The JOLT - The Journal of Olympia, Lacey & Tumwater

This was the first of the Facebook meme posts for which Zhdanov was criticized. It was posted on January 19, 2019 with the comment, "Speak!"

Tumwater Schools loses its new Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Tumwater School District’s new Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) had been on the job for less than a month when four postings on his personal Facebook account became known to … more

By Danny Stusser | 7/30/21

Littlerock Road at 73rd Ave. SW - The property under consideration covers 19 acres of land which the city staff proposes to change from Neighborhood Commercial (NC) to Single Family Medium Density Residential (SFM).

Tumwater city staff propose substantial zoning changes to the city-county Joint Plan

City staff proposed to make substantial zoning changes in several areas in Tumwater as a part of the Joint Tumwater / Thurston County Plan. The proposed … more

By Kristine Javier | 7/28/21

Port of Olympia Executive Director Sam Gibboney called the meeting to order during the Port’s revised commission meeting on Monday, July 26, 2021 following a heated exchange between Commissioners Joe Downing and E.J Zita over discussion about an inter-Local agreement related to the lease of 200 acres of port property in Tumwater.

Port Exec Director calls meeting to order following heated exchange between Downing and Zita

“I ask not to be interrupted,” Zita said. Tension rose between the two commissioners during the Port of Olympia Commission meeting yesterday. Port of Olympia Executive Director Sam … more

By Danny Stusser | 7/27/21

Four members of Lacey's city council met with Assistant City Manager Shannon Kelley-Fong on July 22, 2021.

Lacey City Council plans to consider hybrid meetings by August

As more and more residents are being vaccinated, the Lacey City Council weighed the possibility of moving to in-person meetings sometime in August during its work session last Thu., July 22. The … more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/27/21 | 1 comment

Law enforcement leaders from Lacey, Olympia, Yelm, Tumwater, Tenino, Thurston County Sheriff's Office and The Evergreen State College issued a statement that clarifies how the services they provide are changing due to laws passed by the Washington Legislature legislature in 2021.

Regional police agencies issue "Joint Statement on Legislation for Law Enforcement" today

The following message is being sent on behalf of the following law enforcement executives from Thurston County: Interim Chief Aaron Jelcick, Olympia Police Department Chief Robert Almada, Lacey … more

7/23/21

Three witnesses reported watching neighbor hit parked vehicle, drive away

An allegedly intoxicated female’s van hit a parked vehicle after getting into an argument with her husband, on Monday, July 19 at approximately 10 p.m. Rachel Field-Borodin, 29, of Tumwater, … more

By Danny Stusser | 7/23/21

The Lacey City Council approved the appointment of Brian Hurley (bottom row, left) as Tumwater’s newest fire chief. Hurley was also accompanied by his colleague, James Osberg (bottom row, right), who described him as a great team player.

Tumwater promotes Brian Hurley to fire chief

The Tumwater City Council promoted Brian Hurley to Fire Chief during the regular city council meeting yesterday. In his recommendation, Tumwater City Administrator John Doan shared that Hurley is one … more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/21/21

Tumwater Fire Department to donate surplus fire equipment to Peru

Aside from appointing their newest fire chief, the Tumwater City Council approved the donation of fire equipment to Peru during its regular city council meeting on Tuesday, June 20. The fire … more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/21/21

All three proposed alternatives for the future of Capitol Lake are shown above at various tide levels.

Capitol Lake’s future in limbo again

The Washington State Department of Enterprise Services (DES) proposed to remove the 5th Avenue Dam on the Capitol Lake Deschutes Estuary at the Port of Olympia commissioners’ work session … more

By Danny Stusser | 7/20/21 | 2 comments

Drunk driver boxed into Jack in the Box drive-thru, police say

An allegedly intoxicated woman was arrested for driving under the influence while in a fast-food drive-thru on Sunday, July 4 just after 2 a.m. Alyssa Marie Medina, 24, of Tumwater, was reported … more

By Danny Stusser | 7/16/21

The debris spread around the grounds at the homeless encampment on Deschutes Parkway in Olympia was a mix of abandoned personal effects and trash, such as food package wrappers, stuffing such as is contained in sleeping bags, toys and outdoor clothing and discarded tents.

Ensign Road homeless encampment set for clean-up next week

Olympia officials announced on Wednesday that it will conduct a clean-up on the vehicle encampment along Ensign Road next Monday, July 12. The clean-up is a part of the city’s program which … more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/8/21 | 2 comments

Olympia's Familiar Faces program has received attention from around the United States.

Familiar Faces Program becomes a permanent part of downtown services

The Olympia City Council approved funding for the Familiar Faces program as a part of its city operations last Thursday, June 29, following a three-year trial period. The program provides a … more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/6/21

Sunday at the park: drunk and confused, police say

Tumwater police were dispatched to intercept an intoxicated man who had gotten into a brawl with nearby park goers and was attempting to drive out of the parking lot on Sun., June 27 just after 6 … more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/1/21

Kyle Grunenfelder, principal of Tumwater Virtual Academy, presented to the Tumwater School District board on June 17, 2021.

Tumwater Virtual Academy to offer dual enrollment for school year 2021-22

As the school year draws to a close, the Tumwater Virtual Academy (TVA) invites students to enroll in its flexible online school program for the 2021-22 school year In a presentation to the … more

By The JOLT Staff | 6/22/21

The CARE Wellness Center is presenting its first Juneteenth Jubilee on Sat., June 19, 2021.

Thurston County Celebrates the Juneteenth Holiday

On June 19, several Juneteenth events have been long planned prior to President Joe Biden’s signature confirming Congress' vote earlier this week recognizing it as an official holiday. While … more

By The JOLT Staff | 6/18/21

The Thurston County Housing Authority is interested in purchasing the former OYO Hotel in Tumwater, above, and converting it into long-term housing for senior citizens and "neighbors with disabilities."

Port of Olympia continues to push plans to use airport property for long-term housing

On Wednesday, the Port of Olympia continued to push its proposal to facilitate use of a parcel of its airport property to provide long-term housing. Port of Olympia Executive Director Sam Gibboney … more

By The JOLT Staff | 6/17/21 | 2 comments

There are two paths found near the wall, the asphalt road leads to the trail, while the other leads to the waterfalls.

Tumwater unveils new improvements in the Deschutes Valley Trail

The City of Tumwater unveiled the new facilities and improvements for the Deschutes Valley Trail during the regular city council meeting on Tue., June 15. Tumwater Engineering … more

By The JOLT Staff | 6/16/21 | 3 comments

The glass pipe and other items above were taken from Andriece Riggins on June 10, 2021, according to Tumwater police.

Accused Walmart burglar allegedly pried open doors

A woman allegedly broke into a closed Walmart and attempted to exit with a cart full of merchandise before being stopped by two Tumwater police officers last Thursday. Walmart employees were … more

By The JOLT Staff | 6/16/21

Booze, beers, bumper, Blazer

Despite standing next to his disabled car which witnesses say had hit a parked car, ran over a yellow curb and almost hit a building, an allegedly intoxicated man told Tumwater police that he was not … more

By The JOLT Staff | 6/15/21

No injuries when DUI suspect crashed into school bus

The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office reported that an intoxicated man with a suspended driver’s license, driving a stolen vehicle, crashed into a school bus on Tuesday. The school bus … more

By The JOLT Staff | 6/11/21