The JOLT - The Journal of Olympia, Lacey & Tumwater

Home Share is a matchmaking service that connects home providers with home seekers, in exchange for an agreed rate or services, with at least one of the parties being a senior.

Senior Services’ Home Share program set to resume

Following appropriations from the other three large local governments here, the Olympia City Council approved a request to partly fund the re-launch of Senior Services’ Home Share, a … more

By Kristine Javier and Danny Stusser | 9/20/21

Smartphone users have even easier access to library services through the updated app, for Android and iPhone users.

Timberland Regional Library at your fingertips

Book lovers on the go can access their favorite titles from anywhere with the Timberland Regional Library mobile application. Available on Android and iOS, the Timberland Regional Library (TRL) … more

By Taniah Najih | Timberland Regional Library | 9/16/21

This is the handgun Tumwater police reported finding on Andrew William Minford on Sept. 6, 2021 after he allegedly burglarized Lincoln Creek Lumber in Tumwater.

Alleged hardware heist might lead to hard time

A local transient man was caught by Tumwater police after a silent alarm notified them of an alleged burglary on Mon., Sept. 6 at approximately 4:30 a.m. Tumwater police officers report that they … more

By Danny Stusser | 9/14/21

Chase Aaron Martin on Sept. 5, 2021 in Tumwater.

Using store’s own tools, man accused of attempting to break into locked display case

A medical furloughed prisoner was caught by Tumwater police attempting to break into a big box store’s electronic display case on Sun., Sept. 5. Chase Aaron Martin, 22, of Hoquiam, told … more

By Danny Stusser | 9/13/21 | 1 comment

The area outlined in purple show the 199-acres optioned by Panattoni Development at the New Market Industrial Campus.

Timeline for the New Market Industrial Campus still unclear

Tumwater officials confirmed that there is still no clear timeline for the proposed New Market Industrial Campus development during the regular city council meeting on Tue., Sept. 7. Initially, … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/9/21 | 2 comments

Tumwater Council Member Angela Jefferson read a statement from MultiCare on Tue., Sept. 8, 2021 announcing that their facilities may no longer be able to accept more patients.

“Beyond red” situation in MultiCare hospitals

MultiCare released a statement declaring its facilities are nearing maximum capacity as a result of the sudden surge in COVID-19 cases. The regional nonprofit healthcare system acquired what is now … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/8/21

All three proposed alternatives for the future of Capitol Lake are shown above at various tide levels.

Capitol Lake-Deschutes Estuary comment period ends

The Washington State Department of Enterprise Services (DES) closed its comment period for the Capitol Lake - Deschutes Estuary Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which provides … more

By Danny Stusser | 9/2/21 | 1 comment

Senior state official arrested for domestic violence and unlawful imprisonment

The deputy director of the Washington State Lottery was arrested for domestic violence assault and unlawful imprisonment of his wife after an alleged drunken argument yesterday. Joshua Johnston, … more

By Danny Stusser | 9/1/21

The larger red circle shows the loation of the LOTT Budd Inlet Treatment plant in downtown Olympia; the smaller circle shows where processed and treated wastewater is discharged.

LOTT Board stands in favor of Estuary option for Capitol Lake

A representative from the LOTT Clean Water Alliance shared the agency’s concerns regarding the possible impacts on water quality in Budd Inlet as a result of different alternatives provided in … more

By Kristine Javier | 8/27/21

The Port of Olympia staff and commissioners discussed on Aug. 23, 2021 their decision not to issue a preferred alternative in an open letter addressed to the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services (DES) on the future of Capitol Lake.

Capitol Lake-Deschutes Estuary: Port commissioners decline to declare a preference

Port of Olympia commissioners did not specify a preferred alternative in their open letter addressed to the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services (DES) for the future of Capitol Lake … more

By Kristine Javier | 8/24/21 | 2 comments

Port Comm. E.J Zita (below) claimed that Comm. Chair Joe Downing (above) muted her in the call during the Port of Olympia’s Special Commission Meeting on Thu., Aug. 19.

