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

Year-round education under serious review by local school districts

School districts around the state, including Olympia, Yelm, Tumwater and North Thurston, are looking at a new educational concept called “Balanced Calendar.” It’s … more

By Ken Balsley | 10/12/21 | 1 comment

Tumwater School District and Tumwater City boards met on Oct. 7, 2021 and discussed the city's 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge.

Outgoing Tumwater Mayor Pete Kmet discusses racial equity in joint city-school board meeting

As a part of the Tumwater Community 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge, city leaders including Mayor Pete Kmet stressed the need to discuss racial equity in an online meeting with the Tumwater School … more

By Kristine Javier | 10/11/21 | 5 comments

Olympia City Council: Pat Cole's Picks

It's local election season, and we're all trying to figure out who to vote for and support. Local elections are, in many ways, the most important elections. Our local governments have the … more

By Pat Cole | 10/8/21 | 4 comments

The Squaxin Island Tribe's flag was hoisted in front of Olympia City Hall for the first time on Oct. 7, 2021.

Memorandum set to bring new era of understanding and cooperation between Squaxin Island Tribe and City of Olympia

The leaders of the Squaxin Island Tribe and City of Olympia gathered today at noon to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) designed to shepherd in a new era of cooperation between the peoples … more

By Danny Stusser | 10/7/21

Annual real estate forum tomorrow will feature talks from industry experts

Industry experts will assess the state of real estate and development in Thurston County and the South Sound region in a virtual forum tomorrow, Thu., Oct. 7, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The … more

By Julia Ornedo | 10/6/21

Molly Hoghaug expressed safety concerns on her son’s bus route during the NTPS regular school board meeting on Tue., Oct. 5, 2021.

Lacey-area parents complain about school bus service at NTPS board meeting

Several parents spoke out to the North Thurston Public Schools (NTPS) board yesterday, complaining about the lack of accommodations from its transportation department for safer alternative bus … more

By Kristine Javier | 10/6/21 | 1 comment

The Thurston County Shoreline Master Plan program covers both marine shorelines, such as this one in downtown Olympia, and large lakes and streams.

Your comments sought on county's Shoreline Master Program update

The Thurston County Planning Commission invites public testimony on the proposed Shoreline Master Program (SMP) comprehensive and periodic updates … more

10/6/21

State-wide ban on single-use plastic bags now in effect

With increasing concerns about environmental pollution, the state legislature issued a ban on single-use plastic. It also imposed corresponding fees for using other types of shopping bags effective … more

By Kristine Javier | 10/5/21

Thurston County installs new habitat features for fish passage

Thurston County Public Works reported during the county commissioners' work session last week that they completed three fish passage projects so far in 2021 . In a presentation on Thursday, … more

By Kristine Javier | 10/5/21

A view of clouds as seen from the Nisqually River.

Puget Sound and Salmon Recovery Funding available in the Nisqually Watershed

The Nisqually Indian Tribe is requesting grant proposals for salmon habitat restoration and protection projects in the Nisqually River watershed. Approximately $1.5 million in federal and … more

10/4/21

The photo shows a model of the magniX’s eCaravan which is currently being tested at Moses Lake, Washington.

Olympia Regional Airport sees electric airplanes as the future of aviation

With an increasing demand for cleaner and more sustainable forms of air travel, the Olympia Regional Airport (OLM) is setting its sights on electric airplanes as the future of aviation. On Mon., … more

By Kristine Javier | 10/1/21

Matt Peach, Port of Olympia’s senior administrative services manager, shared that the Port had recently received a federal grant to improve its cyber security, Sept. 28, 2021

Port of Olympia plans to step up its cybersecurity

With the potential threats of a cyberattack, the Port of Olympia plans to improve its cyber security. In a presentation during the regular commission meeting, on Tue., Sept. 28, Port of … more

By Kristine Javier | 10/1/21

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

Karen Messmer of Olympia, a volunteer with Thurston Climate Action Team, campaigned for electric cars at Thurston Climate Action Team's flash mob gathering on Sat., Sept. 25, 2021.

Electric car flash mob popped up on Saturday

Electric car flash mob popped up on Saturday Will your next car be electric? Thurston Climate Action Team offers 15 answers to help you ditch the gas pumps. Visitors more

By Danny Stusser | 9/27/21 | 4 comments

Olympia HS graduates Jenny Jang, Ann Murphy and Michale Tsien pose for family photos following their commencement ceremony.

Congratulations to Olympia High School's Class of 2021

The Olympia High School Class of 2021 received their diplomas on Fri., June 18 during its commencement ceremony at Saint Martin's University. Proud family members and friends filled the bleachers in … more

Never too late to congratulate! | 9/23/21

Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall addressed the Tumwater City Council on Tue., Sept. 21, 2021.

County auditor: “Our elections are totally above reproach.”

Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall addressed local questions about nationwide concerns about voter fraud and election integrity, as she assured voters that “our elections are totally above … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/23/21

Welding is one of the skills that can be learned at Lacey MakerSpace.

$1 million federal grant awarded to Lacey MakerSpace

Lacey MakerSpace received $1 million from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) to help retrain workers and business owners who were impacted by the … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/22/21

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

The Washington Federation of State Employees began bargaining with the state on the terms of the vaccine mandate on Aug. 16.

Largest public union reaches pact on vaccine mandate

Washington state's largest union of public workers has reached an agreement with the state on Gov. Jay Inslee's vaccine mandate.The deal ensures access to and education about the shot on work … more

By Eric Tegethoff | Washington News Service and The JOLT Staff | 9/21/21