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

A student browses the shelves at the Lacey Timberland Regional Library on April 9, 2019.

Celebrate Back-to-School and Library Card Sign-Up Month with Timberland Regional Library!

Timberland Regional Library supports students of all ages with easy-to-access resources in its 28 libraries and online, and an effortless process to obtain a library card. Parents and teachers can … more

By Taniah Najih | Timberland Regional Library | 8/26/21

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

Critical Race Theory: In response to a push for culturally responsive teaching that gained steam following the police killing of George Floyd, Republican lawmakers and governors have championed legislation to limit the teaching of material that explores how race and racism influence American politics, culture and law.

Critical race theory: A political debate hits WA schools

By Venice Buhain / Crosscut.com August 24, 2021 Unlike in previous years, instead of kicking off this year’s English literature class with reading, Mark Gardner plans to … more

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

Bradley Park: This photo shows the proposed residential housing site located between 6th Avenue NE and 15th Avenue NE, approximately 460 feet east of Sleater Kinney Road NE. Immediately to the south of the property is North Thurston High School's campus.

Lacey approves subdivision of 15-acres into 83 properties

In response to the increasing need for additional housing, the Lacey City Council approved a request from its hearing examiner to subdivide a 15.66-acre property known as Bradley Park for the … more

By Danny Stusser | 8/23/21

The city of Lacey encourages residents to participate in its TREEsearch BINGO game in celebration of Arbor Month.

City of Lacey declares Arbor Month

Lacey, which has received the Arbor Day Foundation’s “City of Trees” designation for the past 30 years, renewed its commitment to the environment as it declared August as Arbor … more

By Kristine Javier | 8/20/21

Port Comm. E.J Zita (below) claimed that Comm. Chair Joe Downing (above) muted her in the call during the Port of Olympia’s Special Commission Meeting on Thu., Aug. 19.

Port of Olympia commissioners hold special meeting on New Market Industrial Campus

After 11 months of discussions, the Port of Olympia is close to issuing an action regarding the proposed Panattoni development. With this, the port held a special commission meeting to evaluate the … more

By Kristine Javier | 8/20/21 | 1 comment

The Lacey City Council on Thu., Aug. 12. discussed with a representative from Puget Sound Energy rate changes brought by the pending rate case settlement in its Green Direct Program.

Green energy soon to cost more green

In 2017, Lacey enrolled in the Green Direct Program with a promise of having cost-effective ways of purchasing renewable energy. However, four years later, a pending rate case settlement means that … more

By Kristine Javier | 8/20/21

This image shows Kaleena Pierce, Austin Moser-Attaway, Ryan Spiva, Clifford Kettle who graduated in June 2021 from Envision Career Academy of North Thurston Public Schools. Not pictured: Karina Herrera.

Envision Career Academy graduates listed

Last and smallest among North Thurston Public Schools' graduations this year was the Mon., June 21 ceremony to commemorate the accomplishments of the five students who graduated from Envision Career … more

By The JOLT Staff | 8/19/21

At the North Thurston Public Schools board meeting on Tue., Aug. 17, 2021, Stephanie Grip, a parent in the district, shared that masks should remain optional and not a requirement

NTPS parents lobby against integrating social justice and equity in curricula … and masks

Several parents spoke out against the North Thurston Public School’s (NTPS) decision to implement its new social justice curriculum during the regular school board meeting on Tuesday, August … more

By Danny Stusser | 8/19/21

Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall (top row, left) announced during the Thurston County BOCC Election Officials meeting on Wed., August 18 that her office will conduct an election recount by hand for Yelm City Council Pos. 4.

Yelm city council election to be recounted by hand following a one-vote margin

Two candidates for Yelm City Council still don’t know the results of the Aug. 3 election. Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall explained that there was one vote separating the during the … more

By The JOLT Staff | 8/19/21

Kristy Woodford, CEO of Holistic Home Group

A Holistic Approach to Real Estate

Real estate is stressful. It’s also emotional. Now more than ever, agents are encountering buyers and sellers struggling to navigate the process with their sanity intact. If you are in the … more

By Kristy Woodford | 8/19/21

Repairs were completed in June 2021 for the 85-year old Nisqually Cutoff Bridge, an arterial roadway that carries as many as 5,000 vehicles a day.

Emergency repairs for Nisqually Cutoff Bridge completed

Thurston County Public Works reported that they had completed the necessary repairs for the 85-year old Nisqually Cutoff Rd SE Bridge (N-1). During the Thurston County Board of County Commissioner … more

By Kristine Javier | 8/19/21

River Ridge High School graduate Joyce Lee just after receiving her diploma at the school's graduation ceremonies on June 16, 2021.

River Ridge High School graduates listed

Caleb Edward Akana Zachary David Albaugh Anthony John Alexander Juan Francisco Alonso Farias Bianca Alvarado Alyssa Angel Anderson-Creasey Nathaniel Leon Anderson Deja N. Avery Victoria Hope Bahler … more

By The JOLT Staff | 8/18/21

Komachin Middle School business education teacher Kate Reece poses with her students, Cyrus Biel, Issy Justis and Zeke Hanson, whose team ranked third at the national Future Business Leaders of America Fall Stock Market Challenge.

Komachin Middle School students named national CTE champions

North Thurston Public Schools (NTPS) honored three Komachin Middle School students who ranked third in the national Career and Technical Education (CTE) championship during its school board meeting … more

By Kristine Javier | 8/18/21

Hayden Anderson and Nhino Denis celebrate in their highly personalized Timberline High School graduation gowns on June 15, 2021.

Timberline High School graduates listed

Timberline High School graduated its seniors on Tue., June 15, 2021 at St. Martin’s University in Lacey. More photos are available on the school's official Facebook … more

By The JOLT Staff | 8/17/21

North Thurston High School graduates, l-r, Hannah Brannam, Maddie Hansen, Annie Hoffman, Cirena Adams, Helene Budd show off their various awards and honors on June 14, 2021 at their graduation ceremony, held at St. Martin's University.

North Thurston High School graduates listed

North Thurston High School graduated its seniors on Thu., June 17, 2021 at St. Martin’s University in Lacey. Congratulations from The JOLT to every graduate named … more

By The JOLT Staff | 8/16/21

This home at 18015 Wakly Lane SW in Rochester sold last week for $525,000 by Mark Weaver.

The JOLT Real Estate Report for Aug. 8-14, 2021

Last week 115 single-family homes were sold in Thurston County. This weekly report covers single-family home sales in Thurston County over the past week. There were 115 sales completed from … more

By The JOLT Staff | 8/16/21

The new sign for the VA Olympia Outpatient Clinic was still in its protective shipping wrapper as recently as the week before the official opening of the clinic on Aug. 16, 2021.

New VA healthcare clinic in Olympia opens Aug. 16

Veterans seeking healthcare won’t have to travel to American Lake for many services after this Mon., Aug. 16, when the new VA Olympia Outpatient Clinic opens its doors to in-person … more

By Danny Stusser | 8/13/21 | 1 comment

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