Stories,photos,videos,specialsections,printissues,eeditions,packages,magazines,maps,polls,charts | The JOLT News Organization, A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization

Protestors gather outside Olympia City Hall June 23 to celebrate the life of Yvonne McDonald, a Black woman from Olympia who died two years ago. Her family is still waiting on information about McDonald's death they requested from local officials.

Racial justice town hall highlights race in the justice system

OLYMPIA –– The City of Olympia began its four-meeting town hall series on racial justice July 23. With the heightening energy surrounding recent events that highlight the intentions surrounding the Black Lives Matter movement, the meeting is designed to allow Black voices to bring their perspectives to the table. more

By Andrew Oslin of JOLT | 7/24/20

Olympia city officials plan to move forward with hiring a new police auditor in the coming months. The police auditor would be tasked with ensuring the Olympia Police Department acts fairly and equitably towards members of the community that officers come into contact with.

Olympia to bring back police auditor program

OLYMPIA –– The City Of Olympia is restoring the police auditor program started in 2002 in response to the concerns over recent police brutality in the community and across the country. more

By Prachi Gohil of JOLT | 7/23/20

Police blotter July 22, 2020

Olympia Police Department Jesse D. Mercer, 30, was arrested around 1:01 a.m. in the intersection of 8 th Avenue Southeast and Capitol Way South in Olympia. He was charged with pedestrian … more

By Andrew Oslin of JOLT | 7/23/20

City officials talk forming city-wide human rights commission

OLYMPIA –– To expand access to human rights and oppose human rights violations for Olympians city-wide, Olympia’s General Government Committee is working to form a Human Rights … more

By Prachi Gohil of JOLT | 7/23/20

Myra, an eight-year-old border collie, rolls in the grass at a Border Collie International show at Rainier Vista Community Park in Lacey on Thursday. Her owner, Greg Gustafson, calls her "Wiggles."

Keeping pets safe when temperatures rise

OLYMPIA, WA – Summer is here and temperatures are rising. Your parked car can be a dangerous place for your pet. more

Joint Animal Services | 7/23/20

Police Blotter July 21, 2020

Lacey Police Department Melissa L. Schoch, 51, was arrested around 9:44 p.m. in the 1800 block of Draham Street Northeast in Lacey. She had a warrant for her arrest out of Lacey. Rafael A. … more

By Andrew Oslin of JOLT | 7/22/20

Several police agencies coordinated to clear all customers and Safeway employees out of the store as the suspect was armed and threatening to shoot. Thurston County Sheriff SWAT vehicle is at the east side of the building in the center of this image.

California man subject of officer-involved shooting

TUMWATER –– A man caused a disturbance in the parking lot of the Tumwater Safeway Wednesday night, resulting in a Tumwater Police officer shooting at him. more

By Madeline Shannon and Danny Stusser of JOLT | 7/22/20

A firefighter puts out a fire at the Old Brewery Tower in Tumwater on June 6. The Tumwater Police Department determined the cause of the fire to be arson.

Old brewery tower Phase 1 work complete

TUMWATER –– Yesterday the Tumwater City Council officially approved completion of the first phase of work on the empty Olympia Brewing Company brewery tower. more

By Andrew Oslin of JOLT | 7/21/20

Only Thurston and Pacific Counties report total consumer spending has increased from January 2020 through today. Other counties have experienced negative growth during this period. Much of this spending has been with large businesses, including online retailers.

Business remains strong in Thurston County, report EDC Director and Tumwater leaders.

Consumer spending and residential construction have remained strong in 2020 according to Michael Cade, executive director of the Thurston Economic Development Council, and Tumwater Mayor… more

By Danny Stusser of JOLT | 7/21/20

Medical assistant Amanda Fennell seemed to be smiling as she prepared to administer a COVID-19 test in near 80 degree weather on Monday, July 20, 2020.

Just to be sure: I got my drive-through COVID-19 test today

Like scenes from the television news, this morning I drove my car into two different lines, windows rolled up in the 80 degree heat, and waited for COVID-19 tests. One for me, one for a family … more

By Danny Stusser of JOLT | 7/20/20

Police blotter July 17-19

July 17 Lacey Police Department Alycia P. Davenport, 23, was arrested around 3 p.m. in the 10500 block of Creek Street Northeast in Yelm. She was charged with assault. Darren James … more

By Andrew Oslin of JOLT | 7/20/20

Police Blotter July 10, 2020

Lacey Police Department Felecia Ann Ann Lopez Mendoza, 22, was arrested around 10:25 p.m. in the 1400 block of Galaxy Drive Northeast in Lacey. She was charged with theft. Michael Joseph … more

By Andrew Oslin of JOLT | 7/20/20

NRB's Beauty is a local soap company started by 16-year-old Naomi Barer. The company is hosting two pop-up shops in West Olympia on July 25 and Aug. 8.

NRB’s Beauty to offer handmade soaps at West Olympia pop-up shops

After a successful first quarter of online sales of its luxury handmade soaps, NRB’s Beauty announced today it will celebrate with two special Pop Up Shop events in West Olympia on July 25th and August 8th. more

7/20/20

Olympia officials looking at housing plan

OLYMPIA –– With city officials recording vacancy rates of less than three percent in Olympia’s housing market, efforts are underway to put together an affordable housing plan that will assist in controlling rent prices, which are continually rising, city officials said. more

By Prachi Gohil of JOLT | 7/20/20

Two minor fires in Thurston County Monday

THURSTON COUNTY –– Two fires broke out July 20 in the county, although no deaths or injuries were reported. more

By Andrew Oslin of JOLT | 7/19/20

Olympia School Board looks at career training programs

OLYMPIA –– The Olympia School Board discussed yesterday their district-wide plan for Career and Technical Education (CTE) course offerings. The Olympia School District offers CTE programs to all students in the seventh to twelfth grade, with an emphasis placed on accessibility and a wide spectrum of options. more

By Andrew Oslin of JOLT | 7/19/20

Compare Candidates: Thurston County Commissioner District 1 Primary

One of the curious political realities in Thurston County is every presidential election year we also vote for two of our three county commissioners. more

By Paul Pickett for JOLT | 7/19/20

Justice for All - How Would We Know?

Do people of color, low income, or with drug or mental health issues get equal treatment in our criminal justice system? Do police in our community use best practices? Do we know if our justice … more

7/18/20 | 1 comment

Since the start of the pandemic shutdowns, Thurston EDC and Thurston Chamber of Commerce have held weekly Zoom conferences on topics of interest to business leaders.

Tourism improving in Thurston County since Safe Start Phase 3

THURSTON COUNTY –– Yesterday’s “Declassified” web conference offered perspectives on re-opening from the co-owner of Chelsea Farms Oyster Bar, a restaurant in downtown Olympia, the general manager of Great Wolf Lodge in Rochester and the CEO of Experience Olympia & Beyond, the official destination marketing organization of Thurston County. more

By Danny Stusser of JOLT | 7/17/20

Police Blotter July 16, 2020

Lacey Police Department Trevor James Starkey, 29, was arrested around 3:10 a.m. in the 1700 block of Viewpoint Court Southwest in Tumwater. He was charged with assault. Dawyne Simon … more

By Andrew Oslin of JOLT | 7/17/20