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

Partly to mostly sunny skies this weekend in Thurston County

The first weekend in April is shaping up to be a delightful one for fans of the outdoors with partly to mostly sunny skies and daytime highs in ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 4/2/26

An architectural rendering shows the proposed five-story Franz Anderson Permanent Supportive Housing project in Olympia. The Low-Income Housing Institute would develop and manage the 71-unit building.

Thurston Regional Housing Council backs Franz Anderson unit mix change

The Thurston Regional Housing Council (RHC) formally expressed support for a proposed change to the unit mix of a planned Franz Anderson ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/1/26 | 15 comments

Community Foundation invites proposals for second year of Project Connect grants

The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound is taking Project Connect: Civic Life and Belonging Grants into another year of regional ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 3/31/26

Home and condo sales up, prices down in Thurston County

An increase in home and condominium sales did not translate to higher prices in Thurston County, as both markets posted ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 3/31/26 | 2 comments

Several thousand individuals participated in the third "No Kings" rally to protest the policies and actions of President Donald Trump. Olympia’s march began at Percival Landing, proceeded down Capitol Way and ended on the Capitol Campus on Saturday, March 28, 2026.

'No Kings' rally draws thousands of people to Capitol Campus in Olympia

A sea of humanity jump-started the third “No Kings” rally with a march from Percival Landing through the streets of downtown Olympia ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 3/30/26 | 17 comments

The third Absolutely Free Sharing Market will be held at the Thurston County Fairgrounds on April 2 and April 4.

Absolutely Free Sharing Market to feature free items, food and services

Local residents are encouraged to visit the Thurston County Fairgrounds on April 2 and April 4 for the third Absolutely Free Sharing ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 3/30/26

Intercity Transit spending $1.42 million for storage solutions

Intercity Transit is purchasing $1.42 million in storage solutions for the maintenance building at its Pattison Street headquarters in ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/27/26 | 1 comment

Members of the Thurston Regional Housing Council reviewed a short-term funding request for the Quince Street tiny home village at a meeting on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.

RHC recommends allocating $440K for Quince Street village

The Thurston Regional Housing Council (RHC) has recommended allocating $440,000 to help sustain operations at Olympia’s Quince Street ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/26/26 | 12 comments

Thurston County opens application window for Conservation Futures

Thurston County is accepting 2026 Conservation Futures applications from landowners seeking to preserve their ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 3/26/26

What’s happening this weekend in Thurston County

Collaborate with other people through workshops and support local performances this weekend in Thurston ... more

3/26/26

WDFW urges shellfish harvesters to follow rules as season gets underway

Low daytime tides have returned and that means opportunities for recreational clam, mussel and oyster gathering on open ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 3/25/26 | 2 comments

A rendering of Intercity Transit’s base on Pattison Street in Olympia.

ITA approves contract for parking and storage facility at Pattison Street base

The Intercity Transit Authority approved a contract for the development of a new parking and storage facility at the agency's Pattison ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/23/26 | 2 comments

Youth exhibitors led their cattle at the Thurston County Fairgrounds, where the county will hold its first youth livestock exposition on April 25-26, 2026.

Thurston County to hold first youth livestock exposition in April

Aiming to cultivate the next generation of agricultural leaders, Thurston County will hold its inaugural youth livestock exposition next ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 3/20/26 | 1 comment

"Reanimated" by Matthew Wang of Olympia High School.

Olympia High School student’s artwork wins top prize at regional art show

Students from schools in Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater were some of the winners of the 2026 Regional High School Art Show, with Matthew Wang of ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 3/19/26 | 3 comments

Thurston County Community Planning and Economic Development Director Ashley Arai spoke to county commissioners about the Home Energy Score ordinance at a meeting on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.

County commissioners approve Home Energy Score ordinance

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners passed an ordinance requiring home sellers to conduct Home Energy Score ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/18/26 | 22 comments

A narcotics bust netted a number of items related to drug dealing. Two individuals were arrested at a residence in the Yelm area on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.

Two people arrested for alleged drug dealing, $14,000 in cash seized

Two alleged drug dealers were arrested after a search warrant was executed at a residence in the Yelm ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 3/18/26 | 1 comment

South Sound Reading Foundation to celebrate 25 years with signature events 

The South Sound Reading Foundation is celebrating 25 years of promoting reading across the ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 3/18/26 | 1 comment

Timberland Regional Library to lay off dozens of workers

Dozens of Timberland Regional Library employees have been notified they will lose their jobs in spring amid a budget crisis that is reshaping ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 3/17/26 | 11 comments

The Port of Olympia is joining the Washington Public Ports Association’s (WPPA) Maritime Industrial Base Coalition in a move aimed at restoring the state's competitiveness in the shipbuilding industry.

Port of Olympia joins coalition formed to support shipbuilding industry

The Port of Olympia is putting its weight behind a large effort to bolster the shipbuilding industry by joining the Washington Public Ports Association’s ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/16/26 | 9 comments

Rain on the way to Thurston County as winter winds down

The final week of winter is shaping up to be a wet one, with rain likely through Friday, March 20, before the odds of precipitation lessen this ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 3/16/26