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

Olympia’s Housing Programs held its third public meeting about Quince Street Village on June 13, 2022.

Quince Street Village, Olympia's new homeless camp, to open a few weeks late -- but soon

As preparation for the new site is almost complete, Olympia Housing Programs manager Darian Lightfoot said yesterday that residents would begin to move to Quince Street Village by July or … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/14/22

TRPC eyeing a big portion of $75 million Move Ahead Washington fund to fix I-5 Nisqually River bridges

Thurston Regional Planning Council Executive Director Marc Daily wants over $54 million of the $75 million appropriations from the Move Ahead Washington fund to fix the Nisqually River Delta … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/13/22

The Juneteenth flag was created in 1977 by Ben Haith, founder of the National Juneteenth Celebration Foundation, and illustrator Lisa Jeanne Graf.

Lacey city hall to fly Juneteenth Flag this weekend

The Lacey City Council approved the recommendation of the city’s Commission on Equity to fly the Juneteenth Flag at City Hall this weekend from June 18 to19. The council also discussed the … more

By JC Medina | 6/13/22

Quince Street Village will occupy a property that was formerly a Quality Inn. It is located immediately off of Interstate 5, Exit 105 southbound.

Downtown homeless camp relocation to be focus of community meeting this Monday

Olympia is hosting a public online meeting on Monday, June 13, at 5:30 p.m., to inform the public about moving the Mitigation Site camp for the homeless from its present location on the corner of … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 6/10/22

We are lucky to have rain

It’s been a difficult spring in the garden. It’s been so wet, plants that usually get powdery mildew in mid-August were afflicted in May. Ditto rust, and apparently every other fungus … more

By Jill Severn | 6/10/22 | 3 comments

What's happening coming up?

Cascadia Mosaic Collective: Sat., May 14 through Sat., June 25, 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. Cascadia Mosaic Collective is a group of Pacific Northwest based artists who practice within and beyond the … more

6/10/22

Shown above, l-r: Constance Dodds, Senior Regional Partnerships Manager at WGU Washington, Alicia Dufay, Ben Dufay (Alicia's husband), Angela Condon, Strategic Partnerships Manager - Military Outreach at WGU and Brendan Chertok, Principal of Garfield Elementary School.

Local teacher awarded surprise scholarship

An Olympia teacher received a scholarship in a surprise visit from Western Governors University (WGU) earlier today at her school. Garfield Elementary School Grade 2 Alicia Dufay had a visit from … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 6/9/22

This is the iconic sign+wall at the Thurston County Courthouse

County Court to reconsider fines

Thurston County will hold a Legal Financial Obligation (LFO) Reconsideration Day on August 15, Monday, at the Thurston County Courthouse for community members who may have problems paying their … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 6/9/22 | 4 comments

Olympia Site Plan reviewed Olympic Capitol Growth’s plans to build60 townhomes off of Sleater-Kinney Road NE during its meeting on June 8, 2022.

Olympia Site Plan hears 60-townhome project proposal

Olympia Site Plan Committee yesterday heard Olympic Capital Growth's proposal to build 60 townhomes on a five-acre parcel near North Thurston High School, just west of Sleater-Kinney Road … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/9/22

The Thurston County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) officially proclaimed the month of June as Pride Month during its regular meeting on Tuesday, June 7.

County Commissioners proclaim June Pride Month

The Thurston County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) unanimously proclaimed the month of June as Pride Month during its regular meeting Tuesday, June 7. The BOCC’s proclamation urged Thurston … more

By JC Medina | 6/9/22

The Tumwater General Government Committee reviewed the proposed amendments for the Tumwater Municipal Code (TMC) prior to the submission to the City Council’s consent agenda.

Tumwater mulls tweaking municipal code

The Tumwater General Government Committee reviewed the proposed amendments for the Tumwater Municipal Code (TMC) prior to submitting them to the City Council. During yesterday’s meeting, … more

By JC Medina | 6/9/22

Three lesser-known bird species that are among the most interesting

The Swainson’s Thrush is a migratory species that winters from southern Mexico south into South America. They typically return and begin to sing the first week of June. This song is one of my … more

By George Walter | 6/9/22 | 1 comment

Raven Cruz, Transportation Choices Coalition operations manager,  said the group advocates for increasing transit service in Washington State.

Olympia proclaims June 2022 Ride Transit Month

The Olympia City Council approved a proclamation designating June 2022 as Ride Transit Month. The proclamation, signed by city council members yesterday, endorses the Transportation Choices … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/8/22

The city received a $2 million grant from the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board for the Fones Road improvement project.

Olympia receives state grants to complete Fones Road, bike corridor

Olympia City Manager Jay Burney reported the city was awarded a total of $2.3 million in grants for the completion of Fones Road improvements and Downtown Corridor projects. Fones Road … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/8/22 | 1 comment

Multiple firearms, drugs found in stolen truck

Thurston County Sheriff’s deputies found multiple firearms and narcotics in a truck plying Marvin Road last Friday. In a social media post , the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office said … more

By Julia Ornedo | 6/8/22

Lacey must prepare an annual TIP and submit it to the Washington State Department of Transportation and Thurston Regional Planning Council by July 31 each year.

Lacey proposes transportation improvement budget for the next six years

The City of Lacey discussed its six-year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and budget, amounting to $194.4M, during its Transportation Committee meeting yesterday. Lacey Transportation … more

By JC Medina | 6/8/22

A view of the public swimming area at Long Lake in Lacey, in happier days when the water quality was better and lifeguards were on duty.

Swim at your own risk: No lifeguards at Lacey’s Long Lake for third year in a row

As the City of Lacey reopens its summer activities after two years of pandemic lockdown, it currently faces a staff shortage, specifically on lifeguards, members of the Community Relations and Public … more

By JC Medina | 6/7/22

The City of Lacey and Paymentus, an electronic billing platform, are working on a new online payment portal that the residents can access to settle their utility bills conveniently.

Lacey mulls new online payment portal for utility bills

The City of Lacey and Paymentus, an electronic billing platform, are working on a new online payment portal that residents can access to make their utility bill payments … more

By JC Medina | 6/7/22 | 1 comment

At the Community Livability and Public Safety meeting held May 26, 2022, Diversity, Equity and Inclusive program manager Toby Hill-Meyer discussed a proposed resolution that would bring to the city council.

Olympia’s DEI committee sends proposed policy to city council to protect BIPOC, trans- and non-binary people

During the Community Livability and Public Safety meeting held last Thursday, May 26, Olympia’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusive (DEI) program manager Tobi Hill-Meyer said a proposed resolution … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 6/6/22

CDBG’s revolving loan programs will focus on supporting housing-improvement activities such as rehabilitating single-family homes and apartment buildings that are rented to low-income community members.

Olympia reopens loan program to repair low-income rented homes

Olympia announced in a press release that it has reinstated its Rental Rehabilitation Revolving Loan Fund, which provides loans to rehabilitate homes being rented by low-income community members … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 6/6/22