Olympia, WA
Cloudy, 58° F Get the full forecast
TOP STORIES

Lacey considers expansion plans for Regional Athletic Complex

Lacey's Director of Parks provided a comprehensive update to the city council regarding the Regional Athletic Complex (RAC) Phase 3 Design Concept on Tuesday, April 23.  Jen Burbidge …
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 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 …
Read more.
The Deschutes River flows at Brewery Park in Tumwater, Washington.
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, …
Read more.
Lacey City Hall
Lacey recently received a SolSmart Silver designation for its efforts to advance solar energy initiatives in the city. According to the city’s press release, Lacey was recognized for …
Read more.
Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders (second from the left) discussed the possible acquisition of two systems at a work session with the Board of County Commissioners yesterday, April 24, 2024.
To aid in vehicle pursuits, the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) discussed the possible acquisition of vehicle-mounted GPS launchers and police bumpers. At a work session with the …
Read more.
This close-up is of the Common Yellowthroat Warbler.
Sitting at my computer on a rainy day (good for gardens, but not for bird watching), I’m thinking about migrating warbler species that are arriving daily in our territory. These insect-eating …
Read more.
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.
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 …
Read more.
Dr. Justin Ainsworth, one of the finalists, is associate superintendent in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District in Palmer, Alaska.
Dr. Justin Ainsworth, the newly hired and incoming superintendent of North Thurston School District (NTSD), has announced his resignation, triggering a new round of interviews to fill the post. …
Read more.
One of the possible locations of the community center is a site near Tumwater Boulevard and I-5.
Tumwater city staff is considering four locations for a proposed community center, Parks and Recreation Director Chuck Denney told the Parks and Recreation Commission on Wednesday, April 17. The …
Read more.
A hand picks up a book from a shelf in a library.
Thurston County Public Works has announced the temporary closure of book donation bins at its drop-box facilities in Rainier and Rochester and the Waste and Recovery Center (WARC) in Lacey. This …
Read more.
Chinook salmon swimming in a river
Washington State Governor Jay Inslee signed into law the House Bill 2293, sponsored by Representative J.T. Wilcox, which aims to establish the Avian Salmon Predation Work Group. The workgroup, …
Read more.
Yellow radiation hazard sign due to Radon Gas
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has announced the 2024 Northwest Radon Poster Contest's young winners.  Aimed at nine to fourteen-year-old artists, the competition aims to …
Read more.
Teachers and paraeducators are crucial to a child's education. They are, however, sometimes unappreciated.
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 …
Read more.
Corona Parker competing in the high jump in the PLU invite last March.
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 …
Read more.
Kathleen Anderson portrait
I think the worst thing about any chronic disease is the unpredictability of the attacks. Never knowing when it will raise its nasty head means never being able to plan, to be able to commit. Still, …
Read more.
Life
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.

A city staff presentation from February 2023 showed the impact of the fire on the Brewmaster’s house.

Restoration of Brewmaster’s House in Tumwater almost complete

The restoration and repair of the partially burnt Brewmaster’s House is nearing completion, pending further ceiling and wallpaper work, Parks and Facilities Manager Stan Osborn told the …
Operations Manager Jeremy Davis briefed the Board of County Commissioners about an ordinance restructuring the Fair Board.

County commissioners restructure Fair Board

On Tuesday, April 16, the Board of County Commissioners approved an ordinance amending the county code to restructure the Fair Board, a citizen-led group that helps coordinate the county fairgrounds …
Eli Sterling, organizer of Procession of the Species, attended the Thurston Board of County Commissioners meeting on April 16, 2024 to receive the Earth Day proclamation.

Earth Day: County commissioners urge engagement in activities

The Thurston Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) officially proclaimed April 22 as Earth Day, urging residents to participate in various events to foster environmental awareness and sustainability. …

Read more Life stories

Police Blotter

Police Blotter for Thursday, April 25, 2024

Thurston County Sheriff’s Office On 4/25/24 at 8:37 PM in the 2500 block of 113 th Way SW, Sheriff’s deputies arrested Kenneth Harold Hester, 54, on suspicion of harassment. On …

Read more crime coverage

FREE NEWS - SUBSCRIBE HERE
Expect wonderful things from JOLT, every morning in your inbox.
 
