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

Michael Day is the new chief executive officer of Experience Olympia & Beyond.

Experience Olympia & Beyond names new chief executive officer

Experience Olympia & Beyond announced the hiring of Michael Day as its new chief executive officer. Day, an Edmonds native, graduated from the University of ... more

By Maven Navarro | 6/5/25

What’s happening this weekend — Lacey Rotary Duck Dash and other festivities

Bring the family out this weekend for some local entertainment, including "Learn to Row Day" in Olympia and the Lacey Rotary ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 6/5/25

Through the Washington State Department of Natural Resources Wildfire Ready Neighbors program, the Thurston Conservation District and other partner agencies in the county are helping residents across Thurston County prepare for home ignition risks.

Wildfire Ready Plan expands home defense in Thurston County

Thurston County’s push for wildfire readiness now includes free consultations and fire prevention plans for households, as part of a statewide program with thousands of ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 6/4/25

Five arrested, stolen vehicle recovered at residence on Stillwell Street NE

Five individuals were arrested and a stolen vehicle was recovered after Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) personnel visited a residence known to authorities for ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 6/3/25 | 1 comment

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners approved a six-month pilot to split public comment into two timed sessions during its May 28 agenda-setting meeting.

New public comment policy to launch in Thurston County

Public comment is moving to a two-track format to separate agenda specific remarks from general business in Thurston ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 6/3/25 | 3 comments

Illegal narcotics discovered after deputies find two men passed out inside vehicle

A late-night call to law enforcement led to a DUI arrest and a drug investigation after two men were discovered unconscious in a parked vehicle at a gas station in Thurston County. … more

By Darlanne Cruz | 6/3/25

Pictured is the Hope Coin given to Drug Court graduates in Thurston County. Prosecuting Attorney Jon Tunheim launched the coin project based on Hope Theory. The words “Pathways,” “Goals,” and “Willpower” reflect the steps of recovery.

‘Hope Coin’ awarded to celebrate sobriety of Thurston County Drug Court graduates

A brass coin with no cash value has become the final act of recognition in Thurston County Drug Court. Called the “Hope Coin,” the token is given by the Thurston County Prosecuting … more

By Kameko Marquez | 6/2/25 | 3 comments

Swimmer’s itch discovered at Long Lake Park

A parasite that causes swimmer’s itch was found in Long Lake Park, according to the Thurston County Public Health and Social Services Department. Cercarial Dermatitis, the … more

By Maven Navarro | 6/2/25 | 3 comments

The Thurston Conservation District included this wildfire probability map in the South Thurston Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) to identify areas, especially those in dark red, where projects like fuel reduction and defensible space are most needed.

Wildfire plan emerges for south Thurston County

A five-year tally of 305 fire calls, three evacuations and two burns inside a protected wildlife preserve prompted the Thurston Conservation District to confront years of ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 5/30/25 | 4 comments

Inmate allegedly assaults deputy at Thurston County jail

A corrections deputy was allegedly assaulted by an inmate on the morning of Wednesday, May 28, at Thurston County jail. According to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office … more

By Darlanne Cruz | 5/30/25 | 1 comment

The Thurston Regional Housing Council on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, unanimously approved a recommendation, selecting Catholic Community Services to manage the EPRA program.

Housing council selects Catholic Community Services to administer eviction prevention funds

The Thurston Regional Housing Council selected Catholic Community Services (CCS) to manage the Eviction Prevention Rental Assistance (EPRA) program for single ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/30/25

Man arrested after alleged attempted break-in at a residence

A 47-year-old man was arrested following an alleged attempted break-in at a home in the 3700 block of Wesley Drive ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 5/30/25

The Thurston Regional Housing Council approved a $5.5 million allocation for the Encampment Resolution Program (ERP) on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.

Housing council approves $5.5M for encampment fund, trims some housing services

The Thurston Regional Housing Council approved a $5.5 million allocation for the Encampment Resolution Program (ERP) in the 2025-26 funding cycle ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/29/25 | 10 comments

Dashcam screen capture of the suspect's vehicle after colliding with a tree, the suspect can be seen in the street carrying a helmet.

Man arrested following hit-and-run, alleged assault of deputies

A man was arrested on Monday night, May 26 after allegedly fleeing the scene of a hit-and-run crash and assaulting two deputies who attempted to detain him ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 5/29/25

What’s happening this weekend — Olympia Zine Fest, Tumwater Elevate Fair and other festivities

Be creative with art activities, sustainable with environmental events, or hands-on with some workshops in ... more

P. Jade Asumbrado | 5/29/25

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners reviewed the revised land acknowledgment during its Wednesday, May 2, 2025, check-in meeting and reached consensus to share it with the Squaxin Island, Nisqually and Chehalis tribes.

Thurston County’s land acknowledgment revision heads for tribal evaluation

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) stripped the county’s land acknowledgment of a euphemism and rewrote it to be more meaningful and ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 5/28/25 | 13 comments

Early morning car chase ends in arrest, firearm seized

A car chase through west Olympia in the early hours of Saturday, May 24, ended with the arrest of a 34-year-old man and the recovery of a loaded ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 5/28/25 | 2 comments

Since June 2024, Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) has been working with partners on the Martin Way Crossing Strategy. The goal of this project is to make Martin Way safer for all users by identifying 10 locations for crosswalks, the TRPC said.

TRPC seeks public input on Martin Way crosswalk designs by May 31

Residents and business owners have until Saturday, May 31, to share their input on the future of crosswalks along Martin Way through an online survey launched by ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/28/25

Home sales fall, median price climbs in April

Single-family home prices climbed and sales retreated in the first full month of spring, amid a backdrop of some of the lowest inventory levels in the ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 5/28/25 | 1 comment

Jennifer Colvin awarded Marty Cheney a belt buckle in thanks for her work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) to help get a conservation easement for Colvin Ranch 20 years ago. Cheney was the grazing specialist at NRCS until recently retiring, but still works with the organization sometimes. She helped the Colvins create a grazing plan that is unique to their ranch and herd.

Colvin Ranch celebrates 20th anniversary of conservation easement

Colvin Ranch in Tenino celebrated 20 years of its conservation easement, inviting the community to come together for its annual Ranch Day ... more

By Jessie Darland | 5/27/25 | 1 comment