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

Olympia Strategic Communications Director Kellie Braseth announced the launch of Oly TV3, a city-run broadcast channel, at a city council on Tuesday, January 9, 2024.

Olympia launched its cable-access television channel, Oly TV3, following the city's conclusion of its partnership with Thurston Community Media (TC Media). At Tuesday's city council meeting, … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado, Lorilyn Lirio and Jerome Tuaño | 1/15/24 | 3 comments

The Capitol Campus fountain, the water frozen in place, with a view of the capital building.

Record-breaking freezing temperatures over weekend

Over the weekend, record-breaking freezing temperatures came to Thurston County and the rest of Western Washington. Temperatures dropped to 11 degrees Fahrenheit on Sunday and a low of seventeen … more

By Sage Hamilton | 1/15/24

The scales of Justice represent the idea of decisions reached fairly and objectively by a weighing of evidence.

Teen makes bomb threat after ‘losing bet’

Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) deputies reported a bomb threat hoax on their social media post . Deputies were dispatched to the Dollar General store in Rainier on Wednesday, … more

By Darlanne Cruz | 1/15/24

Shown in the foreground, Port of Olympia Commissioner Bob Iyall, Nisqually Indian Tribe Chairman Willie Frank III and Port of Olympia's Director of Environmental & Planning Programs Shawn Gilbertson are shown at the January 8, 2024 event kicking off an eight-week underwater research project to evaluate sediment conditions in the East Bay of Budd Inlet.

Port of Olympia begins sampling activities to diagnose condition of Budd Inlet

The Port of Olympia deployed a research vessel on Monday, January 8, to help the Port collect sediment samples from Budd Inlet. The collected samples will be analyzed to help the Port identify … more

By Danny Stusser and Jerome Tuaño | 1/12/24 | 3 comments

Icy patches of roadway will greet drivers turning off of arterial streets in Tumwater, Lacey and Olympia tonight.

Increased outreach efforts and emergency shelter beds offered Thursday, January 11 through Monday, January 15 for Hazardous Weather Event

OLYMPIA – Upcoming snow and extreme cold temperatures are dangerous for those without shelter. The National Weather Service has issued a forecast for snow and below freezing nighttime weather … more

Submitted by Thurston County Public Health and Social Services | 1/12/24

District Court Executive Officer Frankie Peters (lower right) briefs the Tumwater Public Health and Safety Committee on the services of district court.

Thurston County District Court discontinues probation services

Thurston County District Court has discontinued its probation services, District Court Executive Officer Frankie Peters told a Tumwater committee on Tuesday, January 9. Peters attended this … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 1/12/24 | 2 comments

At the Olympia City Council meeting held Tuesday, January 9, 2024, Bishop Charlotte Beeler-Petty of Risen Faith Fellowship accepted the Dr. Martin King Jr. Day on behalf of the community.

County, Olympia set Monday as Martin Luther King Day

Thurston County and Olympia made separate proclamations celebrating Monday, January 15 as Martin Luther King Day in commemorating the slain civil rights activist pivotal in racial reforms in the … more

By Lyn Lirio and PJade Asumbrado | 1/12/24 | 1 comment

With nowhere to go on Friday, September 15, 2023, five homeless individuals sat at the west end of the 7th Avenue Tunnel that cuts through downtown Olympia, shielded from the sun by a patio umbrella.

Thurston County to conduct annual homeless count

Thurston County’s Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) will hold its annual Point in Time Count (PIT) Annual Homeless Census from starting Thursday, January 25. This census will gather … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 1/11/24 | 3 comments

What's happening next week?

There are still a lot of local events in January waiting to be unveiled. more

1/11/24

State agency ignores local requests to spare cutting of 270 acres of Capitol State Forest

Two hundred and seventy acres of “legacy” forestland in Capitol State Forest will be auctioned off by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) despite requests from … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 1/10/24 | 8 comments

County confirms new chair and vice-chair

At yesterday’s meeting, the Board of County Commissioners elected District 3 Commissioner Tye Menser and District 4 Commissioner Wayne Fournier as chair and vice-chair, respectively. … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 1/10/24

This is the iconic sign+wall at the Thurston County Courthouse

Thurston County Board of Health adds three members

Thurston County welcomed three new members to its Board of Health (BoH) – Heidi Knadel, Perla Newton, and Tanzania Zenzali-Marshall, as reported in a county press release yesterday, January 9, … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 1/10/24

The stolen 2022 Hyundai Elantra slammed into a guardrail after a high-speed chase with Thurston County Sheriff’s Office deputies

Suspect steals car, rams patrol vehicle in pursuit

On December 28, Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) deputies successfully arrested a suspect in a high-speed pursuit involving a stolen 2022 Hyundai Elantra. In TCSO’s police … more

By Darlanne Cruz | 1/10/24 | 3 comments

The Port of Olympia Commission decided to defer the elections of its officers until January 22.

Port of Olympia Commission defers election of officers

The newly expanded five-member Port of Olympia Commission deferred the election of its new officers until its next regular meeting on January 22. The commission was scheduled to vote on its new … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 1/9/24 | 4 comments

Thurston County invites parents to join parenting and postpartum support group

To foster a supportive community for parents navigating the challenges of pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting infants, the Thurston County Maternal Childhood Health program has announced regular … more

By Darlanne Cruz | 1/8/24

High winds and landslide alerts tonight through tomorrow night for Thurston County

The National Weather Service issued a Wind Advisory and a Special Weather Alert for landslide risks were issued for parts of western Washington today. Wind Advisory A Wind Advisory is in … more

1/8/24

Deputies arrest DUI suspect with history of eluding police

Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) deputies found themselves in pursuit of a vehicle that failed to yield during a routine traffic stop at the intersection of Homann Drive and Lacey … more

By Darlanne Cruz | 1/5/24

What's happening in January’s first week?

The new year’s fun is on. Make sure to tag your family and friends for the following local events. more

1/4/24

Climate Mitigation Senior Program Manager Rebecca Harvey explained the “Switch is On” campaign and Decarbonization Navigator Platform to the commissioners.

Thurston County to pursue “Switch is On” environmental campaign with King and Pierce counties

Thurston County will approve a motion to enter a services agreement with King and Pierce counties and the cities of Seattle, Tacoma, and Olympia to fund a “ Switch is On ” campaign and … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 1/3/24 | 1 comment

Yesterday, at its first meeting in 2024, Thurston’s Board of County Commissioners shared that District 3 Commissioner Tye Menser (left) was nominated as the Chair, and District 4 Commissioner Wayne Fournier (center) was nominated as Vice Chair for this year.

Menser, Fournier nominated Board of County Commissioners new chair, vice-chair

During their first meeting of 2024 yesterday, January 2, Thurston’s Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) scheduled an election for their next board meeting on January 9. Last November … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 1/3/24