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Tumwater launches off-grid solar charging at Pioneer Park 

Two electric vehicle (EV) charging stations are now available for public use at Pioneer Park in Tumwater.   Tumwater held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, October 4, to celebrate the …
Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) representatives met with the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) on Wednesday, October 2 to discuss a revision on the definition of the Less Restrictive Alternative Community Housing. On the photo is CPED Interim Director Ashley Arai (left) and CPED Associate Planner Ana Rodriguez (right).
A revision to the definition of Less Restrictive Alternative (LRA) Community Housing is being eyed, Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) representatives said at a meeting on Wednesday, …
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The brown-shaded areas of this map represent the parcels in Capitol State Forest that the county wants DNR to defer harvest on. According to BoCC, multiple community groups have "ground-truthed" these parcels.
The Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) wants to create a stakeholder workgroup to “plan the best way forward” for Capitol State Forest, according to the board’s October 1 letter …
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Making Sense of Olympia by David Sherer Water
Having been born and raised in Thurston County, I have fond memories wrapped up in this place.  I remember when the Olympia Farmers Market was in the Shakeys Pizza parking lot, when the Carnegie …
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The Saints women’s soccer team got their first win of the season at the expense of the CWU Wildcats, thanks to the goal by Inara Lopez de Andrade
The Saint Martin’s University women’s soccer team finally found the winning column in this soccer season in a hard-fought 1-0 win over Central Washington University at their pitch in the …
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Shannon Beigert
This is the time of year when the last of the summer vegetables are harvested. Our tomato plants are producing their final fruit. It is a good time to use our veggies to prepare a delicious comfort …
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Evergreen State College, in partnership with the South Sound Graduate Fair Coalition, will host the first annual South Sound Graduate School Fair on October 8. The fair will be held at Evergreen …
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The Thurston Board of County Commissioners officially proclaimed October 2024 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, highlighting the persistent issue and ongoing efforts to combat domestic violence in the community during its meeting on October 1, 2024.
The Thurston Board of County Commissioners officially proclaimed October 2024 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, highlighting the persistent issue and ongoing efforts to combat domestic violence …
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"... the whole purpose of being a landlord is to provide housing and services to people in exchange for rent," writes Priscilla Terry.
The City of Olympia will hold a public hearing in council chambers on Tuesday, Oct. 8, to gather community input on a proposed $5.45 million grant application for affordable housing initiatives. …
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Jason Wettstein (top left), the city’s communications manager, briefed the Tumwater City Council on a resolution expressing the council’s disapproval of a state ballot measure that would prohibit the trade of carbon credits.
Tumwater City Council adopted a resolution expressing its disapproval of a state ballot measure that, if passed, would prohibit the trade in carbon credits. The council unanimously voted to …
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The Board of County Commissioners approved on-call service contracts for Capitol Land Trust, Center for Natural Lands Management, Ecostudies Institute, and Washington State University (WSU) Extension in Olympia on Tuesday, Oct. 1.
The Board of County Commissioners approved the contract of four organizations to implement the county’s habitat conservation program. As part of the board’s consent agenda on …
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The Saint Martin’s University volleyball team ended their Alaska trip with a win over the Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks with a reverse sweep.
The Saints traveled to their farthest conference opponents way up in Alaska for the last match week of September, splitting the results with a 1-3 defeat against the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves …
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Olympia Finance Committee, Sept. 16, 2024. Olympia has made the minimum wage increase issue a priority, to develop an ordinance for city council consideration. 
The Olympia Finance Committee is developing a potential recommendation to the city council that would raise the minimum wage in the city as early as January 1, 2025.  The committee deferred a …
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The Lacey City Council and the Thurston County Board of Commissioners convened a joint public hearing on October 1, 2024, to gather testimony regarding the proposed annexation of Draham Road and Cuoio Park North Island. 
The Lacey City Council and the Thurston County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved an interlocal agreement facilitating the annexation of Draham Road and Cuoio Park North Island.   …
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The Tumwater Lodging Tax Advisory Committee met on Sept. 23, 2024, to review the applications of several organizations looking to receive lodging tax funds. 
Tumwater City Council approved the distribution of this year’s lodging tax funds. As part of its consent agenda on Tuesday, October 1, the council adopted the recommendation of the Lodging Tax …
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Life
Thurston's Birds
Golden-crowned Kinglet

How Hurricane Helene gave us a further peek at fall avian migration

Have you had enough reading about Hurricane Helene and all its impacts? Here’s another story about the hurricane, and it may surprise you. September and October are the peak months for the …

What’s happening this weekend– Olympia Fall Arts Walk, Lacey Children’s Fest and other festivities

Invite the whole neighborhood to visit the well-loved arts walk and children’s fest.   Olympia Arts Walk, Weekend, October 4-5, September 28 Mark your calendars for a vibrant …
Kathleen Anderson

Who can help with disaster preparedness?

