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

Thurston County officials examined proposed strategies detailed in the One Washington agreement during the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners meeting on Wednesday, March 26, 2025.

Opioid spending set in motion as Thurston County launches new governance council

Thurston County has activated its Opioid Abatement Council (OAC), a mandatory mechanism under the One Washington Memorandum of Understanding ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 4/1/25 | 5 comments

T.J. Kelly, Chief Financial Officer at Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, attended the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee work session on March 26, 2025, to discuss possible impacts of the administration’s recent mandates.

Superintendent's office discusses potential impacts of executive orders on school districts

Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) representatives and the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee convened in a work session on March 26 to tackle the … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/1/25 | 5 comments

Kurt Cavalier Jr., of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County, delivered his speech during the 2025 Washington State Youth of the Year competition at Bell Harbor International Event Center in Seattle on Thursday, March 27, 2025. He was later named the statewide winner and recipient of the Community Service Scholarship.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County teen wins state award

Kurt Cavalier Jr., of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County, has been named the “2025 Washington State Youth of the Year” following a three-day leadership challenge at ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 4/1/25 | 2 comments

The Thurston County Auditor’s Office is seeking artists to participate in a contest to design a new “I Voted” sticker for Thurston County.

Artists sought for 'I Voted' sticker contest in Thurston County

The Thurston County Auditor's Office is looking for artists to take part in a contest to create a new "I Voted" sticker for the ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 4/1/25 | 1 comment

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners discussed holding off on commissioner pay raises in a gesture meant to reflect “shared sacrifice,” as the county prepares for potential budget and service cuts during a work session on Wednesday, March 26, 2025.

Thurston County Board of County Commissioners seeks pay freeze

Facing a revenue drop that could leave a “$12 to $14 million budget shortfall” and calling for “shared sacrifice,” the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 3/31/25 | 8 comments

Volunteers and participants stood united during the 2024 Thurston County Hunger Walk in raising awareness and funds for the county's food insecurity.

Thurston County Hunger Walk returns to combat rising countywide food insecurity

The Thurston County Hunger Walk will return on May 4 with a $40,000 fundraising target to bolster food programs serving shelters, encampments and families ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 3/31/25

JBLM to conduct day and evening mortar training

Joint Base Lewis-McChord will be conducting day and nighttime mortar training from 9 a.m. on Tuesday, April 1, to approximately 11:59 p.m on Friday, April 4, the military installation said. For … more

By The JOLT News Staff | 3/31/25

The PARC Foundation and area Lions Clubs are partnering for the 2025 Earth Day Volunteer Event & Student Challenge on April 19, 2025.

Earth Day volunteer and student event set for April 19 in Thurston County

The 2025 Earth Day Volunteer Event & Student Challenge takes place on Saturday, April 19, through a partnership of the ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 3/31/25

Port’s citizens advisory committee looking into passenger-only ferry service

The Port of Olympia Citizens Advisory Committee (POCAC) is looking into the return of passenger-only ferry service for Olympia, as part of its ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/28/25 | 18 comments

Wet and gloomy weekend ahead in Thurston County

The final weekend of March is going to be gloomy and somewhat wet, a fitting end to a month that marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring in Thurston County. The National Weather … more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 3/28/25

Wheelchair basketball team heading to Virginia for national championship tournament

A local wheelchair basketball team is on their way to a national competition for the third time since the team was founded in ... more

By Jessie Darland | 3/28/25

At the March 25, 2025, Thurston Board of County Commissioners meeting, resident Michelle Blanchard presented arguments for banning fireworks in Thurston County.

Thurston County residents demand fireworks ban amid growing fire risks

Some Thurston County residents are calling for a comprehensive fireworks ban for the upcoming fire season, citing increasing environmental risks and ... more

By JC Medina | 3/27/25 | 17 comments

Thurston County’s Stream Bug Monitoring Training at Percival Creek will give residents a chance to study aquatic life with help from the Thurston County Stream Team on Friday, April 4, 2025.

Thurston County Stream Team to turn Percival Creek into a study-play lab for kids

Slots are now open to all “budding and seasoned biologists” for a hands-on training that dives straight into the murky waters of stream science in Thurston County. On Friday, … more

By Kameko Marquez | 3/27/25

The Olympia-Lacey Amtrak Train Station at 6600 Yelm Highway NE in Lacey.

Amtrak shuts down most of its Cascades railcars

A seat on a popular train route from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Eugene, Oregon, is going to be tougher to come by in ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 3/27/25 | 2 comments

People loaded their own containers with compost made from food and yard scraps collected across Thurston County, as seen in this undated photo.

Thurston County to hand out compost made from local food and yard waste

Thurston County has announced a compost giveaway and free workshops for residents on Saturday, May 3, to celebrate ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 3/26/25 | 2 comments

A Shower Power Plus unit is prepared for service at its new weekly location at Olympia Union Gospel Mission starting on April 18, 2025, to provide showers, meals and hygiene services to unhoused residents.

Thurston County-backed mobile showers address rising homeless needs

A mobile hygiene program is locking in a new location to serve Thurston County’s unhoused residents. Starting on April 18, “Shower Power Plus” will station its trailer at the … more

By Kameko Marquez | 3/26/25 | 4 comments

A stay at a newly renovated Palm Desert condo is up for grabs at the Nisqually Land Trust’s 2025 Conservation Celebration & Auction.

Nisqually Land Trust gives an early look at auction items

The Nisqually Land Trust gave a sneak peek of the items for the 2025 Conservation Celebration & Auction, including a one-week stay in a ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 3/26/25

Fake investment scam prompts public warning

A new investment scam involving fake investment education foundations prompted a warning from a state agency and an investor protection organization ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 3/26/25

Donate blood on April 4 in Thurston County

In an effort to help shore up a shortage in the region's blood supply network, Thurton County Emergency Management and Bloodworks Northwest are hosting a blood drive on ... more

By The JOLT News Staff | 3/26/25 | 1 comment

Sarah Hock, the Joint Animal Services executive director, unveiled the floor plan of the new building for the animal shelter. Hock spoke at the Olympia City Council meeting on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.

Joint Animal Services aims to improve animal welfare

Joint Animal Services is facing facility needs and requires about $30 million to $40 million to meet increasing service ... more

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