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

Olympia Climate Program Manager Dr. Pamela Braff presents the summary of proposed activities and budget they submitted to the NOAA Climate Resilience Regional Challenge.

Sea Level Rise team eyes NOAA climate grant

The Sea Level Rise Collaborative Team is eyeing a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) grant, potentially providing the region with $15 million to $75 million to bolster … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/4/23 | 6 comments

Associate Planner Amelia Schwartz (right) discussed the City of Yelm and Thurston County Joint Plan updates in an informational session yesterday, August 30.

Thurston County and Yelm update Joint Plan, ‘full repeal and replace’

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) met yesterday, August 30, to discuss updates to the Yelm and Thurston County Joint Plan . According to the packet , joint plans … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 9/1/23

IT Director Sherrie Ilg (right), along with other IT supervisors, briefs the Board of County Commissioners about the operations of the IT Department.

County IT Department to request additional personnel in next budget request

Thurston County’s IT Department wants to request additional personnel in its next budget request, IT Director Sherrie Ilg informed the Board of County Commissioners on Thursday, August 31. … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/1/23

A dead seagull lies on the edge of the embankment

Avian flu outbreak in sea birds and seals, detected in terns near Port of Tacoma

An outbreak of avian influenza has broken out of Fort Flagler State Park, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced. … more

9/1/23

I-5 nighttime ramp and lane closures in DuPont from after Labor Day next week to Saturday

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will close lanes and ramps on northbound Interstate 5 in DuPont between Center Drive and 41st Division Drive overnight the week of September 5. … more

9/1/23

This is one of Intercity Transit's newer Dial-A-Lift buses, shown arriving at a rider's home.

Intercity Transit services on weekend schedule for Labor Day

Intercity Transit (IT) has announced that its local and Express bus service and Dial-A-Lift will operate weekend-level service on Labor Day, Monday, September 4. IT also announced that it will … more

9/1/23

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

Toxic algae at Clear Lake, south of Yelm

Thurston County Public Health and Social Services is cautioning the public of a toxic algae bloom at Clear Lake, which is southeast of Yelm near Deschutes Falls Park. According to the … more

9/1/23

Pictured at last year's award celebration, left to right: SAN President Marilyn Jamison; Amy Degon, 2022 Community Caregiver Award recipient from MyMedSupplies; and Lynessa Stone of Advanced Health Care who is the co-chair of the SAN Caregiver Awards. Note: Photographer Clair Ferris is the owner of Funeral Alternatives and a SAN member

Share an outstanding caregiver story

Do you know an Outstanding Caregiver who serves from their mind and heart? Caregivers work behind the scenes and the Senior Action Network (SAN) is looking for a number of local stories to recognize … more

By Shirley Stirling | 9/1/23

CPED Director Joshua Cummings (second from left) , presents his team to the Thurston County Commissioner, accompanied by members Brett Bures, Development Services Manager; Summer Miller, Fiscal Manager; Jeremy Davis, Operations Manager; Ashley Arai, CP Manager; and Stephen Bramwell from Washington State University Extension.

County Community Planning & Economic Development to simplify permit acquisition process

In a move towards modernizing their permitting services for Thurston County, the Community Planning & Economic Development (CPED) department, led by Director Joshua Cummings, has unveiled plans … more

By Justin Iglesia | 8/31/23

Bird Migration, puzzles and factoids

I’ve written about bird migration before, and I’ll do it again. It’s a wonderfully complex phenomenon. It’s been more than a month since spring’s dawn chorus … more

By George Walter | 8/31/23

What’s happening next week – Olympia Harbor Days and more

Welcome September with a blast! Olympia, Lacey, and Tumwater are ready to delight your senses with these local events. more

8/31/23

Conceptual drawing of Habitat for Humanity's 3900 Boulevard Road project in Olympia.

Thurston Regional Housing Council looking at funding seven affordable housing unit programs

The Regional Housing Council (RHC) accepted the recommendation to fund seven programs for $5.5 million, which is expected to create 137 new affordable housing units. The recommendation will be … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/30/23 | 3 comments

County receives federal funding to replace culvert at Green Cove Creek

Thurston County received a $3 million federal grant for the replacement of a culvert at Country Club Road as it passes Green Cove Creek, County Engineer Matt Unzelman reported to the Board of County … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/30/23

State auditor office recognizes Thurston County as 'outstanding example' of 'good stewards of funds, public trust'

The Office of the Washington State Auditor recognized Thurston County as an "outstanding example of commitment to making government work better." Washington State Auditor Pat McCarthy and her … more

By JC Medina | 8/30/23

Thurston County mulls constructing own Election Center after election officers receive threatening mail

Thurston’s Board of County Commissioners discussed the possible construction of an Election Center, stating that election officers have been receiving threats through email and physical mail, … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 8/29/23 | 4 comments

The Thurston County Planning Commission is recommending an updated land use map that adds 7,200 acres of land for long-term agriculture.

County Planning Commission recommends additional 7,200 acres for long-term agriculture

The Thurston County Planning Commission recommended adding 7,200 acres of land for long-term agriculture as part of an agricultural zoning update, Senior Planner Maya Teeple said to the Board of … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/29/23

The tugboat Chippewa, shown on the right, is moored and receiving visitors during a previous Olympia Harbor Days festival.

Olympia Harbor Days starts Friday night

To me, there are two starts for the year, January 1 of course, and when school starts. At both times, I like to do a thorough housecleaning to start the year off right and feel ‘squared … more

By Mary Beth Harrington, CVA | 8/29/23

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

Inmate allegedly assaulted jail nurse and deputies, attempted escape

An inmate who allegedly attacked a jail nurse was also stopped from escaping from the hospital where he was being assessed. The inmate was accused of attacking a jail nurse while receiving … more

By Darlanne Cruz | 8/29/23

The Thurston County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) and the Lacey City Council met to discuss plans for Urban Growth Area (UGA) and other matters concerning the two jurisdictions on August 24, 2023.

Lacey, Thurston officials come together to discuss urban growth plans

Lacey, Thurston officials come together to discuss urban growth plans said Lacey City Mayor Andy Ryder By JC Medina Thurston County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) and … more

By JC Medina | 8/28/23 | 3 comments

County Solid Waste Manager Jeff Bickford (middle) and Solid Waste Advisory Committee Chair Renee Sinclair (left) briefed the Board of County Commissioner about restructuring changes to Sinclair’s committee.

County Solid Waste Advisory Committee to undergo restructuring

The Thurston County Solid Waste Advisory Committee is looking to restructure its membership due to the creation of two new county districts. County Solid Waste Manager Jeff Bickford, along with … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/28/23