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New plan targets Thurston County’s overdose crisis

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) unanimously approved the 2025 Opioid Response Plan, during the Board of Health (BOH) meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. The expanded …
The trial of Major Michael Stockin, who had pleaded guilty to sexually abusing dozens of male soldiers at Joint Base Lewis-McChord’s Madigan Army Medical Center, concluded on Jan. 15 at the …
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Tumwater’s Police Admin Supervisor Laura Wohl (upper left) briefed the city’s Public Health and Safety Committee about a contract with 365Labs on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025.
The Tumwater Public Health and Safety Committee endorsed a contract with 365Labs to provide a jail and records management system for law enforcement agencies ...
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The Nisqually Indian Tribe announced it distributed more than $1.9 million to over 150 local agencies and organizations, including The JOLT News, via its 2024 Charitable and Local Government Program. …
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Police lights, as seen in this undated photo.
A man suspected of drug dealing was arrested after a police chase spanning multiple highways and residential areas on the night of Jan. 7.   The pursuit began at past 9 in the …
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Olympia City Councilman Jim Cooper raised concerns over a proposed budget plan of transferring $1 billion in surplus funds from the LEOFF system to the state's budget. He said the cities and counties are mandated to provide lifetime healthcare coverage for its retiree members. He made his remarks at a council meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025.  
At Tuesday's Olympia City Council meeting, Councilmember Jim Cooper voiced concerns over a proposal to sweep surplus funds from the Law Enforcement Officers' and Fire Fighters' Retirement System …
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The Lacey Historical Commission reviewed and approved the addition of a significant photograph to the Lacey Museum’s permanent collection during its meeting on Jan. 15, 2025.
The Lacey Historical Commission reviewed and approved the addition of a significant photograph to the Lacey Museum’s permanent collection.    A digital photograph of Bridget …
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Avanti High School senior Emy Kissick (pictured) is the first female to earn a scholarship for Mazda's Factory Club Racing Team. The scholarship is worth $50,000.
Olympia School District (OSD) Superintendent Patrick Murphy showcased students who excelled in their respective fields at a meeting on Thursday, Jan. 9.   Two seniors and a sixth grader …
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Historian and civil rights advocate Dr. Thelma Jackson received the Olympia City Council's proclamation honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025.
Olympia joins the nation in observing Dr. Martin Luther King Day on Jan. 20 with a proclamation that honors the life of Dr. King for his dedication to the nonviolent crusade ...
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Shannon Sankstone
Last week, I provided free parent training on Special Education Community Complaints (SECC) for the Benton-Franklin Counties Special Education PTA. This column follows the presentation. The most …
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Jill Severn
The sign in front of Luck Dental Center says, “January is like a Monday only longer.”    Rachel Feintzeig goes even further; in a guest column in The New York Times, she …
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Shirley Stirling
Talk about good feedback. Todd Monohon, Olympic Rental & Landlord Services , 115 State Ave NE, has won two awards in two months. The first from the Thurston Chamber as 2024 Boss of the Year and …
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Life

What’s happening this week — sales, book events and performances in Thurston County

Join the upcoming sales, adventures, book club and music performances initiated by locals.

Carrot ginger soup recipe

Carrot ginger soup recipe

This is definitely soup weather. Nothing soothes body and soul like a bowl of hot soup on a cold, wet day.  Today’s recipe is savory Carrot Ginger soup. It is vegetarian, and can be …

Volunteer with Lacey Veterans Services Hub 

Lacey Veterans Services Hub is seeking volunteers to support veterans and their families in Thurston County.   The hub, which offers various services to veterans, is largely volunteer-run …
The City of Olympia is inviting community members to participate in a meaningful art project for the National Day of Racial Healing on Jan. 21.  

Olympia launches art project for National Day of Racial Healing  

Olympia invites community members to participate in a meaningful art project for the National Day of Racial Healing on Jan. 21.    The National Day of Racial Healing encourages …

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Police Blotter

Police Blotter for Friday, Jan. 17, 2025

Thurston County Sheriff’s Office On 1/17/25 at 5:19 a.m. in the 6400 block of 123 rd Avenue SW, Sheriff’s deputies arrested Braden Matthew Loveland, 20, on suspicions of 1) attempt …

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Opinions: Yours & our columnists
More photos from Liam and a bird flu update
This week in Thurston’s Birds we are again featuring some of Liam Hutcheson’s recent photographs. I so much appreciate having Liam’s photos for this weekly column because they …
Preparing for wildfires
When I was about 4 years old, our gas stove exploded, and our house burned to the ground. Fortunately, no one was home at the time.   One of my first memories is that of sitting on the edge …
Bird flu and you
When an issue becomes personal, we tend to pay attention. As one who loves to eat eggs, I have a lot of company as per capita egg consumption in the U.S. has increased by 5% in the last 20 years. …
'Lightfall: This is our apocalypse'
As always, I love to read new authors and books find their way to me in all kinds of ways. The book we’re discussing today was left on my doorstep, leaning up against a gray slate slab …
What's for dinner tonight?
If you’re not a vegetable gardener yet, perhaps today’s column will make you consider becoming one. Here’s why:     We’ve been bombarded lately by alarming …

