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

Toompas widens lead in Port of Olympia Commission, District No. 2 race

Challenger Jerry Toompas increased his lead in the race for the Port of Olympia Commission, District No. 2 seat in the Nov. 4 ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 11/18/25 | 2 comments

The interior of the Capitol Lake Pump Station shows peeling and bubbling coating inside the wet well, as seen at a LOTT Clean Water Alliance Board of Directors meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025.

Capitol Lake Pump Station to undergo rehabilitation work

The Capitol Lake Pump Station is going to benefit from renewed investment through a LOTT Clean Water Alliance rehabilitation plan targeting ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 11/18/25 | 2 comments

Port of Olympia budget process nearing completion for 2026

Port of Olympia Commissioner Jasmine Vasavada withdrew a request to cut $400,000 in the port’s 2026 budget due to time ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 11/18/25 | 4 comments

Veteran Terry Ballard testified about gaps in homeless response and the administration of the Veterans Assistance Program before the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners during a public hearing on the county’s 2024 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025.

Thurston County certifies housing report, federal review next up

A key housing performance report from Thurston County is on its way to the federal government for ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 11/14/25

Swearing-in ceremony to be held for recently elected officials on Nov. 25

A swearing-in ceremony is going to take place later this month for elected officials in the Nov. 4 ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 11/14/25 | 1 comment

What's happening this weekend in Thurston County

There are a number of events taking place this weekend in Thurston County, including the Gull Harbor Art and Craft Show in ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 11/14/25

Voting totals from the Port of Olympia Commission, District No. 2 race between challenger Jerry Toompas and incumbent Bob Iyall.

Toompas upsets incumbent Iyall in Port of Olympia Commission, District No. 2 race

Challenger Jerry Toompas came away with a narrow win in the hotly contested race for the Port of Olympia Commission, District No. 2 seat in the Nov. 4 ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 11/13/25 | 6 comments

The former Dancing Goats building on Market Drive in Olympia is the proposed site of the Port of Olympia’s new headquarters.

Port of Olympia highlights benefit of new headquarters in 2026 budget presentation

Port of Olympia staff highlighted the cost-saving benefits of using the former Dancing Goats building on Market Drive as the port’s headquarters during ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 11/13/25 | 4 comments

Three people arrested for allegedly trespassing on property

Thurston County Sheriff's Office personnel arrested three people for allegedly trespassing on a property in close proximity to a firearms ... more

The JOLT News Staff | 11/13/25 | 1 comment

A reader board as seen from the observation corridor at the Ballot Processing Center in Tumwater on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025.

Toompas moves back into lead in Port of Olympia Commission, District No. 2 race

Challenger Jerry Toompas came from behind to move ahead of incumbent Bob Iyall for the Port of Commission, District No. 2 seat in the Nov. 4 ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 11/12/25 | 6 comments

Median home price up, sales rise in Thurston County

The summer home buying season ended on a strong note, as sales and the median price of a single-family residence climbed amid a stout increase ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 11/12/25 | 6 comments

EDF Renewables brownfield portfolio, which was presented to the Thurston County Solid Waste Advisory Committee on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, illustrates prior landfill solar projects employing nonpenetrating ballast supports and stormwater control measures similar to those planned in Thurston County.

Landfill solar venture reaches final lease review in Thurston County

The conversion of Thurston County’s closed Waste and Recovery Center landfill into a grid-scale solar facility has progressed to its final legal ... more

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

A security camera kept a watchful eye at the Ballot Processing Center in Tumwater on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025.

Iyall clings to lead in tight battle for Port of Olympia Commission, District No. 2 seat

Port of Olympia Commissioner Bob Iyall held a razor thin lead over challenger Jerry Toompas following the latest ballot count update in the Nov. 4 ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 11/10/25 | 2 comments

The Thurston Regional Planning Council members selected Elissa Gertler as its first choice for the executive director position.

Thurston Regional Planning Council backs Elissa Gertler for executive director role

The Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) is set to welcome a new executive director after an extensive selection process that evaluated ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/10/25 | 2 comments

Tumwater City Council authorizes interlocal agreement to streamline Thurston Climate Mitigation Collaborative

The Tumwater City Council authorized Mayor Debbie Sullivan on Monday, Nov. 3, to sign an interlocal agreement that would streamline the work of ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 11/10/25 | 4 comments

A site plan shows the proposed New Horizon Communities Carpenter Village project at 720 Carpenter Road SE.

Thurston County hits pause on New Horizon Communities affordable housing proposal

Thurston County has deferred a proposal from New Horizon Communities (NHC) to lease county-owned land on Carpenter Road SE for a 72-unit ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 11/10/25 | 11 comments

Thurston County Sheriff's Office K-9 Igo at an undisclosed location on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025.

Man taken into custody after being holed up in trailer

A man was arrested after he was found holed up in a trailer, and then tried to get away from Thurston County Sheriff's Office personnel despite getting ... more

By The JOLT News Staff | 11/7/25 | 6 comments

Port Commissioner District No. 2 contest too close to call

A battle for a Port of Olympia Commission seat is going down to the wire in the Nov. 4 General Election in ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 11/7/25 | 2 comments

What’s happening this weekend in Thurston County

There are a number of events taking place this weekend in Thurston County, including the Fall Craft Show ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 11/7/25

United Way of Thurston County is calling for community contributions to help food banks serve more families amid a reduction in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits during the ongoing federal government shutdown.

United Way of Thurston County to send aid to food banks as SNAP support drops

United Way of Thurston County has activated its Emergency Assistance Fund to support local food banks and Supplemental Nutrition ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 11/6/25 | 2 comments