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

Inmate dies after medical emergency at Thurston County Corrections Facility

An inmate at Thurston County Corrections Facility died after suffering a medical emergency, according to the Thurston County Sheriff’s ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 9/15/25 | 1 comment

A Budd Inlet Treatment Plant map shows flow paths through wet wells, pumps and generator systems.

LOTT to expand Budd Inlet wastewater plant capacity

The LOTT Clean Water Alliance plans to raise the Budd Inlet Treatment Plant’s influent pump station capacity to 75 million gallons per day ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 9/15/25

Olympia School District records more enrollees than projected

Full-time enrollment was up to start the 2025-26 school year for the Olympia School District. An enrollment update report showed full-time ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 9/15/25

Olympia City Council issues proclamation for Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month

The Olympia City Council proclaimed Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 as Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month at a meeting on Tuesday ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/12/25 | 8 comments

Tenant screening policy reforms to be reviewed by Olympia City Council

In a continued effort to expand protection for renters, the Olympia City Council will take up tenant screening outreach and policy reforms at its meeting ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/12/25 | 5 comments

Tumwater Police Department Chief Jay Mason briefed the Tumwater Public Health and Safety Committee about a revised contract for the renewal of the city’s school resource officer program with the Tumwater School District at a meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025.

Committee endorses renewal of school resource officer program in Tumwater

The Tumwater Public Health and Safety Committee endorsed a contract to renew a long-standing school resource officer (SRO) program with ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/12/25

Treaty activist and Puyallup tribal member Nancy Shippentower, left, a relative of Billy Frank Jr., Nisqually fisherman Nuggen “Nugie” Kautz, Nisqually Chairman Willie Frank III and Nisqually Tribal Council member Chaynannah Squally gathered at the Washington State Reception Room in Olympia for the unveiling of the Billy Frank Jr. statue maquette on Jan. 10, 2024.

Billy Frank Jr.'s legacy drives new training plan at SPSCC

As the state of Washington prepares to place Billy Frank Jr. among the nation’s historic figures in Statuary Hall in Washington, D.C., local officials ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 9/12/25 | 5 comments

Thurston County commissioners at odds over merging opioid settlement money

An effort to merge opioid settlement money into a regional fund failed to pass muster with the Thurston County Board of County ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 9/12/25

Port of Olympia consultant Peter Phillips, of Colibri NW discussed the potential of the port to engage in the manufacturing of electric ferries at a Port of Olympia Commission meeting on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. Phillips mentioned three electric ferry makers that the port could look into partnering with in the future. From top to bottom, the vessels shown in Phillips' presentation were developed by Artemis from Belfast, Candela from Sweden and EV Maritime from New Zealand.

Port of Olympia consultant plants ideas for passenger ferry service, manufacturing of vessels

A Port of Olympia consultant outlined initial steps for bringing back passenger ferry service to South Puget Sound, as well as opportunities related to the ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/11/25 | 12 comments

The Olympia City Council proclaimed Sept. 16, 2025, as National Voter Registration Day. In the photo, council members posed with Thurston County Election Technician Jack Mongin, who accepted the proclamation at a meeting on Sept. 9, 2025.

Olympia defends voting rights in National Voter Registration Day proclamation

The Olympia City Council celebrated National Voter Registration Day by strongly defending mail-in voting and voter accessibility, directly challenging ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/11/25 | 12 comments

Man arrested in cold case disappearance of Indigenous woman

A suspect is locked up after he was arrested in connection with the disappearance of an Indigenous woman in ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 9/11/25 | 1 comment

Seen facing north, the Davis Meeker Garry oak tree overhangs Old Highway 99 and is adjacent to the northernmost airplane hangar.

City of Tumwater looking for organizations who want saplings of Davis Meeker Garry oak tree

The City of Tumwater is looking for more organizations who want to receive saplings from the Davis Meeker Garry oak tree, according to an update ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/11/25

The Olympia City Council approved the expansion of the Olympia Fire Department’s CARES program to support the Lewis Mason Thurston Area Agency on Aging. The council made the decision at a meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025.

Olympia City Council expands CARES Program to support Area Agency on Aging

The Olympia City Council unanimously approved a resolution authorizing a partnership between the Olympia Fire Department and the Lewis ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/11/25 | 1 comment

Pavement marking work in downtown Olympia

A pavement marking project is going to make the drive a little more difficult for motorists on some streets in downtown ... more

By The JOLT News Staff | 9/11/25 | 2 comments

A site plan and vicinity map show the planned upgrades for Lacey’s Lift Station 9 at 4905 Ruddell Road SE. The project includes new controls and a storage building, generator, valve and meter vaults, and an odor control facility. The existing wet well will remain in place at the southeast corner of Rainier Vista Community Park.

Lift Station 9 rebuild to upgrade wastewater service in Lacey

The City of Lacey has awarded a $2.57 million contract to rebuild its largest wastewater lift station and modernize equipment that handles more than ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 9/10/25

Felon charged in stolen vehicle case

A 36-year-old woman with prior felony convictions is facing more legal trouble after being found behind the wheel of a stolen ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 9/10/25

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners and county officials previewed housing and homelessness items at a meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025.

Thurston County commissioners go over rental aid and repair contracts

Rental aid and repair contracts between Thurston County and local organizations are a step closer to being ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 9/10/25

The Olympia City Council named Travis Pond’s, “Crane Study Number 47,” as the 2025 Percival Plinth Project People’s Choice Award winner.

2025 Percival Plinth People’s Choice Award winner: 'Crane Study No. 47'

The Olympia City Council endorsed, “Crane Study No. 47” by Travis Pond, of Oregon City, as the 2025 Percival Plinth Project People’s Choice Award ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/10/25

Intercity Transit seeking 4 members for Community Advisory Committee

Members of the public, who want to help shape local public transit, are encouraged to apply for a seat on the Intercity Transit Community Advisory ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/10/25

Thurston Regional Planning Council Planner Michael Mills presented a slide, which highlighted near-term opportunities for advancing high-capacity transportation. The Thurston Regional Planning Council met on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025.

Thurston Regional Planning Council approves transportation vision

The Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) unanimously approved a new regional vision and goals for high-capacity transportation ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/9/25 | 7 comments