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

Thurston County Planning Commission schedules public hearing on Open Space Tax applications

The Thurston County Planning Commission is going to hold a public hearing to receive input on a pair of Open Space Tax Program ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 6/11/26

The City of Tumwater plans to extend a sewer line west along Trosper Road by around 6,000 feet and into smaller arterial roads.

Committee endorses contract for design of Trosper Road sewer extension in Tumwater

The Tumwater Public Works Committee endorsed a $578,060 contract with consulting engineers Gray & Osborne Inc. to design ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 6/10/26 | 1 comment

Army Warrant Officer Gregory Hederich, an unmanned aerial systems operations technician assigned to the Washington Army National Guard's 81st Multi-Functional Reconnaissance Company, operates a Ghost X drone during a counter-UAS field day demonstration at Yakima Training Center on June 2, 2026.

Ahead of World Cup, authorities focused on deterring drones in Seattle

SEATTLE — Flying a drone above FIFA World Cup fan celebrations, practice facilities and matches at Lumen Field could get operators hit with a ... more

By Jake Goldstein-Street | Washington State Standard | 6/10/26 | 3 comments

Children were seen lining up for the new gaga pit at the Grand Mound Elementary School playground, which was completed on May 27, 2026.

Lumber company donates playground materials to Grand Mound Boosters

Construction of a gaga pit at the playground of Grand Mound Elementary School was completed with donated materials on ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 6/8/26 | 2 comments

Food inspection results in Thurston County – June 8, 2026

Restaurant inspection reports focus on two types of violations: red and ... more

By Vanessa Casabuena | 6/8/26

Thurston County Sheriff's Office deputy shoots man at scene of car fire

A Thurston County Sheriff's Office deputy shot a man multiple times at the scene of a car fire after he failed to obey a directive and ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 6/5/26 | 1 comment

Hop on public transit to win prizes during Ride Transit Month

Public transit riders in Thurston County could win $50 gift cards just by taking the bus this ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 6/5/26 | 2 comments

The Thurston County Auditor's Office is located at 3000 Pacific Ave. SE in Olympia.

Thurston County passport office aces federal audit amid rising demand

The Thurston County Auditor's Passport Office cleared a U.S. Department of State compliance inspection without a single ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 6/1/26 | 1 comment

Home, condo median prices rise in Thurston County

The first full month of spring was a busy one for the residential market, as sales and prices climbed amid a big leap in active listings in Thurston ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 5/29/26 | 2 comments

Olympia's and Thurston County's grief — SS Valencia disaster

In last month’s column, I wrote about the USS Olympia and its fascinating history and folklore. This column focuses on another ship ... more

By Ira Wesley Kitmacher | 5/29/26

The entrance to the Intercity Transit Customer Service office in downtown Olympia, as seen earlier this year.

Intercity Transit awards surplus vans to four local organizations

Intercity Transit awarded four retired vanpool vans to community organizations, as part of its annual van grant program ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/28/26 | 1 comment

A map showing the location of the 88th Place development by Tenino Land Company. The 22-acre, 105-lot proposed residential project is on 1318 88th Ave. SW, which is south of Tumwater city limits.

Residents appeal hearing examiner’s decision on residential project south of Tumwater

A group of residents from an area south of Tumwater city limits have filed an appeal against a decision to allow a 22-acre residential project ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/26/26 | 12 comments

The Thurston County Sheriff's Office is now providing law enforcement services to the City of Tenino.

Tenino and Thurston County enter into law enforcement agreement

The Thurston County Sheriff's Office has picked up a new ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 5/25/26 | 3 comments

Food inspection results in Thurston County – May 25, 2026

Restaurant inspection reports focus on two types of violations: red and ... more

By Vanessa Casabuena | 5/25/26 | 1 comment

Timberland Regional Library board appoints interim executive director

Timberland Regional Library (TRL) has turned to one of its own to navigate a period of organizational change and rocky financial times ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 5/22/26 | 1 comment

The price of regular unleaded gas was $5.999 per gallon at Chevron, which is located at 1018 Plum St. SE in Olympia, on Friday, May 22, 2026.

Regular unleaded gas hits new high before giving up ground in Olympia market

The song remained the same at gasoline stations in the Olympia market, as the per gallon price of regular unleaded danced around record levels before ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 5/22/26 | 1 comment

Henry and Erin Valz carried "Save The Evergreen Pool" signs at the Olympia Spring ArtsWalk on April 24, 2026.

Port of Olympia Commission leads discussion on future of Evergreen pool

The Port of Olympia Commission dived into The Evergreen State College pool issue by leading a discussion about the facility at a ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/21/26 | 13 comments

Cycling advocates and community members celebrated the City of Lacey's Bicycle Month proclamation at a Lacey Ctty Council meeting on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.

Lacey City Council proclaims Bicycle Month amid rising fuel costs 

With fuel costs climbing and transportation emissions stubbornly undercutting state climate goals, the Lacey City Council proclaimed ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 5/20/26 | 1 comment

Time to celebrate! The JOLT is 6 — and The Thurston Chamber is 150!

The JOLT has been publishing local news for Thurston County for six years as of today. Thank you to the 1,206 people, who sent us (tax-deductible) donations ... more

By Danny Stusser | 5/20/26 | 2 comments

Gov. Bob Ferguson hands over one of the pens he used to sign House Bill 1296, the "students bill of rights" to a child who attended the bill signing.

Judge rejects lawsuit against rewrite of Washington parental rights law

A Washington judge on Friday, May 15, sided with the state as he turned back a lawsuit seeking to block a controversial 2025 law ... more

By Jake Goldstein-Street | Washington State Standard | 5/19/26