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

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

Lacey gears up for Juneteenth commemoration

The City of Lacey’s Commission on Equity laid out its initial plans for the 41st Juneteenth Celebration at their May 23 meeting. Lacey Assistant City Manager Shannon Kelley-Fong said Lacey … more

By JC Medina | 5/26/22

Olympia Councilmember Dontae Payne and Rabbi Seth Goldstein thanked the city council for signing two proclamations that support diversity and inclusion of LGBTQ+ group and Jewish Americans in the community.

Anti-semitism condemned, Jews honored and Gay Pride celebrated by Olympia City Council

The Olympia City Council signed a proclamation designating May 2022 as Jewish American Heritage Month on Tuesday, May 24. The proclamation encourages people to condemn anti-semitism and stand with … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 5/26/22

TRL’s Summer Library Program begins June 1

Those looking for a way to enhance their summer through reading, exploring, creating and learning should take part in the Timberland Regional Library Summer Library Program happening June 1-Aug. … more

By Taniah Najih | Timberland Regional Library | 5/26/22

This is a close-up of the Pacific Slope Flycatcher.

Flycatchers

Flycatchers are a family of birds that are fairly common but not well-known. With a little information and willingness to look and listen, you can find and identify several species of … more

By George Walter | 5/26/22 | 1 comment

One of Jennifer Corio and Dave Frei’s artworks, "Leaves of Change." presented at the city council meeting on May 24, 2022.

Artists selected for new work to be placed in Olympia’s Eastside

The Olympia city council has approved the Arts Commission’s recommendation of metal design artists Jennifer Corio and Dave Frei as project artists for the Martin Way Pacific Avenue Art … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 5/25/22

222 Market, a member of Olympia Downtown Alliance, serves locals and tourists with several restaurants and a florist housed together in a converted automobile dealership building.

Olympia Downtown Alliance and the City of Olympia seek community input on a business recruitment and retention strategy

The Olympia Downtown Alliance and the City of Olympia want to hear from the community. Together, they are working on a business recruitment and retention strategy for downtown. The final plan will do … more

5/25/22

Three of Washington's dwindling giants are shown in this photo, taken in the Hoh Rainforest -- which is not part of a planned tree sale.

Environmental group leaders appeal together for county protection of "legacy" trees

Thurston County Commissioners Mejia, Menser, and Edwards: The organizations listed below request that you protect the trees in Capitol State Forest, especially the Legacy Forests within Thurston … more

5/25/22 | 1 comment

"If abortion isn't safe neither are you" and the anarchists' "A" symbol were painted onto this LDS Church in Olympia on Sunday, May 22.

Threatening graffiti sprayed on four churches opposed to abortions

A shadowy anarchist group claimed to have vandalized four “pro-life” churches in Olympia last Sunday with spray-painted threatening messages. A post on the website Abolition Media … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. and Danny Stusser | 5/24/22 | 2 comments

This was Ensign Road on July 9, 2021. Another periodic cleanup is scheduled for May 25, 2022.

Ensign Road closed tomorrow

Ensign Road from Martin Way to Providence Mother Joseph Care Center will be closed off from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. tomorrow, May 25, according to an Olympia press release. Both lanes of Ensign Road will … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 5/24/22 | 2 comments

Land Use and Environment Committee was briefed on the housing and homelessness situation in Olympia during its recent meeting on Thursday, May 19.

More than a third of Oly households pay more than 30% of income for housing, city says

Community Planning and Development program analyst Max DeJarnatt said 37.3% of households are cost-burdened and more than 15% of those are severely cost-burdened. According to DeJarnatt during the … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 5/23/22

Olivia Salazar de Breaux is the new Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Specialist of the Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation Department.

Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation makes equity, inclusion ‘top priority’

The Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation Department (PAR) is putting the Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Program of 2022 as its “highest priority,” Parks Director Paul Simmons said at its … more

By JC Medina | 5/23/22 | 5 comments

Olympia City manager Jay Burney and Finance Director Aaron BeMiller updated finance committee members during the committee meeting held on Wednesday, May 18, 2022

'Bow waves' expected to hit Olympia budget in 2023

Olympia will see a continuation of costs for homelessness, climate, solid waste, and crisis response programs amounting to $2.2 million in 2023, Finance Director Aaron BeMiller said. … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 5/20/22 | 1 comment

Olympia’s Land Use and Environment Committee discussed developing three rental policy measures during its meeting on May 19, 2022.

Olympia committee seeks to legislate rent-increase notices, limit move-in costs

Olympia’s Land Use and Environment Committee wants to bring three rental policy measures to the city council to provide immediate relief to renters. In a meeting held on Thursday, … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 5/20/22 | 6 comments

Dr. Dimyana Abdelmalek, Thurston County Health Officer.

CDC ups Thurston County COVID Level to 'Medium'

Hello Thurston County! Our COVID-19 transmission rates continue to rise and we are seeing an increased number of COVID-19 outbreaks in Thurston County. Yesterday, the Centers for Disease Control … more

5/20/22

The Lacey City Council, meeting with the North Thurston Public Schools board, is shown on May 17, 2022 exploring a partnership with the South Sound YMCA regarding the feasibility of an indoor Young Child and Family Center.

Lacey mulls a shared community/learning/aquatics center for children and families

The Lacey City Council is exploring a three-way partnership with North Thurston Public Schools (NTPS) and the South Sound YMCA to explore the feasibility of an indoor Young Child and Family … more

By JC Medina | 5/20/22 | 1 comment

Gardening Lessons from Ukraine

A startling image appeared on TV news last week: in the foreground a patch of brilliant red tulips bloomed; just behind them a Ukrainian house lay in ruins. In the aftermath of brutal violence, the … more

By Jill Severn | 5/20/22 | 1 comment

This close-up portrait is of a Mourning Dove

Doves and pigeons (but not owls)

Doves and pigeons are birds that, for the most part, can be found out in the open and sitting on wires. And they are good-sized – no squinting at tiny songbirds this week. The first bird to … more

By George Walter | 5/19/22

Olympia City Council celebrates Asian, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islands American Heritage Month

The Olympia City Council proclaimed May 2022 as Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Americans (ANHPIA) Heritage Month, to pay tribute to the contributions of this community group to American … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 5/19/22

Tumwater annexes 11 parcels into city

City staff urged Tumwater's city leaders to make annexing twelve "islands" a top priority for the council. In his report to the city council yesterday, Tumwater planning manager Brad Medrud said … more

By Tiziana Piatos | 5/19/22

The Thurston Board of County Commissioners declared the third week of May, as the National Public Works Week during its Tuesday meeting on May 17.

Thurston County celebrates public works professionals 'everyday heroes' and ‘unsung heroes”

The Thurston Board of County Commissioners declared the third week of May, 15 to 21, National Public Works Week during their Tuesday meeting on May 17. This year's theme is titled "Ready and … more

By JC Medina | 5/18/22