Community | The JOLT News Organization, a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit

“The enemy is lurking in our bodies” — Women veterans say toxic exposure caused breast cancer

October 14, 2021 -- As Kate Hendricks Thomas sat one night with her second-grade son Matthew, he placed his hands on the table as if he were an adult girding up for an important … more

by Kelly Kennedy | The War Horse | 10/15/21 | 1 comment

The Lacey City Council on Oct. 14, 2021 addressed their concerns about relocating 20 RVs that house transient people to a Carpenter Road location next to the city limits.

Lacey City Council shares their concerns on the Martin Way RV proposal

During yesterday’s work session, the Lacey City Council expressed their concerns about the proposed transfer of recreational vehicles (RVs) from Ensign Rd. next to Providence St. … more

By Kristine Javier | 10/15/21 | 1 comment

Google and the Garden

Come January, I will be longing for a chair by a fire and a stack of seed catalogues. That post-holiday ritual offered assurance that winter would not last forever. It was a time for mulling over … more

By Jill Severn | 10/15/21

Forming new habits takes 21 days, according to various sources, and is a key idea behind this program.

Tumwater’s 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge open to all

Tumwater’s city government and school district have teamed up to deliver the 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge, a series of brief videos, readings, audio recordings and discussion guides designed … more

By Danny Stusser | 10/12/21 | 3 comments

This home at 4040 Gull Harbor Rd in Olympia was sold by Kristy Woodford for $460,000

The JOLT Real Estate Report for Oct. 3-9, 2021

This weekly report covers single-family home sales in Thurston County over the past week. There were 96 sales completed from Sunday, October 3through Saturday, October 9, 2021. The median sales … more

10/11/21

Garden Year Awards

All this rain has made the grass green again, and my Seven Son tree was so pleased it unfurled a few new leaves even while the rest were starting to change color. Between downpours, it’s been … more

By Jill Severn | 10/8/21

The Thurston County Shoreline Master Plan program covers both marine shorelines, such as this one in downtown Olympia, and large lakes and streams.

Your comments sought on county's Shoreline Master Program update

The Thurston County Planning Commission invites public testimony on the proposed Shoreline Master Program (SMP) comprehensive and periodic updates … more

10/6/21

City of Olympia to sign new accord with the Squaxin Island Tribe

The Olympia City Council and the Squaxin Island Tribal Council will sign a new Accord between the two governments at noon on Thursday, Oct. 7 at Olympia City Hall. Following the signing of the … more

10/4/21

This home at 5005 Orcas St NE in Lacey was listed by Linda Heiser and sold last week for $740,000 by Kristy Woodford.

The JOLT Real Estate Report for Sept. 26 - Oct. 2, 2021

This weekly report covers single-family home sales in Thurston County over the past week. There were 141 sales completed from Sunday, September 26 through Saturday, Octoboer 2, 2021. The median … more

by Prachi Gohil | 10/4/21

This is the cover art for the book titled, "For the Good of the Order: The Braget Farm and Land Use in the Nisqually Valley" by Olympia-based author Timothy W. Ransom, Ph.D.

A real-life David-and-Goliath story: For the Good of the Order

As a native-born Washingtonian, I have known about the Nisqually Indian Tribe and the river that bears their name from the time I was an adolescent. In 1957, my 7th-grade class made a … more

Reviewed by Denny Hamilton | 10/1/21

What's happening coming up?

From The JOLT's Calendar, here are a few events in Thurston County and online to keep you entertained in the coming week! Arts Walk, 50th Anniversary Exhibit: Fri-Sun., Oct 1 - Nov 14, 10:00 … more

by Prachi Gohil | 10/1/21

Water is wealth: a view of eastern Washington farmlands both irrigated and unwatered.

The Empire of Wheat

This week brought a lesson in the difference between a home vegetable garden and the vast enterprise of farming. This lesson came to mind as a friend and I traveled through the Yakima Valley and … more

By Jill Severn | 10/1/21 | 1 comment

Community Action Council CEO Kirsten York shared an update on the programs that the council currently provides.

Community Action Council introduces housing options for people at risk

In a presentation to the Tumwater City Council on Tue., Sept. 28, Community Action Council of Lewis, Mason and Thurston Counties (CAC) presented several housing options for people who are either … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/30/21

The Thurston County Board of Health proclaimed the month of September 2021 as Suicide Prevention Month to address the increasing number of suicide cases in the county.

Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death in Thurston County

In a proclamation by county commissioners, Thurston County recognized suicide as one of the leading causes of death for young people between 10-17 years old and remains the 8th leading cause of death … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/30/21

Zoey Tucker, age 7 as pictured, daughter of Timberland Regional Library employee Lindsay Tucker, uses a Birding Backpack from the TRL Library of Things to spot birds and other fauna in a local park.

Try something new with TRL’s Library of Things

Timberland Regional Library offers outdoor adventure, at-home assistance and a chance to try new hobbies with its Library of Things collection. Timberland Regional Library (TRL) offers more than … more

By Taniah Najih | Timberland Regional Library | 9/30/21

Lacey City Council members expressed their concerns on Sept. 23, 2021 regarding the Regional Housing Council’s proposal to use the County Home Fund for the acquisition of 150 to 200 housing units.

Lacey City Council surprised over RHC’s permanent supportive housing plan

Several members of the Lacey City Council shared their surprise when they learned that the Regional Housing Council (RHC) has forwarded a motion to the Thurston County Commissioners for the … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/28/21

Port Commissioner Bill McGregor shared his concerns over the Port of Olympia’s mandatory vaccination requirement for its employees during the regular commission meeting on Mon., Sept. 27, 2021.

Port Commissioners react to mandatory vaccination requirement

In a statement, Port of Olympia Commissioner Bill McGregor said, “I am opposed to be mandated to do something. It’s a freedom of choice issue,” in reaction to a proposed resolution … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/28/21

This recent image of Lake Lawrence, in south Thurston County, shows a layer of algae scum that caused health officials to restrict use of the lake twice during the summer of 2021.

Toxic algae advisory lifted on Lake Lawrence

Thurston County Public Health and Social Services confirmed that the toxic algae advisory on Lake Lawrence has been lifted. On Monday, the county assured residents that it is now safe to … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/28/21

Karen Messmer of Olympia, a volunteer with Thurston Climate Action Team, campaigned for electric cars at Thurston Climate Action Team's flash mob gathering on Sat., Sept. 25, 2021.

Electric car flash mob popped up on Saturday

Electric car flash mob popped up on Saturday Will your next car be electric? Thurston Climate Action Team offers 15 answers to help you ditch the gas pumps. Visitors more

By Danny Stusser | 9/27/21 | 4 comments

This home at 5711 James Place SE in Olympia sold last week for $500,000 by Heather Griffin.

The JOLT Real Estate Report for Sept. 19-25, 2021

This weekly report covers single-family home sales in Thurston County over the past week. There were 101 sales completed from Sunday, September 19 through Saturday, September 25, 2021. The median … more

By The JOLT Staff | 9/27/21