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

The Calliope Hummingbird has an unusual pattern of feathers below his beak.

August and September are the best months for seeing unusual avian visitors. If you keep your eyes out for them, you might spot something special. This is exactly what happened a few weeks ago in … more

By George Walter | 8/29/24 | 1 comment

The Olympia Finance Committee received an update on the Washington State Bar Association’s revised standards for indigent defense services, which would require about $1.2 million to implement the new standards in 2025.

Olympia needs to double its budget for criminal defense attorneys each year until 2027

New state standards obligate the City of Olympia to spend more money in coming years to provide criminal defense attorneys to those who cannot afford to defend themselves in the city's municipal … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/28/24 | 9 comments

Caption: Sophia Scroggins serves for Evergreen State College  at a pre-season tournament hosted by Providence University in Great Falls, MT.

Geoducks kick off 2024 volleyball season flat

The Evergreen State College women finish winless in University of Providence tournament The Evergreen State College Volleyball season is off to a rusty start as the Geoducks won none of its four opening games in a tournament hosted by … more

By Vince Zafra | 8/28/24

Suzuka Yosue’s top performances this summer caught the attention of Greek side REA, and she is bound for Greece for her first professional stint.

Some FC Olympia Artesians move to pro and collegiate soccer teams

After a successful season of summer soccer in four different leagues, FC Olympia strengthen ed its path-to-pro goal for soccer players in the community as they announced that several of their players … more

By Vince Zafra | 8/28/24 | 1 comment

Olympia Finance Committee, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. Joan Lutz, the city's Budget and Finance manager, outlines key budget assumptions. The general fund revenue is estimated at $106 million, while the expenses are estimated at $118 million.

Olympia faces $12 million general fund deficit

City manager outlines budget balancing strategies Olympia is facing a starting deficit of $12 million in the general fund as it begins the 2025 budget update process. At its meeting on Monday, City Manager Jay Burney presented an early look at … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/27/24 | 12 comments

Tumwater School District increases number of bus drivers

District showcases bus driver hiring rates, plans new consolidated routes To avoid school bus delays, the Tumwater School District hired 46 drivers upon the opening of the academic year and mulls on adding more as consolidated routes are being considered. Ben Rarick, … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 8/27/24 | 1 comment

Dan Smith, Tumwater’s water resources director, showed the Tumwater Public Works Committee a map of Brewery Wellfield, which is located near Cleveland Avenue and Tumwater Valley Golf Course and is the site of more than 30 old wells.

Tumwater set to finalize acquisition of Lacey’s water rights in Brewery Wellfield

Tumwater Public Works Committee endorsed to its city council an agreement with Lacey to acquire Lacey’s water rights at the Brewery Wellfield for $2,400,461. The purchase includes transferring … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/27/24 | 3 comments

Outgoing Assistant County Manager Robin Campbell

Assistant County Manager Robin Campbell announces retirement

Thurston County Assistant County Manager Robin Campbell has announced her retirement, the county stated in a press release on Saturday, August 23. Campbell will be stepping down from her … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 8/27/24 | 2 comments

'Feast of the Reach'

NRNC is situated in northeast Olympia at Luhr Beach, on the western shore of the Nisqually Estuary. more

By Zach Davis-Price | 8/27/24 | 1 comment

Community members and Director Maria Flores lambasted the Olympia School District Board anew at a regular meeting on Thursday, August 22, 2024.

OSD director condemns colleagues' negative treatment, community criticizes board’s behavior

Olympia School District (OSD) Board Director Maria Flores, together with community members, lambasted other directors following public criticism of the out-of-town retreat last August 10 at Belfair, … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 8/26/24 | 4 comments

The Olympia School District Board of Directors meets in the North Mason School District Boardroom in Belfair on Saturday, Aug. 11. The board members sat far from the designated public seating area and/ or had their backs to the public, and they did not use microphones. Pictured are (left-right) Jess Tourtellotte-Palumbo, Darcy Huffman, President Hilary Seidel, Maria Flores, V.P Scott Clifthorne (standing). Back: student reps Kellan Eggleston, Declan Borden, and Vy Le (not pictured: student rep Sovana Roberts, attending via Zoom).

School closure discussions still a topic in Olympia

Note: This is part four in a series of articles about the Olympia School District Board of Directors’ Summer Retreat at North Mason School District in Belfair on Saturday, Aug. 10. In … more

By Jeffrey Westbrook | 8/26/24 | 1 comment

Tumwater hires contractor for another risk assessment of Davis-Meeker Oak

Tumwater Mayor Debbie Sullivan signed a $48,000 contract with Todd Prager & Associates on Thursday, August 22, to conduct another risk assessment of the Davis-Meeker Garry Oak tree. The mayor … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/26/24 | 5 comments

The proposed Coast Welcome Figure is to be installed at Isthmus Park, located at 531 4th Ave W.

Coast Welcome Figure Sculpture proposed for Isthmus Park

At its Wednesday meeting, the Olympia Site Plan Review Committee held a presubmission conference for the proposed installation of a 12-foot welcome figure carving in the city's Isthmus Park. In … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/26/24

The "You Are Not Alone" campaign is a nationwide initiative that the Olympia Police Department is looking to implement locally to combat human trafficking.

Olympia claims decline in robberies, facing challenges vs human trafficking

The Olympia Police Department outlined its efforts to address human trafficking and other crime trends in the city, emphasizing a survivor-focused approach. Olympia Police Chief Rich Allen spoke … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/23/24 | 6 comments

The Thurston Board of County Commissioners has officially adopted a proclamation endorsing the Target Zero initiative, a program spearheaded by the Washington Traffic Safety Commission aimed at eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries on Washington roadways by 2030.

Zero Traffic Deaths by 2030

The Thurston Board of County Commissioners adopted a proclamation endorsing the Target Zero initiative, a program spearheaded by the Washington Traffic Safety Commission that aims to eliminate … more

By JC Medina | 8/23/24 | 8 comments

Thurston County Community Planning & Economic Development Interim Director Ashley Arai explained the Less Restrictive Alternative Community Housing Code updates to the Board of County Commissioners at a meeting yesterday, August 21.

Thurston County adds standards to alternative housing for law offenders

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) received a briefing on the Less Restrictive Alternative (LRA) Community Housing Code update, which aims to add standards to LRA Community … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 8/23/24

Sean said he thinks the area’s recent cold temperature would have killed him had he been out all night.

Homelessness in Olympia: A new video by JM Simpson

Ever wonder what it might be like to be homeless in downtown Olympia? I estimate that most people here have never spoken with a person living outdoors, in a recreational vehicle or in … more

By Danny Stusser | 8/23/24 | 5 comments

A slide from Public Works Director Jennifer Walker’s presentation summarizes the estimated yearly revenues from multiple options to fund the county’s transportation benefit district.

Voters would decide next year about a new tax on car tabs and/or sales tax boost

According to the directions the Board of County Commissioners gave county staff, the county plans to hold an advisory vote on a new tax and vehicle tab in next year’s August primary election. … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/22/24 | 15 comments

Olympia committee talks about local childcare crisis

The Olympia Community Livability and Public Safety Committee (CLPS) discussed the city's childcare crisis, exploring the issues of affordability, accessibility, and potential solutions to support … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/22/24 | 3 comments

County commissioners support funding plan for Franz Anderson permanent supportive housing

Thurston’s Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) supported a proposed plan to use $3.5 million in funding to support four affordable housing projects at Franz Anderson in case the construction … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 8/22/24 | 3 comments