The recent horrific reports of the devastation of Hurricane Helene brought to mind the need for volunteers to aid the residents affected by the storm. We in the Pacific Northwest have other …
Some of the books that Trish and Thom are reviewing in this article

Fur friends homage to the written word 

One of the perks of writing for The Jolt is that we are surrounded by other columnists who inspire us to try to do our best. The newest addition to this great lineup is Sound Words by Amy Lewis. Her …

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Police Blotter

Police Blotter for Sunday, October 6, 2024

Lacey Police Department On 10/06/24 at 7:39 p.m. at 1100 Blk Galaxy Dr NE Lacey, police arrested Brennen L. Woodruff, 32, on suspicion of LMC trespassing in the second degree (misdemeanor). ...

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Opinions: Yours & our columnists
Quiltmakers of Olympia show this weekend
I recently had the opportunity to learn all about the Quiltmakers of Olympia from members Diane and Penny. They have an upcoming Quilt Show on October 4 and 5, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the …
Coffee shops, and getting ready for the Dark Wet
One of the pleasures of writing this column is getting to meet new people and talk seriously about writing and the purpose of literature.  Especially when it’s in a coffee spot.  I am …
Recipe: Hawaiian chicken salad
Aloha! I just spent some time in Hawai'i. In Kona, I discovered a lovely little cafe called the Hungry Honu. They served a delicious chicken salad, and kindly shared their recipe with me.
Rebelling against rules in the garden
Writing a column about planting bulbs – like daffodils and other spring-blooming flowers – is part of the job description for garden columnists. We are expected to expound on the best …
No, they're not really going to shoot 450,000 owls
With headlines such as “Federal agency plans to cull 450,000 barred owls to boost another species,” media nationwide announced the eyebrow-raising plan by the US Fish and Wildlife Service …

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Calendar of events
Olympia headlines
The new 5th Avenue Bridge design includes an oculus—a large opening or hole in the middle of the bridge span—that allows visitors to observe the returning salmon and other aquatic life in the restored estuary. 
The Olympia City Council reviewed a draft interlocal agreement for the Deschutes Estuary restoration project presented by the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services on Tuesday, October 1. …
Evergreen’s Emmanuel Nicasio delivers a set piece. He scored the winner in the 90th minute against Northwest University to deliver their first win of the season.
Evergreen State College finally ended its losing streak with a chaotic finale. Emmanuel Nicasio scored the winning goal for the Geoducks at virtually the final kick of the match, 2-1, over Northwest …
The potluck picnic/barbeque drew neighbors and city officials including Olympia Police Sgt. Josh Marcuson, left, Olympia City Councilmember Robert Vanderpool, center, and Bentley the Olympia Police K9 Community Dog.
The South Capitol Neighborhood Association (SCNA) in Olympia held its potluck/barbeque picnic on Sunday, September 8 at Lincoln Elementary School.  The SCNA is one of the many Recognized …
Celebrate fall as Hands On Children’s Museum (HOCM) brings back family-friendly thrills and spooky treats at its annual Boo Bash! this October 25-31.    HOCM wrote on its event …
Under construction road sign, traffic cones and orange safety helmet
Thurston County Public Works has announced a month-long road closure on Kellogg Drive NE to replace a failing culvert. The closure, spanning from 72nd Ave NE to 7203 Kellogg Dr NE, will be in …

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Tumwater headlines
There's likely an event coming up to suit anyone's interests -- for the environment, culture, and the arts. Day of Caring, Friday, September 27, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Expect to see over 500 …
Once the project has been finished, the restored estuary will extend two miles from Tumwater Falls to the Fifth Avenue Bridge.
The Department of Enterprise Services (DES) presented to the Tumwater City Council on Tuesday, Sept. 24, a draft interlocal agreement for the Deschutes Estuary restoration project. Under the …
Join the Suicide Awareness Gathering on Monday, September 30, 6 to 8 p.m.
The ASHHO Cultural & Job Training Center at Tumwater is opening its doors for a mental health gathering about suicide and its well-known cultural bazaar.   Suicide Awareness Gathering …

