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

File photo of County Commissioner Carolina Mejia.

As Thurston proclaims Women’s History Month, Edwards says Mejia brings ‘civility’ to the board

The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) officially proclaimed March as Women’s History Month. Before formally reading the proclamation, Commissioner Gary Edwards stepped in and shared his … more

By JC Medina | 3/2/23

A tractor-trailer full of foam food service products leaves the Dart Container plant in Tumwater on Feb. 28, 2023.

Dart manufacturing plant in Tumwater to close soon

Dart Container Corporation is closing its Tumwater manufacturing plant, it confirmed with The JOLT yesterday. The factory employs approximately 30 people at its facility near Olympia Regional … more

By Danny Stusser | 3/2/23

On Wednesday, March 1, 2023, the Olympia Site Plan Review Committee heard a proposal for food trucks and a drive-thru coffee shop on a property at 1400 Bethel Street NE.

Developer looking to swap an old gas station for food trucks at 1400 Bethel St in Olympia after contamination cleanup

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee held a presubmission conference on a proposal to put up temporary food trucks and a coffee shop on a property at 1400 Bethel Street NE. At the committee … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/2/23 | 2 comments

Tenino investigating officer with troubled history

The City of Tenino is investigating an officer it hired last year after a KING5 investigation revealed that he was once fired for repeatedly using excessive force on suspects. Mayor Wayne Fournier … more

By Julia Ornedo | 3/2/23 | 3 comments

Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders during the January 29, 2023 town hall. Sanders said the incident “exposed a number of substantial flaws” in handling less restrictive alternative residences.

Supreme Living scraps planned sex offender housing in Tenino

Supreme Living LLC, a provider of residential behavioral health services, has announced that it would no longer proceed with the plan to provide supportive housing services for sex offenders in the … more

by Julia Ornedo and JC Medina | 3/1/23

The Simmons 4 precinct would be split into Tumwater 3 and Tumwater 10, with Linwood Avenue marking the division.

Thurston County repeals 7 election precincts, creates new

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) voted 2-1 to approve an ordinance updating the boundaries of 13 election precincts due to the annexations Tumwater and Lacey did of … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/1/23

Lacey Equity Commissioner Thelma Jackson mentioned that she is willing to give the students a talk about Black History, but no one from the school board has invited her yet, especially during Black History Month in February.

Lacey’s Equity team grills school officials on equity efforts

Civil rights advocate and Lacey Equity Commissioner Thelma Jackson raised concerns that there seemed to be a discrepancy between the equity efforts laid out by North Thurston Public Schools … more

By JC Medina | 3/1/23 | 3 comments

At the Olympia City Council work session held Tuesday, February 28, 2023, Olympia's Parks, Arts and Recreations Department Director Paul Simmons gave an overview of the new proposed aquatic center project.

Olympia's Parks department wants expanded study on the aquatic facility; council shy to give directions

Olympia councilmembers are hesitant to take action on the proposal for the aquatic facility, which the Parks department recommended to expand the project’s feasibility study into developing a … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/1/23

Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) assistant planner Casey Mauck presented the annual climate mitigation measures report at the Climate Action Steering Committee meeting on Monday, February 27, 2023.

Thurston County sees a 4% greenhouse gas emission increase over the pandemic levels, still below pre-pandemic levels

After a steep drop in 2020, Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) assistant planner Casey Mauck said they saw a 4% increase in greenhouse gas emissions as the community rebounded after … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 2/28/23 | 1 comment

An electric vehicle is charging somewhere in Thurston County right now.

Energy Savings Program authorized by Port of Olympia, first project considered is capacity for vehicle electrification conversion

The Port of Olympia Commission authorized Executive Director Sam Gibboney to sign an agreement with the Department of Enterprise Services (DES) to provide the Port with project management and support … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 2/28/23

Current Olympia Poet Laureate Ashly McBunch (2nd from left) holding a workshop.

Olympia seeking new Poet Laureate to promote climate change awareness

Olympia is accepting applications for a Poet Laureate in its efforts to engage the community in the literary arts. “Olympia’s take on the position of Poet Laureate is less an honorary … more

2/28/23 | 1 comment

Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Priddy shared the current progress in planning the 2023-2024 budget during Olympia School District’s (OSD) regular meeting last February 23.

Still looking at their budget deficit, Olympia School District considers how to balance the books

Olympia School District (OSD) is currently preparing itself for a reduced budget for the coming school year. “We don't have a new deficit number for you tonight, but we are working on that … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 2/27/23 | 1 comment

Principal Planner Nicole Floyd briefed Olympia’s Land Use and Environment Committee on the proposed amendments relating to the use of reasonable use exceptions.

Proposed amendments to Reasonable Use Exception Code in Olympia presented at another committee

After being recommended by the Planning Commission, Olympia’s Land Use and Environment Committee recommended to the city council amendments to the municipal code relating to the application of … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 2/27/23

Lacey Museum is facing a staff shortage, revealed Lacey Museum Curator Erin Quinn Valcho.

Lacey Museum still faces staffing challenge, with upward trend on visitors

Staffing challenges continue to affect Lacey Museum operations despite it being open all year in 2022 following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions. Lacey Museum Curator Erin Quinn Valcho laid out … more

By JC Medina | 2/27/23

Olympia will celebrate non-teaching school staff this month.

March 13-17 is Education Support Professionals Week for Olympia School District

Superintendent Patrick Murphy declared the third week of March as Education Support Professionals Week during the regular meeting of the Olympia School District last February 23. Education support … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 2/27/23

LIHI staff already operate the former Days Inn as a shelter and several individuals already reside there.

Contamination from drug manufacturing to delay transfer of more homeless to former Days Inn

Following the contamination from previous drug manufacturing, the plan to convert the Days Inn motel into a shelter for the homeless might be postponed until May this year, said Planning Commissioner … more

By JC Medina and Danny Stusser | 2/23/23 | 9 comments

Olympia Police Department (OPD) held a Property Crime Update last Wednesday, February 22.

Olympia police state 40% increase in motor vehicle theft, names other four prevalent property crimes in 2022

Olympia Police Department (OPD) reported motor vehicle theft, vehicle prowl, retail theft (shoplifting), residential burglary, and commercial burglary as the most common crimes against property in … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 2/23/23

The addition of a Fire Prevention Officer II role was discussed last Tuesday, February 21.

Tumwater to add Fire Prevention Officer II position

A new promotional role of a Fire Prevention Officer II is set to be added to the Tumwater Fire Department. Chief Examiner James Trujillo discussed the details of the new role during the Tumwater … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 2/23/23

The Port of Olympia Commission had an initial conversation about whether to endorse a ballot measure on the formation of an Olympia-Tumwater Regional Fire Authority.

Port commission asked to consider endorsing Regional Fire Authority proposition

Port of Olympia Commissioners Joe Downing and Bob Iyall disclosed that they were being asked to endorse a ballot proposition on April 25 that would determine the formation of a Regional Fire … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 2/22/23 | 10 comments

The Table provides an overview of Lacey’s advisory boards and commissions, including information on the annual number of members and meetings.

Lacey eyes stipend program for advisory boards, commissioners

The City of Lacey is studying the possibility of implementing a stipend program for its advisory boards and commissions. The recommendation stemmed from the 2023 work plan of the Commission of … more

By JC Medina | 2/22/23