Thurston County, WA

The funds are collected through a 0.1% countywide sales tax.

Only five races in the county are unopposed in the August primary.

An Olympia man with “a history of violent behavior towards officers” was charged after allegedly trespassing and later assaulting law enforcement while resisting arrest. Kenneth M. Stenek, 36, is being held at the Thurston County Jail for third-degree assault, second-degree criminal trespass, and resisting arrest, jail records show. The Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney charged him on May 16.

You never know what the future may hold. “Though your name be unknown and not on the map,” wrote student Marie Rowe in her class poem for the 1914 graduates of Olympia High School, “We have faith in the common sense under your cap./May our acts be so noble, so upright and true/That they will always reflect honor on the dear old white and blue.” Marie herself, ironically, would soon become famous—under a pen name.

Our COVID-19 transmission rates continue to rise and we are seeing an increased number of COVID-19 outbreaks in Thurston County. Yesterday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) changed the COVID-19 Community Level for Thurston County from Low to Medium due to the 7-day COVID-19 transmission rate increasing to more than 200 cases per 100K population. At this community level there are additional recommendations for people at high risk of severe disease as well as the general public.

Our COVID-19 transmission rates continue to rise and we are seeing an increased number of COVID-19 outbreaks in Thurston County. Yesterday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) changed the COVID-19 Community Level for Thurston County from Low to Medium due to the 7-day COVID-19 transmission rate increasing to more than 200 cases per 100K population. At this community level there are additional recommendations for people at high risk of severe disease as well as the general public.

Deputies arrested a 39-year-old Thurston County man on Tuesday who is accused of dealing fentanyl and other illicit drugs. The Thurston County Narcotics Task Force arrested the man after executing a search warrant at his home in the 5000 block of Peninsula Drive Southeast, near Lake St. Clair, according to Sheriff's Office news release.

Of course, I’m talking about The JOLT, The Journal OF Olympia, Lacey & Tumwater – your community-owned nonprofit news organization, your baby. We posted our first hard-news story, about the first of two fires at what was then the Quality Inn in Olympia, on May 20, 2020. Like...

A 29-year-old man barricaded himself in a home on Mayfair Drive in Tumwater Wednesday evening, prompting police to close Somerset Hill Drive and activate a SWAT Team. After about four hours, police arrested the man on suspicion of residential burglary, domestic violence and violating a no-contact order, according to a city of Tumwater news release. During that time, police closed Somerset Hill Drive near Mayfair Drive to establish a perimeter around the home.

On 5/18/22 at 5:45 p.m. in the 15400 block of Ursula Ln SE, Sheriff’s deputies arrested Zachariah William Bradley Campbell, 30, on suspicion of assault in the fourth degree. On 5/18/22 at 12:30 a.m. in the 1100 block of Ferm St, Sheriff’s deputies arrested Arthur Allen King, 26, on suspicion of 1) violation of a no-contact order and 2) residential burglary.

The flock will be euthanized to contain the spread of the highly pathogenic virus.

The Thurston County Board of Commissioners this week voted unanimously to approve $1.2 million in treatment sales tax funds over a 19-month period beginning June 1 for six local service organizations. According to a news release from Thurston County, these awards will benefit Thurston County residents with mental health or...

A 27-year-old Thurston County man who led police on a car chase in 2021 that resulted in him and a popular K9 being shot has been sentenced to more than two years in prison. On Tuesday, Thurston County Superior Court judge Mary Sue Wilson sentenced Victor Hugo Ortiz Bucio to a total of 29 months in prison with 18 months of community custody.

Fentanyl is the leading cause of overdose deaths in Thurston County.

Intercity Transit Dial-A-Lift driver Dan Savage placed second at the 31st Annual Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) Roadeo (Roadeo) last week in Louisville, Kentucky. Savage competed in the Body-on-Chassis/Paratransit Division against 50 competitors from 48 transit agencies across the country. The Roadeo tests the drivers’ skills and abilities with a primary focus on safe operations and passenger sensitivity.

OREGON and WASHINGTON – Since its arrival in Washington state two weeks ago, highly pathogenic avian influenza has now hit nine backyard flocks in seven counties, according to the Washington State Department of Agriculture. Tests confirmed the latest case in Thurston County Tuesday. The WSDA tested the flock after...

State agriculture officials confirmed a Thurston County flock tested positive for bird flu on Tuesday, and on Thursday the Washington state veterinarian called for poultry markets to close for a month. Highly pathogenic avian influenza has been confirmed in nine domestic flocks in seven counties across Washington state. The latest...

A man accused of violating a no-contact order was arrested on Wednesday, May 18, after a four-hour standoff against Tumwater police and the Thurston County SWAT team. Officers were dispatched to a home on Mayfair Road after a man reported that his brother, the suspect, violated a no-contact order by showing up at his residence, Tumwater police said in a press release.