Environment | The JOLT News Organization, A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization

Lacey Councilmember and Chair of the Intercity Transit Authority Carolyn Cox, second row, center, shared that IT is looking into the possibility of using electric and hydrogen-powered fleet during the Lacey City Council meeting on Thu., Nov. 4.

Intercity Transit looks into the possibility of a zero-emission fleet

During the Lacey City Council meeting on Thu., Nov. 4, Councilmember Carolyn Cox shared that Intercity Transit is looking into the possibility of operating a zero-emission fleet. Cox, who also … more

By Kristine Javier | 11/5/21 | 1 comment

Port Commissioner Bill McGregor provided new suggestions to the proposed ballot measure which would increase the number of Port Commissioners from three to five at a meeting on Oct. 26, 2021.

Port Commissioners discuss public vote to add two more commissioners

During its meeting on Tue., Oct. 26, the Port of Olympia Commissioners expressed its intent to move forward with a five-member ballot proposition. In a presentation, Port of Olympia General … more

By Kristine Javier | 10/28/21

This is part of a mural recalling Rebecca Howard, an Olympia pioneer, after whom the city is considering renaming a park.

Olympia considering renaming Peace and Healing Park after Rebecca Howard

Olympia’s Parks, Recreation, and Advisory Committee recommended that the city council rename the Peace and Healing Park after Rebecca Howard, one of the pioneering Black women in the … more

By Kristine Javier | 10/26/21

The red circle shows the location of the Country Club Road NW where it crosses Green Cove Creek.

Country Club Road construction to limit access starting tomorrow

Thurston County commissioners approved a request to temporarily close down Country Club Road NW at Green Cove Creek for three weeks. During the regular Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) … more

By Kristine Javier | 10/22/21

Lacey City Manager Scott Spence, (top row, center) shared the city’s plans to invest in building an electric vehicle infrastructure during the regular city council meeting on Thu., Oct., 21.

Lacey plans to invest in infrastructure for its electric vehicles

During the Lacey City Council meeting on Thu., Oct. 21, the city shared its plan to invest in building infrastructure to enable it to charge its fleet of electric vehicles. “This … more

By Kristine Javier | 10/22/21

The National Guard Armory, located on Eastside Street in Olympia, will soon be vacant after the National Guard moves into a new building.

Armory to be converted to creative campus starting in 2022

The Olympia Armory is set to be transformed from a military installation to a city-owned creative campus in 2022, the Olympia Historical Society, Bigelow House Museum, and Washington Military … more

By Julia Ornedo | 10/21/21

Next year we'll likely show you images from Thurston County. This one shows a Snoqualmie river flood affecting farmlands and roads.

Take steps to get ‘Flood Smart’ this Flood Awareness Week

This is Flood Awareness Week in Thurston County, and county leaders are encouraging residents to prepare for winter storms that can create floods by checking their emergency kits, making plans with … more

10/20/21

This Native American prayer is painted in a dialect of the Lushootseed language on the Climate Justice Wall in west Olympia. See translation in the next photo.

Immense mural reminds public of immense challenges

Seeking to “engage a broader swath of Thurston County residents in a conversation about climate justice,” the Thurston Climate Action Team (TCAT) is telling its message in a new … more

By Danny Stusser | 10/19/21 | 1 comment

The area outlined in orange was acquired by the Nisqually Land Trust in October 2021.

Nisqually Land Trust adds 10.5 more acres to Lower Ohop restoration area

The Nisqually Land Trust announced on Thu., Oct. 14, that it had acquired an additional 10.5 acres in the Lower Ohop protected area, raising the total number of acres that the organization has … more

By Julia Ornedo | 10/19/21

Olympia Green Faith to call for climate action at Oct. 18 event

The Olympia arm of Green Faith, an international, multi-faith grassroots organization, will call for climate action at an event at Fertile Ground on Oct. 18. Olympia Green Faith said in a news … more

By Julia Ornedo | 10/15/21

The Thurston County Shoreline Master Plan program covers both marine shorelines, such as this one in downtown Olympia, and large lakes and streams.

Your comments sought on county's Shoreline Master Program update

The Thurston County Planning Commission invites public testimony on the proposed Shoreline Master Program (SMP) comprehensive and periodic updates … more

10/6/21

Dead octopus inside a plastic bottle on the seabed among plastic bags and other garbage. COVID-19 is contributing to pollution, as discarded used masks clutter polluting sea bottom along with plastic trash.

State-wide ban on single-use plastic bags now in effect

With increasing concerns about environmental pollution, the state legislature issued a ban on single-use plastic. It also imposed corresponding fees for using other types of shopping bags effective … more

By Kristine Javier | 10/5/21

Thurston County Public Works replaced the old culverts at Spurgeon Creek with a new pre-fabricated bridge which is expected to last longer for up to 50 to 70 years. The new structure also provides more sunlight.

Thurston County installs new habitat features for fish passage

Thurston County Public Works reported during the county commissioners' work session last week that they completed three fish passage projects so far in 2021 . In a presentation on Thursday, … more

By Kristine Javier | 10/5/21

A view of clouds as seen from the Nisqually River.

Puget Sound and Salmon Recovery Funding available in the Nisqually Watershed

The Nisqually Indian Tribe is requesting grant proposals for salmon habitat restoration and protection projects in the Nisqually River watershed. Approximately $1.5 million in federal and … more

10/4/21

The photo shows a model of the magniX’s eCaravan which is currently being tested at Moses Lake, Washington.

Olympia Regional Airport sees electric airplanes as the future of aviation

With an increasing demand for cleaner and more sustainable forms of air travel, the Olympia Regional Airport (OLM) is setting its sights on electric airplanes as the future of aviation. On Mon., … more

By Kristine Javier | 10/1/21

This recent image of Lake Lawrence, in south Thurston County, shows a layer of algae scum that caused health officials to restrict use of the lake twice during the summer of 2021.

Toxic algae advisory lifted on Lake Lawrence

Thurston County Public Health and Social Services confirmed that the toxic algae advisory on Lake Lawrence has been lifted. On Monday, the county assured residents that it is now safe to … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/28/21

Karen Messmer of Olympia, a volunteer with Thurston Climate Action Team, campaigned for electric cars at Thurston Climate Action Team's flash mob gathering on Sat., Sept. 25, 2021.

Electric car flash mob popped up on Saturday

Electric car flash mob popped up on Saturday Will your next car be electric? Thurston Climate Action Team offers 15 answers to help you ditch the gas pumps. Visitors more

By Danny Stusser | 9/27/21 | 4 comments

Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus, tshawytscha) swim up Issaquah creek from sea to return home to the Issaquah Hatchery.

Outfitters, guides close doors as salmon, steelhead numbers drop

Closed fisheries from imperiled fish runs in the Columbia River Basin are prompting calls for action before it's too late.Steelhead trout numbers in the Columbia and its tributaries could be the … more

By Eric Tegethoff | Washington News Service | 9/21/21

Several Lacey City Council members expressed their concerns regarding the proposed amendment on Lacey’s tree protection regulation during the work session on Sept. 9, 2021.

Lacey City Council reviews proposal that would allow HOAs to remove trees

Dubbed as a “city of trees,” Lacey’s City Council reviewed a proposal to provide Home Owners Associations (HOA) with more flexibility to remove otherwise healthy trees within their … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/10/21 | 5 comments

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

Capitol Lake-Deschutes Estuary comment period ends

The Washington State Department of Enterprise Services (DES) closed its comment period for the Capitol Lake - Deschutes Estuary Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which provides … more

By Danny Stusser | 9/2/21 | 1 comment