Browse | The JOLT News Organization, a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit

At a Tuesday, April 9, 2024 meeting, the Olympia City Council did not adopt the proposed code amendment for drive-though.

Olympia City Council votes down proposal to allow drive-throughs on Plum Street

After almost an hour of discussing options for balancing housing, climate goals, safety, and health, the Olympia City Council voted not to adopt the proposed amendment to allow drive-throughs on Plum … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/11/24 | 4 comments

Tumwater City Council and Planning Commission members, along with citizens, listen to City Planning Manager Brad Medrud (right center of photo, in black jacket) pointing out features of a new development, Forest Park Townhomes, in a tour of existing middle housing. The tour serves to provide ideas as the city updates its Comprehensive Plan.

Tumwater Council, Planning Commission tours housing options

The Tumwater City Council and Planning Commission took to the road in a joint work session on Tuesday, April 9, to look at existing approaches to housing developments in the city and in Olympia. … more

By Jeffrey Westbrook | 4/11/24 | 2 comments

A smokestack emitting smoke, common in many factories.

Washington Department of Ecology launches anonymous air quality survey for those affected by pollution

The Washington Department of Ecology (DOE) launches Air Quality Program aiming to gather input from residents regarding air pollution and its impacts on the community. Despite the enactment of … more

By Darlanne Cruz | 4/11/24 | 1 comment

Ethan Guidry is GNAC player of the week after his performance in the men’s javelin throw.

Guidry leads SMU track and field in impressive John Knight Twilight showing

The Saint Martin’s University Track and Field team had one of their best track meets this outdoor season so far. The men’s team collectively finished fifth out of 13 schools, and the … more

By Vince Zafra | 4/11/24

Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders (2nd from the left) met Thurston’s Board of County Commissioners yesterday, April 10, 2024, to share updates on its planned aviation program.

Thurston County Sheriff working to procuring helicopter exclusive to search, rescue, and pursuit missions

“Thurston County Sheriff's Office (TCSO) is the 5th largest sheriff's office in the state. All four sheriff's offices that are larger than us have aviation programs,” Thurston County … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/11/24 | 7 comments

Flaco, an escaped Eurasian eagle-owl, in Central Park

Early April meandering thoughts

The Schmidt House hosts a monthly series of talks, and last week, I was the speaker. I had a PowerPoint presentation ready, and the slides provoked a great, wide-ranging discussion about birds. I … more

By George Walter | 4/11/24

Homeless for over a year in Olympia, Destiny gets herself ready for her day.

They still are homeless

For the past 15 months, I have been engaged in photographically documenting the homeless in Olympia for The JOLT and national media . As such, I have had the opportunity to meet and talk with … more

By JM Simpson | 4/11/24 | 15 comments

The estimated annual cost for Tumwater to implement body-worn cameras comes to $534,771, most of which would be primarily used to support additional personnel.

Tumwater Police seeking funding for body cameras

Tumwater Police Department is looking to secure funding from the city to implement the usage of body-worn cameras. Commander Jay Mason discussed this proposal with the Tumwater Public Health and … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/10/24

Christa Lenssen, Olympia's Housing Program senior specialist, presented a chart from the Washington State Department of Commerce reflecting the correlation that homelessness also rose when rental prices increased.

Olympia modifies, extends rental housing regulations

In a unanimous vote, the Olympia City Council approved a first reading that would lead to additional rental housing policies with some tweaks on key elements. The additional elements would … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/10/24 | 11 comments

Fire Chief Brian Hurley briefed the Tumwater Public Health and Safety Committee about the city’s new comprehensive emergency management plan.

Tumwater committee recommends new emergency management plan

Tumwater Public Health and Safety Committee endorsed to its city council Tuesday, April 9, a resolution updating its comprehensive emergency management plan (CEMP). more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/10/24

The shooting suspect fled the scene, chased by authorities and collided with another vehicle.

Police pursuit ends in collision on I-5

A shooting suspect who fled from the scene was chased by law enforcement, which resulted in a collision on Interstate 5. This information was released on April 7. In a post by Thurston County … more

By Darlanne Cruz | 4/10/24 | 2 comments

April is about volunteer appreciation and stress awareness

Every April since 1974, Global Volunteer Month is a time to recognize volunteers and people who actively support their communities, whether through volunteerism or other elements around the Points of Light Civic Circle®... more

By Kathleen Anderson | 4/10/24 | 1 comment

Puget Sound Energy’s Senior Local Government Affairs Representative Kristine Rompa (right) briefed Thurston’s Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) for the facility’s features and goals.

Puget Sound Energy aims to be carbon-neutral by 2030

“Climate change is an existential threat that cannot be ignored, and we are doing our part to move further and faster to save our planet,” said Puget Sound Energy (PSE) President and CEO … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/9/24 | 5 comments

Barnes Lake Management District Steering Committee met on Wednesday, April 3, to talk about the sole responder for the lake’s new environmental consultant.

Tumwater’s search for Barnes Lake’s new environmental consultant yields one response

Bellingham-based aquatic management firm AquaTechnex was the sole responder to Tumwater’s search for a new firm to manage and monitor the vegetation on Barnes Lake more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/9/24 | 1 comment

Woman holding a paintbrush up that color explodes out of it. Creativity in art concept image.

Enterprise for Equity supports entrepreneurship through 'Art-Preneur' program

Enterprise for Equity, a nonprofit based in Olympia, is launching a new program called "Art-Preneur" and it's being supported in part by a federal grant administered by the City of Olympia. … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/9/24

Olympia Mayor Bill Daley is shown in Washington, D.C., circa 1987, fifth from left holding the All-American City Award from the National League of Cities. Others shown, from left, include business owner Rob Panowicz, former city manager Dick Cushing, city councilmember Holly Gadbaw, Olympia Chamber of Commerce president Jim Krinbring, Olympia public information specialist Karen Goettling and city housing director Ken Black.

Former Olympia Mayor Bill Daley’s memorial this Saturday

The public is invited to visit former Olympia Mayor William “Bill” Daley’s memorial service this Saturday, April 13, from 2 – 5 p.m. at the Indian Summer Golf Course. … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/9/24

Conundrum of decisions concept photo. A black man in an orange shirt is pensive and worried with many arrows going in many directions.

Healthcare bills that passed the Legislature this year -- and what you can do for your health

The Lown Institute Fair Share Spending Report, 2024 healthcare legislative wrap-up, What do they mean and what can you do? more

By Debra L. Glasser, M.D. | 4/9/24 | 2 comments

Assault at Thurston County Jail lands inmate in critical condition

Late in the evening on March 29, a Thurston County Jail inmate assaulted another inmate, leaving the victim with life-threatening injuries. According to the Thurston County Sheriff’s … more

By Darlanne Cruz | 4/9/24 | 1 comment

Police Blotter for Monday, April 8, 2024

Thurston County Sheriff’s Office On 4/8/24 at 3:02 PM in the 17400 block of Moon Road SW Rochester, Sheriff’s deputies arrested Shelena Rena Jones, 33, on suspicions of 1) 1 st … more

4/9/24

Procurement Coordinator Jeff Peterson briefed Intercity Transit’s (IT) board of directors about a new contract with Day Wireless Systems.

Intercity Transit extends contract with wireless communications vendor

Intercity Transit’s (IT) board of directors authorized General Manager Emily Bergkamp to execute a $275,000 purchase order with Day Wireless Systems to provide digital radio communications for … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/8/24