Lacey | The JOLT News Organization, A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization

Pistol-whipped before being forced to drive, alleged kidnapping victim runs into Fred Meyer asking for help

A man allegedly pistol-whipped and kidnapped an acquaintance, forcing him to drive to the Fred Meyer story in Tumwater where the alleged victim ran inside, screaming for help, on Thu., July … more

By Danny Stusser | 8/12/21

Lacey residents are being asked to comment -- via online survey -- on their preferences for programming in future parks that are part of the Greg Cuoio Park & Greenways Master Plan.

Greg Cuoio Park being studied for future development

Surrounded by wetlands and wilderness, properties that make up the Greg Cuoio Park & Greenways remain largely undeveloped, which is why the Lacey Board of Park Commissioners commissioned a Master … more

By Danny Stusser | 8/5/21 | 1 comment

Lacey's director of community development, Rick Walk, was the speaker at the Lacey South Sound Chamber forum on Aug. 4, 2021.

Lacey business and construction update

The August 4 Lacey South Sound Chamber’s monthly lunch forum featured the city’s Director of Community Development, Rick Walk, who provided the 125 attendees with an update on various … more

By Danny Stusser | 8/4/21

This photo shows the proposal for the Hicks Lake Multi-Family apartment complex which will have 132 garden-style apartments in four buildings plus an amenities building (shown on the right side of the image, closest to the lake).

300 residential units might soon rise along Hicks Lake in Lacey

The City of Lacey is currently reviewing two proposed residential projects along Hicks Lake which would provide a total of 300 housing units. Lacey Senior Planner Samra Seymour discussed the … more

By Danny Stusser | 8/4/21 | 1 comment

Four members of Lacey's city council met with Assistant City Manager Shannon Kelley-Fong on July 22, 2021.

Lacey City Council plans to consider hybrid meetings by August

As more and more residents are being vaccinated, the Lacey City Council weighed the possibility of moving to in-person meetings sometime in August during its work session last Thu., July 22. The … more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/27/21 | 1 comment

Puget Sound Energy (PSE) declared its goal to achieve a net-zero carbon emissions by 2045 in a presentation to the Lacey City Council on July 22, 2021.

Puget Sound Energy plans net-zero carbon emissions by 2045

Puget Sound Energy (PSE) shared its goal to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2045 during the Lacey City Council work session on July 22. PSE is the natural gas and electricity utility provider … more

By Danny Stusser | 7/26/21

Alleged 21-year-old DUI and hit-and-run suspect made sexual comments to female police officer

An unlicensed driver attempted to practice his driving skills while intoxicated, using his uncle’s vehicle, hitting a parked car in the process, on Saturday, July 10 after 11 p.m. according to … more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/26/21

Law enforcement leaders from Lacey, Olympia, Yelm, Tumwater, Tenino, Thurston County Sheriff's Office and The Evergreen State College issued a statement that clarifies how the services they provide are changing due to laws passed by the Washington Legislature legislature in 2021.

Regional police agencies issue "Joint Statement on Legislation for Law Enforcement" today

The following message is being sent on behalf of the following law enforcement executives from Thurston County: Interim Chief Aaron Jelcick, Olympia Police Department Chief Robert Almada, Lacey … more

7/23/21

All three proposed alternatives for the future of Capitol Lake are shown above at various tide levels.

Capitol Lake’s future in limbo again

The Washington State Department of Enterprise Services (DES) proposed to remove the 5th Avenue Dam on the Capitol Lake Deschutes Estuary at the Port of Olympia commissioners’ work session … more

By Danny Stusser | 7/20/21 | 3 comments

The City of Lacey approved a resolution to establish an alternative crisis response called the Mobile Outreach Team (MOT) on Thursday, July 15, 2021.

Lacey to establish new Mobile Outreach Team for crisis response

The Lacey City Council moved yesterday to establish the Mobile Outreach Team (MOT), a pilot program which provides alternative crisis response. In a presentation to the city council … more

By Danny Stusser | 7/16/21

The Lacey City Council awarded Phil Aasen a Certificate of Achievement for his decades-long safe-driving career during its regular meeting on July 15, 2021. Aasen is shown on the third row, right. His employer, Justin Erickson, CEO of Harbor Wholesale, is shown in the second row, right.

