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

Tumwater Inn & Suites is located at 5895 Capitol Blvd SE

Tumwater Inn senior housing conversion project gets funding, potential improvements

Washington State Department of Commerce (Commerce) awarded the Housing Authority of Thurston County (HATC) $6,909,400 to purchase and convert Tumwater Inn & Suites into housing for seniors, … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/29/23 | 1 comment

On Tuesday, March 28, 2023, Olympia City Council recognized 10 individuals who served on the advisory committees.

Olympia appoints 18 individuals for various advisory committees, celebrates 10 committee members’ service as their term ends

The Olympia City Council on Tuesday approved the appointment of 18 individuals who would serve in various city advisory committees. Councilmember Yen Hyunh, also the Community Livability and … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/29/23 | 2 comments

Lacey Finance & Economic Development Committee reviewed several budget amendments for  2023 during its meeting on March 28, 2023.

Lacey reviews 2023 budget amendments

Lacey’s Finance & Economic Development Committee reviewed several budget amendments for 2023 during its meeting on Tuesday, March 28. Finance Director Troy Woo said the amendments were … more

By JC Medina | 3/29/23

Ballots for Proposition 1 are set to mail on April 5.

Voter Information Forum, Wednesday, March 29, to focus on proposed Regional Fire Authority

Voters in Olympia and Tumwater are being asked to vote in a special election, April 25, on Proposition 1, to decide whether to merge their fire departments and create a new regional fire authority … more

By The JOLT News Staff | 3/28/23 | 7 comments

The Commission on Equity reviewed the recently held Black and African American Community Forum during their meeting on March 27, 2023.

Jackson scolds council, school officials’ absence on Black and African American Community Forum

Civil rights advocates and Lacey Equity Commissioner Thelma Jackson said she was disappointed that no one from the Lacey City Council and the North Thurston Public Schools (NTPS) Board attended the … more

By JC Medina | 3/28/23 | 3 comments

Olympia's Economic Development Director Mike Reid spoke at the Social Justice and Equity Commission meeting on Monday, March 27, 2023. He seeks help from the commission to incorporate an equity framework on the LTAC policy update.

Creating a framework for equity and new events funding weighed for local tourism events

Olympia's Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) is seeking the assistance of the Social Justice and Equity Commission to incorporate an equity framework in its policy update. At the commission … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/28/23

The 20 inductees honored, 19 are pictured here: Brennan Kalewahea, Jeff Birbeck, Katelynn Blume, Bob Dewitt, Pat Geiger, Dave Lehnis, Stone Hart, Anthony Le, Stephanie Little, Matthew Mercer, Annaleisha Parsley, Antwan Miller, Riley Overland(Podowicz), Kevin Russel, Taryn Smith, Taylor Smith, Sasha Weber, John Wilson, Ronnie Hamli, and Kevin Young.

20 new members added to Timberline Athletic Hall of Fame

Timberline's Athletic Hall of Fame is located next to the entry of its gymnasium. “It features student athletes and staff over the years that either made a significant contribution to … more

3/28/23

This image, from March 2023, shows the campsite of one or more individuals who occupy land assigned to the Washington State Department of Transportation but in Olympia's city limits.

2023 Point-in-Time (PIT) homeless census preliminary data released

Thurston County Public Health and Social Services has released preliminary data for the 2023 Point-in-Time (PIT) Homeless Census. This preliminary data accounts for the number of Thurston County … more

Provided by Thurston County Public Health and Social Services | 3/28/23 | 2 comments

Ethan Paige and Clay Koch from the Cowlitz Indian Tribe sang two songs to welcome the Tâlícn development.

Habitat for Humanity’s newest project officially launches

Some 100 people braved frigid temperatures in Tumwater on Saturday morning, March 25, to celebrate the official launch of a new small neighborhood there. Once completed, the Tâlícn … more

By Danny Stusser | 3/27/23 | 1 comment

Olympia Land Use and Environment Committee reviewed the RFP scope of work for the affordable homeownership study on Thursday, March 23, 2022.

