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

Calico Lane by author Judy Kirhart winner of Best Indie Book, LGBTQ Memoir category 2022

Meeting local author, Judy Kiehart winner of Best Indie Book Award® for 'Calico Lane'

I first met Judy Kiehart online through the Olympia Writers Group. Judy Kiehart is a prolific writer who makes her home in Olympia. She has written short stories, plays and most recently, a book that … more

By Kathleen Anderson | 4/26/23

Lacey Youth Council Mayor Justin Begley urged North Thurston Public Schools (NTPS) to revisit its safety protocols and hear student concerns following lockout incidents at Timberline High School.

Lacey Youth Council says local schools are not prepared to keep children safe

Lacey Youth Council Mayor Justin Begley urged North Thurston Public Schools (NTPS) to revisit its safety protocols and hear students’ concerns following lockout incidents at Timberline High … more

By JC Medina | 4/25/23 | 3 comments

This is the Washington State Legislative Building, as seen from Capitol Lake, photographed on May 5, 2017

State allocates $7 million for Deschutes Estuary restoration project

The Washington state legislature allocated $7 million for the Deschutes Estuary restoration project as part of its 2023-2024 operating budget, which Congress passed on Sunday, April 23, before … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/25/23 | 3 comments

Nodal development concept of the Martin Way corridor. The Olympia City Council held a study session to discuss the Martin Way corridor development.

Regional planning council urges collaboration for Martin Way strategy

The city council was urged to seek collaboration with other jurisdictions to promote growth on the Martin Way corridor in Tuesday’s Olympia City Council study session. To prioritize regional … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/25/23

The Lacey Commission on Equity (COE) unanimously approved to recommend the Advisory Board Stipend Program to the Lacey City Council during the April 24, 2023 public meeting.

Lacey Equity team pushes for stipend program for advisory boards, commissioners

The Lacey Commission on Equity (COE) unanimously approved recommending the Advisory Board Stipend Program to the Lacey City Council. During the commission’s meeting on Monday, April 24, … more

By JC Medina | 4/25/23

RWD Landscape Architects came up with the draft of the preferred alternative after holding an open house that attracted around 50 residents.

Tumwater commission shapes preferred alternative for Trails End Park

The Tumwater Park and Recreation Commission discussed a draft for the preferred alternative of the programming and layout of a neighborhood park on Trails End Drive and 79th Avenue. RWD Landscape … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/24/23

Taking children into our gardens can feed their sense of wonder, and let theirs feed ours.

Earth Day in the garden

I would say Happy Earth Day to all gardeners and all friends of gardens, but this year the day stirs up something far more complex than simple happiness. We can, of course, mark April 22 as a day … more

By Jill Severn | 4/21/23 | 2 comments

Police seek alleged robbers, including one with a pink handgun

Police are seeking four individuals allegedly involved in two separate robberies. Armed robbery in Lacey The Lacey Police Department said two suspects carjacked and robbed a victim at gunpoint … more

By Julia Ornedo | 4/21/23 | 1 comment

West Olympia Timberland Library to host Grand Reopening May 6

The West Olympia Timberland Library will host a Grand Reopening on May 6, 2023 from 11am-1pm in the Capital Mall to showcase enhancements and upgrades made during a 2-month remodel. The West … more

4/20/23 | 1 comment

What I'm going to do on Earth Day again this year

Every year someone will ask me, “What are you going to do for Earth Day?” For the past 21 years, my answer has been basically the same. You see, my son Aaron’s birthday is April … more

By George Walter | 4/20/23

What's happening next week?

Tumwater Earth Day, April 22, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Each year, Tumwater Parks & Recreation teams up with the PARC Foundation to celebrate Earth Day. Join other volunteers in a service project to … more

4/20/23

The Olympia City Council approved a resolution recognizing the Olympia Firehouse 5, a nonprofit organization for retired firefighters, during the meeting held Tuesday, April 18, 2023.

Preserving fire service history, Olympia Firehouse 5 recognized for contributions to Olympia

The Olympia City Council has approved a resolution giving the designation of "Station 5" to Olympia Firehouse 5, a nonprofit organization of retired firefighters whose mission is to preserve fire … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/19/23 | 2 comments

Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater taking part in water conservation incentive and rebate programs that benefit homeowners.

Spring water saving free kits and rebates for households

Spring water conservation The City of Olympia is implementing water conservation efforts through savings, rebates, and free kits. Other localities, such as Lacey and Tumwater, also have incentives … more

By Sage Hamilton | 4/18/23 | 1 comment

At the Olympia Planning Commission meeting held Monday, April 17, 2023, seven commissioners approved the recommendation on parking code amendments, including zero parking space minimum for all housing developments.

Olympia Planning Commission approves zero parking space for new house developments

With a vote of 7-2, the Olympia Planning Commission approved the recommendation for the parking code amendments, including removing the minimum parking space for all residential developments, on … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/18/23 | 9 comments

Mission Nonprofit's host Robert Kam (left) with guest.

TCMedia’s ‘Mission Nonprofit’ now a podcast available on select services

Thurston Community Media is announcing that its “Mission Nonprofit” television show is now available on iHeartRadio, Spotify and Apple iTunes as a podcast. The television series it … more

4/18/23

Doctor and patient talking about the treatment.

How to choose a primary care physician

One of the most important ways to advocate for yourself in healthcare is to have a primary care physician (PCP). The corporate healthcare system has changed this acronym to primary care … more

By Debra L. Glasser, M.D. | 4/18/23 | 1 comment

Several students attended the meeting on Thursday, April 13 to thank the Olympia School Board for their extracurricular activity support.

Farming and robotics students laud Olympia School Board for extracurricular activity support

In the middle of discussions for the reduced educational plan, several students attended the meeting on Thursday, April 13 to thank the Olympia School Board. The students took their appreciation … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/17/23 | 1 comment

A bus stop with improvements after a renovation that includes a bulb-out to make embarking and disembarking from the front or back doors more accessible to riders.

Intercity Transit to receive federal funding to renovate bus stops

Intercity Transit will be receiving $1,825,950 in federal grant funding to renovate 145 bus stops, the agency announced on Tuesday, April 11. According to a press release from the office of U.S. … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/17/23 | 1 comment

The Olympia Parking & Business Improvement Area (PBIA) Advisory Board met on Wednesday, April 12, to finalize the Request for Proposals for the winter Makers Market Event.

Who wants to organize the next Winter Makers Market in downtown Olympia?

Olympia’s Parking & Business Improvement Area (PBIA) Advisory Board finished the final draft of the Request for Proposals (RFP) on Wednesday, April 12, for an entity to oversee the winter … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/17/23

From the cover of the report by the Deployment Dynamics Group LLC

Olympia and Tumwater failed to correct Fire Benefit Charge errors identified by their quality assurance consultant

Deployment Dynamics Group (DDG) was hired to review the proposed Olympia Tumwater Fire Authority (RFA) database, which would be the basis for a Fire Benefit Charge (FBC) to be charged to Olympia and … more

By Lorilyn Lirio and Danny Stusser | 4/14/23 | 3 comments