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

Lacey officials allocate CARES Act money

LACEY –– The Lacey City Council approved the use of the remaining $408,100 in CARES Act funding to be divided equally between Economic Recovery and Social Services on Thursday night. more

By Prachi Gohil of JOLT | 7/24/20

Protestors gather outside Olympia City Hall June 23 to celebrate the life of Yvonne McDonald, a Black woman from Olympia who died two years ago. Her family is still waiting on information about McDonald's death they requested from local officials.

Racial justice town hall highlights race in the justice system

OLYMPIA –– The City of Olympia began its four-meeting town hall series on racial justice July 23. With the heightening energy surrounding recent events that highlight the intentions surrounding the Black Lives Matter movement, the meeting is designed to allow Black voices to bring their perspectives to the table. more

By Andrew Oslin of JOLT | 7/24/20

Olympia city officials plan to move forward with hiring a new police auditor in the coming months. The police auditor would be tasked with ensuring the Olympia Police Department acts fairly and equitably towards members of the community that officers come into contact with.

Olympia to bring back police auditor program

OLYMPIA –– The City Of Olympia is restoring the police auditor program started in 2002 in response to the concerns over recent police brutality in the community and across the country. more

By Prachi Gohil of JOLT | 7/23/20

City officials talk forming city-wide human rights commission

OLYMPIA –– To expand access to human rights and oppose human rights violations for Olympians city-wide, Olympia’s General Government Committee is working to form a Human Rights … more

By Prachi Gohil of JOLT | 7/23/20

Several police agencies coordinated to clear all customers and Safeway employees out of the store as the suspect was armed and threatening to shoot. Thurston County Sheriff SWAT vehicle is at the east side of the building in the center of this image.

California man subject of officer-involved shooting

TUMWATER –– A man caused a disturbance in the parking lot of the Tumwater Safeway Wednesday night, resulting in a Tumwater Police officer shooting at him. more

By Madeline Shannon and Danny Stusser of JOLT | 7/22/20

A firefighter puts out a fire at the Old Brewery Tower in Tumwater on June 6. The Tumwater Police Department determined the cause of the fire to be arson.

Old brewery tower Phase 1 work complete

TUMWATER –– Yesterday the Tumwater City Council officially approved completion of the first phase of work on the empty Olympia Brewing Company brewery tower. more

By Andrew Oslin of JOLT | 7/21/20

Olympia officials looking at housing plan

OLYMPIA –– With city officials recording vacancy rates of less than three percent in Olympia’s housing market, efforts are underway to put together an affordable housing plan that will assist in controlling rent prices, which are continually rising, city officials said. more

By Prachi Gohil of JOLT | 7/20/20

Olympia School Board looks at career training programs

OLYMPIA –– The Olympia School Board discussed yesterday their district-wide plan for Career and Technical Education (CTE) course offerings. The Olympia School District offers CTE programs to all students in the seventh to twelfth grade, with an emphasis placed on accessibility and a wide spectrum of options. more

By Andrew Oslin of JOLT | 7/19/20

Compare Candidates: Thurston County Commissioner District 1 Primary

One of the curious political realities in Thurston County is every presidential election year we also vote for two of our three county commissioners. more

By Paul Pickett for JOLT | 7/19/20

Since the start of the pandemic shutdowns, Thurston EDC and Thurston Chamber of Commerce have held weekly Zoom conferences on topics of interest to business leaders.

Tourism improving in Thurston County since Safe Start Phase 3

THURSTON COUNTY –– Yesterday’s “Declassified” web conference offered perspectives on re-opening from the co-owner of Chelsea Farms Oyster Bar, a restaurant in downtown Olympia, the general manager of Great Wolf Lodge in Rochester and the CEO of Experience Olympia & Beyond, the official destination marketing organization of Thurston County. more

By Danny Stusser of JOLT | 7/17/20

Comet NEOWISE seen from Chelyabinsk, Russia.

Is Comet NEOWISE visible from Olympia, Tumwater and Lacey?

WASHINGTON –– Look up! As Comet C/2020 F3 NEOWISE passes through our inner solar system, catch a view of this once-in-a-lifetime sight. more

By Dan Hu for JOLT | 7/17/20 | 1 comment

Thurston County Trivia

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By Danny Stusser | 7/16/20 | 1 comment

Tumwater Talks Utility Billing and Golf

TUMWATER –– Issues over how the COVID-19 pandemic affects the city’s utility billing and keeping up the Tumwater Valley Golf Course came up during a discussion at the Tumwater Budget & Finance Committee. more

By Andrew Oslin of JOLT | 7/16/20

A man was arrested early Thursday afternoon after entering Fred Meyer in Tumwater with a gun.

Man with gun arrested at Fred Meyer in Tumwater

TUMWATER –– A man was arrested at Fred Meyer in Tumwater early Thursday afternoon after allegedly bringing a gun into the store. more

By Madeline Shannon of JOLT | 7/15/20

Olympia allocates $1 million of city funds to support community economic recovery

OLYMPIA - The Olympia City Council voted Tuesday night to distribute $1 million of economic development reserves to support community economic recovery efforts in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. more

By Prachi Gohil of JOLT | 7/15/20

Tumwater City Hall on a sunny day in July 2020.

Tumwater talks climate mitigation plan

TUMWATER — City officials met Tuesday night to talk about Tumwater’s role in the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan, a county-wide effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent below the 2015 baseline numbers by 2050. more

By Andrew Oslin of JOLT | 7/15/20

The Tumwater Police Department's Chief, Jon Weiks, discussed the department's budget in a Monday meeting this week.

Tumwater police explain department’s use of force

TUMWATER –– In response to local and national concern over police and use of force, the Tumwater Public Health & Safety Commission met with the local police department to discuss the ramifications of police use of force and its complexities. more

By Andrew Oslin of JOLT | 7/13/20

Compare Candidates: 22nd Legislative District Primary

A political chain reaction is taking place in our county this fall. Denny Heck left his 10th Congressional seat to run for Lieutenant Governor. more

By Paul Pickett for JOLT | 7/13/20

Pamphlets circulated at the "Thrash Against Racism" protest in Yauger Park on July 10 read "Justice for Andre & Bryson" and "We survived!"

Olympians gather to “Thrash Against Racism”

OLYMPIA –– Dozens of people gathered at Yauger Skate Park in West Olympia late Friday afternoon to demonstrate against racism in a protest called “Thrash Against Racism and Police Brutality.” more

By Madeline Shannon of JOLT | 7/13/20

A man was attacked during a protest outside Olympia City Hall on Sunday.

Protestor attacked during city hall protest

OLYMPIA –– A video posted on Facebook shows a man being beaten over the head during a protest outside Olympia City Hall on July 12, during which he bled profusely before fainting and receiving medical care. more

By Madeline Shannon and Danny Stusser of JOLT | 7/13/20