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

The Tumwater City Council entered anew into a service provider agreement with TOGETHER! to provide rental assistance to families who are at risk of losing housing during the council meeting on Feb. 1, 2022.

Tumwater partners anew with TOGETHER! for rental housing assistance

In response to the rising number of families struggling with homelessness, the Tumwater City Council entered anew into a service provider agreement with TOGETHER! to provide rental assistance to … more

By JC Medina | 2/2/22

If passed, the new levy will raise a total of $52,427,000 for Olympia School District No. 111.

Olympia set to vote on new school tax

The Olympia City Council is encouraging citizens to participate -- and vote yes -- in the upcoming levy raising funds for the local schools. In their meeting yesterday Tues., Olympia city … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 2/2/22

Day 17: Senate looks into tiny homes to solve housing problems

The House Local Government Committee heard public testimony on HB 2001 – which would expand the ability to build tiny houses. Click here for more information on HB 2001. more

By Troy Kirby | 2/1/22

What make and model is that tree?

I have friends who can identify the make, model and year of every car and truck that passes by. They pay attention to every taillight design, every difference in body shape and wheel size, and every … more

By Jill Severn | 1/28/22 | 3 comments

'We need more affordable housing'

Lacey City Council and the Lacey Planning Commission held a joint session on Thu., Jan. 27, to discuss the city's 2022 plans to make housing affordable in the city. Mayor Andy Ryder stressed that … more

By JC Medina | 1/28/22

The tents of homeless people in downtown Seattle are shown directly outside a retailer's windows.

New King County homelessness authority kicks off with $170M budget

The new government agency in charge of Seattle and King County’s regional homeless response is finally up and running. But … more

1/28/22 | 1 comment

TRL prioritizes staff and patron safety

To handle increasing safety risks for staff and opposition from some patrons about wearing masks,Timberland Regional Library (TRL) locations may temporarily switch to takeout services … more

By Taniah Najih | Timberland Regional Library | 1/27/22 | 1 comment

The Thurston County Board of Commissioners on January 25, 2022 approved an ordinance creating a county-wide home fund in a bid to fund affordable housing.

Thurston Commissioners create a county-wide Home Fund

At its meeting today, the Thurston County Board of Commissioners passed an ordinance creating a county-wide Home Fund, extending the 0.1 percent increase Olympia added to its retail sales taxes to … more

By JC Medina | 1/25/22 | 5 comments

Olympia Planning Commissioner Gregory Quetin, top row, center, presented his proposal for an enhanced bike lane network in the city during the body's January 24, 2022 meeting.

Olympia’s Planning Commission proposes enhanced bike lanes

Olympia’s Planning Commission focused its Monday meeting on proposed standards for an enhanced bike lane network. Commissioner Gregory Quetin said the proposed enhancements would help in … more

By JC Medina | 1/25/22 | 1 comment

Staff at Rosie's Place provided the red tent shown on a patch of lawn at their facility in Olympia as an alternative to indoor shelter on Jan. 11, 2022.

Shelter for homeless youth set to re-open tomorrow

Eleven days after abruptly closing, Thurston County’s only shelter for homeless youth ages 18-24 is set to re-open tomorrow, according to program participants. Community Youth Services (CYS) … more

By Danny Stusser | 1/21/22

Plant sex

Slowly but surely, the natural world is waking up. The chickens are getting up a little earlier and roosting a little later. Even the Americauna, who typically takes the whole winter off, laid one … more

By Jill Severn | 1/21/22 | 1 comment

Lacey City Council named former Deputy Mayor Cynthia Pratt as the city’s first-ever poet laureate during the council meeting on January 20, 2022.

Lacey names city’s first poet laureate, sets February as ‘Lacey Loves to Read Month’

The City of Lacey appointed its former deputy mayor, Cynthia Pratt, as its first-ever poet laureate during the council meeting on Thu., Jan. 20. A founding member of the Olympia Poetry Network, … more

By JC Medina | 1/21/22

The Defense Department held its first-ever career symposium tailored to DOD spouses in Washington at George Washington University in the Marvin Center in 2014.

“Unwavering, staggering” military spouse unemployment could change after pandemic

“Unwavering, Staggering” Military Spouse Unemployment Could Change After Pandemicby Julie Zack, The War Horse January 20, 2022 Shugart Lafleur’s spouse came home with an announcement: We’re … more

By Julie Zack | The War Horse | 1/20/22

Olympia bicycle and pedestrian committee members discuss the need for a more disabled-friendly city.

Olympia wants more inclusion for the disabled in city transportation, services

Olympia is looking into making itself more accessible for people with disabilities. The city’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) met online yesterday, Jan. 19, to discuss how … more

Edwin Oscar Gutierrez Jr. | 1/20/22

Olympia Family Theater is set to perform a play encouraging people to be vaccinated.

Olympia theater group to produce play promoting vaccination

Olympia Family Theater (OFT) is set to perform a play encouraging people to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and influenza, in an effort to stem the tide against the pandemic and overcoming vaccine … more

Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 1/19/22 | 1 comment

The question is: Would these 2021 North Thurston High School graduates have achieved better educational results had the district adopted a Balanced Calendar? Shown, l-r, are Hannah Brannam, Maddie Hansen, Annie Hoffman, Cirena Adams and Helene Budd.

Balanced Calendar: not the same as year-round school

North Thurston Public Schools (NTPS) will hold its first community forum this Wed., Jan. 19, to get insights on their plan to explore a “balanced calendar” for the upcoming school … more

By JC Medina | 1/18/22

Sue Meier, founder of Caring Hearts 4 Paws, shown in her home in January 2022 with two clients of her organization.

New humane group saves strays from the “wild” life

“They just don’t survive the stray life.” Sue Meier has been a caretaker most of her life. A former pediatric nurse, she’s now shifting her skills to nursing stray dogs to … more

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

Betty White at the Old Navy Nationwide Search for a New Canine Mascot. Franklin Canyon Park, Beverly Hills, CA on Apr. 29, 2006.

The #BettyWhiteChallenge highlights the growth of animal philanthropy and the role of rescues

Betty White’s death on Dec. 31, 2021, inspired countless remembrances and celebrations of her life and her brilliant comedic work on television. The actress also had a lifelong love of … more

By Melissa L. Caldwell, University of California, Santa Cruz | 1/15/22

Day 5: Bills concerning the issue of missing indigenous persons

On Day 5 of the 2022 Legislative Session, the House Public Safety Committee heard public testimony on two bills concerning the issue of missing indigenous persons, House Bill 1571 and House Bill … more

By Troy Kirby | 1/14/22

Local leaders NAMI and JNJ are hosting community forums to discuss the relationship between mental illness and incarceration.

‘Jail is Not the Answer’

Non-government organizations National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Thurston-Mason and Justice not Jails (JNJ) will hold three community forums to discuss mental health and substance use … more

By JC Medina | 1/14/22 | 1 comment