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

A map shows lane closures on 6th Avenue NE from Sleater Kinney Road NE to College Street NE.

6th Avenue NE water main installation extends lane closures in Lacey

Traffic on 6th Avenue NE has been narrowed to one lane in each direction this week as Active Construction Inc. (ACI) continues water main installation eastbound from ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 4/2/25

Thurston Regional Planning Council to discuss Regional Transportation Plan 2050

The public is about to get a chance to review a draft of the Regional Transportation Plan 2050 for Thurston County. The plan, which serves as a blueprint for the future of the region’s … more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 4/2/25 | 1 comment

The Thurston Conservation District added this high-capacity unit to its rental list. It has more cones, dual scalders, a Pro-XL plucker and an on-board power source.

Expanded equipment rentals support farmers, landowners in Thurston County

Thurston County landowners and farmers now have access to more agricultural and gardening equipment amid a stricter and more organized ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 4/2/25

Thurston County officials examined proposed strategies detailed in the One Washington agreement during the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners meeting on Wednesday, March 26, 2025.

Opioid spending set in motion as Thurston County launches new governance council

Thurston County has activated its Opioid Abatement Council (OAC), a mandatory mechanism under the One Washington Memorandum of Understanding ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 4/1/25 | 5 comments

Saint Martin’s University received its sixth gold designation as a Military Friendly School.

Saint Martin’s University earns sixth gold award as Military Friendly School

Saint Martin’s University in Lacey received its sixth gold designation as a Military Friendly School for the 2025-26 year by ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/1/25 | 1 comment

T.J. Kelly, Chief Financial Officer at Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, attended the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee work session on March 26, 2025, to discuss possible impacts of the administration’s recent mandates.

Superintendent's office discusses potential impacts of executive orders on school districts

Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) representatives and the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee convened in a work session on March 26 to tackle the … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/1/25 | 5 comments

A map shows the stretch of Linwood Avenue SW impacted by a road paving project in Tumwater.

Linwood Avenue SW in Tumwater impacted by paving project

A paving operation is forcing the reduction of traffic lanes on Linwood Avenue SW in Tumwater, the city said in an ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 4/1/25

Kurt Cavalier Jr., of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County, delivered his speech during the 2025 Washington State Youth of the Year competition at Bell Harbor International Event Center in Seattle on Thursday, March 27, 2025. He was later named the statewide winner and recipient of the Community Service Scholarship.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County teen wins state award

Kurt Cavalier Jr., of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County, has been named the “2025 Washington State Youth of the Year” following a three-day leadership challenge at ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 4/1/25 | 2 comments

House Page Isabella Martin with Rep. Beth Doglio, as seen on March 25, 2025.

Tumwater High School student participates in Washington State House Page Program

Tumwater High School student Isabella Martin recently experienced the Washington State Legislature firsthand by serving as a page in the ... more

By JC Medina | 4/1/25

The Thurston County Auditor’s Office is seeking artists to participate in a contest to design a new “I Voted” sticker for Thurston County.

Artists sought for 'I Voted' sticker contest in Thurston County

The Thurston County Auditor's Office is looking for artists to take part in a contest to create a new "I Voted" sticker for the ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 4/1/25 | 1 comment

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners discussed holding off on commissioner pay raises in a gesture meant to reflect “shared sacrifice,” as the county prepares for potential budget and service cuts during a work session on Wednesday, March 26, 2025.

Thurston County Board of County Commissioners seeks pay freeze

Facing a revenue drop that could leave a “$12 to $14 million budget shortfall” and calling for “shared sacrifice,” the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 3/31/25 | 8 comments

Parks committee proposes heritage-inspired names for Olympia parks

Olympia’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee has put forward naming recommendations for Yelm Highway Community Park and Kaiser Woods ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/31/25 | 7 comments

Volunteers and participants stood united during the 2024 Thurston County Hunger Walk in raising awareness and funds for the county's food insecurity.

Thurston County Hunger Walk returns to combat rising countywide food insecurity

The Thurston County Hunger Walk will return on May 4 with a $40,000 fundraising target to bolster food programs serving shelters, encampments and families ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 3/31/25

At a meeting on Thursday, March 27, Olympia School District Director of Multilingual Services and Categorical Programs Heather Randolph met with the Board of Directors about multilingual services and the Migrant Education Program on Thursday, March 27, 2025.

Olympia students fare well in English language proficiency

Students from the Olympia School District (OSD) scored above state standards in their proficiency in speaking, reading, listening and writing in ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 3/31/25 | 2 comments

Local historical site Bigelow House Museum is celebrating its 30th year with a fundraising event “A Celebration of Olympia’s Heritage” on April 24, 2025.

Bigelow House Museum in Olympia to mark 30th anniversary with soirée, auction

Commemorate the 30th year of the local historical site Bigelow House Museum with the fundraising event, “A Celebration of Olympia’s Heritage,” on ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 3/31/25

Man allegedly roughs up grocery store employee, gets arrested in Olympia

A man was arrested on Sunday, March 30, after he allegedly punched and tried to throw a Bayview Thriftway employee to the ... more

By The JOLT News Staff | 3/31/25 | 1 comment

JBLM to conduct day and evening mortar training

Joint Base Lewis-McChord will be conducting day and nighttime mortar training from 9 a.m. on Tuesday, April 1, to approximately 11:59 p.m on Friday, April 4, the military installation said. For … more

By The JOLT News Staff | 3/31/25

The PARC Foundation and area Lions Clubs are partnering for the 2025 Earth Day Volunteer Event & Student Challenge on April 19, 2025.

Earth Day volunteer and student event set for April 19 in Thurston County

The 2025 Earth Day Volunteer Event & Student Challenge takes place on Saturday, April 19, through a partnership of the ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 3/31/25

New baseball-style flex fit caps are part of some new apparel being rolled out by FC Olympia for the 2025 season.

FC Olympia debuts new apparel ahead of season opener

USL soccer club FC Olympia is rolling out some new merchandise apparel for the 2025 season, as well as hosting an upcoming autograph session with ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 3/31/25

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee held a presubmission conference for a proposed Chick-fil-A restaurant at 4505 Martin Way E on Wednesday, March 26, 2025.

Chick-fil-A planned for Martin Way requires infrastructure improvements

A proposed Chick-fil-A restaurant along Martin Way will require site plan improvements after an evaluation of the project by the ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/28/25 | 11 comments