And please note, we'll never sell your contact info.
 
Thanks!
 
 
 
Opinions: Yours & our columnists
BURNOUT: Significance for healthcare and society
There has been much in the news about healthcare worker burnout. Burnout has resulted in crisis-level losses of staff and expertise since before COVID-19, which the pandemic exacerbated. Addressing …
Paul R. Webb – Lacey Historian of the Year 2024
The Lacey Historical Society has announced that one of its members, retired firefighter Paul R. Webb, has been selected as Ken Balsley Lacey Historian of the Year for 2024. Trustee Margie Worden …
Is it time to plant tomatoes?
We had a run of soil-warming sun this week, and now we’re in the high season of spring. Shovels and rakes are getting a workout, seed and plant sales are booming, and gardeners are waking up …
East Slope Birding
Introduction – In 2023 Liam Hutcheson located and documented 378 bird species in Washington, a new state record. I have asked Liam to tell write accounts of some of Washington birding places …
After both parents are gone
It is always a difficult time in one’s life when you lose a parent. You look to them to be there for you and expect them to be around forever. But when the surviving parent dies, you begin …

Read more perspectives

Calendar of events
Olympia headlines
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 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 …
The Olympia School District Board had a work session last Thursday, April 18, 2024, to discuss enrollment, staffing, and budget updates.
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 …
The South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) invites everyone to its inaugural Career & Transfer Fair on Wednesday, May 15, 2024.
The South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) invites everyone to its inaugural Career & Transfer Fair on Wednesday, May 15. Interested community members may visit SPSCC's Olympia Campus …
At the city council meeting on April 16, 2024, Olympia Parking Services Program specialist Chelsea Baker explained the challenges of maintaining an 85% occupancy rate on a downtown block with 29 parking stalls home to 22 businesses and 107 apartment units.
Olympia's Parking Service Program specialist, Chelsea Baker, presented the city's plan to improve downtown parking, outlining strategy aims to serve drivers, pedestrians, and local businesses. …
Olympia is installing signs similar to this on all city vehicles.
The Olympia City Council recognized an initiative to display veteran suicide prevention vehicle emblems on all city vehicles as the city's way of supporting and raising awareness of suicide …

Read more Olympia coverage

Tumwater headlines
Tumwater City Council authorized the contracts of EXP US Services Inc. and Fehr & Peers to work on separate components of the city’s 2025 comprehensive plan.
Tumwater City Council approved the contract of two consultants to develop the climate element and the transportation plan of the 2025 comprehensive plan. The contracts were approved as part of the …
This image, taken from the northbound side of Old Highway 99, shows the Meeker Oak's proximity to the historic airplane hangar at Olympia Regional Airport.
The Tumwater Historic Preservation Commission unanimously voted on Thursday, April 18, to recommend keeping the Davis-Meeker Oak on the city’s historical register. City staff is currently …
The suspect's vehicle.
Three law enforcement agencies collaborated to collar a felon crossing into Thurston County for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and other charges. Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) …

Read more Tumwater coverage

Thurston County
Water Resources Manager Tim Wilson (leftmost) met with the Board of County Commissioners yesterday, April 22, 2024, to discuss the Stormwater Utility Comprehensive Study.
For 2023, Thurston County’s stormwater facilities delivered 114.15 million gallons of potable water and treated 81.21 million gallons of wastewater, as stated in the agenda document . …
A bus pulling into the Intercity Transit bus stop in Olympia
Intercity Transit’s (IT) board of directors authorized General Manager Emily Bergkamp to purchase five 40-foot hydrogen fuel cell electric buses from New Flyer of America Inc. for $8,950,435 on …
Payments must be submitted by Tuesday, April 30, to avoid late fees mandated by Washington State law.
Thurston County reminds residents that the deadline to pay their 2024 first-half-of-the-year property taxes is Tuesday, April 30. Payments must be submitted by Tuesday, April 30, to avoid late …

