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

Sheriff's office seeking information on homicide case in 2007

The Thurston County Sheriff's Office is turning to the public for information on the murder of Karen Bodine in January ... more

By The JOLT News Staff | 1/15/26

Intercity Transit and the City of Lacey are partnering for a demonstration project to test AI-enabled traffic sensors in Lacey Transit Center and Martin Way. The sensors would track movement along the corridor to generate data for improving safety and operations.

Intercity Transit, Lacey partner on monitoring project to improve safety, operations on Martin Way

Intercity Transit is partnering with the City of Lacey to install and operate artificial intelligence-enabled sensors at 10 intersections near the Lacey ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 1/14/26 | 3 comments

Large woody debris and log jams placed along an 18-mile stretch slow storm flows to create shelter for juvenile salmon in upper Deschutes River.

Thurston County seeks $10 million to accelerate salmon habitat restoration

Thurston County’s salmon recovery work is moving forward on multiple tracks despite uncertainty about ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 1/13/26 | 4 comments

Port of Olympia Commissioners Krag Unsoeld, left, Jerry Toompas, Jasmine Vasavada, Joel Hansen and Sarah Montano, along with Executive Director Alex Smith and legal counsel Chris Pierce-Wright, held their first meeting of the year on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026.

Port of Olympia Commission reelects Jasmine Vasavada as president

Port of Olympia Commissioner Jasmine Vasavada was reelected as commission president for 2026, marking her second consecutive year in the ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 1/13/26 | 6 comments

Vehicle pursuits end with arrests by Thurston County law enforcement authorities

A couple of pursuits that involved Thurston County Sheriff's Office personnel did not end well for two scofflaws on Monday ... more

By The JOLT News Staff | 1/13/26 | 4 comments

The James P. Werner Monitoring Station was placed at Mountain View Elementary School in Lacey in August 2025. The Olympic Region Clean Air Agency named the facility after its first air quality monitoring specialist.

ORCAA notes 2025 accomplishments, including wins in Thurston County

Multiple wins hit the books for the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) in 2025. Locally, a renamed Lacey air monitoring station, ongoing ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 1/13/26 | 1 comment

Warmer temperatures, dense fog in the Thurston County forecast

Unseasonably warm temperatures are going to heat up the local landscape over the next few days with daytime highs in the ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 1/12/26

An Intercity Transit Authority bus awaited departure at the Olympia Transit Center in downtown Olympia on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026.

Intercity Transit Authority backs purchase of new call center software

The Intercity Transit Authority authorized Executive Director Emily Bergkamp to sign a $140,000 contract with RingCentral to acquire a ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 1/12/26

K-9 Igo of the Thurston County Sheriff's Office.

Assault, robbery suspect tracked down by local authorities in Yelm area

A suspect wanted for an assault in connection with an alleged robbery last year was taken into custody on ... more

By The JOLT News Staff | 1/7/26 | 4 comments

An unidentified homeless person sheltered under a tarp in a doorway during the Valentine's Day snow in 2024.

Thurston County seeks volunteers and donations for 2026 Point-In-Time homeless count

Thurston County is calling on community members to volunteer and donate items for the upcoming 2026 Point-In-Time (PIT) Count ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 1/6/26 | 4 comments

The Thurston County Board of Health, as seen at a meeting in December 2025. One student could soon join the board as a youth representative.

Youth voice wanted on Thurston County Board of Health

A youth representative seat is now open on the Thurston County Board of Health for students currently in 9th grade through college ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 1/6/26

Wintry weather on tap in Thurston County

A wintry mix of rain and snow is on the radar for Thurston County, as a cold front makes its way toward the ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 1/6/26

The Thurston County Sheriff's Office and Washington State Patrol are partnering in a school zone traffic enforcement effort this week.

Thurston County Sheriff's Office partners with state agency for traffic enforcement in school zones

The Thurston County Sheriff's Office is teaming up with the Washington State Patrol for an enhanced traffic enforcement effort in school ... more

By The JOLT News | 1/6/26 | 2 comments

Median price of a residence inches higher, active listings surge in Thurston County

The final full month of fall was a mixed bag for the Thurston County housing market, as single-family home sales dipped while the median price of ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 1/5/26 | 3 comments

Storm to bring more rainfall to Thurston County

A plume of moisture is heading toward the region and will bring heavy rainfall and strong winds before it heads ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 1/5/26

DUI enforcement effort nets multiple arrests in Thurston County

A beefed-up effort to snare impaired motorists on New Year's Eve netted five arrests for driving under the influence (DUI) and resulted in 66 traffic ... more

By The JOLT News Staff | 1/2/26 | 1 comment

The Thurston County Courthouse is located at 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW in Olympia.

Thurston County Clerk's Office making change to customer service counter

The Thurston County Clerk's Office will discontinue its in-person customer service counter effective Jan. 20, in a budget-driven closure ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 1/1/26 | 3 comments

What’s happening this weekend in Thurston County

Ring in the new year with some library events, a party for marine wildlife and a wellness workshop this weekend in Thurston ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 1/1/26

Thousands of people gathered at the Washington State Capitol Campus in Olympia on Saturday, June 14, 2025, as part of the "No Kings" protests held across the country.

A look back at some of the top stories in 2025

The road through 2025 was paved with stories that resonated deeply with readers of The JOLT News. From the trials and tribulations of a ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 12/31/25 | 2 comments

Abuse Intervention Center to remain in Lacey

Providence Swedish has reversed its decision to shut down the Abuse Intervention Center (AIC) in Lacey after child welfare advocates from ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 12/31/25 | 2 comments