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

Several hundred people are expected to walk in the 2024 Paws 4 A Cause event on May 4. This photo is from the 2023 event.

Fun and food at this Saturday’s Paws 4 A Cause event

Ready for something entirely new? Come watch the Peanut Butter Licking Contest at this Saturday’s Paws 4 A Cause event in Heritage Park in downtown Olympia. The four-hour event is both a … more

By Danny Stusser | 5/1/24 | 1 comment

An Olympia Water Resources team member inspects a catch basin.

Olympia evaluates money-saving inspection innovation for 7,000+ stormwater catch basins

An Olympia staffer proposed a method to save the city money on inspecting stormwater catch basins. Senior Stormwater Specialist Kane Osstifin told the Olympia Utilities Advisory Committee (UAC) … more

By Jeffrey Westbrook | 4/30/24 | 5 comments

South Sound Stadium would be roaring this summer as FC Olympia is set to bring back USL action home.

FC Olympia to stay in South Sound Stadium for 2024 USL home games, announces USL provisional squad, new kit, and more USL deets

FC Olympia confirmed on its website that their home pitch for the 2024 USL2 and USL W League summer competitions would still be at South Sound Stadium in North Thurston High School in the heart of … more

By Vince Zafra | 4/30/24

The Port of Olympia held a town hall meeting with Executive Director Alexandra Smith on April 24.

New port director open to conversations about future of downtown marine terminal

The Port of Olympia’s new executive director, Alexandra Smith, addressed dozens of questions last week, including about the marine terminal’s profitability and said she supports having … more

By Jerome Tuaño and Danny Stusser | 4/30/24 | 11 comments

The Olympia Host Lions Club maintains this Sensory Garden for our low-vision and blind community. Pictured is Lisa Ikeda, Lions District Governor, on Earth Day.

What a fun place to live, from volunteers planting trees, Procession of the Species to rummage sales

I am a little late with this information, but Earth Day was a big success in our communities. Trees hold a special place in my heart, so Earth Day is one of my favorite holidays, and clearly, I am … more

By Kathleen Anderson | 4/30/24 | 2 comments

Proposed Changes to Parking Meter Times This cartoonized map shows the existing parking meter time limits downtown. All blocks shown in green currently have 3-hour meters, while those in purple are 2-hour meters. The Olympia Parking Services proposes turning all two-hour meters into three hours to provide flexibility for businesses and visitors in the downtown area.

Olympia considering expanding parking enforcement hours

Olympia's Parking Services Program proposed several changes to downtown parking to address community concerns and serve local businesses and visitors better. Parking Service Program specialist … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/29/24 | 7 comments

Olympia-born Braxton Claridy represents the Evergreen State College in the men’s 200 meters.

Geoducks perform last few laps at CWU Invitational ahead of Conference Championships

In the lead-up for the upcoming Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) Championships in early May, the Evergreen State College Track and Field team battled for their homestretch outdoor meets and … more

By Vince Zafra | 4/29/24

A six-time felon with an arrest warrant for selling illegal narcotics was arrested after he attempted to flee from law enforcement.

Felon wanted for selling narcotics arrested

A six-time felon wanted for selling narcotics was arrested near Black Hill High School after trying to flee from law enforcement on April 24, according to Thurston County Sheriff’s Office … more

By Darlanne Cruz | 4/29/24 | 1 comment

Attendees of the Olympia School District meeting can be seen rejoicing last night, April 25, 2024, as Superintendent Patrick Murphy recommended the removal of school closures as an option to save money.

Madison, McKenny to remain open as Olympia School Board rules out closures

The Olympia School District (OSD) Board expressed no objections to Superintendent Patrick Murphy’s recommendation of excluding school closure as an option to supplement the district’s … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/26/24 | 5 comments

At the Land Use and Environment meeting held Thursday, April 25, 2024, Olympia's associate planner Casey Schaufler mentioned that fewer than 10 miles of streets are located within a 15-minute walk of many neighborhood centers.

