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

Olympia Mayor Dontae Payne on Washington’s Right-of-Way initiative funding: “If we don't continue to fund this, the folks that we have removed from those sites could end up back out. We need to make sure that doesn't happen and roll back all of the progress that we have made." The mayor made the statement at a council meeting on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.

Thurston County poised to receive $5.5M for homeless encampment projects

Thurston Regional Housing Council is expecting a funding opportunity for Thurston County's Right-of-Way initiative following state budget allocations of ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/14/25 | 15 comments

A map of the Fones Road Corridor Project in Olympia.

Underground utility work begins on Fones Road project

Underground utility work is underway on the multimillion-dollar Fones Road Corridor Project in Olympia. Work crews started the utility work on Monday ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 4/14/25

Green leadership embedded into business practices, as shown in this collage featuring 2025’s Thurston County Chamber of Commerce top green business awardees.

Ameresco, ECOS, Top Rung Brewery top list of 2025 green business champions in Thurston County

Business efforts in sustainability across Thurston County received formal recognition on Wednesday, April 9, during the 2025 Thurston County Green ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 4/14/25 | 1 comment

Application period to open for farmers market nutrition program in Thurston County

An annual program aimed at helping seniors put food on their tables will be accepting applications starting this week. The Lewis-Mason-Thurston Area Agency on Aging said the application … more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 4/14/25

James Whitehead, Executive Director of Secondary Education, reported high school athletics and activities at a meeting on Thursday, April 10, 2025.

Olympia middle, high school students achieve nearly 31% participation in athletics

Athletic participation rates in the Olympia School District were 32.9% at the high school level and 27.5% at the middle school level during the ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/14/25 | 2 comments

Olympia School District Executive Director of Human Resources Scott Niemann (podium) described the National Board Certification as “rigorous” during a special recognition session on Thursday, April 10, 2025.

Olympia School District recognizes 12 national board certified teachers

At a special recognition session on Thursday, April 10, the Olympia School District recognized 12 teachers who either gained or maintained a ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/14/25

Traffic stop results in drug bust on Capitol Way S

A traffic stop for an alleged violation on Capitol Way S in Olympia turned into a drug bust that yielded more than 1 ounce of fentanyl and methamphetamine. The incident occurred on … more

By The JOLT News Staff | 4/14/25 | 2 comments

Public facilities district seeks applicants for two vacancies on board

Applicants are being sought for a pair of vacant, district-wide seats on the Captial Area Regional Public Facilities District Board (CAR-PFD). The applicants are being sought for full terms by … more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 4/14/25

Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders, left, and Undersheriff Ruben Mancillas discussed a contract to maintain a School Resource Officer at Nisqually Middle School, and linked elementary campuses, during the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners agenda setting meeting on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.

Thurston County supports SRO presence to fortify safe learning environments

Thurston County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) are preparing to sign off on a $95,000 contract that would keep a School Resource Officer (SRO) at ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 4/11/25 | 8 comments

Members of the public interrupted the Tumwater School District Board of Directors work session on Thursday, April 10, 2025.

Audience interrupts Tumwater School District Board of Directors meeting with 'repeal, resign, replace' chant

The audience at a Tumwater School District Board of Directors work session chanted “repeal, resign, replace” and “trans rights are human rights” in an effort to interrupt the … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/11/25 | 13 comments

A Thurston County Sheriff’s Office patrol SUV, as seen equipped with a front-mounted Grappler device, designed to safely stop fleeing vehicles by capturing the rear wheel with a tether.

Grappler deployment rises in Thurston County, as safer arrests show proven results

Grapplers, the steel-armed devices that clamp down on a suspect’s tire at highway speed, are now firmly embedded and ready for expansion in ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 4/11/25 | 4 comments

Thurston County home and condo prices rise in March

Single-family home prices rose and sales eased in Thurston County for the third straight month of 2025, as low inventory levels continued to put a strain on a ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 4/11/25 | 2 comments

Tumwater Fire Department Chief Brian Hurley (top middle) shared to the city council on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, several updates about the fire department. Hurley discussed call stats and accomplishments from the previous year and goals for 2025.

Tumwater Fire Department reports 2024 call stats

The Tumwater Fire Department reported no significant change in the number of calls received in 2024 compared ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/11/25 | 1 comment

At an Olympia City Council meeting on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, Dominic Jones, Olympia's Building Decarbonization Program Manager, announced Energize Thurston is offering a series of free workshops to residents looking to reduce their energy costs.

Energize Thurston offers free workshops, heat pump discounts across county

Energize Thurston, a countywide group purchase program, is offering a series of free workshops to help residents interested in cutting energy bills and ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/11/25 | 1 comment

Adria Buchanan, the Executive Director of the Fair Housing Center of Washington, expressed appreciation for the Fair Housing Month proclamation. She spoke at the Olympia City Council meeting on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.

Olympia City Council proclaims April as Fair Housing Month

The Olympia City Council signed a proclamation designating April 2025 as Fair Housing Month to highlight the continued importance of addressing ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/11/25 | 2 comments

The Thurston Regional Housing Council approved a recommendation to award $950,000 for the Sterling Pines Housing project on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.

Thurston Regional Housing Council OKs recommendation to award $950K for Sterling Pines housing project

The Thurston Regional Housing Council approved awarding the Housing Authority of Thurston County (HATC) $950,000 from the Opportunity Fund to finance ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/10/25 | 3 comments

City of Lacey Finance Director Troy Woo presented Lacey’s preliminary 2024 year-end financial report during a city council work session on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.

Expenditures rise due to labor costs, capital transfers in City of Lacey

The City of Lacey’s Finance Department presented its preliminary 2024 year-end financial report to the city council, highlighting a significant increase in expenditures and modest … more

By JC Medina | 4/10/25

The Tesla charging station at 665 Sleater Kinney Road SE in Lacey.

Tesla charging station damaged in Lacey

A Tesla vehicle charging station was damaged in a late-night incident on Tuesday, April 8. "This morning (April 8) at 1:34, officers were dispatched to a malicious … more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 4/10/25 | 7 comments

Nathaniel McKenzie-Sullivan, a student at St. Michael Parish School, served as a page in the Washington State House of Representatives. He is pictured with Rep. Jamila Taylor (D-Federal Way), who sponsored the student.

Local student gains hands-on legislative experience through House Page program

Nathaniel McKenzie-Sullivan, a student at St. Michael Parish School in Olympia, recently served as a page in the Washington State House of Representatives ... more

By JC Medina | 4/10/25

Tumwater Police Department Acting Chief Jay Mason swore in Officer Kasey Steffenhagen on Tuesday afternoon, April 8, 2024.

Tumwater PD welcomes new officer at swearing-in ceremony

The Tumwater Police Department (TPD) welcomed a new member on Tuesday afternoon, April 8, when Kasey Steffenhagen was sworn in. TPD Acting Chief Jay Mason presided over the swearing in … more

By The JOLT News Staff | 4/10/25 | 1 comment