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

Tumwater city council members Leatta Dahlhoff and Joan Cathey questioned how Thurston Strong benefits entrepreneurs in their city.

Tumwater city council questions allocation of Thurston Strong funds

Tumwater city council questions allocation of Thurston Strong funds Doubts expressed on how it is used By Jerome Tuaño Members of Tumwater’s city council questioned the benefits … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/21/22

A roofer working on a roof with no fall protection.

LNI fines Olympia roofer for hazardous practice

Washington State Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) called out Olympia company United Roofing Solutions, Inc. for putting its workers at risk. “United is showing intentional … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 9/21/22

County wants the public’s thoughts on aid funds

Thurston County is seeking public input on which sectors should be allocated with $10 million worth of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, meant to be used for public health and economic … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 9/16/22

At a meeting September 7, 2022, PBIA staff liaison Max DeJarnatt updated the advisory board on the unexpended 2022 budget.

Surplus money from underspending 2022 budget in Olympia committee

The Olympia Parking and Business Improvement Board (PBIA) is underspending its 2022 budget, according to its staff liaison Max DeJarnatt. For 2022, the city has allocated $135,000 for PBIA's … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/12/22 | 2 comments

At the presubmission conference on Wednesday, September 7, 2022, Olympia's Site Planning Committee reviewed a proposed project that would provide a duplex and six cottage units at 908 Chambers Street SE.

Duplex and cottage housing development proposed on Chambers Street

Olympia's Site Plan Review Committee held a presubmission conference on a proposed project to build a duplex and six cottage housing at 908 Chambers Street SE on Wednesday, September 7. In a … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/12/22

Tumwater Starbucks workers are holding a strike this weekend.

Starbucks workers at Tumwater location announce two-day strike

In response to Starbucks’ continued union-busting practices, Starbucks workers from the Capitol Blvd and Trosper St. locations are going on a two-day strike. Workers from this store, located at … more

9/8/22 | 2 comments

Support your local artists this weekend in Tenino

Pablo Picasso once said, “The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.” This weekend you can take a bath from the daily humdrum by visiting the Creative Market … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 9/8/22

At Olympia Site Plan Review Committee meeting held on September 7, 2022, Artisans Group presented the floor plan for a three-story office building at 521 Capitol Way that would be transformed into mixed-use commercial building.

Old building in review for a mixed-use commercial space Capitol Way in Olympia

Olympia Site Plan Review Committee reviewed the possible adaptive reuse of a three-story office building at 521 Capitol Way S Wednesday, September 7. Project Architect Roussa Cassel said the … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/8/22 | 2 comments

Thurston Economic Development Council names Heidi McCutcheon as Operations Director

The Thurston Economic Development Council (EDC) has named Heidi McCutcheon as Operations Director. The Operations Director is a critical leadership position at the EDC. In her role, … more

9/1/22

A map of downtown Olympia with the locations of the city's parking meters.

Update of Olympia parking using PaybyPhone app or usual methods

Olympia is shifting its parking meters to provide more payment options to motorists parking downtown. The city provided an instructional video on the new kiosks that have been installed in the … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 8/29/22

Becker Homes LLC presented its 21-unit apartment proposal at 506 Kaiser Road SW during the presubmission conference at the Site Plan Review Committee held August 24, 2022.

Olympia Site Plan Committee reviews proposed 21-unit apartment project on Kaiser Road

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee yesterday held a presubmission conference for a project proposal for a 21-unit apartment at 506 Kaiser Road SW. Architect Brett Lindsay said the project is a … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 8/25/22 | 1 comment

The ordinance seeks to assist the city with locating owners of abandoned/vacant properties, require registration of these properties annually, have a current local representative or contract of the owner, property manager, or agency who has a vested interest in the property and maintain the property per the city's codes, laws, and ordinances.

Vacant and abandoned properties in Olympia now subject to registration

The Olympia City Council approved an ordinance establishing a vacant property registration program, a move that will create a database to identify vacant properties and address squatting on these … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 8/24/22 | 3 comments

Attending community members walk out as Lacey City Council adopted the hearings examiner’s recommendation on August 18, 2022, to approve the two proposed residential projects along Hicks Lake, which would provide more than 300 housing units.

Lacey okays plans for 300 residences at Hicks Lake

The Lacey City Council has adopted the hearings examiner’s recommendation to approve two proposed residential projects along Hicks Lake, which are planned to include more than 300 housing … more

By JC Medina | 8/19/22 | 3 comments

Northbound lanes of Littlerock Road SW and the east-west shopping center access road will be closed at the intersection in the 5300-5400 block of Littlerock Road SW, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, August 20 to 7:30 a.m., Sunday, August 21.

Littlerock Road closed Saturday night

Tumwater construction crews will close the northbound lanes of Littlerock Road SW and the east-west shopping center access road from 7:30 p.m., Saturday, August 20, to 7:30 a.m., Sunday, August … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 8/18/22

Olympia’s Parking and Business Improvement Area (PBIA) Advisory Board met on August 17 to elect their 13th member.

Kyle Ann Radanovic added to Olympia’s downtown business advisory board

Olympia’s Parking and Business Improvement Area (PBIA) Advisory Board elected Kyle Ann Radanovic as its 13th member yesterday. Before the election, the board only had 12 members. They needed … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/18/22

At the Site Plan Committee meeting held Wednesday, August 17, 2022, Anderson Architect presented the plan to build a studio for Dance West Academy at 1525 Palomino Drive SE.

Studio West Dance Academy seeks to build a studio in south Olympia

The Olympia Site Plan Committee reviewed a project proposal yesterday, including constructing a new building for Studio West Dance Academy at 1525 Palomino Drive SE. In a proposal submitted by … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 8/18/22

The Port of Olympia Citizens Advisory Committee met on August 16 to talk about the lack of membership applications for the committee.

Still no applicants for Port of Olympia citizens advisory committee

There are still no new membership applications for the under-filled Port of Olympia Citizens Advisory Committee (POCAC). There are currently only four members on the committee after the terms of … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/17/22 | 6 comments

The Tumwater Planning Commission met on August 10 to review the proposed revisions to Ordinance No. O2022-013.

Tumwater’s Planning Commission is working on recommendations to city building codes and regulations

The Tumwater Planning Commission went through proposed revisions to Ordinance No. O2022-013, which is intended to make minor corrections to the city’s development regulations. During its … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 8/10/22

The City of Lacey is mulling updating its Municipal Code 16.36 related to the Neighborhood Commercial Zone following concerns against the decision to approve the controversial Meridian Gas Station.

Lacey considering updates to its neighborhood Zone rules following Meridian gas station decision

Lacey is mulling updating its Municipal Code 16.36 related to the Neighborhood Commercial Zone following in the wake of the controversial Meridian Gas Station’s approval. During the … more

By JC Medina | 8/4/22

Provisions of the Tumwater Municipal Code relating to planned unit development (PUD) were revised at a Tumwater city council meeting on August 1.

Tumwater amends certain multi-unit development regulations to measure its public benefits

Several provisions of the Tumwater Municipal Code relating to planned unit development (PUD) were revised yesterday, August 1, after the Tumwater City Council approved Ordinance No. O2022-006, which … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/2/22