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

Dark clouds hovered over the Washington State Capitol Building in Olympia on Friday afternoon, Dec. 5, 2025.

A series of atmospheric rivers should make for sopping wet days ahead, as the bands of rain make their way into ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 12/5/25

Washington State Human Rights Commission Executive Director Andreta Armstrong addressed the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners remotely during proclamation proceedings for Universal Human Rights Month at a meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025.

Universal Human Rights Month celebrated in Thurston County with proclamation

Universal Human Rights Month was declared in Thurston County with the unveiling of a proclamation featuring a message about choosing ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 12/4/25 | 11 comments

What’s happening this weekend in Thurston County

There are a number of events taking place this weekend in Thurston County, including Breakfast with Santa at the Olympia Senior ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 12/4/25

Noxious Weed Control Board Chair Carol Piening addressed the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners about proposed rate increases for county utility services.  She made her remarks at a meeting on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.

Thurston County utility rate hikes receive backing from advisory boards

Thurston County utility rate increases received unanimous support from two advisory boards at a public hearing where no objections were ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 12/3/25 | 2 comments

The Olympic Region Clean Air Agency Fire and Smoke Map displayed air quality readings across western Washington on Dec. 1, 2025. Green indicators show good air quality in Thurston County, while yellow markers in Pierce County indicate moderate pollution levels that prompted the voluntary burn restriction.

Thurston County gets voluntary outdoor burn warning as Stage 1 threat looms

Thurston County residents face a choice this week between voluntary outdoor burning restrictions or potential mandatory prohibitions on ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 12/2/25 | 3 comments

Thurston Regional Planning Council completes planning phase of Martin Way Crossing Strategy

The Thurston Regional Planning Council has wrapped up the planning phase of the Martin Way Crossing Strategy and will present a final report ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/1/25 | 3 comments

Single-family residence, condo prices rise in Thurston County

Single-family home and condominium prices climbed in the first full month of fall, while total active listings in Thurston County were the highest in ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 12/1/25 | 2 comments

Two people arrested after vehicle stopped for no license plates in Thurston County

A traffic stop of a vehicle with no license plates led to the arrest of two people on a variety of charges on ... more

By The JOLT Staff News | 12/1/25

The Olympia Transit Center in downtown Olympia, as seen on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025.

Olympia City Council to get update on Intercity Transit’s 2026 system overhaul

The Olympia City Council is expected to receive a briefing about Intercity Transit’s planned system redesign, which will transform bus service ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/28/25 | 11 comments

Thurston Conservation District unveiled a "Forestry Services" web page featuring forestry assistance, property tax relief options and links to federal conservation programs.

New web page connects Thurston County landowners to forestry services

Thurston County landowners can now book forestry site visits and apply for tax breaks through a newly launched web page from the Thurston ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 11/27/25 | 2 comments

Thurston County Noxious Weeds program staff remove dfloating primrose-willow from Chambers Lake in Lacey. The county extracted 1,500 pounds of the state-banned invasive plant over three days using only hand-pulling methods.

Thurston County sees success in weed battle at Chambers Lake

After three years of targeting the floating primrose-willow, Thurston County Public Works Department staffers finally purged 1,500 pounds of the ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 11/27/25 | 4 comments

Tenino Holiday Market returns on Nov. 28-30

The 6th annual Tenino Holiday Market is returning for the Thanksgiving ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 11/27/25

A conceptual image of the second warehouse was displayed during a presentation at a meeting of the Port of Olympia Commission on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2024.

Port of Olympia Commission adopts 2026 budget, second warehouse in the works

The Port of Olympia Commission adopted its 2026 budget at a meeting on Monday ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 11/26/25 | 2 comments

Machine recount to take place for Port of Olympia Commission, District No. 2 race

A recount of ballots is going to take place in the razor thin race for the Port of Olympia Commission ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 11/26/25

Government offices to be closed on Nov. 27-28

A number of government offices will be closed through the rest of the week. Thurston County offices will be closed on ... more

The JOLT News Staff | 11/26/25 | 1 comment

Regional Housing Council backs draft request for more ERP funding

Five counties are preparing a draft request urging Gov. Bob Ferguson to increase funding for the Encampment Resolution Program (ERP) ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/25/25 | 4 comments

Three convicted felons arrested after traffic stop in Thurston County

A routine vehicle stop for a turn signal violation led to the arrest of three convicted felons, as well as the seizure of a firearm and ... more

By The JOLT News Staff | 11/25/25

Application period open for lodging tax funds

The Thurston County Lodging Tax Advisory Committee is accepting applications for qualified projects occurring ... more

By The JOLT News Staff | 11/24/25

Toompas adds to winning total for Port of Olympia Commission, District No. 2 seat

The latest ballot count update in the Nov. 4 General Election showed challenger Jerry Toompas adding to his winning margin in the contest for ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 11/21/25 | 2 comments

A proposed hydrogen fueling system site at Intercity Transit’s Pattison campus. The Olympia Site Review Committee held a presubmission conference for the project, which aims to support zero-emission fleet plan. The conference was held on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025.

Intercity Transit making progress on hydrogen fueling and storage system project

Intercity Transit is moving forward with its zero-emission fleet of buses. The agency presented a hydrogen fueling and storage system ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/18/25 | 3 comments