaign, earning the prestigious Cleary Award from the ... more

By JC Medina | 5/8/25 | 1 comment

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) postponed a Tuesday, May 6, 2025, hearing on proposed affordable housing ordinance after notice requirements were found incomplete.  The new hearing date is Tuesday, May 20, 2025.

Thurston County delays hearing on affordable housing over lapse on legal notification

Since the legal noticing requirements weren’t fulfilled, the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) postponed a scheduled public hearing on a proposed ordinance ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 5/8/25 | 1 comment

A map shows the 16 locations to be targeted by Tumwater’s annual pavement maintenance project.

Tumwater City Council awards $4 million contract for annual pavement repairs

The Tumwater City Council authorized Mayor Debbie Sullivan to sign a contract with Lakeside Industries Inc. for its annual pavement maintenance project ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/7/25

Prosecuting Attorney Jon Tunheim and his team attended the Thurston Board of County Commissioners meeting on May 6, 2025, for a proclamation on Therapeutic Court Month.

Thurston County celebrates milestones in drug, mental health courts with Therapeutic Court Month

The Thurston Board of County Commissioners officially proclaimed May as Therapeutic Court Month. During its meeting on Tuesday, May 6, the board recognized the … more

By JC Medina | 5/7/25 | 2 comments

The Olympia City Council entered into a one-year contract with OIR Group to provide independent civilian police auditor services on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.

Olympia City Council approves new civilian police auditor

After going years without a police auditor system, the Olympia City Council has strengthened its framework for accountability by approving a contract with ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/7/25 | 1 comment

SPS Habitat for Humanity volunteers, as seen in this undated photo.

Habitat for Humanity to build homes at the Tâlíčn development in Tumwater for Women Build 2025

For the Women Build 2025 initiative, the South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity (SPS Habitat for Humanity) is set to finish houses at the ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 5/7/25 | 2 comments

A map shows the site of underground utility work, as seen in red, along Littlerock Road SW in Tumwater.

Underground utility work to cause traffic delays along Littlerock Road in Tumwater

An infrastructure project along Littlerock Road in Tumwater is going to make it a more difficult for motorists to navigate around the area. Puget Sound Energy crews are going … more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 5/7/25