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

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners discussed a plan to send a letter urging Congress to help unfreeze overdue Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds for Thurston and Mason counties during a check-in meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025.

Thurston County to lobby Congress to end EFSP funding freeze

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) agreed to sign a letter of request asking Congress to help release overdue Emergency Food ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 8/14/25 | 4 comments

Rain in the forecast for Thurston County

A string of days where daytime highs ranged from 90 to 95 degrees has given way to cooler conditions with rainfall on the ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 8/13/25

Two mother cats care for a litter of newborn kittens at Joint Animal Services. During a Joint Animal Services Commission meeting on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, the shelter revealed a record influx of kittens and puppies during the busiest part of breeding season, with kitten numbers up 63% from 2024.

Joint Animal Services hit with an influx of kittens, puppies in breeding season

Kittens and puppies have driven a record rise in animal intake at Joint Animal Services over the past year, according to figures presented ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 8/13/25

The Thurston County Resource Hub Block Party takes place on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025.

Resource Hub hosting second annual Block Party on Aug. 13 in Olympia

The Thurston County Resource Hub is inviting people to its second annual Block Party on Wednesday, Aug. 13. The free event ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 8/12/25

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved the resolution of intention to establish the Long Lake Management District No. 25 at a meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025.

Long Lake Management District set to return in Thurston County amid milfoil threat

Thurston County has taken the first step toward the implementation of a new Long Lake Management District after local residents warned ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 8/11/25 | 2 comments

Intercity Transit is introducing two new routes to replace Route 620, the Olympia/Lakewood Express, starting on Sept. 7. Route 600 will be a direct, weekdays-only route to Lakewood, while Route 610 will have more stops and be available seven days a week.

Intercity Transit moving ahead with two new routes to Lakewood

Two new routes from Olympia to Lakewood are going to debut next month. The Intercity Transit Authority approved the new routes ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/11/25 | 2 comments

The Nisqually Watershed Festival returns to the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.

Nisqually Watershed Festival to feature exhibits, performances on Sept. 27

People are invited to attend the 36th annual Nisqually Watershed Festival at Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge to honor individuals ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 8/11/25

The Olympia Regional Airport and its properties generated $1,758,278 in revenue in the first half of the year. Accounting for $1,655,267 in expenses, the airport earned a profit of $103,011.

Lack of habitat conservation plan hampers revenue growth at Olympia Regional Airport

The lack of a complete habitat conservation plan (HCP) continues to hamper revenue growth for Olympia Regional ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/8/25 | 6 comments

Energize Thurston ends, but federal government still offering clean energy tax credits

The Energize Thurston program has officially closed after pushing the region toward energy efficiency for ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/8/25 | 2 comments

A conversation with Teri Lee Thomas

Have you ever been to a show at Harlequin Productions? If so, there is a very likely chance you have seen the incomparable Teri Lee ... more

By Rachel Benton | 8/8/25 | 1 comment

A man was arrested after a search warrant was served at a residence where 21 pounds of various drugs and $116,000 in cash were found by the Thurston County Narcotics Task Force on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025.

Thurston County Narcotics Task Force seizes 21 pounds of illegal drugs and $116,000

A narcotics investigation led to a major drug bust in Thurston County on Monday, Aug. 4, resulting in the arrest of one man and the seizure of large quantities ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 8/7/25 | 3 comments

Intercity Transit Deputy Director of Procurement Michael Maverick, right, explained that the agency needs to bypass the standard procurement process due to the volatility of the hydrogen fuel market.

Intercity Transit waives standard procurement process for hydrogen demonstration project

Intercity Transit is waiving the standard procurement process for deals related to its hydrogen demonstration ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/7/25 | 6 comments

Shorebird migration — plovers

Plovers are one of the types of shorebirds found in Thurston County, especially during the fall migration season, which is just now ... more

By George Walter | 8/7/25 | 1 comment

What’s happening this weekend — Olympia Farmers Market 50th anniversary celebration and more

Appeal to your philanthropic side and support local businesses by visiting the farmers market, donating school supplies or attending a scavenger ... more

P. Jade Asumbrado | 8/7/25 | 1 comment

A briefing map depicts the Bear Gulch Fire perimeter and branch divisions, as an incident commander explained firefighting operations on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025.

Thurston County sees drop in air quality as Bear Gulch Fire burns

The Bear Gulch Fire pushed smoke into Mason and Thurston counties this week after lingering high in the atmosphere for most of July, according to an ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 8/6/25 | 6 comments

Low turnout for primary election, Lacey ballot measure fails

A number of candidates registered strong performances in the Aug. 5 primary election to continue on their path toward becoming elected leaders in Olympia ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 8/6/25 | 7 comments

County health department reports toxic algae bloom on McIntosh Lake

McIntosh Lake, located near the unincorporated community of McIntosh, is experiencing a toxic algae bloom, the Thurston County Public Health and ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/6/25 | 2 comments

Thurston County Public Works Senior Civil Engineer Marcus Storvick acknowledged his award as Washington’s 2025 Project Manager of the Year at the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners’ regular meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025.

Thurston County engineer wins Washington state’s 2025 Project Manager of the Year

Thurston County Public Works Senior Civil Engineer Marcus Storvick was named Washington state’s 2025 Project Manager of the Year for spearheading ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 8/6/25

This image shows a copy of The Ravaged Forest, by Sandra A. Crowell

Book review: 'The Ravaged Forest, A Native Woman’s Journey to Justice'

“The Ravaged Forest, A Native Woman’s Journey to Justice,” is a self-published book written by Olympia author Sandra A. Crowell. As implied by the ... more

By George Walter | 8/6/25 | 3 comments

Honoring Helen Sanders with Women in American History Award

As our nation approaches its semiquincentennial — the 250th anniversary of the United States — it is especially meaningful to recognize individuals ... more

By Shirley Stirling | 8/6/25 | 1 comment