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

Lacey re-orders electric trucks at a higher price

Lacey re-ordered two electronic Ford F-150 Lightning trucks for a higher price than what was initially planned, according to Troy Woo, the city’s finance director. The city had ordered two … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/29/22 | 5 comments

A map of downtown Olympia with the locations of the city's parking meters.

Update of Olympia parking using PaybyPhone app or usual methods

Olympia is shifting its parking meters to provide more payment options to motorists parking downtown. The city provided an instructional video on the new kiosks that have been installed in the … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 8/29/22

The Lacey City Council discussed Neighborhood Commercial zoning in its work session August 25, 2022.

Controversial decisions spur Lacey to look closer at changing its land-use laws

Controversial decisions spur Lacey to look closer at changing its land-use laws By JC Medina Following two recent controversial decisions that allow the Meridian Gas Station and Hicks Lake … more

By JC Medina | 8/26/22 | 1 comment

The Olympia School District Board met on August 26 for the second reading of the 2022-23 budget.

Olympia School District approves 2022-23 budget

The Olympia School Board approved yesterday a $175,646,680 budget for 2022-23. The most significant chunk of the funds will go towards teaching activities and teaching support at $110.45 million … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/26/22

Olympia: It's the water (level)

A history of flooding and our increasing vulnerability Olympia is blessed to be in such a beautiful location. Nestled at the very southern end of Budd Inlet in Puget Sound, Olympians have long … more

Rich Hoey | Olympia Interim Assistant City Manager | 8/26/22 | 1 comment

The Thurston Board of Health discussed the screening process of applicants for the “citizen seats” of the board during its special meeting on August 24, 2022.

Thurston Board of Health expanding, screening applicants

The Thurston Board of Health (BOH) discussed the screening process of applicants for the “citizen seats” of the board during its special meeting yesterday, August 24. … more

By JC Medina | 8/25/22 | 1 comment

Becker Homes LLC presented its 21-unit apartment proposal at 506 Kaiser Road SW during the presubmission conference at the Site Plan Review Committee held August 24, 2022.

Olympia Site Plan Committee reviews proposed 21-unit apartment project on Kaiser Road

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee yesterday held a presubmission conference for a project proposal for a 21-unit apartment at 506 Kaiser Road SW. Architect Brett Lindsay said the project is a … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 8/25/22 | 1 comment

Olympia proclaims September as ‘Puget Sound Starts Here’ Month

Olympia has joined with other governing bodies, organizations, and community groups to strengthen stewardship of the watershed. They encourage community members to take action to improve the health … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 8/25/22

The ordinance seeks to assist the city with locating owners of abandoned/vacant properties, require registration of these properties annually, have a current local representative or contract of the owner, property manager, or agency who has a vested interest in the property and maintain the property per the city's codes, laws, and ordinances.

Vacant and abandoned properties in Olympia now subject to registration

The Olympia City Council approved an ordinance establishing a vacant property registration program, a move that will create a database to identify vacant properties and address squatting on these … more

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

County seeks a stormwater management consultant

Thurston County is gathering proposals for a comprehensive stormwater program study for its storm and surface water utility. Thurston’s Senior Water Resources Engineer Nate Ensley said … more

By JC Medina | 8/24/22

The December 15, 2021 fire that destroyed several businesses, including this one, and an under-construction apartment building, was put out by Olympia Fire Department working in cooperation with several other agencies, including vehicles and firefighters from Tumwater.

Olympia, Tumwater city managers on proposed merger of fire departments

City managers Jay Burney of Olympia and John Doan of Tumwater sat with The JOLT last Friday to answer questions about the proposed Regional Fire Authority, the accompanying Fire Benefit Charge, and … more

By Danny Stusser and Lorilyn C. Lirio | 8/23/22 | 9 comments

Habitat for Humanity's proposed development plan for 3900 Boulevard Road will have 100 to 130 affordable homes to address homelessness in Olympia.

Habitat for Humanity to give update on the 3900 Boulevard Road project

South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity (Habitat) and its architect, Artisans Group, will host a meeting on September 14, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., to update the public on plans for the 10-acre 3900 Boulevard … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 8/23/22

South Puget Sound Community College's new Executive Diversity Officer Amanda Ybarra, appointed August 1, 2022.

SPSCC welcomes new Executive Diversity Officer

South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) has selected Amanda Ybarra to serve as the College’s Executive Diversity Officer (EDO). The EDO is a member of SPSCC’s executive leadership … more

8/23/22 | 2 comments

If this RV were parked overnight in Lacey, this puppy might be towed, under current law.

Lacey’s No-RV-parking law stands as federal court points appeal back to Washington Supreme Court

Despite a blistering dissent from a third judge, two federal appeals-court judges have decided to put former Lacey RV resident Jack Potter’s federal lawsuit appeal on hold while they ask the … more

By John Gear | 8/22/22 | 5 comments

Lacey okays plans for 300 residences at Hicks Lake

The Lacey City Council has adopted the hearings examiner’s recommendation to approve two proposed residential projects along Hicks Lake, which are planned to include more than 300 housing … more

By JC Medina | 8/19/22 | 3 comments

Olympia Climate Program manager Dr. Pamela Braff said Olympia's emissions reached 661,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2019. Braff was at the Finance Committee meeting on August 18, 2022, to talk about a sustainable fund for climate work.

Olympia needs to invest in climate mitigation and adaptation, says climate program manager

At the Finance Committee meeting yesterday, Olympia Climate Program manager Dr. Pamela Braff discussed information about sustainable funding to support climate work and how the city has been able to … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 8/19/22 | 9 comments

Lacey proclaims August 31 as Overdose Awareness Day

Joining the state’s efforts to break the stigma on substance overdose, the Lacey City Council proclaimed August 31 as Overdose Awareness Day. Lacey Mayor Andy Ryder urged the public to … more

By JC Medina | 8/19/22

Littlerock Road closed Saturday night

Tumwater construction crews will close the northbound lanes of Littlerock Road SW and the east-west shopping center access road from 7:30 p.m., Saturday, August 20, to 7:30 a.m., Sunday, August … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 8/18/22

Kyle Ann Radanovic added to Olympia’s downtown business advisory board

Olympia’s Parking and Business Improvement Area (PBIA) Advisory Board elected Kyle Ann Radanovic as its 13th member yesterday. Before the election, the board only had 12 members. They needed … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/18/22

At the Site Plan Committee meeting held Wednesday, August 17, 2022, Anderson Architect presented the plan to build a studio for Dance West Academy at 1525 Palomino Drive SE.

Studio West Dance Academy seeks to build a studio in south Olympia

The Olympia Site Plan Committee reviewed a project proposal yesterday, including constructing a new building for Studio West Dance Academy at 1525 Palomino Drive SE. In a proposal submitted by … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 8/18/22