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Judge rules against historic oak

Judge Anne Egeler ruled in Thurston County Superior Court today (Friday, May 31) against a movement to save the historic Davis-Meeker Garry Oak tree that Tumwater mayor Debbie Sullivan has vowed to …
A bus pulling into the Intercity Transit bus stop in Olympia
Starting Monday, June 17, Intercity Transit will cease posting rider alerts on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).    This decision comes in response to changes in the algorithms of …
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Black Hills Audubon Society member Sue Danver spoke during the public comments section of the Port of Olympia Commission’s meeting this week to request the port to postpone the upcoming air show.
Conservation group Black Hills Audubon Society (BHAS) is requesting the Port of Olympia to postpone the upcoming air show scheduled for June 15 and 16 to after August 15 so the event does not overlap …
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Recently there was an article in the Washington Post about multiple American Flamingoes returning to Florida and reestablishing possible breeding populations. These birds were present in big numbers …
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Outside the back door
A perennial flower border can be a beautiful sight or a source of frustration. Most of the time, it’s some of each. Photographers for garden books, websites and magazines show us gorgeous …
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A photo of the kestrel spotted on the Davis-Meeker Garry Oak.
An environmental group suing Tumwater Mayor Debbie Sullivan for her decision to remove the historic Davis-Meeker Oak is requesting the the court extend its temporary restraining order …
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FC Olympia’s starting eleven in their 4-1 road win at Lane United.
The women’s team of FC Olympia won their first away game this season after peppering Lane United FC, 4-1, at their home turf at Civic Park in Eugene, OR last Friday, May 24, as they remain …
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Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez visited SW WA Agricultural Business and Innovation Park site in February 2023 with Thurston County Commissioner and formerTenino mayor Wayne Fournier.
Two community projects from Thurston County are among the fifteen projects in Southwest Washington for funding request by Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez for fiscal year 2025. Totaling $35,695,000, …
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The scales of Justice represent the idea of decisions reached fairly and objectively by a weighing of evidence.
A 39-year old man said to have a mental illness has been arrested by authorities after trespassing in a residential area. Tumwater Police Department (TPD) officers were dispatched to Trosper …
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Attend some of these events and show your support to local artisans and business owners. Dreams in Action: An Evening with Enterprise for Equity, Friday, May 31, 6 – 8:30 p.m. At this …
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Reader opinion: The JOLT publishes readers' letters on Thurston County topics, generally verbatim and within a day or two of receiving them. These opinions come from members of our community.
Taking responsibility means acknowledging and accepting accountability for one’s actions, decisions, and their consequences, whether positive or negative. It involves being honest about your …
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Image of a sprinkler watering a lawn.
Starting June 1, the City of Lacey will enforce its mandatory odd-even watering schedule for all outdoor landscapes, continuing through September 30. This regulation is part of an effort to …
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The Public Works Department recommends adopting the comprehensive cost recovery option, ensuring Lacey covers operational and future replacement costs.
The City of Lacey is advancing its electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure with upgrades and expansions, as outlined in a recent briefing by the Public Works Department to the Lacey City …
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Olympia CDBG Program Manager Anastasia Everett presented the six recommendations for CDBG PY 2024 at the Community Livability and Public Safety meeting on Wednesday, May 22, 2024.
Olympia’s annual Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding from the federal government has declined by $15,000 to $347,000 for the program year 2024, Anastasia Everett, the city’s …
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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.
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, …
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Life
Thurston's Birds
This Turkey Vulture is soaring over Patagonia, Argentina.

Turkey Vultures and other soaring birds

Ever wonder what happens to road kills and other dead animals? Sometimes they are collected or buried by road maintenance folks, but more often they are removed by one of our more important, and …

Tumwater City Administrator Lisa Parks (top left) spoke to the city council at the May 1, 2024 meeting.

Tumwater city administrator takes responsibility for process that led to plans to cut down the Davis-Meeker tree

The city council discussed the future of the historic 400-year-old tree at its May 21 meeting. The tree has been deemed a hazard by the city’s consultant urban forester; other arborists disagree.
The scales of Justice represent the idea of decisions reached fairly and objectively by a weighing of evidence.

Stolen vehicle pursuit ends in arrest in Tumwater

Tumwater Police Department (TPD) and the Thurston County Sheriff's Office (TCSO) coordinated a stolen vehicle pursuit that led to the arrest of a suspect with multiple felony warrants.
Trish Lynn and Thom Donitz and friends

Common sense pet safety for hot summer weather

Thom Donitz and Trish Lynn are neighbors and close friends who share their love of animals and wildlife. Trish is a lifelong resident of Tumwater; Thom moved here 20 years ago. Contact them at …

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Police Blotter

Police Blotter for Friday, May 31, 2024

Thurston County Sheriff’s Office On 5/31/24 at 1:16 a.m. in the 21500 block of Terra Lane SE, Sheriff’s deputies arrested Tommy L. Guebara, 30, on suspicion of 4 th degree assault. …

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Opinions: Yours & our columnists
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 …
The Garry Oak Tree Landmark and Old Hwy 99
Could Old Highway 99 someday be as famous as Route 66? Will songs be written and tourists drawn to visit it? To some people that seems unlikely, but I suggest that it is worth considering. There is a …
Local pet-related events: past, present and future
Ours is a pet-active region!  Past: Ratapalooza Ratapalooza was held on Saturday, May 18 at the Thurston County Fairgrounds. We attended and were overwhelmed by the turnout of so many …
A letter in protest of the city of Tumwater’s decision of euthanasia on the Davis-Meeker Garry Oak
My name is Jesse Brighten, ISA certified arborist and Tree Risk Assessment Qualified. Attending the Tumwater City Council meeting on 5/21/24, I was frankly appalled with the presentation by Lisa …
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 …

