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

Thurston County auditor updating voter registrant data for General Election

The Thurston County Auditor’s Office announced earlier today that it has already updated over 30,000 voter records among more than 200,000 registered voters in the county. In a press … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 10/22/24 | 2 comments

Thurston County Sheriff seeks input on solicitation for vehicle pursuit technology

The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) seeks public comment on its proposal to the 2024 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program—Local Solicitation for $19,532.09 … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 10/18/24 | 3 comments

Be aware of algae bloom and other warnings in your local waters.

Thurston County alerts public to harmful algae blooms at Lake Lawrence and Clear Lake

Thurston County Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) is urging residents to avoid contact with Lake Lawrence and Clear Lake due to toxic algae blooms detected in both bodies of water. This … more

10/18/24 | 1 comment

At a Tuesday, October 15, 2024 meeting, Thurston’s Board of County Commissioners proclaimed October 14 to 18 as Flood Awareness Week in the county.

Flood Awareness Week in Thurston County this week

Thurston’s Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) proclaimed October 14 through October 18, 2024, as Flood Awareness Week in the county. Kyle Bustad, Thurston County Emergency … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 10/17/24 | 1 comment

Toxic algae bloom prompts health warning at Offutt Lake

Thurston County Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) is urging caution at Offutt Lake due to a toxic algae bloom detected on October 16, 2024. Lab results revealed Microcystin toxin levels at 30 … more

10/17/24

Labor Wars of the Pacific Northwest free screening October 24th at Capital Theater

Labor Wars of the Northwest screening for free on October 24th at Capital Theater in Olympia

TLM Labor and Olympia Film Society to Present a Free Screening of Labor Wars of the Northwest on October 24th The Thurston – Lewis – Mason Central Labor Council is proud to announce … more

Submitted by Central Labor Council President Rachelle Martin | 10/17/24 | 3 comments

What’s happening this weekend— Toast for Tails fundraiser, Boo-coda Spook-tacular’s Casket Races and other fun activities

Welcome the Halloween spirt by supporting charity and family-friendly events. Olympia High School Theatre Arts presents “Noises Off”, October 18-19, 24-26 Get ready to laugh … more

10/17/24

At a Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) meeting yesterday, October 15, which is also the supposed approval of the Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project interlocal agreement (ILA) on the county’s side, the commissioners removed the ILA from the agenda.

Thurston County Commissioners delay approval of Deschutes interlocal agreement amid approval from other cities, gears for legal review

At a Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) meeting yesterday, October 15, the commissioners removed the Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project interlocal agreement from the agenda. The … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 10/16/24 | 5 comments

Olympia seeks input on names for parks; public hearing is set for this Thursday

Before making recommendations to the Olympia City Councill, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee will conduct public hearings on Thursday, Oct. 17, regarding the proposed official naming of … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/15/24 | 4 comments

Great Washington Shakeout drill for earthquake preparedness

Drop, cover and hold this Thursday for statewide earthquake drill

Drop, cover, and hold this Thursday, Oct. 17, as part of the statewide earthquake drill. The Great Washington ShakeOut will happen at exactly 10:17 a.m. and will allow participants to … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/14/24

A woman dentist shows a male patient a digital rendering of a jaw and teeh

Free dental referral service expands care options, addresses health disparities

Introducing DentistLink, a free referral service that aims to help low-income and uninsured Washington residents access dental care, has expanded its scope to include transportation, translation and … more

Submitted by Cecilia Nguyen Sorci, Pacific Public Affairs | 10/11/24

Jennie Beth Banks tells the story of her own near-death experience that inspired her to create the On the Edge series.

Death comes to Olympia

"On the Edge – Perspectives on Death, Dying, Loss & Living" is a month-long series of programs, events and workshops led by various people from the local death-care community. more

Submitted by Glenn Harper | 10/11/24

The Senior Services for South Sound invites everyone to celebrate its annual fall gala with the theme “An Evening in Tuscany.” The gala will be held on October 26 from 5 p.m. onwards at the Olympia Senior Center.

‘An Evening in Tuscany’ gala to be held October 26, benefits go to seniors

Join the Senior Services for South Sound’s annual fall gala on October 26 from 5 p.m. onwards at the Olympia Senior Center. The gala, which benefits the senior center's needs, … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 10/11/24

Olympia City Council, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. The Olympia City Council unanimously approved two resolutions that opposed two ballot initiatives that would threaten the city's climate policies and efforts.

Olympia City Council opposes ballot measures that would negatively impact climate programs

The Olympia City Council voted unanimously to oppose two Washington state ballot initiatives that would threaten local and state policies to reduce greenhouse emissions. The two measures will … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/10/24 | 14 comments

At the October 7, 2024, Board of County Commissioners meeting, Human Resources representatives reported the 2025 changes to employee benefits and recommendations. Photographed from left to right is Human Resources Director Maria Aponte, Compensation and Benefits Manager Tara Wickline, and Senior Human Resources Analyst Neysa Caywood.

Thurston County employees’ medical and vision premium rates increase, new standard plans recommended

At a meeting on Monday, Human Resources (HR) representatives reported the 2025 changes to Thurston County employee benefits to the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC). more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 10/10/24

Overvalued? Thurston County homeowners property tax appeals due Oct. 28

According to the Thurston County Board of Equalization, local homeowners have until Oct. 28 to appeal their property tax assessments. This county webpage provides explains the procedure and … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/10/24 | 1 comment

Ballots being sorted, photo November 7, 2022.

Thurston County mails ballots for November 5 election

Thurston County Auditor’s Office Elections Division has mailed over 195,000 ballots to registered voters for the upcoming November 5 General Election. Voters who haven’t received their … more

10/10/24

What’s happening next week– Olympia Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Harvest Craft Festival and other festivities

There is so much to celebrate in our locality—from nature to culture. Harvest Craft Festival & Food Drive, Weekend, October 11-12 The first-ever Harvest Craft Fair … more

10/10/24

A fire burning ban sign in front of dry grass and trees.

County-wide fire safety burn ban lifted

The Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) announced on Wednesday, Oct. 2, that the seasonal county-wide fire safety burn ban was lifted at the end of September. The Thurston County Fire … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/9/24

Thurston County Coroner, Sheriff, District Court, Prosecuting Attorney, Clerk, Auditor, Treasurer, Assessor, And Commissioners had a work session on Monday, October 7, to discuss midterm budget requests.

Elected officials report mid-term budget requests for Thurston County

At a work session on Monday, Thurston County’s elected officials met with Thurston’s Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) to discuss budget matters. The office … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 10/9/24