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

Pull this pretty little shotweed now! If you let it flower and go to seed, you will have millions of them.

Early March is maddening. After living through winter, when the calendar page turns to March we feel we deserve an end to cold, snow, hail and dismal skies. We want warmth – warm air, warm … more

By Jill Severn | 3/10/23

Before and after the ramp installation, with Del using his wheelchair to navigate.

Rebuilding Together Thurston County

Just the other day, six men assembled at a house in Tumwater with their hammers, drills, saws, a bunch of nails, and several feet of lumber boards. They built a wheelchair ramp, as per Americans … more

By Shirley Stirling | 3/10/23

Spring Migration and Bird Identification

Yesterday my cats woke me up just as the day was dawning, and I clearly heard Song Sparrows and Pacific Wrens singing. They know that Spring and the breeding season will soon begin. And the first of … more

By George Walter | 3/9/23

Lacey City Council deliberated about adding an appeal process to the revised sponsorship policy of the park department.

Lacey revises sponsorship policy for park programs and facilities

Lacey revises sponsorship policy for park programs and facilities “A more comprehensive and standardized evaluation process” for reviewing such sponsorships By Jerome … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/8/23 | 2 comments

Living Your Best Life!

Amy Ginsburg is a Certified International Federation (ICF) Life Coach specializing in Career and Retirement. She partners with individuals and corporate clients across the globe to actualize their … more

By Kathleen Anderson | 3/8/23

The Jungle is a testament to the work that remains to assist the area's homeless people.

Homelessness in Thurston County: Time in The Jungle

Two port-a-potties stood as sentinels when I visited The Jungle, in Olympia, last Friday, March 3, 2023. Nearby, a gaggle of shopping carts filled with refuse congregates by a dumpster; the … more

Photos and text by JM Simpson | 3/6/23 | 12 comments

At a Sea Level Rise Response Collaborative-Executive Committee meeting held Friday, March 3, 2023, Olympia assistant manager Rich Hoey and former Olympia Water Resource Director Eric Christensen discussed the record King Tide that occurred last December 27.

University of Washington climate researchers to evaluate the 2022 King Tide event

The University of Washington's Climate Impacts Group is doing an analysis of the record-breaking King Tide that flooded downtown last December. At a Sea Level Rise Response Collaborative-Executive … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/6/23 | 1 comment

Thurston County Climate Mitigation Senior Program Manager Rebecca Harvey thanked the climate youth activists as she laid out the ongoing implementation of the county’s climate plan during the Board of County Commissioners’ meeting on Feb. 28, 2023.

Following protest, Thurston Climate Plan head thanks youth activists, lays out county's actions on climate change

Thurston County leaders appreciate the climate youth activists who staged a die-in protest during the previous Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting on February 14, according to Climate … more

By JC Medina | 3/3/23 | 2 comments

Dogs need exercise all year round: even in harsh weather.

Indoor dog park proposed at an old warehouse on Cherry Street in Olympia

The Olympia's Site Plan Review Committee, on Wednesday, March 1, heard a project proposal of establishing an indoor dog park and retail space in an old warehouse at 511 Cherry Street, SE. In the … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/3/23

Urban Futures Farm is on the outside edge of Olympia’s city limits.

Do we need more urban agriculture?

What’s the difference between gardening and agriculture? Is it size? Is it whether you sell what you grow? Neither, says TJ Johnson, the owner of the four-acre Urban Futures Farm on the outer … more

By Jill Severn | 3/3/23 | 2 comments

Zoom into Bilingual Time!

Timberland Regional Library is excited to offer a Spanish/English bilingual storytime for children and their caregivers, every other Wednesday at 10 am via Zoom. This engaging program designed for … more

3/2/23

Liam’s Big Year – Part 2

In talking with Liam this week, I heard more interesting stories about his Big Year quest to see and document as many bird species as possible in a calendar year. In 2022 he saw 361 species, and he … more

By George Walter | 3/2/23

The Simmons 4 precinct would be split into Tumwater 3 and Tumwater 10, with Linwood Avenue marking the division.

Thurston County repeals 7 election precincts, creates new

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) voted 2-1 to approve an ordinance updating the boundaries of 13 election precincts due to the annexations Tumwater and Lacey did of … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/1/23

Current Olympia Poet Laureate Ashly McBunch (2nd from left) holding a workshop.

Olympia seeking new Poet Laureate to promote climate change awareness

Olympia is accepting applications for a Poet Laureate in its efforts to engage the community in the literary arts. “Olympia’s take on the position of Poet Laureate is less an honorary … more

2/28/23 | 1 comment

Resolving conflict through nonprofit resources

Welcome to the last day of February. Leap Year babies, inquiring minds want to know - do you celebrate your birthday on February 28th, March 1st, or just have a big splash every four years? Growing … more

By Mary Beth Harrington, CVA | 2/28/23

A deer jaunting around downtown Olympia.

Oh, deer

On our neighborhood street, it’s not uncommon to see deer – sometimes does with fawns – strolling down the sidewalk, snacking occasionally on shrubs, trees and flowers. It’s … more

By Jill Severn | 2/24/23

A Ferruginous Hawk blinks its third eyelid, or Nictitating membrane, which is used to protect and moisten the eye whilst maintaining visibility. They are found in Eastern Washington.

A Birds Eye View, exploring bird vision, part 2

Last weekend we were walking the boardwalk at the Billy Frank Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, and flying out from trees along a pond were several Yellow-rumped Warblers, each in their winter … more

By George Walter | 2/23/23

What's happening next week?

February is now ending, but the fun is just starting! Take a peek at some of the events found in The JOLT Calendar. TYT Reads, February 24, from 7 p.m.TYT Reads performances are one night only, … more

2/23/23

Lacey Timberland Librarian Kerry Martin helps young patron Logan Whorley, age 1, as he engages with picture books in the children's section of the library.

Timberland Library March calendar of events

Join us at Sensory Tool House for a book club for neurodivergent (ND*) school-age kids! Other events such as Cookie Decorating for teens and adults. Different events online and in person for all ages. more

Lacey Timberland Library | 2/23/23 | 1 comment

Black woman, student and smile with laptop for education, learning or university scholarship in class. Portrait of African American female learner smiling with computer for academic research or study.

Scholarship for career and technical education students now open

Scholarship for career and technical education students now open Award covers up to two years of college tuition; Available statewide For Immediate Release Feb. 22, … more

2/22/23