Read more Thurston County covergae

Lacey headlines
Destiny Conerly (#5), one of the seniors honored on SMU Seniors’ Day, catches a Nighthawks player out.
The Saint Martin's University softball team paid tribute to the seniors in their final playing year for the Saints with a hard-fought battle against Northwest Nazarene, to which they won once in a …
The scales of Justice represent the idea of decisions reached fairly and objectively by a weighing of evidence.
A man involved in a shooting incident was arrested after he attempted to flee law enforcement by following a high-speed chase that eventually led to the collision with a civilian vehicle on April 7. …
Kayleese Dorfner for Timberline slides home
Timberline High School has always been a tough team to beat, with only one loss.   It was a nice sunny day,  April 15th  Monday at the North Thurston High School, softball …
Chelsea Yarwood, Lacey’s Accounting Manager, explained the city’s Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Program from the Government Finance Officers during the Lacey City Council meeting on April 16, 2024.
The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) honored the City of Lacey with the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Program for its 2022 budget report. During …
Roger Jones, the Community Engagement Director for Family Education Support Services (FES) distributed blue pinwheels to the Lacey Council on April 16, 2024, symbolizing national solidarity in preventing child abuse.
The City of Lacey joined the nation in dedicating April to the prevention of child abuse during its council meeting on April 16. Mayor Andy Ryder, on behalf of the city council, officially …

Read more Lacey coverage

More local news
 Port grants marina tenant Olympia Marine Center LLC option to continue leasing until 2054
The Olympia Marine Center LLC, owned by Austin Rognlin of Rognlin Motorsports and Marine, has been granted an option to remain a tenant of the Port of Olympia until 2054. The Port of Olympia …
Olympia highlights health, environmental and transportation benefits of bicycling
At the Tuesday, April 16, city council meeting, Mayor Dontae Payne signed a proclamation designating May 2024 as Olympia Bicycle Month. The proclamation highlighted the health, environmental and …
County authorizes first Habitat Conservation Plan acquisition of land for Tenino pocket gophers
The Board of County Commissioners approved on Tuesday, April 16, the purchase of a five-acre property for $149,500 so it could use the land for generating mitigation credits. The property, …
Olympia appeals for increased Community Development Block Grant funding amid proposed budget cuts
In light of the proposed cuts to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) fund in the Fiscal Year 2025 national budget, the Olympia City Council urged federal lawmakers to advocate for increasing …
Ports seeks additional funding to continue investigation of Budd Inlet
The Port of Olympia is seeking $6.6 million to complete the investigation into Budd Inlet's contamination, according to Environmental Planning and Programs Director Shawn Gilbertson, who spoke to the …
Olympia developing new business tax audit program
The Olympia City Council, on Tuesday, approved continued work on establishing a new tax audit program, which aims to improve business tax compliance for local establishments operating in the city. …
County joins with Family Support Center to apply for violence against women grant
Thurston’s Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the county and the Family Support Center (FSC) in applying for the Department of …
Olympia Family Theater to run The Wonderful Wizard of Oz starting May 10
The Olympia Family Theater (OFT) invites you to follow the yellow brick road as it proudly presents The Wonderful Wizard of Oz from May 10 to June 2 . Collaborating with String and Shadow Puppet …
Olympia Planning Commission recommending Capital Mall Triangle plan, with amendments
On Monday, April 15, the Olympia Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of the Capital Mall Triangle subarea plan to the Land Use and Environment Committee, with some amendments around …
Three finalists line up for Griffin School District Superintendent position
Griffin School District announced three finalists for its Superintendent position after preliminary interviews witnessed by approximately 30 people online. From 12 applicants, the board picked …

Read more local news

Copyright © 2024 The JOLT News Organization, A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization, EIN 87-2868827. Telephone +1-360-357-1000
Powered by Creative Circle Media Solutions