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

WSDOT warns the public of scam on toll payments

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is warning the public about a scam involving fraudulent text messages ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 3/19/25 | 4 comments

Clerk Documents, Thurston County’s new court record system, went operational on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.

Thurston County’s new online system speeds up court record retrieval

The Thurston County Clerk’s Office unveiled "Clerk Documents" on Tuesday, March 18, which grants residents and public stakeholders ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 3/19/25

Angela Jefferson, of the League of Women Voters, delivered a speech calling for vigilance in protecting democracy as part of the Women’s History Month proclamation at the Thurston County Board of County Commissioner meeting on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.

Thurston County proclaims March as Women's History Month

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners officially proclaimed March as Women's History Month ... more

By JC Medina | 3/19/25 | 3 comments

A map shows the Yelm-Rainier-Tenino Trail parcels under the ownership of Thurston County.

Thurston County weighs future of Yelm-Rainier-Tenino Trail land ownership

The City of Yelm is pushing to take over a section of the Yelm-Rainier-Tenino Trail, insisting that the land is necessary for a parking expansion. Public Works Director Karen Weiss laid … more

By Kameko Marquez | 3/18/25 | 7 comments

Helicopter activity to increase at Olympia Regional Airport

Air traffic above and around Olympia Regional Airport is scheduled to ramp up this week, as helicopter pilots undergo routine recertification training. The Port of Olympia said in a notice … more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 3/18/25

A substance believed to be fentanyl was found after an inmate apparently overdosed at Thurston County Jail on Monday, March 17, 2025.

Thurston County inmate revived after alleged drug overdose

A Thurston County Jail inmate was revived after being found unconscious on Monday night, March 17. "Last night, correction deputies at the jail responded to an unconscious inmate … more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 3/18/25 | 2 comments

Three people were killed in a wrong way crash on Interstate 5 south of Olympia on Sunday morning, March 16, 2025.

Three people killed in I-5 head-on crash in Thurston County

Three people were killed on Sunday morning, March 16, in a wrong-way vehicle crash on Interstate 5 (I-5) south of ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 3/17/25

Energize Thurston promotes energy and cost efficient heat pumps and available to all Thurston County residents.

Thurston County launches Energize Thurston to promote energy-efficient heat pumps

Residents of Thurston County now have an opportunity to improve their home’s energy efficiency and comfort through Energize Thurston, a new program designed to make the … more

By Darlanne Cruz | 3/17/25 | 1 comment

Median residential price climbs, sales dip in February

The Thurston County housing market produced higher prices and fewer sales for the second straight month of 2025, as inventory levels ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 3/17/25 | 2 comments

Intercity Transit officials unveiled plans for overhauling its bus network with more service routes and frequency. General Manager Emily Bergkamp and Marketing and Communications Division Chief Nick Demerice updated the Transportation Policy Board at a meeting on Wednesday, March 12, 2025.

Intercity Transit to reimagine its bus network

Thurston County's public transportation system is set for a major overhaul. Intercity Transit unveiled a comprehensive plan to reimagine its bus network, offering more efficient and accessible … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/14/25 | 10 comments

PFLAG-Olympia and New Boys Club elaborated on how transgender people are losing access to basic rights and described their community as “refugees within our own borders” during a Board of Health meeting on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.

Thurston County, advocates unite in pursuit of transgender rights

What was once “unimaginable just 10 years ago” is now a reality, according to a PFLAG-Olympia member, as the lives of transgender people have been upended in recent months by ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 3/14/25 | 9 comments

Mark Moffet, Thurston’s social services program manager, and Pam Smelt, a client who participates in county programs, attended the Board of Health meeting on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. The board proclaimed March as National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.

Thurston County highlights developmental disabilities awareness

The Thurston County Board of Health (BOH) issued a proclamation declaring March as National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, amid concerns regarding potential Medicaid … more

By JC Medina | 3/14/25 | 2 comments

Dispute Resolution Center expands services

The Dispute Resolution Center (DRC) of Thurston County announced it has expanded its services to address and resolve ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 3/14/25 | 1 comment

What’s happening this weekend — Lantern Lights the Library, Death Care Expo and other events

This weekend take in a film screening, have a few laughs, update an expired passport, take in a workshop and more in ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 3/13/25

Public Health and Social Services Director Jen Freheit, left, listens while Social Services Program Manager Mark Moffett explained details on homeless veterans housing program during the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners agenda setting meeting on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.

Thurston County aims to maximize shelter program for homeless veterans in 2025

Homeless veterans in Thurston County make up 8% of the county’s unhoused demographic, yet shelter beds reserved for them sit vacant and ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 3/12/25

Twenty-one members of the public, most of which were members of Local Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) 1765, spoke before Intercity Transit’s governing board on Wednesday, March 5, 2025. ATU 1765 represents bus operators, dial-a-lift dispatchers, and customer care representatives.

Intercity Transit, union at odds on wage increases

How much wages should increase for the bus drivers and other public-facing employees of Intercity Transit is the primary reason a new contract ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/12/25 | 3 comments

Hazardous Waste Specialist II Kimberly Graham and Thurston County Point of Contact for Lakes Management District Stuart Whitford met with the Thurston County Board of Health on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.

Thurston County Board of Health approves pest and aquatic weed management prescriptions

The Thurston County Board of Health approved the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Prescription Approval Process to regulate pesticide usage on ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 3/12/25 | 1 comment

Holding up the map on the left is Justin Hall, president of Nisqually Community Forest board, as seen during a tour for the Nisqually Tribal Council about a year ago

Nisqually team awarded nearly $900K for community forest climate project

An $886,999 joint grant has been awarded to the Nisqually Indian Tribe, Nisqually Community Forest and Northwest Natural Resource Group to encourage ecological forestry practices and mitigate effects … more

By Jessie Darland | 3/11/25 | 7 comments

Thurston County corrections deputy suspended without pay for time sheet issue

A Thurston County Sheriff’s Office corrections deputy was suspended without pay after an internal investigation found the deputy failed to accurately fill out ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 3/11/25 | 2 comments

County invites participants to developmental disabilities resource fair on March 11

Join the Thurston-Mason County Developmental Disabilities Resource and Transition Fair from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 3/10/25