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

Two O Bee Credit Union staff members, as seen in this undated photo.

O Bee Credit Union to offer scholarship for students in craft brewing, distilling industries

The O Bee Credit Union announced a $50,000 endowment for the O Bee Brewers & Distillers of Tomorrow Scholarship for South Puget Sound Community College ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/29/25

Sheriff's office turns to public for help in identifying a vehicle and motorcycle in Scott Lake

The Thurston County Sheriff's Office is asking the public for help in identifying a motorcycle and a vehicle that may have recently been in the Scott Lake ... more

By The JOLT News Staff | 4/29/25

Geotechnical work to impact traffic on Deschutes Parkway in Olympia

A busy intersection in Olympia will get a little more congested this week because of work associated with the Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project. Traffic flow at Deschutes Parkway and Olympic … more

By The JOLT News Staff | 4/29/25

Tumwater Parks and Recreation office closed through May 2 because of move to new location

The Tumwater Parks and Recreation office is on the move. As a result, the office will be temporarily closed through Friday, May 2. The office will reopen at its new location at 821 Airport … more

By The JOLT News Staff | 4/29/25

The Lacey Commission on Equity announced at its Monday, April 28, 2025, meeting that the city will host its first-ever Pride-themed Night Market on June 13, 2025.

Lacey Commission on Equity announces Pride-themed Night Market

The Lacey Commission on Equity announced that the city will host its first-ever Pride-themed Night Market on June 13, as part of the city’s broader initiative to ... more

By JC Medina | 4/29/25 | 5 comments

Michelle Swanson, Olympia's senior planner with Public Works Transportation, presented a map illustrating the future land use along identified corridors at a Planning Commission meeting on Monday, April 21, 2025.

Olympia unveils plan for urban development on key corridors

Olympia has unveiled a blueprint to guide urban development over the next two decades through its urban corridors policy. The Planning Commission received a briefing on strategies to transform … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/28/25 | 2 comments

County officials debated new housing proposals amid issues over contracting with a previously flagged funding partner during the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) check-in session on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.

$668K pandemic fraud scandal threatens CACLMT’s standing in Thurston County

Thurston County’s attempt to recover $667,990 lost to pandemic fraud has spilled into its latest housing budget talks, as county officials deliberate more cautiously over new contracts with … more

By Kameko Marquez | 4/28/25 | 11 comments

Angie Gourley, an Assessment Teacher on special assignment in the Tumwater School District, briefed the board members on the dyslexia screening report at a meeting on Thursday, April 24, 2025.

9% of Tumwater pupils at risk of dyslexia

A Tumwater School District (TSD) assessment found an estimated five to eight, or 9%, of its elementary pupils show significant reading difficulty ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/28/25 | 1 comment

Thurston County corrections deputies receive pay raises

Corrections deputies with the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office are in line for a series of pay raises in the years ahead. The sheriff’s office said deputies have ratified a contract … more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 4/28/25

Olympia police seeking information on suspected theft at Total Wine & More

The Olympia Police Department (OPD) is requesting assistance in identifying a suspect who allegedly stole alcohol from Total Wine & More in Olympia. The theft occurred on March 19… more

By The JOLT News Staff | 4/28/25

At a meeting on Thursday, April 24, members of the Olympia School District Board of Directors declared May 5-9 as Teacher Appreciation Week.

Olympia School District Board proclaims May 5-9 as Teacher Appreciation Week

Members of the Olympia School District Board of Directors declared May 5-9 as Teacher Appreciation Week with a proclamation. At a meeting on Thursday, April 24, board members and student representatives took … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/28/25

The Procession of Species on kicked off at 4:30 pm on Saturday, April 26, 2025, with a group of dancing black birds. It started on the corner of Jefferson Street NE and Legion Way SE, with the group of animals making its way to Heritage Fountain.

The Procession of the Species Celebration draws thousands of people to downtown Olympia

The Procession of the Species Celebration drew thousands of people to downtown Olympia, as part of the Spring Arts Walk 2025 on Saturday, April 26. People not only lined up on the streets to get a … more

By The JOLT News Staff | 4/28/25 | 5 comments

BoCC Chair Tye Menser highlighted nine long-stalled jail expansion options as commissioners revisited the county’s jail capacity crisis during the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners work session on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.

Jail expansion talks restart in Thurston County as inmate numbers climb

Facing the return of historic overcrowding at the county jail, the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) revisited a decade’s worth of expansion plans and facility options during … more

By Kameko Marquez | 4/25/25 | 6 comments

Street trees caused the most significant damage to sidewalks, said Max DeJarnatt, CPED senior planner. He spoke at the Land Use and Environment Committee meeting on Thursday, April 24, 2025, to give an overview of sidewalk assessment.

Olympia committee tackles sidewalk repair challenges

Facing a backlog of nearly 28,000 sidewalk defects, Olympia's Land Use and Environment Committee is considering a multi-pronged approach ... more

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

The Lacey City Council approved an increase to the city’s Human Services Grant Program cap, raising the maximum award from $35,000 to $50,000 for both public service and capital projects during its work session on April 22, 2025.

Lacey City Council raises Human Services Grant Program cap, aims for greater community impact

The Lacey City Council approved an increase to the city’s Human Services Grant Program cap, raising the maximum award from $35,000 to ... more

By JC Medina | 4/25/25

The Lacey Planning Commission unanimously voted to recommend approval of significant revisions to the city’s Public Works Standards Manual during its Wednesday, April 23, 2025 meeting, following a public hearing and presentation by city staff.

Lacey Planning Commission recommends updates to Public Works Standards Manual

The Lacey Planning Commission unanimously voted to recommend approval of significant revisions to the city’s Public Works Standards Manual following a ... more

By JC Medina | 4/25/25

A worker checks out the site of failed culvert, which has closed a stretch of State Route 510 southeast of Lacey until further notice.

Failed culvert shutters SR 510 southeast of Lacey

A failed culvert has shuttered a stretch of State Route 510 (SR 510), the Washington State Department of Transportation said. SR 510 is closed at milepost 6 … more

By The JOLT News Staff | 4/25/25

“The Gift of Peace” by Shayla Pangelinan received the 2024 Poster Award.

20th annual SPSCC Student Art Exhibition to open on May 19

Witness the 20th annual SPSCC Student Art Exhibition at the Leonor R. Fuller Gallery from May 19 to June 13, 2025. The event will showcase the exceptional talent of students using various … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/25/25

Making angels sing: The Individualized Education Program goals edition

A Thurston county mom of a fifth grader and I recently reviewed a draft of her daughter’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). The mother, Stacie Billings (not her real name), understood ... more

By Shannon Sankstone | 4/25/25

“It's our intent to bring cultural awareness,” Mike Brewer of Bar Holdings said as he showed conceptual renderings of the Salish Landing project to the Tumwater City Council on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Brewer said the renderings incorporate designs, landscaping and color schemes that were developed in cooperation and guidance of the Squaxin Island Tribe.

Developer discusses benefits of Salish Landing

The expansion of Tumwater’s infrastructure and job creation were the primary talking points of developer Bar Holdings, as its representatives discussed the benefits of the Salish Landing … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/24/25 | 14 comments