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

Observer training session to be held for Nov. 4 General Election

The Thurston County Auditor's Office Elections Division is offering observer training ahead of the Nov. 4 General ... more

The JOLT News Staff | 10/14/25

Two women died after being hit by a vehicle at the intersection of 5th Avenue and Simmons Street in Olympia in July 2025.

Thurston Regional Planning Council to develop Regional Safety Action Plan

To address rising traffic fatalities across the region, the Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) has issued a request for proposals to develop ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/13/25 | 4 comments

Counterfeit $20 bills were confiscated from a man following an encounter at an apartment complex in Tumwater on Sept. 28, 2025.

Wanted felon arrested at apartment complex in Tumwater

A 47-year-old man was arrested following an encounter at an apartment ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 10/13/25

The Evergreen State College’s Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership and Transformational Change is partnering with Thurston Green Business and Thurston County Chamber of Commerce for a free fall 2025 online lecture series on Sustainability and Enterprise.

Evergreen, Thurston County Chamber hosting workshops on sustainability and enterprise

Thurston County’s fall 2025 lecture series on sustainability and enterprise opened Friday, Oct. 10, with The Evergreen State College alumni and ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 10/13/25

Tumwater City Council OKs $2.5M contract for Deschutes Valley Trail design work

The Tumwater City Council approved a contract with SCJ Alliance to design the remaining segments of the long-envisioned Deschutes Valley ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/13/25 | 2 comments

Intercity Transit Walk N Roll Program Supervisor Kerry Wilson, left, and Tumwater School District Assistant Superintendent Megan Dawson received Tumwater’s proclamation for Walk to School Month on Tuesday, Oct. 7.

Intercity Transit promotes Walk N Roll program in Tumwater

The Tumwater City Council declared October as "Walk to School Month" at a meeting on ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/13/25

The Lacey Police Department issued a warning about a text and email scam.

Lacey Police Department warns residents about text and email scam

The Lacey Police Department issued a warning about a scam that tries to trick people into giving up personal information or ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 10/13/25 | 1 comment

City of Olympia planners showed an aerial photo of Olympia Food Co-op, which is located at 3111 Pacific Ave. The Site Plan Review Committee held a presubmission conference for a proposed expansion project on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025.

Olympia Food Co-op faces challenges with expansion plan

A proposed expansion of Olympia Food Co-op is going to have to clear a major hurdle before the project gets the green ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/10/25 | 12 comments

Man arrested for possession of stolen vehicle

A 36-year-old man was arrested after he was found to be in possession of an alleged stolen vehicle in ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 10/10/25 | 2 comments

City of Lacey officials meet with the 1-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team from Joint Base Lewis-McChord at the Lacey Veterans Services Hub during a partnership visit under the JBLM Community Connections Program on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025.

Lacey and JBLM forge stronger alliance to help support military families

The City of Lacey hosted the 1-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team (1-2 SBCT) from Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) on Monday, Oct. 6, at the Lacey Veterans ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 10/10/25

A cake bearing the message “Thank You For Your Service” was served during the American Legion Post 94 Law and Order Awards Banquet in September.

American Legion Post 94 honors Thurston County professionals for service excellence

Six individuals from Thurston County’s public safety and service sectors were honored by the American Legion R.V. Van Schoick Lacey Post 94 for ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 10/10/25

Tumwater Fire Department advises unplugging chargers as a safety precaution

The Tumwater Fire Department is advising residents to unplug chargers when they’re not in ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/10/25 | 2 comments

City of Tumwater expands vision for Public Works Facility building

Plans to fully integrate additional departments at the City of Tumwater’s proposed Public Works Facility building are being ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/9/25 | 1 comment

Paul Hoa Tran, 29, was arrested for organized retail theft and second-degree theft at Home Depot in Lacey.

Man arrested for alleged theft at Home Depot store

A 29-year-old man was arrested in connection with an alleged theft at Home Depot ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 10/9/25 | 3 comments

Consultant sought for vacancy study in downtown Olympia

The City of Olympia is seeking a consultant to conduct an analysis of commercial vacancies in ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/9/25 | 11 comments

Henderson 94 is a multy-family residential project proposed for undeveloped 9.22-acre property on Henderson Boulevard. It would include 10 units of townhomes in three buildings and 84 units of apartments in six buildings.

Site plan, plat approved for multifamily residential project on Henderson Boulevard in Tumwater

A multifamily residential project on Henderson Boulevard in Tumwater is moving forward after the developer was granted a preliminary plat and ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/9/25 | 2 comments

The Olympia City Council had a lengthy debate on whether to support or oppose Proposition 1, an initiative that would amend the Olympia Municipal Code to establish new labor standards, including rules on work scheduling, minimum wages and workplace safety for employees on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025.

Olympia City Council opposes Proposition 1, citing cost and complexity

With a 4-3 vote, the Olympia City Council took an official stance against Proposition 1, a citizen initiative that would amend the Olympia Municipal Code ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/8/25 | 14 comments

City Clerk Elissa Fontaine briefed the Lacey City Council before the vote adopting Ordinance 1684 and Resolution 1174 at a meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025.

Lacey City Council adopts Monday rule for meetings that fall on election day and holidays

The Lacey City Council adopted a new timetable that moves any regular meeting of the group that lands on an election day or a holiday to ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 10/8/25 | 1 comment

Man arrested for allegedly taking electric cart from Fred Meyer in Lacey

A 44-year-old man was arrested for allegedly taking an electric shopping cart from a Fred Meyer store in ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 10/8/25 | 1 comment

Chuck Kennedy, owner of Olympic Crest Coffee Roasters, keeps a close eye on the roasting of beans for gourmet coffee on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025.

Something wonderful happens with coffee

For Chuck Kennedy coffee is not just a drink — it is something wonderful that happens; it is part of the Pacific Northwest coffee ... more

By JM Simpson | 10/8/25 | 1 comment