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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

Interim Water Resources Director Gary Franks presented the proposed “wet utility” rate increase at the Olympia Finance Committee meeting on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025.

Utility rate increases proposed for Olympia in 2026

Olympia residents could soon see higher utility bills, following the City of Olympia Finance Committee’s endorsement of rate increases for water ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/21/25 | 10 comments

Arrest of wanted man leads to 3 stolen vehicles in Lacey

A man wanted on a felony warrant led authorities to three stolen vehicles after he was arrested on Oct. 10, the Thurston County Sheriff's Office ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 10/21/25 | 1 comment

Nov. 4 General Election ballots mailed out to registered voters in Thurston County

The Thurston County Auditor's Elections Division mailed out more than 200,000 ballots to voters for the Nov. 4 ... more

The JOLT News Staff | 10/21/25 | 1 comment

Lindsey Trimble leads witches and family members past the Sticks & Bones Marching Band on the way down to the water on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025.

Witches on the water

For the third year in a row, witches gathered on Sunday, Oct. 12, at Northpoint Plaza and flew — OK, paddled or knelt on paddleboards — from Swantown Marina ... more

By JM Simpson | 10/21/25 | 1 comment

Thurston County’s 2024 visitor data, shared by Experience Olympia & Beyond during the Lacey City Council work session on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, showed the economic effect of overnight travelers.

Tourism generated $572.5M for Thurston County in 2024

Tourism spending in Thurston County generated $572.5 million in 2024, as 3.39 million visitors traveled more than 50 miles to get to the region ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 10/21/25 | 3 comments

A motorist drives by hundreds of protesters at the "No Kings" rally at the Washington State Capitol Campus in Olympia on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.

Thousands of people turn out for 'No Kings' protest in Olympia

Protesters flooded the Washington State Capitol Campus in Olympia to rail against the actions and policies of President Donald Trump during the “No Kings” ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 10/20/25 | 32 comments

City of Olympia Public Works Transportation Director Sophie Stimson outlined the projected costs for a proposed sidewalk repair crew at a study session on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025.

New crew eyed to tackle sidewalk defects in Olympia

City of Olympia officials are proposing to create a dedicated sidewalk repair crew, which would establish a consistent and long-term approach to maintaining ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/20/25 | 6 comments

The 2025–26 Lacey Youth Council met with Lacey City Council members, led by Mayor Andy Ryder, during  a recent orientation at Lacey City Hall.

Lacey Youth Council seated for 2025-26 term

The Lacey Youth Council ushered in the 2025–26 term with a new slate of student leaders and representatives, the City of Lacey announced on ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 10/20/25

A Subaru station wagon collided head-on with another vehicle on Littlerock Road SW on Friday night Oct. 17, 2025.

Motorist suffers life-threatening injuries in head-on crash on Littlerock Road SW

Thurston County Sheriff’s Office deputies are investigating a car crash along Littlerock Road SW that left one man ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 10/20/25

Man wanted on multiple warrants arrested after car chase in Thurston County

A wanted man, who escaped pursuit in Centralia, was arrested after a car chase ended in Tenino on ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 10/20/25 | 3 comments

The City of Lacey’s 2025 Matching Rebate Program, announced on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, pairs Puget Sound Energy’s $4,000 Fuel Switching Heat Pump rebate with a $4,000 match from the city for income-qualified homeowners replacing natural gas heating systems with electric heat pump units.

Puget Sound Energy partners with Lacey for rebate program

Puget Sound Energy has entered into a partnership with the City of Lacey’s 2025 Matching Rebate Program to expand incentives for homeowners ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 10/20/25