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Thurston County
The Washington Department of Enterprise Services met with Thurston’s Board of County Commissioners on Monday, September 30, 2024 for the Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project updates. Photographed from left to right are Assistant Attorney General Dave Merchant, Project Director for the Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project Ann Larson, project manager for the consultant team Tessa Gardner-Brown, and project director with the ECO Northwest Sarah Reich.
Representatives of the Washington Department of Enterprise Services (DES) updated Thurston County’s Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) about the Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project at a …
Photojournalist JM Simpson and publisher Danny Stusser bagged the Institute for Nonprofit News’ (INN) award for The JOLT News Organization for photographs and text essays on Olympia’s …
Experience Olympia & Beyond CEO Annette Pitts discussed the progress of the community-driven sustainable Master Destination Plan at a Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) work session on September 30, 2024.
Experience Olympia & Beyond CEO Annette Pitts updated the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) at a meeting yesterday that priorities under Thurston County’s tourism-centered Destination …

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Lacey headlines
A teenage girl using a cell phone during a lesson in class
Since the opening of the current academic year, North Thurston Public Schools (NTPS) has implemented its Off and Away, All Day mobile device expectations at all of its schools.    The Off …
SMU announced that their basketball alumnus Brett Reed has moved to BC Spartak Pleven in Bulgaria.
SMU Basketball alumnus Brett Reed has signed a professional basketball contract to play in Bulgaria, joining BC Spartak Pleven for the 2024-25 season after brief spells in Germany and Sweden.  …
Saint Martin’s volleyball celebrates their opening game win over Northwest Nazarene.
After last year’s 10-8 winning record in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC), the Saint Martin’s University volleyball team is off to better their showing as they split their …
“Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.” ~Roger Caras
Two local animal welfare groups have teamed up to launch a campaign to help pet owners who have lost their pets. Joint Animal Services (JSA) announced in a statement that it has joined with …
The Lacey City Council officially adopted the 2024-2030 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Strategic Plan, marking a significant step toward advancing equity in the city.
The Lacey City Council officially adopted the 2024-2030 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Strategic Plan, marking a significant step toward advancing equity in the city. The plan, …

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More local news
 Puget Sound Energy wants to raise gas rates by 10.6% in November 
Puget Sound Energy (PSE) has requested increased natural gas rates with the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC).   The proposed increase—an average rate of …
County won’t be able comply with DNR directive regarding plans for Capitol State Forest 
A draft letter from the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) to be sent to the Board of Natural Resources (BNR) states that Thurston County will not be able to produce a plan within the time given by …
Olympia School District adopts policies on students, community relations, personnel
The Olympia School District (OSD) Board of Directors adopted some of its Policy Series for students, community relations, and personnel at a meeting on Thursday, September 26. The meeting …
The Jungle gets a clean-up 
City of Olympia officials notified homeless individuals living in The Jungle encampment on Monday, September 16, that the city would soon begin a “clean” of accumulated trash there, …
Olympia School District is in search of volunteers for its facilities planning advisory committee, student advisory council
The Olympia School District (OSD) is seeking interested volunteers for the Long Range Facilities Master Planning Advisory Committee and Student-Led Advisory Council.   Long Range Facilities …
City of Olympia faces 26 vacancies across advisory boards; application process to open in October
Olympia will open the recruiting process in October to fill 26 vacancies in the city's ten advisory boards and committees for 2025. At the Community Livability and Public Safety Committee …
Olympia School District asks for community participation in socio-emotional survey
Olympia School District (OSD) urges students, staff, and families in grades 3-12 to answer the Panorama Fall Climate Survey from Monday, September 23, to Monday, October 7. The survey gauges the …
Olympia Fall Arts Walk 2024 Innovation Award recipients recognized 
Award for art excellence and innovation in community engagement . The City of Olympia announced the Olympia Fall Arts Walk 2024 Innovation Award recipients, a news release stated Tuesday...
Evergreen State leaps into hot form with two weekend wins
Aft e r losing their first four conference games this year , the Evergreen State College Geoducks slowly built up their winning form in two important victories over the weekend . They squeez ed past …
Port authorizes interlocal agreement for Deschutes Estuary project
The Port of Olympia Commission authorized Executive Director Alex Smith on Monday, Sept. 23, to sign an interlocal agreement for the governance of the Deschutes Estuary restoration …

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