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

Dr. Dimyana Abdelmalek is Thurston County's new public health officer.

Thurston County Health Officer releases new letter to the public

Hello Thurston County! We are definitely seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases in Thurston County. The most common ways people are becoming infected is through travel, social gatherings, and from other people within their household. Now is the time to be physically distant, but socially connected. more

Dr. Dimyana Abdelmalek | 7/24/20

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

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

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

Comet NEOWISE seen from Chelyabinsk, Russia.

Is Comet NEOWISE visible from Olympia, Tumwater and Lacey?

WASHINGTON –– Look up! As Comet C/2020 F3 NEOWISE passes through our inner solar system, catch a view of this once-in-a-lifetime sight. more

By Dan Hu for JOLT | 7/17/20 | 1 comment

Six-year-old border collie, Reed, catches a ball at Rainier Vista Community Park during a Border Collie International show on Thursday.

Furry fun in the sun

LACEY –– Greg Gustafson, founder of Border Collie International, talked to his six-year-old border collie, Reed, as he rolled around on the grass in front of a crowd of families and toddlers. “He’s being stubborn,” Gustafson said to the crowd. “Are you done doing things you know I won’t stop you from doing?” more

By Madeline Shannon of JOLT | 7/17/20

"If you are struggling, there is help."

We are in the middle of an unprecedented challenge and we are lucky to have a community around us for support. If you are struggling, there is help. You can find resources for mental health and coping on our website. more

Dr. Dimyana Abdelmalek, Thurston County Health Officer | 7/16/20

Pamphlets circulated at the "Thrash Against Racism" protest in Yauger Park on July 10 read "Justice for Andre & Bryson" and "We survived!"

Olympians gather to “Thrash Against Racism”

OLYMPIA –– Dozens of people gathered at Yauger Skate Park in West Olympia late Friday afternoon to demonstrate against racism in a protest called “Thrash Against Racism and Police Brutality.” more

By Madeline Shannon of JOLT | 7/13/20

Staley Johnson's card-making materials sit on the table where the 11-year-old made cards for cancer patients late last week. The soon-to-be-sixth grader started making cards this summer for local cancer patients to make them feel better.

Local girl makes cards for cancer patients

THURSTON COUNTY –– Layne Staley Johnson, 11, sat quietly at a table, carefully constructing the cards she’s made for weeks for cancer patients helped by the American Cancer Society. more

By Nichole Woolsey for JOLT | 7/13/20

The Olympia City Council chose Andrea Wilbur-Sigo last night to create artwork for the Eastside Street crossing project. The Shelton-based artist created multiple other works for various public spaces, including the arch at the Squaxin Island Veterans Memorial.

Artist picked for street crossing art project

OLYMPIA -- The Olympia City Council approved a local artist, Andrea Wilbur-Sigo, to complete a street art crossing artwork installation on Eastside Street. more

By Prachi Gohil of JOLT | 7/8/20

Thurston County Health Officer writes letter to community

Hello Thurston County! I am excited to be your new Health Officer. more

Courtesy of Thurston County Department of Public Health | 7/8/20

Since the start of the COVID-19 shutdown, the Thurston Chamber and EDC have conducted a weekly webinar covering issues of interest to business owners and other local leaders.

County health director, business officials talk about local COVID-19 response

THURSTON COUNTY –– County Public Health Director Schelli Slaughter and business figures from the community gathered in a virtual meeting Thursday to discuss the resources available to local businesses responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, and resources available to local businesses if the pandemic continues to worsen in the greater Olympia metro area. more

By Madeline Shannon of JOLT | 7/2/20

Ashley Barnhill Hubbard , center, and Christian Hawks, left, speak with the parents of a young man having a mental health crisis at the University of Oregon, in Eugene, Oregon. Each CAHOOTS crisis worker completes 500 hours of training in areas including medical care, conflict resolution and crisis counseling.

There's already an alternative to calling the police

As citizens across the country fill the streets to protest police killings of Black people, the violent response from law enforcement has added urgency to a national conversation about … more

By Anna V. Smith of High Country News | 7/1/20

Madeline Shannon, not far from her former beats in Depoe Bay, Ore., in August 2019, with Allie, cat.

Introducing our new Managing Editor

Say hello to Madeline Shannon, our new Managing Editor, who started with us earlier this month. Madeline’s in charge of determining what news to cover here. She writes much of it … more

By Danny Stusser, JOLT Publisher | 6/29/20

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.

Locals honor late Yvonne McDonald with “Her Life Mattered” birthday party

OLYMPIA –– A large crowd came out to downtown Olympia last week to celebrate the life of Yvonne McDonald, a local Black woman who died under mysterious circumstances in Aug. 2018. more

By Madeline Shannon of JOLT | 6/29/20

Local officials stress safety measures in area parks

THURSTON COUNTY –– As parks in the greater Olympia area start to open up under “Safe Start” Phase 3, government officials are starting to spread the word about what to do to stay safe while enjoying local parks. more

By Madeline Shannon of JOLT | 6/29/20

Thurston County will move into Safe Start Phase 3 after county officials applied to continue re-opening last week. The application was approved this week by the State's Secretary of Health.

Thurston County now in “Safe Start” Phase 3

THURSTON COUNTY –– Thurston County got the green light from the Washington Secretary of Health on Tuesday to move into Phase 3 of Gov. Jay Inslee’s “Safe Start” plan. more

Madeline Shannon of JOLT | 6/23/20

New hotel proposed on Martin Way

OLYMPIA –– City officials talked on Monday about a new 122-room, four-story hotel that would go up on Olympia’s east side, if construction and design plans are approved. The … more

By Madeline Shannon of JOLT | 6/23/20

South Puget Sound Community College unveils new alma mater

OLYMPIA –– South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) played a new alma mater song at its virtual commencement June 20, which was performed by the SPSCC Chamber Singers. more

By Madeline Shannon of JOLT | 6/22/20