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

Rain in Thurston County forecast through the weekend

Another wet weekend is on tap for Thurston County with rain in the forecast through ... more

By Wyatt Haupt | 12/19/25

Jim Cooper, who served 15 years on the Olympia City Council, received a standing ovation from his colleagues at a meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025.

Olympia City Council honors Jim Cooper, as he steps away from the governing body

Jim Cooper wrapped up 15 years of service on the Olympia City Council on Tuesday, Dec. 16, as colleagues and city leaders paid tribute ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/19/25 | 2 comments

Retiring Lacey Police Department Commander Joe Upton held his department commendation as Chief Robert Almada spoke at a Lacey City Council meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. Almada called Upton "my right arm" during remarks honoring the 33-year veteran.

Lacey Police Department Commander Joe Upton retires after 33 years in law enforcement

The City of Lacey marked the end of an era as the man behind its near-perfect homicide clearance rate, evidence room standards and ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 12/18/25 | 1 comment

The Olympic Region Clean Air Agency Board of Directors gathered for its meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, where members elected new leadership after the resignation of Chair Jim Cooper.

Cooper bows out of ORCAA, Clouse rises to vice chair

Thurston County preserved its leadership presence at the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) after Commissioner Emily ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 12/18/25

More wind and rain in the forecast, flood watch remains in effect for Thurston County

A steady dose of rain remains in the forecast for Thurston County, as does a flood watch because of the amount of precipitation in the ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 12/18/25

Tim Smith is the new Community Planning and Economic Development Director for the City of Olympia.

City of Olympia names new Community Planning and Economic Development Director

The City of Olympia named Tim Smith as the new Director of Community Planning and Economic ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/18/25

Muddy water flowed out of Capitol Lake under 5th Avenue bridge in Olympia on Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 17, 2025.

Power outages close schools, impact schedules in Thurston County

A wind-driven storm wreaked havoc with daily schedules and power delivery in Thurston County, leaving a number of schools to either close, open late or ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 12/17/25

Tenant screening reforms advance in City of Olympia

In a 6-1 vote, the Olympia City Council advanced a proposed ordinance that would limit income-to-rent requirements and prohibit landlords ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/17/25 | 11 comments

Lacey man sentenced to more than 43 years in prison for murder of toddler

A Lacey man was sentenced to more than 43 years in state prison for the murder of a 13-month-old toddler in November ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 12/17/25 | 1 comment

Construction at LOTT Clean Water Alliance's Budd Inlet Treatment Plant requires closure of Franklin Street NE on weekdays. Detour routes remain available along Marine Drive NE, Washington Street NE and Thurston Avenue NE.

First LOTT digester refurbishment progresses toward 2026 restart

LOTT Clean Water Alliance is close to finishing a complete rebuild of the first of four digesters at the Budd Inlet Treatment Plant in ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 12/17/25 | 2 comments

The Olympia City Council approved expanding subsidized heat pump installations through the Energize Thurston program at a meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025.

Olympia City Council expands Energize Thurston contract

The Olympia City Council approved a resolution authorizing a second amendment to its municipal services agreement with South Puget Sound ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/17/25

Members of the Regional Housing Council discussed LIHI’s proposal to adjust unit mix at Franz Anderson Permanent Supportive Housing Project at a meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025.

Franz Anderson Permanent Supportive Housing Project seeks approval to serve higher income tenants

Facing a significant operational funding gap, the Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) is seeking approval to adjust the unit mix ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/16/25 | 8 comments

A county map shows marine water sampling stations and shellfish growing area classifications in Thurston County, as presented in Figure C-12 of the 2025 Thurston County On-Site Sewage Management Plan.

Thurston County adopts 2025 On-Site Sewage Management Plan

A septic management overhaul in Thurston County is complete, though builders and environmental groups remain at odds on costs ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 12/16/25 | 1 comment

Motorcyclist taken into custody after high-speed chase in Thurston County

A motorcyclist was arrested after a high-speed chase that hit 100 miles per hour on Interstate ... more

By The JOLT News Staff | 12/16/25 | 3 comments

Olympia School District had an $8,857,455 ending fund balance for 2024-25, which was down from $10,186,316 in the previous school year.

Olympia School District ends 2025 with lower fund balance than previous year

Olympia School District closed the 2024-25 school year with an $8,857,455 ending fund balance, or roughly $1.32 million less ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 12/16/25 | 1 comment

Vehicle chase ends with theft suspect in custody near Port of Centralia

A man wanted on a felony warrant was arrested after leading law enforcement authorities on a vehicle chase that ended near the ... more

By The JOLT News Staff | 12/16/25

Boats are seen docked at Percival Landing in Olympia on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025.

Flood watch in effect for Thurston County with more rain on the way

A flood watch was issued for Thurston County ahead of a series of weather systems barreling toward ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 12/15/25

Committee to weigh ending Briggs Urban Village development agreement in Olympia

Olympia’s Land Use and Environment Committee is going to consider a proposal to terminate a long-standing development ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/15/25 | 11 comments

The Lacey Veterans Services Hub dropped off donated food at the Armed Services YMCA at Joint Base Lewis-McChord on Dec. 3, 2025. The food will go to military families during the holiday season.

Lacey holiday food drive benefits JBLM service members, families

Service members and military families at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) got a holiday helping hand from the Lacey Veterans Services Hub ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 12/15/25 | 2 comments

Crews are expected to transition back to daytime work on the Fones Road Corridor Project on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025.

Fones Road project moving into next phase

The multimillion-dollar Fones Road Corridor Project is heading into its next phase following the installation of underground utilities ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 12/15/25 | 3 comments