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

Lacey City Council members expressed their concerns on Sept. 23, 2021 regarding the Regional Housing Council’s proposal to use the County Home Fund for the acquisition of 150 to 200 housing units.

Lacey City Council surprised over RHC’s permanent supportive housing plan

Several members of the Lacey City Council shared their surprise when they learned that the Regional Housing Council (RHC) has forwarded a motion to the Thurston County Commissioners for the … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/28/21

Port Commissioner Bill McGregor shared his concerns over the Port of Olympia’s mandatory vaccination requirement for its employees during the regular commission meeting on Mon., Sept. 27, 2021.

Port Commissioners react to mandatory vaccination requirement

In a statement, Port of Olympia Commissioner Bill McGregor said, “I am opposed to be mandated to do something. It’s a freedom of choice issue,” in reaction to a proposed resolution … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/28/21

This recent image of Lake Lawrence, in south Thurston County, shows a layer of algae scum that caused health officials to restrict use of the lake twice during the summer of 2021.

Toxic algae advisory lifted on Lake Lawrence

Thurston County Public Health and Social Services confirmed that the toxic algae advisory on Lake Lawrence has been lifted. On Monday, the county assured residents that it is now safe to … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/28/21

Dennis Rolly serves customers at lunch on Sept. 22, 2021 at Pellegrino's Italian Kitchen in Tumwater where he's been working for 18 years. If the unmasked part of his face looks familiar it's might be because you've seen his acting performances in Olympia theaters.

“Olympia-Tumwater” ranks No. 17 among best cities for restaurant workers across the US

Despite the economic impacts caused by the coronavirus pandemic, a study showed that “Olympia-Tumwater, WA” ranked as the 17th best place for restaurant workers across the U.S. … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/22/21

Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus, tshawytscha) swim up Issaquah creek from sea to return home to the Issaquah Hatchery.

Outfitters, guides close doors as salmon, steelhead numbers drop

Closed fisheries from imperiled fish runs in the Columbia River Basin are prompting calls for action before it's too late.Steelhead trout numbers in the Columbia and its tributaries could be the … more

By Eric Tegethoff | Washington News Service | 9/21/21

Olympia announced the opening of three new dog parks including Evergreen Park, Mclane Park, and Ward Lake Parcel on Sept. 21, 2021.

Olympia opens three new off-leash dog parks

Olympia’s furry friends will have plenty of room to play as the city opened three new dog parks this week. The City of Olympia announced the opening of three new dog parks today, at the … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/21/21

This recent image of Lake Lawrence, in south Thurston County, shows a layer of algae scum that caused health officials to restrict use of the lake on Aug. 13, 2021.

Lake Lawrence again restricted due to toxic algae

County officials issued a health warning on Lake Lawrence as a result of toxic algae bloom on Fri., Sept. 17, a month after a similar warning was issued. The popular boating and … more

By The JOLT Staff | 9/17/21

Lacey City Councilmembers unanimously approved an ordinance that provides an increase in the number of general members for the Board of Park Commissioners at its meeting on Sept. 16, 2021.

Lacey council grows parks commission to seven plus one

During its regular council meeting yesterday, the Lacey City Council unanimously approved Ordinance 1601 which adds two members to the city’s Board of Park Commissioners. Parks, Culture, and … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/17/21

Smartphone users have even easier access to library services through the updated app, for Android and iPhone users.

Timberland Regional Library at your fingertips

Book lovers on the go can access their favorite titles from anywhere with the Timberland Regional Library mobile application. Available on Android and iOS, the Timberland Regional Library (TRL) … more

By Taniah Najih | Timberland Regional Library | 9/16/21

Olympia parks staff introduced new proposals and updates for its 2022-28 Parks, Arts, & Recreation plan. This includes the completion of the Peace and Healing park along 9th Avenue SE (top), the proposed playground renovation for Priest Point Park (bottom left)., a proposed soccer mini-pitch which will be constructed in Downtown Olympia similar to the image shown bottom row center, and the new synthetic infield at Stevens Field (bottom right).

Four new park developments planned in Olympia

The City of Olympia plans to develop four new parks as part of the city’s long-term directive to make recreational spaces more inclusive and accessible. On Thu., Sept. 9, Olympia Parks … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/16/21 | 3 comments

A bicyclist waits in the new bicycle box for the stoplight to turn green before heading east on 5th Ave in downtown Olympia on Sep. 6, 2021.

What are those green boxes painted on Simmons Street?

A year after it installed its first "bicycle box" lane, the City of Olympia added two new bicycle boxes on Simmons Street as a way to promote traffic safety. Bicycle Box Located … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/6/21

Gardens for the landless

For people who live in apartments, duplexes, tiny houses or houses with tiny yards, community gardens are the 21st century’s version of a micro homestead – one that usually comes with … more

By Jill Severn | 9/3/21 | 1 comment

The Lacey City Council, together with the Parks and Recreation Director Jennifer Burbidge, discussed the recommendation to increase the number of Board of Park Commissioners from five to seven at its meeting on Sep. 2, 2021.

Lacey considers increasing the size of its parks commission

During the regular Lacey City Council meeting on Thur., Sept. 2, Parks and Recreation Director Jennifer Burbidge introduced a recommendation to expand the Board of Park Commissioners from five to … more

9/3/21

The Regional Housing Council discussed possible ways to resolve a $1.7 million gap in funding gap for the 2828 Martin Way Phase 2 project during their regular council meeting on Aug. 30., 2021

Martin Way Phase 2 faces a $1.7 million funding gap needed to build 64 new housing units

The Thurston Regional Housing Council (RHC) discussed possible actions to resolve the $1.7 million funding gap needed to complete 2828 Martin Way Phase 2, a project which is set to provide 64 new … more

By Kristine Javier | 8/31/21

A view of the public swimming area at Long Lake in Lacey, in happier days when the water quality was better and lifeguards were on duty.

Long Lake closed as water quality unsafe for humans and pets

Thurston County Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) warned residents to stay away from Long Lake, which lies at the eastern edge of Lacey, as the water quality remains unsafe for humans and … more

By Kristine Javier | 8/30/21

Olympia City Manager Jay Burney (top row, middle) encouraged residents who are experiencing housing instability to apply for rental and utilities assistance during the Olympia City Council meeting on Aug. 24, 2021.

Funds remain unclaimed for pandemic-related rent and utilities assistance

Despite the economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, and a backlog of unpaid rent, almost three-quarters of the COVID-19 Rental and Utilities Assistance Fund remains available. During … more

By Kristine Javier | 8/25/21 | 1 comment

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