Port of Olympia commissioners hold special meeting on New Market Industrial Campus

After 11 months of discussions, the Port of Olympia is close to issuing an action regarding the proposed Panattoni development. With this, the port held a special commission meeting to evaluate the … more

By Kristine Javier | 8/20/21 | 1 comment

This Tumwater police vehicle is shown in daylight. The case the photo is illustrating happened before sunrise.

First-time DUI suspect fails to provide breath sample, winds up giving blood samples

An allegedly intoxicated woman driving 25 mph in a 35 mph zone, with her car’s right turn blinker on, aroused enough suspicion on the part of a Tumwater police officer to be pulled over for … more

By Danny Stusser | 8/12/21 | 1 comment

Pistol-whipped before being forced to drive, alleged kidnapping victim runs into Fred Meyer asking for help

A man allegedly pistol-whipped and kidnapped an acquaintance, forcing him to drive to the Fred Meyer story in Tumwater where the alleged victim ran inside, screaming for help, on Thu., July … more

By Danny Stusser | 8/12/21

This Tumwater Heritage Tree is the Davis-Meeker Garry Oak. It's located along Old Highway 99 on the east side of Olympia Regional Airport. It's estimated to be 330-400 years old and has been called "the finest tree in the county."

You can nominate a “Heritage Tree” in Tumwater

Over the years there have been increasing concerns about the preservation of trees in the city, which is why the Tumwater Tree Board shared the process of designating heritage trees during its … more

By Kristine Javier | 8/10/21

Port of Olympia holds public workshop for New Market Industrial Campus development

To address community concerns, the Port of Olympia in partnership with the city of Tumwater recently held an online community workshop regarding a proposed development agreement with Panattoni … more

8/6/21

Tumwater declared Aug. 31, 2021 to be Overdose Awareness Day at the city council meeting on Aug. 2.

“Overdose Awareness Day” coming to Washington and to Tumwater

Drug overdose remains a major issue within the state, which is why Tumwater recently declared August 31 as “Overdose Awareness Day” to help address the public health issue and remove the … more

By Danny Stusser | 8/4/21

This was the first of the Facebook meme posts for which Zhdanov was criticized. It was posted on January 19, 2019 with the comment, "Speak!"

Tumwater Schools loses its new Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Tumwater School District’s new Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) had been on the job for less than a month when four postings on his personal Facebook account became known to … more

By Danny Stusser | 7/30/21

Littlerock Road at 73rd Ave. SW - The property under consideration covers 19 acres of land which the city staff proposes to change from Neighborhood Commercial (NC) to Single Family Medium Density Residential (SFM).

Tumwater city staff propose substantial zoning changes to the city-county Joint Plan

City staff proposed to make substantial zoning changes in several areas in Tumwater as a part of the Joint Tumwater / Thurston County Plan. The proposed … more

By Kristine Javier | 7/28/21

Port of Olympia Executive Director Sam Gibboney called the meeting to order during the Port’s revised commission meeting on Monday, July 26, 2021 following a heated exchange between Commissioners Joe Downing and E.J Zita over discussion about an inter-Local agreement related to the lease of 200 acres of port property in Tumwater.

Port Exec Director calls meeting to order following heated exchange between Downing and Zita

“I ask not to be interrupted,” Zita said. Tension rose between the two commissioners during the Port of Olympia Commission meeting yesterday. Port of Olympia Executive Director Sam … more

By Danny Stusser | 7/27/21

Four members of Lacey's city council met with Assistant City Manager Shannon Kelley-Fong on July 22, 2021.

Lacey City Council plans to consider hybrid meetings by August

As more and more residents are being vaccinated, the Lacey City Council weighed the possibility of moving to in-person meetings sometime in August during its work session last Thu., July 22. The … more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/27/21 | 1 comment