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Calendar of events
Olympia headlines
Olympia City Council member Kelly Green was sworn in on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025.
Kelly Green was sworn in as an Olympia City Council member on Tuesday, Jan. 14, after being appointed to fill a vacant seat through a ranked-choice voting process.   Her daughter ceremonially swore in …
The Olympia Municipal Court is forming a Community Court Advisory Committee to enhance its efforts in addressing the root causes of misdemeanor crimes.   This initiative offers …
A section of Marvin Road in Lacey will be closed from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 16.
Here are upcoming road closures in Olympia and Lacey.     Olympia   Olympia announced the road closure in Fir Street starting January 21 to February 14.     …
Glenn Wells, project architect, presented the floor plan design for the Henderson Loft Apartments project, a 35-unit multifamily development located on Lot 4 at 2102 Henderson Park Lane SE.
The Olympia Design Board approved on Thursday, Jan. 9, the concept design for the Henderson Loft Apartments project, a new 35-unit multifamily development near the Henderson Boulevard roundabout. …
Jason Prenovost was announced as the new technical director of FC Olympia’s USL2 men’s squad.
FC Olympia announced on its website Wednesday that it has hired new technical staff to steer its USL League Two (USL2) squad for the upcoming 2025 soccer season this summer.   A new head …

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Tumwater headlines
The historic Davis Meeker Oak stands by the Olympia Regional Airport and Old Highway 99 in Tumwater.
According to Tumwater Sustainability Coordinator Alyssa Jones Wood, the results of the second risk assessment of the Davis-Meeker Gary oak tree may be available by the end of the month.   …
Ben Rarick (third from the left), Tumwater School District Board Assistant Superintendent of Finance & Operations, briefed the Board of Directors on the Budget Update and Fiscal Recovery Plans at a budget work session on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025.
Tumwater School District's (TSD) Board of Directors had a budget work session for a budget situation update and to learn possible financial decisions for the academic year 2025-26.   TSD …
Tumwater residents are invited to attend the Community Center Design Project Community Workshop on Monday, Jan. 13, 2024.
Tumwater invites residents to its Community Center Design Project Community Workshop this coming Monday.     Funded by the Tumwater Metropolitan Parks District, the city has partnered …

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Thurston County
Jennifer Walker. Thurston County announced the promotion of Jennifer Walker to Assistant County Manager. The promotion took effect on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025.
Thurston County announced two key leadership appointments on Tuesday with promotions for Jennifer Walker and Karen Weiss to new roles within the county’s management team.  Walker, who has …
The median price of residential properties and condominiums in Thurston County climbed in the final month of the year, amid stronger sales in both housing categories. The residential market …
Jasmine Vasavada is the new president of the Port of Olympia Commission.
The Port of Olympia Commission unanimously elected Jasmine Vasavada as president on Monday, Jan. 13.   Maggie Sanders was elected vice president, while Sarah Tonge …

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Lacey headlines
Lacey City Hall, as seen in this undated photo.
The City of Lacey is hosting an open house to allow residents the opportunity to provide feedback and learn about the city’s Comprehensive Plan, a long-term guide for growth and development.     …
Educators at North Thurston School District are figuring out ways to incentivize school …
Lacey City Hall, as seen in November 2020.
Lacey is inviting community members to apply for vacancies on its Planning Commission and Parks, Culture and Recreation Board.    Both positions offer opportunities for residents to …
Lacey City Hall, as seen in this undated photo.
Lacey is now accepting applications for its 2025 Neighborhood Grant Program (LNGP), with a deadline of March 31.   The City Council has allocated $60,000 for the initiative, which offers …
Historian and civil rights advocate Dr. Thelma Jackson spoke about the need to refocus the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on the issues that Dr. King championed, particularly the fight against racism and discrimination during the Lacey City Council meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.
The Lacey City Council issued an official proclamation recognizing Jan. 20,  as Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the city. The proclamation honors Dr. …

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More local news
 Thurston County BoCC to revamp proclamation process
The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) is looking to update a proclamation process to provide more substantive community engagement opportunities.    During the …
Yelm voters to determine fate of Proposition 1 in upcoming special election
A special election is being held next month for voters within the jurisdiction of Yelm Community Schools (YCS).
Officials warn of human trafficking threats in Thurston County 
Thurston County officials are urging residents to confront the pervasive issue of human trafficking, as the Thurston County Board of Health adopted a proclamation on Tuesday, Jan. 14, recognizing …
Public comment period opens for new chapters of Olympia Regional Airport master plan
The Port of Olympia is giving community members a month to comment on newly released chapters of its updated master plan for the Olympia Regional Airport. The comment period started on Monday, Jan. …
Judge dismisses recall petition against Commissioner Clouse
An effort to remove Thurston County Commissioner Emily Clouse from office was stymied after a judge found a recall petition failed to satisfy the legal sufficiency requirement of the state law that …
Board of Natural Resources authorizes bid for 142 acres of Capitol State Forest
The Washington Board of Natural Resources (BNR) authorized to bid timber from 142 acres of Capitol State Forest at a meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 7.    The sale, nicknamed Matador, represents 7,288 metric board …
Olympia City Council honors poet laureate Kathleen Byrd 
The Olympia City Council recognized Kathleen Byrd, the city's fourth poet laureate, on Tuesday, Jan. 7, for using poetry to engage the community on environmental and climate …
Olympia School District formally recognizes Classified School Employee of the Year 
The Olympia School District (OSD) Board of Directors formally presented Mohamed “Mr. Mo” El-Sokkary with the Classified School Employee of the Year (CSEY) award at a special recognition …
About 67 Griffin School District students 'on-track' to graduate
The Griffin School District  shared updates on its partnership with the Olympia School District (OSD) for its Class of 2027.   Griffin …
Nonprofit launches campaign to help provide pathways for high-wage job opportunities 
The Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council (PacMtn) announced that it has launched the "Opportunity Begins Here" campaign on Tuesday, January 7, to help connect job seekers, employers, and …

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