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

Emily Clouse, left, Michelle Gipson and Nicolas Martinez-Dunning.

District 5 commissioner's race pits incumbent against two challengers in Aug. 4 Primary Election

A three-way race for the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners District 5 seat won’t end well for one of the contestants in the Aug. 4 ... more

By Keyan Gregoire-James | 7/27/26 | 9 comments

A slide  shows the Port of Olympia Marine Terminal’s financial performance in the first half of 2026.

Port of Olympia revenue up in first half of 2026

The Port of Olympia reported a reduction in vessel activity from timber company Weyerhaeuser, but a rise in revenue in the first half ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 7/24/26 | 16 comments

A Thurston County Sheriff's Office patrol vehicle.

Challenger takes on incumbent in Thurston County Sheriff's race

The Thurston County Sheriff's race in the Aug. 4 Primary Election is more of a preview of what is to .. more

By Keyan Gregoire-James | 7/22/26 | 19 comments

Infant dies in vehicle fire near Tumwater

An infant was killed when a running vehicle caught fire while the child was sitting inside of it in a car seat on ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 7/22/26 | 2 comments

One of the trails located at the Inspiring Kids Preserve on the eastern shore of Henderson Inlet in Thurston County.

Capitol Land Trust campaign aims to make it easier to explore local land preserves

Capitol Land Trust is raising funds to help support its new "Connecting to the Land ... more

By Keyan Gregoire-James | 7/21/26 | 2 comments

Children cooled off and played at the Heritage Park Fountain in Olympia on hot Tuesday afternoon, July 21, 2026.

High heat prompts hazardous weather advisory in Thurston County

A hazardous weather advisory is in effect amid soaring daytime highs that are forecast to easily reach the middle to upper 90s in Thurston ... more

By Keyan Gregoire-James | 7/21/26

Thurston County Sheriff's Office deputies at the front door of a residence near Steamboat Island Road on Saturday, July 18, 2026.

Complaint about squatters leads to arrest of wanted man near Steamboat Island Road

New drone technology employed by the Thurston County Sheriff's Office helped locate and arrest a wanted man after a complaint about squatters ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/21/26 | 4 comments

Thurston County election workers processed ballots at the Ballot Processing Center in Tumwater on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025.

Voter registration deadlines loom for Aug. 4 Primary Election

Voter registration deadlines are right around the corner for the Aug. 4 Primary Election in Thurston ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/21/26 | 1 comment

Port of Olympia Airport Senior Manager Chris Paolini showed  a visualization of a charging station for electric aircraft to the Port Commission at a meeting on Monday, July 13, 2026.

Commission approves grant application for electric aircraft charging station at Olympia Regional Airport

The Port of Olympia is going after funds needed to install a charging station for electric aircraft at Olympia Regional ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 7/17/26 | 4 comments

A ballot box at The Evergreen State College in Olympia.

Ballots mailed out for Aug. 4 Primary Election in Thurston County

Ballots for the Aug. 4 Primary Election are on their way to registered voters in Thurston ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/16/26 | 1 comment

Thurston County Fair to feature entertainment, agricultural showcases

The Thurston County Fair is going to return with a carnival, live entertainment, agricultural showcases and special events at the end of the ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 7/14/26

The Thurston Regional Planning Council unveiled a draft update to its Public Participation Plan. TRPC Engagement Specialist Chelsea Embree briefed members of the Transportation Policy Board at a meeting on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.

TRPC unveils update to Public Participation Plan, 45-day comment period to open

The Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) rolled out a draft update to its Public Participation Plan, which outlines new strategies to ensure ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/9/26 | 4 comments

These are items contributed to the congressional time capsule by members of Washington state’s delegation. The capsule, to be buried beneath the U.S. Capitol visitor’s center, will be opened in 2276.

Here’s what Washington's federal representatives want residents in 2276 to know about the state

An apple carved from Tenino stone. A photo of the Nisqually Glacier on Mount Rainier. A commemorative FIFA World Cup ORCA card. And a snapshot ... more

By Jerry Cornfield | Washington State Standard | 7/9/26

The Thurston Regional Planning Council is developing a freight mobility strategy to better understand freight movement in the region.

Thurston Regional Planning Council pursuing freight mobility strategy

The Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) is launching the development of a freight mobility strategy in order to better understand freight ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/7/26 | 1 comment

Longtime Thurston County Superior Court Judge Murphy retires, Wood named as replacement

A new judge is going to take a seat on Thurston County Superior Court in ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/6/26

Burn ban issued for Thurston County

A temporary burn ban on residential yard waste and all land clearing burns in unincorporated areas of Thurston County begins on ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/6/26 | 4 comments

A van pool at Timberland Regional Library in Tumwater.

Timberland Regional Library board ramps up search for executive director

The Timberland Regional Library (TRL) Board of Trustees is seeking outside assistance, as the group ramps up its search for a permanent executive ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 7/3/26 | 3 comments

Cerberus in his enclosure at Wolf Haven International in Tenino.

Gray wolves take up residence at Wolf Haven International in Tenino

Wolf Haven International welcomed the arrival of gray wolf brothers, Nicky and Cerberus, to its sanctuary in Tenino on Tuesday afternoon ... more

By Keyan Gregoire-James | 7/2/26 | 3 comments

Intercity Transit wants to hear from the public

Intercity Transit is conducting a survey to get a better understanding of how well its website and digital tools meet the needs of ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/2/26

Speeding through a work zone will now cost Washington drivers $125, if caught by the state's speed cameras launched last year.

Work zone speed camera fines rise to $125 in Washington

Drivers caught on camera speeding through highway work zones in Washington will face $125 penalties starting this week, after the state ... more

By Jake Goldstein-Street | Washington State Standard | 7/1/26