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

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

The left photo shows how the Martin Way Corridor looked when originally constructed in the early 1930’s. The Corridor was a part of the original highway system. The right photo shows what Martin Way looks like now as the county plans to turn the area from an automobile-dominated roadway to a more pedestrian-friendly road.

Martin Way Corridor Study: Online Open House available now through July 7

The Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) identified safety as priorities for its Martin Way Corridor Study during a public hearing on Wed., June 23. In the discussion, TRPC Associate … more

By The JOLT Staff | 6/25/21

Man fired his handgun – but at whom?

Unable to prove that he had fired his gun twice at an intruder, a Lacey man was arrested after one of the bullets went through a neighbor’s trailer on Fri., June 18 at 6:30 p.m. Jeffrey Chad … more

By The JOLT Staff | 6/25/21

Interim Police Chief Robert Almada will assume the Lacey Police Chief duties effective July 1, 2021.

Lacey promotes Almada to new chief of police

Lacey City Manager Scott Spence announced today that Robert “Bob” Almada accepted the City’s offer to serve as Lacey’s next Police Chief. The announcement follows a nationwide … more

6/24/21

Drunk and asleep in a McDonald’s drive-thru?

An allegedly intoxicated woman was discovered passed out in her idling car with her foot on the brake in a McDonald’s drive-thru in Lacey on Sunday, June 13, at 2:36 a.m. Lacey police … more

By The JOLT Staff | 6/23/21

The chart shows the percentages that make up each component of an average single-family home's water utility costs as of July 1, 2021. The percentage numbers add to 100.1% -- allowing for rounding.

City of Lacey to increase water utility rates by up to 5.0 percent

Last Thursday, the Lacey City Council discussed its plans to increase utility rates by up to five percent during the regular city council meeting. Lacey Finance Director Troy Woo explained the … more

By The JOLT Staff | 6/22/21

The CARE Wellness Center is presenting its first Juneteenth Jubilee on Sat., June 19, 2021.

Thurston County Celebrates the Juneteenth Holiday

On June 19, several Juneteenth events have been long planned prior to President Joe Biden’s signature confirming Congress' vote earlier this week recognizing it as an official holiday. While … more

By The JOLT Staff | 6/18/21

Alcohol relapse blamed for behavior leading to brother seeking to evict brother

Lacey police received several calls regarding an intoxicated man who allegedly threatened to accuse his brother of molestation because he was being evicted from his brother’s house on June … more

By The JOLT Staff | 6/15/21