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

Red Cross South Puget Sound Executive Director Daniel Wirth and board member Justin Mears attended the Thursday meeting of Lacey City Council for the proclamation of American Red Cross Month.

Lacey supports humanitarian missions in American Red Cross Month

The Lacey City Council on Thursday urged the public to reach out and support humanitarian missions as it proclaimed March 2022 as American Red Cross (ARC) Month. Mayor Andy Ryder said … more

By JC Medina | 3/21/22

Kenny Trobman at his restaurant, The Gyro Spot. He is set to go to Poland on Monday, March 21 to volunteer with World Central Kitchen.

Local restauranteur headed to Poland, is volunteering to help feed Ukrainian refugees

When longtime Olympia restauranteur Kenny Trobman learned that World Central Kitchen was getting set to feed Ukrainian refugees, he “immediately knew" what he had to do,” which was to go … more

By Danny Stusser | 3/18/22

All three proposed alternatives for the future of Capitol Lake are shown above at various tide levels.

Estuary option most likely choice for Capitol Lake

Capitol Lake and the related Deschutes Estuary will most likely be reverted into its original brackish water state, according to a Washington State Department of Enterprise Services press release … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 3/18/22 | 4 comments

Senate rejects bill on homelessness

One bill that did not pass beyond the Senate during the 2022 Washington State Legislature, was Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5662, which would have created intergovernmental coordination to … more

By Troy Kirby | 3/18/22

Ellis Cove, in Priest Point Park in Olympia, in January 2021.

Community members show support for Priest Point Park name change

Olympia community members attended the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting to advocate for the proposed renaming of Priest Point Park to Squaxin Park yesterday. Parks Planning & … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 3/18/22 | 3 comments

Here are more ways to get your gardening fix while it's raining

Last Saturday morning, I spent a blissful half hour sitting on my front porch drinking coffee, under a bright blue sky and the sun warming my face. But by 4 p.m., the sky had turned gray and the rain … more

By Jill Severn | 3/18/22 | 1 comment

Olympia's Finance Committee, meeting on March 16, 2022, voted to send a proposal to create a Workforce Training Center to the city council.

Olympia explores opening training center to address rising unemployment

Olympia’s Finance Committee has endorsed the advancement to the city council of an Economic Workforce Training Center during its meeting yesterday, March 17. Approved by Finance Committee … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 3/17/22 | 1 comment

Olympia and other local school districts are considering changing to a Balanced Calendar. This slide is from the OSD board meeting on March 16, 2022.

Olympia School District probes shifting to Balanced Calendar

Olympia Schools District (OSD) is exploring adopting a Balanced Calendar, potentially as soon as the 2024-25 school year. During a webinar held Tues., March 15, OSD Superintendent Patrick Murphy … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 3/17/22 | 1 comment

WSDOT launches online open house to improve Interstate 5

The Washington State Department of Transportation announced in a press release that it created an online open house seeking comments about the section of I-5 that runs through Thurston County, from … more

By Julia Ornedo | 3/15/22 | 1 comment

Previous winners of the Olympia & Beyond Sports Commission Sports Awards.

Nominations open for Olympia Sports Awards

The Olympia & Beyond Sports Commission is seeking for local athletes to be honored in its upcoming 2022 Sports Awards. In their press release, the sports commission is asking community members … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 3/15/22

National Honor Society officer Isabella Matakas.

National Honor Society recognizes local students at North Thurston High School

The National Honors Society (NHS) inducted some local students into their organization Thurs., March 10, at North Thurston High School, Lacey. Recognized for their accomplishments in their … more

By Gloria Towne | 3/15/22

The National Guard Armory building is set to become the new home of the Olympia Parks, Arts & Recreation Department.

Olympia Parks, Arts & Recreation assuming management of the Armory

The Olympia Arts Commission will transfer to the old National Guard Armory after its turnover ceremony on March 19, Sat., at 1 p.m. “This moment is when we officially have the … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 3/11/22

Masks will no longer be required in public.

Many places will be mask-optional starting this Saturday

Face masks will no longer be required in some indoor settings beginning this Saturday, March 12. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) announced that face masks would not be required … more

By JC Medina | 3/10/22

Olympia’s Community Livability and Public Safety Committee members interviewing applicants for the various vacancies in the city's advisory committees.

Olympia working to select new advisory committee members

Olympia recently finished screening applicants for vacant slots in its advisory committees today. Olympia’s Community Livability and Public Safety Committee, composed of Chairperson Dontae … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 3/10/22

The next Olympia police chief will be in charge of patrols such as this, among many other community concerns.

Olympia police chief candidates set to answer questions at Olympia town hall meeting

Olympia’s candidates for the Chief of Police position will answer questions by the public at the upcoming virtual public meeting on Tues., March 15 at 5:30 p.m. Members of the public may … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 3/10/22

Timberland Regional Library staff celebrate Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month by offering a variety of accessible materials and resources, collected digitally on the TRL.org Celebrations webpage. https://www.trl.org/Celebrations

TRL celebrates Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

Timberland Regional Library celebrates March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month by highlighting staff-selected resources that recognize the many achievements and contributions of people … more

By Taniah Najih | Timberland Regional Library | 3/10/22

This is the interior of the building at 118 Fourth Ave. East in downtown Olympia.

Shiny Prize proposed at former barbershop

Olympia may have a new resto-bar opening soon. more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 3/10/22

Olympia Climate Program Manager Dr. Pamela Braff presented the city's push to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a city council meeting yesterday, March 8.

Olympia aims to halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2030

Olympia is setting its sights on reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 59% by 2030. During their meeting yesterday, Olympia City Council discussed ways the city can adopt to contribute to the … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 3/9/22

Tumwater eyes changing city's logo for racial equity

Tumwater's city leadership team proposed changing the city’s logo as one in a list of potential measures to advance racial equity in the city at the council meeting yesterday. The city … more

By JC Medina | 3/9/22 | 3 comments

A 4:40 p.m., Feb. 25 screenshot of the Thurston County Facebook post on its announcement of the housing assistance partnership suspension.

Rent assistance funds tied up due to ongoing dispute

Today the Thurston Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) voted to begin a contract with a Seattle-based tech company to continue the tasks associated with distributing the balance of what started as … more

By Danny Stusser | 3/8/22 | 1 comment