Olympia's neighborhood centers ‘have not developed as envisioned,’ consultants say

At Olympia's Land Use and Environment Committee meeting, Olympia associate planner Casey Schaufler presented the market analysis on neighborhood centers, which analyzed 12 existing centers and … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/26/24 | 13 comments

At Wednesday's Community Livability and Public Safety meeting, Daisha Versaw, Economic Development senior program specialist, mentioned that Creative District is home to over 150 creative businesses in Olympia.

Olympia's Creative District seeks a second certification from Arts Commission

Olympia is seeking recertification for the Creative District from the Washington State Arts Commission to further support the local creative sector in the next five years. more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/26/24 | 1 comment

A bus pulling into the Intercity Transit bus stop in Olympia

Intercity Transit to bring services closer to pre-pandemic levels

Intercity Transit announced the enhancement to their bus services, with getting closer to pre-pandemic level of service as their goal. The transit authority outlined a series of adjustments … more

By Darlanne Cruz | 4/26/24 | 3 comments

Joey Jones, Olympia's project engineer with the Public Works, spoke at the Finance Committee on Monday, April 22, 2024. He gave an overview of the city transportation projects planned for the next several years.

Olympia councilmember seeks bolder transportation reforms to align with climate goals

Olympia Councilmember Clark Gilman is challenging city staff to pursue bolder transportation reforms to make progress on climate and mobility goals. Joey Jones, the city’s Public Works … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/25/24 | 7 comments

The Deschutes River flows at Brewery Park in Tumwater, Washington.

Non-profit launches initiative that would grant rights to Deschutes Watershed

Nonprofit Standing for Washington has launched a campaign in Olympia and Tumwater to advocate for the rights of the Deschutes Watershed. The non-profit began gathering signatures on Friday, … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/25/24 | 6 comments

The Puget Sound Estuarium online bidding started on April 19 and will end on April 26 at 10 PM. The Open House will be held during the Olympia Arts Walk on April 26 from 6 PM to 9 PM.

Estuarium’s benefit auction ends tomorrow

Friday, April 26, is the final day for online bidders to participate in the Puget Sound Estuarium's Annual Benefit Auction, which started on April 19. The week-long event will culminate in an … more

By Darlanne Cruz | 4/25/24

Teachers and paraeducators are crucial to a child's education. They are, however, sometimes unappreciated.

Olympia School District to celebrate Teacher’s Appreciation Week, May 6 - 10

The Olympia School District Board declared May 6 to 10 as Teacher’s Appreciation Week through a proclamation signed on Thursday, April 11. The proclamation highlighted that teachers work … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/24/24

Corona Parker competing in the high jump in the PLU invite last March.

Evergreen State’s Corona Parker dazzles in CCC Multi-event Championships

Graduate student-athlete Corona Parker broke school and personal records in track and field while representing Evergreen State College last Friday, April 19. This athletic feat was at the two-day … more

By Vince Zafra | 4/24/24

Eli Cole, Olympia Facility manager, spoke at the Finance Committee meeting on Monday, April 22, 2024, about the recent facility assessment, which uncovered 260 deficiencies in 16 municipal buildings.

Olympia's facilities assessment finds 260 deficiencies; city projecting replacement costs for the next 20 years

Olympia Facility Manager Eli Cole presented findings of the recent facility assessment, which uncovered 260 deficiencies across the city's 16 municipal buildings over the past six years, with an … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/23/24 | 4 comments

The Olympia School District Board had a work session last Thursday, April 18, 2024, to discuss enrollment, staffing, and budget updates.

Olympia School District projects 8,897 students for fall

Olympia School District (OSD)’s Executive Director of Business & Finance, Kate Davis, discussed the current enrollment, staffing, and budget updates with the OSD Board at a Thursday … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/23/24 | 1 comment

The Olympia Design Review Board met on April 4, 2024, and produced a Detail Design Review recommendation for a proposed one-story commercial space at 4336 Martin Way E Olympia.

Design approved for proposed barbecue restaurant on Martin Way

The Olympia Design Review Board approved a Detail Design Review recommendation for the proposed Dickerson South Bay BBQ restaurant during its Thursday, April 11 meeting. more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/23/24