Potential homeownership affordability study reviewed in Olympia with equitable focus; developers’ incentives discussed

Olympia is moving forward with a second-phase study focusing on affordable homeownership to address disparities in housing affordability. At Thursday's Land Use and Environment Committee meeting, … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/27/23 | 4 comments

Olympia Principal Planner Joyce Phillips updated the Land Use and Environment Committee on the Olympia-Thurston County Joint Plan on Thursday, March 23, 2022.

Olympia committee gets update on Olympia-Thurston County Joint Plan for Unincorporated Urban Growth Area

Olympia's Land Use and Environment Committee approved the recommendations of the City of Olympia and Thurston County Joint Plan for the Unincorporated Urban Growth Area (UGA), one of which is … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/27/23 | 1 comment

2022 opioid settlement: Three cities and county sign for shares of the funds

Lacey joined with Olympia, Tumwater and Thurston County when its city council agreed last Thursday, March 16, to to sign up for its share of a settlement from pharmacies and manufacturers involved in … more

By Jerome Tuaño and Danny Stusser | 3/24/23

New park to rise on old site of Trails End Horse Arena in Tumwater

A neighborhood park would soon arise on the former site of the demolished Trails End Horse Arena, according to plans discussed by Tumwater’s Park and Recreation Committee on Wednesday, March … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/24/23 | 2 comments

Olympia Civil Service Commission convened on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, and approved 20 new firefighters.

Olympia Fire Department registers 20 new firefighter candidates, gender imbalance noted

More than 400 individuals applied to the Olympia Fire Department (OFD), but only 20 made it to the entry-level firefighter (ELFF) register approved by the Civil Service Commission on Tuesday, March … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/23/23 | 6 comments

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee heard a proposal for rehabilitating the historic Joel M. Pritchard Building, which used to be the State Library, on Wednesday, March 22, 2023.

Historic Pritchard building up for restoration and expansion

Washington State Department of Enterprises Services has proposed rehabilitating and expanding the historic 1958 Joel M. Pritchard Building to retain the character of the building while enhancing its … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/23/23 | 2 comments

Thurston County has received funding to replace the Green Cove Creek Culvert at Country Club Rd NW in west Olympia.

Salmon-friendly bridge on Green Cove Creek going forward after 2021 culvert collapse

Thurston County has received a $4.5 million construction loan from the Washington State Public Works Board to replace the Green Cove Creek Culvert at Country Club Rd NW in west Olympia. Public … more

By JC Medina and Sage Hamilton | 3/22/23

Olympia’s Deputy Fire Chief Michael Buchanan discussed the updated Comprehensive Emergency Plan at the city council study session held Tuesday, March 21, 2023.

Olympia Fire Department updates emergency plan

Olympia Fire Chief Todd Carson and Deputy Chief Michael Buchanan presented the updated Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP), which provides a framework for response and recovery activities … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/22/23

Hard Bed: This individual slept on a bed of concrete in Fleetwood Alley in Olympia in March 2023.

Pictorial: A recipe for homelessness

In a large bowl mix the yeast of mental health issues with 1/2 teaspoon of the sugar of substance abuse in 2-1/4 cups of the warm water of the lack of accessible housing. Let stand until the … more

By JM Simpson | 3/22/23 | 6 comments

The JOLT publishes readers' letters on Thurston County topics, generally verbatim and within a day or two of receiving them.

Zero parking for new multi-family residences? Seriously?

Dear Editor, Gee, wouldn't it be lovely if carbon-spewing automobiles were eliminated? Of course. But get real. The city of Olympia's proposed parking reductions for new construction promote … more

By Fred Yancey | 3/22/23 | 5 comments

The Olympia Planning Commission opened the public hearing for the proposed parking code amendment. Fourteen community members participated in the public process held Monday, March 20, 2023.

Olympia's proposal to reduce parking at new residences draws public outcry

The Olympia Planning Commission held a public hearing on Monday, March 20, to discuss proposed parking code amendments that would reduce parking requirements for residential uses, including for … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/21/23 | 8 comments