City of Lacey honors veteran truck driver Phil Aasen

For nearly three decades of service, veteran truck driver Phil Aasen received a City of Lacey Certificate of Achievement. During the regular city council meeting yesterday, Lacey Mayor Andy Ryder … more

By Kristine Javier | 7/16/21

The Lacey City Council discussed plans for the city to cover a part of the cost to resolve Tolmie Estates Park’s failing community septic system during a city council work session on July 8, 2021.

Lacey City Council plans for city to pay for much of septic-to-sewer conversion for Tolmie Park Estates

The Lacey City Council agreed to move forward with its plan to cover much of the cost of a septic-to-sewer conversion program for Tolmie Park Estates following possible concerns of water … more

7/13/21

The debris spread around the grounds at the homeless encampment on Deschutes Parkway in Olympia was a mix of abandoned personal effects and trash, such as food package wrappers, stuffing such as is contained in sleeping bags, toys and outdoor clothing and discarded tents.

Ensign Road homeless encampment set for clean-up next week

Olympia officials announced on Wednesday that it will conduct a clean-up on the vehicle encampment along Ensign Road next Monday, July 12. The clean-up is a part of the city’s program which … more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/8/21 | 2 comments

Lacey Police Chief Robert Almada addressed the Lacey South Sound Chamber of Commerce's Lunch Forum on July 7, 2021.

New police chief presents to business group about new police reform laws

The eighth police chief in the history of Lacey commented on the 2021 Washington State Legislature’s law enforcement reform at the July Lacey South Sound Chamber of Commerce Forum … more

By Danny Stusser and The JOLT Staff | 7/7/21 | 1 comment

This is an overview of the area Lacey approved for annexation on July 1, 2021. It covers several properties including the Capitol City Golf Club Estates, Chambers Estates, Capitol City Townehomes, and the Capitol City Golf Course.

Lacey City Council approves annexation of 288 acres near Yelm Highway

The Lacey City Council approved the annexation of the final 288 acres that was not inside city limits in South Lacey during the regular city council meeting on Thursday, July 1. Under Ordinance … more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/6/21

The yellow line shows where the new wastewater line, which runs from 47th Ave SE to Parkside Drive SE in Lacey, will be installed.

Lacey to save on waste

The Lacey City Council approved a plan to abandon its Lift Station 20 to accommodate the construction of a wastewater line. During the general council meeting on Thursday, July 1, the council … more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/6/21

Olympia's Familiar Faces program has received attention from around the United States.

Familiar Faces Program becomes a permanent part of downtown services

The Olympia City Council approved funding for the Familiar Faces program as a part of its city operations last Thursday, June 29, following a three-year trial period. The program provides a … more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/6/21

Lacey officials with members of the City of Lacey Commission on Equity at their training about the Public Records Law on June 28, 2021. Top row, l-r: Makieda Hart, member; Dave Schneider, assistant city attorney; Anne Clay, member. Center row, l-r: Shannon Kelley-Fong, assistant city manager; Thelma Jackson, member; Clifton Brown, member. Bottom row: Kristine Stolberg, member.

Lacey Commission on Equity members cautioned about Public Records Act requirements

The Washington State Office of the Attorney General conducted a training session for the Lacey Commission on Equity on the rules and guidelines for the Public Records Act on Monday, June 28. Lacey … more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/2/21

Theft suspect answers the question about why she was stopped

Karly Adriann Keylock, 41, whom police listed as transient in Lacey, was detained for attempting to steal shoes and jewelry from Kohls on Fri., June 18 at approximately 7:30 p.m. Her … more

By The JOLT Staff | 6/28/21

This is the Puget Sound Energy electrical transformer allegedly hit by Donavan J. McKinlay's Suzuki Sidekick after it travelled driverless across a fuel station parking lot. Note the vehicle grille on the ground, allegedly from the Sidekick.

Hit and run while on foot, then the car “sort of drove itself”

A man hotwired his own car which then careened into a Puget Sound Energy transformer on Sat., June 19., according to two witnesses and Lacey Police. Donovan McKinlay, 30, of Yelm, was spotted … more

By The JOLT Staff | 6/25/21