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

Homes First to acquire two Lacey properties under transfer deal with Thurston County

Two Lacey properties long used for affordable housing have been transferred to nonprofit Homes First, in a deal that includes a clause to revert ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 8/21/25 | 1 comment

The three properties currently owned by the LOTT Clean Water Alliance have a combined area of 44.81 acres.

Tumwater City Council approves acquisition of Deschutes Valley properties from LOTT

The Tumwater City Council approved a deal to purchase three properties adjacent to the former Olympia Brewery site ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/21/25

The Thurston County Sheriff's Office is seeking information from the public on a male suspect who used a stolen credit card to purchase merchandise at a Home Depot in Chehalis.

Thurston County Sheriff's Office seeks help to identify credit card fraud suspect

The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect accused of using a stolen credit card at multiple ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 8/21/25

Convicted felon arrested on prostitution and drug charges

A 67-year-old man from Aberdeen was arrested at a motel in Tumwater after he allegedly arranged to hire a prostitute. A Thurston County Sheriff’s Office report ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 8/20/25

Thurston County officials and community members joined the Thurston County Board of Health at a meeting on Aug. 12, 2025, to support overdose prevention efforts and a proclamation of International Overdose Awareness Day on Aug. 31, 2025.

Naloxone sites, new clinics grow in Thurston County

Naloxone is increasingly within reach in Thurston County. Vending machines now dispense the drug and wall-mounted boxes are being installed in ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 8/19/25 | 2 comments

The Yelm City Council voted to reject the adoption of the 2025 Thurston County Hazardous Waste Management Plan on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. Council member Joshua Crossman (third to the left) led the discussion against adoption of the plan.

Yelm City Council rejects countywide waste management plan

The Yelm City Council voted 4-3 to reject the adoption of the 2025 Thurston County Hazardous Waste Management Plan at a meeting on ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/18/25 | 1 comment

Two men with warrants arrested in Thurston County

Two men were arrested in Thurston County after law enforcement personnel stopped a vehicle with an allegedly stolen license plate and discovered both occupants had outstanding ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 8/18/25 | 1 comment

Nighttime Interstate 5 ramp closures planned between Maytown and Tumwater

Motorists are being encouraged to add more travel time to their trips because of nighttime closures to northbound Interstate 5 ramps between Maytown and ... more

The JOLT News Staff | 8/18/25

When 80-20 isn’t a nonissue

A reasonable and responsible county party should rely on data to drive decisions — not on the loudest voices in the room or one person’s bad experience ... more

By Corey Gauny | 8/18/25 | 5 comments

Thurston Regional Housing Council seeks new advisory board members

The Thurston Regional Housing Council is calling on community members to help shape the future of affordable housing and homelessness ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/15/25 | 1 comment

Thurston County downgrades wildfire evacuation level near Rainier

Thurston County officials downgraded evacuation orders for residents near Rainier, after a wildfire prompted evacuations earlier this ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 8/15/25

The Thurston County Public Health and Social Services Office of Housing and Homeless Prevention presented the strategies shaped by community and provider feedback for the county’s 2025-30 Homeless Housing Plan during a Thurston County Board of County Commissioners work session on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025.

Thurston County weaves lived experience, public voices into 2025–30 Homeless Housing Plan

Thurston County is racing to lock in its 2025-30 Homeless Housing Plan before a state deadline in September, finalizing its draft to meet ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 8/15/25 | 5 comments

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners discussed a plan to send a letter urging Congress to help unfreeze overdue Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds for Thurston and Mason counties during a check-in meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025.

Thurston County to lobby Congress to end EFSP funding freeze

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) agreed to sign a letter of request asking Congress to help release overdue Emergency Food ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 8/14/25 | 4 comments

Rain in the forecast for Thurston County

A string of days where daytime highs ranged from 90 to 95 degrees has given way to cooler conditions with rainfall on the ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 8/13/25

Two mother cats care for a litter of newborn kittens at Joint Animal Services. During a Joint Animal Services Commission meeting on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, the shelter revealed a record influx of kittens and puppies during the busiest part of breeding season, with kitten numbers up 63% from 2024.

Joint Animal Services hit with an influx of kittens, puppies in breeding season

Kittens and puppies have driven a record rise in animal intake at Joint Animal Services over the past year, according to figures presented ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 8/13/25

The Thurston County Resource Hub Block Party takes place on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025.

Resource Hub hosting second annual Block Party on Aug. 13 in Olympia

The Thurston County Resource Hub is inviting people to its second annual Block Party on Wednesday, Aug. 13. The free event ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 8/12/25

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved the resolution of intention to establish the Long Lake Management District No. 25 at a meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025.

Long Lake Management District set to return in Thurston County amid milfoil threat

Thurston County has taken the first step toward the implementation of a new Long Lake Management District after local residents warned ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 8/11/25 | 2 comments

Intercity Transit is introducing two new routes to replace Route 620, the Olympia/Lakewood Express, starting on Sept. 7. Route 600 will be a direct, weekdays-only route to Lakewood, while Route 610 will have more stops and be available seven days a week.

Intercity Transit moving ahead with two new routes to Lakewood

Two new routes from Olympia to Lakewood are going to debut next month. The Intercity Transit Authority approved the new routes ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/11/25 | 2 comments

The Nisqually Watershed Festival returns to the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.

Nisqually Watershed Festival to feature exhibits, performances on Sept. 27

People are invited to attend the 36th annual Nisqually Watershed Festival at Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge to honor individuals ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 8/11/25

The Olympia Regional Airport and its properties generated $1,758,278 in revenue in the first half of the year. Accounting for $1,655,267 in expenses, the airport earned a profit of $103,011.

Lack of habitat conservation plan hampers revenue growth at Olympia Regional Airport

The lack of a complete habitat conservation plan (HCP) continues to hamper revenue growth for Olympia Regional ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/8/25 | 6 comments