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

This woman, who granted permission for this photograph, contends that the water cannon on the fire truck knocked down her and her tent and destroyed some of her belongings.

Car fire in The Jungle pits homeless residents against firefighters

On April 24 the Olympia Fire Department responded to a car fire in The Jungle, the homeless encampment located near the 3200 block of Martin Way East. As KOMO News reported on May 23, … more

By JM Simpson | 5/29/24 | 16 comments

Working on my positive input into my life, day to day

It almost seems impossible, but I feel there is more negativity than usual lately, everywhere I look. The news, both print, online, and broadcast is filled with either misleading or snarky … more

By Kathleen Anderson | 5/29/24

Engineering Services Manager Bill Lindauer told the Tumwater Public Works Committee that they expect “substantial completion” of the project by the end of July.

Tumwater's Trosper Road and Capitol Boulevard reconfiguration project costs are expected to go up

Tumwater’s reconfiguration project for I-5, Trosper Road, and Capitol Boulevard will cost an additional $1,701,021, said Engineering Services Manager Bill Lindauer to the Public Works Committee … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/28/24 | 6 comments

Detour routes have been established for both southbound and northbound travelers, with clear signage and reader boards to guide motorists because of the 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.

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

Community Planning and Economic Development Director Joshua Cummings met with Thurston County’s Board of County Commissioners for the Forest Lands Conversion Code Update at its Tuesday meeting, May 21, 2024.

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

A soldier assigned to 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment adjusts the campaign streamers on the regimental flag prior to a Memorial Day Remembrance at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

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

Wildfire sweeping across prairie grass, a firefighter is shown close to the fire.

'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

Various mental health advocates attended the Thurston Board of Health meeting on May 14, 2024, to receive the proclamation on Maternal Mental Health Month.

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

Solid Waste Division Manager Jeff Bickford and Thurston’s Board of County Commissioners had a work session on Monday, May 13, 2024, for the state of the Solid Waste System update.

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