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

Chabad Jewish Center of Olympia's Rabbi Yosef Schtroks, standing, with his son, Levi, make a holiday house call to enable a homebound Jew to celebrate the Sukkot holiday on Sept. 24, 2021.

Rabbi makes "house" calls to homebound followers

Every autumn Rabbi Yosef Schtroks becomes a delivery man for a few days. But instead of bringing packages, he brings community and opportunity to Jews unable to travel to celebrate at events … more

By Danny Stusser | 9/24/21

More than 30 campers, trailers and other RVs were parked on Ensign Road near Providence St. Peter Hospital during a recent visit.

County proposes relocation for RVs parked near Providence St. Peter Hospital

County proposes relocation for RVs parked near Providence St. Peter Hospital Thurston County staff introduced a proposal to relocate the recreational vehicles (RVs) that are parked along Ensign … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/24/21

So much to learn about bees

Is the proliferation of backyard honeybee hives resulting in declines in native wild bees? Do honeybees compete with natives for nectar and pollen? Do they spread diseases? Alert reader Nancy … more

By Jill Severn | 9/24/21

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! Tumwater's Annual Clean-Up, Drop-Off Event: Sat., Sept. 25, 9:00 a.m. - … more

by Prachi Gohil | 9/24/21

Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall addressed the Tumwater City Council on Tue., Sept. 21, 2021.

County auditor: “Our elections are totally above reproach.”

Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall addressed local questions about nationwide concerns about voter fraud and election integrity, as she assured voters that “our elections are totally above … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/23/21

Welding is one of the skills that can be learned at Lacey MakerSpace.

$1 million federal grant awarded to Lacey MakerSpace

Lacey MakerSpace received $1 million from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) to help retrain workers and business owners who were impacted by the … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/22/21

Dennis Rolly serves customers at lunch on Sept. 22, 2021 at Pellegrino's Italian Kitchen in Tumwater where he's been working for 18 years. If the unmasked part of his face looks familiar it's might be because you've seen his acting performances in Olympia theaters.

“Olympia-Tumwater” ranks No. 17 among best cities for restaurant workers across the US

Despite the economic impacts caused by the coronavirus pandemic, a study showed that “Olympia-Tumwater, WA” ranked as the 17th best place for restaurant workers across the U.S. … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/22/21

Olympia announced the opening of three new dog parks including Evergreen Park, Mclane Park, and Ward Lake Parcel on Sept. 21, 2021.

Olympia opens three new off-leash dog parks

Olympia’s furry friends will have plenty of room to play as the city opened three new dog parks this week. The City of Olympia announced the opening of three new dog parks today, at the … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/21/21

Home Share is a matchmaking service that connects home providers with home seekers, in exchange for an agreed rate or services, with at least one of the parties being a senior.

Senior Services’ Home Share program set to resume

Following appropriations from the other three large local governments here, the Olympia City Council approved a request to partly fund the re-launch of Senior Services’ Home Share, a … more

By Kristine Javier and Danny Stusser | 9/20/21

This home at 920 Hudson St NW in Olympia sold last week for $490,000 by Dave Carney.

The JOLT Real Estate Report for Sept. 12-18, 2021

This weekly report covers single-family home sales in Thurston County over the past week. There were 108 sales completed from Sunday, September 12 through Saturday, September 18, 2021. The median … more

by Prachi Gohil | 9/20/21

It's a good time to plant trees

Fall is a good time to plant trees. Rain and cool weather will help them make a gentle transition from pot to earth, and by spring their roots will be established and ready for action. But … more

By Jill Severn | 9/17/21 | 1 comment

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! 2nd Annual Thurston County … more

By Prachi Gohil | 9/17/21

Timberland Regional Library at your fingertips

Book lovers on the go can access their favorite titles from anywhere with the Timberland Regional Library mobile application. Available on Android and iOS, the Timberland Regional Library (TRL) … more

By Taniah Najih | Timberland Regional Library | 9/16/21

Four new park developments planned in Olympia

The City of Olympia plans to develop four new parks as part of the city’s long-term directive to make recreational spaces more inclusive and accessible. On Thu., Sept. 9, Olympia Parks … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/16/21 | 3 comments

Lacey council members expresses concern on Affordable Housing Tax

Members of the Lacey City Council expressed their concern following a proposal made to Thurston County by the Regional Housing Council for the adoption of the affordable housing tax, a policy that … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/15/21 | 1 comment

This home at 3012 66th Ave SW in Tumwater sold last week for $750,000 by Abby Minneman.

The JOLT Real Estate Report for Sept. 5-11, 2021

This weekly report covers single-family home sales in Thurston County over the past week. There were 98 sales completed from Sunday, September 5 through Saturday, September 11, 2021. The median … more

9/13/21

Time to think about fall planting

It’s time to think about fall planting – not to do it just yet, but time to plan ahead for it. In the garden, as in so many other areas of human life, planning ahead prevents a lot of … more

By Jill Severn | 9/10/21

History Talks: Captain James Cook’s legacy of exploration in the Pacific Ocean.

Captain Cook Rediscovered: Voyaging to the Icy Latitudes is a new book from David L. Nicandri that aims to enlighten the audience with Captain James Cook’s legacy of exploration in … more

9/7/21

This home at 809B Tipsoo Loop S in Rainier sold last week for $380,000 by Kristy Woodford

The JOLT Real Estate Report for Aug. 29 - Sept. 4, 2021

This weekly report covers single-family home sales in Thurston County over the past week. There were 137 sales completed from Sunday, August 29 through Saturday, September 4, 2021. The median … more

By Prachi Gohil | 9/6/21

Gardens for the landless

For people who live in apartments, duplexes, tiny houses or houses with tiny yards, community gardens are the 21st century’s version of a micro homestead – one that usually comes with … more

By Jill Severn | 9/3/21 | 1 comment