Crime & Safety | The JOLT News Organization, a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit

Depending on how deep the snow gets, some roads will be much harder to drive on. Photo from a 2019 snowstorm in Olympia.

Olympia, Tumwater, Lacey plan for winter driving and snowplowing

Residents and motorists of Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater are advised to be aware of their cities’ snow plow routes, winter plans and measures. On their respective websites, the three cities … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez Jr. | 12/16/22

Winter driving has it's own challenges. Here are some tips from the area.

Winter driving tips

Winter driving tips Tumwater and Lacey are offering tips for driving in snow and ice this winter. The Tumwater website has listed several suggestions for driving safely during these times when … more

by Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 12/16/22

Police Blotter for Thursday, December 15, 2022

Thurston County Sheriff’s Office On 12/15/22 at 11:07 p.m. at Union Mills/Pacific, Sheriff's deputies arrested Jimmy Jesse Kay, 33, on suspicion of driving under the influence. Lacey … more

12/16/22

At the Olympia City Council meeting held on December 13, 2022, nurses at the Providence St. Peter Hospital trooped down to the council chambers to inform the public that the hospital is in "great crisis" and has a "dangerously low staffing level."

Providence St. Peter Hospital lambasted for not stepping up to solve the healthcare crisis

Six nurses from the Providence St. Peter Hospital have taken the public comment avenue to inform the community of the current condition of the health institution, which they claimed "is in great … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/15/22 | 3 comments

Nurse Sara could not help but cry as she described the current situation of nursing staff shortage at Providence St. Peter Hospital during the Board of County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, December 13.

'Overwhelmed' nurses plead to county for help

With their eyes tearing and voices cracking, nurses appealed to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) to ask for help and support for their hospitals’ staff shortage. Four nurses from … more

By JC Medina | 12/15/22 | 2 comments

Capitol Boulevard SW and Lee Street SW intersection are advised to take care and note that traffic lights at the crossing will be turned off from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Signal work at Capitol Blvd-Lee St in Tumwater

Motorists passing through Tumwater’s Capitol Boulevard SW and Lee Street SW intersection are advised to take care and note that traffic lights at the crossing will be turned off from 8 a.m. to … more

12/15/22

Police Blotter for Wednesday, December 14, 2022

Lacey Police Department On 12/14/22 at 11:05 p.m. in the 6600 block of Millstone Ln SE, police arrested Clarsonelle C Garcia, 28, on suspicion of third-degree malicious mischief. On … more

12/15/22

At the Olympia City Council meeting held Tuesday, December 13, 2022, OPD Chief Rich Allen presented a resolution creating a gun buy-back program, which gives incentive to people who relinquish their firearms to the police department.

Program giving monetary reward for surrendering firearms approved by the Olympia City Council

The Olympia City Council passed a resolution creating and implementing a gun buy-back program, compensating community members who will surrender their firearms to the Olympia Police … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/14/22 | 3 comments

Twins wanted for murder of Kenmore man, one apprehended

The Lacey Police Department has apprehended one of the fraternal twins who are wanted for the murder of a Kenmore man in August. Alexander VanDuren, 32, is now in police custody while his twin … more

By Julia Ornedo | 12/14/22

Police Blotter for Tuesday, December 13, 2022

Thurston County Sheriff’s Office On 12/13/22 at 3:00 p.m. in the 17900 block of Scatter Ln SW, Sheriff's deputies arrested Brandy Nicole Oleachea, 36, on suspicion of violation of a … more

12/14/22

The Olympia and Tumwater fire and emergency services infrastructure is the push of the plan for the proposed Regional Fire Authority.

Fire Benefit Charge public hearing on January 9, Olympia and Tumwater Regional Fire Authority planning committee

The Regional Fire Authority Planning Committee is slated to hold a public hearing focusing on the Fire Benefit Charge (RFA) on January 9. All committee members preferred holding the public … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 12/13/22 | 4 comments

Police Blotter for Monday, December 12, 2022

Lacey Police Department On 12/12/22 at 10:44 p.m. in the 500 block of Sleater Kinney Rd SE, police arrested Jesse Allan Pogue, 21, on an out-of-town warrant. On 12/12/22 at 3:42 … more

12/13/22

Police Blotter for Sunday, December 11, 2022

Lacey Police Department On 12/11/22 at 10:14 p.m. in the 600 block of Sleater Kinney Rd SE, police arrested Wendy Ann Adkins, 59, on suspicion of second-degree trespassing. On 12/11/22 at 9:07 … more

12/12/22

Police Blotter for Saturday, December 10, 2022

Thurston County Sheriff’s Office On 12/10/22 at 12:59 p.m. in the 7500 block of Union Mills Rd SE, Sheriff's deputies arrested Joseph Andrew Tolbert, 26, on suspicion of 1) possession of … more

12/12/22

Police Blotter for Friday, December 9, 2022

Thurston County Sheriff’s Office On 12/09/22 at 9:20 p.m. in the 3000 block of 41st Ave NE, Sheriff's deputies arrested Daphnie Nicole Armbruster, 37, on suspicion of reckless … more

12/12/22

The community workgroup received a standing ovation from Olympia councilmembers for completing its work for the Reimagining Public Safety during the city council meeting on December 6, 2022.

Olympia community workgroup concludes Reimagining Public Safety work; city council accepts recommendations

The Olympia City Council, on Tuesday, December 6, formally accepted the community workgroup's recommendation for the Reimagining Public Safety project. The city council also recognized Strategic … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/9/22 | 2 comments

Police Blotter for Thursday, December 8, 2022

Thurston County Sheriff’s Office On 12/08/22 at 12:18 p.m. at UNFI Lewis County, Sheriff's deputies arrested a 33-year-old suspect on suspicion of 1) first-degree rape of a child and 2) … more

12/9/22

The scales of justice represent the balance between fairness and injustice.

Man allegedly assaults good Samaritan, kicks Olympia officer

A Rainier man was charged with a felony and a gross misdemeanor after allegedly assaulting a stranger who offered to help him and later kicking an Olympia police officer. Cade Arlington Dausener, … more

By Julia Ornedo | 12/8/22

Police Blotter for Wednesday, December 7, 2022

Thurston County Sheriff's Office On 12/07/22 at 11:25 a.m. in the 1000 block of 143rd Ave SW, Sheriff's deputies arrested Daniel Joshua Zwolinski, 38, on suspicion of fourth-degree assault. On … more

12/8/22

Council member Leatta Dahlhoff, a member of the RFA planning committee, defended the merits of forming the Olympia-Tumwater Fire Authority, during a meeting held on December 6, 2022.

Tumwater city council unanimously votes to send RFA decision to voters

The Tumwater City Council yesterday unanimously approved a joint resolution with Olympia, putting the formation of a Regional Fire Authority (RFA) to a public vote. The special election is set to … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 12/7/22