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

The Port of Olympia staff and commissioners discussed on Aug. 23, 2021 their decision not to issue a preferred alternative in an open letter addressed to the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services (DES) on the future of Capitol Lake.

Capitol Lake-Deschutes Estuary: Port commissioners decline to declare a preference

Port of Olympia commissioners did not specify a preferred alternative in their open letter addressed to the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services (DES) for the future of Capitol Lake … more

By Kristine Javier | 8/24/21 | 2 comments

The Olympia Fire Department discussed two proposals affecting its emergency response during the city council’s Ad Hoc Public Safety Committee meeting on Thu., Aug. 12.

Olympia Fire Department proposes adding ambulance and clinical services

With the addition of new laws on public safety, the Olympia Fire Department (OFD) proposed several major changes to their emergency-response services. OFD presented two proposals to the city … more

By Danny Stusser | 8/17/21

EMBRACING – Laura embraces her son Nathan. She says kids who need special help are harmed further when the Department of Children, Youth, and Families puts them in unstable living conditions: It piles ‘trauma on top of trauma,’ she says. Laura and Nathan asked that their real names not be used in this report.

Can a court victory provide refuge for foster youth?

Laura was afraid her autistic son, Nathan, would accidentally kill himself. After a brain injury, the 13-year-old had begun setting fires in their house and had climbed onto the roof. Unable to find … more

By Allegra Abramo | InvestigateWest | 8/12/21

This image shows United States artillery technology that might or might not be the same as that being used in training at Joint Base Lewis McChord on July 22, 2021. The image is from Feb. 22, 2021 in a joint U.S.-French artillery training event in Djibouti.

JBLM to train with artillery until midnight Aug 13

Joint Base Lewis-McChord will conduct day and nighttime training with artillery from 12 a.m. Aug 10 to 11:59 p.m. Aug 13. Public queries or comments about noise may be directed to JBLM … more

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

Potbelly (or pot-bellied) pigs are permitted as household pets in the city of Olympia but must be licensed.

Online pet licensing now offered by Joint Animal Services

Pet licensing is now available online through the Joint Animal Services Commission's website. Joint Animal Services Board Member and Tumwater Councilmember Michael Althauser announced their … more

By Kristine Javier | 8/3/21

The ladies from the General Federation of Woman’s Clubs’ Capital Woman's Club volunteered to help the Lacey~Oly Crafty Sewers to create inspirational messages which will go with each purse. Pictured, l-r: Dorothy Crowder, Nardine Sandberg and Karen Smith.

Lacey-Olympia volunteers send 68 handmade purses to girls in Africa

A group of sewing enthusiasts from Lacey and Olympia sent 68 purses on their way to Zambia, Africa last Monday, July 26, as a part of their advocacy to help girls stay in school. The purses were … more

By Kristine Javier | 8/2/21

The Lord Franzannian Royal Olympian Spectacular Vaudeville Show cast and crew posed, in the Before Days.

Auditions planned for fall Vaudeville show

After a year of canceled theater performances, the BigShowCity Performing Arts Organization is opening its auditions for its planned in-person event with The Lord Franzannian Royal Olympian … more

By Kristine Javier | 7/29/21

The areas in purple indicate the area from which Joint Base Lewis-McChord researchers are seeking opinions.

Joint-Base Lewis McChord seeks public comments to improve community services

Joint-Base Lewis McChord (JBLM) is seeking feedback from the public on a variety of issues to update its Growth Coordination Plan (GCP), first published in 2010. JBLM is the fourth-largest … more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/29/21

Hands off the rocks

being on the right side of history is not for sissies Hikers are flooding our public … more

By Marjorie “Slim” Woodruff | 7/26/21 | 1 comment

This is, and isn't, what you think it is.

Hugz & Cuddlez invites people to a group cuddling event - tonight in Olympia

Humans are social beings, but the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic limited our ability for physical interactions. As more and more Americans are getting vaccinated, Hugz & Cuddlez is … more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/23/21

What's happening coming up?

Here are a few events in Thurston County and online to keep you entertained in the coming week! Movies In the Park - The Croods, A New Age: Fri., July 23, 8 p.m. Come down to the Huntamer Park … more

by Prachi Gohil | 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

Ever wonder what equity means? This diagram explains that Equality means each individual or group is given the same resources or opportunities. Equity recognizes that each person has different circumstances and allocates the resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome, according to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

New Transportation Priorities Survey seeks your input

Whether you walk, drive, bike, ride the bus or find another way to get around, there’s a new survey to help regional planners to make more and better decisions about new roads, bus routes and … more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/19/21

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

Suicide is often preventable. See free 24-hour resources at the bottom of this story.

Distraught woman booked into jail, placed on watch

An allegedly intoxicated woman who told a Thurston Sheriff’s Deputy she was suicidal was arrested last night after her car slid into a small ditch and she backed into a tree The … more

By Danny Stusser | 7/16/21

One of Intercity Transit's newer full-size busses passes in the east side of the Legislative Building on the Washington State Capitol Campus on Route 13.

Express bus service to Pierce County locations resumes Monday, July 19

Express bus service between Olympia and Lacey to Pierce County resumes on Monday, July 19, 2021. Route 620 will serve the Olympia Transit Center, the State Capitol Campus, Lacey Transit Center, … more

7/16/21

In Every Breath a Prayer - By David Hanig

Local first-time author David Hanig's new book, "In Every Breath a Prayer," tells the story of the author’s early childhood pain and his road to recovery. An unusual book, it combines prose … more

By Linda Villegas Bremer | 7/15/21

Thurston Community Media’s live election coverage won the Democracy Action Category during the recent Hometown Media Awards. The broadcast was hosted by TCMedia CEO, Deborah Vinsel, pictured.

Thurston Community Media brings home three national awards

Thurston Community Media brought home not just one, but three national awards from the Alliance for Community Media Foundation in a virtual celebration on July 1. TC Media, which manages four … more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/14/21

It’s time for some fun again! (For all ages.)

Okay, folks, it’s time for some fun! Now that we have been allowed back into society it’s time to remember there is more out there than the grocery store. For instance…the … more

By Kathleen Anderson | 7/14/21