The JOLT - The Journal of Olympia, Lacey & Tumwater

This image shows the special joint meeting of the Port of Olympia Commissioners meeting with Thurston County’s Board of County Commissioners. Five of the six are shown in the top row, second from left.

Six commissioners agree to postpone five-member ballot measure

Port of Olympia Commissioners joined with Thurston County’s Board of County Commissioners last Thu., July 22, for a special meeting to discuss when to propose to voters increasing the size of … more

By Danny Stusser | 7/27/21

Port of Olympia Executive Director Sam Gibboney called the meeting to order during the Port’s revised commission meeting on Monday, July 26, 2021 following a heated exchange between Commissioners Joe Downing and E.J Zita over discussion about an inter-Local agreement related to the lease of 200 acres of port property in Tumwater.

Port Exec Director calls meeting to order following heated exchange between Downing and Zita

“I ask not to be interrupted,” Zita said. Tension rose between the two commissioners during the Port of Olympia Commission meeting yesterday. Port of Olympia Executive Director Sam … more

By Danny Stusser | 7/27/21

Four members of Lacey's city council met with Assistant City Manager Shannon Kelley-Fong on July 22, 2021.

Lacey City Council plans to consider hybrid meetings by August

As more and more residents are being vaccinated, the Lacey City Council weighed the possibility of moving to in-person meetings sometime in August during its work session last Thu., July 22. The … more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/27/21 | 1 comment

Washington laws enable voters to register or change their registration up to the day of the election, in-person.

New in town? Register to vote. Primary Election is Aug. 3

OLYMPIA – Below are the voter registration deadlines for the August 3, 2021 Primary Election: Monday, July 26, 2021: Last … more

7/19/21

The 3000 Pacific Ave. SE building in Olympia will house the offices of county Auditor, Community Planning and Economic Development, Board of County Commissioners, Information Technology, Board of Equalization, Human Resources, Geodata, Central Services Administration and Treasurer.

Commissioners approve purchase of Mottman buildings, lease and improvements for 3000 Pacific Ave. building

The Thurston Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) passed resolutions yesterday that will add two new facilities which will expand office and operations capacity for several departments. The new … more

By The JOLT Staff | 6/30/21

Commissioner Joe Downing brought the proposal to expand the number of Port Commissioners from three to five members, a motion that the commission approved on June 21, 2021.

Port of Olympia commission votes to expand to five members

On Monday, the Port of Olympia commissioners approved a motion to expand its three-member commission into a five-member one through a ballot proposition. The Port’s Executive Director, Sam … more

By The JOLT Staff | 6/24/21 | 2 comments

Thurston County Commissioner Gary Edwards on June 2, 2021, as he spoke at the Lacey South Sound Chamber of Commerce's monthly forum.

Commissioner Edwards spoke today about homelessness, housing, courts and crime

Thurston County Commissioner Gary Edwards spoke on the issues of homelessness, home permitting processes and the judicial system of jury trials due to COVID-19 restrictions in front of 100 people at … more

By The JOLT Staff | 6/2/21 | 4 comments

A driver deposits her ballot in the official drop box across the street from the U.S. Post Office in Lacey on Election Day last year.

Special Three-Day Filing Period for Offices Without Candidates

A special three-day filing period will be held Wednesday, June 2 through Friday, June 4 to allow citizens to run for elected office for positions without candidates. Open positions … more

5/26/21

Considering running for office? Candidates workshop coming April 22

Thurston County Elections will hold a Candidate Filing Workshop online on Thursday, April 22 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The meeting is open to anyone interested in running for office this … more

4/8/21

The proposed levy would increase funding for the Medic One service in Thurston County.

Commissioners to hold public hearing on proposed Medic One tax levy ballot measure

The Thurston County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on Tue., April 13, at 3 pm to receive public comment on adding a Thurston County Medic One property tax levy to the ballot for … more

3/30/21

Another example of trash strewn along the north side of Wheeler Ave. SE in Olympia on March 9, 2021

County program would clean tent encampments, provide on-site support

A program designed to clean tent encampments and provide intensive case management with people living in the camps is in the works. The “Scattered Site Management Pilot Project” was … more

By Cody Neuenschwander | 3/25/21 | 1 comment

This is the iconic sign+wall at the Thurston County Courthouse

Commissioners consider plan that would move numerous government departments out of courthouse

County commissioners yesterday considered a space-needs study of the county courthouse campus that focused on how to best move multiple governmental offices away from the campus. The study is the … more

By Cody Neuenschwander | 3/18/21

Thurston County Auditor’s office wins national award for financial reporting

The Thurston County Auditor’s Financial Services Team received their 14th straight Annual Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government … more

By The JOLT Staff | 2/18/21

Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall, whose office runs elections, officiated at the first-ever online swearing-in ceremony, Dec. 30, 2020.

Thurston County Auditor swears in newly elected and re-elected officials in first-ever all-remote ceremony

In a ceremony lasting just 50 minutes, including time to work out technical glitches, Thurston County received a blessing, heard two keynote addresses and swore in seven state and county officials … more

By Danny Stusser | 12/30/20

Auditor’s office to host swearing-in ceremony for elected officials

OLYMPIA – Thurston County Elections will host a virtual swearing in ceremony for recently elected officials at 10 … more

12/30/20

Olivia Salazar De Breaux, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator

Push for equity accelerates in Olympia

The Olympia City Council began talks of forming a Social Justice and Equity Advisory Commission shortly after the death of George Floyd in May. Once the council decided to form a … more

by Cody Neuenschwander | 10/23/20 | 1 comment

Tumwater city officials to talk over Regional Housing Council

TUMWATER –– The Tumwater City Council is meeting in a 7 p.m. meeting Sept. 1 to discuss the Regional Housing Council, which is an interlocal council formed by the city governments of Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater, as well as Thurston County, to find solutions to the area’s homelessness and housing affordability crisis. more

By Madeline Shannon of JOLT | 8/31/20 | 1 comment

Thurston County Seeks Comment on New Solid Waste Management Plan

Thurston County is seeking public comment on the draft Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP). more

8/31/20

Thurston County holds voter registration challenge hearing over C Davis address

THURSTON COUNTY –– The Thurston County Auditor’s Office, which oversees voter registration and elections, held a voter registration challenge hearing Thursday afternoon to determine whether the voter registration of Thurston County Board of Commissioners candidate C Davis was valid or not. more

By Madeline Shannon of JOLT | 8/28/20

Lacey keeps agreement with two local school districts

LACEY –– City officials approved an agreement with North Thurston Public Schools and Tumwater School District to use city facilities. more

By Prachi Gohil of JOLT | 8/28/20