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

This recent image of Lake Lawrence, in south Thurston County, shows a layer of algae scum that caused health officials to restrict use of the lake twice during the summer of 2021.

Toxic algae advisory lifted on Lake Lawrence

Thurston County Public Health and Social Services confirmed that the toxic algae advisory on Lake Lawrence has been lifted. On Monday, the county assured residents that it is now safe to … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/28/21

Karen Messmer of Olympia, a volunteer with Thurston Climate Action Team, campaigned for electric cars at Thurston Climate Action Team's flash mob gathering on Sat., Sept. 25, 2021.

Electric car flash mob popped up on Saturday

Electric car flash mob popped up on Saturday Will your next car be electric? Thurston Climate Action Team offers 15 answers to help you ditch the gas pumps. Visitors more

By Danny Stusser | 9/27/21 | 4 comments

Olympia HS graduates Jenny Jang, Ann Murphy and Michale Tsien pose for family photos following their commencement ceremony.

Congratulations to Olympia High School's Class of 2021

The Olympia High School Class of 2021 received their diplomas on Fri., June 18 during its commencement ceremony at Saint Martin's University. Proud family members and friends filled the bleachers in … more

Never too late to congratulate! | 9/23/21

Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall addressed the Tumwater City Council on Tue., Sept. 21, 2021.

County auditor: “Our elections are totally above reproach.”

Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall addressed local questions about nationwide concerns about voter fraud and election integrity, as she assured voters that “our elections are totally above … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/23/21

Welding is one of the skills that can be learned at Lacey MakerSpace.

$1 million federal grant awarded to Lacey MakerSpace

Lacey MakerSpace received $1 million from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) to help retrain workers and business owners who were impacted by the … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/22/21

Dennis Rolly serves customers at lunch on Sept. 22, 2021 at Pellegrino's Italian Kitchen in Tumwater where he's been working for 18 years. If the unmasked part of his face looks familiar it's might be because you've seen his acting performances in Olympia theaters.

“Olympia-Tumwater” ranks No. 17 among best cities for restaurant workers across the US

Despite the economic impacts caused by the coronavirus pandemic, a study showed that “Olympia-Tumwater, WA” ranked as the 17th best place for restaurant workers across the U.S. … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/22/21

The Washington Federation of State Employees began bargaining with the state on the terms of the vaccine mandate on Aug. 16.

Largest public union reaches pact on vaccine mandate

Washington state's largest union of public workers has reached an agreement with the state on Gov. Jay Inslee's vaccine mandate.The deal ensures access to and education about the shot on work … more

By Eric Tegethoff | Washington News Service and The JOLT Staff | 9/21/21

Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus, tshawytscha) swim up Issaquah creek from sea to return home to the Issaquah Hatchery.

Outfitters, guides close doors as salmon, steelhead numbers drop

Closed fisheries from imperiled fish runs in the Columbia River Basin are prompting calls for action before it's too late.Steelhead trout numbers in the Columbia and its tributaries could be the … more

By Eric Tegethoff | Washington News Service | 9/21/21

Griffin School serves students in Grades K to 8 who live west of Olympia, largely in the Steamboat Island area.

Griffin School to open a new Boys & Girls Club location

To meet the growing demand for out-of-school programming for youth, Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County is partnering with the Griffin School District to open its eighth Boys & Girls Club … more

9/16/21

The Lacey City Council discussed on Thurs., Sept. 9 the possible outcomes if Thurston County adopts the affordable housing tax.

Lacey council members expresses concern on Affordable Housing Tax

Members of the Lacey City Council expressed their concern following a proposal made to Thurston County by the Regional Housing Council for the adoption of the affordable housing tax, a policy that … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/15/21 | 1 comment

Several Lacey City Council members expressed their concerns regarding the proposed amendment on Lacey’s tree protection regulation during the work session on Sept. 9, 2021.

Lacey City Council reviews proposal that would allow HOAs to remove trees

Dubbed as a “city of trees,” Lacey’s City Council reviewed a proposal to provide Home Owners Associations (HOA) with more flexibility to remove otherwise healthy trees within their … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/10/21 | 5 comments

Dr. Antonio Sandifer, NTPS's new Director of Equity and Languages, made his first presentation to the school board on Sept. 7, 2021.

North Thurston schools are safe, majority of students agree

In a district-wide survey conducted by North Thurston Public Schools (NTPS) in 2020-21, results showed that the majority of students felt safe in their schools. During the regular NTPS board … more

By Danny Stusser | 9/10/21

The Port of Olympia commissioners adopted a resolution that requires staff to get vaccinated or submit a weekly COVID-19 test during a special session on Tue., Sept. 7.

Port of Olympia plans to provide employees with financial incentives to vaccinate

With new reports of the COVID-19 variant, Port of Olympia Commissioners are planning to provide cash incentives for vaccinated employees. On Tue., Sept. 7, the Port held a special commission … more

By Danny Stusser | 9/9/21

The area outlined in purple show the 199-acres optioned by Panattoni Development at the New Market Industrial Campus.

Timeline for the New Market Industrial Campus still unclear

Tumwater officials confirmed that there is still no clear timeline for the proposed New Market Industrial Campus development during the regular city council meeting on Tue., Sept. 7. Initially, … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/9/21 | 2 comments

Annette Pitts, the new CEO of Experience Olympia & Beyond, presented an update on the tourism industry in Thurston County at the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce's forum on Sept. 8, 2021.

Tourism in Thurston County rebounding and changing

Annette Pitts, Chief Executive Officer of Experience Olympia & Beyond, gave a formal presentation on the state of local tourism at the September forum of the Thurston County Chamber today at the … more

9/8/21

Ocean Laura shares Avanti High School experiences during the 2021 graduation ceremony.

Congratulations to Avanti High School's 2021 graduates

Avanti High School held its graduation on Fri., June 12, 2021 from 1 to 4 p.m. "Avanti's commencement ceremony each year is a special one because each teacher says something about several … more

By Danny Stusser | 9/7/21

The map shows the Kaiserwood plat project location in blue along the east side of Kaiser Road NW in Olympia.

Kaiser Road proposal would subdivide 16.85 acres into 53 lots

With the continuing need for more housing, the Olympia Site Plan Review Committee reviewed a proposal to subdivide a 16.85-acre property into 53 lots. On Wed., Sep. 1, the committee heard a … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/6/21

Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall received recognition as the Washington State Auditor of the Year on Mon., Aug. 30, 2021.

Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall granted statewide award

In an emotional speech, Washington Secretary of the State Kim Wyman honored Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall as Washington State Auditor of the Year for her efforts in ensuring safe and … more

By Danny Stusser | 9/2/21 | 1 comment

All three proposed alternatives for the future of Capitol Lake are shown above at various tide levels.

Capitol Lake-Deschutes Estuary comment period ends

The Washington State Department of Enterprise Services (DES) closed its comment period for the Capitol Lake - Deschutes Estuary Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which provides … more

By Danny Stusser | 9/2/21 | 1 comment

The Regional Housing Council discussed possible ways to resolve a $1.7 million gap in funding gap for the 2828 Martin Way Phase 2 project during their regular council meeting on Aug. 30., 2021

Martin Way Phase 2 faces a $1.7 million funding gap needed to build 64 new housing units

The Thurston Regional Housing Council (RHC) discussed possible actions to resolve the $1.7 million funding gap needed to complete 2828 Martin Way Phase 2, a project which is set to provide 64 new … more

By Kristine Javier | 8/31/21