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Percival Creek Canyon in west Olympia, as seen on Sept. 8, 2023.

Closure of Percival Creek Canyon homeless encampment completed in Olympia

The City of Olympia has completed a 16-month effort to close the Percival Creek Canyon homeless encampment and provide housing placement for ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/27/25 | 15 comments

Tumwater Fire Chief Brian Hurley, top left, thanked the Tumwater City Council for authorizing a renewed contract with Thurston County Medic One for paramedic services in the city. He made his remarks at a city council meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025.

Tumwater renewing contract with Thurston County Medic One

The Tumwater City Council backed a contract that calls for Thurston County Medic One to continue to provide paramedic services for the next ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/27/25

Lacey Police Department Chief Robert Almada and officers accepted a $2,500 donation from ULINE for the Compassionate Community Fund.

ULINE helps Lacey Police Department respond to crisis calls

A $2,500 donation from ULINE to the Lacey Police Department is going toward an emergency resource that provides immediate assistance to people ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 10/27/25 | 3 comments

The new bridge at Woodland Creek Community Park restores a vital crossing between the Karen Fraser Woodland Trail and the park’s interior recreational areas.

New pedestrian bridge unveiled at Woodland Creek Community Park in Lacey

The City of Lacey reopened the pedestrian crossing over Woodland Creek, in turn restoring full access to Woodland Creek ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 10/27/25 | 1 comment

At a meeting on Thursday Oct. 23, 2025, the Olympia School District Board of Directors approved a resolution, which allows the district to submit a voter proposition to levy a tax for technology and capital projects.

Voters to decide on Olympia School District technology levy

The Olympia School District Board of Directors unanimously approved a resolution, which calls for a ballot proposition to levy an additional tax of $72,987,000 for ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 10/27/25 | 3 comments

Director of Facilities Mel Murray, far upper left, asked the Tumwater School District Board of Directors to approve the donation of artificial turf for the Black Hills High School baseball field at a meeting on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025.

Boosters donating artificial turf for Black Hills High School baseball field

Baseball boosters at Black Hills High School are donating artificial turf for the school’s baseball ahead of the ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 10/27/25 | 3 comments

Temple Beth Hatfiloh in Olympia has been awarded a $175,000 grant from the National Fund for Sacred Places Program to support exterior preservation work on its synagogue building.

Temple Beth Hatfiloh in Olympia receives $175K historic preservation grant

Temple Beth Hatfiloh in Olympia has been awarded a $175,000 grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation through its National Fund ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/24/25 | 9 comments

14 organizations to benefit from lodging taxes in Tumwater

Fourteen organizations involved in tourism-related programs and events will benefit from lodging tax funds in ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/24/25 | 1 comment

Assistant City Administrator Kelly Adams, top left, briefed the Tumwater City Council  about an ordinance establishing an Equity Commission at a meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025.

Equity Commission established in City of Tumwater

The Tumwater City Council adopted a resolution establishing an Equity Commission at a meeting on ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/24/25 | 11 comments

Henderson Boulevard and Eskridge Boulevard roundabout work to begin on Oct. 27

A City of Olympia contractor is scheduled to begin modifications and upgrades to the roundabout at Henderson Boulevard and ... more

By The JOLT News Staff | 10/24/25

A Thurston County illustration shows review zones for building and environmental compliance included in Thurston County’s 2026 permit fee realignment.

Adjustments to Thurston County 2026 permit fees trim $1M in subsidies

Thurston County will enforce a new fee structure for land use and building permits starting on Jan. 1, 2026, in order to attain full cost recovery for permit review ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 10/24/25 | 4 comments

The Olympia City Council approved a five-year bundled contract for police technology equipment at a meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025.

Police technology contract approved by Olympia City Council

The Olympia City Council approved a five-year agreement that bundles all of the Olympia Police Department’s technology equipment ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/23/25 | 6 comments

Upgrades eyed for Rainier Vista Community Park in Lacey

The City of Lacey is seeking a consultant for design and engineering services to modernize facilities and improve safety at Rainier Vista ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 10/23/25 | 4 comments

The City of Olympia’s street sweeper features artwork by Washington Middle School students Jackson Schaub and Aalena Lucas, whose designs promote clean water and stormwater pollution prevention.

Students recognized for street sweeper pollution prevention design work in Olympia

Two Washington Middle School students were recognized for their artwork, which promotes clean water and stormwater pollution ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/23/25 | 1 comment

A planned peanut-shaped roundabout at Linwood and 2nd avenues in Tumwater aims to address traffic and safety issues caused by the current configuration of the intersection.

$3.5M contract authorized for construction of roundabout in Tumwater

The Tumwater City Council authorized Mayor Debbie Sullivan to award a contract with Active Construction Inc. for the construction of a peanut-shaped ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/23/25 | 3 comments

A surplus Bell OH-58 Kiowa helicopter awaits inspection at Northwest Helicopters in Tumwater.

Sheriff’s helicopter plan gains traction in Thurston County

An aviation plan that could reshape rescue response times throughout Thurston County inched closer to ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 10/22/25 | 12 comments

Wanted men charged with second-degree burglary after break-in at Olympia restaurant

Two men have been charged with second-degree burglary following a break-in at a restaurant on Martin Way E, according to an Olympia Police ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 10/22/25 | 3 comments

Sylvana Niehuser was elevated to the role of Parks, Arts & Recreation Director in Olympia. She is seen at a Olympia City Council meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025.

Sylvana Niehuser appointed Parks, Arts & Recreation Director in Olympia

The City of Olympia has removed the interim tag and elevated Sylvana Niehuser to Parks, Arts & Recreation ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/22/25 | 1 comment

Artwork by Gaia Alphonse of Reeves Middle School in Olympia.

Olympia honors young artists featured in 2026 Water Resources Stewardship Calendar

The Olympia City Council recognized middle school students for their creative contributions to the 2026 Water Resources Stewardship Calendar at ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/22/25

Thurston County Public Works personnel conducted aquatic relocation at the Canning Court Southwest stream in Olympia, as part of the environmental phase of the county’s culvert replacement program.

Culvert replacement project underway in Olympia

Thurston County Public Works personnel extracted aquatic fauna from a stream at Canning Court Southwest in Olympia this month, as it launched ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 10/22/25 | 2 comments