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Calendar of events
Olympia headlines
University of Washington’s Jackson Ozburn (in green) got the starting nod as goalkeeper for FC Olympia in their first two games of the 2024 USL2 season.
FC Olympia’s rebuilding men’s squad struggled to a relatively slow start in their 2024 campaign in the USL League Two (USL2) as they dropped their league opener against Tacoma Stars FC, …
The scales of Justice represent the idea of decisions reached fairly and objectively by a weighing of evidence.
On March 24, the Olympia Police Department (OPD) posted a request for public assistance in  identifying a suspect involved in an arson incident.  The Washington State Patrol located …
Community Livability and Public Safety Committee, May 22, 2024. Olympia's Strategic Planning and Performance Director Stacey Ray explains the relationship between the proposed community board, civilian police auditor, the OPD, and city council in the new oversight system. She said each part would maintain its independence but must also work collaboratively.
Olympia's Community Livability and Public Safety Committee voted to move to the city council the recommendation to create an independent Community Oversight Board, which enhances the community's role …
Estuarium Drag Benefit Show: Walk the Plank: Drag on the Salish Sea
In celebration of Pride Month, the Puget Sound Estuarium is hosting a series of events to recognize diversity through visibility of LGBTQIA+ individuals in STEM, as well as educate the community …
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.
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 …

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Tumwater headlines
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 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 …
A slide from the Tumwater city staff’s presentation shows the length of the project which spans 3,330 feet of Mottman Road.
Olympia and Tumwater are set to spend $7.6 million to construct pedestrian and bicycle improvements along Mottman Road.   The Tumwater Public Works Committee agreed on Thursday, May 23, to …
Sign that was posted under the Davis Meeker oak stating it being unsafe. The sign was posted May 23.
A group fighting to save the historic Davis-Meeker Garry Oak tree from being cut down achieved a victory in their quest. Thurston County superior Court issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) …

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Thurston County
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’s Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) approved the Forest Lands Conversion Code update at a meeting on Tuesday.   Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) …
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.
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 …
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 met with the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) yesterday to discuss this year’s on-call contract solicitation, evaluation, and results. According to the …

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Lacey headlines
Concept sketch of the exterior (top) and the indoor family aquatic center of the future Young Child and Family Education Center give an idea of some features of the new facility. The project is a joint venture of the City of Lacey Parks and Recreation, North Thurston Public Schools, Thurston Economic Development Council and the South Sound YMCA.
Lacey City Council and the North Thurston Public Schools Board of Directors held a joint special meeting on Tuesday, May 21 at the school district administrative offices. The leaders sat intermingled …
The photos are taken from the CCTV footage of the alleged theft suspects at Ulta Beauty
acey Police Department (LPD) is requesting assistance from the public to identify three suspects involved in two separate theft incidents at Ulta Beauty.   LPD released the photos of the …
Annette Sloan, Chantel and Matt Wagner with their service pony Apollo
Change the Narrative WA hosted the Music For a Cause music festival in Huntamer Park in Lacey WA on May 25, 2024.  This was their 2nd event during the Memorial Weekend.  There were …
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.
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 …
Saint Martins’ University’s Alisha Saucedo’s poster, in celebration of her breaking the school record for the women’s 800 meters in the GNAC Championships.
The best student-athletes of Saint Martin’s University (SMU) stood their ground as they performed in the 2024 Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) Outdoor Track & Field Championships …

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More local news
 Olympia Cultural Access Advisory Board recommends funding 60 local art and culture organizations
The Community Livability and Public Safety Committee approved the Cultural Access Advisory Board's (CAAB) recommendation to fund 60 local organizations for over $2 million and forwarded the same to …
More military veterans and active duty service members are dying by suicide than in battle – understanding why can help with prevention
Although service members know they may lose their lives in combat in service of their country, they may not expect to lose their lives – or those they love – to suicide. April Smith , Auburn University Although service …
Making connections thru making masks
Sixth graders complete an endangered species project   The students of Autumn Stevick and Jennifer Metsler are not just passive learners, but active investigators, as evidenced in a recent …
Olympia resident raises concerns about rent increases
An Olympia resident aired concerns about preemptive rent increases in the city, alleging that her landlord appeared to circumvent the new rental protection laws. During the public comment …
County honors fallen officers, commemorates Peace Officers Memorial Day
Thurston County commemorated Peace Officers Memorial Day, a solemn occasion dedicated to honoring law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
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.  …
Tumwater to wait for U.S. Supreme Court decision before revisiting night-time loitering ordinance
The Tumwater City Council has decided to wait for the US Supreme Court’s decision on the Grants Pass case before resuming discussions about an ordinance that would suspend the prohibition of …
Long Lake expected to stay open all summer after receiving treatment for algal bloom
Long Lake Management District conducted its annual treatment last week to mitigate harmful algal blooms ahead of the coming summer. The lake management district contracted AquaTechnex to perform …
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 …
Tumwater police report 25 use-of-force incidents in 2023
Tumwater Police Department recorded 25 incidents of police officers using force in 2023, Lieutenant Carlos Quiles reported to the Tumwater Public Health and Safety Committee on Tuesday, May 14. …

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