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

Olympia seeks consultant to review its 2045 Comprehensive Plan Update

Olympia is seeking proposals from qualified consultants to prepare a draft and final Environment Impact Statement (EIS) for its 2045 Comprehensive Plan update. The work will also include a review of … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/25/24

Join the Suicide Awareness Gathering on Monday, September 30, 6 to 8 p.m.

Join community-centered ASHHO’s Suicide Awareness Gathering and catch the Cultural Bazaar

The ASHHO Cultural & Job Training Center at Tumwater is opening its doors for a mental health gathering about suicide and its well-known cultural bazaar. Suicide Awareness Gathering … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 9/25/24

The Saints prepare for conference play after finishing their preseason tournament in Idaho last weekend. They will face Northwest Nazarene first in the GNAC.

Saint Martin’s wraps up volleyball preseason in Northwest Nazarene tournament

The Saints volleyball team competed in Northwest Nazarene University ’s (NNU) Hampton Inn & Suites Nighthawks Classic , hosted by N NU last weekend at the Johnson Sports Center at Nampa, ID … more

By Vince Zafra | 9/25/24

The slide shows Family Support Center's affordable housing project received an 80% exemption on fees, but still incurred over $500,000 in remaining fees.

Olympia proposes emergency declaration and strategies to address affordable housing crisis

At a Land Use and Environment Committee meeting on Thursday, city staff presented a proposal for an emergency declaration related to affordable housing, which aims to implement a series of strategies … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/24/24 | 10 comments

The first phase of the project is referred to as upland work and involves the planting of riparian trees on the outer part of the site. The second phase will focus on the in-water features along 1,000 feet of Deschutes River and additional plantings.

Tumwater refocuses work to improve Pioneer Park’s shoreline

Tumwater is refocusing its work on stabilizing the shoreline of the Deschutes River as it passes Pioneer Park, a project that has been in the works since 2014. The erosion along Pioneer … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/24/24 | 1 comment

The left photo shows how the Martin Way Corridor looked when originally constructed in the early 1930’s. The Corridor was a part of the original highway system. The right photo shows what Martin Way looks like now as the county plans to turn the area from an automobile-dominated roadway to a more pedestrian-friendly road.

TRPC seeks proposals for the Martin Way Crossing Strategy study

The Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) is seeking proposals for a pedestrian crossing study of the Martin Way Corridor. The study aims to enhance safety and mobility through strategic … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/24/24 | 5 comments

Olympia Site Plan Review Committee hears a proposal to build eight residential units at 2325 Conger Ave NW.

Demolish 1 and build 8: new subdivision proposed for west Olympia

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee, on Sept. 18, heard a proposed residential project with a plan to build eight units at 2325 Conger Ave NW. The project aims to demolish an existing … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/24/24 | 3 comments

Caption: the South Puget Sound Community College Clippers got their first win of the season, defeating Lane Community College, 4-1.

SPSCC Clippers earn first win of the season in 4-1 drubbing over Lane CC

The South Puget Sound Community College men’s soccer team picked up its first win of the conference season as they pummeled the Lane Community College Titans 4-1 in lopsided fashion on … more

By Vince Zafra | 9/24/24

On Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, the Olympia City Council approved an amendment to the city's camping ordinance that expands the prohibition to include rights-of-way and parklets.

Olympia approves expanded camping ban in public spaces

In a 5-2 vote, the Olympia City Council approved an amendment expanding the city's camping prohibition to include rights-of-ways and parklets. At the city council ’s meeting … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/23/24 | 6 comments

Ballots being sorted, photo November 7, 2022.

County mails ballots for military, overseas voters

The Thurston County Auditor’s Elections Division announced on Friday, Sept . 20, that it has mailed over 10,111 ballots to military and overseas voters registered in the county. … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/23/24

A new homeowner receiving the key to their new home

Olympia to apply for federal housing grant

On Tuesday Olympia approved authorization of city staff to apply for a federal grant program aimed at removing barriers to affordable housing in the city. The U.S. Department of … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/23/24

Mara Schwenneker leads the Geoducks in the Gator Invitational.

Evergreen State cross country runners set records in Gator Invitational

The Evergreen State College cross country teams competed again in the Green River G a tor Invit ational on Saturday, Sept . 14 , at Fort Steilacoom Park in Lakewood, WA , as part of this … more

By Vince Zafra | 9/23/24

This is an example of the outside component of a mini-split heat pump system.

Electrification rebate program coming to Tumwater, but first city must nail down details

Grant-funded rebates program to launch in January 2025 Around $400,000 will be available to Tumwater … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/20/24 | 3 comments

Boo-Coda Spook-Tacular returns with month-long Halloween festivities, horror house

Small town Bucoda puts itself on the map with its annual month-long Halloween celebration, the Boo-Coda Spook-Tacular. “Bucoda may be tiny, but its reputation as a Halloween … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 9/20/24

A wood burning stove and basket of cut wood

Have an old wood stove? Agency pushes to destroy or replace them

Olympic Region Clean Air Agency offers financial incentives to those willing to ditch or replace wood stoves. Residents who want to upgrade or get rid of their wood stoves may qualify for a cash incentive. The Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) announced Tuesday, September 17, … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/20/24 | 5 comments

The Olympia City Council recognizes Interfaith Works' 50 years of dedication to promoting compassion and community service.

Olympia recognizes Interfaith Works' 50 years of community service

On Tuesday, Sept. 17, the Olympia City Council recognized and celebrated Interfaith Works for its 50 years of dedication to promoting human dignity and peace through interfaith understanding and … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/20/24

Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders says the building purchase will consolidate deputies currently split into different locations.

Thurston County okays $14 million potential purchase of Tumwater building for Sheriff’s use

At a meeting yesterday, September 17, Thurston County’s Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) approved the potential purchase of a building for the Thurston County Sheriff's Office (TCSO) to … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 9/19/24 | 6 comments

Lacey Mayor Andy Ryder revealed that he is currently undergoing treatment for prostate cancer during the council meeting while talking about Prostate Cancer Awareness Month on September 17, 2024.

Lacey Mayor Ryder reveals diagnosis during prostate cancer awareness month proclamation

In a personal announcement during Lacey’s official Prostate Cancer Awareness Month proclamation, Mayor Andy Ryder revealed that he is currently undergoing treatment for prostate cancer. … more

By JC Medina | 9/19/24

South Puget Sound Community College hires twelve full-time faculty members

South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) welcomes twelve faculty members as it starts the academic year 2024-25, a news release stated Wednesday. The new full-time tenure-track faculty … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 9/19/24

Sophia Scroggins serves for Evergreen State College.

Geoduck Volleyball team blank in two opening conference games

The Evergreen State College volleyball team lost its first two conference games of the 2024 fall season, winning none of its sets against Walla Walla University and Lewis-Clark State University over … more

By Vince Zafra | 9/19/24