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

Temporary Road Closure on Waddell Creek Road SW on June 3 to 30

There will be a temporary closure of Waddell Creek Road SW, from 90th Lane SW to 86th Lane SW, starting June 3 and continuing until June 30, according to Thurston County Public Works. The … more

5/28/24

Time is a garden’s best friend

A few weeks ago, a young couple stopped to admire the pink dogwood blooming in the front yard. “How old is that tree?” the young man asked. “About 20 years,” I … more

By Jill Severn | 5/25/24 | 4 comments

Thurston County adopts Forest Lands Conversion Code Update

Thurston County’s Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) approved the Forest Lands Conversion Code update at a meeting on Tuesday. Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 5/24/24

Joint Base Lewis-McChord honors its fallen soldiers

The English philosopher G.K. Chesterton once pointed out that courage is an apparent oxymoron, that it means “to live taking the form of a readiness to die.” This sense of … more

By JM Simpson | 5/24/24 | 1 comment

Last Monday, May 24, 2024, Thurston County Public Works representatives met with the Board of County Commissioners to discuss this year’s selection of on-call contract providers and the results of the evaluation.

Thurston County Public Works discusses on-call contract solicitation and evaluation processes

Thurston County Public Works met with the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) yesterday to discuss this year’s on-call contract solicitation, evaluation, and results. According to the … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 5/22/24

The scales of Justice represent the idea of decisions reached fairly and objectively by a weighing of evidence.

Woman arrested after pets found dead in abandoned RV

Evidence indicated they had been without food and water for an extended period, which a veterinarian's examination confirmed as starvation being the likely cause of death. more

By Darlanne Cruz | 5/22/24

This garden mosaic resurrected a previously neglected patch of dying grass.

One foot in front of the other, a designing woman redefines her life path

Vanessa Gardner Nagel, is a fascinating woman - a tiny female designer of all things beautiful, and she wears red glasses – what more do you need to know? Living in Minnesota, California, … more

By Kathleen Anderson | 5/22/24 | 2 comments

Affordable Housing Funding Recommendations. The Thurston Regional Housing Council recommends $5.9 million in funding for eight affordable housing capital projects to create or preserve 230 affordable housing units.

Homelessness and affordable housing funding approved by county housing council

The Thurston Regional Housing Council approved over $20 million in funding recommendations for homeless services and affordable housing projects at its meeting last Wednesday, May 8. The … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/21/24 | 3 comments

A bus pulling into the Intercity Transit bus stop in Olympia

Intercity Transit will still run on Memorial Day

Intercity Transit’s (IT) services will be operating during Memorial Day, May 27, the company announced in a press release. While the bus company’s Village Vans, customer service, and … more

5/21/24

Finance Director Tad Kopf shows the Port Commission the revenues, expenditures, and income of the port’s four business lines.

Port of Olympia reports rosier-than-expected financials - if you don't count all the debt

Port of Olympia’s four business lines all performed better than projections in 2023, the port’s year-end financial report showed, but most of the agency's debt was excluded. … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/20/24 | 12 comments

Piggy bank with glasses over a calculator.

Thurston County, Lacey, Olympia and Tumwater to host joint Lodging Tax Funding Workshop

The cities of Lacey, Olympia, and Tumwater, along with Thurston County, are set to host a Lodging Tax Funding Workshop for potential applicants on Wednesday, June 5, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Lacey … more

By Darlanne Cruz | 5/20/24

State plans aerial spraying in Thurston County to kill tree-destroying spongy moth

When the invasive spongy moth is in its caterpillar phase, it isn’t a picky eater. That’s part of the reason the bugs are so destructive. “They eat between [300] and 500 different types of plants,” said Karla Salp, a spokesperson for the Washington Department of Agriculture. more

5/17/24

Dave – One piece of the puzzle that is homelessness

As I was walking down Washington Street NE last Friday morning, a homeless man standing in the shadows of the alley next to SK Market hailed me. “How ya doin’. “I … more

By JM Simpson | 5/17/24 | 12 comments

'Red, Set, Go!' evacuation campaign introduced this Wildfire Awareness Month

Thurston County has introduced "Ready, Set, Go!," evacuation campaign as part of Wildfire Awareness Month. This campaign aims to deliver the evacuation message clearly to the residents to ensure … more

By Darlanne Cruz | 5/15/24 | 2 comments

Maternal Mental Health Month declared by County's Board of Health

The Thurston County Board of Health has declared May 2024 as Maternal Mental Health Month to address the critical issue of maternal mental health. The proclamation emphasizes the importance of … more

By JC Medina | 5/15/24

State of the Solid Waste System updates for Thurston County

Solid Waste Division Manager Jeff Bickford met with Thurston’s Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) for the state of the Solid Waste System update, yesterday, May 14. Bickford briefed the board … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 5/15/24 | 1 comment

A performance by Yvette Duenas Aponte and Students from Chief Leschi Schools Culture Class at the South Puget Intertribal Planning Agency (SPIPA) Elders Supports and Services Event at the Little Creek Casino Convention Center. Permission was granted from SPIPA to take the picture.

I learned a lot at the Elders Supports and Services Event

This week I had the pleasure of attending the South Puget Intertribal Planning Agency (SPIPA) Elders Supports and Services Event at the Little Creek Casino Convention Center, and as usual, I learned … more

By Kathleen Anderson | 5/15/24

This image shows LOTT's wastewater treatment plant from the north.

Olympia board hears 'The State of LOTT Clean Water Alliance'

Olympia's Utility Advisory Committee heard a briefing in its May 2 meeting on “The State of LOTT Clean Water Alliance.” LOTT Executive Director Matt Kennelly, P.E. gave the presentation. … more

By Jeffrey Westbrook | 5/14/24

Wildfire season: Puget Sound Energy seeks to prepares customers with open-house events

Puget Sound Energy (PSE) invites its customers to join them in the open house events that run until June 21. Thurston County residents can go in person to the open house for the West Thurston … more

By Darlanne Cruz | 5/13/24 | 2 comments

Public Service Recognition Week declared by county commissioners

Last week, Thurston County Commissioners paid tribute to the dedicated individuals who work tirelessly to serve the community. During a public meeting on May 7, the Thurston Board of County … more

By JC Medina | 5/13/24