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

Habitat for Humanity's proposed development plan for 3900 Boulevard Road will have 110 affordable homes to address homelessness in Olympia

Olympia partners with Habitat for Humanity on affordable housing on Boulevard Road

The City of Olympia announced its partnership with South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity (Habitat) in developing its 10-acre 3900 Boulevard Road property into affordable housing. In its proposal, … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 4/11/22 | 1 comment

Critter Control franchise owner Josh Anderson.

New animal-control company opens in Tumwater

The newest Critter Control service company recently opened in Tumwater offering humane ways of capturing and removing animals from residential and office spaces. Critter Control is a wildlife and … more

By Danny Stusser | 4/8/22

Olympia High School, showing its main entrance on the North St. side of the campus.

Oly High ranked 21st best school in state

Stacker compiled a list of the best public high schools in Washington using rankings from Niche. It ranked Olympia High School as the 21 best among 884 public high schools in the state and the only … more

Edited from Stacker | 4/7/22

Panelists at the Workforce Symposium included, l-r, David Schaffert, Amy Warren, and William Westmoreland. Michael Cade, executive director of the Thurston Economic Development Council, right, moderated the event.

Retiring population, lack of flexibility contribute to labor shortage

The retiring population and lack of flexibility in the employment practices and workplace are among the issues contributing to workforce shortages, according to presenters at the Lacey South Sound … more

By Danny Stusser and Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/7/22

"'Stellar Sea Lion'" is one of the many stunning images of life in and on the Puget Sound that can be seen as part of the We Are Puget Sound exhibit.

"We Are Puget Sound" coming to Lacey and Olympia Timberland libraries

Beginning in April, Lacey and Olympia Timberland libraries will host the photography exhibit, “We Are Puget Sound” in support of the campaign to protect and restore Puget … more

By Taniah Najih | Timberland Regional Library | 4/6/22

County okays decade-long contract for solid waste services

The Thurston County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) on Tuesday approved a new contract for county solid waste operations, maintenance, transport, and disposal services with Republic Services. The … more

By JC Medina | 4/6/22

There's a prize for this year's winner of Lacey's Challenge for Water Conservation.

Lacey invites residents to join water conservation challenge

The City of Lacey is challenging its community members to conserve water this month -- and there’s a prize for the winner! At stake is a Toyota Highlander Hybrid for a local charity chosen … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 4/5/22

Some 2,000 housing units are in the planning or construction stages in Olympia as of April 2022.

Olympia home-development market as strong as before the 2008 recession

The Olympia Planning Committee has seen an uptick in applications to build housing in the city after a slow recovery from the 2008 recession. Community Planning and Development director Leonard … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/5/22 | 1 comment

KGY is the oldest broadcaster in Thurston County and one of the oldest in Washington State.

KGY to celebrate 100th anniversary starting tomorrow

Thurston county’s oldest broadcast station, KGY 95.3, will be commemorating its centennial year of licensed broadcasting tomorrow, April 5. “This is a big day for KGY, our employees, … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 4/4/22 | 1 comment

The Capital Mall area, highlighted in yellow.

Olympia wants public feedback for Capital Mall area plans

Olympia wants public feedback for Capital Mall area plans By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. The City of Olympia is asking community members who live, work or own property in the Capital Mall area … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 4/1/22 | 3 comments

This is the iconic sign+wall at the Thurston County Courthouse

Rent assistance payments set to resume

Thurston County has transferred its Thurston County Rent Assistance operation to analytic company LiveStories after suspending the program 36 days ago. “We know this has been incredibly … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 4/1/22 | 1 comment

Recordings of the Port of Olympia's meetings can now be seen on TCTV.

Port meetings now broadcast on TCTV

Port of Olympia’s Work Sessions and regular meetings are now aired on Thurston County Community Media TCTV. Port Executive Director Sam Gibboney announced during the Port’s March 28 … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 3/31/22 | 1 comment

National Alliance on Mental Illness Thurston/Mason County's Justice Not Jails forums discusses the problems of the justice system and incarceration.

Local mental health advocates to hold forum on adjusting to life after jail

The National Alliance on Mental Illness Thurston/Mason County (NAMI) will hold a public online forum entitled, “Challenges After Jail: Services in Thurston County,” on Thursday, April 26 … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 3/30/22

Washington State bans high-capacity gun magazines

The 2022 Washington State Legislature tackled the controversial subject of banning high capacity magazines for weapons in Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5078. The Senate took up the debate on Feb. … more

By Troy Kirby | 3/29/22 | 2 comments

Location of Pattison Plat on 604 Pattison St. NE.

Planned development at Pattison raises concerns about traffic, nearby wetland

A proposed subdivision at Pattison Street NE raised concerns from neighboring residents about increased traffic and the project’s effects on nearby wetlands. Olympia’s Hearing Examiner … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 3/29/22

Active shooter drills banned in Washington schools

During the 2022 Washington State Legislature, lawmakers worked to prohibit the usage of active shooter drills, including conducting lockdown drills, by schools, which include simulations of or … more

By Troy Kirby | 3/28/22 | 1 comment

The City of Lacey will conduct a comprehensive gap analysis to the existing energy efficiency programs offered to private, public, and non-profit sectors.

Lacey looks into existing energy efficiency programs

The City of Lacey will conduct a comprehensive gap analysis of the existing energy efficiency programs offered to private, public, and non-profit sectors. City staff aims to identify areas of … more

By JC Medina | 3/28/22

New Thomas Architecture Studios Associate Principals (l-r) Josh Gabel and Tom Reiger.

Thomas Architecture has new associate principals

Olympia-based Thomas Architecture Studios (TAS) announced its promotion of Josh Gabel and Tom Reiger to associate principals from senior project managers, according to a press release the firm issued … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 3/25/22

Affirm Washington Abortion Access Act

The 2022 Washington State Legislature debated the ability for a pregnant individual to access abortion care with Engrossed House Bill 1851. The Affirm Washington Abortion Access Act reconfirms … more

By Troy Kirby | 3/25/22

Racial Equity Program Manager Nicole Miller presented three guidelines in selecting applicants for the Racial Equity and Inclusion Council for the Thurston BOCC to choose from, in their Wednesday work session,

Thurston County studies guidelines for Racial Equity and Inclusion Council

The Thurston Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) will soon decide on a set of guidelines in selecting applicants for the Racial Equity and Inclusion Council (REIC). Racial Equity Program Manager … more

By JC Medina | 3/24/22